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Published by Brad Staines
What if growing your business didn’t mean sacrificing your time, your health, or your freedom? Working On It is the podcast for service-based founders who want to scale without burning out. Each episode brings you honest conversations with experts, operators, and mentors - the same kind of people who’ve helped shape successful businesses from the inside out. We dive into the systems, strategies, and habits that drive performance - and show you how to build a company that works without you always having to be there. It’s about clarity, leadership, and reclaiming control - of your time, your team, and your next chapter. If you're focused on building a business that runs without you - and a life that works because of you - then you're in the right place
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In this candid conversation, serial entrepreneur Aaron Knightley shares how becoming a father at 20 and navigating workplace toxicity propelled him to break out of employment and build multi-venture success in logistics, tech, and online education. Aaron breaks down the mechanics behind his logistics startup HODL and operational platform Exit 9, while revealing why massive content volume and disciplined self-investment are non-negotiable for modern business growth. Emphasising life balance over endless hustle, he offers a no-nonsense look at why knowing your financial "North Star," keeping family first, and moving before the AI shift reshapes the workforce is the ultimate blueprint for long-term freedom. Key Takeaways True freedom comes from defining your precise financial "North Star" and knowing when enough is enough rather than endlessly chasing higher figures. Building a sustainable online brand and securing your business requires relentless consistency, high content volume, and clear positioning. The rapid rise of AI and changing digital landscapes make up-skilling and creating proprietary assets urgent necessities for anyone still relying on a traditional job. Entrepreneurial success is meaningless without prioritising personal health, mental well-being, and irreplaceable time with family. Episode Quotes "What they don't know, they can't destroy." "If you don't know your North Star, and you don't work back from that, how do you know what vehicle you're going to use?" "You're either a creator and you have your head screwed on, otherwise there's this side of it where it's really dangerous: consumption, you validate against other people, you compare yourself." "At some point, these people will go silent because they realise content isn’t optional—it becomes mandatory." VALUABLE RESOURCES Aaron Knightley - https://www.aaronknightley.co.uk/ HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
We Covered:(00:00:00) From the Scottish Highlands to Hollywood (00:01:32) Is AI Really the Future? (00:02:29) How AI Will Disrupt Traditional Businesses (00:06:28) What Does Matt Actually Do? (00:09:09) The Business Mistakes That Nearly Broke Me (00:10:28) Riding 500 Miles for a £500 Tree Survey (00:11:56) The Moment I Knew I Needed to Change (00:12:43) How Drones Changed My Career (00:14:05) Spending £6,000 on a Drone Nobody Wanted (00:15:19) How I Ended Up Working on Hollywood Films (00:16:29) The Business Lesson That Changed Everything (00:18:13) Why Automation Became My Growth Strategy (00:19:21) How ChatGPT Changed My Business (00:20:04) Why Your Staff Shouldn't Use AI Directly (00:22:10) Stop Using AI for the Wrong Things (00:25:03) Why Mentorship Could Have Changed Everything (00:27:25) The Difference Between Learning and Taking Action (00:28:24) Why Speed Is a Superpower in Business (00:33:02) How I Help Businesses Implement AI (00:38:49) Where to Start With AI in a Trades Business (00:41:00) The New Way Customers Will Find Your Business (00:43:28) What Happens When an AI Sends You a Lead? (00:45:43) Automating Your Business Operations (00:47:43) Why You Should Build a Business to Sell (00:55:59) My Worst Business Decision (01:05:20) Why Accountability Changes Everything Get help from me personally:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradstaines/ Helpful? Subscribe!
In this episode, Brad sits down with Matt Harmsworth, founder of the ROVAR Group. Matt shares his journey from working as a tree surgeon in Surrey and making grueling motorbike commutes to flying drones over Hollywood film sets like James Bond and Transformers, before ultimately building a multi-million-pound environmental consultancy. KEY TAKEAWAYS Build an "AI Engine" Underneath the Business: Rather than using public AI models for surface-level tasks like basic web searches or content generation, business owners should break down internal operational bottlenecks and build custom, step-by-step AI workflows. Speed of Implementation Drives Success: The key differentiator between thriving entrepreneurs and stagnant ones is the speed at which they take action on new insights, advice, and operational adjustments. Prepare for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): As consumers increasingly rely on AI agents and voice assistants to search for services, businesses need to ensure their digital footprint is structured for AI crawlers rather than just traditional web browsers. Strategic Hires Unlock New Milestones: Investing in high-leverage expertise such as a fractional CFO or an executive assistant provides the financial clarity and operational freedom required to scale without over-leveraging the business. Fail Fast and Build Proprietary IP: Experimenting with internal automations inevitably leads to tools that don't get used. The goal is to fail fast, abandon what doesn't work, and retain the custom systems (IP) that give your company a distinct competitive edge. BEST MOMENTS "The smart thing here is not interacting with this as if it's a Google search engine... it's getting it to do stuff." "My bedrock thing in AI consultancy is that you should build an AI engine underneath the business. Find where the bottlenecks are, and then sprinkle the AI fairy dust over the top." "Comparison is the thief of joy, and the last thing you should be doing is looking at people that are further on than you and comparing yourself to them." "Build a business to sell, even if you've got no intention of selling it." "The most successful people I see are implementing straight after those masterminds... You're leveraging their experience, so you've got to take action on it." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
In this episode, Brad sits down with Ben King, founder of King's Window Cleaning and Verpa, to unpack his incredible entrepreneurial journey. From starting with a single squeegee and a free set of Vista business cards to scaling a business on track for a £1 million turnover with 10 vans, Ben shares the raw, unfiltered truth of what it takes to build a successful service business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Systems and Processes are Vital for Scaling: Inspired by The E-Myth and the McDonald's founding story, Ben realized that to grow beyond a few vans, he needed strict "copy and paste" processes. Embrace Pain as a Catalyst for Growth: Ben’s lowest point—a disorganized business partnership that pushed his mental health to the brink—forced him to rethink everything. Don't Let the VAT Threshold Stunt Your Growth: Many small business owners intentionally stop growing just to avoid registering for VAT. Ben’s advice is to push through the threshold by knowing your numbers, raising your standards, and confidently adjusting your pricing to compensate. Delegate with Clarity, Not by Abdication: Hiring an office manager or a PA too soon is a mistake if you haven't built the backend processes first. Speed of Implementation is a Superpower: Action is everything. Whether it's returning emails, fixing a broken system, or setting up a new business idea, successful entrepreneurs make fast decisions and act immediately rather than sitting on ideas for months. BEST MOMENTS "I think there's a difference between a business owner and an entrepreneur. An entrepreneur will constantly look for opportunity, where a business owner will just want to scale that one business." "I watched the McDonald's film, The Founder, and when they sketch out the kitchen... I was like, okay, so now I need to do copy and paste. I need to make that van identical to the next one." "I think a lot of businesses hire a PA or an office manager far too soon, because they don't build processes and systems on the back end... They just go, 'Hey, here's my business, go look after it.'" "Pain evolves you as a business owner. You have to go through pain. Going through that, you become more resilient in business." "Every time we talk about it... we still laugh. It's like, oh, that business killed us. Like literally killed us. But I needed that to get to where I'm going. I think every business owner needs that." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
In this thought-provoking episode, Brad explores the delicate balance between ambition and contentment following a profound conversation with entrepreneur Will Polston. Reflecting on the common cycle of sacrificing health and relationships for financial success, the host digs into why winning often fails to satisfy us and instead merely raises the stakes. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Trap of Moving Goalposts: Continuous success often raises the stakes rather than providing lasting satisfaction, turning yesterday’s dream into today’s baseline expectation. Understanding Hedonic Adaptation: Whether in income, career milestones, or personal wins, humans rapidly normalize achievements, driving an endless search for the next high. How the Perception of Wealth Evolves: Money is critical for security and choice, but as we mature, its real power shifts from buying items to purchasing time and peace of mind. Ambition Needs Definition: Without clear parameters, ambition can consume the very life it was meant to improve, forcing us to sacrifice what matters most to reach arbitrary targets. "Enough" Transforms Ambition into Choice: Deciding what is "enough" doesn't mean halting progress—it turns compulsive chasing into conscious, purposeful growth. BEST MOMENTS "What if the greatest risk of becoming successful isn't losing everything... but losing the ability to recognize when you already have enough?" "He described spending half of his life sacrificing his health to build wealth, only to reach a point where he was prepared to sacrifice some of that wealth to recover his health." "The win didn't satisfy the desire—in fact, it escalated it. Yesterday's dream became today's baseline." "Money matters. It can reduce anxiety, give us choices, and buy back our time... but ambition without definition can consume the life it was supposed to improve." "Enough isn't the enemy of ambition; enough is what gives ambition direction of where to go." VALUABLE RESOURCES LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/willpolston/ HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
Harry built a multi-million-pound brand powered almost entirely by social media and influencer marketing. He explains: ↳ How a side hustle on eBay became a multi-million-pound business ↳ Why social media—not paid ads—is still the biggest opportunity for business owners ↳ How working with 200+ celebrities transformed Garage Style into a global brand ↳ Why influencer marketing works differently today than it did five years ago ↳ The content strategies that generate over 30 million monthly impressions ↳ Why consistency beats perfection when growing on social media He Cover:00:00 Intro 01:14 From Selling on eBay to Building a Million-View Brand 03:02 How I Found a Business Nobody Was Doing 05:07 The Sales Lessons That Built My Business 06:18 How Garage Style Became a Premium Brand 08:10 How Working With Celebrities Changed Everything 09:16 The Power of Influencer Marketing 12:19 How I Built a Brand Using Social Media 13:54 Why Attention Is the New Currency 16:23 Is Influencer Marketing Still Worth It? 17:32 The Biggest Social Media Mistake Businesses Make 20:43 How We Turn Before & After Videos Into Sales 22:19 How to Grow on Social Media Today 23:18 The Secret to Going Viral Consistently 25:05 How to Grow From 300 Followers 26:16 Why Business Owners Should Create Their Own Content 27:47 A Simple Instagram Strategy for Local Businesses 29:31 The Social Media Formula We Teach Businesses 30:57 How Social Media Has Changed in 2026 32:34 Why Hashtags Don't Work Like They Used To 33:41 Why Every Business Needs a Personal Brand 35:39 How to Turn Content Into Customers 40:16 Why You Should Start Creating Content Today 45:25 The Biggest Business Lessons I've Learned 49:08 My Biggest Business Win So Far
In this candid episode, Brad sits down with George McLennan, a former professional footballer turned founder of G Mac Gardens. After ten years in professional football, highlighted by a league title win with Cheltenham, injuries, performance anxiety, and burnout forced George to pivot away from the sport. Facing zero income, a broken ankle, and a low point driving Deliveroo with a lawnmower crammed into the back of his Ford Fiesta, George turned sheer necessity into entrepreneurial drive. KEY TAKEAWAYS Necessity Breeds Breakthroughs: Being backed into a corner forces rapid learning and action. When options are limited, survival instinct transforms into powerful entrepreneurial drive. Exposure Dissolves Anxiety: Overcoming fear and performance anxiety doesn't come from overthinking it comes from repeatedly putting yourself into uncomfortable, challenging situations until confidence builds. Fall in Love with the Process: Fixating solely on an end goal or exit strategy can create unnecessary stress. Real fulfillment and sustainable growth come from enjoying the day-to-day journey, problem-solving, and continuous learning. Tailored Leadership Beats One-Size-Fits-All: Inspired by the varying styles of football managers, effective team leadership relies on understanding individual personalities and knowing whether a team member needs an arm around the shoulder or a push to perform. Humility opens Doors: Don't let pride or fear of competition stop you from seeking advice. Most business owners are happy to share insights and point newcomers in the right direction if you simply dare to ask. BEST MOMENTS "I think when you're backed into a corner... your best work is done and your fastest-growing times happen, because you need to learn everything." "Of all the therapy and sports psychology... the main thing that got me out of that anxiety is literally facing fears. Putting yourself in scary situations gives you self-respect." "The fun part isn't the exit—it's the journey. You're progressing, you're learning, you're getting new experiences, and you're meeting people." "I literally had a lawnmower in the back and a Deliveroo bag in the front seat... I was trying to do two gigs at the same time!" HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
In this gripping episode, Brad sits down with Jacob Lockwood, an energetic, patriotic, and fiercely determined former Coldstream Guard who transitioned out of the military just seven days prior after 16 years of service. Jacob shares the remarkable story behind his rapidly growing British clothing brand, Lockwood, detailing how his military training became his ultimate business education. KEY TAKEAWAYS Military Skills as a Business Foundation: Jacob credits his 16 years in the infantry with giving him the psychological resilience, problem-solving skills, and adaptability required to survive the daily "shock of capture" that defines running a business. The Power of Authenticity and Content: The absolute best advice for any new or scaling business owner is to document the journey relentlessly. Authentic, unpolished content is what genuinely wins people’s hearts in an era dominated by hyper-polished AI media. Fierce Commitment to Local Economy: Despite knowing he could increase his net profit by 35% or more by outsourcing production overseas, Jacob is unyielding in his mission to support British factories, local jobs, and tax contributions. Trusting Your Gut Against Predators: In business, predatory investors look for struggling companies to exploit. Jacob highlights the importance of listening to your instincts and turning down bad money, even when you are facing heavy debt. The Extreme Swings of Entrepreneurship: Within a matter of eight weeks, Jacob went from being four days away from losing his home to signing a life-changing, multi-million-pound funding deal with excellent repayment terms. BEST MOMENTS "I saw the Army as my career. Little did I know, actually, it was just my basic training for running this company." "Your North Star should be like emptying the sea with a soup spoon... It’s so big that it’s almost impossible, but it keeps you driving towards it." "The biggest brain cells you've got in your body are in your stomach. If something just feels off, then listen to it." "Running this business is a little bit like the shock of capture... but it doesn't wear off after two days. It just constantly changes." "Don't try to pretend to be something you're not, and don't try and use our flag in vain. If you're going to manufacture overseas, fine... but don't try and use our flag." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
In this episode, accounting firm owner and entrepreneur John Holliday flips the script on traditional business advice by proving that scaling your company doesn't require massive upfront cash. John shares his unconventional approach to "no money down" acquisitions through strategic earn-outs, discusses how he turned failing practices into booming multi-office hubs, and explains why tracking micro-metrics like quote conversion rates is the true secret to scaling. More than just a math lesson, this conversation dives deep into the personal mindset shift required to build super profits—the financial safety blanket every business owner needs to survive unexpected market slumps, sleep soundly at night, and design a life worth living. Key Takeaways Buying a company with "no money down" is entirely possible through deferred vendor notes and earn-out models, but it requires deep industry credibility and established trust with the seller first. A profit and loss statement only shows the past, which makes proactive tools like forward-looking budgets, scorecards, and lead tracking infinitely more valuable for predicting future growth. If a business is converting more than 90% of its quotes into won jobs, it is almost certainly pricing its services too cheaply and leaving significant money on the table. Business profit should never be viewed as a negative or greedy word; it is the essential financial buffer that protects employees and keeps a company alive during inevitable downturns Episode Quotes "I’m a big believer in growth, because I think that we should give opportunity to other people. I think growth also allows you to buy your way out of problems." "Anyone who does a weekly P&L will make more profit that year than anyone who doesn't do a P&L." "I always say to my team we've got to make X profit. People think that's a lot of money, and it is a lot of money, but the reality is we've got a lot of people. So when things go wrong, we need that buffer." "I'd rather do it and fail, or do it and not enjoy it, or just do it and never do it again, than not do it." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
In this inspiring episode, primary school founder turned elite leadership consultant Penny Ford shares the transformative power of choosing a growth mindset over the comfort zone. Drawing from a career that began with shaping young minds and evolved into coaching high-performing CEOs, Penny reveals the hidden mechanics of successful teams, the reality of the 143% rule, and why standard leadership frameworks fail without psychological safety. Discover how to reprogram your brain's fear response, master strategic delegation, and lead with an authentic humility that inspires peak performance even when you step out of the room. Key Takeaways Leaders must operate at a higher standard of intensity because a natural 30% delta exists in performance transmission between a leader and their team. A safe environment where employees feel empowered to pitch bold ideas, challenge authority, and openly admit mistakes is the true driver of high-performing, exceptional teams. True succession planning and scaling require business owners to stop firefighting daily tasks and intentionally protect time for overarching strategy, innovation, and coaching. It is much easier to modify your everyday actions to resemble the leader you want to become than it is to think your way into a new behaviour cycle. Episode Quotes "If you have a solution, you don't have a problem." "Act your way to a new way of thinking is easier than thinking your way to a new way of acting." "That feeling of worry or concern—that's actually good, because that shows we're growing." "If you want your team to be 100%, you've got to rock up as the 143%." VALUABLE RESOURCES LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/penny-ford HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
Business coach and fitness mentor Byron Munford breaks through the noise of modern distraction and convenience culture to uncover what it truly takes to optimise your physical performance and business growth. He tackles the modern myth of being "too busy" for self-care, outlining why high-stakes performance requires rigorous internal boundaries. From uncovering the real impact of sleep cycles on body composition to a candid critique of popular medical shortcuts like Ozempic, this conversation offers a strict, no-nonsense diagnostic blueprint for individuals ready to reclaim their focus and operate at maximum capability. Key Takeaways True bodily alignment can be measured internally by waking up feeling Happy, Hungry, and Horny. The human brain does not create permanent physical changes through passive consumption; it changes strictly through creation and discomfort. True supplemental value comes from precise personal blood diagnostics, not mainstream wellness marketing trends. Rest and relaxation are far more rewarding and biochemically effective when hard-earned through intense daily discipline. Episode Quotes "You have to train your mind to be stronger than your feelings, otherwise you'll lose yourself." "Human brains learn via creation, not via consumption." "If you want to be a different person, you have to become that person before you are them." "If you haven't got your basic ducks in a row—sleep, clean eating, and training—you shouldn't even be looking at supplements." Would you like me to refine any specific aspect of these descriptions or titles to better match your distribution platform? VALUABLE RESOURCES ● Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/byronperformancept/ HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
Behind every great leader is a powerful vision, but how do you ensure that your message actually lands when the stakes are at their highest? In this episode, executive voice and presence coach Daidree Tofano dives deep into how leaders can master the tool they use every single day: their own voice. Drawing from her fascinating, non-linear career path, Daidree shares her unique inside-out philosophy for conquering high-pressure speaking moments. You'll learn how to shift your mindset, step away from your script, and actively use your body and breath to command authority and connect authentically with any audience. Key Takeaways True executive presence requires sharpening your physical instrument—your body, breath, and voice—rather than just focusing on your slide deck or written content. Managing high-stakes speaking anxiety requires building deep physical awareness of your internal tension and your breath before you even open your mouth. Presenting effectively on camera is a distinct skill set from speaking in person, demanding fewer physical movements and a direct, consistent connection with the lens. Great speakers command authority not by rushing, but by intentionally embracing silence, pausing, and physically claiming their environment Episode Quotes "A lot of communications coaching is all around what you say, your content. I look at the instrument that delivers it: the how you say it." "I help leaders, specifically in really high-stakes moments, show up as the best version of themselves and the most persuasive version of themselves." "People don't want to take up space. They don't want to take up physical space, they don't want to take up vocal space... I think that is one of the biggest turnarounds that people can make." "We're all kind of like brains on a stick walking around, and we're in our heads and then we completely forget about the body." VALUABLE RESOURCES ● LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/daidreetofano/ ● Website www.impactvoicecoaching.com HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
In this episode, applied AI expert Lee Russell sits down with us to separate real-world utility from the loud extremes of Silicon Valley optimism and dystopian pessimism. Steering clear of dense, speculative tech jargon, Lee breaks down how automated systems can drastically elevate trade and service-based businesses by automating the mundane and humanising the exceptional. From creating hyper-personalised customer proposal flows to structural team transformations, this conversation outlines an actionable blueprint for business owners to step away from repetitive day-to-day tasks, scale consistently, and leverage machine learning to become highly strategic orchestrators of their own success Key Takeaways Genuine ROI in business comes from practicing applied AI rather than getting caught up in the far-off "futurist" predictions of massive societal disruption. Successful AI integration is an engineering consistency problem rather than a capabilities problem, requiring strict guardrails, thorough context templates, and deliberate constraints to maximise results. The "10-80-10" model suggests that while AI can efficiently handle the middle 80% of repetitive data processing, human expertise must direct the initial 10% of context setting and refine the final 10% of output. Rather than causing mass job replacement, the emergence of AI allows high-performing teams to elevate their responsibilities, offload the mundane, and focus entirely on high-leverage human connection. Episode Quotes "It is the middle road... It's not going to be as amazing as everyone says, and it's not going to be as bad as everyone says. And that is generally how technology plays out." "When you're doing AI right, that's the signal we look for: Are you becoming a more human business? Are you spending more time with your clients? More face-to-face time?" "If you can think in your business: 'How do I get to try before I buy?' and 'I will pay you to interview with me' because I don't want to waste an hour of my time speaking to someone who's not going to get the job... it's been brilliant." "An AI will be confounded at its current level of a closed door or two sets of data that aren't connected... Humans are insane miracles of evolution. We can look at very strange scenarios that are not normal within your business and look at the context around that instantaneously." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
Brad welcomes personal health and fitness expert Byron Munford, one of the UK's leading powerlifters and founder of Lifestyle Revolution, to discuss the critical connection between physical health and business success. Byron shares his personal journey from aggressive child to black belt martial artist, crossfitter, and elite weightlifter, highlighting how physical challenges condition the mind to handle daily stress. The conversation delves into the similarities between elite athletes and corporate executives, exploring how both groups utilise a high tolerance for stress and an advanced perception of pain to maintain peak performance. Byron also introduces his Six Pillars of Health exercise, nutrition/hydration, sleep, mindset, stress management, and circadian rhythm, explaining how mastering these elements can transform lives, recover lost time, and optimise both personal well-being and professional success. Key Takeaways An unhealthy individual is consumed by a single problem—their illness—while a healthy person has the freedom to face and manage the thousands of challenges that come with daily life. Elite performance in sports or business relies on conditioning the mind to view high levels of stress and discomfort as a normal, manageable part of the daily routine rather than a reason to stop. True well-being requires a balance of exercise, nutrition, sleep, mindset, stress management, and circadian rhythm, as an imbalance in even one pillar can completely disrupt the others. Lasting transformation comes from focusing on incremental, consistent improvements—like tracking and slowly increasing deep sleep—rather than trying to achieve a flawless standard immediately. Episode Quotes "A healthy man has a thousand problems, an unhealthy man has one problem." "If you look at the average person, they will only ever contract 30 to 40 percent of their max muscular units, but elite athletes can tap into a greater percentage where they're lifting or using 80, even 90 percent." "Learning how to manage stress is one of the best skills you can learn in life because it just buys you back time, buys you back freedom." "Go after what you really want, and not what your parents tell you to do, not what your mates tell you to do, not what the guy down the pub tells you to do. What do you really want without the external influence?" HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
Forget the traditional one-size-fits-all workplace; it's time to build an environment where every mind can thrive. We sit down with Melissa, a secondary school teacher, mum, and the driving force behind Neuro Inclusion UK. She shares her deeply personal journey of navigating autism and ADHD diagnoses for both her son and herself. Sparked by conversations with her dad in the trades, Melissa aims to bring foundational awareness of neurodivergence to the construction industry. We explore why genuine inclusion is far more than a tick-box exercise and how small, practical tweaks can massively boost team morale, safety, and productivity. Discover actionable coping mechanisms, understand the exhausting reality of masking, and learn how to foster a culture where everyone feels safe to bring their authentic selves to work. Key Takeaways True inclusion requires a foundational understanding across the whole team, rather than relying solely on human resources departments for compliance. Simple environmental tweaks, like providing written handouts or using visual status indicators, can significantly enhance focus and productivity. Masking neurodivergent traits is an exhausting daily process, and fostering a safe culture allows individuals to operate authentically. Neurodivergence brings distinct strengths to the workplace, such as exceptional attention to detail and creative problem-solving abilities. Early education is vital, as teaching neurodiversity in classrooms lays the groundwork for the inclusive leaders of tomorrow. Episode Quotes "It's never been wrong it's never been broken it's just different and it's um yeah so it's yeah there might be times where you think i wonder why that person does it that particular way." "We should be judging it based on the outcomes of what the job was rather than how we think it should be done." "If you want true inclusive culture then everyone should have a foundational knowledge of it to really truly be removing the barriers." "Putting on that mask it's exhausting it's unrelenting and it's you know just being your true self it's that's the bit that's liberating." "Every human on this planet has strengths and they have weaknesses or challenges and we all have to find what how do we get around our own challenge." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
Neil returns to the podcast to share powerful lessons on responsibility, leadership, independence, communication, business growth, and the future of modern society. Neil is a British thinker, educator, speaker, and author known for his work around leadership, human behaviour, entrepreneurship, and personal responsibility. In this conversation, he breaks down why modern culture is drifting toward dependency, why young people are struggling with communication and direction, and how individuals can reclaim control over their lives through vision, purpose, and self-development. He explains: ↳ Why responsibility is the foundation of freedom, success, and independence↳ The 5 pillars every individual must master to build a meaningful life↳ Why modern society is creating a dangerous culture of dependency↳ The hidden difference between managing and true leadership↳ Why most young people struggle with communication and confidence today↳ How technology and screen addiction are weakening real human connection↳ Why public speaking and sales are still the most valuable skills in business↳ The reason successful people ignore criticism and stop seeking approval
It is time to stop waiting for a silver bullet to solve your problems and start looking in the mirror to see the only person who can actually change your trajectory. Neil Tuson returns to the show to dive into the current state of the UK and why a culture of dependency is the silent killer of both national progress and personal growth. We explore the 25 levers that make a nation tick, the vital difference between $10 support tasks and $1,000 strategic moves, and why the most successful people are those who invest in their own skill sets rather than waiting for permission. Whether you are struggling to break a seven-figure ceiling or just trying to find clarity in the "noisy nonsense" of the modern world, this conversation provides a roadmap for reclaiming autonomy and building a legacy worth being remembered for. KEY TAKEAWAYS Growth begins only when you move from a dependent state to an independent mindset by accepting 100% responsibility for your outcomes. Business owners must differentiate between support, operational, and strategic tasks to avoid the trap of "peeling spuds" when they should be leading. Most criticism from others is actually a reflection of their own internal struggles, making it easier to ignore the noise and stay focused on your vision. Public speaking and sales are the two most critical skills for any young professional looking to fast-track their career in a digital-heavy world. Taking time for silence and internal reflection is often the missing ingredient in solving complex business and life problems. QUOTES The moment you take responsibility, things will happen; until you do, you are going to hide into nothing. Successful people become successful in the time that other people waste. If you start paying attention to the noise at the edges, it disperses the focus on the centre. You do not build relationships through screens; real relationships come from being face-to-face, eyeball to eyeball. Money is just an outcome of doing something that becomes successful. HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
If you’re a tradesman, entrepreneur or anyone trying to build something from nothing, this episode will change how you think about business forever. Brad shares how he lost 99% of his business & how he rebuild from just £4,000 into a company on track to hit £10M+ turnover. He breaks down the brutal realities of starting with nothing, the mindset required to scale, and the hard lessons most entrepreneurs only learn the hard way. He explains:↳ How he went from unemployed apprentice to building a £10M business↳ The moment he lost 99% of his business… and rebuilt it from zero↳ How knocking on 100 doors built his first client base↳ Why most tradesmen stay stuck and how to break out↳ How hiring the right people (and firing fast) changed everything↳ The truth about “man in a van” businesses vs real companies↳ How he scaled from solo to 50+ staff in just a few years↳ The harsh reality of cash flow, bad clients, and late payments
Starting out with just a VW Polo and a few tools, Brad Jones didn’t have a business plan—he just had the "bottle" to go it alone when nobody else would hire a fresh apprentice. Today, he’s steering Imperium Group toward a £10M turnover, but the journey hasn’t been a smooth ride. We dive deep into the "scary as hell" moments, like the morning 99% of his revenue vanished and how he fought back through pure persistence. Brad shares the "ruthless" reality of building a team that actually cares, why he still jumps in the van to clear his head, and the exact steps needed to step off the tools and start acting like a businessman. If you’re feeling stuck in the day-to-day firefighting of your trade, this is the wake-up call you need to stop winging it and start scaling. Key Takeaways The Tools Bottleneck: You can’t grow a business while you’re wiring sockets all day; leveraging other people's time is the only way to break the ceiling. Speed Wins: Returning quotes in 10 minutes rather than 2 days is often the difference between winning a massive contract or losing it. Incentivize Results: Moving from hourly pay to pay-per-job creates engineers who treat the business like their own. Resilience is Non-Negotiable: When you lose your biggest client, you either shut the phone down or get on LinkedIn and hunt—there is no middle ground. Integrity Over Flash: Success isn't about Ferraris; it’s about being a man of your word and treating your team like family. Direct Quotes "You can wire a socket up, but apart from that, you ain't got a scooby." "I put four grand into this business... we probably hit 10 million this financial year." "There’s nothing better than proving someone wrong. It’s the greatest feeling ever." "I had two options: I could have turned around or I could say... I’m going to find a way." "If you haven't got the bottle to do that, you're going to be on the tools for the rest of your life." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
In this episode, Brad sits down with Neil Tuson, the founder of Perfect Teams, a personality profiling system designed to optimize team dynamics. Neil shares his fascinating and non-linear career path, taking us from his early days as a marine engineer in the Navy to selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door in America, which eventually led him to discover a deep passion for personal development. KEY TAKEAWAYS Invest in your own development: Neil paid his own way through his initial Dale Carnegie public speaking courses. He emphasizes that true growth requires taking individual responsibility and investing your own resources rather than waiting for an employer to do it for you. Embrace the uncomfortable: A foundational mantra for Neil, borrowed from Albert Gray's The Common Denominator of Success, is that successful people willingly choose to do the things that failures dislike doing. Sales is a process of listening: Rather than simply pushing a product onto a prospect, effective selling is a questioning process designed to actively listen to the customer and elicit their true needs. Delegation is required for scale: To grow a business beyond a sole operator, founders must transition from working in the business to working on the business. This requires hiring strategic experts, delegating tasks, and trusting your team enough to let them safely fail and learn. Great teams require diverse skills: The three essential components of a highly successful team include an intuitive visionary, an organized process planner to execute the ideas, and an empathetic culture builder to maintain harmony. BEST MOMENTS "Successful people do the things that failures don't like to do." "Two parties come together, there's a sale going on. Either you sell them on listening to you, or they sell you on going away." "If you look at anything that's sustainable, it's got a great education policy behind it." "You've got to break this dependent cycle and get more people recognizing that if they take responsibility and invest in themselves, they will get the rewards." "I consider to be my master's level intern that's sitting by my side answering all the questions that I can't answer." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
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Observed September 11, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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