The Success or Excuses Podcast

Paul Nicholas didn’t follow a straight path into his career; he figured it out along the way. From struggling at school and finding himself stacking shelves in his early twenties, Paul shares how he moved into health and safety, built a 20+ year career in the industry, and eventually launched his own consultancy working with large organisations. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Paul Nicholas to explore career pivots, mindset and fulfilment. Paul talks about the role mentorship played in shaping his journey, his experience working in the Middle East, and why chasing money and titles didn’t bring the fulfilment he expected. Paul also shares how boredom and curiosity led him into acting, from amateur theatre to landing a role in a Netflix film, and why having something outside of business is important. The conversation dives into mindset, self-reflection and the impact of thought patterns on success, as well as the importance of learning from mistakes. James brings his own perspective into the discussion, sharing insights on mindset, subconscious thinking and why changing the internal narrative is key to changing results. Key moments include: ✔️ Struggling at school and early career uncertainty ✔️ Moving into health and safety and building a long-term career ✔️ The impact of mentorship and learning from others ✔️ Working in the Middle East and chasing money and titles ✔️ Starting a consultancy business ✔️ Getting into acting and landing a Netflix role ✔️ The importance of having interests outside of work ✔️ Mindset, self-reflection and learning from mistakes ✔️ Subconscious thinking and how it shapes outcomes ✔️ Paul’s three pieces of advice: spirituality, choosing the right partner, and building a strong network Follow James Fleming LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Paul Nicholas LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-nicholas-ba-msc-59248825/       Timestamps [00:00] Introduction to Paul Nicholas [00:01:10] Early life, school struggles and first jobs [00:03:30] Getting into health and safety [00:06:00] Building a long-term career in the industry [00:09:20] The impact of mentorship and learning from others [00:13:40] Working in the Middle East and chasing money [00:18:10] Realising money and titles didn’t bring fulfilment [00:22:30] Starting his own consultancy [00:27:00] Boredom, curiosity and getting into acting [00:31:20] Landing a role in a Netflix film [00:35:10] Having something outside of business [00:38:40] Mindset, self-reflection and learning from mistakes [00:44:00] Subconscious thinking and behaviour patterns [00:50:10] Three pieces of advice for life and business [00:55:00] Closing thoughts and reflections

Kristian Melson always had an entrepreneurial instinct. After early attempts at starting a football coaching business at 18, Kristian went on to build a career in operations across large organisations and smaller companies. Over time, he realised he enjoyed driving change, improving systems and helping businesses run more efficiently. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kristian Melson, Founder and Director of Ops Obsessed, an operations consultancy focused on improving efficiency and continuous improvement within businesses. Kristian shares his journey from working in major companies like Ladbrokes and Betfair to building his own consultancy. He explains why operations leaders should aim to make themselves redundant by building strong teams and systems, and how good leadership is about empowering people rather than solving every problem yourself. James and Kristian also discuss the importance of process, automation and operational structure when scaling a business. They explore why many companies underestimate operations, the challenges of implementing change inside organisations, and how getting team buy-in is critical for long-term success. Key moments: ✔️ Kristian’s background in operations and starting Ops Obsessed ✔️ Moving from corporate roles into consultancy ✔️ Why great operations leaders build teams that don’t rely on them ✔️ Leadership lessons on empowering people and asking the right questions ✔️ Why many companies undervalue operations ✔️ The role of systems, automation and process in scaling businesses ✔️ Getting team buy-in when implementing change ✔️ Leadership influences and lessons from past managers ✔️ Kristian’s three pieces of advice for business and life Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Kristian Melson: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristianmelson/ Website → https://www.linkedin.com/company/opsessed/       Timestamps [00:00] Introduction to Kristian Melson [00:00:50] Kristian’s background and founding Ops Obsessed [00:03:00] Early entrepreneurial attempts and career in operations [00:07:00] What makes a great operations leader [00:12:00] Leadership, empowerment and developing teams [00:18:00] The biggest operational challenges businesses face [00:21:00] Systems, processes and scaling companies [00:27:00] Technology, automation and operational efficiency [00:27:30] Influential leaders and management lessons [00:32:00] Why companies seek operational support [00:33:00] Getting team buy-in when implementing change [00:37:00] Kristian’s three pieces of advice for business and life [00:41:50] Where to connect with Kristian

Ray Black didn’t plan a career in sales. Growing up in the village of Sanquhar, Ray began his career studying print before moving into technical design. Working at a drawing table long before CAD existed, he started out designing packaging and production samples by hand. That early exposure to the industry eventually led him into packaging, sales and business development. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Ray Black, Managing Partner of Think Partnership, to talk about Ray’s career journey and what he has learned from more than 30 years in the packaging and sales industry. Ray shares how he moved from design into packaging sales after watching sales representatives visiting the business and realising he could do the same. He explains how his career progressed through roles in production and packaging companies before eventually becoming a Sales Director after decades in the industry. Together, they explore the realities of modern sales, the role of process and discipline, and why strong relationships remain at the heart of successful business development. Key moments: ✔️ Ray growing up in Sanquhar and his early background ✔️ Studying print and starting out in technical design ✔️ Designing packaging before CAD technology ✔️ Moving from design into the packaging industry ✔️ Building a 36-year career in packaging ✔️ Progressing through sales roles and becoming Sales Director ✔️ Ray’s view on what makes a great salesperson ✔️ Why trust and relationship-based selling matter ✔️ The importance of work ethic in sales ✔️ Planning questions and preparing for client meetings   Follow James Fleming LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Ray Black LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayblackuk/       Timestamps [00:00] Introduction to Ray Black [00:00:40] James welcomes Ray to the podcast [00:00:59] Ray shares his background growing up in Sanquhar [00:02:00] Studying print and starting in technical design [00:02:28] Designing packaging before CAD [00:03:00] Moving into the packaging industry [00:04:40] Ray’s long career in packaging and sales [00:05:00] Becoming a Sales Director [00:05:10] Ray’s view on what makes a great salesperson [00:07:00] Relationship-based selling and trust [00:08:00] Work ethic and sales process [00:09:00] James and Ray discuss preparing questions for sales meetings  

Davie Sneddon didn’t begin his career in sales. Growing up on the south side of Glasgow, Davie struggled at school and didn’t see himself as academic. He began his career with an engineering apprenticeship as a plant fitter before realising he wanted more from life than working in heavy engineering. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Davie Sneddon, Chief Commercial Officer and co-owner of Sales Geek Scotland, to explore the mindset, lessons and experiences that shaped his career. Davie shares how martial arts helped him develop discipline and focus, how his first exposure to sales while working abroad ignited his competitive drive, and how he progressed into senior leadership roles in major global companies including Würth, Brammer and Snap-on Tools. The conversation explores Davie’s journey into franchising with Sales Geek, how he partnered with another franchise owner to build Sales Geek Scotland eventually becoming co-owner of Sales Geek Scotland, and why strong relationships, trust and honesty are the real foundations of successful sales.   Key moments: ✔️ Davie’s early life in Glasgow and leaving school unsure of his path ✔️ Starting an engineering apprenticeship and realising he wanted more ✔️ Discovering discipline and focus through martial arts ✔️ First exposure to sales while working abroad ✔️ Progressing into leadership roles with Würth and Brammer ✔️ Managing redundancies during a major business downturn ✔️ Leaving a corporate leadership role to prioritise family life ✔️ Becoming a franchise owner with Sales Geek ✔️ Partnering with another franchisee to launch Sales Geek Scotland ✔️ Why sales is about relationships, trust and listening ✔️ Skillset, mindset and goal set as Davie’s three principles for success Follow James Fleming LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Davie Sneddon LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/davie-sneddon-l-isp-b5990045/ Company Website → https://www.salesgeekscotland.co.uk/       Timestamps [00:00] Introduction to Davie Sneddon [00:01:10] What Sales Geek is and how the business operates [00:04:30] Growing up in Glasgow and struggling at school [00:05:20] Engineering apprenticeship and early career [00:06:00] Martial arts and developing discipline and focus [00:07:10] First experience in sales while working abroad [00:07:50] Career progression with Würth and leadership training [00:08:40] Senior leadership roles and managing large teams [00:09:10] Business downturn and the reality of making redundancies [00:15:00] Leaving corporate leadership to focus on family [00:16:30] Starting a Snap-on franchise and self-employment [00:17:00] Joining Sales Geek and building the business [00:19:50] Why sales is about relationships, trust and listening [00:27:50] What makes a strong sales leader [00:33:00] Franchising and launching Sales Geek Scotland [00:47:00] The role of mindset in business success [00:50:30] Davie’s three principles: skillset, mindset and goal set  

Nicki Paterson’s career began in professional football. After playing for around 20 years across Scotland, the UK and North America, Nicki’s journey eventually led him into the recruitment industry, where he has spent the last eight to nine years helping companies hire leaders and specialist talent across more than 60 countries. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Nicki Paterson from Solutions Driven to explore how lessons from sport translate into leadership and business. Nicki shares his early football journey, from being picked up by Motherwell at a young age to playing first team football at Hamilton and eventually moving to the United States on a football scholarship. Nicki talks about the mindset required to take opportunities, the discipline needed to succeed in professional sport and how those same traits now shape his career in recruitment. He also reflects on the impact of mentorship, hard work and learning from failure. The conversation explores leadership in both sport and business, the challenge of hiring the right people, and why self-awareness, alignment and clear communication are essential for high-performing teams. Key moments include: ✔️ Nicki’s journey from professional football into recruitment ✔️ Being picked up by Motherwell and playing at Hamilton ✔️ Moving to the United States on a football scholarship ✔️ Lessons from sport that translate into business leadership ✔️ The role of mentorship, discipline and hard work ✔️ Leadership, communication and building aligned teams ✔️ Why leaders can become the bottleneck in a business ✔️ Hiring great salespeople and recruitment challenges ✔️ Recruitment across global markets and international experience ✔️ Nicki’s three pieces of advice for business and life Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Nicki Paterson: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickisolutionsdriven/ Company Website → https://solutionsdriven.com/   Timestamps [00:00] Introduction to Nicki Paterson [00:00:50] Nicki’s background and football career [00:02:20] Being picked up by Motherwell and playing for Hamilton [00:04:40] Moving to the United States on a football scholarship [00:06:30] Opportunity mindset and taking risks [00:08:40] Discipline, mentorship and obsession with improvement [00:17:20] Leadership lessons from sport and business [00:18:10] What makes a great leader [00:24:10] Coaching teams and building accountability [00:26:40] Why leaders burn out and become bottlenecks [00:30:00] Recruitment challenges and hiring great salespeople [00:33:10] The value of international experience [00:35:00] Advice for business and leadership [00:40:20] Nicki on Solutions Driven and recruitment philosophy [00:44:40] Closing remarks

Calum Stevens didn’t set out to build a career in pharmaceuticals; he fell into it. After studying marine biology, Calum began working in a clinical environment before joining BDD, a Glasgow-based pharmaceutical company that started as a small university spin-out. Today, the business employs around 35 people and works with both innovative biotech’s and some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Calum Stevens, Commercial Director at BDD, to explore growth, culture and taking action. Calum shares how he stepped away to launch a boat repair and servicing business on Loch Lomond, why he returned under the leadership of CEO Carol, and how he moved from clinical trial assistant into sales, marketing and commercial leadership. Calum speaks openly about scaling a niche pharmaceutical company in Scotland, recruiting highly specialised scientists who can also sell, navigating long decision-making processes with global pharma, and the challenge of maintaining culture as a business grows. He also reflects on networking, fatherhood and why overplanning can stop great ideas from ever getting off the ground. James brings his own experience into the discussion, sharing lessons on leadership, accountability, buy-in and building belief before driving change.   Key moments include: ✔️ Starting in a small university spin-out ✔️ Launching and exiting a boat repair business ✔️ Growing into Commercial Director at BDD ✔️ Recruiting niche scientific and business development talent ✔️ Managing culture as a company scales ✔️ Working with biotechs and global pharma ✔️ The danger of overplanning ✔️ The power of networking and meeting people in person ✔️ Leadership lessons from fatherhood ✔️ Calum’s three pieces of advice: leap, build your network, don’t take life too seriously   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Calum Stevens: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/calumstevens/ Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/drug-delivery-international-ltd/ Company Website → https://www.bddpharma.com/     Timestamps [00:00] Introduction to Calum Stevens [00:00:52] Calum’s role and BDD’s origins as a university spin-out [00:02:00] Launching a boat repair business on Loch Lomond [00:03:00] Recruiting niche scientific and sales talent [00:04:30] The challenge of scaling culture [00:07:00] Biotech’s vs global pharma and long decision cycles [00:22:10] Returning to BDD under new leadership [00:25:00] Moving into sales, marketing and commercial leadership [00:37:10] Leadership lessons from parenting [00:45:10] Three pieces of advice for business and life [00:54:00] LinkedIn, networking and closing remarks

Val Duguid didn’t plan to start a care company… she was trying to care for her mum. An exercise physiologist and chronic illness specialist for over 20 years, Val built her career in complex rehabilitation. But when her mum suffered a near-fatal accident, breaking her pelvis, hip and arm, Val stepped away from her previous business and became a full-time carer. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Val Duguid, founder of Bentley’s Home Care, to explore how a personal crisis became a business. Val shares the six weeks spent in hospital, the breakdown of relationships, the struggle to find appropriate care, and the moment she broke down trying to manage a wheelchair and four bags of shopping. That was the turning point. If the service she needed didn’t exist, she would build it Val explains how Bentley’s began with a befriending service while waiting for a Care Inspectorate licence, how trust and local reputation helped it grow, and why she leads without rigid hierarchies, focusing instead on accountability, ownership and empowering experienced carers. James brings his own experience of business ownership into the conversation, unpacking the loneliness of leadership, responsibility for staff, and the mindset required to lead without excuses Key moments include: ✔️ Val’s 20+ years in complex rehabilitation ✔️ Her mum’s near-fatal accident and six weeks in hospital ✔️ Leaving her previous business to become a full-time carer ✔️ The struggle to find regulated, suitable care support ✔️ Interviewing individual carers and discovering gaps in regulation ✔️ The emotional breaking point with the shopping incident ✔️ Starting Bentley’s with a befriending service ✔️ Building through trust, referrals and reputation ✔️ Empowering carers to phone doctors and take ownership ✔️ Leadership as integrity, accountability and no excuses ✔️ A five- and ten-year vision to expand across Scotland and beyond   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Val Duguid: Website → https://www.bentleyshomecare.com/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/valerie.duguid.1 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-duguid-69426838/     Timestamps [00:00] James introduces Val Duguid [00:01:00] Val’s background in rehabilitation [00:01:18] Her mum’s accident and life changing overnight [00:03:45] Starting Bentley’s and the befriending model [00:13:15] Hospital experience and personal impact [00:18:00] The wheelchair and shopping breaking point [00:22:15] Interviewing carers and regulatory challenges [00:29:15] Empowering staff and building culture [00:38:30] Vision for expansion across Scotland [00:42:30] Leadership, integrity and no excuses [00:45:45] Val’s top three pieces of advice [End] James closes the episode

Mark Glasgow didn’t grow up with much, but he always knew he was going to be a business owner. A gas engineer by trade, Mark founded Edinburgh Boiler Company in 2015 with a simple objective: make boilers easy and deliver outstanding customer service. He spotted early opportunity in digital, hiring a web designer as his first employee and investing heavily in SEO, radio, TV and marketing to grow fast in a traditional trade sector. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Mark Glasgow, founder and managing director of Edinburgh Boiler Company and director of The Energy Training Academy, to explore ambition, resilience and innovation. Mark shares how growing up with very little fuelled his drive to create a better life for his family, how his company has grown to around 60 staff with a managing director in place, and why renewables now make up the majority of the business. Mark speaks openly about launching The Energy Training Academy as a community interest company to help address the skills gap in gas and renewables, alongside Scotland’s 2045 net zero target. He also explains how AI, automation and CRM systems are transforming his operations, from voice bots booking services to route optimisation and lead handling. Together, they discuss family, vision, resilience, uncertainty in UK business, skills shortages and the importance of attaching strong emotion and strategy to long-term goals.   Key moments include: ✔️ Growing up with very little and developing ambition early ✔️ Starting as a gas engineer before launching EBC in 2015 ✔️ Hiring a web designer as the first employee ✔️ Investing every penny back into marketing ✔️ Growing to around 60 staff and appointing an MD ✔️ Moving from boilers into renewables ✔️ Cashflow challenges around heat pump funding ✔️ Launching a community interest training academy ✔️ Addressing the skills gap and net zero targets ✔️ Implementing AI, voice bots and CRM automation ✔️ Leadership, resilience and mindset ✔️ Vision, strategy and building a legacy   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website→ https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Mark Glasgow: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-glasgow-89942047/ Website → https://theenergytrainingacademy.com/ Company Website → https://www.instagram.com/theenergytrainingacademy     Timestamps [00:00] James introduces Mark Glasgow [00:00:59] Mark’s background and early ambition [00:02:23] Launching Edinburgh Boiler Company in 2015 [00:03:15] Digital marketing and early growth [00:04:29] Leadership and appointing an MD [00:05:54] Structure, meetings and growth plans [00:06:24] AI, automation and CRM systems [00:06:57] Moving into renewables and funding challenges [00:07:56] Launching the training academy [00:11:14] Leadership and caring for your people [00:16:06] Uncertainty in UK business [00:18:24] Mindset and personal development [00:29:44] Skills shortages and AI disruption [00:37:03] Future plans and acquisitions [00:38:36] Mark’s top three pieces of advice [End] James closes the episode

Brian Creegan didn’t plan to start his business during a global pandemic, he just happened to open on 1 March 2020. An Irishman who grew up in South Africa before moving to Scotland, Brian built his early career in banking before unexpectedly moving into recruitment and working his way up to director level. Wanting to do things differently, he left to create his own business focused on training companies how to manage hiring themselves. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Brian Creegan to explore what it really takes to launch a business when circumstances are completely outside your control. Brian shares the reality of starting with only months of financial runway, the panic when the world shut down, and how offering free CV support to people helped him stay afloat until work slowly returned. Brian speaks openly about the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. From income uncertainty and losing clients, to leading small teams through difficult markets and constant change. He reflects on growing up without a safety net, the fear of failure that drives him, and the resilience required to keep going when things feel out of control. James brings his own experience into the discussion, sharing the emotional impact lockdown had on his business, the uncertainty leaders faced when clients paused work, and the pressure of navigating a crisis without a clear roadmap. Together, they unpack resilience, leadership, hiring, culture, generational change, and what it means to find a way forward when there isn’t one.   Key moments include: ✔️ Growing up between Ireland, South Africa, and Scotland ✔️ Starting a career in banking before moving into recruitment ✔️ Working up to director level ✔️ Leaving to start his own business ✔️ Launching on 1 March 2020 ✔️ Panic and uncertainty as COVID shut everything down ✔️ Helping people with CVs for free during lockdown ✔️ Gradually rebuilding work as restrictions eased ✔️ Fear of failure and entrepreneurial pressure ✔️ Leadership lessons from mistakes and experience ✔️ Hiring, onboarding, and culture challenges ✔️ Navigating generational differences in the workforce   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Brian Creegan: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancreegan/ Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/creegantalent/ Company Website → https://creegantalent.com/       Timestamps [00:00] James introduces Brian Creegan [00:00:54] Brian’s background and early career [00:02:50] Launching just before the pandemic [00:05:07] Panic and early survival tactics [00:06:19] Work returning as restrictions eased [00:11:00] Fear of failure and mindset [00:18:06] Market uncertainty and business impact [00:24:50] Hiring and onboarding challenges [00:31:55] Leadership lessons and mistakes [00:36:00] Generational change in the workforce [End] James closes the episode  

Emma Ross didn’t leave because she was failing. She left while earning £140,000 a year. After dropping out of university, Emma built her career in banking before moving into commercial finance at HSBC. Within three years she increased her income from £34,000 to £140,000, generating £500,000 net income for the company in her final year. Walking away from that security wasn’t easy. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Emma Ross, founder of Ross Commercial Finance, to explore what it really takes to start again from zero. Emma shares the financial realities of brokering, knowing there could be a six to nine month income gap, and carrying significant family responsibility while making the leap. Emma speaks openly about the pressure of building a business just two years old. From working 6am to 2am and never leaving emails unanswered, to managing anxiety and the physical toll of stress. She reflects on being the only woman in the room in a male-dominated industry, early criticism about looking “unprofessional”, and how she’s learned to turn that into confidence. James brings his own experience into the discussion, drawing parallels around hiring, letting go of control, working alongside your spouse, and the realities people don’t see behind visible success. Together, they unpack growth, standards, awards, marriage, ambition, and the desire to build a team strong enough to eventually work a more sustainable shift. Key moments include: ✔️ Dropping out of university and starting in banking ✔️ Moving into commercial finance at HSBC ✔️ Increasing income from £34,000 to £140,000 ✔️ Generating £500,000 net income for her employer ✔️ The decision to start Ross Commercial Finance ✔️ Expecting a six to nine month income gap ✔️ Working 6am to 2am and never leaving emails unanswered ✔️ Anxiety, staying busy, and the impact on health ✔️ Hiring struggles and learning to let go of control ✔️ Building a team of five within two years ✔️ Being the only woman at industry events ✔️ Early criticism about appearance and professionalism ✔️ Winning Best Scottish Broker, Best Commercial Mortgage Broker, Best Bridging Broker, and Highly Commended for Northern Ireland ✔️ Being nominated for awards by lenders ✔️ Working alongside her husband Marty ✔️ Launching a finance and football podcast ✔️ The goal of building a team big enough to work a “normal shift” ✔️ Emma’s top three pieces of advice: find a mentor, build a strong network, and trust your own abilities Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Emma Ross: Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/3Zv9V5zUzMCDuykaaouvTL?si=5516ec3e3c224848 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-ross-78ab5677/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/emma_ross_commercial_finance Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ross-commercial-finance/ Website→ https://rosscommercialfinance.com/     Timestamps [00:00] James introduces Emma Ross [00:00:50] Emma’s background and early career [00:01:30] The decision to leave and start her own business [00:03:00] Financial realities and income gaps in brokering [00:04:00] Work ethic, long hours, and pressure [00:06:00] Anxiety and health impact [00:07:00] Hiring challenges and letting go of control [00:11:30] Women in a male-dominated industry [00:15:20] Award wins and recognition from lenders [00:18:18] Working with Marty and balancing marriage and business [00:27:00] Vision for growth and working a normal shift [00:29:16] Emma’s top three pieces of advice [00:31:00] James closes the episode  

Gavin Kirkwood didn’t fall into business ownership, he worked his way there. From starting out in call centres to becoming a top performer in national sales teams, Gavin built his career through consistency, resilience, and graft. After years working across fleet, rental, and asset finance for major organisations, he reached a familiar crossroads: stay comfortable, or back himself. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Gavin Kirkwood, founder of Kirkwood Asset Finance, to explore what it really takes to launch and grow a business in a brutally competitive industry. Gavin shares why leaving a secure, high-performing role wasn’t an easy decision, how early deals didn’t land the way he expected, and what the last two and a half years of building from scratch have looked like. Gavin speaks openly about the pressure of running a young business, unpredictable cash flow, sleepless nights, and learning the difference between knowing an industry and being responsible for every outcome within it. From compliance and regulation to trust, pricing pressure, and long sales cycles, this conversation cuts through the polished version of entrepreneurship. James brings his own experience into the discussion, drawing parallels with building The Power Within Training, and sharing honest reflections on leadership pressure, hiring fears, systems, and responsibility. Together, they unpack resilience, trust, and why consistency matters more than comfort.   Key moments include: ✔️ Starting out in call centres and building confidence in sales ✔️ Moving into fleet, rental, and asset finance ✔️ Becoming a top national performer in large organisations ✔️ The decision to leave security and start a business ✔️ Bottling it the first time, then backing himself ✔️ Early deals not landing as expected ✔️ Learning asset finance properly once the responsibility sat with him ✔️ Compliance, regulation, and commission disclosure changes ✔️ Speed vs price in asset finance decisions ✔️ Peaks, troughs, and unpredictable cash flow ✔️ Sleepless nights and pressure as a business owner ✔️ Why honesty and customer service win long-term ✔️ Losing deals you think are guaranteed ✔️ Reputation, trust, and working with larger clients ✔️ Sales culture, KPIs, and box-ticking ✔️ Hiring fears and protecting brand standards ✔️ Systems, processes, and CRM discipline ✔️ Gavin’s top three lessons in business and life   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Gavin Kirkwood: Website → https://www.kirkwoodassetfinance.co.uk LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-kirkwood-43a46837/ Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/kirkwood-asset-finance-limited/     Timestamps [00:00] James opens the episode and introduces Gavin Kirkwood [00:55] Gavin introduces himself and Kirkwood Asset Finance [01:20] What the business does and why customer service matters [03:16] Education, options, and challenging “we’ve always done it this way” [04:24] Why banks frustrate business owners [05:00] Tier one, two, and three funders explained [07:31] Speed vs price in asset finance [10:20] Early career in call centres and sales [11:00] Moving into fleet and commercial vehicles [13:59] Wanting more and outgrowing employment [14:18] Bottling the decision to go solo [14:47] Pressing the button and starting the business [15:22] Expecting early deals that didn’t arrive [16:16] Learning asset finance the hard way [17:22] Grit, persistence, and building from zero [19:23] Growth through referrals and reputation [20:17] Trust, service, and honest communication [21:40] The brutal reality of asset finance sales [23:15] Losing deals you think are guaranteed [25:16] Reputation and credibility with big clients [27:30] Reviews, referrals, and organic growth [29:02] Consultative selling and building trust [31:00] Growth fears and hiring challenges [33:19] Systems, CRM, and protecting standards [35:09] Hiring experience vs potential [36:43] Culture, honesty, and autonomy [42:23] Strategy vs day-to-day survival [44:28] Peaks, troughs, and financial stress [45:36] Resilience and trusting the process [45:55] Gavin’s top three pieces of advice [48:00] James closes the episode

Kenneth Martin didn’t chase fast growth or flashy success, he built something that lasted. From discovering architecture at just 12 years old, to setting up his own practice earlier than most would dare, Kenny’s journey is one of graft, resilience, and staying true to professional standards even when the pressure was relentless. With Block Architects now over 21 years old, his story is a rare look at what it really takes to survive and evolve in a demanding industry. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kenneth Martin, founder of Block Architects and Interior Designers, to unpack the realities behind building and sustaining a professional practice through recessions, debt, staff cuts, personal sacrifice, and long-term leadership decisions. From working alone in his attic, to employing teams, losing them during the 2008 crash, rebuilding from debt, and starting again from scratch, Kenny shares the honest truth behind longevity in business. This conversation goes deep into what leadership actually looks like over decades, not years. Kenny speaks openly about the mental toll of responsibility, making decisions that affect people’s livelihoods, carrying debt to keep the business alive, and learning when to step back so the business can survive without you. Alongside that, James shares his own experiences of sacrifice, pressure, and why succession planning is not optional if you care about the future of your company. If you’re running a business, thinking about growth, or quietly wondering how long you can keep carrying everything yourself, this episode will resonate deeply.   Key moments include: ✔️ Discovering architecture at age 12 and committing to it early ✔️ Setting up a practice only a few years after qualifying ✔️ Growing the business, hiring staff, and learning leadership the hard way ✔️ The 2008 recession and the brutal reality of paying staff off ✔️ Carrying personal debt to keep the business alive ✔️ Going back to working solo and rebuilding from scratch ✔️ Why architects feel downturns before anyone else ✔️ COVID as an unexpected turning point for growth ✔️ The emotional weight of responsibility as a business owner ✔️ Delegating, outsourcing, and building systems that don’t rely on you ✔️ Why succession planning matters long before you think it does ✔️ Balancing business ambition with family, health, and time ✔️ The danger of leaving succession planning too late ✔️ Kenny’s top three lessons in business and life ✔️ The role of hard work, discipline, and deliberate practice ✔️ Why most success stories online don’t tell the full truth   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Kenneth Martin: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethrmartin/  Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/block-architects-limited/ Website→ https://blockarchitects.co.uk/     Timestamps [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Kenneth Martin [00:46] Kenny introduces himself and Block Architects [01:56] What it takes to reach 21 years in business [03:01] Discovering architecture at age 12 [05:15] Setting up his own practice earlier than expected [06:00] Making hard decisions and leadership pressure [08:03] Professional responsibility and industry accountability [09:19] The 2008 recession and its impact on the business [10:18] Hiring the first employee and rapid early growth [13:31] Debt, downsizing, and moving back home to survive [15:25] Clearing debt and starting again from scratch [17:10] COVID as a period of unexpected growth [18:22] Why succession planning can’t be ignored [20:21] Building a business with the end in mind [23:25] Realising how much the business relied on him [24:31] Outsourcing, systems, and reducing dependency [27:00] Why podcasting became part of leadership learning [31:24] Kenny’s top three pieces of advice [33:23] Hard work, discipline, and deliberate practice [36:11] Letting go and trusting the team [38:38] Lessons from working with family [41:20] Communication challenges with younger generations [41:57] How to connect with Kenneth [42:30] James closes the episode  

Cameron Young didn’t take the traditional route into business, but the lessons he learned along the way shaped everything that followed. From leaving school unsure of his direction, to helping grow a family wedding stationery business into a fast-scaling e-commerce operation, Cameron’s journey is built on learning by doing and putting in the unseen hours. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Cameron to unpack his journey from scaling and exiting a family-run e-commerce business to becoming a partner at Business Partnership. Cameron shares the realities of rapid growth, burnout, business exits, and why so many owners aren’t prepared when it comes time to sell. This conversation explores what really drives business value, the importance of knowing your numbers, building a business that doesn’t rely solely on you, and why trust, transparency, and the right advice matter when everything is on the line. If you’re a business owner thinking about growth, exit, or long-term legacy, Cameron’s story offers grounded, honest insight into what to focus on before it’s too late.   Key moments include: ✔️ Leaving school and joining the family business ✔️ Building and scaling an e-commerce company from the ground up ✔️ The reality of long hours, pressure, and burnout ✔️ Why drop-shipping and “quick win” business models fail ✔️ Learning the hard way to truly know your numbers ✔️ Navigating mergers, acquisitions, and a full business exit ✔️ The emotional and practical challenges of selling a business ✔️ Why owner-led businesses struggle to sell ✔️ The biggest mistakes business owners make before going to market ✔️ Why trust, transparency, and education matter in business sales ✔️ Cameron’s top three pieces of advice for business owners   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jamesflemingmq/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com   Follow Cameron Young Company Website → https://www.businesspartnership.com LinkedIn →https://www.linkedin.com/in/cam95/       Timestamps [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Cameron [00:00:15] Cameron introduces himself and Business Partnership [01:08] Leaving school and joining the family business [02:04] Moving into e-commerce and early online sales [04:39] Scaling warehouse operations and rapid growth [07:43] The reality of long hours and unseen graft [08:06] The truth about drop-shipping models [12:46] Learning the importance of knowing your numbers [18:20] Merger discussions and acquisition offers [21:08] Burnout and seeking expert support [26:38] Personal loss and rethinking priorities [28:41] Joining Business Partnership [30:34] Common mistakes business owners make when selling [32:00] Owner dependency and valuation issues [36:34] Why many businesses never sell [53:00] Cameron’s top three pieces of advice [57:10] How to connect with Cameron [58:28] James closes the episode

Steve Young didn’t wait for certainty, he backed himself and learned on the job. From leaving school early and working multiple jobs as a teenager, to selling TVs at Dixons, moving into fax machines and copiers, and building a long career in document management and process automation, Steve’s journey is one of graft, resilience, and refusing to live with regret. Buying his first flat at 18 and thriving in high-pressure sales roles, Steve learned early that effort mattered more than titles. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Steve to explore his journey from corporate leadership to building his own business. Steve opens up about the frustration of not being able to make decisions, the fear of starting again later in life, and why he made the conscious choice to build a business with no plan B. The conversation also dives into resilience, failure, and what Steve calls “bounce-back ability”, learning through mistakes and continuing forward. James shares his own reflections on chasing money, burnout, and redefining what success really means, as both explore why fulfilment, freedom, and potential matter more than income alone. If you’ve ever questioned whether comfort is holding you back, or worried about reaching the end of your career with regrets, Steve’s story will resonate.   Key moments include: ✔️ Leaving school early and starting work young ✔️ Selling TVs, fax machines, and building a career in sales ✔️ Buying his first flat at 18 ✔️ Thriving in corporate roles but feeling restricted ✔️ Choosing entrepreneurship to avoid regret ✔️ Starting a business with no plan B ✔️ Learning resilience and bounce-back ability ✔️ Redefining success beyond money   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jamesflemingmq/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com   Follow Steve Young: Website → https://streammanagedservices.co.uk/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve--young/       Timestamps [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Steve [00:00:53] Steve introduces himself and his background [01:08] Early sales career and leaving school young [02:08] Moving into digital document management [03:10] Wanting control and avoiding future regret [07:36] Working with growing businesses and managing risk [13:40] Early working life and multiple jobs [17:06] Career growth, incentives, and sales pressure [22:25] Chasing money vs fulfilment [27:00] Resilience, failure, and bounce-back ability [29:57] Starting a business with no plan B [41:44] Vision for the future [45:04] Steve’s advice on success and potential [46:01] How to contact Steve [46:21] James closes the episode    

Anne Okafor didn’t follow a traditional route into construction. From leaving school at 16 and experiencing homelessness, to years spent in hospitality and retail, to taking a leap of faith back into education in her late twenties, Anne’s journey is built on courage, curiosity, and choosing to keep going. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Anne Okafor to explore the decisions that shaped her life and career. Anne shares how a spontaneous college application changed everything, why she moved three and a half hours to a city where she knew no one, and how that single decision led to a decade-long career in construction planning. They talk openly about limiting beliefs around education and maths, the power of networking, redundancy and reinvention, and Anne’s progression from not knowing anyone in the industry to becoming Chair of the CIOB Northern Scotland region. Anne also explains why she’s now pursuing a PhD in sustainable procurement in collaboration with the NHS, and what real courage looks like when life doesn’t go to plan. This is an honest, grounded conversation about belief, resilience, and taking action when the path ahead isn’t clear. Key moments include: ✔️ Leaving school at 16 and navigating homelessness ✔️ Feeling stuck in hospitality and retail ✔️ Taking a leap back into education with no safety net ✔️ Challenging limiting beliefs around maths and learning ✔️ Achieving a first-class honours degree ✔️ Redundancy, reinvention, and starting a business ✔️ Building a global professional network through the CIOB ✔️ Becoming Chair of the CIOB Northern Scotland region ✔️ Starting a PhD in sustainable procurement with NHS collaboration ✔️ Anne’s three core principles: curiosity, courage, and action Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jamesflemingmq/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com Follow Anne Okafor: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-okafor/ Website →https://www.anneokafor.com/     Timestamps [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Anne [00:55] Anne introduces herself and her role in construction planning [02:57] Leaving school at 16 and experiencing homelessness [03:40] Working in hospitality and retail and feeling stuck [04:14] Applying for college on the train home from holiday [05:35] Moving three and a half hours to Stirling with no support network [07:12] Believing university wasn’t “for people like me” [09:39] Returning to education and overcoming self-doubt [10:10] Achieving a first-class honours degree [13:17] Wanting to make the construction industry better [15:15] Advice for women considering construction [16:07] Discovering the CIOB and the power of networking [17:33] Becoming Chair of the CIOB Northern Scotland region [21:07] Redundancy and relying on professional networks [22:19] Starting her own business [25:15] Applying for a PhD after redundancy [27:02] Balancing consultancy work with PhD study [29:14] Giving back through mentoring and STEM work [33:08] AI, leadership, and why human skills still matter [40:45] Starting the PhD in sustainable procurement with the NHS [46:05] Challenging long-held beliefs about maths [53:06] Anne’s top three pieces of advice [57:10] James closes the episode  

Shannon McKechnie didn’t wait for life to hand her the perfect plan, she built one step by step. From leaving school unsure of her path, to finding her competitive spark in a call centre, to rising quickly through Reed and Search, Shannon’s journey is one of graft, resilience, and choosing bravery even when it felt uncomfortable.  In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Shannon to uncover the real story behind her career in recruitment and how it led her to becoming Managing Director at MBN Solutions. From the shift from traditional face-to-face hiring to AI-driven talent processes, to navigating a male-dominated tech sector, Shannon’s path has been shaped by bold decisions, difficult lessons, and learning to lead as herself. This conversation goes deep into the realities of recruitment today: why CVs often miss the truth, how AI is changing the game for candidates and employers, and why human connection still matters more than ever. Shannon also opens up about the impact of COVID, the career coaching that redirected her path, and the support that helped her grow into the leader she is now. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt stuck in the wrong version of success, or wondered how to take the next brave step, Shannon’s story will resonate.   Key moments include: ✔️ Starting in a call centre and discovering her competitive streak ✔️ Breaking into recruitment and rising quickly through Reed and Search ✔️ Becoming one of the youngest leaders in the business at 29 ✔️ Why CVs are no longer fit for purpose in an AI-driven hiring world ✔️ The impact of COVID, furlough, and working with a career coach ✔️ Leaving a long-term employer and choosing bravery over comfort ✔️ Moving into data and AI recruitment and joining MBN Solutions ✔️ The crucial support from CEO Michael and being allowed to lead as herself ✔️ The realities for women in male-dominated industries and caring roles ✔️ How to challenge negative self-talk and build bravery ✔️ Why attitude, personality, and human connection still matter more than keywords ✔️ Redefining success as happiness, gratitude, and freedom ✔️ Shannon’s top three pieces of advice: kindness, bravery, and finding joy   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/  Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jamesflemingmq/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast  Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com  Follow Shannon: Shannon LinkedIn →  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonmckechnie/ Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/mbn-recruitment-solutions/   Timestamps [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Shannon [00:00:51] Shannon introduces herself and MBN Solutions [02:16] AI, fear, speed, and how it’s changing recruitment [07:17] Why CVs aren’t accurate and the rise of video-first hiring [12:07] Recruitment challenges, sales hiring, and candidate truthfulness [16:06] Shannon’s early life, call centre days, and start in recruitment [19:27] Discovering competitiveness and rising quickly at Reed [22:30] Becoming one of the youngest associate directors at Search [25:42] COVID, furlough, and working with a career coach [29:06] Moving into tech and AI recruitment [29:50] Joining MBN Solutions and stepping into the MD role [30:20] Support from CEO Michael and leading authentically [33:07] Female role models and shaping her leadership style [36:52] Redefining success as happiness, freedom, and people [41:10] The realities for women in business and caring roles [43:45] How to build bravery and shift negative self-talk [53:00] How candidates can stand out in today’s job market [55:59] Shannon’s top three pieces of advice [57:10] James closes the episode  

Most people spend their late teens figuring life out. At 18, Niall McCabe was walking into £300,000 homes praying no one would answer the door because he was the estate agent selling the house, and somehow from that terrified first valuation to becoming one of the top-ranked agents in Europe, he’s built a career in an industry where nobody expected someone his age to last, never mind lead. From leaving school at 16 because the classroom never worked for him, to winging his way through early valuations, to navigating an industry dominated by people twice his age, Niall’s story is proof that graft, personality, and a bit of panic-driven resilience can take you further than anyone imagines. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Niall to dig into the real journey behind his rise. The nerves, the graft, the pressure, the wins and the moments he thought he’d made the worst decision of his life. You’ll hear how he built a name for himself from scratch, how COVID nearly wiped everything out, how he rebuilt through pure consistency, and why treating clients like actual humans (and not transactions) has become his edge. This one is full of straight-up honesty, Scottish humour, and real-world lessons on building credibility long before you feel ready.   Key moments include: ✔️ Leaving school at 16 and jumping straight into sales ✔️ Getting into estate agency young and why it terrified him ✔️ Winging early valuations and building confidence the hard way ✔️ The pressure, doubt, and loneliness of the early years ✔️ Why resilience and competitiveness carried him through ✔️ Going from self-employed to owning his own franchise ✔️ How small gestures make a massive difference to clients ✔️ COVID wiping out his pipeline overnight and how he rebuilt ✔️ Hitting top rankings across Scotland, the UK, and Europe ✔️ Inspiring the next generation at his old school ✔️ Niall’s top three pieces of advice for life and business Subscribe to Success or Excuses For more straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built something real, pushed through the messy bits, and kept going even when it felt impossible. Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Niall McCabe: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/niall-mccabe-492040183/ Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/re-max-scotland/ Website → https://www.remax-scotland.homes/     Timestamps: [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Niall [00:49] Niall introduces himself and shares how they first met [01:23] Getting into estate agency at 18 [03:03] The nerves of his first valuation [04:38] Early doubts, resilience, and competitive drive [07:24] From self-employed to running his own office [09:06] The power of good service and small gestures [12:10] Industry reputation and outperforming older peers [14:55] Ranking among Europe’s top agents [16:13] Why school wasn’t for him [20:21] Landing his first major estate agency role [25:33] COVID hits fear, cancellations, and rebuilding [36:12] Marketing, consistency, and the long game [39:09] Returning to his old school to inspire students [42:16] Niall’s top three pieces of advice

Sathpal Singh didn’t follow a straight path, he built a career by embracing the twists, the turns, and the lessons that shaped him. From starting out as a hands-on software developer to becoming a respected leader in product, agile delivery, community building, and tech leadership, Sathpal’s story is all about curiosity, reflection, and the courage to understand yourself before trying to lead anyone else. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Sathpal to dig into the real journey behind his career, the mindset shifts, the cultural conditioning he had to unlearn, the pressure of being the first in his community to go to university, and how he went from code to coaching leaders inside some of the biggest organisations in the UK. From growing up as the eldest in a large Sikh family, to battling limiting beliefs, to learning the power of reflection, networking, and asking better questions, this conversation goes deep into self-awareness, grit, and the lifelong work of mastering yourself. Sathpal doesn’t just talk about curiosity, confidence, or leadership, he lives it. Whether he’s helping senior teams align on complex problems, mentoring ambitious tech professionals, breaking down cultural barriers, building global agile communities, or challenging outdated thinking, every part of his story comes straight from lived experience. This episode is full of honesty, perspective, and the kind of practical insight that every leader, especially those navigating tech, change, and uncertainty, needs to hear. If you’re a leader, a manager, or someone trying to build a career on your own terms, this one will hit home.   Key moments include: ✔️ James welcomes Sathpal ✔️ Sathpal introduces himself, from software developer to tech leader ✔️ How he shifted from “shiny tech” to solving real business problems ✔️ Why psychology, people, and motivation became central to his career ✔️ The journey from developer to leader, coach, and community builder ✔️ Cultural conditioning, childhood experiences, and being the first in his Sikh community to go to university ✔️ James and Sathpal discuss mindset, limiting beliefs, and self-discovery ✔️ Peaks and troughs: the pressure, the expectations, and learning to join the dots ✔️ Agile thinking, asking better questions, and why leaders must stop pretending to have all the answers ✔️ Bias, identity, accent, and the reality of being a minority in professional settings ✔️ Why good habits, discipline, curiosity, and optimism matter ✔️ Sathpal’s top pieces of life advice: authenticity, embracing uncertainty, and building strong habits   Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more real, reflective conversations with people who challenge old conditioning, ask better questions, and build their lives with curiosity instead of fear.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Sathpal Singh: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/sathpal/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/visualsath   Timestamps: [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Sathpal [00:45] Sathpal on introducing himself and his early tech background [01:35] Moving from hands-on developer to leadership and strategy [02:26] Product, agile, community building — where he works today [03:35] Why he loves people, psychology, and motivation [05:12] James asks about mindset and whether it came naturally [05:47] Determination, grit, and learning more about himself [08:04] Growing up as the first in his Sikh community to go to university [09:13] Peaks, troughs, limiting beliefs, and connecting the dots later in life [10:20] Mentoring, motivational maps, and helping others unlock potential [11:12] What success means and why expectations matter [12:26] Cultural conditioning and how childhood shapes us [14:09] Optimism, risk, family expectations, and unlearning [17:55] James on mindset, adversity, and reframing disadvantage [19:41] Early conditioning, pressure, comparison, and personal growth [23:21] How their first meeting left both of them energised [25:09] Asking better questions and why conversations matter [27:21] “I don’t know” — why leaders must stop pretending to have all the answers [30:11] Building alignment, solving the right problem, and facilitation [33:35] Leadership behaviours, body language, and trust [36:19] Having people who tell you what you need to hear [38:03] The challenge of saying no and valuing your time [39:16] Knowing when to walk away [40:04] Scarcity vs abundance and helping others succeed [42:18] Cultural insight: Sikh community, identity, and values [46:55] Bias, assumptions, accent, and global experiences [53:17] Slipping into old patterns and mastering yourself [57:02] Sathpal’s top three life lessons: authenticity, optimism, discipline [59:23] James on habits, routines, and building a strong life foundation [01:00:52] Where to find Sathpal online  

Pamela Cunningham didn’t wait for the perfect moment, she built opportunities long before they existed. From helping her husband grow ROSSCO Tiling into a high-end, in-demand business, to launching her own consultancy for small construction companies, Pamela’s story is all about urgency, graft, and backing your ideas before anyone else sees the vision. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Pamela to uncover the real journey behind her work in procurement, tendering, training, and the reality of building businesses from scratch. From juggling motherhood and a rapidly growing trades business, to navigating industry barriers, to launching an academy the hard way, this conversation digs into resilience, the messy parts of entrepreneurship, and what it actually takes to help small businesses level up. Pamela doesn’t just talk about visibility, growth, or opportunity, she’s lived every inch of it. Whether she’s pushing tradespeople to stop under-pricing themselves, helping them understand the tendering world, challenging outdated systems, or driving change through workforce development, every part of her story comes straight from experience. This episode is full of honesty, real-life industry insight, and the kind of practical lessons that every small construction business owner needs to hear. If you’re in business, in the trades, or trying to grow something from the ground up, this one will hit home.   Key moments include: ✔️ James introduces Pamela and asks her to share who she is and what she does ✔️ Pamela on supporting her husband’s early days in ROSSCO Tiling and the reality of growing it ✔️ How their social media visibility began and why positioning was a challenge at first ✔️ Growing the business from splashbacks to full bathrooms to high-end residential and commercial work ✔️ Pamela rebranding the business, creating systems, and helping shift it into a premium offering ✔️ The story behind launching their tiling academy and the barriers they faced with funding and employability support ✔️ The challenges with colleges, councils, public sector procurement, and why small businesses struggle to access help ✔️ Why so many tradespeople lose money on tenders and how to prevent it ✔️ Pamela explains her new programmes: helping businesses become genuinely “tender-ready” ✔️ The accreditation trap: why so many companies pay for certifications they don’t need ✔️ Building a strong workforce before chasing big contracts ✔️ Pamela’s mission to help small businesses win profitable work, not just any work ✔️ The Skilled Trades Network and why she’s creating a space where trades, CITB, councils, and colleges can actually come together ✔️ The reality behind running a family business, managing people, and learning to delegate ✔️ Pamela’s top three pieces of advice: urgency, relationships, and dropping the pressure to have life figured out early   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Pamela Cunningham: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pamelaxcun/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelasmeconsultant/     Timestamps: [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Pamela [00:44] Pamela explains who she is and how visibility became part of her journey [02:10] Early days of helping Ross grow ROSSCO Tiling [06:29] Pamela’s background in procurement and how her idea for supporting small businesses began [11:29] Tendering mistakes small construction companies make [12:41] Why accreditations and certifications are often misunderstood [16:58] Pamela on public vs private sector procurement [19:35] School engagement, careers events, and inspiring young people into trades [22:05] Early growth of ROSSCO Tiling and shifting from bathrooms to specialist work [26:20] Launching the tiling academy and the struggle with funding [31:47] Pamela’s challenges navigating employability support and public sector systems [37:31] Growing the ROSSCO team and developing people [40:58] Pamela’s new programmes: helping businesses become “tender ready” [46:09] The Skilled Trades Network and why she created it [51:54] Pamela’s top three pieces of advice [54:08] Where to find Pamela online  

Kirsty Strain didn’t just find her voice, she rebuilt it from the ground up. From spending her teenage years bedridden with severe illness to performing on the Edinburgh Playhouse stage, starring in hit Scottish TV shows, and coaching leaders on communication, Kirsty’s journey is one of grit, healing, and finding purpose in the most unexpected places. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kirsty to uncover the true story behind the actor, the coach, and the woman who refused to stay silent. From losing her childhood to chronic illness, to rebuilding her life inch by inch, literally relearning how to walk, speak, socialise, and trust herself. This conversation goes deep into resilience, identity, and what it means to finally accept who you are. Kirsty doesn’t just talk about confidence, she earned it the hard way. Whether she’s navigating getting knocked down by the flu during drama school, moving to New York with no safety net, or helping CEOs overcome imposter syndrome, every part of her story comes with raw honesty and powerful lessons you won’t forget. This episode is filled with vulnerability, Scottish humour, and life-changing insights about fear, communication, self-worth, and the moments that make us. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt behind in life, or struggled to find your voice, this one will hit home.   Key moments include: ✔️ Growing up wild, confident, and carefree, until illness changed everything ✔️ Being bedridden from 17 and losing mobility, social skills, confidence, and identity ✔️ Relearning life: sitting up for 5 minutes, standing at the door, walking to the bus stop ✔️ The emotional toll on her and her parents, including misdiagnosis and financial strain ✔️ Returning to Scottish Youth Theatre and slowly rebuilding confidence ✔️ Getting into Oxford School of Drama and being forced to leave after illness struck again ✔️ Choosing New York anyway and discovering resilience through struggle ✔️ Landing roles in Taggart, Burnistoun, Outlander, River City, Annika, and more ✔️ The comedy show that helped her rediscover joy even while she secretly battled self-doubt ✔️ How COVID led to a major personal breakthrough and deep self-work ✔️ Why she shifted into voice and communication coaching ✔️ Understanding relationships, alignment, presence, and stripping away limiting beliefs ✔️ Helping leaders, actors, and everyday people overcome nerves, fear, and imposter syndrome ✔️ The Rocky philosophy that literally helped save her life ✔️ Her top three pieces of advice (including a powerful Rocky lesson)   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Kirsty Strain: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kirstystrain/ Website→  https://www.kirstystrain.com/       Timestamps: [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Kirsty [00:44] Kirsty introduces herself: actor, voice coach, unexpected career path [02:25] The illness that changed everything, being bedridden at 17 [12:58] Relearning life: mobility, anxiety, rebuilding from zero [18:45] Youth theatre, college, and slowly stepping back into the world [20:24] Oxford School of Drama and the heartbreak of having to return home [22:00] Choosing New York despite fear, low confidence, and financial struggle [30:50] Returning to the UK and starting from scratch in the acting industry [32:30] Breakthroughs: Taggart, Burnistoun, River City, Outlander [37:58] The one-woman comedy show and the hidden battle with self-criticism [39:21] COVID, setback, and a major personal transformation [51:06] How her coaching methods emerged and why they work [53:10] Who she helps and why communication is about presence, not performance [59:10] Accepting nerves, reframing fear, and building real confidence [01:04:13] Kirsty’s top three life lessons [01:10:05] How to connect with Kirsty

Kieran Taylor didn’t wait for certainty, he built his business in the middle of chaos. From being made redundant in Aberdeen’s oil crash to launching his own wealth advisory firm with zero clients, Kieran’s journey is all about backing yourself long before the results show up. And despite entering one of the most mistrusted industries in the UK, he set out to do it differently by putting people before products and fighting for the kind of business he believed in. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kieran to dig into the real story behind Welsh & Taylor Wealth. From redundancy at 24, to battling age prejudice, to fighting tooth and nail through regulatory hurdles, this one’s a powerful lesson in resilience, self-belief, and refusing to quit when things get uncomfortable. Kieran doesn’t just talk about building a business the right way he lives it. Whether it’s guiding clients through turbulence, rebuilding after setbacks, or clashing with mentors before finding harmony, he’s proof that growth happens when you stay committed, stay patient, and keep pushing even when it hurts. This episode is filled with raw honesty, Scottish humour, and proper real-world lessons for anyone trying to carve out a future on their own terms.   Key moments include: ✔️ Getting pushed out of oil and gas during the crash and seeing it as a clean slate ✔️ Why he entered financial advice with zero experience and what instantly hooked him ✔️ The harsh reputation of the industry and how he set out to do things differently ✔️ Being 24, lacking credibility, and learning to overcome limiting beliefs ✔️ The early days of struggle: no clients, no clue, just a laptop and a suit ✔️ How niche expertise in oil and gas became their biggest advantage ✔️ His biggest business battle: fighting to go independent and doing 750+ pieces of client advice ✔️ The clash of personalities that nearly derailed his team early on ✔️ What he learned about ego, hiring, and knowing your weaknesses ✔️ Why resilience matters more than talent (and how football taught him that) ✔️ The Buddhist teaching that reframed how he views hardship ✔️ His long-term vision for the firm and the “Welsh & Taylor way” of financial planning ✔️ Why lifestyle planning beats “off-the-shelf” financial advice every time ✔️ The importance of honest conversations, knowing your numbers, and constant improvement ✔️ Kieran’s top 3 pieces of life and business advice simple, tough, and spot on   Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built something real, pushed through the messy bits, and kept going long after others quit.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Kieran Taylor: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-taylor-3b672277/ Website → https://www.welshandtaylorwealth.co.uk/     Timestamps: [00:00] James opens the episode and introduces today’s guest [00:48] Kieran introduces himself and the story behind Welsh & Taylor Wealth [02:15] The early advice James gave Kieran before launching the business [02:54] Redundancy in the oil crash the moment everything changed [04:01] Discovering financial advice with zero prior knowledge [05:06] The reality of starting with no clients and no roadmap [07:31] Why the financial advice industry has such a bad reputation [08:39] Overcoming age, credibility, and limiting beliefs [09:45] Niching into oil and gas and why it worked [11:30] The biggest challenge: fighting to go independent [12:34] The Buddhist lesson that reframed how Kieran handles hardship [15:22] Building recurring revenue from scratch [16:22] Learning what a “bad client” looks like [17:44] Becoming a dad and finding a new level of drive [19:07] Why reaching your full potential matters [20:51] Building a team: clashes, lessons, and hiring for strengths [24:04] Bringing in experts and letting go of ego [26:36] “Whether there’s a want to…” finding the how [30:35] The ‘Welsh & Taylor Way’ lifestyle financial planning [33:31] Why advice must be bespoke, not off-the-shelf [35:30] Why retirees often end up returning to work [38:42] What James would actually do in “retirement” [39:33] The two mentors who shaped James’s career [43:22] Owning mistakes, knowing your numbers, and constant improvement [45:17] Moving 750 clients over the scale of going independent [46:47] Keeping speed, service, and the “Amazon culture” [47:40] Adapt or die why evolution matters in business [50:04] Kieran’s top three pieces of advice for life and business [52:55] How to connect with Kieran

Kyle McGuinness didn’t wait for someone to hand him a role, he built his own path, picked up a camera, learned every skill he didn’t yet have, and carved out a place for himself in Scotland’s rising indie film scene. From primary school drama clubs to cage fighting at 16, selling DVDs in high school, working in construction, and eventually stepping back into acting through sheer persistence, Kyle’s journey is anything but linear. But every chapter, the discipline from martial arts, the entrepreneurial spirit, the graft, the setbacks, and the moments of doubt all shaped the filmmaker and actor he’s becoming today. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kyle to unpack the real story behind Production Hoose and the years of graft that led to it. From shooting short films during lockdown and learning cinematography from scratch, to working on Bollywood sets, appearing on The Rig, building KMG Media, and pushing Scotland’s indie film industry forward, Kyle’s story is a lesson in taking action long before you feel ready. Kyle doesn’t just talk about opportunity, he creates the opportunities for himself. Whether it’s learning every role behind the camera, building a business to fund his own films, or refusing to let peer pressure or circumstance derail his passion a second time, he’s proof that resilience compounds when you stay on your path. This episode is full of real storytelling, Scottish humour, and honest insight into what it actually takes to keep going when nobody is coming to save you. Key moments include: ✔️ How Production Hoose began and why Kyle learned every part of filmmaking himself ✔️ Shooting his first short during the 48 Hour Film Festival ✔️ Leveling up to cinema-quality gear and submitting films to festivals ✔️ The childhood drama club that sparked everything ✔️ Peer pressure, leaving acting behind, and how martial arts shaped his discipline ✔️ Fighting MMA at 16 and how it built resilience ✔️ His early entrepreneurial side hustles ✔️ Re-entering acting, signing with an extras agency, and landing a Bollywood set moment ✔️ Appearing in The Rig and what it taught him about being on set ✔️ How KMG Media now funds their films and expands opportunities ✔️ The struggle of Scotland’s indie film scene and why he’s determined to help build a middle ground ✔️ The moment he knew filmmaking was his path and why he refuses to wait for permission ✔️ The three pieces of advice he’d give to anyone pursuing acting or film ✔️ James and Kyle’s shared belief in resilience, discipline, and never waiting for the “right time” Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who choose action over excuses. Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/  Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast  Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/  Follow Kyle McGuinness: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kylemcguinnessofficial Company Instagram Page → https://www.instagram.com/productionhoose Company Website → https://www.productionhoose.com   Timestamps: [00:00] James opens the episode and introduces Kyle [00:54] Kyle explains how Production Hoose began [02:00] Learning filmmaking during lockdown and building skills from scratch [03:36] Making their first short and entering the 48 Hour Film Festival [04:37] Leveling up equipment and submitting films internationally [05:13] James compares Kyle’s journey to Concrete Jungle [06:22] Kyle on passion, collaboration, and learning the funding process [07:48] Why Kyle refuses crowdfunding [08:04] Creating KMG Media to fund their films [09:59] Going back to Kyle’s early years: drama club, family life and a supportive teacher [12:04] Peer pressure and stepping away from acting [12:37] MMA, discipline and early fights [13:47] A documentary idea he keeps under wraps [14:06] Working in business development and early entrepreneurship [15:58] Building something bigger than himself [16:47] Why Scotland needs a stronger indie film ecosystem [17:22] The moment acting called him back [18:34] Acting school and signing with an extras agency [19:02] Landing a Bollywood role by accident [21:32] Seeing the film with his dad before he passed [22:49] James shares his own extra experience on Star Wars [24:22] Kyle’s short appearance on The Rig [25:46] The mindset behind his resilience and persistence [27:02] Why he believes this is his path [28:21] James on confidence, fear, and learning through doing [29:55] Living like the person you want to become [31:37] James on his own journey and morning routines [38:05] Why Kyle refuses to give up on his path [39:53] The vision for Production Hoose and upcoming projects [40:50] Creating trailers to spark demand [42:44] How networking can create the “lucky break” [45:52] Film, TV and the Production Hoose offering [46:42] Taking ideas from script to screen [47:34] KMG Media and scaling event work [48:44] Kyle’s top three tips [51:02] Final thoughts and how to get in touch with Kyle

Anne Hughes didn’t plan to become a consultant, or a speaker, or a radio host, or even an entrepreneur but life had other plans. After surviving a brain aneurysm in 2017 and enduring one of the worst bosses of her career, Anne made a life-altering decision: no more compromising, no more tolerating nonsense, and no more high heels for the sake of hierarchy. In this raw and energising episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Anne to unpack what happens when you stop trying to fit in and start following your purpose. From being raised in a working-class family in Govan, to leading in the charity sector for nearly three decades, to walking away from the wrong people (even if it means losing the job), Anne’s story is packed with honesty, defiance, and a whole lot of wisdom. She shares how a brush with death completely rewired her mindset, why working with aligned people matters more than the pay check, and how she now helps organisations fix cultures from the inside out  with humour, truth, and unapologetic authenticity. This one’s for the women who’ve been called “too much,” for the accidental entrepreneurs, and for anyone who’s ever had to walk away to find peace.   Key moments include: ✔️ The aneurysm that changed everything and why Anne never saw life the same again ✔️ From corporate burnout to freedom: why she walked out and never looked back ✔️ Her ‘accidental’ leap into consulting and the boss that pushed her over the edge ✔️ Building a business on purpose, not pressure ✔️ Reclaiming her voice in rooms full of middle-class men ✔️ Why charity boards often miss the point and how to fix toxic governance ✔️ Why Anne never stays where she’s not valued and how you can do the same ✔️ The power of network, follow-up, and not taking things personally ✔️ The importance of bringing your full self- accent, attitude, and all Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered conversations with people who’ve faced life’s toughest moments and chose to build anyway.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → James Fleming Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast YouTube → Success or Excuses Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Anne Hughes: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/anne-hughes Website → https://www.annehughesignite.co.uk/     Timestamps: [00:00] James welcomes Anne to the podcast [01:00] Who is Anne Hughes? A proud working-class woman on a mission [03:00] Finding her purpose and the influence of Wayne Dyer [07:00] Why she doesn't call herself an entrepreneur (but absolutely is one) [09:00] The brain aneurysm that flipped her life upside down [11:00] Leaving a toxic boss and how high heels played a part [13:00] Starting a freelance career… by accident [16:00] Why she never compromises on who she works with [17:30] Realising her media work and consultancy were the same journey [20:00] Abundance mindset: from poverty to possibilities [23:00] Coaching, consulting, radio shows, building a portfolio career [25:00] Thoughts on inequality in leadership [29:00] Why women have been taught to lead like men and the impact of Thatcher [33:00] The shift in male-dominated industries (and how more women are changing the conversation) [36:00] Losing her mum young and becoming the first in her family to go to university [39:00] Why she’ll never retire: staying on purpose for life [42:00] Culture over strategy and why bad leadership ruins good missions [45:00] Empowering teams starts with their own vision [47:00] Why she walks away from misaligned clients (and isn’t sorry) [50:00] Boardroom egos, good intentions, and governance gone wrong [52:00] What charities can learn from private sector leadership [54:00] The power of value alignment and standing firm in your identity [56:00] Anne’s top 3 pieces of advice, including the one thing she knows for sure

Kevin Crawford doesn’t shout about success, he builds it slowly, steadily, and with a level of discipline most people never see. From starting out in his dad’s architecture practice at fourteen to running the company, navigating burnout, rebuilding his health, and eventually shifting the business into employee ownership, Kevin’s story is a lesson in how quiet leadership really works, no shortcuts, no hype. Just years of graft, learning, and figuring things out the hard way. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kevin to dig into the long game- the mindset, the habits, the setbacks, and the constant improvements that shaped his career. They talk about what 25 years in a family business actually looks like, the moment a back injury forced him to stop and rethink everything, and why systems, structure, and self-development changed the entire trajectory of his life and business. Kevin also opens up about the shift from working 24/7 to finally building something sustainable: an architecture practice with strong foundations, a team he genuinely invests in, and an ecosystem of tools designed to help other architects avoid the mistakes he made. If you’re trying to grow without burning out, lead without shouting, or build something that lasts longer than your energy levels, this conversation will land.   Key Moments:  ✔️ Starting in the family business at 14 and learning the ropes ✔️ Why working harder wasn’t the answer (even though he tried) ✔️ The back injury that stopped him in his tracks and changed his mindset ✔️ Rebuilding his health from scratch, one walk, one step, one habit at a time ✔️ How systems, structure, and planning transformed his business ✔️ The power of taking real time out to think, plan, and reset ✔️ Introducing employee ownership and giving the whole team a future ✔️ Why accountability, mentors, and the 1% rule matter more than talent ✔️ The thinking behind his new architecture app and support ecosystem ✔️ Kevin’s three pieces of advice for anyone in business for the long haul   Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more honest conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, and underdogs who’ve kept going when others gave up.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → James Fleming Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast YouTube → Success or Excuses Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Kevin Crawford: LinkedIn → Kevin Crawford Company Website → https://crawfordarchitecture.co.uk/ Email → [email protected]   Timestamps: [00:00] Welcome and intro,  James introduces Kevin Crawford [02:00] Leaving university, joining the industry, and learning by doing [04:30] Taking the leap into business and why timing doesn’t need to be perfect [07:00] Building Crawford Architecture and securing early clients [10:00] Funding developments and the weight of financial pressure [16:00] Gowth, and why you can’t wait for the perfect time [18:00] Partnering with the right people and building trust over transactions [22:00] What legacy means to Kevin and why the work speaks louder than words [25:00] Advice for entrepreneurs who are in it for the long haul [28:00] Final thoughts, values, and keeping perspective at every level

Caz Milligan didn’t wait for permission, he built his own spotlight. From TikTok virality to launching Scotland’s biggest influencer boxing event, Caz’s journey is nothing short of wild. But behind the flashy content and online persona is a lad who’s been doubted his whole life and used it as fuel to prove every single one of them wrong. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Caz to unpack the real story behind the headlines. From childhood setbacks and school suspensions to £50k event losses and viral wins, this one’s a masterclass in resilience, self-belief, and making it happen even when the odds are stacked against you. Caz doesn’t just talk about chasing your dreams, he lives it. Whether it’s creating his own boxing promotion after getting rejected, building a six-figure influencer agency, or turning hate into hype, Caz shows what’s possible when you stop waiting and start creating. This episode is full of raw truth, proper Scottish humour, and real lessons for anyone tired of making excuses.   Key moments include: ✔️ The viral TikTok moment that changed everything (yes, it involved chocolate cream) ✔️ Why he launched his own boxing event and what went wrong (twice) ✔️ Dealing with haters, weight mismatches, and massive event pressure ✔️ How his dad’s boxing career (and trauma) shaped his mindset ✔️ The real reason his relationship ended and why it mattered ✔️ Why giving opportunities to others is what drives him now ✔️ His thoughts on failure, money, and making your childhood dream reality ✔️ The truth about influence, trust, and selling online ✔️ What he learned losing nearly £80k and why he’s still going ✔️ His top 3 tips for anyone trying to build a name for themselves   Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → James Fleming Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast YouTube → Success or Excuses Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Caz Milligan: Instagram → @cazmilligan TikTok → @cazmilligan YouTube → Caz Milligan     Timestamps: [00:00] Intro, James welcomes Caz and sets the tone [01:00] Who is Caz Milligan? Building a brand from scratch [03:00] Going viral over chocolate cream & riding the TikTok wave [06:00] The boxing dream, organising events, and fighting through setbacks [10:00] Facing haters, trolls, and becoming their “TV show” villain [13:00] The reality of chasing dreams in a school system that shuts them down [14:30] The story of Gigi and how strong partnerships make or break success [18:00] Twitch, momentum, and waiting on the next big move [20:00] Behind the scenes of influencer marketing and why authenticity wins [22:30] Clients, virality, and the mindset that makes it work [24:30] Hard lessons: losing £50k+ on events and still showing up [26:00] The “greed” myth, why wanting more doesn’t make you a bad person [28:00] Caz’s top 3 pieces of advice for anyone with a dream [30:00] Will there be another boxing event? James asks the hard questions

William Curle’s life has been anything but conventional. From growing up in a small Scottish village and working in his family’s engineering business, to inventing patented oil and gas technologies, losing it all, and rebuilding again. His story is a powerful example of what’s possible when you combine grit, faith, and relentless determination. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with William to uncover the moments that defined his journey. From watching his family business collapse under debt, to licensing a multi-million-pound invention to Halliburton just months later, William’s story is packed with the kind of real-world lessons you won’t find in any business book. But this isn’t just a story about engineering, patents, or profit. It’s about purpose. When life got dark, William found his light, through his Christian faith, his family, and his unwavering belief in doing the right thing. Whether it was building clean energy tech in Scotland or supporting children in Sierra Leone, his journey proves that you don’t need to choose between business success and personal integrity. You can have both. This episode is an emotional, honest, and deeply human conversation about invention, belief, failure, and starting again. If you’ve ever wondered what keeps someone going when the odds are stacked against them, this is it.   Key moments include: ✔️ Leaving school at 15 to work in his dad’s workshop ✔️ Losing the family business and what that taught him about resilience ✔️ Selling his first invention to Halliburton and the deal that changed everything ✔️ How dyslexia became a superpower, not a setback ✔️ The moment he fully committed to his Christian faith ✔️ Taking clean tech from Scotland to Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Ukraine ✔️ What business and belief have in common and why he refuses to give up Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered conversations about what it really takes to keep going, long after others have quit.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → James Fleming Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast YouTube → @SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → The Power Within Training Follow William Curle: Email → [email protected] LinkedIn → William Curle Company → https://wmcdevelopments.co.uk/   Timestamps: [00:00] Welcome and intro, the James Dyson of Harthill? [02:00] Leaving school at 15 and entering the family business [04:00] Dyslexia as a superpower, and how it shaped his career [08:00] Selling the first invention to Halliburton [12:00] Facing the collapse of his family business [15:30] Finding faith and fully committing to it [19:00] Using his faith as an anchor during COVID and crisis [23:00] The oil and gas crash, lost deals, and deep debt [26:00] Designing for clean energy and starting again [30:00] A LinkedIn post that led to a major deal in Oklahoma [35:00] Launching OR Energy and building waste-to-energy units [38:00] Reconnecting with a Scottish-founded church in Sierra Leone [42:00] Helping rebuild a legacy mission with 5,000 schoolchildren [46:00] William’s visits to Africa and the shocking landfill conditions [49:00] Impact investing, plastics pollution, and what’s next for OR Energy [51:00] William’s top 3 pieces of advice, including never giving up

Samuel Jamieson didn’t follow the traditional route to leadership, he built his career through grit, resilience, and a deep belief in people. From selling fake perfume in Wishaw Market at age 9 to leading high-performing sales teams across the UK, his journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Samuel to talk about growing up in a working-class environment, unlearning unhealthy patterns, and the importance of personal development in business and leadership. With honesty, humour, and a strong sense of purpose, Samuel shares how social work shaped his leadership style, why visualisation helped him break through limits, and what it really takes to build high-performing teams without losing yourself in the process. This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone who’s ever felt underestimated and a reminder that mindset and belief can take you further than any qualification.   Key moments include: ✔️ Growing up working class, selling on the market stall, and learning sales early ✔️ How a role in social work shaped Samuel’s approach to leadership and empathy ✔️ The mindset shift that changed his career trajectory ✔️ Why we need to unlearn what we've been shown, even by the people we love ✔️ The power of visualisation, and how walking through Bearsden changed his future ✔️ Experience of burnout, fatherhood, and redefining happiness ✔️ Why personal development should stretch you, not just your role ✔️ Samuel’s three pieces of advice for anyone in sales or leadership   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Samuel Jamieson: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-jamieson-18370379/   Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: James introduces the episode and Samuel Jamieson [01:00] Growing up selling at the market and developing a love for sales [03:00] Working in social work and how it shaped Samuel’s empathy and leadership [07:00] Conversations that change lives: belief, upbringing, and breaking the cycle [10:00] Happiness vs. success: chasing contentment in different seasons of life [13:00] Burnout, fatherhood, and the emotional toll of high achievement [17:00] Helping people reach their potential and knowing when to step back [21:00] Dyslexia, education, and unlearning what you were told you “couldn’t” do [25:00] Visualising a new life: Bearsden walks and mindset shifts [30:00] Taking action, trusting your gut, and the value of making decisions [34:00] Sales cycles, scenario planning, and how to future-proof your success [36:00] Top 3 pieces of advice for anyone in leadership or sales [39:00] What energy really means and why mental energy drives everything [44:00] Final thoughts and where to connect with Samuel

Anton O’Donnell didn’t just dream of making a film, he actually did it. No budget, no fancy equipment, no industry contacts. Just pure grit, a five-grand credit card limit, and a script he believed in more than anything. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Anton to unpack the unbelievable journey behind 'Concrete Jungle', the grassroots Glasgow gangster drama that hit #1 on STV Player with zero marketing budget and a team of volunteers. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s proof that if you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way. From rejection letters and self-doubt to bootstrapped filming, night shifts as a bouncer, and teaching himself to edit trailers during lockdown. Anton’s story is the ultimate example of backing yourself when no one else will. And while the industry said “no”, the public said “hell yes”. This conversation is for anyone sitting on an idea, battling imposter syndrome, or wondering if it’s too late to go all in. Spoiler: It’s not. 🎬 A must-listen for creatives, self-starters, and anyone chasing something bigger.   Key moments include: ✔️ How he turned rejection from writing competitions into motivation ✔️ Filming a pilot with no budget, no crew, just belief and borrowed spaces ✔️ Why resourcefulness beats resources every single time ✔️ Behind-the-scenes: balancing two jobs, debt, and passion ✔️ The moment Concrete Jungle hit #1 in the UK and what happened next ✔️ The power of showing up, asking questions, and not letting fear win ✔️ Why visualising success is useless without action ✔️ Building something from nothing (and not waiting for permission) ✔️ The pivot: from series to film, and what’s coming next ✔️ His 3 life lessons for anyone chasing a dream that feels impossible Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → James Fleming Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast YouTube → Success or Excuses Website → The Power Within Training   Follow Anton O’Donnell: Instagram → @anton.odonnell TikTok → @anton.odonnell LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-o Watch Concrete Jungle → STV Player Get in touch with Anton for investment, partnerships or collabs   Timestamps: [00:00] Meet Anton O’Donnell- writer, actor, creator of Concrete Jungle [01:45] The first draft: where the idea came from and how it evolved [04:30] From rejection emails to “let’s just do it anyway” [06:15] Bootstrapping the pilot episode with £5,000 and a dream [08:20] Balancing creative ambition with night shifts and burnout [10:40] Getting people to believe in your vision (when you’re unknown) [13:00] The STV breakthrough: hitting #1 with no budget or promo [16:45] How COVID changed the plan and why the film had to happen [18:50] Learning by doing: editing, sound, filming, marketing [21:10] The power of grit, trial and error, and believing in the process [24:40] What Anton wishes he’d known at the start [26:00] Future plans: from Concrete Jungle to what’s next [28:15] Final advice: Anton’s mindset rules for anyone with a creative dream

Lindsay Reid spent over a decade in the high-pressure world of corporate PR, handling everything from national crises to celebrity campaigns. But behind the polished press releases was someone quietly battling burnout, craving creativity, and questioning if there was more to life than 4am phone calls and stress. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Lindsay to uncover what happens when the face behind the press finally steps into the spotlight. From international badminton courts to singing in pubs, from mental health events to launching her own PR consultancy Lindsay’s journey is anything but typical. This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and returning to what truly inspires and energises you. Lindsay doesn’t hold back as she shares the real truths about working in comms, building a business, and why relationships are the real currency in life and PR. Whether you're a business owner trying to build a brand, someone burnt out from the corporate grind, or a creative soul stuck in a 9-to-5 box, this conversation will remind you that it’s never too late to rewrite the rules and do things your way.   Key moments include: ✔️ How playing international badminton shaped her work ethic ✔️ The leap from journalism to karaoke singer to PR pro ✔️ Honest truths about burnout and identity loss in corporate life ✔️ Starting a business on the side while working full-time ✔️ What PR really is - and how to use it to build your personal brand ✔️ Why your online presence matters more than ever ✔️ How one event gave her the confidence to take the leap for good ✔️ The power of consistency, reputation, and saying yes before you're ready   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → James Fleming Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast YouTube → Success or Excuses Podcast Website → thepowerwithintraining.com   Follow Lindsay Reid: LinkedIn → Lindsay Reid Website → lindsayreidpr.com     Timestamps: [00:00] Meet Lindsay Reid - PR consultant with a passion for people [00:09] The secret to great PR: storytelling, emotion, and value [00:38] Saying yes to the unknown, from wellness to music to business [03:00] Why PR is a long game (and not a quick win) [06:00] The podcast that changed James’ life (and Lindsay's role in it) [08:00] Lindsay’s early life as an international badminton player [10:00] From journalism to karaoke nights, rediscovering creativity [12:00] Landing a role at Stagecoach and the realities of corporate PR [14:00] Learning the hard way: big campaigns, big pressure, big lessons [15:20] Creating a body confidence movement while working full-time [18:30] Why passion projects are sometimes the path forward [20:00] Building a business based on trust, energy and great people [22:00] PR vs Marketing and why both are crucial [27:00] The real face behind the suit: balancing image and authenticity [30:00] The story of how James’ LinkedIn post went viral [33:00] Why PR is in everything even your employees’ social media [39:00] Reputation management, mistakes, and how to recover from them [44:00] The compound effect of showing up (even when it’s quiet) [50:00] Lindsay’s top advice for building a business and a brand

Alex Robertson had everything he thought he wanted: A £250k-a-year job in oil and gas, a sea-view apartment, a personal driver, and a lifestyle most people only dream of. But one day, he realised he was living the dream of his 18-year-old self… and it no longer fit. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Alex to talk about the bold decision to walk away from a high-flying career and start from scratch. No salary. No safety net. Just a belief that he was meant for more. It wasn’t smooth. Alex lost money for years, made mistakes, worked every hour, and still doubted if it was worth it. But along the way, he built a 300+ property portfolio, created a business that runs without him, and redefined what success means far beyond the payslip. This conversation is packed with honest reflections on money, mindset, risk, and the uncomfortable but necessary process of growing into the next version of yourself.   Key moments include: ✔️ The moment he realised his “dream life” wasn’t making him happy ✔️ Why success without purpose will always feel empty ✔️ Leaving oil and gas during COVID to build a property business from scratch ✔️ Losing money in the early years and why that’s more common than people admit ✔️ The trap of high income + low fulfilment ✔️ Why he stopped chasing scale and started chasing sustainability ✔️ Building a team, stepping out of operations, and learning how to lead ✔️ The mindset shift that changed everything: comfort isn’t the goal, growth is Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/    Follow Alex Robertson: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ajrobertsonproperty/ Website → https://www.ajrobertson.co.uk/     Timestamps: [00:00] Intro- James welcomes Alex to the podcast [13:25] Stress as a signal: “If you can’t handle it, you’re in the wrong place” [14:00] Why Alex walked away from a £250k job to chase something more [20:50] The trap of fast cash: Earning big and still feeling broke [25:54] Starting his property business during the pandemic [33:57] Resetting the strategy: Selling off properties that didn’t serve the vision [40:32] The truth about quitting: Most people give up just before it gets good [46:01] The mindset and structure behind scaling sustainably [51:02] Alex’s advice to young investors: Start lean, think long-term

Laurie Macpherson didn’t just change careers, she rebuilt her entire life. Redundancy, burnout, and self-doubt left her at rock bottom, questioning her worth and wondering what came next. But instead of staying stuck, she made the decision to back herself, embrace her strengths, and start over on her own terms. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Laurie to talk about what it really takes to reinvent yourself when the safe path disappears. From battling impostor syndrome to realising that “good” was the enemy of “great,” Laurie’s story is packed with the kind of honesty and resilience that anyone facing change can relate to. It wasn’t easy. She wrestled with grief, failure, financial pressure, and the fear of letting people down. Now, as a career coach, Laurie helps others find confidence in their own path, proving that even the hardest setbacks can become the foundation for something better. This conversation is filled with grit, humour, and the kind of perspective that makes you stop and rethink what success really means.   Key moments include: ✔️ The redundancy that forced her to re-evaluate everything ✔️ Honest reflections on burnout and mental health struggles ✔️ The mindset shift from “fitting in” to owning her strengths ✔️ Why impostor syndrome shows up even when you’re on the right path ✔️ Relatable fears about money, security, and starting over ✔️ Why failure wasn’t the end, it was the beginning of something new Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Laurie Macpherson: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriemac/ Website → https://www.lauriemacpherson.com/ Podcast → What's Working Now Podcast  Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/_laurie_macpherson/ Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: James welcomes Laurie to the podcast [01:00] Laurie’s work: Career coaching and why LinkedIn became her platform of choice [03:00] Fragile platforms: Facebook/Meta changes, losing groups overnight, and the case for LinkedIn [07:00] Authenticity over polish: Why real, raw posts resonate more than “shiny success” [14:00] Calling out the myths: Women returning to work, business ownership struggles, and the Great Resignation vs. the Great Re-entry [18:00] The reality of entrepreneurship: Financial pressure, constant marketing, and lifestyle creep [23:00] Starting advice:  Why cash reserves matter, and why websites/logos can become procrastination traps [27:00] Learning by doing: Trial and error, imperfect launches, and building confidence through action [33:00] Networks & community: Glasgow Glow Girls, masterminds, and why joining groups accelerates growth [37:00] The COVID pivot: Losing all her work overnight, Tesco shifts, and discovering new opportunities [43:00] The “want to” factor: Finding out how when you need to, resilience in early business struggles [49:00] Final Advice: Laurie’s top three tips [52:00] Outro: Where to connect with Laurie

Ellie McKay didn’t lose her business she walked away from the life that was breaking her. Successful podcast. Multi-million-pound property company. A lifestyle that looked perfect from the outside. But behind the scenes? Ellie was burning out, losing herself, and quietly falling apart. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Ellie for a raw and unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to rebuild not just a business, but a life. They talk divorce, motherhood, burnout, and identity. What it’s like to look like you’ve got it all together online while everything’s crumbling offline. And why sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is let go of the thing you built… and start again. This isn’t a polished comeback story. It’s real. It’s rough. And it’s exactly what so many people need to hear.   Key moments include: ✔️ The pressure of performing success while quietly breaking down ✔️ What it felt like to be homeless, divorced  and still showing up as a mum ✔️ Ellie’s breaking point, and the courage it took to burn it all down ✔️ The emotional weight of being “the strong one” all the time ✔️ Why rebuilding had nothing to do with business and everything to do with honesty ✔️ How podcasting helped Ellie find her voice again ✔️ Redefining success after losing everything that once defined you ✔️ The unspoken truth about women, leadership, and starting over Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more honest conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Ellie McKay: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mclaughlin Personal Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ellie_mckay_official Podcast Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/onamissionpodcast2.0 Podcast → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-a-mission-podcast-2-0   Timestamps: [00:00] Intro:  James welcomes Ellie back on the podcast, reflecting on their first-ever episode together [02:00] Podcasting beginnings: Ellie on how “On a Mission” started during lockdown and why conversations became her university of life [06:00] Looking successful, feeling broken: The hidden burnout behind running a property company and podcast [08:00] Breaking point: Juggling kids, lockdown chaos, and the moment everything came crashing down [12:00] From Facebook Lives to #1 podcast: How Ellie built momentum, landed big names, and leveraged relationships [18:00] The crash: Losing her marriage, business, home, and financial security all at once [22:00] Survival mode: Showing up as a mum while navigating divorce, homelessness, and trauma [27:00] Rebuilding from zero: Self-belief, energy, and using every tool in the mindset toolbox [32:00] Vibration & manifestation: How shifting energy and habits opened doors to opportunities again [38:00] Redefining success: Moving from “good enough” to building a great life on her own terms [42:00] Lessons from rock bottom: Resilience, accountability, and learning to find joy in the present moment [54:00] Final advice: Ellie’s top three pieces of wisdom [58:00] Outro: James closes with reflections on Ellie’s resilience and future

Kyle Campbell didn’t just become a dad at 19, he built a life from the ground up because of it. One minute he was a university student working shifts at McDonald’s. The next, he was staring down the reality of unexpected fatherhood. No plan. No money. No idea what came next. Just fear, sleepless nights, and the pressure of growing up overnight. Instead of running, Kyle chose to face it. He leaned into fundraising, volunteering, and building experience wherever he could, he was turning setbacks into stepping stones. Today, he works as a fundraiser at Maggie’s Cancer Centre, using his journey to inspire others who feel like life has thrown them in at the deep end. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kyle to talk about what it really takes to keep moving when you’re young, scared, and handed responsibilities you didn’t ask for. It’s not polished. It’s not perfect. But it’s real and it’s proof that sometimes you don’t need a plan, just the courage to ride the wave.   Key moments include: ✔️ Finding purpose through a school charity project that changed everything ✔️ The night he discovered he was going to be a dad and the fear that followed ✔️ Why he leaned into responsibility instead of running from it ✔️ Juggling university, McDonald’s shifts, and preparing for fatherhood ✔️ The role of fundraising and volunteering in reshaping his career path ✔️ What a baby loss charity taught him about grief and perspective ✔️ How he built confidence and career opportunities through LinkedIn ✔️ Why riding the wave is sometimes better than fighting the tide ✔️ His advice for anyone facing unexpected challenges or parenthood   Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Kyle Campbell: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-campbell   Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: James welcomes Kyle to the podcast [01:00] Discovering fundraising: A school project that sparked a passion for charity work [03:00] University life: Studying ancient history, COVID struggles, and finding the subject wasn’t for him [04:00] McDonald’s: Working his way up to manager at 19 [05:00] Life-changing news: The moment Kyle found out he was going to be a dad [08:00] Breaking the news: Telling family and dealing with the shock [10:00] Choosing responsibility: Deciding to step up and support his girlfriend and baby [15:00] “Ride the Wave”: How a quote helped him reframe fear and take opportunities head-on [16:00] Flipping the McDonald’s role: Turning charity initiatives into career experience [18:00] Fundraising impact: Securing thousands in grants for charities through McDonald’s [23:00] Becoming a dad: Arla’s birth story and those first emotional days [32:00] Adjusting to fatherhood: Sleepless nights, learning on the job, and prioritising family time [37:00] Building a future: Moving into their first home and reflecting on progress [39:00] Maggie’s Cancer Centre: Starting a career in fundraising with purpose [42:00] What’s next: Kyle’s big goal to become a CEO in the charity sector [43:00] Advice for others: Ride the wave, uni isn’t always the answer, and don’t take life too seriously [46:00] Outro: How to connect with Kyle on LinkedIn

Michael Field didn’t just start a business, he jumped off a cliff and learned to build on the way down. At 26, he was earning £75k a year. Safe career. Clear path. Then a casual chat in the kitchen with his manager changed everything. Three weeks later he’d quit, rented a serviced office, and launched a company with no customers, no cashflow, and only his credit card to keep it alive. It was sink or swim. And he swam. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Michael, Managing Director of Workflow Solutions, to uncover what it really takes to grow a business when you’ve got nothing but belief, naivety, and the guts to back yourself. From the fear of failure and imposter syndrome to the challenges of pivoting out of a dying market and embracing automation, AI, and cyber threats head-on. Michael’s story is raw, relatable, and proof that resilience matters more than a perfect plan.   Key moments include: ✔️ The leap from a £75k salary at 26 to zero income and zero clients ✔️ Why naivety was both his biggest risk and greatest strength ✔️ Sink or swim lessons: running installs, invoicing, and customer service with no clue what came next ✔️ How he pivoted from the declining print industry to automation, AI, and digital transformation ✔️ The imposter syndrome and fear that still show up 18 years later and how he handles them ✔️ Why reputation in business is everything (especially in small markets) ✔️ Cybersecurity scams, phishing attacks, and how AI is changing the game for both sides ✔️ The mindset shift from chasing sales to building a platform for brilliant people ✔️ Why success isn’t for everyone and how to know if business really is for you ✔️ Michael’s top three pieces of advice for anyone starting or struggling in business Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Michael Field: Website → https://workflowsolutions.co.uk Email → [email protected]   Timestamps: [00:00] Intro:  James welcomes Michael and Workflow Solutions [02:00] Early Career: From Sky TV to selling photocopiers [03:00] The Leap: Quitting a £75k job at 26, maxing a credit card, and starting with no clients [05:00] Sink or Swim: Running installs, invoicing, and learning business the hard way [07:00] Pivoting:  Moving from print to automation, AI, and digital transformation [15:00] AI & Cybersecurity: Opportunities, risks, and why humans are the biggest vulnerability [23:00] Fraud & Phishing: Real-world scams James and Michael have faced and how to protect your business [32:00] Belief & Resilience: Why conviction in your product/service matters when times are tough [37:00] Reputation & Customers: Why trust and integrity are everything in business [42:00] Building a Team: Creating a culture of shared responsibility and flat structure [46:00] The Future: Growth, vision, and why fear never really goes away [47:00] Final Advice: Michael’s top three lessons for aspiring or struggling entrepreneurs [50:00] Outro: How to connect with Michael Field & Workflow Solutions

Katerina Hayes didn’t just build businesses, she rebuilt herself through every breakdown, burnout, and rock bottom moment. Seventeen years in oil & gas. A dream career abandoned. Postnatal depression. Raising a son with autism. Starting over in a new country. At one point, she and her daughter were homeless, sleeping on sofas in her production facility. And yet, she kept going. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Katerina to uncover the truth about what it really takes to keep fighting when the world tells you to quit. From creating Naked Kimchi in her kitchen, to walking away from it all and co-founding B Brio AI, her story is proof that you can break apart, piece yourself back together, and come back stronger gold seams and all. It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s full of the kind of lessons you only get when you’ve had everything stacked against you. Key moments include: ✔️ The oil & gas career she fought for and why she walked away after 17 years ✔️ How postnatal depression and parenting a child with autism reshaped her life and identity ✔️ Suicidal thoughts, loneliness, and the hidden struggles behind “success” ✔️ Building a business from nothing… then facing homelessness with her daughter along the way ✔️ Why scaling Naked Kimchi broke her health and the brutal numbers vs passion reality check ✔️ The decision to let go of her “business baby” and the opportunity it unlocked ✔️ Why Scotland has more support for entrepreneurs than people realise (if you ask for it) ✔️ What it’s really like as a woman in business and why entrepreneurship is a mindset, not a gender ✔️ The role of ADHD, burnout and hustle culture in her entrepreneurial journey ✔️ How her new venture, B Brio AI, is using tech to support solopreneurs and high achievers with wellness built in ✔️ Her top three pieces of advice for anyone in business who feels like giving up Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, broken, and kept moving forward when quitting would’ve been easier.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Katerina Hayes: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/katerinahayes/    Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: James welcomes Katerina and reflects on when they first met [02:00] Oil & Gas Journey: 17 years offshore, career sacrifices, and postnatal depression [06:00] Hidden Struggles:  Suicidal thoughts, guilt, loneliness, and fighting through the dark times [10:00] Naked Kimchi: Starting from her kitchen, early wins, and the reality of scaling a food business [15:00] Burnout & Family Pressures:  The impact of the war in Ukraine, health scares, and losing contracts [21:00] Homelessness: Living in her production facility with her daughter while still running a business [24:00] Asking for Help: Support for entrepreneurs in Scotland, but the challenge of seeking it [29:00] Letting Go: Closing Naked Kimchi and realising lifestyle vs scalable businesses [35:00] Turning Point: Projects in Saudi Arabia, joining Min Ventures, and meeting her new co-founder [38:00] B Brio AI: Building tech with wellness at the core to support solopreneurs & high achievers [47:00] The Future: Scaling a tech startup and women’s performance cycles in wellness [49:00] Final Advice: Katerina’s top three lessons for anyone struggling in business [53:00] Outro: How to connect with Katerina and B Brio AI

Owen Llanwarne never planned on starting a business but deep down, he knew the corporate world wasn’t where he belonged. So he left the steady salary behind, set up shop at his kitchen table, and started saying yes to small freelance jobs. No funding. No investors. Just experience, a strong gut instinct, and the belief that he could build something better. Fast forward, and OTECSA is now a respected process safety consultancy with a growing team and a reputation for doing things differently. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Owen for a raw and grounded conversation about walking away from security, learning to lead, and what it really takes to grow a business when no one’s handing you the rulebook. They talk identity shifts, hiring headaches, imposter syndrome and the uncomfortable moments that force you to grow. Key moments include: ✔️ Why Owen left a stable job in engineering to go solo ✔️ Building OTECSA from the ground up without a flashy launch or big budget ✔️ The pressure of hiring, leading, and letting go of control ✔️ What most people get wrong about starting small ✔️ Why being good at your job isn’t enough when it’s your name on the business ✔️ The mindset shift from employee to founder ✔️ How getting outside help changed everything ✔️ His advice to any engineer who’s thinking, “Could I do this too?” Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered, straight-talking conversations with people who kept going when everyone else would’ve quit.   Follow James Fleming LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Owen Llanwarne LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-llanwarne/ Website → https://otecsaconsulting.com/

Yvonne Lindsay didn’t just start a business, she took on an entire industry. With no funding, no safety net, and a baby on the way, she walked out of a high-paying role at BT and launched a telecoms company from her living room. Fifteen years later, that company now turns over £6 million a year. But this episode isn’t just about business growth. It’s about grit. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Yvonne for a powerful, no-filter conversation about what it really takes to succeed as a woman, a mum, a founder, and a leader navigating a world that wasn’t built for her. They talk about the pressure to hold it all together, the strength it takes to keep going when life falls apart, and why most people have no idea what female founders are really carrying. Key moments include: ✔️ Leaving a six-figure career to start from scratch ✔️ Building one of Scotland’s only all-female telecoms companies ✔️ Paying wages with nothing left for herself and doing it anyway ✔️ Navigating divorce, single motherhood, and leading a team of 18 ✔️ How pink tools and big energy helped her stand out ✔️ The truth about imposter syndrome, burnout, and late-night breakdowns ✔️ Why belief matters more than a business plan ✔️ Her advice to any woman ready to bet on herself Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered, straight-talking conversations with people who kept going when everyone else would’ve quit.   Follow James Fleming LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Yvonne Lindsay LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonnelindsay/ Company → https://telecomnetworks.co.uk/ Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/telecomnetworks/

Craig Evans didn’t grow up with money, but he had vision, grit, and a builder’s mindset. What started as a plan to buy his first home on a shoestring turned into a full-scale property business. He’s designed entire houses in 3D before ever stepping foot in them. Negotiated deals most people would run from. And learned the hard way that success isn’t about shortcuts, it’s about strategy. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Craig for a conversation every aspiring property investor needs to hear. They talk about the messy reality behind property investing, from dream deals falling through, to getting burned by your team, to the moments you nearly walk away. And how Craig used every one of those setbacks to build something better. This isn’t a “how to get rich with no money down” story. It’s a story about long-term thinking, real risk, and what happens when you back yourself even when nobody else does. Key moments include: ✔️ How Craig reverse-engineered his first home renovation with zero budget ✔️ The deal that collapsed and the brutal lessons about trust and timing ✔️ How ADHD fuels James creativity and decision-making ✔️ Why Craig built Novius, and how it’s changing the game in sustainable housing ✔️ The truth about working with investors (and the awkward chats with their wives) ✔️ What no one tells you about growing slow and why that’s the point ✔️ The mindset that kept him moving, even when everything fell apart Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered conversations with real entrepreneurs building real businesses without the fluff.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Craig Evans: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybridge/ Company Website → https://novius.co.uk/

Chris McLaughlin didn’t plan on building a business he just said yes to cutting a few lawns. Ten years later, CM Garden Services has grown into a thriving family-run company with a strong brand, loyal clients, and a seriously cute mascot called Bruce. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Chris to talk about what it really takes to grow a business from a handful of flyers to a full team and premises all while learning everything on the job. It hasn’t been easy. There’ve been late payments, team dramas, and moments where Chris seriously considered packing it in. But through the chaos, he’s stuck to the same values: show up well, build strong relationships, and treat people right (even when they don’t always treat you the same). This conversation is full of laughs, honest lessons, and the kind of grounded wisdom that only comes from living it. Key moments include: ✔️ How a pushy mate and a flyer sparked the start of CM Garden Services ✔️ What it’s really like running a family business (with your dad, mum and uncle onboard) ✔️ Dealing with team challenges and letting go of “being on the tools” ✔️ Why professionalism matters in a crowded trades market ✔️ How branding, humour and TikTok have helped him stand out ✔️ Learning to lead and when to hand things over ✔️ The value of knowing your numbers (and why your accountant isn’t your business partner) ✔️ What keeps Chris motivated through the hard days: people, purpose, and building something better Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more straight-talking, no-fluff stories from people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Chris McLaughlin: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mclaughlin Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/cmgardens Facebook → CM Garden Services Website → https://www.cmgardens.co.uk/

Donna McAteer didn’t wait for opportunity she created it. Two babies under two. No job to go back to. A partner offshore. And absolutely no time to sit and panic. When her role in Dubai disappeared overnight after maternity leave, Donna didn’t spiral she stepped up. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Donna to unpack what it really takes to build a business from your kitchen table, with a newborn on one arm and a laptop on the other. From banking to branding, late nights to local marketing, Donna turned fear into fuel and built Global Buzz into one of Scotland’s most passionate hospitality-focused marketing agencies. This conversation is packed with energy, honesty, and real-life lessons for anyone trying to juggle parenthood, pressure, and a plan to do things differently. Key moments include: ✔️ The moment she lost her job post-maternity leave  and decided to start her own business ✔️ Building a business around two small children and zero childcare ✔️ Why being scared of failure was never an option ✔️ How routine, structure and mindset gave her freedom ✔️ Growing up working class and the entrepreneurial dad who shaped her drive ✔️ Her love of food, hospitality and why your marketing should always feel personal ✔️ Hiring mistakes, staff challenges and learning how to let go of control ✔️ The reality of being “the face” of your business and the pressure that comes with it ✔️ How she turned fear into belief, and built her business from grit, not glamour ✔️ Her top three tips for anyone starting out in marketing (or any business) Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up. Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Donna McAteer: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-mcateer-b437b0212/ Website → https://www.globalbuzzmarketing.co.uk/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/globalbuzzmarketing

Gavin Smith didn’t follow the rules he rewrote them. No confidence. No funding. No business plan. Just a belief that there had to be a better way to make a living and a difference. From growing up in a small Ayrshire mining village to becoming the founder of the UK’s leading renewable heat consultancy, Gavin’s story is a masterclass in grit, growth, and figuring it out as you go. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Gavin to unpack the messy, honest reality of starting something from scratch when you're broke, burnt out, and battling self-doubt. From £8K a year to running a business that works while he sleeps, Gavin proves you don’t need to have it all figured out you just need to start. This conversation is full of mindset shifts, leadership lessons, and the silver shrapnel (you’ll get it when you listen) that comes from years of learning the hard way. Key moments include: ✔️ The 3-year round-the-world trip that built his confidence without taking a single flight ✔️ Starting a business with no money, no roadmap, and a lot of Excel spreadsheets ✔️ The brutal year he earned £8K and what kept him going anyway ✔️ How purpose became the driving force behind profit ✔️ Letting go of bad hires (and the guilt that comes with it) ✔️ Why your team suffers when you avoid difficult decisions ✔️ Building a business that makes money while you sleep ✔️ The moment he realised he’d outgrown his own knowledge and what he did next ✔️ Neurodivergent-friendly leadership: building systems that work for real humans ✔️ Gavin’s top 3 tips for anyone starting a purpose-led business from the ground up Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered, straight-talking conversations with people who kept going when everyone else would’ve quit. Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Success or Excuses Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Gavin Smith: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-smith-05423916/ Website→ https://yourenergysource.co.uk Company LinkedIn (Your Energy Source) → https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-energy-source/ Email → [email protected]

Scott Weir didn’t just build a business he rewrote the narrative he was handed. Raised in poverty. Bullied. Stealing food just to survive. Told he’d never amount to anything. For a long time, he believed it. Until he didn’t. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Scott to unpack what it really takes to go from a childhood of hardship to building an award-winning property business with heart. At 16, he joined the Navy. Years later, he started Pillow Partners with no laptop, no money, and no clue just an idea, relentless work ethic, and the drive to make life better for others. Diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult, Scott realised his brain wasn’t broken, it was built differently. And that difference became his advantage. Now, he not only runs a thriving short-term let management business, but helps other entrepreneurs through his franchise model and gives back through Safe Havens, an emergency housing initiative supporting families in crisis. This episode is raw, honest and full of perspective. Scott doesn’t pretend it’s been easy but he proves it’s possible. Key moments include: ✔️ The trauma that shaped him — and the mindset that changed everything ✔️ Why dyslexia turned out to be his greatest business strength ✔️ How he launched Pillow Partners without money, experience or a backup plan ✔️ What it's really like to lead when you’ve grown up with nothing ✔️ Why giving back is built into his business model ✔️ The difference between ego-led growth and servant leadership ✔️ His advice for anyone who feels like they don’t fit the mould ✔️ What every young person needs to hear if they’ve ever been told they won’t make it Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up. Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Success or Excuses Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast?igsh=OW51MzlrazkwMXc%3D&utm_source=qr YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Scott Weir: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottweirpillowpartners/ Website → https://pillowpartners.co.uk Instagram → @pillowpartners  

Paul Costello didn’t just build a business he rebuilt the reputation of an industry that had let people down for too long. No background in estate agency. No formal training. Just the frustration of trying to sell a flat, a camera phone, and a vision to do things better. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Paul to talk about what it really takes to start from scratch, make it work, and grow a business with integrity, personality, and persistence even when everything feels like it’s against you. It wasn’t smooth. It wasn’t glamorous. It was two years of rejection, self-doubt, late nights, and lessons the hard way. But Paul kept showing up with a hammer, a set of ladders, and a belief that if they did things the right way, the success would come. Now, alongside his wife Charlene, Paul runs Upload Abode, one of the most trusted estate agencies in their region with a team, a reputation, and a client base built on honesty, high standards, and being real with people. This conversation is packed with raw truths, resilience, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from doing the hard yards. Key moments include: ✔️ The house sale that triggered their business idea and how they turned frustration into fuel ✔️ What it’s really like building a business with your partner (and the boundaries that get tested) ✔️ The brutal early days one house sale at a time, and the self-doubt that came with it ✔️ Why having a strong origin story matters more than you think ✔️ The moment Charlene joined the business and everything changed ✔️ How they’ve grown a team and a brand that people actually trust ✔️ The sacrifices no one sees behind the scenes including selling their own stuff to survive ✔️ What resilience really looks like when the business hits a wall ✔️ Advice for anyone starting out and why being “all in” is the only way ✔️ Why your business won’t succeed if you’re not 100% sure you can do it Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Success or Excuses Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast?igsh=OW51MzlrazkwMXc%3D&utm_source=qr YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Paul Costello / Upload Abode: Website → https://www.uploadabode.co.uk Instagram → @uploadabode TikTok → @uploadabode Facebook → facebook.com/uploadabode LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-costello-aa804164/

Craig Alexander Rattery didn’t just learn how to run a business he learned how to run a life. Raised in a council flat in Newmains, he was the first in his family to attend university. But it wasn’t just about getting a degree it was about escaping limits. Craig’s journey took him from a job in accountancy he never really wanted, into the world of corporate finance, private equity, and finally, to running his own business where he now empowers others. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Craig to explore how he went from feeling trapped in the rat race to living life on his terms in sunny Crete. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t smooth. He’s navigated personal losses, battled burnout, and faced the reality that most business owners don’t have a clue about their numbers and it’s costing them. Now, through his Know Your Numbers programme, Craig’s mission is simple: stop businesses from flying blind and help owners steer with confidence. This episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflections, and the mindset shifts you need to grow a business without losing your way. Key moments include: ✔️ Why most business owners don’t really understand profit, cashflow, or KPIs ✔️ The story of a 57-year-old client who learned more in two hours with Craig than in 35 years of business ✔️ The three daily questions every business owner should ask to stay ahead ✔️ Why Craig decided to scale back, pack up, and move to Greece ✔️ His frustration with accountants who don’t give clients the real insights they need ✔️ How to use cashflow forecasts and management accounts to make faster, smarter decisions ✔️ The truth about the long hours, risks, and invisible hard work behind financial success ✔️ Why excuses are the biggest block to growth and how to overcome them ✔️ The power of gross margins, utilisation rates, and proactive financial management ✔️ Craig’s two golden rules for business: focus on cash and don’t forget rule one Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more honest, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going when others gave up.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Craig Alexander Rattary: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigalexanderrattary/ Website → https://knowyournumbers.biz/ Email → [email protected] Instagram → @knowyournumbers.biz

He walked away from a global role at Lloyd’s Register. Gave up prestige, a title, and a comfortable salary. Why? Because it no longer aligned with his values. Today, Steve Harris is the Managing Director of Integrity HSE one of the fastest-growing safety, health, and sustainability consultancies in the UK. This episode of Success or Excuses isn’t just about business. It’s about values, hard choices, and what it really means to lead with purpose. James Fleming sits down with Steve for a powerful, straight-talking conversation on walking away from the wrong kind of success, building a business on character, and why leadership isn't about being liked it’s about making the world better. Steve doesn’t play the corporate game. He hires slowly, fires fast, and only works with clients who share his standards. There’s no fluff here just clarity, conviction, and a relentless commitment to doing what’s right. This isn’t a story about HSE. It’s a story about integrity, resilience, and the cost and reward of building a business that actually stands for something. Key moments include: ✔️ Why Steve walked away from private equity and built a purpose-led company ✔️ The real reason Integrity HSE grew fast and what most people misunderstand ✔️ Walking the talk: how values shape every hire, fire, and client relationship ✔️ The brutal story of losing a colleague to suicide and the life-changing lesson it left behind ✔️ How junior sports sponsorship is part of their leadership strategy ✔️ The neurodiversity conference that changed how their clients think ✔️ Steve’s take on fake positivity, leadership BS, and what really builds resilience ✔️ What happens when you prioritise people over profit and still win ✔️ The truth about optimism, pessimism, and the Stockdale Principle ✔️ What Steve learned from a life-or-death cancer scare during COVID Subscribe to Success or Excuses for real, raw conversations with leaders who built on courage — not comfort. Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Success or Excuses Instagram →https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Steve Harris: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveharris-integrityhse Website → https://www.integrityhse.com Email → [email protected]

Stacey McNabney didn’t just build a business — she built herself from the ground up. Single mum at 19. No qualifications. No safety net. Just sheer determination, a door-to-door sales job, and the kind of grit you only get from real life. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Stacey to uncover what it really takes to build a brand when you’ve got mouths to feed, confidence to build, and a business world that doesn’t wait for you to catch up. It wasn’t smooth. It wasn’t perfect. She made money, lost focus, burned out, started over and came back stronger. Now, as The Social Coach and co-founder of POI Society, Stacey helps women stop hiding, start showing up, and grow businesses they’re proud of. This conversation is packed with honesty, humour, and hard-won lessons perfect for anyone juggling real life and big dreams. Key moments include: ✔️ Why social media isn’t about trends, it’s about trust and consistency ✔️ The cold-calling job that taught her everything about people and psychology ✔️ How she built her business while raising kids and the cost of burnout ✔️ The ADHD-fuelled chaos behind every great idea (and why you shouldn’t chase them all) ✔️ Breaking through imposter syndrome and learning to charge your worth ✔️ Why your content should sound like you, not like everyone else ✔️ The reality of building a brand with no backup plan and no room for excuses ✔️ The myth of confidence — and how to act before you feel ready ✔️ What Stacey really wanted from her business: not fame, but freedom ✔️ Her top three tips for any woman building a business from scratch Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up. Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd   Success or Excuses Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast?igsh=OW51MzlrazkwMXc%3D&utm_source=qr   YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast   Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Stacey McNabney: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-mcnabney-735432146/   Website → https://thesocial.coach/about-me/   Email → [email protected]   Instagram → @stacey_mcnabney_coach

Ajmal Mushtaq didn’t just build a business, he went all in and didn’t take a wage for six years. No holidays. No nights off. No dinner with his wife. Just pure focus, relentless graft, and a vision nobody else could see. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Ajmal to unpack what it really takes to scale from a struggling family restaurant to one of the biggest takeaway operations in the UK  and now, a nationwide pizza brand. It wasn’t easy. At one point, he had just £2,000 in the bank and almost lost everything. But Ajmal didn’t panic. He doubled down on marketing, built systems that made life easier for his team, and turned every customer into a raving fan. Now, with Boss Pizza expanding fast, he’s proving that with the right mindset and the right marketing, there are no limits. This isn’t about get-rich-quick. It’s about the stuff no one talks about: sacrifice, obsession, and being the last one standing when others quit. Key moments include: ✔️ The brutal reality of the first 18 months in any business ✔️ Why Ajmal refused to take a wage until the business could thrive without him ✔️ The marketing mindset that built a brand — and stopped traffic ✔️ Turning everyday moments into viral growth opportunities ✔️ What great leadership actually looks like on the ground ✔️ Why most people fail at franchising before they even begin ✔️ The lesson Ajmal repeats in every team meeting: “The customer pays your wages” ✔️ Why pointing the finger at yourself is the ultimate leadership move ✔️ The loneliness of success and how to spot the right people to keep around ✔️ How hard work became the cure for flatness, boredom, and burnout Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more honest, hard-hitting conversations with people who’ve built, pivoted, and pushed through when it mattered most.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd   Success or Excuses Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast?igsh=OW51MzlrazkwMXc%3D&utm_source=qr   YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast   Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Ajmal Mushtaq: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajmal-mushtaq-4342a363/   Website → https://www.boss-pizza.co.uk/   Email → [email protected]

Maxwell Muir didn’t just survive rock bottom, he rebuilt his life, his business, and his mindset from the ground up. But not before facing fear, failure, and a cancer diagnosis that would shake anyone to their core. In this episode, James Fleming sits down with Maxwell for a powerful, no-fluff conversation about what it really takes to come back stronger not once, but time and time again. From living in a tent with his dog to building one of Scotland’s most respected dog training businesses… From losing it all to learning how to lead himself… Maxwell’s story is proof that resilience isn’t built when things are easy — it’s forged in the moments no one else sees. And just when life seemed steady, he was hit with something he never saw coming: early-stage prostate cancer. But true to form, Maxwell’s response wasn’t panic — it was perspective. The kind most people don’t gain until it’s too late. This isn’t a story about pretending to be strong. It’s a story about becoming it. Key moments include: ✔️ From villa life to a tent in the woods: the decision that changed everything ✔️ How a lost passion turned into a purpose-driven business ✔️ The brutal power of climbing a mountain with no way back down ✔️ What happened when he ripped up his script before the biggest talk of his life ✔️ The conversation that led to his cancer diagnosis — and how he handled it ✔️ Why most people wait too long to get checked, and what Maxwell wants every man to know ✔️ How fear and faith can live in the same moment ✔️ Rebuilding life with more clarity, more honesty, and zero tolerance for BS ✔️ Why success has nothing to do with money, and everything to do with meaning ✔️ The legacy Maxwell wants to leave — and what you can learn from it This one hits deeper. And it might just change how you see your own story. Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more honest, hard-hitting conversations with people who’ve built, pivoted, and pushed through when it mattered most. Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd   Success or Excuses Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast?igsh=OW51MzlrazkwMXc%3D&utm_source=qr   YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast   Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Maxwell Muir: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxwell-muir-speaker/   Email → [email protected]  

He fled a revolution at four years old. Lost everything. Rebuilt from scratch. Today, Armin Ossatian runs one of the most trusted IT support firms in the country. This episode of Success or Excuses is about more than business it’s about pressure, resilience, and what it really takes to lead when the stakes are personal. James Fleming sits down with Armin for an honest, no-filter conversation about starting over in a new country, building a business from nothing, and the toll leadership can take when you never truly switch off. Armin didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur. But after years of watching poor service frustrate customers, he made a choice: if no one else would do it better, he would. No investors. No shortcuts. Just relentless work, powerful relationships, and a quiet promise to show up every single time. This isn’t a story about IT. It’s a story about integrity, grit, and the mindset it takes to build something that lasts even when the odds are against you.   Key moments include: ✔️ What fleeing Iran and starting school without English taught Armin about survival ✔️ Why he turned down a safe life in teaching, Germany, and the military — and stayed in Scotland ✔️ The power of relationships in business (and what most people get wrong about networking) ✔️ The weight of leadership and why burnout creeps in without warning ✔️ The truth about growing a business when you refuse to lower your standards ✔️ Letting go of control: the hardest lesson in building a team ✔️ Why trust and responsiveness became the foundations of Dico IT ✔️ How to build a business where people want to recommend you ✔️ Why Armin still finds it hard to switch off and what needs to change ✔️ What legacy really looks like when you’re building it from the ground up   Subscribe to Success or Excuses for real, raw conversations with leaders who built on courage — not comfort.   Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd   Success or Excuses Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast?igsh=OW51MzlrazkwMXc%3D&utm_source=qr   YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast   Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Armin Ossatian: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/armin-o-1617b178/   Website → https://dycoit.co.uk/   Email → [email protected]

Andrew Morrison didn’t just build a business; he built a legacy. In this episode, James Fleming sits down with Andrew for a real conversation about building and selling a business the right way, without losing yourself in the process. From surviving redundancy to navigating the emotional pressure of running a company through COVID, Andrew shares what it actually takes to stay in the game long enough to exit on your terms. This isn’t about big egos or buzzwords. It’s about clarity, integrity, and building something that lasts. ⸻ Key moments: ✔️ The three biggest mistakes people make when trying to sell their business ✔️ Why recurring revenue and owner independence matter more than turnover ✔️ Navigating redundancy, self-doubt, and rebuilding from scratch ✔️ How Andrew created a business that was attractive to buyers, without listing it for sale ✔️ Why “doing the right thing for the business” is sometimes the hardest choice ✔️ What AI is doing to the consultancy world and how to adapt ✔️ The difference between building for lifestyle and building for legacy ⸻ Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/   Success or Excuses Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast?igsh=OW51MzlrazkwMXc%3D&utm_source=qr   YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast   Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/   Follow Andrew Morrison: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmorrisonbusinesssale/   Website → https://www.businesssalebasecamp.co.uk/   Email → [email protected] ⸻ Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more honest, hard-hitting conversations with people who’ve built, pivoted, and pushed through when it mattered most.