Live & Linking with Ashley Leeds

Ashley Leeds
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship

As an entrepreneur, I want to explore what other business owners are doing to make money, grow, keep sane and basically get stuff done. I teach people to use LinkedIn and also coach business owners to grow and expand. I have a weekly live show on LinkedIn and thought that I'd share these episodes with you. I will be doing ad hoc podcasts as I gather momentum so if there is a topic that you'd like me to cover then please let me know.

  1. Sep 8

    Live & Linking Episode 114 with Richard Carpenter

    Networking, LinkedIn and Building Relationships with Richard Carpenter This week on Live & Linking I’m chatting with Richard Carpenter, Director of Enterprise Assist Limited and someone I’ve known for a long time. Richard describes himself as a business consultant, but there’s a lot more to what he does. He works with businesses at different stages of maturity, looking at what they already do well and where they need additional skills, experience or support. He’s also been involved in starting around 36 companies, so when Richard talks about learning business, he really does mean learning it the hard way. Naturally, we spent quite a bit of time talking about networking because Richard is, in my opinion, a networking king. What I particularly enjoyed was hearing about how nervous he was when he first started. He actually turned up at a networking event, sat in the car and drove home without going in. His solution was simple but brilliant: arrive early, get into the room before everyone else and start building conversations before it becomes a room full of strangers. Richard also shares his idea of finding the "beacons" in a room, the people who seem to know everyone and are having a good time. Find one, get introduced and suddenly the room becomes a much easier place to navigate. We also get into why networking isn't simply about finding clients. It's about relationships, knowledge, friendships, introductions and being around people who can help each other. Then we turn that thinking towards LinkedIn, including Richard's hugely successful post which generated 241 comments, 704 likes and around 18,000 impressions. The question is, if networking is something Richard is brilliant at, why isn't he doing more of it on LinkedIn? There's a lot here for anyone who feels nervous about networking, isn't sure which events to attend or wants to start treating LinkedIn more like a real networking event. Timestamps:00:45 Richard Carpenter02:07 Business consulting and business maturity03:20 Operations, marketing and finance07:05 Richard's networking journey08:43 Overcoming networking anxiety12:15 Finding the "beacons"14:20 What networking is really about16:31 What makes a good networking event20:16 Networking over a meal25:28 Roast My Post26:03 Richard's successful LinkedIn post27:22 Why Richard doesn't post more28:01 Turning networking into LinkedIn content31:06 How to contact Richard Guest contact details Richard CarpenterDirector, Enterprise Assist LimitedEmail: richard@enterpriseassist.co.ukPhone: 07904245948Website: www.enterpriseassist.co.ukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcarpenterenterpriseassist Connect with Ashley:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/Website: https://just.15mins.dayLive & Linking Hub: https://just.15mins.day

    Live & Linking Episode 114 with Richard Carpenter

  2. Aug 26

    Live & Linking Episode 113 with Kiri Blight

    Burnout, Nutrition and Small Changes That Make a Difference with Dr. Kiri Blight This week I’m joined by Dr. Kiri Blight, an A&E doctor based in Exeter, as well as a lifestyle and nutrition coach. Kiri has spent years working in a high-pressure environment and knows exactly what it feels like when you are the person everyone relies on, while your own needs slowly get pushed further and further down the list. We chat about her own experience of high-functioning burnout, where she could still go to work and keep functioning, but had very little left to give when she got home. As Kiri explains, there is a difference between being exhausted and being burnt out, and sometimes a holiday or a quiet weekend just is not enough to bring your energy back. We also get into the practical side of feeling better. Kiri talks about the changes she made to her nutrition and lifestyle, starting with manageable steps rather than trying to change everything overnight. We discuss drinking more water, reducing hidden sugar, looking more closely at convenience foods and finding ways to make healthy eating easier when life is busy. Batch cooking gets a mention, as does sleep and why a poor night's sleep can affect your energy, food choices and ability to cope with pressure the following day. And because I like to keep things practical, we also talk about exercise and why you do not need to suddenly become a marathon runner. Starting where you are, doing something you enjoy and making small improvements can all add up. Kiri also explains why strength and flexibility matter alongside simply counting steps. It is a really honest conversation about looking after yourself without adding even more pressure to your already busy life. If you are feeling like you are constantly running on empty, this one is definitely worth a listen. Guest contact details Dr. Kiri BlightEmail: Kiri.blight@gmail.comPhone: 07775838828Website: https://www.elitelifestylemedicineltd.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkirilifestyleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkirilifestyle Facebook: https://facebook.com/drkirilifestyle

    Live & Linking Episode 113 with Kiri Blight

  3. Aug 18

    Live & Linking Episode 112 with Trudie Hills

    Live & Linking with Trudie Hills: Disability Inclusion Starts With a Conversation Here’s another episode of Live & Linking, my regular chat with people who have something interesting to say about business, LinkedIn and the world around us. This week I’m joined by Trudie Hills, a Disability Consultant & Trainer who spent 14 years working in disability, inclusion and diversity at Lloyds Banking Group before setting up her own consultancy. We had a proper conversation about what disability inclusion actually looks like in the real world, and Trudie was brilliant at turning what can sometimes feel like a complicated subject into some very practical advice. We talked about accessibility in shops, offices, websites and online training, but one of the biggest messages from Trudie was that it starts with talking to people. Don't make assumptions. Ask what someone needs. Don't assume that every person with the same disability will need the same adjustment. We also talked about non-visible disabilities, the importance of simple language, captions, alt text, accessible PDFs, colour contrast and making LinkedIn content easier for people using screen readers. And yes, I got a little LinkedIn roast of my own too, with Trudie explaining why CamelCase hashtags matter and why emojis aren't always the brilliant bullet points we think they are. There are loads of practical takeaways in this conversation, whether you're running a small shop, employing people, delivering training online or simply creating content on LinkedIn. We also get onto Trudie's biggest beef, cars parked on pavements, and why accessibility improvements often help far more people than those they were originally designed for. Most importantly, this isn't about getting everything perfect. It's about being curious, having the conversation and being prepared to do something differently. If you want a straightforward, human conversation about disability, accessibility and inclusion, have a listen. Timestamps 00:38 - Meet Trudie Hills 02:30 - Accessibility for smaller businesses 03:08 - Non-visible disabilities 05:38 - Why a ramp isn't enough 07:10 - Making adjustments part of everyday business 10:20 - Website accessibility 15:38 - Making online training accessible 17:28 - Accessible LinkedIn content 21:02 - Checking AI-generated captions 22:06 - Trudie's biggest accessibility frustration 24:47 - Breaking down the stigma 26:25 - Roasting Trudie's LinkedIn post 29:27 - Final thoughts Guest contact details Trudie Hills Disability Consultant & Trainer Trudie Hills Consulting Email: trudiehills.consulting@btinternet.com Email: trudie.hills@btinternet.com Phone: 07747 026202 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudie-hills-5b070612/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trudie.hills

    Live & Linking Episode 112 with Trudie Hills

  4. Aug 11

    Live & Linking Episode 111 with Karen King

    If you’ve ever started a business because you wanted more freedom, only to discover that you’ve actually created another job for yourself, this episode is for you. This week I’m joined by Karen King, the Escapepreneur, who has travelled to more than 60 countries and spent the last 10 years building a business and lifestyle that gives her the freedom to choose how, when and where she works. Karen shares how a cake decorating business, a drawing from her three-year-old daughter and a holiday in South America eventually led to her family selling their house and travelling the world. We talk about what it really takes to build a freedom business, including getting clear on who you help, the problem you solve and the one offer you want to focus on. Karen explains why trying to do too many things at once can leave business owners permanently distracted, and why good systems and automation can make such a difference. We also talk about the tech headache that comes from having different platforms for email, websites, funnels, courses and customer management, and how simplifying your systems can give you back valuable time. And because this is Live & Linking, we couldn’t talk to Karen without getting into LinkedIn. We finish with a little LinkedIn post roast, where I look at one of Karen’s posts and explain why showing more of herself could help people get to know, like and trust her. There’s plenty here for anyone who wants to build a business around their life rather than build their life around their business. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome01:19 Meet Karen03:11 From cake decorating to travelling the world07:09 Building income while travelling11:16 Creating a freedom business13:01 Biggest business mistakes14:29 The problem with too many platforms17:35 ESC Hub20:00 Running a business from anywhere22:21 Turning your skills into a freedom business23:39 Karen’s favourite country27:21 The LinkedIn post roast28:30 Showing more of yourself31:17 Connect with Karen Guest contact details Karen KingEmail: karen@escapepreneur.comPhone: +52 334 828 4567Website: https://escapepreneur.comWebsite: https://eschub.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-e-king Connect with Ashley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/Website: https://15mins.day/WHYLive & Linking Hub: https://just.15mins.day

    Live & Linking Episode 111 with Karen King

  5. Aug 4

    Live & Linking Episode 110 with Karis Gill

    Here's another episode of Live & Linking, where I chat with people who are using LinkedIn in brilliant ways to grow their businesses and help others do the same. This week I'm joined by Karis Gill, storytelling expert, speaker and founder of Social Stories Club. Karis shares how one library book completely changed the direction of her business and introduced her to the power of storytelling. Since then she's built multiple successful businesses by helping people communicate in a way that feels natural, memorable and authentic. If you've ever said, "I don't know what to write on LinkedIn," then this conversation is exactly what you need. Rather than trying to sound clever or professional, Karis explains why your everyday experiences often make the best business content. Throughout the conversation we break down what makes a great story, why emotion matters, and how simple moments can become powerful LinkedIn posts. We also discuss why selling should never feel pushy, how trust is built through honest experiences, and why LinkedIn is much more like a networking event than a social media platform. Karis even creates live storytelling examples around networking, website maintenance and sales, showing just how easy it is to turn almost anything into engaging content once you know the principles. If you're looking for practical ideas to improve your LinkedIn content, attract more conversations and become someone people remember, you'll find plenty to take away from this episode. It's packed with simple techniques you can start using immediately, whether you're writing your first post or your five hundredth. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction02:07 Meet Karis Gill06:47 Breaking down a storytelling post10:37 Why stories build trust12:11 Finding stories in everyday business19:57 Making any topic interesting22:13 Karis' business journey25:00 Storytelling that generates leads27:28 Practical storytelling tips29:13 Closing thoughts Guest contact details Karis GillDirector, Social Stories ClubDirector, Karis Gill Storytelling Speaker Email: karis@karisstory.com Website:https://karisstory.comhttps://socialstoriesclub.com LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/karisgill/?skipRedirect=true Phone:07746450169

    Live & Linking Episode 110 with Karis Gill

  6. Jul 28

    Live & Linking Episode 109 with Chris James

    Here’s another episode of Live & Linking, where I sit down with fascinating people from LinkedIn to discover their stories, what they do, and what makes them stand out. This week I'm joined by Chris James, Founder of C2C, who helps creators, coaches and consultants turn content into clients through simple systems that actually work. Chris shares his honest journey from working in a call centre to building a successful business, and explains why creating a lifestyle you enjoy should be just as important as growing your revenue. The conversation is packed with practical advice and plenty of straight-talking honesty. We explore why so many people struggle to post consistently on LinkedIn, how fear of being judged holds people back, and why authenticity will always outperform trying to sound clever or relying entirely on AI. Chris also explains the framework he uses to help clients move from attracting attention to building trust, converting prospects and delivering results through repeatable systems. One of the biggest talking points is his decision to remove sales calls from his business altogether, replacing them with content that attracts the right people before they ever get in touch. If you're looking to grow your business through LinkedIn, improve your content, or build a business that gives you more freedom rather than more stress, you'll find plenty to take away from this episode. Chris shares practical lessons, personal stories and real business experience that make this an enjoyable conversation whether you're just starting out or already creating content every week. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and introductions 02:18 Chris's story 05:50 Productising your expertise 09:30 Building the business 14:10 Why sales calls disappeared 18:00 The content system explained 21:00 AI versus authenticity 23:20 Overcoming fear on LinkedIn 25:20 Confidence through consistency 29:00 Post Roast 34:10 Where to find Chris Guest contact details Chris James Founder, C2C Email: Chrisjames210386@gmail.com Phone: 07855050169 Website: http://www.chris-james.co/c2c LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjamesonline/

    Live & Linking Episode 109 with Chris James

  7. Jul 21

    Live & Linking with John Espirian

    Every Tuesday at 12:30pm I sit down with someone who knows LinkedIn inside out, and this week the guest is someone who's inspired thousands of us, including me. John Espirian has built a reputation as the "Relentlessly Helpful LinkedIn Nerd" and there's a very good reason why. Everything he teaches comes from testing, measuring and real-world experience, not guesswork. We chat about how LinkedIn has changed, why so many people feel their reach has disappeared, and whether paying for Premium is really worth it. If you've ever wondered why your content isn't performing like it used to, you'll definitely want to hear John's thoughts. We also dive into John's brilliant book Content DNA and why building a memorable personal brand is about consistency rather than constantly reinventing yourself. We talk about repeating your message until people begin repeating it back to you, staying in your lane, and why trying to go viral is rarely the answer. John also shares why the people who succeed on LinkedIn are simply the ones who keep showing up, even when engagement feels slow. It's a refreshing reminder that building trust always beats chasing vanity metrics. Towards the end of the show we even turn the tables and put one of John's own LinkedIn posts through my Roast My Post feature. It's a great discussion around promoting events, using LinkedIn Events properly, direct messaging without becoming spammy, and making your content work harder. Whether you're brand new to LinkedIn or you've been using it for years, this episode is packed with practical advice that you can put into action immediately. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome 01:16 Meet John Espirian 02:42 Is LinkedIn Premium worth it? 06:27 Why LinkedIn reach has dropped 10:08 Video on LinkedIn 13:13 Content DNA and personal branding 19:34 Roast My Post 20:40 Uplift Live Nano 24:13 Using DMs effectively 28:36 The Inform Podcast 30:05 Espresso Plus Community 31:02 Final thoughts Guest contact details: John Espirian Email: john@espirian.co.uk Phone: 7779451487 Website: https://espirian.co.uk/learn/1-1-zoom-consultation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnespirian/

    Live & Linking with John Espirian

  8. Jul 14

    Live & Linking Episode 107 with Stuart Mason

    Why Most Businesses Never Sell with Stuart Mason Here's another episode from my Live & Linking series and this week I'm joined by Stuart Mason. Stuart helps business owners prepare their companies for sale, but this isn't just a conversation for people looking to exit tomorrow. It's really about building a better business from day one. Stuart shares the story of building a hugely successful multi-million-pound company before losing it all, and explains how those experiences completely changed the way he now helps business owners. If you've ever assumed that making a good profit automatically means your business is valuable, this episode might surprise you. We dig into why so many businesses listed for sale never actually sell, what buyers are really looking for during due diligence, and why owner dependency is often the biggest obstacle. Stuart explains the importance of systems, recurring revenue, customer diversification and creating a business that can thrive without you at the centre of everything. We also talk about the difference between value and valuation, why starting with the end in mind makes every business stronger, and how even a one-person business can become attractive to buyers when it's built the right way. As always, we finish with a LinkedIn content review where I give Stuart some ideas to improve one of his latest posts, turning it into something that's easier to consume and more engaging on the platform. Whether you want to build a business you can eventually sell or simply create one that gives you more freedom, there's plenty of practical advice in this conversation that you can start using straight away. What you'll learn: Why most businesses listed for sale never actually sell The biggest mistake business owners make before trying to exit How recurring revenue increases business value Why systems matter more than people The difference between value and valuation How to reduce owner dependency Tips to make your LinkedIn content more engaging Guest contact details Stuart Mason Email: stuart@hereshowto.co.uk Phone: 07769991445 Website: www.howcanisellmybusiness.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-c-mason/

    Live & Linking Episode 107 with Stuart Mason
See All (253)

About

As an entrepreneur, I want to explore what other business owners are doing to make money, grow, keep sane and basically get stuff done. I teach people to use LinkedIn and also coach business owners to grow and expand. I have a weekly live show on LinkedIn and thought that I'd share these episodes with you. I will be doing ad hoc podcasts as I gather momentum so if there is a topic that you'd like me to cover then please let me know.

Information