In this episode of The Founders Blueprint, James sits with Marcus Hollingsworth and Sophie Adens, the duo behind Hydro, a leading web design company based in Manchester. As co-founders and life partners, Marcus and Sophie share their unique insights into the challenges and rewards of running a successful business together while also living under the same roof.

Listeners will discover how their shared background in sales and creative flair have fueled their company’s growth and success. Marcus delves into his experience juggling multiple successful ventures and the importance of wearing different hats to effectively manage business operations.

This episode provides an inspiring look into the balancing act of personal and professional life, highlighting how Marcus and Sophie have mastered collaboration to maintain an edge in the competitive world of web design in the North West.

Welcome to episode 14 of The Founders Blueprint. In this episode, James sits down with Paul and Joe Murphy, the duo behind the popular menswear brand Lanka Clothing. So inspired by their cherished memories and deep admiration for Sri Lanka, they decided to name their designer label after the beautiful island nation. Paul and Joe take us on a journey through their entrepreneurial adventure, starting out in their parents' garage.

They share candid stories of investing thousands in samples, only to receive items that were far from their original designs. Through persistence and a commitment to quality, they have refined their suppliers and transformed Lanka Clothing into a widely recognised brand, both regionally and nationally. Tune in to hear about their early struggles, the importance of making mistakes, and their strategic approach to organic growth and advertising.

Discover how they balance affordability with high quality, and gain insights into their upcoming collections, including coats, trainers, sliders, and more. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a fashion enthusiast, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice on launching your own clothing brand. "Don’t procrastinate, just get started."

Lankaclothing.com

In this week's episode of The Founders Blueprint podcast, James is joined in the studio by best friends Dom Talbot and Oliver Cooke, founders and CEOs of Venture Finance in Liverpool. Offering end-to-end accounting services for small to medium-sized enterprises, they discuss how their unique way of working, makes their clients feel like they’re an extended member of their team.

Dom and Ol recount their first meeting, when playing on the football fields of north Liverpool, where they discovered a shared passion for business and accounting. Fast forward a few years, Dom was working with HMRC and Ol had completed his studies, the covid pandemic struck. During this challenging time, Ol convinced Dom to leave his secure corporate job and take the leap to establish Venture Finance. It’s a decision they’ve never regretted.

In this engaging conversation, the pair discuss the hurdles they've encountered on their entrepreneurial journey and reveal exciting future plans. With their motto of "it's quality over quantity," they've built a stellar reputation that has clients lining up to work with them.

venturefinancemanagement.com

Welcome to episode 12 of The Founders Blueprint, where host James delves into the world of entrepreneurship and healthy eating with Liverpool's own Leanne Wall, the visionary behind the award-winning The Weight Loss Prep Kitchen.

Have you ever wondered how it's possible to prepare nutritious meals daily while balancing a hectic lifestyle? Leanne shares her journey that has helped her and countless others maintain healthy eating habits amidst the chaos of everyday life.

Leanne is not only an inspiration to those wanting to live healthier lifestyles, but also a community leader. Giving free Christmas dinners to the vulnerable and creating a Christmas Grotto with free gifts for children, her remarkable online presence and unwavering commitment to giving back make her a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Despite facing the daunting prospect of starting a business without funding or savings, Leanne's passion for healthy eating propelled her forward, transforming her dream into reality from beginning in her home kitchen.

Join us as we explore Leanne's inspiring story and discover how she has remained true to her roots while making a lasting impact on those around her.

https://www.weightlossprepkitchen.co.uk/

Welcome to episode 11 of The Founder's Blueprint. In this weeks episode, James chats with Paul Webley, founder and CEO of Blaze Media, a digital marketing agency based in Liverpool.

Paul's journey began in the world of software engineering, but he soon realised that this was not his true passion. Transitioning to a career in sales at a major marketing agency, Paul achieved remarkable success, earning substantial commissions at home with his family. In 2017, Paul founded Blaze Media from his home garage. Fast forward seven years, the agency is now known as one of Liverpool's leading marketing agencies.

Paul candidly shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, offering listeners a genuine glimpse into the unpredictable journey of running a business. From the exhilaration of growth to confronting challenges beyond one's control, Paul’s story is a testament to resilience and adaptability.

Blazemedia.co.uk

In Episode 10 of The Founders Blueprint, host James sits down with Liam Quirk, CEO and founder of Quirky Digital. Liam shares his inspiring journey from Despite leaving school without formal qualifications in math's, english, or science to leading one of the fastest-growing SEO agencies in Merseyside.

Liam's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. He began his career with an apprenticeship and began building PCs from scratch. Motivated by his uncle's success in search engine optimization (SEO), Liam taught himself everything he needed to know, to build his own business. As a teenager, he began earning money by creating and renting websites to businesses—a venture that paved the path for his current success.

Fast forward to today, Quirky Digital is thriving under Liam's leadership, boasting a soaring turnover and a reputation for excellence. Join us as Liam shares his insights on entrepreneurship, the digital landscape, and the mindset required to run a successful business.

In episode 9 of The Founders Blueprint, James is joined by the multi-award-winning and world-renowned artist, John Charles.

Born and bred in Kirkby, John opens up about his early love for art, and recalls the day he sat a small coffee table with a tiny easel where he painted Disney pictures. However, his story takes a dark turn, when during his teenage years, he struggled with alcohol and drug addictions. John bravely recounts these dark times and discusses his inspiring path to recovery.

John, supported by his wife Jen, reflects on his return to the art world he loves. He speaks of his next steps in opening his own art gallery in Southport and is excited to showcase his work to the public.

This is an amazing conversation with an inspiring and warm-hearted man who has turned his passion into a celebrated career.

artistjohncharles.com

In this weeks episode, James dives into the entrepreneurial journey of Jess, the dynamic force behind Spray Tans By Jessy. After completing her apprenticeship as a barber, and working many hours in hairdressers, Jess felt she needed more from her career. Embracing her passion for beauty, she embarked on a new path in spray tanning, a decision that would soon transform her professional life.

Jess shares her experiences of stepping into the world of self-employment. After the birth of her second child, she made the courageous choice to leave her role as a barber to launch her own business, fully aware of the trade-offs like forfeiting holiday & maternity pay.

Jess opens up about the unseen side of her success. From the highs of running a flourishing business to the challenges of managing anxiety and maintaining a vibrant social media presence, Jess offers a heartfelt account of balancing her roles as a busy working mum and a successful business owner.