Empire Builders with Nick James

Nick James
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to EMPIRE BUILDERS with CEO, entrepreneur, and International speaker, Nick James.  Nick is probably best known for his ground-breaking ‘Expert Empires’ events in the UK. He's dynamic and daring in his approach to business, and genuinely loves to see his clients get results. In a world where self-awareness and humility are rare, you’ll find Nick’s ‘open and real’ style refreshing, challenging, and inspiring. On this podcast you’ll find a mix of: 1. Original content, recorded especially for ‘EMPIRE BUILDERS’ listeners. Nick will share his current (and often extreme!) views on all things business, including audience growth, lead generation, sales, and how to get the very best out of yourself every single day. 2. Exclusive interviews with some of the world’s best-known experts and authors, including David Goggins, Chalene Johnson, Trent Shelton, Lewis Howes, Ryan Deiss, and many more. 3. Keynote Speeches recorded live at Nick’s previous events, featuring high net-worth entrepreneurs like Gary Vaynerchuk, Lord Sugar, Grant Cardone, Tom Bilyeu, Ed Mylett, and others. If you’re committed to building an EMPIRE that makes a big difference in the world, AND helps you create vast personal wealth… you’re in the right place!

  1. How to Get Featured In The Press (And Why It's More Powerful Than Any Ad You'll Ever Run) [Fiona Harrold]

    16h ago

    How to Get Featured In The Press (And Why It's More Powerful Than Any Ad You'll Ever Run) [Fiona Harrold]

    In this episode, I'm joined by someone who's been in my world for a very long time — the one and only Fiona Harrold, widely known as the UK's queen of PR. Fiona's been featured in (and getting her clients featured in) major publications since the late 1980s. She knows exactly what journalists want, how to pitch them, and how to turn a well-placed media feature into a steady stream of high-quality clients. In this conversation we cover why Gary Vee thinks the media pendulum is swinging back to traditional press, why being featured in a newspaper or magazine still builds instant authority and trust like nothing else can, and how that credibility translates directly into clients who arrive on calls already convinced you're the real deal. We also get into the practical stuff — how to write a pitch that actually gets read, how to find and approach journalists (even if you've never done it before), why X/Twitter is where the relationships are built, and how PR feeds your SEO in ways that are becoming even more powerful in the age of AI search. Fiona also gives away her Pitch to Published Feature resource — real-life pitch examples alongside the actual features they generated — so you can see exactly how it's done. VALUABLE RESOURCES Fiona's free giveaway — https://go.fionaharrold.com/pitch-to-publish-feature fiona@fionaharrold.com ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash. Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business two years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned speakers including Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

    35 min
  2. "There's No Business Problems, Only Personal Problems" — Mark Whittle On The Inner Work Behind Every Block

    Jun 17

    "There's No Business Problems, Only Personal Problems" — Mark Whittle On The Inner Work Behind Every Block

    In this episode, I'm joined by Mark Whittle — a coach who's worked with CEOs, celebrities, professional athletes, and entrepreneurs at the very top of their game. Mark was introduced to me recently by a mutual friend, and within minutes of chatting I knew I had to get him on the podcast. What he shared completely shifted how I think about the "inner game" of business. We dig into why most of us are happy to invest in the mechanics of business — lead generation, marketing, operations — but avoid the inner work, even though Mark believes it's responsible for 80% (or more) of success. He breaks down the five core fears that drive almost every block business owners experience (abandonment, rejection, failure, success, and imposter syndrome), and how they show up as procrastination, undercharging, and self-sabotage without us even realising it. We also get into pricing — specifically the "Rule of Five," a technique Mark learned from Jairek Robbins (yes, Tony's son) for raising your prices incrementally without the psychological whiplash of a huge jump. And Mark opens up about his own story — including discovering at age three that he had "two dads," a career as a professional footballer, and the journey that led him from performance coaching into the deeper work he does today. If you've ever felt "stuck" without knowing why, plateaued without understanding the cause, or found yourself undercharging despite knowing your work is good — this episode is for you. VALUABLE RESOURCES Follow Mark on Instagram: @takeflightworld www.takeflightworld.com ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash. Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business two years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned speakers including Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

    36 min
  3. The "Three C's" Of Trust — Why Audiences Choose You Over Five Identical Competitors [Ravi Rajani]

    Jun 13

    The "Three C's" Of Trust — Why Audiences Choose You Over Five Identical Competitors [Ravi Rajani]

    In this episode I'm joined by Ravi Rajani — a speaker who I can honestly say is up there with the best I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot. Ravi was introduced to me by Dani Wallace, and after watching him present to my mastermind, I knew I had to get him on the podcast. What he shared completely changed how I think about crafting and delivering a talk. We get into Ravi's "Three C's of Trust" framework — Connection, Competence, and Character — and why, when five people offer the same thing at the same price with the same results, the one who wins is the one the audience trusts most. Ravi breaks down his "six Lego bricks" structure for building a signature talk that can flex from 10 minutes to 3 hours, how to choose which story to tell from the hundreds you could tell, and why he believes "amateurs wing it, but professionals make you believe they're winging it." We also cover some brilliant practical advice for event organisers and speakers alike — including why shaving 10% off your allotted time will get you invited back again and again (something every event promoter will thank you for). Ravi also shares a free resource — a sample chapter from his book Relationship Currency, which goes deeper into how to craft a "social proof story" that moves people to action. And if you're coming to Expert Empires in November 2026 — Ravi will be speaking live. Trust me, you don't want to miss it. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.theravirajani.com/socialproofstories ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash. Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business two years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned speakers including Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

    46 min
  4. How To Get Consistent National Press Coverage Every Month (With Carol Driver)

    Mar 28

    How To Get Consistent National Press Coverage Every Month (With Carol Driver)

    In this revealing conversation with Carol Driver, Nick James explores how business owners can get consistent coverage in the national press every single month - and why it's more important now than ever before. Carol, a journalist with nearly 30 years of experience in national media who's now a PR expert, shares the insider secrets that most business owners get completely wrong. From the mistakes that get you blacklisted by editors to the exact headline formulas that grab journalists' attention, Carol breaks down what it really takes to get featured. With the rise of AI and ChatGPT becoming the new Google, national press coverage isn't just about credibility anymore - it's about being found. When someone searches for "the best nutritionist" or "top business coach," AI will trawl the most trusted sources (national press) to give its answer. If you're not showing up there, you're invisible. From crafting headlines that pack a punch to understanding what makes a "good story" in a journalist's eyes, Carol shares the exact framework she uses to get her clients featured month after month. She also reveals why using AI to write your pitch is the fastest way to get blacklisted, the power of "trust stamps" for your brand, and why some PR can actually backfire and damage your reputation. Whether you're new to PR or you've been pitching unsuccessfully for months, this episode will change how you approach getting media coverage. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://caroldriver.com (Freebies section - 50 Headline Ideas Editors Will Love) https://www.expertempires.com/ ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months, he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time, he discovered a winning formula and, before long, had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake that nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned speakers such as Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

    28 min
  5. The One Thing Impacting Millions of UK Business Owners Right Now — With Claire Bartlett

    Mar 14

    The One Thing Impacting Millions of UK Business Owners Right Now — With Claire Bartlett

    The one thing impacting millions of UK business owners right now — and most of us don't even know it's happening. In this episode, Nick sits down with Claire Bartlett — The Simplified CEO — for a conversation that surprised even him. Claire specialises in supporting perimenopausal entrepreneurs to simplify their businesses and create a more sustainable, spacious way of working. And the numbers behind this issue are staggering: 13 million women in the UK are currently perimenopausal or menopausal, over 1 million of them are self-employed, and 67% report it's negatively affecting their business. This isn't just a conversation for women. If you employ people, work with clients, or have a business partner, someone in your world is affected right now. In this episode, you'll discover: Why perimenopause can last 7–10 years and what that means for your business The #1 symptom most people don't know about (it's not what you think) How losing over an hour's sleep per night affects decision-making and productivity Simple but powerful ways to restructure your business to work with you through this phase What business owners and employers can do right now to better support their teams and clients Claire also shares details about her free virtual training — The Perimenopausal Business Revolution — where she equips entrepreneurs with the tools and education to navigate this head-on. Register for Claire's free training: claire-bartlett.co.uk/webinar-registration Follow Claire on Instagram: @theclairebartlett

    29 min
  6. Why AI and Automation Are Non-Negotiable For Expert Businesses — With Seb Brantigan

    Mar 9

    Why AI and Automation Are Non-Negotiable For Expert Businesses — With Seb Brantigan

    In this episode, Nick James sits down with Seb Brantigan — Co-Founder of DBSS Digital and marketing automation expert managing over 12 million emails a year for his clients — to have the honest conversation about AI that most 'gurus' are too afraid to have. Seb reveals why AI calling is still falling short (and the WhatsApp automation strategy that's working right now instead), how his team built a complete event funnel in days instead of weeks and generated five figures in sales, and the one question every expert business owner needs to ask before touching any AI tool. From using AI to turn free event registrants into paying buyers before they even walk through the door, to the "bleeding neck" method for knowing exactly where to start — Seb shares the practical, no-nonsense truth about what AI can and can't do for your business right now. If you're a coach, consultant, or expert who knows AI is important but has no idea where to begin — or you've tried it and not seen results — this conversation will completely change how you look at it. VALUABLE RESOURCES 🔗 Connect with Seb on LinkedIn 🤖 Grab Seb's Free AI Marketing Templates & Campaigns

    33 min

  7. Feb 28

    How Laura Burton Made £149K in Year One Using LinkedIn (Without Posting Daily)

    In this episode, Nick James sits down with Laura Burton - aka "The Brutal Blonde" - to uncover exactly how she generated £149,000 in her first year on LinkedIn with less than 4,000 followers and without posting daily. Laura reveals why chasing likes and comments is actually preventing you from making sales, the exact posting formula that consistently fills her pipeline (3 content posts + 1 sales post per week), and why being in the DMs is more powerful than commenting for growth. From "poking the algorithm" with controversial polls to the simple shift that took her impressions from 2,000 to 60,000 in one weekend, Laura shares the brutal truth about what actually works on LinkedIn right now - and what you need to stop doing immediately. If you're a coach, consultant, or expert who's posting on LinkedIn but not seeing leads or sales, this conversation will completely change your approach to the platform. VALUABLE RESOURCES Connect with Laura on LinkedIn HOW TO SIGN HIGH TICKET CLIENTS ON LINKEDIN [Free Training From Laura]

    31 min

  8. Jan 23

    [Eddie Abbew] Why Half His 7.5M Followers HATE Him... And How That Made Him Famous

    In this raw and revealing conversation with Eddie Abbew, Nick James uncovers the controversial strategies behind building 7.5 million followers across social media. Eddie shares his unconventional approach to personal branding - deliberately polarising his audience, creating debate, and why trying to get everyone to like you is killing your growth. From eating raw meat on camera to screaming in supermarkets about ultra-processed foods, Eddie reveals how authenticity, controversy, and education combine to create viral content that gets massive engagement - even from people who fundamentally disagree with him. His daughter Selena convinced him to take his message online, and the results speak for themselves: millions of followers, life-changing transformations for his audience, and a platform that's disrupting the entire nutrition industry. Whether you're building a personal brand, trying to cut through the noise, or looking to scale your expert business through social media, Eddie's direct approach to content creation, handling criticism, and staying authentic whilst being polarising will transform how you think about building an audience. This is essential listening for anyone who wants to stand out in 2026. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.expertempires2026.com/jan-2026-ee https://bit.ly/7figcoachgroup https://www.expertempires.com/podcast/ ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

    12 min
See All (186)

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to EMPIRE BUILDERS with CEO, entrepreneur, and International speaker, Nick James.  Nick is probably best known for his ground-breaking ‘Expert Empires’ events in the UK. He's dynamic and daring in his approach to business, and genuinely loves to see his clients get results. In a world where self-awareness and humility are rare, you’ll find Nick’s ‘open and real’ style refreshing, challenging, and inspiring. On this podcast you’ll find a mix of: 1. Original content, recorded especially for ‘EMPIRE BUILDERS’ listeners. Nick will share his current (and often extreme!) views on all things business, including audience growth, lead generation, sales, and how to get the very best out of yourself every single day. 2. Exclusive interviews with some of the world’s best-known experts and authors, including David Goggins, Chalene Johnson, Trent Shelton, Lewis Howes, Ryan Deiss, and many more. 3. Keynote Speeches recorded live at Nick’s previous events, featuring high net-worth entrepreneurs like Gary Vaynerchuk, Lord Sugar, Grant Cardone, Tom Bilyeu, Ed Mylett, and others. If you’re committed to building an EMPIRE that makes a big difference in the world, AND helps you create vast personal wealth… you’re in the right place!

Information

You Might Also Like