Our last guest of the year on The Merri-Cast Podcast is the fantastic Liz Barclay – Small Business Commissioner and entrepreneur.

Liz’s entrepreneurial spark has always been a part of her DNA. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, her work has always been centred around helping others and making a difference.

After spells in the voluntary sector and becoming an entrepreneur herself, Liz became the Small Business Commissioner in 2021, maintaining her commitment to putting others first and advocating for small businesses.

Key highlights from the episode include:

• Why she’s so passionate about helping others.
• Finding a mentor to you to fill your gaps.
• How she tackles resistance to change.
• Finding creative ways to move organisations forward.
• Actionable advice for entrepreneurs starting a business.
• The perils of late payments – and how to avoid them.
• The importance of ‘Speaking Up’ when you see wrongdoing.

…and much more besides!

Liz has so many lessons to share that will help entrepreneurs starting or scaling their business!

Liz Barclay:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lizbarclay
Website: https://peoplematter.tv/people-who-make-a-difference/liz-barclay/

Trevor:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

Our 50th episode of The Merri-Cast podcast is now live! We’re thrilled that joining us on this milestone episode, is the brilliant Per Wimmer – entrepreneur, adventurer, philanthropist and recent winner at the Business Book Awards.

From working at prestigious organisations like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey, space training, skydiving over Mount Everest to founding multiple businesses including Wimmer Financial – Per’s life and career has been full of variety and exciting adventures.

Per’s experience means he has a unique perspective on blending ambition with purpose. In this episode, he tells some fascinating stories and shares valuable insights including:

• Facing challenges head-on
• Human interaction - why people want to interact with interesting people
• The 7 Core Values for Success and what value is most important to him
• How to start and grow a sustainable business
• How his adventures fuel his entrepreneurial drive

There’s a common view that entrepreneurs should be focused on one thing, but Per’s story proves that you can balance risk, adventure and make a positive impact. So, whether you're a new entrepreneur, a seasoned professional or someone inspired by courageous journeys, this episode is for you.

Per Wimmer:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/perwimmer
Wimmer Financial: https://wimmerfinancial.com/
Wimmer Space: https://wimmerspace.com/
Book: The Sky is No Limit

Trevor:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by the brilliant Polly Barnfield OBE, CEO and Founder of Maybe* which helps companies save time and improve results through the use of AI.

Polly’s career started with riding horses and working for a web design company, before deciding that taking instructions from others wasn’t for her. After setting up various business and charitable ventures, she set up Maybe* 10 years ago.

In this episode, Polly shares fantastic insights including:

• The importance of planning in encouraging the best ideas.
• Employing people better than you.
• Being prepared to change your plan but stick to your vision.
• What “winning” means to her.
• Viewing AI as an ally, rather than an enemy.

Whilst Polly explains that entrepreneurship is tough, she emphasises how much fun it is too. What impressed me the most though, is how brilliantly Polly tells her story, her positive take on AI and why as a founder, you must get used to being wrong far more often than you might care to admit.

Polly Barnfield:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pollybarnfield
Website: https://www.maybetech.com/
Email: polly@maybetech.com

Trevor:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

This week, I am joined by Adrian Moorhouse MBE - Entrepreneur and Consultant, co-founder and former Managing Director of Lane4 - and of course an Olympic Gold Medallist.

Following a hugely successful swimming career as an individual, Adrian decided that he wanted to be part of something bigger in building a business. So, in 1995, he co-founded leadership development consultancy Lane4.

In this interview, Adrian takes us on his incredible journey from world-beating sportsman to business success.

In this episode, Adrian also shares many brilliant insights including:

• His desire for control and being in charge of his destiny
• Being open to feedback
• Why values must guide your decision making
• Keeping things simple as the business grows

…and much more!

What struck and impressed me the most in this conversation with Adrian was how he transitioned from a career where he had significant control to one over which he enjoyed less – and how he worked how to succeed in both.

So, whether you’re just starting out or changing direction, or already an entrepreneur, this episode is filled with valuable lessons to help you keep growing and adapting in the face of new change and new challenges.

Adrian Moorhouse:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrianmoorhouse
Email: moorhouse67@gmail.com

Trevor:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

On this week’s episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by Anne Fulton, Founder and CEO of Fuel50, the business that helps clients create career pathways for their employees.

She’s led the firm’s rapid growth to more than 100 employees – or “Fuellies” as she likes to call them – in supporting a number of world-class brands.

A single moment, at the age of 14, led Anne on a lifelong journey to create a career test which allowed everyone to find and create their futures. Since then, she’s been a self-confessed ‘serial entrepreneur’.

Over the course of her career, Anne has set up numerous successful businesses including Fuel50.

Anne likens being an entrepreneur to white-water rafting – something I can relate to. Her drive, passion and commitment to entrepreneurship is obvious throughout our conversation – it’s difficult to not feel inspired.

In this episode, she shares valuable insights including:
•Why entrepreneurship was – and always will be – her calling.
•Seeing AI as an opportunity.
•Building and maintaining an experimental mindset, particularly as a new entrepreneur…

…and much more!

Anne Fulton:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annefultonfuel50
Fuel50: https://fuel50.com/
Email: anne@fuel50.com

Trevor:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

On this week’s episode of The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by my good friend, the brilliant Simon Shepard - Founder and CEO of Optima-Life.

Simon is a physiotherapist by training but has turned into a fantastic entrepreneur. In this episode, he shares his unique career journey and the lessons he’s learnt along the way. He’s also in the middle of an exciting new venture, which you’ll hear more about at the end of the interview.

What inspired me about Simon’s journey is his deep-seated passion for curiosity and progress - something we can all learn from. He also offered other valuable insights including:

• Embracing new opportunities and what’s possible if you have a go.
• The value of a good support network and being trusted by colleagues.
• Being driven by progress and finding solutions.
• Understanding and listening to the people you help.
• The importance of networking and marketing.
• Being confident in asking questions and learning from others.

Simon Shepard:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/simon-shepard-a9868a16
Optima-Life: https://optima-life.com/
Email: simonshepard@optima-life.com

Trevor:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

On today’s episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Matthew Phelan - Co-Founder of The Happiness Index, an employee engagement and happiness platform.

From working on a farm at a young age, to creating a business plan in Wetherspoons, and founding a business with friends - Matthew’s career journey is certainly unique.

In this episode, Matthew shares the key moments which have led him on his own path to happiness and other fantastic insights and lessons including:

* What working on a farm from a young age taught him.
* Why chaos and uncertainty in the world is better for a start-up.
* The inspiration and story behind The Happiness Index.
* His experience and the benefits of being in business with friends.
* The importance of allowing yourself to feel emotions.
* Surrounding yourself with people of all ages and knowledge.
* Why freedom is a top 4 driver of happiness.

Matthew Phelan:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewphelan
The Happiness Index: https://thehappinessindex.com/
Website: https://mattphelan.co.uk/

Trevor:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

On this week’s episode of The Merri-Cast podcast, I’m thrilled to be joined by the wonderful Karina Murray – Founder and CEO of Aunua Global.

Karina’s mission with Aunua Global is incredibly inspiring and in this episode, she shares how the business came about and why she’s so passionate about helping young people.

She also shares many valuable lessons including:
•Finding your purpose and people who understand it.
•Her global community initiative for young people.
•Building up your credibility.
•Not being afraid to pivot if what you’re doing isn’t working.
•The importance of having conversations and asking for help.
•Why you need to connect and believe in what you do.
•Challenging yourself and realising your capabilities.

Karina Murray:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karina-murray-169361161
Aunua Global: https://aunuaglobal.org/
Email: karina@aunuaenterprise.eu

Trevor:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk