Live & Linking with Ashley Leeds

Ashley Leeds
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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. Live & Linking Episode 98 - Justin Ricklefs

    8H AGO

    Live & Linking Episode 98 - Justin Ricklefs

    This week, I’m chatting with Justin Ricklefs, founder of Guild Collective and author of Give a Damn. Justin joins me bright and early from Kansas City, coffee in hand, and we get straight into what really matters. Not just business, but life. Family, leadership, and why who you are matters far more than what you do. It’s one of those conversations that makes you stop and think about how you’re showing up, both online and offline. We dig into Justin’s core idea that care can actually be a competitive advantage. Sounds simple, but most businesses completely miss it. He breaks down his four Cs: curiosity, compassion, clarity, and consistency. We talk about why clarity is often the missing piece, how consistency actually drives results, and why businesses that ignore the human side are leaving opportunities on the table. There’s also a brilliant discussion around personal branding and why people connect with people, not polished corporate noise. And of course, we couldn’t leave it there. We put one of Justin’s LinkedIn posts under the spotlight in Roast My Post. It’s a proper, honest breakdown of why good content sometimes doesn’t land and what to do differently. If you’re trying to build your presence, connect with your audience, and actually stand out, there’s plenty here you can take and use straight away. Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/ Website: https://just.15mins.day Live & Linking Hub: https://just.15mins.day Guest contact details Email: justin@guildcollective.com Website: justinricklefs.com Website: guildcollective.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinricklefs/

    28 min
  2. Live & Linking Episode 97 - Ben Westerby

    MAR 31

    Live & Linking Episode 97 - Ben Westerby

    In this episode, I chat with Ben Westerby, a fractional FD and business mentor who’s built a strong personal brand by doing something most people avoid… just showing up. Ben shares what it was like before LinkedIn became part of his routine, when he was barely posting, low on confidence, and unsure what to say. If that sounds familiar, you’re going to see yourself in this conversation straight away. We get into what actually changed. Not theory. Not hacks. Just simple, consistent action. Ben talks about how posting regularly, sharing a mix of personal and professional content, and yes, even telling dad jokes on a Friday helped him stand out. We also unpack the moment video came into play, why it felt uncomfortable at first, and how that discomfort quickly turned into confidence. There’s a great reminder here that content doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be real. What’s really interesting is what happened next. More conversations. More opportunities. More trust. Ben explains how visibility led directly to business, and how people now approach him because they feel like they already know him. We also talk about his new venture, Find Your Fractional, and how he’s helping others step into that world with more clarity and support. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines with LinkedIn, this episode will give you the nudge you need to get involved. Guest contact details Ben Westerby Email: ben@westerbyconsultancy.co.ukPhone: 07771697857Website: https://www.findyourfractional.io/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-westerby/

    32 min
  3. Bizfest Takeover Wk 12 - With Lisa, Rachael & Jannice

    MAR 24

    Bizfest Takeover Wk 12 - With Lisa, Rachael & Jannice

    Here’s the final episode of the BizFest SW Takeover, and it’s a proper mix of insight, energy, and real-world business conversations. I’m joined by Lisa Bailey-Brown, Jannice Jones, and Rachel Pearce, all of whom are gearing up for Business Fest South West. Each of them brings a completely different perspective, which makes this episode such a good listen. From life-saving innovation to workplace wellbeing and family support, this one covers more than you’d expect in a short space of time. We get into some important topics. Lisa shares how LifeVac works and why choking emergencies need more awareness, especially when traditional first aid doesn’t always work. Jannice breaks down what businesses are getting wrong when it comes to burnout, neurodiversity, and inclusion, and more importantly, what they can do about it without overcomplicating things. Rachel talks about building a family hub alongside nurseries and why early support for parents is something that’s needed now more than ever. It’s practical, honest, and full of real examples from people actually doing the work. What I love about this episode is how grounded it is. No fluff, just people who care about what they do and want to make a difference. If you’re heading to BizFest, this gives you a great preview. If you’re not, you’ll still walk away with ideas you can use straight away in your business or life. Timestamps 00:00 The chaos and energy of going live 00:39 Introducing the guests 01:49 Lisa Bailey-Brown and LifeVac explained 03:08 How the LifeVac device works 04:00 Why first aid is not always enough 05:31 Jannice Jones on neurodiversity and workplace change 07:03 Preventing burnout in business 08:07 Rachel Pearce and the family hub model 10:46 Supporting families beyond childcare 11:27 The bird question 12:01 LifeVac myths and misconceptions 15:58 First aid awareness reality check 17:58 Jannice on EDI and business impact 20:07 Practical ways to avoid burnout 22:07 Rachel’s business journey 24:46 Why they’re attending BizFest 28:20 How to connect with each guest 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 Guest contact details Gavin Harris Email: gavin.harris@fourfrontevents.co.uk Website: businessfestsw.co.uk LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230 Phone: 01726982197 Lisa Bailey-Brown Email: lisa.bailey-brown@lifevac.uk Website: www.lifevac.uk LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-b-860949397 Phone: 07306 750736 Rachel Pearce Email: helloelihouse@outlook.com Website: www.elihouse.co.uk Instagram: eli_house_familyhub Jannice Jones MSc Email: support@jannicejones.com Website: https://www.jannicejones.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannicejones-neurodiversity-consultant/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jannicejonescoaching/

    31 min
  4. BizFest SW Takeover – Week 11 | Ethical Sales That Actually Work with Richard Palmer

    MAR 17

    BizFest SW Takeover – Week 11 | Ethical Sales That Actually Work with Richard Palmer

    BizFest SW Takeover – Week 11 | Ethical Sales That Actually Work with Richard Palmer Tickets for Bizfest - Website: businessfestsw.co.uk I’m Ashley Leeds, The 15-Minute Guy. I help business owners get more visibility on LinkedIn using simple daily habits that take 15 minutes a day.Want more visibility on LinkedIn (in just 15 minutes a day)? Then get a detailed report to show your strengths and things you may be missing. Take my Visibility Quiz and get a clear plan to improve your profile, content, and daily habit.Visibility Scorecard (start here): https://15mins.day/scoreIf the word sales makes you feel uncomfortable… this episode is for you. In Week 11 of the BizFest SW Takeover, I’m joined by Richard Palmer, sales trainer, author, and founder of SureTrain and Sales Station. Richard has spent years helping small business owners learn how to sell without feeling pushy, awkward, or “salesy”.Because here’s the truth. Most people don’t start a business because they want to sell.They start because they’re passionate about what they do.But if you can’t communicate your value, your business simply won’t grow.In this conversation, Richard breaks down what ethical sales actually means and why the traditional view of selling is completely wrong. We talk about the simple frameworks that help you have better conversations with clients, qualify the right customers, and turn everyday chats into consistent sales.We also dive into his book The Ethical Sales Handbook, where he shares practical techniques to help business owners sell confidently, ethically, and profitably.If you’re heading to Business Fest South West, Richard is also running a series of masterclasses designed to help small businesses win more work without pressure or gimmicks. This episode is packed with practical advice you can start using immediately. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and BizFest Takeover Week 11 01:13 Meet Richard Palmer 02:20 Why small businesses struggle with sales 04:25 The Ethical Sales Handbook explained 06:10 The two most important sales questions 09:26 Common sales mistakes business owners make 11:22 Why fear of selling holds businesses back 12:50 The importance of discovery conversations 15:18 Structuring a simple sales process 17:10 Why commitment matters before price 18:50 Should you put prices on your website? 19:02 Presenting your solution the right way 21:50 The most common objections in sales 23:04 Handling “It’s too expensive” properly 25:26 Value vs cost in sales conversations 27:10 Richard’s masterclasses at BizFest SW 30:44 How to connect with Richard Watch the full episode and learn how to sell in a way that feels natural and authentic.. Guest contact detailsGavin HarrisEmail: gavin.harris@fourfrontevents.co.uk Phone: 01726982197 Website: businessfestsw.co.ukLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230 Richard PalmerEmail: richard@suretrain.co.uk Phone: 07831172022 Website: https://www.suretrain.co.uk/sales-station LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-palmer-8466144/Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://15mins.day/ashleyBook a quick call with me: https://tidycal.com/ashleyleeds/New videos weekly on LinkedIn visibility, content, and small actions that build trust.

    32 min
  5. The Bizfest Takeover - Week 10 with Steve, Laura & Sara

    MAR 10

    The Bizfest Takeover - Week 10 with Steve, Laura & Sara

    This week’s BizFest South West Takeover episode is all about the real stories behind the businesses exhibiting at the event. I’m joined by Steve King from Exec Transfer, Laura Cubeddu from LC Virtual Admin, and Sara Watkins-Schmidt from Rent Assured and Sourced Living. Each of them is building a business in a very different space, but they all share the same goal. Helping people, growing through networking, and making the most of opportunities like Business Fest South West. Sara kicks things off by explaining how she built her letting agency from scratch and how the industry is about to change with the incoming Renters Rights Act. She talks about the balancing act between landlords and tenants and why having a knowledgeable agent in the middle matters more than ever. Laura then shares what it really means to be a virtual assistant, why so many business owners are drowning in admin, and how outsourcing even small tasks can free up time to focus on the work that actually grows a business. We also hear from Steve, who runs Exec Transfer, a chauffeur and executive airport transfer service covering the South West and beyond. From luxury airport runs to multi day trips around the UK, Steve explains what people expect when they book executive transport and why professionalism and presentation matter in his industry. The conversation then shifts to BizFest South West, where all three guests will be exhibiting, and we chat about networking, building relationships before the event, and even what exhibitors should wear to make the right impression. If you are heading to Business Fest South West or simply curious about how small businesses grow through connections, this is a great conversation to tune into. Steve King Email: info@exectransfer.co.uk Phone: 01392 327777 Website: www.exectransfer.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-king-81041961?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android Laura Cubeddu Email: laura@lcvirtualadmin.co.uk Website: www.lcvirtualadmin.co.uk LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laura-cubeddu-2157ab354 Sara Watkins-Schmidt Email: sara.ws@sourced.co Phone: 07747604665 Website: https://living.sourced.co/rent-assured LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-watkins-schmidt-celap-b90169156/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565741413753 Other: https://www.facebook.com/sourcedpropertygroup

    31 min
  6. Bizfest SW Takeover - Week 9 with Maria, Paul and Alistair

    MAR 3

    Bizfest SW Takeover - Week 9 with Maria, Paul and Alistair

    Here’s Week 9 of the BizFest SW Takeover and this one is all about people. The people you network with, the people you sit next to at events, and the people you support when life gets tough. I’m joined by Alistair Gleave from G12 Business Networking, Paul Skinner from Backworld, and Maria Bailey from Grief Specialists as we count down to BizFest SW on 1st April. Three very different businesses, one common theme: relationships matter. We talk about what makes networking actually work, and why it is not about shoving business cards into hands. Alistair shares how G12 has built a decade of trusted relationships. Paul explains why most of us are working in completely the wrong setup and how small ergonomic changes can stop long term pain. Maria opens up about her personal story of loss and how that led to building a national grief support network that gives people immediate help when they need it most. It is honest, practical and packed with real-world insight. If you are nervous about networking, thinking about exhibiting, or just want to understand how better conversations lead to better business, this episode will give you plenty to think about. BizFest SW is shaping up to be something special and this chat shows exactly why. Connect with me here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/ Website: https://just.15mins.day Live & Linking Hub: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13981378/

    29 min
  7. BizFest SW Takeover – Week 8: Networking, Leadership and Protecting What Matters

    FEB 24

    BizFest SW Takeover – Week 8: Networking, Leadership and Protecting What Matters

    This week’s BizFest SW Takeover is full of energy, honesty and proper business chat. I kick things off with Gavin Harris who joins me on his birthday to share the latest BizFest update. We’re just weeks away, there are fewer than 15 stands left, and the momentum is building fast. We talk about the pre-show networking events, the growth of BizFest South West, and why this is becoming the biggest business show the region has ever seen. Then I’m joined by three fantastic exhibitors who are bringing something different to the event. Chris Bentley shares why networking should be about human connection, not hard selling. His “not working networking” philosophy flips the traditional expo model on its head. Ollie O’Meakin dives into leadership and team performance, explaining why culture and psychological safety matter more than another strategy document. Georgia Parker rounds things off with a powerful reminder that life is too short not to protect your business, your family and your legacy properly. If you care about relationships, leadership, growth and doing business the right way, this episode is for you. Whether you’re exhibiting, attending or just curious about BizFest SW, you’ll get real insights you can use straight away. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and BizFest update 07:30 Meet the exhibitors 13:58 Leadership and culture insights12:52 Business protection deep dive 27:59 What to expect at BizFest Connect with Ashley: I’m Ashley Leeds, The 15-Minute Guy. I help business owners get more visibility on LinkedIn using simple daily habits that take 15 minutes a day. Want more visibility on LinkedIn (in just 15 minutes a day)?Take my Visibility Scorecard and get a clear plan to improve your profile, content, and daily habit. Visibility Scorecard (start here): https://15mins.day/scoreConnect with me on LinkedIn: https://15mins.day/ashleyBook a quick call with me: https://tidycal.com/ashleyleeds/ Gavin HarrisEmail: gavin.harris@fourfrontevents.co.ukPhone: 01726982197Website: businessfestsw.co.ukLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230 Ollie O’MeakinEmail: ollie@revelation-consultancy.comPhone: 07739063458Website: www.revelation-consultancy.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ollie-omeakin/ Chris BentleyEmail: chris@nwclub.co.ukWebsite: nwclub.co.ukWebsite: thenottys.co.ukWebsite: buildingbrands.co.ukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbentley4/Instagram: @ccbentos Georgia ParkerEmail: georgia-parker@life-is-too-short.co.ukWebsite: www.life-is-too-short.co.ukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-parker-47349573 Subscribe to the podcast, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and I’ll see you on the next episode.

    30 min
  8. Bizfest Takeover Wk 7 With Virginia, Diane and Nick

    FEB 17

    Bizfest Takeover Wk 7 With Virginia, Diane and Nick

    BizFest SW is building serious momentum… and this week’s takeover proves it. In this episode, I’m joined by Gavin Harris from Business Fest South West, plus three brilliant exhibitors who are getting ready to make an impact this April. We talk about: The race to a sell-out show The brand-new 2027 free stand competition Why standing out at events actually matters Websites that work properly, not just look pretty Why translation is about trust, not just tech How the Help to Grow programme is backing ambitious SMEs There is real energy building around this event. New exhibitors signing up weekly. Big conversations happening. And a genuine buzz across the South West business community. If you are running a business and want better marketing, clearer messaging, stronger systems, or smarter growth strategies, this episode is packed with practical insights. Watch until the end and let me know in the comments:Are you coming to BizFest SW? Connect with me:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/Website: https://just.15mins.dayLive & Linking Hub: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13981378/ Guest contact details Gavin HarrisEmail - gavin.harris@fourfrontevents.co.ukWebsite - businessfestsw.co.ukLinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230Phone - 01726982197 VirginiaEmail - virgiviso01@gmail.comWebsite - https://viso-communications.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiafdvInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/viso_communications Diane ReesEmail - d.rees2@exeter.ac.ukPhone - 01392 661000 Nick JacksonEmail - nick@buzzinteractive.co.uk

    30 min
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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.

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