'James Reed: all about business' puts you at the heart of fun, dynamic, candid conversation with business leaders, philanthropists and charitable celebrities as...
20. LADbible Founder: The contract I signed that put me in hospital | Alex Partridge
How do you turn an idea you had at uni into a multimillion-pound enterprise? UNILAD and LADbible founder, Alex Partridge, started both companies while he was studying at university, and was a millionaire by the time he was 25.In this episode of All About Business, we discuss the power of social media, the podcast that led to his ADHD diagnosis, and the harrowing court case that almost cost him everything. About AlexAlex Partridge is the founder of UNILAD and LADbible, two of the UK's most popular news and entertainment platforms. He has been open about his struggles with ADHD, and has written a book that explores how the diagnosis has impacted his life and career. Alex also hosts the podcast, ADHD Chatter, where he discusses ADHD with leading experts, celebrities and psychiatrists.Timestamps00:43 Alex's early entrepreneurial ventures03:58 Late-night pizza deliveries06:19 The birth of UNILAD09:12 Going viral and building a team18:08 Challenges and legal battles22:37 Facing the courtroom: A flashback to childhood anxiety30:33 Alex’s ADHD diagnosis40:08 Starting a new career42:29 Advice for aspiring entrepreneursLinks:Watch Alex’s podcastRead Alex’s book Follow Alex on LinkedInFollow James Reed on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk
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19. GOOD SQUISH: Harnessing the power of an instagram personality to generate thousands of sales | Billie-Jo Cronin
In a world where consumers are obsessed with Temu and SHEIN, how can you attract customers to your high-end brand while staving off competition from cheaper alternatives? In this episode of All About Business, I speak with Billie-Jo Cronin, the founder of luxury accessories brand, Good Squish. Billie-Jo and her brother, Phoenix, bootstrapped the company, selling 1,900 units in under a year, while also gaining celebrity endorsements.We discuss how they grew the company organically through Instagram, why community is central to their brand, and why local production and quality control go hand in hand. About Good SquishGood Squish is an independent brand that specialises in hand-stitched accessories made from dead stock fabrics, which helps to reduce waste by repurposing materials that would otherwise go unused. Their products, which include scrunchies, hair pins, keychains and tote bags, feature whimsical and creative designs. Timestamps01:26: The Concept of Dead Stock02:22: The Organic Growth Journey08:31: Maintaining Quality and Customer Satisfaction14:56: Expanding Internationally19:35: Working with Family23:31 Decision-Making and Idea Curation24:36: Challenges and Benefits of Collaborations32:40: Celebrity Endorsements and Organic Growth36:49 Future PlansLinksCheck out the Good Squish websiteFollow Good Squish on InstagramFollow James Reed on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk
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18. What The UK needs to learn from Silicon Valley about AI: The Hollingsworth Brothers, Fyxer AI
Concern around AI is higher than ever. But could 2025 be ‘make or break’ for businesses who have yet to embrace it? In this episode of 'All About Business' I talk with sibling duo, Richard and Archie Hollingsworth, founders of Fixer AI. They discuss their journey from bootstrapping a $5 million agency to spearheading an innovative AI personal assistant tool which they say can give you an hour back every day. They share insights from their transformative stint in Silicon Valley, reflect on the impactful role of AI in modern businesses, and highlight why 2025 is a pivotal year for AI adoption. Timestamps04:24 Building Fixer AI07:00 Success and Growth of Fixer AI21:05 The Accelerator Experience30:04 Moving to San Francisco: A Family Decision31:02 Cultural Diversity in the Accelerator Program32:13 Lessons from the American Business Culture33:14 The Power of Being Direct36:27 Adapting to the American Market38:05 Building a Strong Team41:34 Brothers in Business: Trust and Dynamics44:46 Hiring and Scaling Up54:09 Future Goals and ReflectionsLinksFollow Archie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/archie-hollingsworth-a07168152/ Follow Archie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-hollingsworth-444b8589/ Visit Fyxer.AI: https://www.fyxer.comFollow James Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chairmanjames/All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo Media.
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17. The world's #1 mental health clinic for the rich and famous: Spotting the signs before it's too late | Jan Gerber
Entrepreneurs often possess traits that drive their success in business. But what if these same traits were also the root cause of deteriorating mental health, and, if left unaddressed, could ultimately lead to the collapse of their entire business?In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Jan Gerber, CEO of Paracelsus Recovery, the world’s no.1 exclusive mental health clinic for the rich and famous.He reveals the traits both entrepreneurs and criminals share, how to foster well-being in the workplace and why mandatory mental health checks might just save your business. Paracelsus Recovery takes a unique, tailored approach to treating its patients and has extensive experience at treating CEOs, UHNW individuals and those with a public profile.Timestamps:03:25 Recognizing Burnout and Mental Health Issues08:17 The Role of Addiction and Self-Medication12:46 Entrepreneurial Traits and Their Dark Side19:48 The Concept of Reparenting23:27 Balancing Physical Health and Business28:02 The Importance of Confidentiality in Mental Health34:09 Understanding the Impact of Information Diet39:58 Building Trust in Mental Health Services48:12 The Role of Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatment53:34 Mental Health Strategies for Business Leaders01:01:36 Promoting Mental Fitness and ResilienceLinks:Follow Jan Gerber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerberjan/ Visit Jan Gerber’s website: https://jangerber.com/ Learn more about Paracelsus Recovery: https://www.paracelsus-recovery.com/enFollow James Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chairmanjames/All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo Media
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16. Sir Alec Reed at 91: A British business legend
Businessman, philanthropist, a maverick at turning strange ideas into success. In this very special episode, and in celebration of his 91st birthday, I sit down with my father, Sir Alec Reed. Sir Alec founded Reed in 1960 from a carpet shop in Hounslow with just £75 in his pocket. Since then, he’s founded several charities, launched a business school and in 2011, was knighted for his services to business and charity. Born in Hounslow in 1934, Sir Alec Reed left school at 16 and ten years later founded Reed Recruitment, which has grown into the UK’s largest family-owned recruitment company. Today, he shares his insights from over seven decades in business, the lessons he’s learnt along the way and why ideas are the real currency of business.Awarded the Beacon Prize in 2010 and knighted in 2011, Sir Alec’s flagship charity initiative, Big Give, has raised over £346 million for a variety of causes, including Womankind and Ethopiaid, both of which he also started.Timestamps00:00 Intro02:03 Sir Alec Reed03:27 Starting Out in Life - Accountant04:13 Joining Gillette - An Idea Company04:44 Early Business Ideas - Toy Soldiers05:43 The Reed Brothers - Printing Business06:26 Taking The Wrong Course07:44 A Tremendous Urge to be Self Employed10:31 Starting An Employment Agency13:31 Working On Your Own - Undiluted Ideas16:48 Learning to Raise Alternative Funding18:45 A Family Business - One Route to Consider - Risks and Benefits23:43 The End Game - Exits - Inheritance and Selling25:16 Philanthropy - Foundations and Charities27:35 Cancer - Selling a Business and Financing a Charity32:14 A New Approach to Charity - A Social Innovation34:48 The Big Give38:36 Looking at Failure as a Road Sign to Change Direction41:39 Ideas! An Idea a Day as an Exercise47:51 Wrap Up and Thank YouLinks: Follow James Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chairmanjames/Find out more about Big Give: https://donate.biggive.org/All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo Media
'James Reed: all about business' puts you at the heart of fun, dynamic, candid conversation with business leaders, philanthropists and charitable celebrities as they use their journeys to give clear, actionable advice.
Hosted by James Reed CBE, the Chairman and CEO of Reed Group, you’ll hear the highs and lows of what it means to be a true business leader to empower you to implement smarter, more meaningful strategy in your business or career.
UK