Your Mind Your Business

Carina McLeod

Welcome to Your Mind Your Business: The Real Talk Podcast for Entrepreneurs In a world where social media showcases polished success stories, we shine a light on the grit, grind, and resilience it truly takes to build a business. From sleepless nights to setbacks, we tackle the raw realities of entrepreneurship that often go unspoken. Too often, the emotional and mental toll of running a business leaves entrepreneurs feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and full of self-doubt. That’s why this podcast is here—to provide a real, unfiltered look at the challenges behind the success and to remind business owners that they are not alone on this journey. 💡 What We Offer: Honest conversations about the mental and emotional toll of entrepreneurship.Insights into overcoming challenges like burnout, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome.Stories that inspire, motivate, and bring authenticity to the entrepreneurial narrative.Join us as we move past the highlight reels and dive into the truths of building a business, offering support and actionable advice to help you thrive. 🔔 Subscribe now for real talk on entrepreneurship, business growth, and mindset! #EntrepreneurshipPodcast #BusinessMindset #EntrepreneurLife #MentalHealthForEntrepreneurs #StartupStories #OvercomingSetbacks #AuthenticEntrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast

  1. 7H AGO

    From Self-Employed to Business Owner: Building a Wealth Management Firm | James Melhuish

    In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod from eCommerce Nurse, sits down with James Melhuish, Director of Pocknells Wealth Management, to dive into the realities of transitioning from self-employed financial advisor to business owner, navigating regulation challenges, and building a wealth management firm centered on genuine client relationships. Chapters: [00:01:00] Introduction and James's Background [00:08:30] Early Career Journey - From Deloitte to Financial Advisory [00:18:45] The Transition from Employed to Self-Employment [00:28:15] Starting Pock Knells Wealth Management with John [00:42:00] The Regulation Challenge - Nearly Two Years to Authorisation [00:55:30] Scaling the Business and Recruitment Hurdles [01:08:20] Building an Advisory Board and Support Network [01:18:45] Work-Life Balance and Personal Health Priorities 💡 Topics Covered: ✅ The influence of entrepreneurial parents and witnessing business ownership from a young age ✅ Transitioning through three stages: employed, self-employed, and business owner in financial services ✅ The brutal reality of FCA regulation—a nearly two-year journey to authorization while raising twins ✅ Why doing business with friends and family can be your greatest strength when built on trust and shared values ✅ The power of creating an advisory board from your client base for honest feedback and guidance ✅ Recruiting people who complement rather than replicate your strengths and style ✅ The importance of putting yourself on the same priority level as your business for long-term success 🔥 "I will go and dig holes for a living to provide for my family—I'm desensitised to money, and that makes entrepreneurship less scary." 💼 "The feeling of not letting him down was the biggest challenge—having a co-director gives you strength, but it also gives you accountability." 📌 If you're a financial advisor considering starting your own firm, a business owner thinking about recruitment and scaling, or anyone navigating the balance between doing the work you love and building a sustainable business, this episode offers raw, practical insights from someone in the thick of it. 🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business!  Follow Pocknells Wealth Management #WealthManagement #FinancialPlanning #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #YourMindYourBusiness #FinancialAdvisor #StartupJourney #Regulation #FCA #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessOwner #ClientRelationships #WorkLifeBalance #PockKnolls Follow us on: 👉 Website: https://yourmindyourbusiness.com/ 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourMindYourBusiness/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-mind-your-business/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_mind_your_business/ 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourmindyourbiz

    51 min
  2. JAN 1

    Dyslexia, Doubt and a Doctorate: Dr Alison Edgar’s Raw Journey as an Author and Speaker

    In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod from eCommerce Nurse, sits down with Dr Alison Edgar MBE, author, speaker, and creator of The Entrepreneur's Godmother brand, to dive into the raw reality of overcoming dyslexia, self-doubt, and building a successful speaking and training business from the ground up. Chapters: [00:01:00] Introduction and Meeting Dr Alison Edgar [00:03:45] From Dyslexia Diagnosis to Bestselling Author [00:12:30] Leaving Corporate and Starting The Entrepreneur's Godmother [00:25:15] The Seesaw Method and Early Business Struggles [00:38:20] Building a Team from Day One [00:47:50] The Power of Behavioral Profiling and Compassionate Leadership [00:58:30] Achieving the MBE and Honorary Doctorate [01:10:45] Alison Edgar's Big Balls Time Management System [01:18:20] Finding Balance and Future Plans 💡 Topics Covered: ✅ Overcoming dyslexia and the internal voice that says "you're not good enough" ✅ Why writing a bestselling book seemed impossible but became a game-changer ✅ The Seesaw Method for starting a business while still employed ✅ Building a team from day one and knowing your strengths and weaknesses ✅ Using behavioral profiling (Insights) to become a compassionate leader despite naturally being "98% red" ✅ The gender pay gap and social mobility challenges in the speaking industry 💪 "We start to believe these negative things about ourselves... I think that's something that I try and conjoin and I just literally, in the words of the final book, I just try and smash it." 🎯 "X amount of days a year times X amount per day equals your target. Are you going to achieve it?" 💎 "You're a 360 of a person. The reason I can be so strong in work is that I'm happy outside work." 📌 If you've ever struggled with self-doubt, wondered if you're "good enough" to start a business, or felt held back by your background—this episode is essential listening. Dr Alison Edgar's journey from a council estate to MBE and Honorary Doctorate proves that belief in yourself and simplicity in execution can create extraordinary results. 🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business! Follow Dr Alison Edgar MBE: linkedin.com/in/dr-alison-edgar     #Entrepreneurship #DrAlisonEdgar #OvercomingDyslexia #YourMindYourBusiness #MBE #HonoraryDoctorate #SocialMobility #TheEntrepreneursGodmother #SpeakerLife #BusinessPodcast #Mindset #TimeManagement #CompasionateLeadership #StartupJourney #BelieveInYourself #WomenInBusiness #GenderPayGap #EntrepreneurPodcast Follow us on: 👉 Website: https://yourmindyourbusiness.com/ 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourMindYourBusiness/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-mind-your-business/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_mind_your_business/ 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourmindyourbiz

    50 min
  3. 12/11/2025

    From Building Walls to Building People: Garry Staines on Purpose-Driven Growth and Grit

    In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod, founder of eCommerce Nurse, sits down with Garry Staines, Managing Director of GSQ Brickwork, to dive into the raw and inspiring journey of building a multi-million-pound construction business while navigating mental health challenges, finding purpose beyond profit, and creating legacy through people. Chapters: [00:01:00] Introduction and Who is Garry Staines [00:05:30] Early Days: From DJ Dreams to Bricklaying [00:12:45] The Record Shop Era and Side Hustles [00:18:20] The 2008 Recession and Starting GSQ Brickwork [00:28:15] Growing from Zero to £10 Million [00:35:40] The Panic Attack That Changed Everything [00:42:30] Alcohol, Anxiety, and Finding Authentic Purpose [00:52:10] Building Site Ready Solutions and Giving Back [01:02:45] Social Media, Competition, and Staying in Your Lane [01:10:20] Family Business and Succession Planning [01:15:30] Final Thoughts and Life Lessons 💡 Topics Covered: ✅ The unexpected journey from mobile DJ and record shop owner to construction business leader ✅ Surviving the 2008 recession and turning redundancy into a £10 million business opportunity ✅ The reality of mental health struggles in entrepreneurship—panic attacks, anxiety, and self-medication ✅ The skills gap in construction and why collaboration beats competition ✅ Balancing growth, family involvement, and succession planning with three sons in the business ✅ Why being "just a bricklayer" is the ultimate safety net for fearless entrepreneurship 🔥 "I remember that day I was out for lunch and there was not a care in my world. Then by evening I was having this panic attack, it was the moment I probably needed to slow down and reset." 📌 If you're an entrepreneur struggling with finding purpose beyond profit, dealing with mental health challenges while building a business, or looking to create meaningful impact through training and legacy-building, this episode is for you. Garry's story proves that success isn't just about the money, it's about building people, staying authentic, and having the resilience to rebuild from zero when needed. 🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business! Discover more about Site Ready Solutions. Follow GSQ Brickwork: Instagram - instagram.com/gsqbrickwork #Entrepreneurship #ConstructionBusiness #MentalHealthAwareness #PurposeDrivenBusiness #GSQBrickwork #SiteReadySolutions #YourMindYourBusiness #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurJourney  Follow us on: 👉 Website: https://yourmindyourbusiness.com/ 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourMindYourBusiness/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-mind-your-business/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_mind_your_business/ 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourmindyourbiz

    48 min
  4. 11/27/2025

    Sally From Law to Cross Stitch: Sally Wilson on Turning Creativity into a Million-Pound Brand

    In this episode of Your Mind Your Business,  Carina McLeod from eCommerce Nurse, sits down with Sally Wilson, founder and creative director of Caterpillar Crafts, to dive into the inspiring journey of leaving a legal career behind to build a million-pound crafts business from scratch. Chapters: [00:00:00] Introduction and Sally's Background [00:02:00] From Solicitor to Entrepreneur: The Turning Point [00:08:00] Finding the Right Business Model and Product [00:19:00] Taking the Leap: First Investment and Early Sales [00:24:00] The COVID Growth Period and Scaling Challenges [00:27:00] Hiring Staff and Learning to Delegate [00:35:00] Self-Worth, Anxiety, and the Reality of Success [00:45:00] Advice to Your Younger Self and Future Plans 💡 Topics Covered: ✅ The difficult decision to leave a secure legal career for entrepreneurship ✅ Overcoming postnatal depression and a life-threatening birth experience ✅ Strategic business planning: choosing cross-stitch through methodical research ✅ Building from £600 first-year revenue to over £1 million turnover ✅ The challenges of hiring, delegation, and managing a team of 13 ✅ Dealing with imposter syndrome, anxiety, and tying self-worth to business success ✅ Building a craft community through authenticity and mental health awareness ✅ Expanding from cross-stitch into crochet and future business acquisitions ✅ The importance of acknowledging privilege and support systems in success stories 🔥 "When you realize that your time on earth is pretty short...you do start to think, am I really enjoying this? Is this what I was put on earth to do?" 💎 "Nobody knows what they're doing. The people you think are rich and successful and shiny—they don't know any more than you do." 📌 If you've ever dreamed of turning your passion into a profitable business, or you're navigating the messy reality of entrepreneurship while managing self-doubt, this raw and honest conversation is a must-listen. 🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business! Follow Caterpillar Crafts: https://instagram.com/caterpillarcrossstitch   https://facebook.com/caterpillarcrossstitch  #Entrepreneurship #CrossStitch #CaterpillarCrafts #FromLawToCrafts #YourMindYourBusiness #EcommerceBusiness #WomenInBusiness #CreativeBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurs #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessGrowth #MentalHealthInBusiness #CraftsBusiness #BusinessGrowth Follow us on: 👉 Website: https://yourmindyourbusiness.com/ 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourMindYourBusiness/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-mind-your-business/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_mind_your_business/ 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourmindyourbiz

    53 min
  5. 11/13/2025

    From Side Hustles to Acquisitions | Andy Hooper on Scaling GEE Capital

    Join us as we dive into the journey of building multiple businesses from humble side hustles to a powerful acquisition machine and what it truly takes to scale, lead and learn through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Chapters: [00:00:00] Introduction  [00:03:45] From Financial Struggles to Side Hustles  [00:10:20] Building Global E-Commerce Experts  [00:18:00] Leadership Lessons and Mistakes  [00:27:40] Acquisitions and Scaling GEE Capital  [00:36:10] Mindset, Control, and Personal Growth  [00:45:00] Reflection and Advice to His Younger Self 💡 Topics Covered: ✅ How Andy turned credit-card debt and a dog-walking side hustle into a global business  ✅ The early grind of e-commerce and learning by doing  ✅ The importance of empowerment and how giving it to the wrong people can backfire  ✅ Learning from mistakes, frustration, and failures in leadership  ✅ Why patience, small changes, and alignment of values are key to growth  ✅ How acquiring businesses can multiply your value, even with little capital  ✅ Andy’s mindset on control, adaptability, and building a scalable business model  ✅ Why documenting your journey and celebrating small wins matters 🔥 Quotes: 🔥 “Most business owners think they can do it all by themselves. I did — until I realised the right partner could have fast-tracked my growth.” 💬 “You can’t control the wind or the tide — only your own sail. Business is exactly the same.” 🚀 “There’s no overnight success. It’s 20 years of 1% improvements, showing up every single day.” 📌 If you’ve ever thought about scaling your business, exploring acquisitions, or just want to hear the real, unfiltered truth about what it takes to grow from side hustles to a multi-business empire — this episode is for you. Discover more about GEE Capital Follow Global E-Commerce Experts: https://linkedin.com/company/global-ecommerce-experts https://instagram.com/global_ecommerce_experts Guest: Andy Hooper  Host: Carina McLeod, Founder of eCommerce Nurse #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Ecommerce #Acquisitions #YourMindYourBusiness #GEECapital #AndyHooper #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurPodcast #ScalingBusiness #LeadershipJourney Follow us on: 👉 Website: https://yourmindyourbusiness.com/ 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourMindYourBusiness/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-mind-your-business/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_mind_your_business/ 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourmindyourbiz

    54 min
  6. 10/16/2025

    No Fear, No Ceiling: Neil Sweeney on Scaling Businesses & Finding Clarity After Exit

    In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod from eCommerce Nurse, sits down with Neil Sweeney, Managing Director of Carmel Jane Photography and EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, to uncover how fearless entrepreneurship and clear vision fuel long-term business success. Neil shares his journey from living in his in-law’s garage to building and selling a national company, and how he found new purpose through EOS and Carmel Jane Photography. Chapters: [00:00:00] Starting From a Garage — The First Leap into Entrepreneurship [00:05:00] Building “Secure”: Grit, Growth, and Guts [00:19:30] The Exit — Lessons from Selling a Business [00:26:00] Finding Purpose After Success: EOS & Clarity [00:31:00] Scaling Carmel Jane Photography and Leadership Without Limits [00:43:00] No Fear, No Ceiling — The Entrepreneurial Mindset 💡 Topics Covered: ✅ From corporate agent to fearless entrepreneur — Neil’s humble beginnings in a garage ✅ Building a national company with grit and creativity ✅ The power of partnership: finding your “ying to your yang” in business ✅ Why action beats perfection — and how to move faster on opportunities ✅ Navigating the emotional aftermath of selling your business ✅ Discovering EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) and helping others scale ✅ Applying clarity, systems, and culture at Carmel Jane Photography ✅ Why there’s “no ceiling” for driven entrepreneurs 🔥 Best Quotes: 💬 “I took it all the way back to ground zero so I could set up this new business… no direction, no plan, but loads of want, loads of grit, loads of fire.” 💬 “We’re not here long — let’s get on with it. There’s no fear, no ceiling.” 💬 “If you own a business, run a company — get clarity, get people, get data. That’s where real growth lives.” 🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business!   #Entrepreneurship #selfbelief  #YourMindYourBusiness #CorporateToEntrepreneur #BusinessPodcast #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurJourney #LeadershipDevelopmen #Entrepreneurs #EntrepreneurPodcast #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessSuccess #NeilSweeney #BusinessStrategy Follow us on: 👉 Website: https://yourmindyourbusiness.com/ 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourMindYourBusiness/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-mind-your-business/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_mind_your_business/ 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourmindyourbiz

    45 min
  7. 10/09/2025

    From Diageo Sales to School of Facilitation | Kirsty Lewis on Self-Belief & Purpose

    In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod, founder of eCommerce Nurse, sits down with Kirsty Lewis, founder of School of Facilitation, to dive into the journey from corporate sales at Diageo to building a thriving facilitation business, exploring self-belief, purpose, and the psychology of entrepreneurship. Chapters: [00:00:50] Introduction to Kirsty Lewis [00:02:25] From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship [00:05:56] Leaving the Diageo Duvet [00:14:02] Birth of School of Facilitation [00:17:24] Overcoming Self-Worth Challenges [00:25:05] Social Media Strategy and Brand Awareness [00:35:44] Building SoFest - The Facilitation Festival [00:44:15] Lessons Learned and Advice for Entrepreneurs 💡 Topics Covered: ✅ The unexpected journey from Diageo sales executive to facilitation trainer and business owner ✅ How one transformative workshop in 2007 sparked a complete career pivot ✅ Navigating the fear of leaving corporate security and building something from scratch ✅ The critical role of therapy and inner work for business owners ✅ Why self-worth and self-belief are continuous challenges in entrepreneurship ✅ Building a business across three models: corporate, community, and festival ✅ The financial and emotional reality of launching a festival for facilitators ✅ Using fitness and extreme challenges as tools for mental clarity and resilience ✅ The importance of investing in yourself and knowing when to delegate ✅ Creating authentic brand awareness through social media and networking 💪 "Your business is a massive mirror to your psychology." 🔥 "I would trust myself more and know that what I was talking about was hitting the nail on the head." 💡 "The right clients find me at the right time. It genuinely works out." 📌 If you've ever wondered what it takes to leave corporate comfort and build a purpose-driven business, or you're navigating your own entrepreneurial journey and need to hear the real truth about self-belief, burnout, and resilience, this episode is for you. 🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business! Follow School of Facilitation: linkedin.com/company/school-of-facilitation instagram.com/schooloffacilitation   #Entrepreneurship #SelfBelief #FacilationSkills #SchoolOfFacilitation #YourMindYourBusiness #CorporateToEntrepreneur #BusinessPodcast #TrainingAndDevelopment #SoFest #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurJourney #WorkshopDesign #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurs #EntrepreneurPodcast Follow us on: 👉 Website: https://yourmindyourbusiness.com/ 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourMindYourBusiness/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-mind-your-business/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_mind_your_business/ 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourmindyourbiz

    47 min
  8. 09/25/2025

    From Sandwich Shop Struggles to Scaling ID Card Centre Nicola O’Brien’s Journey of Growth & Family Balance

    In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod founder of eCommerce Nurse, sits down with Nicola O'Brien, co-founder of ID Card Center, to dive into the reality of scaling from sandwich shop struggles to building a thriving family business while maintaining work-life balance. Chapters: [00:01:20] Introduction - Meeting Nicola O'Brien [00:02:15] From Event Management to Entrepreneurship [00:03:40] The Sandwich Shop Dream and Reality [00:09:29] Joining ID Card Center - The Two Week Plan [00:16:00] Navigating COVID with 20+ Employees [00:21:08] Finding Purpose in Team Development [00:26:18] The "At What Cost?" Philosophy [00:29:15] Recognizing and Recovering from Burnout [00:35:49] Building a No-Fear Company Culture [00:42:54] Advice to Your Younger Self 💡 Topics Covered: ✅ The transition from employee to entrepreneur and the reality check that follows ✅ How a failed sandwich business led to joining and scaling ID Card Center from 3 to 23 employees ✅ Managing the pressure of COVID decisions when 20 people look to you for answer ✅ The importance of values-driven decision making and sleeping well at night ✅ Recognizing burnout signs and implementing boundaries that actually stick ✅ Building apprenticeship programs and creating flexible job opportunities ✅ Working with your spouse in business while maintaining family priorities ✅ The "at what cost?" philosophy for sustainable growth over rapid scaling 💼 "I'm gonna set up my own business. Well, this is what you do. This is everything you need to know, and you are constantly having to make those decisions." 🔥 "As long as we can sleep at night knowing we've done our best and we've stuck to our values, then that's just gonna have to be good enough." ⚖️ "I don't wanna get to 10, 20 years time and be burnt out, exhausted, unwell, have no relationship with my children for the sake of having a bigger business." 📌 If you're an entrepreneur struggling with work-life balance, wondering how to scale without sacrificing your values, or looking for real talk about the challenges of family business partnerships, this episode offers practical wisdom from someone who's been there. 🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business! #Entrepreneurship #FamilyBusiness #WorkLifeBalance #BusinessGrowth #YourMindYourBusiness #WomenInBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurs #IDCardCenter #BusinessScaling #BurnoutPrevention Follow us on: 👉 Website: https://yourmindyourbusiness.com/ 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourMindYourBusiness/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-mind-your-business/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_mind_your_business/ 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourmindyourbiz

    48 min

About

Welcome to Your Mind Your Business: The Real Talk Podcast for Entrepreneurs In a world where social media showcases polished success stories, we shine a light on the grit, grind, and resilience it truly takes to build a business. From sleepless nights to setbacks, we tackle the raw realities of entrepreneurship that often go unspoken. Too often, the emotional and mental toll of running a business leaves entrepreneurs feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and full of self-doubt. That’s why this podcast is here—to provide a real, unfiltered look at the challenges behind the success and to remind business owners that they are not alone on this journey. 💡 What We Offer: Honest conversations about the mental and emotional toll of entrepreneurship.Insights into overcoming challenges like burnout, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome.Stories that inspire, motivate, and bring authenticity to the entrepreneurial narrative.Join us as we move past the highlight reels and dive into the truths of building a business, offering support and actionable advice to help you thrive. 🔔 Subscribe now for real talk on entrepreneurship, business growth, and mindset! #EntrepreneurshipPodcast #BusinessMindset #EntrepreneurLife #MentalHealthForEntrepreneurs #StartupStories #OvercomingSetbacks #AuthenticEntrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast