Live & Linking with Ashley Leeds

Ashley Leeds
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  • 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. Live & Linking Episode 105 with Tracy Irwin

    4d ago

    Live & Linking Episode 105 with Tracy Irwin

    This week I'm joined by Tracy Irwin, someone I know very well because we're accountability partners who catch up every Monday to keep each other on track. Tracy spent more than 20 years building and running a successful accountancy practice before making a huge life change. She sold the business, moved to Spain and now helps business owners build companies that support the life they actually want to live. Our conversation is full of practical advice for anyone who feels like their business is running them instead of the other way round. One of the biggest ideas Tracy shares is something she calls your Freedom Number. Rather than chasing turnover for the sake of it, she explains why you should start by designing your ideal life and then build a business that funds it. We also dive into money mindset, understanding the financial numbers that really matter, avoiding the trap of spending on marketing before your foundations are right, and why so many entrepreneurs unknowingly limit themselves because of beliefs they've carried since childhood. It's an eye-opening conversation that will have you looking at your business from a completely different angle. We also chat about productivity, accountability, LinkedIn visibility and why showing up consistently matters far more than chasing vanity metrics. As always, we finish with a Roast My Post where we review one of Tracy's LinkedIn videos and share a few simple tips that anyone creating content can use. If you're looking for more freedom, more clarity and a healthier relationship with money and your business, this episode is well worth a listen. Guest contact details Tracy Irwin Email: tracy@tracyirwin.co.uk Website: www.tracyirwin.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyalaineirwin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracy.irwin.official/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tracyirwin.offici

    30 min
  2. Live & Linking Episode 104 with Rebecca Scoular

    Jun 24

    Live & Linking Episode 104 with Rebecca Scoular

    Here's another episode of my podcast series taken from Live & Linking. This week I was joined by Rebecca Scoular, founder of Progress Partners. Rebecca has spent nearly two decades helping business owners gain clarity, make better decisions and stop getting pulled in every direction by the demands of running a business. If you've ever felt like you're constantly busy but not necessarily moving forward, this episode is definitely for you. We had a really honest conversation about the noise that surrounds business owners every day. Emails, social media, team issues, paperwork and endless distractions can leave us feeling overwhelmed and stuck on a treadmill. Rebecca explains why successful business owners need to regularly step out of their business and spend time thinking on it rather than constantly working in it. She also shares why community and accountability play such an important role in helping entrepreneurs stay focused and avoid burnout. Here's what else we talked about: • Why being busy should not be worn as a badge of honour• The difference between opportunity and distraction• How social media can become a time trap• Why delegation is essential for growth• The importance of working in your zone of genius• How weekly accountability creates momentum• Why entrepreneurs often feel lonely at the top• Building a supportive business community• Practical ways to simplify your business and reduce overwhelm Rebecca's parting message was beautifully simple: keep things simple and enjoy what you're building. A great reminder that business growth doesn't have to feel complicated. Guest contact details: Rebecca ScoularEmail: info@progress-partners.co.ukWebsite: https://progress-partners.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-scoular-14763a7Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scoularrebecca/

    30 min
  3. Live & Linking Episode 103 with Si Elliot

    Jun 9

    Live & Linking Episode 103 with Si Elliot

    This week I’m joined by Si Elliott, Founder of Fabricx, behavioural science specialist, author, lecturer, and customer experience expert. Si has spent more than two decades helping organisations understand their customers better and create experiences that genuinely connect with people. We start by exploring what a brand really is and why it goes far beyond logos, colours, and clever marketing. As Si explains, your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It’s the feeling and perception people take away after interacting with you. Our conversation quickly moves into the fascinating world of behavioural science and why understanding human behaviour can transform the way we communicate, market, and build relationships. Si shares the inspiration behind his book, Customer Experience Thinking, and explains how behavioural biases influence the decisions we make every day. We also discuss why authenticity matters so much in business, particularly on LinkedIn, where many people still struggle to put themselves front and centre. If you've ever felt uncomfortable creating content or sharing your expertise online, you'll recognise plenty of what Si talks about. We finish with a practical discussion about LinkedIn engagement, content creation, and personal branding. During a live Roast My Post session, we look at why great content sometimes fails to generate interaction and what business owners can do differently to encourage conversations. This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone wanting to improve their visibility, strengthen their personal brand, and better understand the psychology behind why people connect, engage, and buy. If you're looking for simple ways to build trust and create more meaningful relationships online, this is a conversation worth listening to. Guest Contact Details Si Elliott Founder, Fabricx Email: simon.elliott@diversity.agency Phone: 07847302612 Website: www.sielliott.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/si-elliott/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/si.elliott

    33 min
  4. Live & Linking Episode 102 with Gavin Harris

    Jun 2

    Live & Linking Episode 102 with Gavin Harris

    Business Fest South West, Visibility & Building Something People Want to Talk About Here’s another episode of Live & Linking and this week I’m joined by Gavin Harris, one of the founders of Business Fest South West. Gavin’s story is a brilliant one because not that long ago hardly anyone in the South West business community knew who he was. Fast forward to now and Business Fest South West has become a real fixture in the calendar. We chat about how it all started, what inspired him to launch a brand new business festival, and why building visibility from day one mattered so much. What I really enjoyed about this conversation was hearing how Gavin approached it with a genuine community-first mindset. From reaching out to local businesses and building relationships face-to-face, to creating those exhibitor-only pre-show networking events that have become such a big part of the BizFest experience. We also talk about why business exhibitions don’t have to feel stuffy or corporate, and how they’ve worked hard to make the event feel energetic, welcoming, and memorable. There’s loads in here about networking, showing up consistently, marketing your business, and making sure people know who you are. We also had a good chat about visibility on LinkedIn, social media, and why people can’t buy from you if they don’t know you exist. Gavin shares some brilliant practical insights around marketing, partnerships, events, and getting noticed in crowded spaces. If you’re building a business, planning events, or looking for ways to become more visible in your industry, you’ll get loads from this one. Connect with Ashley: 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/ Guest contact details Gavin Harris Business Fest South West Email: gavin.harris@fourfrontevents.co.uk Phone: 07445050260 Website: www.bizfestsw.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230/

    31 min
  5. Live & Linking episode 101 with Niraj Kapur

    May 19

    Live & Linking episode 101 with Niraj Kapur

    What happens when you combine LinkedIn strategy with real sales expertise? You get a conversation like this. Ashley Leeds is joined by sales trainer and LinkedIn expert Niraj Kapur to unpack why so many business owners struggle with selling, undercharge for their services, and rely too heavily on social media without building genuine relationships. Niraj shares stories from his career in publishing, events, and international sales before explaining how he now helps founders and business owners become more confident in both sales and LinkedIn. This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone trying to grow a business. Ashley and Niraj discuss why personalised outreach works better than spammy sales messages, how storytelling builds trust faster than hard selling, and why many people are pricing themselves completely wrong. There’s also a brilliant conversation about confidence, follow-up, startup challenges, and the dangers of generic business advice. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should raise your prices, pick up the phone more often, or stop hiding behind LinkedIn posts, this episode will definitely make you think. One of the standout moments is Niraj’s reminder that people still buy from people. Whether it’s commenting thoughtfully on someone’s LinkedIn post, researching a prospect properly before a meeting, or even sending a handwritten letter, the human touch matters more than ever. Ashley also puts Niraj through a live “Roast My Post” session where they break down how LinkedIn content can either help or hurt your reach. Honest, practical, and full of value, this is a must-listen for business owners who want to improve visibility and sales without losing authenticity. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Meet Niraj Kapur 02:18 Niraj’s career journey 04:26 Why people hate selling 05:34 Building trust on LinkedIn 07:08 The power of handwritten outreach 09:31 Researching clients properly 11:04 Storytelling vs persuasion 13:06 Pricing and undercharging 15:49 Charging what you’re worth 18:12 Dangerous pricing advice 19:35 Sales advice for startups 20:36 Breaking into competitive markets 22:43 Pricing creative work 25:00 Roast My Post 28:02 Why LinkedIn dislikes links 29:59 The Closers Club Guest contact details Niraj Kapur Email: niraj@everybodyworksinsales.com Phone: 07733179854 Website: www.everybodyworksinsales.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nkapur

    31 min

  6. May 13

    Live & Linking Episode 100 Melanie Goodman

    Here’s Episode 100 of Live & Linking and what a brilliant way to celebrate the milestone. This week I’m joined by Melanie Goodman, LinkedIn trainer, marketing consultant, and one of the leading voices helping professionals understand how to use LinkedIn and Substack together. Melanie has spent years helping businesses turn connections into conversations and conversations into real opportunities. We talked about how LinkedIn has evolved far beyond being just a job hunting platform and why so many business owners are still missing the real opportunity sitting right in front of them. A big part of the conversation focused on content creation and why long form content is becoming more important than ever. Melanie explained how she uses Substack alongside LinkedIn to build a stronger community, create recurring revenue opportunities, and grow an email list that she actually owns. We also explored repurposing content properly, avoiding SEO problems, and why writing one great long form article can create multiple LinkedIn posts. There’s loads in here for anyone who struggles with consistency or feels overwhelmed trying to keep up with every social media platform. We also chatted about the reality behind personal content on LinkedIn, why impressions don’t always equal clients, and how genuine engagement still matters most. Melanie shared practical advice about standing out online simply by being human, replying properly to people, and building long term relationships rather than chasing vanity metrics. If you want a smarter, calmer approach to LinkedIn marketing and content creation, this episode is packed with ideas you can use immediately. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Episode 100 00:59 Meet Melanie Goodman 05:28 Why Melanie started using Substack 11:47 What Substack actually is 14:53 Building a long form content strategy 16:00 Repurposing content with AI 17:36 Personal content vs business content 19:29 Why birthdays matter on LinkedIn 21:03 Growing your own email list 24:18 Roast My Post 28:40 Final thoughts Guest contact details Melanie Goodman Email: melaniegoodman@trevisanconsulting.com Phone: 07555106642 Website: https://www.trevisanconsulting.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniegoodman-training-marketing-employeeadvocacy/ Other: https://substack.com/@melaniegoodmanlinkedinconsultant

    31 min
  7. Live & Linking Episode 99 - Caroline Hobden

    Apr 29

    Live & Linking Episode 99 - Caroline Hobden

    This week’s episode is all about one thing Accountex. I sat down with Caroline Hobden, Portfolio Director behind one of the biggest accounting events in the world, to talk about what actually goes into making it happen and why it keeps getting bigger every year. From the moment you walk into the Excel to the buzz on the show floor, Caroline gives a real behind-the-scenes look at what makes this event tick and why it’s become such a key date in the calendar. We get into the practical side as well. How do you deal with over 400 speakers and 16 stages? What should you plan before you even arrive? And what are the small things that can make a big difference on the day like downloading the app, wearing the right shoes, and knowing where to go when you need a break. Caroline also shares what’s new this year including the FD Show, the AI advisory hub, and a more accessible HMRC presence where you can actually speak to someone face-to-face. If you’ve ever been overwhelmed at a big event or felt like you missed more than you saw, this episode will help you approach it differently. It’s about having a plan, knowing your priorities, and making the most of every conversation. Whether you’re attending Accountex this year or just curious about how events like this work, there’s plenty in here you can take away and use straight away. Guest contact details Email: chobden@divcom.co.uk Phone: 07740104215 Website: https://www.accountex.co.uk/london/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-hobden-62888519/

    31 min
  8. Live & Linking Episode 98 - Justin Ricklefs

    Apr 21

    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
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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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