From School Dropout to Tech Entrepreneur - Simon White's Journey
Release Date: 02/24/2025
On The Pitch: Laceeze & Dragons' Den, with Emma Burke
Evolve to Succeed
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...
info_outline
Brewing Tradition & Shaping The Future: The Hall & Woodhouse Story, with Anthony Woodhouse
Evolve to Succeed
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...
info_outline
Leading Together: Business, Balance and Baggette + Co
Evolve to Succeed
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...
info_outline
Manifesting Success: Coaching, Leadership & Resilience, with Louise Southam
Evolve to Succeed
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...
info_outline
From Passion to Academy: Changing Beauty Education with Cassidy Macken
Evolve to Succeed
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...
info_outline
Leading Through The Storm: High Pressure Leadership with Brendan Hall
Evolve to Succeed
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_outline
From Butler to Business Owner, with Ryan Bransome
Evolve to Succeed
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Ryan Bransome shares his unique journey from a local government employee to a professional butler, and eventually the founder of U-Crew. He discusses the challenges he faced, including mental health struggles and the lessons learned from high net worth individuals. Ryan reflects on the demanding nature of being a butler, the insights gained from working with successful people, and the decision to transition into entrepreneurship. Ryan emphasises the importance of asking for support, and his aspirations for the future of U-Crew...
info_outline
From School Dropout to Tech Entrepreneur - Simon White's Journey
Evolve to Succeed
Summary On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Simon White shares his remarkable journey from leaving school at 16 to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the IT industry. He discusses his early career, the challenges of building his company Enhance, and the pivotal moments that led to a management buyout. Simon reflects on the growth of his business, historical moments such as the turning of the millennium, and the transition to an Employee Ownership Trust, emphasising the importance of legacy and team in his entrepreneurial journey. Simon delves into the...
info_outline
Lessons in Legacy: Growth, Adaption & Success with Lee Butler
Evolve to Succeed
Summary On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Lee Butler from Town & Country Communications shares his journey from initially not considering joining the family business to becoming a key player in its evolution. He discusses the challenges of working with family, the importance of adapting to industry changes, and the significance of building strong client relationships. The conversation also touches on the vision for the future of the business and the significance of family relationships, particularly in the context of parenthood and personal success. This...
info_outline
Fuelling Success: Building a Sustainable Legacy in Motorsport Fuels, with Anders Hildebrand
Evolve to Succeed
In this episode, Warren interviews Anders Hildebrand from Anglo American Oil Company, who shares his entrepreneurial journey from Sweden to the UK, the challenges of starting a business in a competitive market, and the evolution of his company into a family-run business. Anders discusses the importance of customers, the dynamics of working with family, and the future of sustainable fuels in the industry. He emphasises the need for trust, delegation, and the significance of maintaining a passion for the business. This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers… Anders...
info_outlineSummary
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Simon White shares his remarkable journey from leaving school at 16 to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the IT industry.
He discusses his early career, the challenges of building his company Enhance, and the pivotal moments that led to a management buyout.
Simon reflects on the growth of his business, historical moments such as the turning of the millennium, and the transition to an Employee Ownership Trust, emphasising the importance of legacy and team in his entrepreneurial journey.
Simon delves into the complexities of business transitions, particularly focusing on the journey of moving from ownership to a more advisory role.
They discuss the importance of embracing technology, especially AI, as a tool for growth and efficiency in business operations. The conversation also touches on happiness and fulfillment in one's career, emphasising the need for balance and the pursuit of passion in professional endeavors.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Simon White's journey into IT from a young age.
Combining business and technology.
Management buyouts.
Strategic planning when growing a business.
Transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust.
Surrounding yourself with capable people.
The importance of mentorship.
The long-term implications of business transitions.
The importance of growth in business.
Happiness and contentment are key to success.
Finding the right time to step back from your business.
Embracing technology such as to solve business problems.
Personal fulfillment.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:09 Early Career and Entry into IT
05:54 Building Enhance and the Management Buyout
13:29 Challenges and Growth
21:01 Mentorship
27:07 The Transition to Employee Ownership Trust
34:32 Navigating Business Transitions
39:01 AI in Business
46:59 Embracing AI
50:40 Success and Happiness