At just 12 years old, Tom George launched his first business with a stack of flyers and a borrowed lawnmower. By 27, he had paid off his parents’ mortgage.

In this raw, inspiring and deeply honest episode of the Different Hats Podcast, Tom shares his journey from a turbulent childhood, through early entrepreneurship, to becoming the director of multiple businesses, all driven by grit, purpose, and the desire to create a better life for those around him.

This is not just a story about money, it’s about mindset, resilience, leadership, legacy, and redefining success on your own terms. If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted your path, or wondered if it’s too late (or too early) to start something, this conversation is for you.

🧠 You’ll learn:

• How childhood adversity shaped his mindset
• Why he values attitude over education when hiring
• The truth behind hustle culture and burnout
• The importance of emotional presence in leadership
• What really drives long-term fulfilment and success

💥 Hit subscribe for more inspiring conversations that challenge the definition of success. https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast

🔑 EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Introduction

01:18 – “You can have 1,000 problems… until your health goes”

04:57 – How Tom defines success (and why it’s not about money)

07:49 – Self-awareness, presence, and growing into purpose

13:45 – What Tom looks for when hiring young people

20:14 – Tom’s childhood, family trauma, and gaining weight as an emotional outlet

31:27 – Leaving the Jehovah’s Witness faith and its aftermath

33:19 – How one business card changed Tom’s life

38:26 – The £6k summer at 12 years old that ignited his entrepreneurial fire

47:01 – Taking risks, changing lanes, and choosing your hard

54:53 – From ego-driven choices to purposeful business moves

59:56 – Hustle culture: mindset, mental health, and balance

1:08:04 – Why living in the present matters more than chasing the future

1:10:44 – Money vs Meaning: what truly drives Tom

1:24:05 – Dealing with business volatility and emotional resilience

1:31:09 – Relationships, insecurity, and proving you’re enough

1:41:53 – Tom’s Advice to Young Entrepreneurs

1:56:05 – Final Reflections: Dream Big, Start Now

✨ SPONSORED BY:

🔎 Search Seven – Search marketing with purpose: www.searchseven.co.uk

🇬🇷 Nostos Hove – An authentic Greek experience: www.nostos-hove.co.uk

🚗 Rivervale – Motoring made manageable: www.rivervale.co.uk

Plus X - Empowering bold thinkers at every stage: https://www.plusxinnovation.com/

🔔 Subscribe, comment, and join the journey to redefine success through real, human stories.

✨ PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply honest and empowering episode with the brilliant Marina Lazaris, we dive into how modern men (and women) can reconnect with authentic love, real confidence, and emotional success, beyond the fake measures of status, wealth, or appearance.

This is a powerful conversation about redefining masculinity, rewriting success, and reconnecting with who we really are. Full of raw insights, practical tips, and hope for the next generation.

If you're a man feeling stuck, isolated, or unsure where to begin, this episode is for you.

If you're raising sons, working with men, or simply care about building a better future, this episode is for you.

👇 Chapters and Timestamps 👇

00:00 - Introduction

01:06 - The power of love stories: Creating a lasting foundation

06:58 - Teaching men how to confidently approach women again

10:00 - Chivalry, respect, and bringing back genuine kindness

18:00 - How fear of rejection and shame are holding men back

27:00 - Building real self-worth without wealth or status

36:00 - Understanding emotions: anger, sadness, joy as gifts

44:00 - The inner critic vs. inner champion: Rewriting your story

53:00 - Why community and connection are the real success metrics

1:02:00 - The loneliness epidemic: Shocking statistics on single men

1:10:00 - Finding purpose, passion, and your authentic self

1:18:00 - Healing masculine and feminine wounds in relationships

1:30:00 - How slowing down actually speeds up your success

1:40:00 - Practical daily habits for building confidence and self-love

1:50:00 - Service, gratitude, and the secret to a fulfilled life

1:55:00 - Final thoughts: Hope for the next generation of men

✅ If you found value in this episode:

• Like
• Subscribe
• Share
• Comment

📚 Grab Marina Lazaris book https://www.amazon.co.uk/MEN-NEED-LOVE-Too-RELATIONSHIPS/

🌐 Connect with us: https://www.different-hats.co.uk

🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

• Search Seven: https://www.searchseven.co.uk
• Plus X: https://www.plusxinnovation.com
• Nostos Hove: https://www.nostos-hove.co.uk
• Rivervale: https://www.rivervale.co.uk

Produced By:

H2 Productions Ltd – https://h2productions.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if everything you thought success looked like... wasn't the thing at all?

In this emotional, wise, and deeply human episode, I sit down with Norman Mayhew, entrepreneur, mentor, and founder of The Sussex Sign Company, for a conversation that is as raw as it is inspiring.

From growing up in poverty and dealing with childhood trauma, to building a million-pound business and learning how to define “enough,” Norman’s story is a moving reminder that the most valuable things in life often aren’t things at all.

💬 Norman opens up about:

• Growing up with violence, shame, and the tally man at the door
• His fight to break the cycle for his kids — and the cost that came with it
• Why dignity in work matters more than what’s in the bank
• The lessons learned from 30 years in business and 60+ years in life
• The moment he realised that love is the only thing that really counts

This isn’t a business podcast. This is a conversation about being human.

👉 Whether you’re a founder, leader, parent, or someone just trying to hold it all together, this one will move you, shake you, and maybe even help you breathe a little deeper.

📍 Key Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

04:34 – Redefining Success After 30 Years

16:19 – Childhood Trauma & the Drive to Break the Cycle

21:26 – The Regrets of Working Too Much

29:29 – The School System is Broken

34:35 – All They Wanted Was Time

43:03 – Dignity in Work: A Brother’s Story

55:38 – Building the Sussex Sign Company From Scratch

1:10:22 – Leadership, Loyalty & Lifelong Lessons

1:47:11 – Final Reflections

📲 Follow, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

🎥 WATCH NOW on YouTube:

🎧 LISTEN on Spotify/Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/differenthats

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

• Search Seven: https://www.searchseven.co.uk
• Plus X: https://www.plusxinnovation.com
• Nostos Hove: https://www.nostos-hove.co.uk
• Rivervale: https://www.rivervale.co.uk

Produced By:

H2 Productions Ltd – https://h2productions.co.uk

#DifferentHatsPodcast #NormanMayhew #RedefiningSuccess #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealthAwareness #Legacy #Love #Storytelling #Leadership #DignityInWork #Purpose #YouAlrightMate #BusinessWithHeart

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