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Ever had that moment where the sensible plan suddenly stops feeling big enough? That’s exactly where this conversation with Shelly Antczak from Raspberry HR begins.

We chat about growing up in Ipswich, loving the structure of school, studying business with a marketing career in mind, and then somehow falling headfirst into HR instead. What started as an unexpected detour became a 15-year career packed with challenges, opportunities, and one surprise promotion that changed everything.

Along the way, Shelly shares what people leadership really looks like behind the scenes. We talk about why the perfect CV isn’t always the most important thing, what makes a great hire, and why good HR is usually about helping people find solutions rather than policing problems.

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In this episode, we sit down with Simon Bennett, CEO of Vinttro, whose career starts far from boardrooms! Working as an Ipswich panel beater before building and scaling high-growth insurance and claims businesses, completing a successful exit, and then launching a new venture designed with acquisition in mind from day one.

Simon takes us back to the early grind: YTS schemes, long hours, saying yes to every shift, and building practical skills while others were still figuring out their direction. Those early lessons set the tone for everything that followed.

He then moves into insurance claims, learning office life from scratch and quickly rising through the ranks faster than expected. But the journey isn’t smooth.

We dive into the messy reality of growth, corporate takeovers, outsourcing pressures, and the moment Simon realised service quality was slipping and something needed to change. That turning point led to the creation of CAA, built through lean years, big risks, and eventually growing into a major local employer.

If you’re into entrepreneurship, scaling businesses, or just honest founder stories with no filter, this one’s for you.

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This week, we sit down with Gemma Matten, Business Engagement Manager at the University of Suffolk, to unpack a career journey full of unexpected turns, tough moments, and bold decisions.

From working in recruitment and property sales, Gemma shares how redundancy during the 2008 recession and just after having a baby, pushed her into starting a business!
We talk honestly about the reality of self-employment, the pressure that comes with it, and why mindset matters more than having a perfect plan.

The conversation also dives into apprenticeships, employer engagement, networking without the awkward sales pitch, and how businesses can tap into student talent to solve real problems. Plus, we hear how an unexpected podcast studio purchase eventually led Gemma to becoming a podcast host herself.

Packed with practical advice, career lessons, and real-life perspective, this episode is for anyone navigating change, building something new, or wondering what could happen if they just took the leap.

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You definitely do not need a perfect story. We get into what actually works when the microphones are on: turning up as yourself, dropping the business façade, and speaking with the kind of honesty that makes listeners lean in.

Guests who are willing to give a little more than the safe, tidy answer create interviews that feel human and relatable. We also dig into why not taking yourself too seriously matters, especially on a business podcast where reputation can make people guarded. When the vibe is chilled and the chat is real, time disappears, guests open up, and the result often feels like a mini therapy session or a genuine trip down memory lane.

If this resonates, subscribe, share it with a mate who is guest-shy, and leave us a review. What do you think makes a brilliant podcast guest?

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The plan sounds straightforward: land a top banking job, grind hard, make serious money, and buy yourself freedom.

Richard Grainger actually lived that path, from studying Economics at University of Cambridge to working in Canary Wharf.
This conversation pulls back the curtain on what that lifestyle really looks like. We get into the brutal hours, the pressure that keeps you chained to your desk, and the survival mindset nobody teaches you when you’re applying for graduate schemes and dreaming about “making it” in the City.

Everything shifts once Asia enters the picture. Richard talks about the culture shock of Tokyo and Korea, why Hong Kong suddenly clicked, and how the lifestyle can quietly take over your identity. But there’s a trade-off: nonstop travel, relentless expectations, and family life constantly competing with work. He opens up about the regrets, the burnout, and the strange reality that your highest-earning year can also be your least fulfilling.

Now back in the UK building Clear Idea Finance, Richard shares what success looks like on his own terms.

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Getting kicked out of school doesn’t exactly scream “future success”… but for Tom Hines, it was just the beginning.

In this episode, we chat with coach and Hindsight founder Tom Hines about how fear of failure can quietly shape your life, showing up as avoidance, self-doubt, and unrealised potential and how to flip that into confidence, purpose, and real impact.

From growing up in rural Suffolk with the classic “bags of potential” label, to working in corporate HR across different cultures, Tom shares a refreshingly honest journey. We dig into what actually drives behaviour at work: why people switch off in training, how influence really works, and why leaders who dodge vulnerability lose trust (even if they don’t realise it).

We also get into “sustainable joy” and why that Sunday night dread is a red flag, not just part of life.

If this hits home, give it a listen, share it with someone who needs it, and don’t forget to subscribe.

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A 9-year-old selling horse chestnuts for cash doesn’t exactly scream “future entrepreneur”… but Scott Russell was never following the usual script.

In this episode, we get into the real journey. He left school at 16 and learned what classrooms don’t teach, how to sell, how to hustle, and how to handle real money. Turns out, earning early can teach you more than perfect grades ever will.

Then comes the twist. A “too good to be true” telecoms job drops him in with just a clipboard and confidence. Instead of backing out, Scott doubles down. He shares how he built credibility from a tiny Mayfair office, landed solid deals, and created businesses with predictable, scalable revenue, the kind buyers actually want.

If you’re into smart growth, exits, or purpose-driven business, this one’s for you.

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