Real Startup Stories

At 19, pregnant and unemployed, Laura Bell opened her first nail salon in under two weeks with £1,000 borrowed from her parents. By 27 she'd gone bankrupt after being manipulated by an ex-husband who lied about owning a house — and rebuilt from a single nail desk in a box room to a multi-salon business, now coaching salon owners across the UK.

In this episode we cover:
- How Laura opened her first salon in two weeks with just £1,000
- Being coerced into bankruptcy and losing her house at 27
- Rebuilding from a box room with one nail desk
- Why switching from self-employed to employed staff added an extra £70k a year
- Running a salon while pregnant and working 12-hour days
- What she'd do differently if she lost everything and had to start again
- Her advice for salon owners choosing between self-employed and employed teams

A diss track, a viral line, and one flight to Lanzarote - that's all it took to take Callum Marcel from 300 followers to 30,000. In this episode we sit down with Marcel, a UK battle rapper signed to PenGame, to talk about turning chaos into a career.

In this episode we cover:

• How Marcel got into rap battles back in year 7, freestyling with older kids at school
• How he got signed to PenGame and what the audition process actually looks like
• The "Seven Sizzling Sausages" line that went viral - and how he flipped it into a diss track that blew up overnight
• Going from 300 to 30,000 followers during a single flight to Lanzarote
• What a month of battle prep actually looks like, and how he researches opponents
• How dark battle rap is allowed to get, and where he draws the line
• What it's really like performing in "The Dungeon" - PenGame's live battle venue
• His upcoming clash against Monroe on 5th July at PenGame London

Most "organic" skincare only needs to contain 1% organic material to legally use the word on the label. In this episode we sit down with Sarah and Pete from Inlight - a 100% organic, Cornwall-based skincare and spa brand - to talk about greenwashing in the beauty industry, the unusual way their products are actually made, and why they train therapists to treat clients that most spas turn away.

In this episode we cover:

• Why 100% organic skincare is nearly impossible to make - and why most "organic" claims in the industry are misleading
• How Inlight's products are actually made: a 28-day lunar maceration cycle using light, sound and heat
• Why the brand trains therapists in oncology massage so cancer patients aren't turned away from spas
• How a small Cornwall skincare brand ended up selling in spas across Dubai, Prague and Naples
• What it's really like exhibiting at international spa trade events like W3 in Portugal
• The real difference between a cheap and an expensive moisturiser
• Advice for anyone wanting to break into the beauty industry

We sit down with Duncan Schwab, CEO of Sandridge Barton Wines, to explore what it really takes to run one of England’s leading vineyards and wineries.

Duncan shares his journey from becoming Head Winemaker to leading the business as CEO, why he chose to step down from the Head Winemaker role, and how the transition has shaped both him and Sandridge Barton. We also go behind the scenes of modern English winemaking, from growing grapes and producing award-winning wines to the challenges of running a vineyard in the UK.

We discuss the move from the original Sharpham site to Sandridge Barton, how the relocation transformed the business, the future of English wine, leadership, scaling a premium wine brand, and what it takes to build a successful winery in an increasingly competitive industry.

In this episode of Real Startup Stories, we sit down with Andrea, an international wedding photographer and videographer who’s built a business across the UK and Spain.

What started as a hobby photographing families and portraits eventually turned into a thriving career capturing weddings around the world. Now based in Barcelona, Andrea has grown an audience of over 70,000 Instagram followers and regularly travels between Spain and the UK for destination weddings.

In this episode, we discuss:

* How she discovered her niche in wedding photography
* Building a business across two countries
* Growing to 70,000 followers on Instagram
* The biggest mistakes she’s made and what they taught her
* What really happens behind the scenes on wedding days
* If she lost everything and only had a camera, exactly how she’d start again
* Advice for anyone looking to become a photographer or videographer

In this episode of Real Startup Stories, we sit down with the team behind Roskilly’s to uncover how a Cornish family farm evolved into one of the UK’s most recognisable independent food brands.

We discuss the origins of Roskilly’s, how milk quotas led to an unexpected business opportunity, the challenges of running a multi-generational family business, and the journey from dairy farming to creating an award-winning ice cream brand and visitor destination.

We also explore entrepreneurship, diversification, sustainability, branding, the realities of modern farming, and what it takes to build a business that stands the test of time.

What does it take to build one of England’s most respected vineyards?

In this episode, we sit down with Sam from Camel Valley to uncover the story behind one of the UK’s most celebrated family wineries. From studying maths at university before returning to the family business, to helping transform Camel Valley into an internationally award-winning vineyard, Sam shares the lessons that shaped their success.

We discuss:

* How Camel Valley began
* Growing the business year after year
* Why they reinvested profits instead of chasing rapid growth
* Learning from New Zealand’s wine industry
* Winning world-renowned wine awards
* Supplying wine to the Royal Family
* Why they chose 150,000 bottles a year instead of chasing an 8 million bottle vision

Every child deserves to feel special on their birthday.

After receiving a message from a mum who couldn’t afford to give her daughter, Lola, the birthday she dreamed of, we wanted to do something about it.

With the help of some incredible people, we surprised Lola with a full day she’ll never forget. We took her shopping for toys and clothes, treated her to breakfast, gave her a pamper session, surprised her with aquarium tickets, and finished the day with balloons, a birthday cake and a surprise celebration at home.

This wasn’t about expensive gifts. It was about creating memories and showing that a community can come together to make a difference.

In this episode of Real Start Up Stories, we sit down with Jarrad from Rise & Reign to discuss his journey into the tattoo industry and what it really takes to build a career as a tattoo artist.

We talk about breaking into the industry, advice for aspiring tattoo artists, the challenges he’s faced along the way, why tattoo artists often become therapists for their clients, the importance of mental health, and what it was like tattooing Ant Middleton. Jarrad also shares the story of Ant’s son wanting his very first tattoo from him.

Welcome to another episode of Real Startup Stories.

Joined by Ella, founder of The Prawn Star, who swapped Essex for Cornwall and left her old life behind to build a business around her love of seafood.

Ella shares what it was like moving 370 miles away, starting from scratch and building her brand through pop ups and restaurant takeovers while working full time and raising two children.

She talks about the lessons learned from her very first seafood boil event, where things didn’t quite go to plan, the realities of doing everything herself, and the journey towards launching her own food van.

We also discuss balancing family life with entrepreneurship, future projects in the pipeline and what it really takes to build a business from the ground up.

🎙️ Welcome to another episode of Real Startup Stories.

This week, we’re joined by Hogi, an independent rapper from Barnsley who’s been making music for years but only recently decided to take it seriously.

We dive into his journey into music, balancing his passion alongside a full-time job, and what it’s really like trying to build a career as an independent artist in today’s industry.

Hogi shares the story behind his latest single “Barcelona”, inspired by an unexpected missed flight home from Barcelona that ended up becoming one of his biggest creative moments.

We also talk about:

🔥 The reality of being an independent artist
🎵 Building a music career without a label
✈️ How a missed flight inspired his latest single, “Barcelona”
🧭 His love for side quests and embracing opportunities
💼 Balancing music with a full-time job
🚀 Upcoming projects and what’s next for Hogi

How a Cornish Meme Page Turned Into a Movement

In this episode, I sit down with the creator behind Jam & Meme to discuss how a simple Cornish meme page evolved into one of Cornwall’s most recognisable community brands.

We talk about the unlikely story of becoming DJs after being handed a festival set, learning to DJ from scratch, the growth of Pard Card and Pardcast, staying anonymous, how Jam & Meme has become a platform for highlighting the issues affecting Cornwall today and his top pasty locations.

Topics covered:
• The origins of Jam & Meme
• Getting their first DJ set
• Learning to DJ under pressure
• Building Pard Card and Pardcast
• Staying anonymous
• Reporting on serious issues in Cornwall
• The future of the brand
• What’s next for Jam & Meme

I'm sharing a few things that have been on my mind lately.

I talk about the growing support behind VATISTHEPROBLEM.co.uk, why I believe VAT is holding back small businesses across the UK, and what we're doing to push the conversation forward.

It's also Men's Mental Health Month, so I wanted to speak openly about the importance of checking in with ourselves and the people around us. I also open up about something I've personally been struggling with recently - the difficult decision to re-home my dog and the emotions that have come with it.

On top of that, I share my thoughts on the incredible feedback the podcast has been receiving, how much it means to me, and some exciting plans I have for the future of the channel.

Topics covered:

VATISTHEPROBLEM.co.uk
Why VAT is hurting UK hospitality
Men's Mental Health Month
Rehoming my dog
Dealing with difficult decisions
Podcast growth and audience feedback
What's next for the channel

I sit down with Barnsley rapper Kie5 to discuss his journey into music, how he developed his sound, and the work that’s gone into building his career from the ground up.

We talk about setting up his own recording studio, organising shows for other up-and-coming artists, gaining recognition around his hometown, and why representing Barnsley is such a big part of his identity.

Kie5 also shares insights into the realities of being an independent artist, creating opportunities for others, shooting music videos in iconic local locations, and what the future holds for his music career.

Whether you’re an aspiring musician, entrepreneur, creative, or simply interested in hearing real stories from people building something from scratch, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and honest conversation.

We sit down with Manchester rapper $corpiodadon to discuss his journey into music, the story behind his name, what inspired him to start rapping, and where he sees his career heading in the future.

We dive into whether talent is something you’re born with or something you build, the artists who have influenced his sound, his dream collaborations, the best advice he’s ever received, and the message he wants to share with the next generation of upcoming rappers.

If you’re interested in UK rap, music, entrepreneurship, personal development, or the mindset required to chase your goals, this episode is packed with insights and honest conversation

We sit down with Rema the deadline defence lawyer, from Cornwall legal centre. A barrister based in Cornwall, one of the only CIC organisations of its kind tackling access to justice in the region.

We discuss the growing legal aid crisis in Cornwall, often described as a “legal aid desert,” and what that actually means for real people trying to access legal support. Rema shares her journey into law, the reality of working on the front line of a struggling system, and some of the emotional weight that comes with the cases she deals with.

This conversation goes beyond the courtroom - exploring the human impact of a justice system under pressure, the lack of resources in Cornwall, and why corporate social responsibility and community-led legal support is becoming more important than ever.

Topics covered:

Cornwall’s legal aid crisis explained
What a “legal aid desert” actually means
Life as a barrister working in under-resourced systems
Emotional impact of legal cases
Access to justice in rural communities
Why CIC legal organisations are becoming essential

This is a powerful insight into a part of the UK justice system most people never see and the people trying to hold it together.

I break down a big shift - the rebrand of the podcast to Real Start Up Stories Podcast and why it matters.

This isn’t about polished success or overnight wins. It’s about real people building real businesses, making mistakes, figuring it out as they go, and showing what actually goes on behind the scenes. I explain why this direction benefits not just the guests, but anyone watching who’s trying to start or grow something of their own.

I also dive into Hyperfocus Studios - a new collective built to bring ideas to life. Whether it’s brand launches, events, content creation, photography, videography, or full-scale execution, the goal is simple: take any idea and make it happen properly. This episode gives you insight into the vision, the model, and where it’s heading.

On a more personal note, I talk about turning 29, the pressure of the next chapter, and the goals I’m setting before 30 - in business, life, and everything in between. No fluff, just a real look at where I’m at and what I’m aiming for.

If you’re into startups, business growth, creative projects, or just hearing how things actually get built from the ground up, this one’s for you.

Sat down with Sammy, founder of the Cornwall Hair and Beauty Awards, to break down how she turned a simple idea into one of the most recognised hair and beauty industry events in Cornwall.

In this episode, we dive into the full startup journey - from the moment the idea wouldn’t leave her alone, to launching the first awards event, dealing with unexpected problems on the night, and growing it into a respected brand within the UK beauty industry.

We cover:
• How to start an awards event from scratch
• Building a brand in the hair and beauty industry
• The importance of sponsorships and how to secure them
• Event planning challenges and real behind-the-scenes issues
• Lessons from launching a business in Cornwall

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, event organiser, or working in the hair and beauty industry, this episode gives real insight into what it takes to build something from nothing.

I sat down with the Empress beauty salon owners to talk about their journey through the beauty industry and the challenges that came with building their business.

We talked about:

Getting started in the beauty world
Growing the brand and building a loyal client base
The realities of running a business behind the scenes
Dealing with an unfair landlord and eviction drama
Taking the situation to court
The stress, pressure and uncertainty of it all
Lessons they learned through the experience
What’s next for Empress

A real conversation about business, resilience and what it takes to keep going when everything feels against you.

Sat down with Eddie from Spray Station - a painting and decorating business doing things differently.

We dive into how he went bankrupt in his 20s, took time out travelling Thailand, and came back with a completely new approach to the trade… swapping traditional methods for spray painting.

Fast forward to today, he’s built a team of 25+, working on luxury homes and high-end properties - including projects for well-known names he couldn’t disclose.

We talk about:

* The reality of going bankrupt young
* Why he walked away and reset in Thailand
* How Spray Station was built from scratch
* Scaling a trade business to 25+ staff
* Spray painting vs traditional decorating
* Working on high-end and celebrity homes
* Lessons from failure and building back stronger

If you’re in business, trades, or trying to build something from nothing - this one’s for you.

I sat down with The Aussie Smoker - a guy who turned a love for backyard BBQs into a full-blown smoked meat business.

We dive into his journey from growing up in Australia, where BBQs were a way of life, to coming over to the UK and building something from scratch. Starting out by wholesaling smoked meats, he then took a bold step - running a venue just one night a week on a presale model… and selling it out consistently.

Since then, he’s expanded into events and weddings, secured his own unit, and is now moving into a huge new space as the business continues to grow.

This is a real story about spotting an opportunity, backing yourself, and scaling something simple into something serious.

If you’re into business, food, or just hearing how people turn ideas into reality - you’ll enjoy this one.

In this episode, I sat down with the founder of TradeKwest — a brand new app aiming to change how people learn real-world skills.

This one’s all about building something from scratch with a small team, spotting a gap in the market, and creating a product that can genuinely help people of any age or experience level.

In this episode we cover:

• How he found and worked with an app developer
• Building a platform with a small team
• Where the idea for TradeKwest came from
• Creating something for all ages and skill levels
• The future vision for the app
• The realities of launching something new

If you’re thinking about building an app, starting a business, or turning an idea into reality - this episode is for you.

This one is wild.

I sat down with Annissa and Mohsin, who built an e-commerce brand from her bedroom and scaled it to £30M in total revenue in just 6 years… before losing it all.

No fluff. No pretending. Just the real story behind the numbers.

In this episode we cover:

• How they started their brand from scratch with no experience
• The steps they took to scale to £30M
• What rapid growth actually does behind the scenes
• The mistakes that led to everything collapsing
• The reality of losing a business you built from nothing
• Lessons every entrepreneur needs to hear before scaling

This episode is for anyone building a brand, running a business, or chasing growth — because sometimes growing too fast can cost you everything.

This episode is all about building income, mindset, and the reality behind growing a business from the ground up.

In this episode I cover:

• How I built my Airbnb portfolio and got started
• The truth about Airbnb income and scaling properties
• Creating multiple income streams in 2026
• The habits that actually make a difference (including my “secret napper” routine)
• Why I believe in giving back and filling other people’s cups
• Buying someone else a birthday cake (and why it matters)
• Growing my content to over 400,000 views in the last 30 days
• Why I’m now looking for sponsors and brand deals

This week I sat down with Konnor Ewudzi - Love Island contestant, model, barber, and someone with a powerful story that goes far beyond reality TV.

In this episode we cover:

• What REALLY goes on behind the scenes of Love Island
• How Konnor got into modelling and building his personal brand
• The struggles he faced growing up, including dealing with dyslexia
• How those challenges shaped his mindset and resilience
• Why he’s running the London Marathon and raising money for charity
• His connection to sickle cell awareness and giving back

This isn’t just a Love Island episode - it’s about overcoming obstacles, building something from nothing, and using your platform for a bigger purpose.

I sit down with Matt, the man behind Cub & Co - a multi-location coffee and clothing brand that’s been built through trial, error, and constant evolution.

This one is real. No fluff. Just honest insight into what it actually takes to build and scale a brand.

In this episode we cover:

• The story behind Cub & Co and how it all started
• The reality of opening (and closing) locations
• Why Matt decided to rebrand - and what changed after
• Running multiple sites with a small, tight team
• Lessons learned from building both a coffee and clothing brand
• Tips and advice for anyone starting their own clothing brand

This isn’t about overnight success.
It’s about adapting, learning, and building something that lasts.

In this episode I’m joined by Chanel from Chanel’s Cakery, an online cake business based in Cornwall that has built a huge following online and now ships cakes nationwide.

At one point she had 800 people waiting on her website for a restock… and sold 2000 cakes in just 30 minutes.

In this episode we cover:

• How Chanel’s Cakery started
• Building a loyal audience online
• What happened during the viral cake restock
• The reality of running a fast-growing food business
• Shipping cakes across the UK
• Advice for anyone wanting to start an online business

This podcast is all about real startup stories from real people - not overnight success, but the journey behind building something from nothing.

In this episode I’m joined by Brett Barnes, who made the decision many people talk about… but very few actually do.

He left employment behind to pursue content creation full time.

But the reality of being your own boss isn’t always what people think.

In this episode we cover:

• Brett’s journey into social media and how it all started
• The moment he decided to leave his 9-5 job
• The risks and pressure of relying on content for income
• The challenges of being your own boss
• How social media has changed his life
• What he’s working on right now and where he wants to go next

This episode is about taking risks.

It’s about betting on yourself.

And it’s about understanding that building something of your own comes with real pressure, uncertainty, and responsibility.

Social media might look easy from the outside.

But behind the scenes, there’s a lot more to it.

If you’ve ever thought about leaving your job, starting something online, or creating your own path - this episode is for you.

My second EVER solo episode… and yes, it went slightly better.

This one is honest. It’s reflective. And it’s bigger than business.

In this episode I cover:

• A recap of our first two guests and their start up stories
• Why taking the first step towards your dreams changes everything
• The real story behind how this podcast started
• A TikTok Shop recap
• My long-term vision for this podcast
• And why I genuinely want to help people who are struggling

This isn’t about overnight success.
It’s about momentum.
It’s about starting before you feel ready.
It’s about building something that gives you options.

Because no parent should feel stressed about affording their child’s birthday.
No one should feel stuck with no way out.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, short on money, or unsure where to start, this episode is for you.

You don’t need the perfect plan.
You don’t need all the answers.

You just need to start.

This week I’m joined by Thomas Pearson - a creator who’s built his social channels to nearly half a million followers after 10 years of trial, error, pivots and persistence.

From experimenting with different content styles to finally finding his lane reporting on UK current affairs, government decisions and global headlines.


He talks about things, but hes not a journalist

In this episode we cover:

-The 10-year journey before things landed
-Quitting the job and going all in on content
-Dealing with internet trolls and public recognition
-Managing the pressure of feeding the algorithm
-The best times to be posting on instagram and tiktok
-Being invited to 10 Downing Street and what happened behind the scenes

Joined by Jordan, the founder of PETH, who’s on a mission to build the UK’s biggest towel brand while cleaning the world’s beaches of plastic bottles.

From starting just 3 years ago to now selling over 100,000 products, Jordan has faced scams, navigated manufacturing in China, expanded into new countries, and launched a wholesale line… all as a one-man band.

In this episode, we dive into the highs, lows, struggles, and future plans of a REAL startup. Jordan shares the full story of how he built a global brand from scratch, learning everything he knows through the power of YouTube. The snowball effect that propelled his growth, and the lessons learned along the way.

A real startup story like no other.

If he can do it, why can’t you?

Welcome to the very first episode of Business Diaries – Real Startup Stories.

In this episode, I talk about why I decided to launch this podcast, how I want to help aspiring business owners, share some personal stories, and what you can expect from future episodes… and yes, I choked (hard).

I got to the point where I wanted to delete this episode and reshoot it. But I decided against it, because that’s exactly what this podcast is about.

The start.
The messy beginning.
The part where you grit your teeth and push through.

The start isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but perfection isn’t the goal. Taking the first step is the goal. Letting momentum carry you forward.

You’re watching, in real time, someone who thought they could walk into a podcast studio and nail it first try… then learning, growing, and building confidence episode by episode.

And maybe one day we’ll all look back and laugh together.

You know that thing...
The thing you just can’t get out of your head?

That business.
That YouTube channel.
That TikTok account.
That fitness journey.
That change in your life
That step you want to take but haven’t made yet.

That’s what this podcast is here for.

Real conversations with real people about the real moves they made, so you can make yours.

And trust me, it isn't as scary as you'd think.