Working On It

Brad Staines
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Careers
  • Updated weekly

What if growing your business didn’t mean sacrificing your time, your health, or your freedom?  Working On It is the podcast for service-based founders who want to scale without burning out. Each episode brings you honest conversations with experts, operators, and mentors - the same kind of people who’ve helped shape successful businesses from the inside out. We dive into the systems, strategies, and habits that drive performance - and show you how to build a company that works without you always having to be there. It’s about clarity, leadership, and reclaiming control - of your time, your team, and your next chapter.  If you're focused on building a business that runs without you - and a life that works because of you - then you're in the right place

  1. 1 day ago

    The Price of "More": Why Winning Doesn't Always Satisfy

    In this thought-provoking episode, Brad explores the delicate balance between ambition and contentment following a profound conversation with entrepreneur Will Polston. Reflecting on the common cycle of sacrificing health and relationships for financial success, the host digs into why winning often fails to satisfy us and instead merely raises the stakes.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The Trap of Moving Goalposts: Continuous success often raises the stakes rather than providing lasting satisfaction, turning yesterday’s dream into today’s baseline expectation. Understanding Hedonic Adaptation: Whether in income, career milestones, or personal wins, humans rapidly normalize achievements, driving an endless search for the next high. How the Perception of Wealth Evolves: Money is critical for security and choice, but as we mature, its real power shifts from buying items to purchasing time and peace of mind. Ambition Needs Definition: Without clear parameters, ambition can consume the very life it was meant to improve, forcing us to sacrifice what matters most to reach arbitrary targets. "Enough" Transforms Ambition into Choice: Deciding what is "enough" doesn't mean halting progress—it turns compulsive chasing into conscious, purposeful growth. BEST MOMENTS "What if the greatest risk of becoming successful isn't losing everything... but losing the ability to recognize when you already have enough?" "He described spending half of his life sacrificing his health to build wealth, only to reach a point where he was prepared to sacrifice some of that wealth to recover his health." "The win didn't satisfy the desire—in fact, it escalated it. Yesterday's dream became today's baseline." "Money matters. It can reduce anxiety, give us choices, and buy back our time... but ambition without definition can consume the life it was supposed to improve." "Enough isn't the enemy of ambition; enough is what gives ambition direction of where to go." VALUABLE RESOURCES LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/⁠ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/willpolston/ HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

  2. 22 Jul

    Leveling Up: Lessons in Resilience and Leadership with George McLennan

    In this candid episode, Brad sits down with George McLennan, a former professional footballer turned founder of G Mac Gardens. After ten years in professional football, highlighted by a league title win with Cheltenham, injuries, performance anxiety, and burnout forced George to pivot away from the sport. Facing zero income, a broken ankle, and a low point driving Deliveroo with a lawnmower crammed into the back of his Ford Fiesta, George turned sheer necessity into entrepreneurial drive.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Necessity Breeds Breakthroughs: Being backed into a corner forces rapid learning and action. When options are limited, survival instinct transforms into powerful entrepreneurial drive. Exposure Dissolves Anxiety: Overcoming fear and performance anxiety doesn't come from overthinking it comes from repeatedly putting yourself into uncomfortable, challenging situations until confidence builds. Fall in Love with the Process: Fixating solely on an end goal or exit strategy can create unnecessary stress. Real fulfillment and sustainable growth come from enjoying the day-to-day journey, problem-solving, and continuous learning. Tailored Leadership Beats One-Size-Fits-All: Inspired by the varying styles of football managers, effective team leadership relies on understanding individual personalities and knowing whether a team member needs an arm around the shoulder or a push to perform. Humility opens Doors: Don't let pride or fear of competition stop you from seeking advice. Most business owners are happy to share insights and point newcomers in the right direction if you simply dare to ask. BEST MOMENTS "I think when you're backed into a corner... your best work is done and your fastest-growing times happen, because you need to learn everything."  "Of all the therapy and sports psychology... the main thing that got me out of that anxiety is literally facing fears. Putting yourself in scary situations gives you self-respect."  "The fun part isn't the exit—it's the journey. You're progressing, you're learning, you're getting new experiences, and you're meeting people."  "I literally had a lawnmower in the back and a Deliveroo bag in the front seat... I was trying to do two gigs at the same time!" HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

    Leveling Up: Lessons in Resilience and Leadership with George McLennan

  3. 15 Jul

    Handwritten Letters to the King: Inside the Lockwood Clothing Brand

    In this gripping episode, Brad sits down with Jacob Lockwood, an energetic, patriotic, and fiercely determined former Coldstream Guard who transitioned out of the military just seven days prior after 16 years of service. Jacob shares the remarkable story behind his rapidly growing British clothing brand, Lockwood, detailing how his military training became his ultimate business education. KEY TAKEAWAYS Military Skills as a Business Foundation: Jacob credits his 16 years in the infantry with giving him the psychological resilience, problem-solving skills, and adaptability required to survive the daily "shock of capture" that defines running a business. The Power of Authenticity and Content: The absolute best advice for any new or scaling business owner is to document the journey relentlessly. Authentic, unpolished content is what genuinely wins people’s hearts in an era dominated by hyper-polished AI media. Fierce Commitment to Local Economy: Despite knowing he could increase his net profit by 35% or more by outsourcing production overseas, Jacob is unyielding in his mission to support British factories, local jobs, and tax contributions. Trusting Your Gut Against Predators: In business, predatory investors look for struggling companies to exploit. Jacob highlights the importance of listening to your instincts and turning down bad money, even when you are facing heavy debt. The Extreme Swings of Entrepreneurship: Within a matter of eight weeks, Jacob went from being four days away from losing his home to signing a life-changing, multi-million-pound funding deal with excellent repayment terms. BEST MOMENTS "I saw the Army as my career. Little did I know, actually, it was just my basic training for running this company." "Your North Star should be like emptying the sea with a soup spoon... It’s so big that it’s almost impossible, but it keeps you driving towards it." "The biggest brain cells you've got in your body are in your stomach. If something just feels off, then listen to it." "Running this business is a little bit like the shock of capture... but it doesn't wear off after two days. It just constantly changes." "Don't try to pretend to be something you're not, and don't try and use our flag in vain. If you're going to manufacture overseas, fine... but don't try and use our flag." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

    Handwritten Letters to the King: Inside the Lockwood Clothing Brand

  4. 9 Jul

    From Scarcity to Seven Figures: Scaling a Business by Mastering Your Numbers

    In this episode, accounting firm owner and entrepreneur John Holliday flips the script on traditional business advice by proving that scaling your company doesn't require massive upfront cash.  John shares his unconventional approach to "no money down" acquisitions through strategic earn-outs, discusses how he turned failing practices into booming multi-office hubs, and explains why tracking micro-metrics like quote conversion rates is the true secret to scaling.  More than just a math lesson, this conversation dives deep into the personal mindset shift required to build super profits—the financial safety blanket every business owner needs to survive unexpected market slumps, sleep soundly at night, and design a life worth living. Key Takeaways Buying a company with "no money down" is entirely possible through deferred vendor notes and earn-out models, but it requires deep industry credibility and established trust with the seller first. A profit and loss statement only shows the past, which makes proactive tools like forward-looking budgets, scorecards, and lead tracking infinitely more valuable for predicting future growth. If a business is converting more than 90% of its quotes into won jobs, it is almost certainly pricing its services too cheaply and leaving significant money on the table. Business profit should never be viewed as a negative or greedy word; it is the essential financial buffer that protects employees and keeps a company alive during inevitable downturns Episode Quotes "I’m a big believer in growth, because I think that we should give opportunity to other people. I think growth also allows you to buy your way out of problems." "Anyone who does a weekly P&L will make more profit that year than anyone who doesn't do a P&L." "I always say to my team we've got to make X profit. People think that's a lot of money, and it is a lot of money, but the reality is we've got a lot of people. So when things go wrong, we need that buffer." "I'd rather do it and fail, or do it and not enjoy it, or just do it and never do it again, than not do it." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

    From Scarcity to Seven Figures: Scaling a Business by Mastering Your Numbers

  5. 1 Jul

    Leading Beyond Your Limits - with Penny Ford

    In this inspiring episode, primary school founder turned elite leadership consultant Penny Ford shares the transformative power of choosing a growth mindset over the comfort zone.  Drawing from a career that began with shaping young minds and evolved into coaching high-performing CEOs, Penny reveals the hidden mechanics of successful teams, the reality of the 143% rule, and why standard leadership frameworks fail without psychological safety.  Discover how to reprogram your brain's fear response, master strategic delegation, and lead with an authentic humility that inspires peak performance even when you step out of the room. Key Takeaways Leaders must operate at a higher standard of intensity because a natural 30% delta exists in performance transmission between a leader and their team. A safe environment where employees feel empowered to pitch bold ideas, challenge authority, and openly admit mistakes is the true driver of high-performing, exceptional teams. True succession planning and scaling require business owners to stop firefighting daily tasks and intentionally protect time for overarching strategy, innovation, and coaching. It is much easier to modify your everyday actions to resemble the leader you want to become than it is to think your way into a new behaviour cycle. Episode Quotes "If you have a solution, you don't have a problem." "Act your way to a new way of thinking is easier than thinking your way to a new way of acting." "That feeling of worry or concern—that's actually good, because that shows we're growing." "If you want your team to be 100%, you've got to rock up as the 143%." VALUABLE RESOURCES LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/penny-ford HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

    Leading Beyond Your Limits - with Penny Ford

  6. 24 Jun

    The Secret to Radical Focus: Ditching Disparity for Discipline

    Business coach and fitness mentor Byron Munford breaks through the noise of modern distraction and convenience culture to uncover what it truly takes to optimise your physical performance and business growth.  He tackles the modern myth of being "too busy" for self-care, outlining why high-stakes performance requires rigorous internal boundaries. From uncovering the real impact of sleep cycles on body composition to a candid critique of popular medical shortcuts like Ozempic, this conversation offers a strict, no-nonsense diagnostic blueprint for individuals ready to reclaim their focus and operate at maximum capability. Key Takeaways True bodily alignment can be measured internally by waking up feeling Happy, Hungry, and Horny. The human brain does not create permanent physical changes through passive consumption; it changes strictly through creation and discomfort. True supplemental value comes from precise personal blood diagnostics, not mainstream wellness marketing trends. Rest and relaxation are far more rewarding and biochemically effective when hard-earned through intense daily discipline. Episode Quotes "You have to train your mind to be stronger than your feelings, otherwise you'll lose yourself." "Human brains learn via creation, not via consumption." "If you want to be a different person, you have to become that person before you are them." "If you haven't got your basic ducks in a row—sleep, clean eating, and training—you shouldn't even be looking at supplements." Would you like me to refine any specific aspect of these descriptions or titles to better match your distribution platform? VALUABLE RESOURCES ●      Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/byronperformancept/ HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

    The Secret to Radical Focus: Ditching Disparity for Discipline

  7. 17 Jun

    The Instrument Of Leadership: How To Unlock Your Voice's Power - with Daidree Tofano

    Behind every great leader is a powerful vision, but how do you ensure that your message actually lands when the stakes are at their highest?  In this episode, executive voice and presence coach Daidree Tofano dives deep into how leaders can master the tool they use every single day: their own voice. Drawing from her fascinating, non-linear career path, Daidree shares her unique inside-out philosophy for conquering high-pressure speaking moments. You'll learn how to shift your mindset, step away from your script, and actively use your body and breath to command authority and connect authentically with any audience. Key Takeaways True executive presence requires sharpening your physical instrument—your body, breath, and voice—rather than just focusing on your slide deck or written content. Managing high-stakes speaking anxiety requires building deep physical awareness of your internal tension and your breath before you even open your mouth. Presenting effectively on camera is a distinct skill set from speaking in person, demanding fewer physical movements and a direct, consistent connection with the lens. Great speakers command authority not by rushing, but by intentionally embracing silence, pausing, and physically claiming their environment Episode Quotes "A lot of communications coaching is all around what you say, your content. I look at the instrument that delivers it: the how you say it." "I help leaders, specifically in really high-stakes moments, show up as the best version of themselves and the most persuasive version of themselves." "People don't want to take up space. They don't want to take up physical space, they don't want to take up vocal space... I think that is one of the biggest turnarounds that people can make." "We're all kind of like brains on a stick walking around, and we're in our heads and then we completely forget about the body." VALUABLE RESOURCES ●      LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/daidreetofano/ ●      Website www.impactvoicecoaching.com HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

    The Instrument Of Leadership: How To Unlock Your Voice's Power - with Daidree Tofano

  8. 10 Jun

    The Moving Middle: Debunking AI Hype with Applied Innovation

    In this episode, applied AI expert Lee Russell sits down with us to separate real-world utility from the loud extremes of Silicon Valley optimism and dystopian pessimism.  Steering clear of dense, speculative tech jargon, Lee breaks down how automated systems can drastically elevate trade and service-based businesses by automating the mundane and humanising the exceptional. From creating hyper-personalised customer proposal flows to structural team transformations, this conversation outlines an actionable blueprint for business owners to step away from repetitive day-to-day tasks, scale consistently, and leverage machine learning to become highly strategic orchestrators of their own success Key Takeaways Genuine ROI in business comes from practicing applied AI rather than getting caught up in the far-off "futurist" predictions of massive societal disruption. Successful AI integration is an engineering consistency problem rather than a capabilities problem, requiring strict guardrails, thorough context templates, and deliberate constraints to maximise results. The "10-80-10" model suggests that while AI can efficiently handle the middle 80% of repetitive data processing, human expertise must direct the initial 10% of context setting and refine the final 10% of output. Rather than causing mass job replacement, the emergence of AI allows high-performing teams to elevate their responsibilities, offload the mundane, and focus entirely on high-leverage human connection. Episode Quotes "It is the middle road... It's not going to be as amazing as everyone says, and it's not going to be as bad as everyone says. And that is generally how technology plays out." "When you're doing AI right, that's the signal we look for: Are you becoming a more human business? Are you spending more time with your clients? More face-to-face time?" "If you can think in your business: 'How do I get to try before I buy?' and 'I will pay you to interview with me' because I don't want to waste an hour of my time speaking to someone who's not going to get the job... it's been brilliant." "An AI will be confounded at its current level of a closed door or two sets of data that aren't connected... Humans are insane miracles of evolution. We can look at very strange scenarios that are not normal within your business and look at the context around that instantaneously." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

    The Moving Middle: Debunking AI Hype with Applied Innovation
See All (45)

Trailer

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

What if growing your business didn’t mean sacrificing your time, your health, or your freedom?  Working On It is the podcast for service-based founders who want to scale without burning out. Each episode brings you honest conversations with experts, operators, and mentors - the same kind of people who’ve helped shape successful businesses from the inside out. We dive into the systems, strategies, and habits that drive performance - and show you how to build a company that works without you always having to be there. It’s about clarity, leadership, and reclaiming control - of your time, your team, and your next chapter.  If you're focused on building a business that runs without you - and a life that works because of you - then you're in the right place

Information

  • Creator
    Brad Staines
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Working On It

You Might Also Like