The Enterprise Podcast

Derby based Hodgkinson Builders, has been providing quality bricklaying services since 1990, positioning themselves at the forefront of Britain’s construction industry, whilst inspiring the next generation of tradespeople. With a reputation for quality, reliability and consistently good service in all areas of brickwork, Hodgkinson Builders provides solutions for the most challenging projects anywhere in the UK, delivering both residential and commercial developments. As we approach...

Learning to drive in a Fiat 500, way back in 1960’s Switzerland, at just 12 years of age, Sallenbach was addicted to speed early on in life. He left for Canada at the age of 23, where he spent many years building a successful Chemical Engineering business. The need for speed however, never died and at 40, he joined the Jim Russell Racing School at Mont-Tremblant. Sallenbach went on to become three-time Touring Car Champion in his John Cooper Works Mini Coupe with Octane Motorsport. In 2019...

Hardy Signs Ltd was established by Nik Hardy in 1993 and has since grown into one of the most recognised and preferred signage suppliers in the United Kingdom. Hardy Signs is a multi award-winning company that through constant innovation has become the leading signage company in the UK. On this episode, Ash caught up with Nik at Hardy HQ and chatted about innovation, recruitment of the right team and the challenges of running your own company. See the video here:...

After stepping foot on to a sailboat for the first time ever in April 2019. Jim completed 4 weeks of training with Clipper Ventures, earning his Competent Crew and Sea Survival qualifications. He then joined the loud crew of the Punta Del Este Clipper Yacht to race 11 other boats from the Punta Del Este in Uruguay to Cape Town South Africa. He directly crossed the South Atlantic through the eye of 3 relentless storms, back to back. Joined by 21 other crazy amateurs and led by 2 amazing...

With a background working in engineering and technical sales from the age of 16, Jim developed a strong skill base that followed him when he founded Crossover Property at the beginning of 2018. Initially, he started sourcing properties for clients and partnered with another company, helping them to source HMO conversions. The business grew considerably in 2019, with a number of projects sourced and managed for clients, as well as adding to his own portfolio with JV finance. He has also taken...

As a property investment specialist with a strong finance background, having spent 5 years with Lloyds Bank, Nick gained invaluable experience looking after property clients and property lending, managing a portfolio with a turnover close to £25 million. Nick is an aspiring entrepreneur who is now venturing into property investing himself; working with like-minded and driven individuals. He’s also an active member of the Progressive Property Network, Property Investors Network, Property...

Jake is a self-proclaimed running nut! With a background in television, radio, and run coaching. He combined his skills in these fields to create his brand, Running with Jake. Jake can regularly be found on his Facebook page doing live videos to help, motivate, and inspire runners. He has also recently launched his new Podcast: Running with Jake: The PLODcast! In 2018 Jake founded the Performance Community - a unique coaching programme that gives members access to advanced...

In partnership with The European Social Fund and Department for Work & Pensions, The University of Derby is DRIVEN to help SMEs across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to recruit and retain the most talented students and graduates. Whether you’re looking to recruit local graduates or are keen to see how graduate and higher-level skills could support your business, DRIVEN invite local organisations to work in partnership with The University of Derby, to access a wide range of support to plug...

Jane set up No Ordinary Rentals just 2 years ago, whilst on maternity leave with her second daughter. Trying to juggle family life, run a successful property company and also manage a team within her husband’s company, Jane talks about her plans to build on her business before relocating to France, where she will manage the business remotely. She speaks openly about her success and obstacles throughout her journey and how she manages her time. Having to work on future proofing her business,...

Allister is an award winning property developer from Burton, relentless in his endeavours he was recognised for the profits his start-up business produced in 2017 - 2018 by worldwide training organisation, Legacy Education. Allister’s construction company has also been shortlisted for Business of the Year Award in his local area, whilst also being shortlisted for Developer of the Year nationally. Having seen his progress from the beginning, I was keen to understand what makes this rising...

With 20 year’s experience in property, Gemma is incredibly passionate about architecture and interior design. Drawing on her experience, she is on a mission to design spaces that look after our mental health and wellbeing, specialising in both commercial and residential architectural interior design. Gemma firmly believes in improving the use and desirability of interior space through the use of structure, detailed design, lighting, appropriate furniture, fixtures and fittings.

Having 15 years experience in the estate agency business and been made manager of his first office after less than 18 months in the business, Andrew spent the following 13 years in either senior management or owner and director positions. He has achieved massive results from starting AKS in a competitive market back in 2016, after relocating from London. AKS was established to bring a more proactive type of estate agency to Derby where the customer’s best interests are genuinely put first....

Liv has over 11 years’ experience in the catering & hospitality industry and in the last 8 years, she has owned & ran a number of award winning restaurants and eateries in Derby. More recently, she has sold these businesses to help grow her outside catering & events business, Gather & Grace. She is also a founding director of Bustler, Derby’s only street food market. In 2017, she received an Outstanding Achievement Award, presented by Marketing Derby, in recognition for her dedication to...

Alex is an aerospace engineer. Alongside building jet engines, he had dabbled in property and realising the potential of his property side hustle, he began investing more aggressively just 18 months ago. He’s now built that portfolio to a sizable £2.2m. Consisting mostly of HMOs, he employs a nationwide investment strategy. Alex’s first HMO was bought for just £140,000, with a refurb spend of £92,500, it achieved a healthy commercial valuation of £375,000, allowing a clean financial exit...

The most passionate person in print and Derby’s networking queen, Yvonne has received countless awards for her dedication to helping others in the business community, having been invited to Downing Street twice in recognition for her entrepreneurship. Yvonne has also been a key influence in the growth of Small Business Saturday, PridePark.net and Hallmark Business Group. She’s also a non-executive board member of Marketing Derby, has been featured countless times in the Derby Telegraph...

Fortitude Global and NICSA IT have been in partnership since 2016 with the aim to provide the best cost effective IT services to their clients. Success of this partnership has enabled them to grow faster and stronger in the high-valued IT Industry. CEO and Director of Sales, Wayne Hibbert has been influential in expanding the company to the multi-million pound success that it is today. His tenacity and integrity has enabled him to soar from humble beginnings to scaling a global business....

Having a passion for sustainable fashion and inspired by British designer, Vivian Westwood, Leren’s growing fashion brand, Bambis Den, challenges the status quo and aims to increase awareness of important climate and animal rights issues.

Sean spent 11 years running a successful tech company while simultaneously investing in property. He then turned his attention to Serviced Accommodation. With AirBnB having just celebrated it’s 11th birthday and with many major platforms predicting significant growth over the next few years, the SA industry is currently in the ‘growth’ stage of its economic cycle and it’s this growth stage, that Sean is focusing on.

Jordan and Jess are 2 young entrepreneurs from Coventry who are quickly establishing themselves within the property lettings market. They have achieved financial freedom at only 23 years of age and their business, Go2Lettings, is generating over 6 figures, soon to be 7, just 10 months! These two young and courageous individuals say they’re only just getting started and are 100% confident in creating not only substantial wealth but take a lead in the property lettings industry. Following...

After successfully scaling a kids entrepreneurship programme ‘Citrus Saturday’ across Europe and Africa, teaching 1000's of kids new skills and involving 100's of volunteers. Jack founded BLOOM.SPACE in 2016 and continues to grow this innovative business incubator and co-working space, by doing things differently; having developed a unique model that has proven very successful in Central London and Great Malvern. It’s facilities like BLOOM.SPACE, that support many entrepreneurs to make a...