Evolve to Succeed
What happens when the life you dreamed of doesn’t bring you happiness? This week on the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, we’re joined by Katherine Baldwin. Former Reuters political and foreign correspondent who once travelled the world alongside Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron. From covering wars, natural disasters, and global crises, Katherine lived a life of adrenaline, success, and status. Yet behind the scenes, she was battling burnout, binge eating, alcohol dependence, and an overwhelming sense of emptiness. In this deeply honest and inspiring conversation, Katherine shares how...
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Summary On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Declan O'Toole shares his remarkable journey from marine biology to building a successful catering business, Forerunner Catering. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from Meals on Wheels to providing school meals, the importance of cash flow management, and the lessons learned from navigating public sector contracts. Declan reflects on the decision to exit the business, the sale process, and life after exit, emphasising the need for resilience and the fulfillment found in the entrepreneurial journey. This episode...
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Dave and Alicia Store, co-founders of DSNM, join the Evolve to Succeed podcast to trace their 25-year journey from a one-man, paper-based chart-correction service to an award-winning super-yacht-navigation technology company with 27 employees and 620 vessels under subscription. Dave candidly recounts the scrappy early years - dot-matrix printers, Pritt Stick, and fax machines - while Alicia explains how joining the firm (initially to cover maternity leave) professionalised its finances, people processes and long-term vision. The couple unpack the pivotal moments that reshaped the...
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In this captivating episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren Munson reconnects with returning guests Julie and Sally, fresh from their epic adventure of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. After 59 grueling days at sea, the team successfully completed their journey from La Gomera to Antigua aboard the Ebb & Flow. Julie and Sally share vivid tales of their extreme challenge, from breathtaking wildlife encounters to the relentless mental and physical tests they faced. This episode is a moving testament to courage, camaraderie, and the power of human determination. Tune...
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On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Emma Burke, co-founder of Laceeze, shares her entrepreneurial journey from the inception of her innovative shoelace solution, to her recent experience on Dragon's Den. Emma discusses the challenges and successes of developing her product, transitioning to a full-time commitment, and the importance of marketing strategies and brand ambassadors in driving growth. Emma shares her journey on Dragon's Den, the challenges and opportunities that arose from her appearance, and how it impacted her brand. She discusses the...
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On the 250th episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Anthony Woodhouse, Chairman of Hall & Woodhouse, shares insights into the legacy of the family-owned brewery and pub company, which has been in operation since 1777. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of maintaining a family business over generations, the importance of reinvestment in the company and community, and the balance between tradition and innovation in the hospitality sector. Anthony emphasises the need for educating future generations about the business's values and the impact of structural changes in the...
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On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Jo and Oscar Hjälmås discuss their journey as co-owners of Baggette + Co., a financial services firm. They share insights on their management buyout experience, the importance of maintaining company culture during rapid growth, and the strategies they implemented to ensure effective communication and team engagement. In this engaging conversation, Jo and Oscar discuss the delicate balance between delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring financial viability in their business. They share insights on navigating...
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On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Louise Southam of Beyond Belief Couching shares her journey from a successful career in recruitment to becoming a leadership and business coach. She discusses the pivotal moments that led her to pursue her passion for coaching, the challenges she faced as a single mother and the personal growth she experienced during her journey. Louise emphasises the importance of resilience, manifestation and the power of positive thinking, as well as practical tools like journaling to facilitate self-discovery and empowerment. Her...
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On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Cassidy Macken shares her inspiring journey of starting Cassidy's Beauty Academy. From her early passion for beauty to the challenges of running a business while raising children, Cassidy discusses the importance of education in the beauty industry and her drive to fill the gaps she identified. She also opens up about her experience with ADHD and how it influences her approach to business. Cassidy emphasises the significance of securing funding and overcoming fears in the entrepreneurial journey, providing valuable insights for aspiring...
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On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Brendan Hall shares his experiences leading a team in the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race. He discusses the challenges of managing a diverse group of sailors, the emotional realities of leadership, and the importance of consistency and autonomy in team dynamics. Brendan reflects on his early leadership challenges, the pressure of performance, and the critical lesson that a leader's mood can significantly impact the team's morale. He discusses the challenges of leading under pressure during a dangerous sailing race, highlighting...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Warren speaks to Martin Smith, the founder of Talent Drive, about his journey as an entrepreneur and running a recruitment group of businesses.
Martin shares his early experiences in recruitment, the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growth of his company, Talent Drive. He discusses his aspirations to be a market disruptor and his passion for the procurement community.
Martin also talks about the expansion of Talent Drive into the accountancy and finance sector with the launch of Talent Finance and reflects on the growth and success of Talent Drive over the past four years. He emphasises the importance of focusing on the quality of people and building a trusted and valued team.
Martin discusses the future of the recruitment industry and the rise of ESG and sustainability. He also shares insights on workplace culture and transparent communication within a remote business. He envisions the future of Talent Drive as a growing international presence with a focus on diversification and a one-stop-shop service offering.
This episode of Evolve to Succeed covers…
● The challenges of starting a recruitment business.
● Overcoming obstacles such as COVID-19.
● What it takes to be a market disruptor in the recruitment sector.
● The effects of branching out into various business sectors.
● The importance of people and building a trusted team.
● The importance of trust, transparency and open communication.
Chapters
00:00 Becoming an Entrepreneur
10:02 Starting on Your Own
19:15 Early Days of Talent Drive
23:24 Market Disruption
25:49 Ventures into Accountancy and Finance
26:18 Building a Team
27:47 Opportunities in Finance
29:41 Quality of People
30:05 Creating a Great Business
33:26 Personal Life
35:24 Being Grounded
37:17 Thriving
41:37 Technology in Procurement
42:59 Emotional Intelligence
43:56 Remote Businesses
48:42 The Future of Talent Drive
50:58 Defining Success