Confessions of an Entrepreneur

Carl Swansbury
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  • Entrepreneurship

Ever wondered what it really takes to succeed in business? Join Carl Swansbury, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at Ryecroft Glenton, as he sits down with influential business leaders to explore the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From the best advice they’ve received to the toughest challenges they’ve faced, these candid conversations reveal the business acumen, strategies, and mindset that drive success. Each episode is filled with practical insights and fresh perspectives to inspire your business success.

  1. Jul 22

    Confessions of an Entrepreneur Live: Four Entrepreneurs. One Stage.

    In this special live edition of Confessions of an Entrepreneur, Carl Swansbury brings his podcast to the stage, joined by four exceptional entrepreneurs for an evening of honest conversation about business, resilience and what it really takes to build companies of lasting value. Hosted in partnership with Ward Hadaway and attended by more than 100 business leaders from across the North East, the panel discussion brought together entrepreneur and campaigner Heather Mills, serial entrepreneur and investor Andrew Hulbert, entrepreneur and technology leader Charlie Hoult, and entrepreneur and business founder Kevin Fasting for an unfiltered discussion about the realities of entrepreneurship. Throughout the evening, the panel shared the defining moments that shaped their entrepreneurial journeys, from overcoming personal adversity and financial uncertainty to building businesses, leading through economic downturns and achieving successful exits. Heather Mills reflected on how an exceptionally difficult childhood, homelessness and later life-changing injury fuelled her determination to solve problems, challenge convention and use business as a vehicle for creating positive social impact. Andrew Hulbert explained how he left a successful corporate career with a clear ambition to build a business that would ultimately give him something more valuable than money - time with his family. Kevin Fasting spoke candidly about the disappearance of his father, an event that transformed both his outlook on life and his motivation to build businesses capable of changing the lives of those around him. Charlie Hoult shared lessons from building and scaling businesses through periods of economic uncertainty, explaining how culture, leadership and empowering talented people have underpinned the growth of his ventures. The discussion explored topics including resilience, imposter syndrome, leadership, funding growth, private equity, scaling teams, preparing for economic uncertainty and defining success on your own terms. While each entrepreneur's story was different, a common theme emerged: great businesses are built through clarity of purpose, resilience in the face of setbacks and a willingness to keep learning. This special live episode captures the spirit of Carl Swansbury’s Confessions of an Entrepreneur podcast series, offering honest insights, practical advice and inspiring stories from four entrepreneurs who have each forged their own path to success. Connect with the panel Heather Mills | https://www.linkedin.com/in/msheathermills/ Professor Charlie Hoult | https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliehoult/ Andrew Hulbert | https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhulbert Kevin Fasting | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinfasting/ Connect with Carl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-swansbury-fca-33b21923/?originalSubdomain=uk Website: https://ryecroftglenton.com/team/carl-swansbury/ This podcast is brought to you by Recognition PR.

    Confessions of an Entrepreneur Live: Four Entrepreneurs. One Stage.

  2. Jul 8

    Andrew Hulbert: Building a Business, Buying Back Time

    In this episode of Confessions of an Entrepreneur, Carl sits down with entrepreneur and business leader Andrew Hulbert, a founder who has built, scaled and sold multiple businesses, achieving financial independence before the age of 40. Andrew shares the journey from his early corporate career to founding Pareto, the business that would become the foundation of his entrepreneurial success. Long before launching his first venture, Andrew was consciously building relationships, developing his personal profile and creating the network he knew would one day support him when the time came to strike out on his own. The conversation explores the realities of leaving behind the security of a six-figure salary to start a business, and the personal considerations that come with taking such a significant risk. Andrew reflects on the conversations he had with his wife, the confidence required to back himself and the importance of having a clear vision of what success would look like. Carl and Andrew discuss the early years of Pareto, from winning those critical first clients and bootstrapping growth, to attracting talented people who believed in the business and remained part of its journey for years. While Andrew attributes some of that success to luck, the discussion highlights the role played by culture, leadership and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed alongside him. Having sold Pareto through two private equity transactions worth tens of millions of pounds, Andrew explains that entrepreneurship was never an endless pursuit of more. Instead, it was a means to an end: creating the freedom to spend more time with his family, friends and the people who matter most. Throughout the episode, Andrew shares the principles that have guided his success, including maintaining an “inch wide, mile deep” focus, setting clear and measurable goals, and staying humble regardless of achievements or financial outcomes. This inspiring episode offers practical lessons on entrepreneurship, ambition and discipline, while reminding listeners that success is ultimately about defining what matters to you and building a life around it. Connect with Andrew LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhulbert Connect with Carl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-swansbury-fca-33b21923/?originalSubdomain=uk Website: https://ryecroftglenton.com/team/carl-swansbury/ This podcast is brought to you by Recognition PR.

    Andrew Hulbert: Building a Business, Buying Back Time

  3. Jun 24

    Heather Mills: Turning Adversity into Opportunity (Extended Episode)

    In this special extended episode of Confessions of an Entrepreneur, Carl sits down with entrepreneur, campaigner and philanthropist Heather Mills for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about business, resilience and creating positive change. Many people will know Heather from her time in the public eye, but what is less widely understood is her remarkable entrepreneurial journey. From founding her first business as a teenager while experiencing homelessness, to building and selling multiple successful companies, Heather's story is one of determination, independence and an unwavering belief that obstacles exist to be overcome. Heather reflects on a challenging childhood in which she became highly self-sufficient at a young age, helping to support her siblings while navigating significant family difficulties. Those experiences, she explains, shaped the mindset that would later drive her success in business and philanthropy. Carl and Heather explore her passion for problem-solving and innovation, discussing why she has always been drawn to improving existing systems rather than accepting the status quo. Whether in business, charity work or campaigning, Heather's approach has consistently been to challenge accepted thinking and search for better solutions. The conversation also covers the realities of living in the public eye and the impact that fame can have on personal freedom and self-expression. Heather speaks candidly about balancing public scrutiny with her desire to remain authentic and outspoken about the causes she believes in. Alongside her business achievements, Heather discusses her commitment to charitable work around the world. She explains how entrepreneurship has never been solely about financial success, but about creating the resources, influence and platform needed to support causes that improve people's lives. The episode also explores Heather's future ambitions, including her desire to step back from business at a defined point in life and dedicate more time to travel, learning and personal pursuits, demonstrating the importance of having a clear purpose beyond commercial success. This extended episode offers an inspiring insight into a life shaped by resilience, reinvention and a relentless commitment to making a difference, proving that adversity can often become the foundation for extraordinary achievement. Connect with Heather LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msheathermills/ Website: https://www.vbites.com/ Connect with Carl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-swansbury-fca-33b21923/?originalSubdomain=uk Website: https://ryecroftglenton.com/team/carl-swansbury/ This podcast is brought to you by Recognition PR.

    Heather Mills: Turning Adversity into Opportunity (Extended Episode)

  4. May 26

    Chris Carroll: When Success Costs Your Health

    In this episode of Confessions of an Entrepreneur, Carl sits down with North East entrepreneur Chris Carroll, a founder who has built, scaled and sold multiple businesses, while navigating life-changing health challenges that completely reshaped his perspective on success, business and life itself. Chris shares his journey from leaving a secure role as a marketing executive within a large corporate environment to launching his first agency with a determination to create financial independence, not only for himself, but to make his family proud and remove the financial worries that so many people grow up around. From the very beginning, Chris bootstrapped his businesses, focusing relentlessly on generating revenue, winning clients and maintaining cash flow. He explains the importance of understanding what customers truly need and developing the sales skills required to turn solutions into sustainable businesses. Carl and Chris discuss the rapid growth of his first agency, which scaled to a team of 35 people, before Chris’s Crohn’s disease led to a near-fatal operation that forced him to completely reassess the way he worked and lived. What could have been a devastating ending instead became a catalyst for change. Chris speaks openly about how his health challenges transformed his outlook, leading him to prioritise time, sustainability and focusing only on opportunities that genuinely create value. The conversation also explores the importance of building strong leadership teams and recognising the value of hiring people with greater expertise than yourself. Chris explains how surrounding himself with experienced senior leaders has allowed him to step back from being involved in every aspect of the business and focus instead on strategy, growth and mentoring others. Throughout the episode, Chris reflects on the importance of self-belief in entrepreneurship, backing yourself fully while remaining humble enough to recognise that every day in business is an opportunity to learn. This is an honest and insightful episode about ambition, resilience and redefining success after adversity, offering powerful lessons for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. Connect with Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispixel/ Connect with Carl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-swansbury-fca-33b21923/?originalSubdomain=uk Website: https://ryecroftglenton.com/team/carl-swansbury/ This podcast is brought to you by Recognition PR.

    Chris Carroll: When Success Costs Your Health

  5. Apr 14

    David Lynch: From Bedroom Start-Up to 8 figure exit 

    In this episode of Confessions of an Entrepreneur, Carl sits down with North East entrepreneur and investor David Lynch, a founder who built a business from his spare bedroom into a global healthcare manufacturing exporter, before successfully exiting for millions and going on to acquire and invest in multiple businesses. David shares his journey from leaving school with modest qualifications and struggling to find direction, to discovering a passion for healthcare and ultimately building Lynch Healthcare into a highly valuable, saleable business. Starting with borrowed money from family, David took the leap into entrepreneurship, driven by a desire to take control of his own future. Over the next decade, he scaled the business with focus and resilience, achieving his goal of selling before the age of 40 and securing financial independence. Carl and David discuss the realities of learning on the job, with David emphasising that while books and podcasts have their place, the most valuable lessons come from experience. That mindset has shaped his approach to business ever since. Following his exit, David has moved into a more acquisitive role, building a portfolio of businesses through M&A across sectors including healthcare, construction, engineering and facilities services. He shares how he has developed a clear playbook for identifying, acquiring and growing businesses, with a focus on creating long-term shareholder value. The conversation also explores the importance of time, family and purpose. While financial success has given David independence, his motivation now comes from continuing to build, invest and create, adding new chapters to his life and business journey. Known for his direct and no-nonsense approach, David speaks openly about the importance of honesty, clarity and cutting through unnecessary complexity in business, qualities that have underpinned his success to date. This is a grounded and insightful episode offering practical lessons on entrepreneurship, resilience and building a business that delivers both financial and personal fulfilment. Connect with David LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lynch-42147419/ Website: https://www.41kong.com/ Connect with Carl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-swansbury-fca-33b21923/?originalSubdomain=uk Website: https://ryecroftglenton.com/team/carl-swansbury/ This podcast is brought to you by Recognition PR.

    David Lynch: From Bedroom Start-Up to 8 figure exit 

  6. Mar 17

    Ambition, Integrity and Building a Business With Purpose

    In this episode of Confessions of an Entrepreneur, Carl sits down with North East entrepreneur, author and CEO Sophie Milliken MBE, a founder who has built, scaled and successfully exited a business, and now dedicates much of her time to helping others achieve success in their own careers and ventures. Born and raised in the North East, Sophie shares the journey that led her to leave her role as Head of Graduate Recruitment at the John Lewis Partnership and return to the region to start her first business. What began as an entrepreneurial instinct soon developed into a fast-growing company, originally built with a business partner, which Sophie later sold to a private equity-backed acquirer. Sophie reflects on what that exit meant both financially and personally, and the realisation that the acquiring company’s purpose and direction differed from her own ambitions. After stepping away from the business, she went on to launch her next venture, Moja Group, where she now works with entrepreneurs and senior leaders to help them raise their profile and become recognised authorities in their industries. The conversation also explores Sophie’s experience as a single female founder and single mother, and the determination and sacrifices required to build a successful business while creating financial independence and opportunity for her daughter. Carl and Sophie discuss the challenges women can face in business, including moments earlier in her career where gender-based barriers were placed in her path. Sophie explains how confidence, experience and self-belief have enabled her to challenge those behaviours and advocate for change. Alongside running Moja, Sophie now dedicates significant time to supporting the North East business community. She serves as a non-executive director for a number of organisations and charities, including the North East Combined Authority and the Business and Innovation Centre, and is Chair of Smart Works North East, helping women across the region access opportunities through clothing, coaching and interview support. This inspiring episode explores ambition, resilience and the importance of staying true to your values in business. Sophie shares why integrity matters above all else and why success ultimately comes from being honest with yourself, backing your instincts and helping others succeed along the way. Connect with Sophie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-milliken/ Website: Sophie Milliken MBE https://thisismoja.com Connect with Carl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-swansbury-fca-33b21923/?originalSubdomain=uk Website: https://ryecroftglenton.com/team/carl-swansbury/ This podcast is brought to you by Recognition PR.

    Ambition, Integrity and Building a Business With Purpose

  7. Feb 26

    The Apprentice’s Linda Plant: Confidence, Credibility and the Business Plan

    In this episode of Confessions of an Entrepreneur, Carl sits down with entrepreneur, investor and BBC The Apprentice interviewer Linda Plant - a business leader whose career spans decades of building, scaling and exiting companies across many sectors. Many will recognise Linda as Sir Alan Sugar’s trusted aide and one of the programme’s most formidable interviewers, but behind the television persona is a founder who started from humble beginnings running a market stall and went on to create a major international importing and retail business. Linda shares how those early experiences shaped her instincts in business, teaching her the importance of selling, understanding your product and believing in what you offer. From those foundations she scaled a global operation, later selling the company, buying it back and eventually taking it public; a journey that demanded resilience, focus and relentless determination. Carl and Linda discuss what truly makes a strong business plan, the traits she looks for when interviewing The Apprentice finalists, and why clarity and confidence are essential for any entrepreneur seeking investment or growth. The conversation also explores the importance of honesty and integrity in business, not overselling yourself, not pretending to be something or someone you’re not, and having the courage to back yourself fully when making decisions. Linda reflects on the power of authenticity, explaining that long-term success often comes from trusting your instincts, staying true to your values and presenting your real self to the world. This is an insightful and practical episode offering lessons from one of the UK’s most experienced entrepreneurs, covering confidence, credibility and the mindset required to build sustainable success. Connect with Linda LinkedIn: Linda Plant | LinkedIn Website: Linda Plant Connect with Carl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-swansbury-fca-33b21923/?originalSubdomain=uk Website: https://ryecroftglenton.com/team/carl-swansbury/ This podcast is brought to you by Recognition PR.

    The Apprentice’s Linda Plant: Confidence, Credibility and the Business Plan

  8. Feb 11

    Purpose Beyond the Exit

    In this episode of Confessions of an Entrepreneur, Carl sits down with serial entrepreneur, business coach and mentor Mike Ames, a founder who has built, scaled and exited multiple businesses worth tens of millions of pounds, and now dedicates his time to helping other entrepreneurs achieve their own value events. Mike shares his journey from launching and growing his first business through to its eventual sale, including the profound personal and professional challenge of losing his business partner and unexpectedly stepping into the CEO role. Forced to learn fast and lead through adversity, the experience shaped his leadership philosophy and approach to decision-making. Applying those lessons to his second venture, Crimson, Mike explains how relentless clarity and “focus, focus, focus” became the defining strategy behind scaling successfully. He reflects on the power of marginal gains, consistency and compounding improvement, doing the same things slightly better over time to produce dramatically different outcomes. The conversation also explores a side of entrepreneurship rarely spoken about openly: the emotional aftermath of a successful exit. Mike discusses the anticlimax of selling a business, the reality that financial success alone does not create fulfilment, and the importance of purpose beyond the balance sheet. In a candid discussion, Mike speaks honestly about work-life balance, and the sacrifices entrepreneurs sometimes only recognise in hindsight, particularly the time missed with family while building a business. Now working as a coach and advisor to founders scaling their companies, Mike emphasises the importance of having support around you - mentors, coaches, partners and peers - people who can challenge, guide and listen through both setbacks and wins. This thoughtful and honest episode offers practical and personal lessons for founders at every stage of their journey, from start-up to scale-up and beyond exit. Connect with Mike LinkedIn: (2) Mike Ames | LinkedIn Website: https://www.flair.co.uk/ Connect with Carl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-swansbury-fca-33b21923/?originalSubdomain=uk Website: https://ryecroftglenton.com/team/carl-swansbury/ This podcast is brought to you by Recognition PR.

    Purpose Beyond the Exit
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About

Ever wondered what it really takes to succeed in business? Join Carl Swansbury, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at Ryecroft Glenton, as he sits down with influential business leaders to explore the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From the best advice they’ve received to the toughest challenges they’ve faced, these candid conversations reveal the business acumen, strategies, and mindset that drive success. Each episode is filled with practical insights and fresh perspectives to inspire your business success.

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