37 episodes

Balanced Ambition is more than just a podcast—it's a deep dive into the intricate dance between business and well-being. Hosted by Matt Southam, a seasoned marketing consultant, business mentor, and motivational speaker, this series brings forth candid conversations with entrepreneurs from various walks of life. Listen in as they share their journey of scaling businesses while maintaining a solid grasp on their mental health. Discover insights, strategies, and stories that highlight the importance of balancing ambition with inner peace. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an established

Balanced Ambition Matt Southam

    • Business

Balanced Ambition is more than just a podcast—it's a deep dive into the intricate dance between business and well-being. Hosted by Matt Southam, a seasoned marketing consultant, business mentor, and motivational speaker, this series brings forth candid conversations with entrepreneurs from various walks of life. Listen in as they share their journey of scaling businesses while maintaining a solid grasp on their mental health. Discover insights, strategies, and stories that highlight the importance of balancing ambition with inner peace. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an established

    Navigating Global Career Paths: Daniel Nivern's Journey from Oxford to Entrepreneurship

    Navigating Global Career Paths: Daniel Nivern's Journey from Oxford to Entrepreneurship

    Dive into an engaging discussion with Daniel Nivern, who shares his journey from studying French and German at Oxford University to fostering entrepreneurship and work experience opportunities for young people globally. Hosted by Matt Southam, this episode explores the evolution of Daniel's career, from teaching English in China to creating platforms that facilitate international work experiences.

    Daniel and Matt discuss the changing landscape of the workplace, including the pressures of societal expectations and the rising importance of soft skills, especially in remote work settings. They delve into the impact of virtual internships, the benefits of remote work, and the crucial role of resilience and integrity in entrepreneurship.

    This episode offers profound insights into navigating career paths with flexibility, embracing a global mindset, and the significance of authenticity and interpersonal relationships in business success.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction to Daniel's diverse career and educational background.
    06:51 - Discussion on workplace pressures, remote work trends, and starting a business to facilitate international internships.
    13:21 - The critical role of soft skills in the modern workplace and challenges young workers face.
    18:31 - Insights on entrepreneurship, the essence of resilience, and personal growth.
    23:45 - Strategies for leadership, pivoting business models in response to global challenges, and maintaining integrity.
    28:03 - The importance of building a personal brand and nurturing professional relationships.
    31:33 - The impact of company culture and mission-driven values in a remote working environment.
    35:16 - Perspectives on leadership, employee retention, and creating a positive workplace culture.

    For more info on Daniel please visit https://www.virtualinternships.com/

    • 42 min
    Navigating Change: Wendy Lloyd-Goodwin's Journey from Law to Life Sciences

    Navigating Change: Wendy Lloyd-Goodwin's Journey from Law to Life Sciences

    Dive into an insightful conversation with Wendy Lloyd-Goodwin, whose remarkable career journey took her from the realms of art to law, and eventually led her to pioneer her own path in the pharmaceutical industry. Join Matt Southam as Wendy discusses the pivotal moments of her career, including the realisation that propelled her to leave the traditional legal field in search of a more fulfilling role in life sciences.

    Wendy shares the challenges and triumphs of starting LS Law, a legal consulting business aimed at providing specialised support for in-house legal and compliance teams within the life science sector. She opens up about overcoming fear and self-doubt, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, and the ongoing journey to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

    Discover Wendy's strategies for managing work-life balance, seeking support within the business community, and the importance of taking breaks to maintain productivity and creativity. Wendy's story is a testament to the power of resilience, the value of pursuing one's passions, and the importance of embracing change on the path to success.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Wendy's career pivoted from art to law to the pharmaceutical industry.
    02:48 - The inception of LS Law and identifying a gap in the market for legal consulting.
    08:37 - Overcoming fear, self-doubt, and the initial challenges of starting a business.
    11:46 - The role of mistakes, learning, and embracing uncertainty in business growth.
    15:13 - The significance of seeking support and the value of community in entrepreneurship.
    19:22 - Strategies for work-life balance and maintaining productivity as a business owner.
    25:18 - Prioritising tasks and the importance of taking breaks for well-being and creativity.

    For more insights from Wendy Lloyd-Goodwin and to learn more about LS Law, visit:
    https://www.lslawservices.com/

    Wendy's narrative provides valuable lessons on navigating life's challenges, the critical role of education in shaping futures, and the pursuit of a meaningful and balanced life.

    • 29 min
    Shaping Futures: Ahmed Alaskary on Education, Entrepreneurship, and Balance

    Shaping Futures: Ahmed Alaskary on Education, Entrepreneurship, and Balance

    Join Matt Southam as he delves into Ahmed Alaskary's inspirational journey. Ahmed Is the driving force behind Expert Tuition, a platform dedicated to transforming the educational landscape. From humble beginnings in a low-performing school to becoming a beacon of hope and guidance for students, Ahmed shares his profound insights into the power of education, ambition, and personal growth.

    Discover Ahmed's pivotal moments, from offering free tutoring sessions that catapulted his passion for teaching to challenging the conventional career paths dictated by society. Ahmed discusses the significance of self-belief, the unfairness of the education system, and his commitment to making a difference through entrepreneurship.

    Explore the themes of work-life balance, the psychological impact of money, and the importance of contentment in life. Ahmed's story is a testament to the transformative power of education, the value of pursuing one's passions, and the importance of striking a balance between professional achievements and personal fulfilment.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction to Ahmed Alaskary's background and passion for education.
    03:57 - Career choices and the realisation of entrepreneurship as a path to fulfilment.
    08:01 - The power of education and self-belief in overcoming societal expectations.
    12:23 - Addressing education system unfairness and striving for a better work-life balance.
    18:58 - Entrepreneurship, productivity, and the quest for work-life harmony.
    21:59 - Reflections on the importance of money for personal growth and societal impact.
    26:29 - Money, goals, and the pursuit of happiness through time management and contentment.
    32:50 - Defining success and the influence of money mindset on personal satisfaction.

    For more insights from Ahmed Alaskary and to learn about Expert Tuition, visit:

    https://expert-tuition.co.uk/

    Ahmed's narrative provides valuable lessons on navigating life's challenges, the critical role of education in shaping futures, and the pursuit of a meaningful and balanced life.

    • 36 min
    Tech Triumphs: Alec Dobbie on Software Innovation and Work-Life Harmony

    Tech Triumphs: Alec Dobbie on Software Innovation and Work-Life Harmony

    Dive into the captivating world of technology and entrepreneurship with Alec Dobbie, whose journey from a childhood passion for software development to founding a successful tech company exemplifies innovation and resilience. Join Matt Southam as Alec shares the evolution of his career, from playing games on a Commodore VIC 20 to leveraging AI for personalised marketing in today's digital landscape.

    Alec discusses the critical role of failure and perseverance in entrepreneurship, the value of a supportive team culture, and the strategic adoption of remote work to enhance productivity and job satisfaction. He emphasises the importance of work-life balance, flexible work arrangements, and creating a company culture that treats employees as individuals, leading to significant business growth.

    Explore Alec's insights on personalised marketing, the ethical use of AI in business, and the future of tech-driven customer engagement. Alec's story is a testament to the power of passion, the potential of technology, and the importance of maintaining a human touch in the digital age.

    • 41 min
    Engineering a Greener Future: Ron Daniel on Climate Solutions and Water Management

    Engineering a Greener Future: Ron Daniel on Climate Solutions and Water Management

    In this episode, join Matt Southam as he interviews Ron Daniel, an engineer and entrepreneur with extensive experience in climate change solutions. Ron discusses the critical "Poly crisis" affecting the planet, including environmental refugees and soil degradation, and emphasises the urgent need for environmental action.Ron advocates for a shift from traditional energy sources to geothermal energy, sharing his experiences in Kuwait and Bahrain with innovative water management projects. He highlights the use of subsurface water for air conditioning, successful water extraction, and irrigation systems and addresses the challenges and opportunities in water security and sustainable solutions.Explore Ron's insights on desalination techniques and their potential benefits in places like Hastings, UK, and Morocco. He stresses the importance of individual actions in environmental impact, discussing small domestic changes and the necessity of systemic changes to tackle climate change effectively.

    • 56 min
    Cool Innovations: Michael Keane on Energy, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship

    Cool Innovations: Michael Keane on Energy, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship

    Join Matt Southam in an engaging episode with Michael Keane, a versatile entrepreneur with a rich background in banking, technology, and energy. Michael shares insights from his journey through the 90s virtual private networking industry to his current venture in developing affordable cooling and refrigeration solutions aimed at making a significant impact in developing countries. Dive into Michael's innovative approach to utilising waste heat from engines for refrigeration, reducing food waste, and empowering dairy farms in Africa through biogas.

    Explore the challenges of scaling renewable energy solutions and the critical role of financial viability in environmental initiatives. Michael offers valuable advice on entrepreneurship, business management, and the importance of thorough financial planning and cash flow management to ensure business success. This episode is a testament to the power of innovation in addressing some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges while highlighting the intricacies of running a sustainable business.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction to Michael Keane's diverse career and his venture in affordable cooling solutions.
    04:50 - Innovative approach to using waste heat for cooling and the challenge of food waste in developing countries.
    11:43 - The financial and environmental benefits of using biogas to power dairy farms in Africa.
    17:29 - Discussing the impact of reducing food waste on the environment and business finances.
    23:27 - Insights into entrepreneurship, effective business management, and the necessity of financial planning.
    30:39 - The importance of cash flow management and financial insights for business sustainability.

    • 32 min

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