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PODCAST

Swim Against The Tide

The idea behind Swim Against The Tide podcast is to meet founders and leaders of businesses who have launched and operate in competitive markets, taking the bigger, more established players head on. It is about exploring what drove them, how their brand stood out, what they had to do to win and what lessons they have learned that they can share with the listeners to hopefully inspire them to take their own journey. The show is presented by Steve Henry, Co-Founder of the specialist marketing group

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

52:00

Ep026 – Simon Gray, Boost Drinks | Successful...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2025/02/27

In this engaging conversation, Simon Gray, CEO of Boost Drinks, shares his journey from young entrepreneur in Leeds to building and leading a successful energy drink brand.He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in entering a market dominated by giants like Red Bull and Lucozade, emphasising the importance of timing, innovation and understanding consumer needs.He reflects on the lessons learned from both successes and failures, highlighting the significance of a lean business

en

57:12

Ep025 – Dale Smith, Host & Stay | Revolutionising an...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2025/02/20

In this episode we meet Dale Smith, CEO of Host and Stay, and he shares his unique journey from the sunny shores of San Diego to a career in the automotive industry and finally establishing his successful holiday rental and management company.He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in building the Host and Stay brand, focusing on innovative management practices, sustainability, and navigating industry regulations.Dale emphasizes the importance of balancing quality and volume in

en

50:16

Ep024 – James Rutter, Cook | Serving up a brilliant...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2025/02/13

In this engaging conversation, James Rutter, Chief Creative Officer of Cook, shares his unique career journey from journalism to the culinary world. He discusses the growth of Cook, a company specialising in the creation of amazing homemade frozen meals to help busy families serve up great food quickly. Emphasising the importance of steady growth and the joy of building a brand. James highlights the significance of a strong team and company culture, detailing how Cook fosters a

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55:20

Ep023 – Vincent Hodder, Leeds Bradford Airport |...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2025/02/06

In this conversation, Vincent Hodder, CEO of Leeds Bradford Airport, shares his journey from the industry to a varied career in global aviation.He discusses the importance of cultural adaptability in business, the lessons learned from his experiences in various countries, and the significance of strong leadership. Hodder emphasizes the need for a focus on customer experience and employee satisfaction to drive profitability and growth. He outlines the ambitious plans for transforming Leeds

en

63:02

Ep022 – James Bott, Boxbar Tech | Serving up a...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2025/01/31

In this conversation, we meet James Bott, co-founder of Boxbar Tech, and explore his fascinating, truly entrepreneurial, career journey from early experiences in sales and e-commerce to launching game changing innovative solutions in the hospitality industry. James shares insights on the challenges of scaling businesses, the importance of team dynamics, and the lessons learned from his previous ventures, including his pre-Spotify foray into the music industry and building an App Store

en

55:20

Ep022 – Vincent Hodder, COMPANY | TITLE| SATT

Swim Against The Tide ·

2025/01/30

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51:38

Ep021 – Matt Carr, Carrs Pasties | Keeping it in the...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2025/01/24

In this conversation, Matt Carr from Carr's Pasties shares insights into the history and growth of the family business, which has evolved from a small bakery in Bolton to a well-known brand in the Northwest and beyond. He discusses the importance of family dynamics in leadership, the innovative product development strategies they have implemented, and how they maintain their family values while expanding their market presence. Matt also outlines future ambitions for Carr's Pasties,

en

48:09

Ep020 – Brian Reid, Deli Lites | Keeping a nation...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2025/01/16

This week we had the pleasure of meeting Brian Reid, CEO and co-founder of Deli Lites, the amazing provider of over 40m food-on-the-go products a year. He shares his journey from a young entrepreneur to leading a successful food business, discussing the inspiration behind Deli Lites, the challenges faced in the early days, and how he and his partner Jackie navigated their roles within the company. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity, innovation, and building a purpose-driven culture

en

47:44

Ep19 – Ricky Flax, Delightful Food Group | Delivering...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2025/01/09

Today we meet Ricky Flax, Co-Founder and CEO of the Delightful Food Group, and he shares the rich history of his family's involvement in the food industry, the evolution of their business, and the challenges they faced along the way.He discusses the importance of innovation, leadership, and maintaining a strong company culture while navigating the complexities of the food market.The conversation also highlights the strategic acquisition of March Foods, which has allowed Delightful Food

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54:45

Ep018 – Ollie Raison, F1 Arcade | Socially...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2025/01/02

In this conversation, Ollie Raison, Co-Founder of F1 Arcade, shares his journey from a DJ and comedian to a pioneer in the social entertainment industry.He discusses the evolution of competitive socialising, the birth of his unique concepts like WiffWaff Brothers and Bounce, and the importance of keeping your audience engaged and entertained - emphasising the significance of creating enjoyable experiences for all attendees, not just the competitive ones. He reflects on his accidental

en

48:54

Ep017 – Ollie Marshall, Maplin Electronics |...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2024/12/26

In this episode of the podcast we meet Ollie Marshall, MD of Maplin Electronics, as he shares his journey from studying computer science to leading the well-known electronics brand. He discusses how he has managed the brand from a high street retailer to direct-to-consumer seller, navigating big change to their business model during COVID-19. Ollie Marshall discusses the positive integration of AI into business, the challenges faced in the consumer electronics market, and innovative

en

47:32

Ep016 – Paul Turton, PACT Coffee | Differentiating in...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2024/12/19

In this conversation, Paul Turton, CEO of Pact Coffee, shares his journey from corporate roles to leading a smaller, but much more agile coffee business.He discusses the success of Pact Coffee in the specialty coffee market, emphasizing their technological advantages, customer-centric approach, ethical sourcing practices and their unending commitment to direct trade.Paul emphasizes the significance of quality in their products and the challenges of the subscription model in the coffee

en

55:34

Ep015 – Patrick & John Woods, Linwoods | Building a...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2024/12/13

This conversation explores the 60-year history and evolution of Linwoods Health Foods, founded by John Woods, who shares his journey from a small family business to a health food powerhouse and passing over the baton to his son Patrick.The discussion highlights the importance of innovation and sustainability in the business, as well as the transition of leadership to the next generation. The conversation emphasises the entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges faced, and the commitment to

en

54:41

Ep014 – Will Lee, Clearpoint Recycling | Building...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2024/12/05

In this episode we meet Will Lee, CEO of Clearpoint Recycling and he shares his journey from working in the car industry to founding his own recycling business.He discusses the challenges and opportunities in the recycling market, the impact of changes in China on the global industry, and his reflections on success and business philosophy.Will emphasises the importance of passion over profit and the need for risk-taking in entrepreneurship. He reflects on the transition of leadership roles

en

53:33

Ep013 - Sam Flintham-Ward, Flinty's | Pivot Quicker...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2024/11/28

This week, Steve Henry meets Sam Flintham-Ward, a fractional marketing director with a diverse career spanning many industries, including hospitality, events, and marketing for brands like Sipsmith and plant-based food company This.Sam shares insights from his journey, stressing the importance of adaptability, stakeholder management, and the evolving landscape of marketing in the food and beverage industry.He reflects on his experiences, the challenges of working in startups, and the

en

51:16

Ep012 – Anthony Karibian, bOnline | Work backwards to...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2024/11/21

In this episode, Anthony Karibian discusses his entrepreneurial journey, sharing his experiences from founding Euroffice to launching bOnline, the amazing provider of phone and digital services for small businesses.He discusses the challenges faced during the dot-com bubble, the importance of focusing on small businesses, and the innovations in VoIP technology and AI integration that are transforming the customer service his business offers.Anthony emphasises the significance of

en

57:15

Ep011 - Michael Edwards, Explore Worldwide | Building...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2024/11/14

In this episode we meet Michael Edwards, Managing Director of Explore Worldwide, the small group adventure brand. He shares his journey in the travel industry, from professional flounderer (you'll hear why) to being involved with the evolution of sustainable and immersive travel experiences.He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, customer loyalty, and the challenges of navigating a competitive market. Michael also highlights the significance of being a purpose-driven business, the

en

56:51

Ep010 - Tom O'Toole & Andrew Fishwick | Building...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2024/11/07

In this engaging conversation, Steve Henry hosts Andrew Fishwick and Tom O'Toole, who, although unlikely bedfellows, share their entrepreneurial journeys in the hospitality and construction sectors and how they came together over a love of great coffee.They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their respective industries, the importance of adapting to changing consumer behaviors, and the significance of purpose-driven business practices.The discussion also touches on personal growth, the

en

53:31

Ep009 - James Wright, Wrexham Lager | Empowering...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2024/10/31

In this conversation, James Wright shares his extensive journey in the drinks industry, detailing his experiences from working with major brands like Red Bull and Corona to his current role at Wrexham Lager. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the rich history of Wrexham Lager, and the strategic planning necessary for brand growth. Wright discusses the challenges of navigating a competitive market while maintaining a focus on quality and innovation, ultimately aiming to

en

59:10

Ep008 - Neil Bartholomew, KCOM | Leadership and...

Swim Against The Tide ·

2024/10/24

In this conversation, Neil Bartholomew, MD of Kcom's retail division, shares his journey from a working-class background in South Yorkshire to leading a telecommunications company. He discusses Kcom's rich history, its evolution in the broadband market, and the challenges it faces from larger competitors. Neil emphasises the importance of customer experience, innovation, and adaptability in a rapidly changing industry. He also reflects on his leadership style, the significance of

en

67 results

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