Brad Weesner - Founder Forshew Interior Design

“Have you ever experienced walking into a space – and realizing that you have just been transported to someplace very special?” asks Brad Weesner. “This wonderful transformation is the very reason I love interior design.” Raised in Washington, D.C., the designer has always been surrounded by classicism, diplomacy, graciousness and the international climate that only the nation’s capital can provide. “Washington is one of the most beautiful cities in the world”, he says.

Clients appreciate the designer’s prior management experience in luxury hotels, and in residential construction and real estate. “It is daunting to put something so personal as your home in the hands of someone else, but when there is a common goal of good design, this always works beautifully and our clients have seen that the journey was worth it.”

The aspects that architecture can bring to a room, and the client’s desire for functionality are always the fundamental starting point in my work. To then create a remarkable interior is my ultimate goal”. This focus is true for the firm’s residential projects as well as hospitality and corporate projects. Recent work includes the historic theater - The Weinburg Center for the Performing Arts in Frederick MD, and the 60 year old landmark - Annie’s Paramount Steak House in Washington D.C. The designer’s residential projects include a custom 15,000 sq. ft. home and a contemporary and glamorous penthouse both located in Bethesda.

The use of original artwork, wonderful lighting, calming colors are the hallmark of Weesner’s design work. He has served on the board of the Frederick Arts Council and his projects have been published in “Spectacular Homes of Washington, D.C.” and "Shore Decor" by A. Rooney, The Washington Examiner, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and Spaces Magazine.

He's passionate about Dogs , Horses (English Riding), Sailing (mostly sloops) , Entertaining (Cooking, Wine and guests at home), The Art of Conversation (He slips into big words sometimes) , Fine Cars (Coach building actually), Mentoring & Developing others (think AA Sponsorship) and more.

Forshew Interior Design produces exquisite spaces for distinguished clients in residential environments.

As one of the nation’s top designers for nearly 14 years, Brad creates spaces that capture his client’s personality by combining comfort, functionality, and elegance. His design nuances unite traditional luxury with contemporary edges making him one of the most sought-after designers.

Brad has worked for several of the largest luxury homebuilders in the mid-Atlantic region. It was there that he honed his innate ability to work with architects, planners and builders throughout the construction process. As a result, Brad’s extensive construction knowledge instills trust from both his clients and his contractors.

Additionally, Brad’s 20 years of experience within the luxury hospitality industry has earned him praise for his ability to utilize timeless design elements with memorable accents. He mixes durable furnishings with extraordinary textures. With an eye for accessibility and traffic flow, Brad brings a refined aesthetic that is cost-effective for the client.

Today, Forshew Interior Design represents many of the top luxury brands in the US and works with better auction houses in New York and on the east coast of the U.S. We have relationships with art galleries focused on the curation of notable works of art to provide a deep and broad source of artwork to enhance your space, or to serve as the inspiration point. Our sources for hand-made rugs, unique hotel furnishings, and period-specific furnishings from overseas help us create interiors of distinction and sophistication.

Website: https://www.forshewdesign.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/forshewdesign
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forshewdesign
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forshewdesign
Podcast: https://welldesignedlives.com

The 'Share Your Story' Podcast

Thanks for you interest to appear on the Share Your Story Podcast. To book your interview with me, please select one of the available dates/times below.  Allow one hour please and we will be using Zoom, but you have the option for a video version or not. I am really looking forward to having you on the show very soon. If the timings don’t work for you, maybe due to time zones or something else, let me know and I will juggle a few things around. If you would like to suggest a different time slot, just complete the contact form at the very bottom of this page.

To learn about the full Podcast Interview process, you can download the Guest Guide right HERE or another link will be visible after booking and will also be emailed.

The podcast is currently distributed across 34 channels, you can locate 13 of those channels via this handy link: https://pod.link/shareyourstory, and by opening this PDF you will see all 34 channels in one handy list.

I estimate listener figures to be around the 10 to 15k mark, but I’m not into vanity numbers, just wish to provide great podcast content to those who are ready to listen and take action. I hope you agree!

Oh and if you know someone who might be interested in appearing on the show, please ask them to get in touch with me or they can complete the form below.

PODCAST DESCRIPTION:
The ‘Share Your Story’ podcast are interviews with small business owners. They begin by sharing their personal back story and their business growth journey, often sharing challenges along the way. Then we explore details of their current business offering and the tangible benefits they deliver to their clients. The purpose of the Podcast is to inspire start-ups and other business owners.

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Subscribe below 👇 to have new podcasts delivered direct to your inbox!

Or if you have a question for me, please do send it to me via the contact form below.

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Lucy Abigail - Founder of Keys to Clarity and Author of the Finding Direction Journal

Lucy Abigail is the sole founder of Keys to Clarity - empowerment coaching for fulfilment seekers; individuals who feel unhappy with their life and don't know how to change it.

Lucy’s words:

“I don't know about you, but I'm always trying to find more happiness, satisfaction and fulfilment in my life because I don't want to be on the other side with any regrets. I am a fulfilment seeker.

If you don't go for the big dreams, you can be content. Have a house, a good relationship, build a family. However there's always a part of you that knows what your missing out. You're paying all that additional happiness to be comfortable and content and secure within what you know. Here's a thought for you, if you don't put yourself in a position to fail, you never put yourself in a position to succeed either. All you're doing is sustaining who you are, you're not growing or learning, not succeeding. Just sustaining.

Keys to Clarity was set up to help others overcome obstacles (or opportunities as I call them) to their happiness. It's purpose is to encourage, educate and empower you to live a fulfilling life. It's what my life is dedicated to right now.

My hunt for happiness lead me into the world of positive psychology, the science behind all the best self-help books.

There, the world's most reputable psychologists became my teachers and with them I found answers to some of my life's hardest questions.

The foundation of what has helped me came from positive psychologists Richard Ryan and Edward Deci's Self-Determination Theory, which states autonomy, competence, and relatedness are essential psychological needs of any individual to be mentally healthy.

Studies on being self-determined, especially autonomous, have shown to increase well-being, performance in education, job satisfaction and reduced stress, overall leading to a happier and more fulfilling life.

I see a world where everyone has the knowledge and the confidence to live a fulfilling life that makes them happy.

I'd appreciate hearing your story! Please use the link to Calendly to book a connection call in the next few weeks. I'm looking forward to connecting with you.”

Do You Want Three Free Exercises to Live a More Fulfilling Life?: https://keystoclarity.ck.page/shareyourstory

Website: https://keystoclarity.co.uk
Finding Direction Journal: https://keystoclarity.co.uk/products/finding-direction-journal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-abigail
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keys_to_clarity/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoClarity.co.uk
Book mentioned in the interview: https://styin.me/the-gap-and-the-gain
Calendly connection call: https://calendly.com/keystoclarity/connection-call

James Marland - Global Vice President SAP, Sales Excellence and Storyteller

Storyteller. Educating companies of all sizes the benefits of Going Digital with Business Networks.

Having worked at both SAP and Ariba prior to the acquisition, James is uniquely positioned to drive the connection of the world's companies together with the SAP Business Network. For too long companies have focused on their internal processes, data and employees: its time to look "Beyond the Wall"​ to customers, suppliers, contractors and the "Intelligent extended value chain".

James says:
"I try to make a story-teller out of everyone through Social Media, new hire onboarding and mentoring. You'll see me passionately preaching the value of SAP to each new hire through my preferred medium of a whiteboard. In addition I contribute to the SAP story on social media via Twitter and blogs. Just don't expect to see me using PowerPoint. I run masterclasses throughout the company on "The Art of Explanation" which includes story-telling and whiteboarding."

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmarland
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesMarland

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Storytelling Graphic by James Marland

Adam Oliver - Illustrator, Animator and Toon Boom Trainer

I'm a 2D animator working with hand-drawn and digital cut-out techniques for TV, film and all the bits in between. In early 2017 I launched Toon Boom Trainer, an online training business focused on industry skills gaps. In 2020 this business became Adam's Animation Academy as part of my goal to serve a wider animation audience and improve the learning experience.

I've lived in Manchester since 2013, working at CHF Entertainment and Brown Bag Films. My most recent production is a preschool show with Irish company, Mooshku. since launching Toon Boom Trainer, I've worked with universities such as Edge Hill and Manchester School of Art, as well as in-house for studios like King Bee and Aardman Animations. I work directly with Toon Boom on their projects such as the recent Career Camps in Dublin and London, as well as a rigger for hire on their high profile production assignments.

In 2012 I worked on a children's TV series in Dublin, Ireland for Geronimo Productions. I used Adobe Flash (now Adobe Animate) to create high-quality character animation whilst keeping to that ever important weekly output (a minimum of 1 minute completed animation per week).

With my animation career, I've also completed work for Baby Cow Productions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Kavaleer, Aon (Manchester United F.C), Chevrolet, Colonel Blimp, Jimmy Carr, BBC, HIT Entertainment and more. Please read my CV for the full details!

In 2011 I worked at RMIT Melbourne as their 'animator in residence' and on a hand-drawn feature production (Titeuf Le Film) in 2010 in Dundee, Scotland. I've also lectured at universities in the UK and Australia.

Website: https://www.adamoliver.com
CV: https://www.adamoliver.com/c-v
Academy: https://www.adamsanimationacademy.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamoliveranimation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKanimator
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adamoliverillustration
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamtheanimator
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZL6yAsdQ19TAAfSJZkF1gg

Theresa Velendzas - Life and Wellness Coach

Theresa Velendzas is a Life Coach devoted to empowering people to reach their dream destiny through personal wellness. She is passionate about the psychology that guides people to fulfill their highest potential and guides them to align body, mind and heart. 

Fitness and Self Care became priorities for me much later in life and only after I felt trapped in my body. As a teen and young woman I had issues with body image, sure, but objectively, I was at normal body weight with practically zero fitness level.
It wasn't until after gaining 90 lbs as a result of several rounds of fertility treatments, miscarriages and finally a successful pregnancy, that as I finally held my beloved baby in my arms, I looked up at myself and didn't recognize me. I would pass by mirrors or take selfies with my baby, and not recognize ME. People reassured me that I had been through a lot and that women over 35 having babies have difficulty bouncing back, that it's to be expected, and that I will adapt.

But I felt trapped.

It wasn't a matter of having a picture-perfect image. My years of poor body image had brought on a sort of acceptance that my body would never do that. What I yearned for was something more meaningful. I didn't mind my mommy battle scars either. However, feeling trapped in my body did not have to be one of them. I did not want to accept something I could change. But how?
I took an inventory of my wishes, needs and resources and decided to take control of my body with care and compassion. This led to a fantastic wellness journey that started in 2008 and continues today. Along the way, there have been changes, life difficulties, personal & professional development, and ups and downs - but no more stops and starts. I am here today because of that moment I felt trapped in my body and decided to find the way out, and now I am here to share it with you. This is what inspired me to become a coach.

Begin Altraform

Coaching women in this holistic approach makes sense because as a mom and entrepreneur I know that we are balancing an enormous amount of overload and responsibility. Often we are polarized and also pulled in different directions. My biggest personal fear is that we allow ourselves to be pulled by all these forces and miss the things that give our lives meaning. I want to help others flourish physically, mentally, and emotionally to live a full life, without regret. How beautiful it feels to self-care without guilt and without "no pain no gain" bully tactics that I know do not work because I tried them on myself many a time.
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In my career before mommyhood, I worked with the elderly across long-term care settings. There were several individuals I consider mentors who touched me with their emanating sense of joy, contentment, and a natural way of nurturing their selves as well as others in their interactions. What leads a person to age gracefully and without regret, I wondered as I started my search for answers over 25 years ago. Mind-body self-care is essential. That is the road I am heading down in my life and I would love to walk alongside you on yours.
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My coaching is guided by the principles of Internal Family Systems. I am also a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and hold degrees in Psychology and Health Care Management. I believe that movement helps us connect to our body and that as we connect we can access our own path to wellness.

Besides my professional training, I learned through my own journey how hard it can be to zero in on goals, understand obstacles, and confidently move in the direction of success in fitness and weight loss. Going through this all showed me that my calling is to share and empower others to find their own path to intuitively understand what their body needs and know how to truly nourish it. Guiding you towards the fulfillment of your fitness and weight loss for optimal is health my mission and passion. Showing you how to self-correct and remove obstacles so you can succeed requires focused individualized attention from me to you.
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The systems are simple and once learned are yours forever to apply in many areas of your life. Using science and age-old wisdom packaged into a user-friendly system for the modern, very busy person, you will find ways to tap into your aligned self to become the best version of yourself you dream possible. Learn to instantly relieve stress, avoid self-sabotage and self-criticism, and many other negative traits that hold us back.

Through Altraform I offer a holistic approach to personalized coaching using the mind and body connection in ways that are accessible, adaptable, and known to fuel your success.

Website: https://www.altraform.pro or https://www.theresaWV.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/altraform + https://www.facebook.com/theresawv

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresa_wv

Clubhouse: TheresaWV

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresawalshvelendzas/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheresaWV

Diane Chang - Founder and Creative Director of Akushio

Diane Chang is the founder and Creative Director of Akushio, a sustainable specialty brand of travel bags and accessories for toiletries and cosmetics. As a skincare and makeup lover, Diane aims to take the stress and overwhelm out of packing your beauty products, so you can feel beautiful and confident no matter where you go. Later this year Diane’s product will be on Kickstarter.

Website: akushio.co

Instagram: instagram.com/akushio.co

Facebook: http://facebook.com/akushio.co

Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/beautipolitans

TikTok: tiktok.com/@akushio.co?lang=en

Kickstarter: TBC

Rupert Honywood interviews Michael on Look Forward Thursdays

Okay so a bit of self indulgence for you in this episode. I was invited by a previous guest and fan of the podcast, Rupert Honeywood of Business Growth Bureau to appear on his weekly live stream titled ‘Look Forward Thursdays’. This is my first speaking event since the start of the pandemic, so I said yes of course. Another opportunity to talk about my current passion, storytelling. 

We came up with a jazzy title ‘Your brain is wired for stories and how to implement this in your business’. 

We discussed the following 5 topics.

1. How storytelling affects your brain 

2. Research on the use of visuals 

3. The Ebbinghaus forgetting curve 

4. How you experience the Hero’s Journey 

5. How to implement this in your business from tomorrow

Now of course we discuss some visuals that I shared, which you can’t see on an audio podcast but if you look below you will be able to see them all there for downloading. Anyway I hope you will find it useful and of course reach out if you have any questions at all. Enjoy!

Look Forward Thursdays: https://businessgrowthbureau.tv/event1/
Storytelling Workshop: https://www.stayingaliveuk.com/share-your-story
LinkedIn Rupert Honywood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupert-honywood
LinkedIn Michael de Groot: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stayingaliveuk

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Marijana Dragojevic - Mind-Body-Nutrition Coach

After many years of working in a bank, earning what most would consider good money, but not enjoying a moment there, I have finally built up the courage to say no to work I hated and began my search for a career, that is fulfilling and meaningful.

It started by looking for answers to my own health and weight issues.

The following 2 decades led me down countless avenues, some by choice and some by chance. No matter how many changes I made in my personal and professional life there seemed to be one constant - my interest in food and health.

These 2 worlds collided in a bad way during my first pregnancy when I gained 70 pounds! I didn’t just gain weight, I became unhealthy. In search of answers and help, naturally I turned to my doctors and to traditional medicine. Years went by bouncing from specialist to specialist, without seeing any results.

At the same time, I began exploring the healing power of food. I made a lot of improvements to my health by changing my diet. However, studying nutrition, I found a lot of contradictory information that made me confused, not sure whom to believe. It took me a while to realise that there is no “one size fits all” solution. It was a process of trial and error. Over time I’ve learned to listen to the feedback from my body. In my experience, changing my relationship with food was so much more powerful than I could imagine and I knew there was much more to learn.

This led me to discover the Institute for the Psychology of Eating and in turn this gave me the opportunity to consolidate everything I learnt over the years.

The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when, at the start of 2019, I discovered that I have insulin resistance. My research into this problem led me to finding out about keto.

At first, I didn’t know much, if anything about keto, but for some reason I had a negative opinion of it. I remember first hearing about keto and thinking; I wouldn’t and couldn’t even eat like that. I also remember feeling that this was going to be another trendy diet here today and gone tomorrow.

My opinion started to change when I began reading about reversing the causes of insulin resistance from some of the leading functional doctors in the field today.

The amazing work of people such as Dr. Anna Cabeca and her book ‘The Hormone Fix’ and Dr. Will Cole’s ‘Ketotarian’ started to open my eyes to the possibilities. I wasn’t quite sold that easily but now I was listening, so with nothing to lose I decided to put their ideas into practise using myself and my insulin resistance as the test subject.

As you can imagine I was blown away by the results and the ease with which my body became keto adapted. Just as impressive as the health benefits was the speed with which the weight came off, I wasn’t obese to begin with but I was starting to believe that my slight excess in weight was just part of being a woman in her 60s, I was wrong!

I was all in! I ordered a bunch of books on keto and quickly enrolled in a course with one of the leading names in the game, Dr. Berg.

Now that I am a certified keto coach I can say something truly amazing; my clients are reporting the same amazing experiences as me!

Website: www.greenmindfulketo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenmindfulketo
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/ketoforbusypeopleover40
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marijana-dragojevic-849b7b39

Michael de Groot - Interviews with BBC Hereford and Worcester

I’m a Dutchman and I’m hugely passionate about storytelling.

My quest is to enable small business owners become better storytellers and share engaging stories about themselves and their businesses.

I do this through my own small business, Staying Alive UK, where we enjoy producing visually impactful cartoons and animation campaigns, engaging audiences and giving them a unique insight into an organisation’s story and value proposition. One of our future aims is to deliver these stories via Augmented Reality (AR) too. In addition we also deliver the ‘Share Your Story’ Storytelling Workshops online to help business owners develop their own story blueprint.

I am the host and producer of the ‘Share Your Story’ Podcast, where I invite small business owners to share their own stories with the aim of inspiring new and existing business owners.

In my personal time, I’m a student of Taiko Drumming, Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation and Minimalism. Just my own way of developing a more meaningful life.

Michael de Groot
Chief Storyteller at Staying Alive UK

Website: /stayingaliveuk.com
LinkedIn: /linkedin.com/in/stayingaliveuk
Twitter: /twitter.com/stayingaliveuk
Facebook: /facebook.com/stayingaliveuk
Instagram: /instagram.com/stayingaliveuk
YouTube: /youtube.com/c/MichaeldeGroot
Podcast: /pod.link/shareyourstory
Book an interview: /zoom.as.me/podcast

Alan Bates - Stage Hypnotist and Hypnotherapist

Alan Bates is a Comedy stage Hypnotist and is the current Chairman of the Federation of Ethical Stage Hypnotists, F.E.S.H and a full member of British Equity.

Based in the United Kingdom, Alan has been spellbinding audiences with his Hypnosis Shows on Television and in Theatre worldwide for several years.

In his early years Alan found work as a DJ / Presenter in England and then went to work in the Caribbean aboard a Cruise Liner as a Casino Manager.

Alan’s early fascination with hypnosis prompted him to study psychology and on his return to England he soon developed his own show combining comedy with hypnosis.

Alan Bates regularly appears on TV and TVM’s Xarabank in Malta which is enjoying immense success with ‘High Viewer’ ratings. The TV concept is a fusion of humour and real phobias and psychological problems with live audience participation where positive life changing results are witnessed on air. Please see a sample link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t24EyGtXElE

Alan is a true Master of the Art and in addition he specialises in ‘Stop Smoking’ and Weight Loss’ he has also enjoyed huge therapeutic success with the mind’s ability to cure serious phobias and psychological issues.

Samples of TV appearances include, the Graham Norton Show, RTE the Saturday Night Show, UTV World Movies, RTM Malaysia, PBS and TVM Malta.

In addition to TV, Alan has performed live shows in the following countries; Bahrain,

Doha, Dubai, East Africa, Egypt, Sri-Lanka, Europe, India, Malta, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the United States. The highlight of his overseas tours to date was an invitation to perform for the Royal Family of Brunei

Live performance Theatre venues have included the Pavilion Theatre Worthing, Royal Court Theatre Liverpool, the Beck Theatre Middlesex, Theatre 7 Shrewsbury, Floral Pavilion New Brighton, Benidorm Palace Spain, Oldham Coliseum Theatre and King Georges Hall Blackburn.

Alan has published 5 books, Wide Awake, Confessions of a Hypnotist, True Ghost Stories, Trade Secrets and UFO’s It’s Time to Wake Up which are available via Amazon in paperback and kindle.

Website: https://alanbateshypnotherapy.tv 

Books: https://alanbateshypnotherapy.tv/books-sales

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-bates-318a041a/

#TheOpenMike Podcast S5:E1 - Storytelling with Michael de Groot

Hey and welcome to #TheOpenMike

On today’s episode, I'm excited to be covering the topic of Storytelling.

YOU CAN ALSO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST BY CLICKING HERE

Today's influencer guest is Michael de Groot from Staying Alive UK Ltd and Michael is based in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, In the United Kingdom

Michael covers a 'deep dive' including five key strategies to help you with your Storytelling inc:

• The difference between the storytelling in most adverts versus the storytelling in the movies.

• How the framework of a story is built up.

• Attention + Tension = A.Tension

• What role does ‘The Hero's Journey’ play in storytelling?

• How storytelling affects the brain to make decisions?

I would highly recommend that you go check out Michael's Storytelling Online Workshop to increase your skills to share meaningful stories.

In the Podcast Michael shares these 3 pro tips for you on Storytelling to help you get started fast, including:

• How to understand what are your clients pain points, how can you create more and amplify the pain identification and relevance

• Tips on ensuring you focus hard and understand the audience you are addressing, with a target target target approach.

• How to be clear about the output of your story, what are you expecting in advance, is this to ask the audience to buy something, book a call and, when they speak to their friends, what would they say about your story?

We also cover how Storytelling affects the brain to make decisions including:

• Neurocoupling turns ideas and connects the story as their own in our brains

• Mirroring is where you see yourself in that position or recognise it as something similar to what you are or have experienced

• Cortex Activity is when the brain fires what you are imagining as real (like a runner) pretending and visualising running the 100m - their body reacts even though its imaginary

• The pleasure chemical the emotion that stories provide is known as Dopamine.

Also, Michael provides you with some amazing resources to kick start your Storytelling journey including a Storytelling canvas (download your editable version here).

Podcast Host:

Mike Midgley is an experienced entrepreneur and executive board professional with venture capital experience and a proven track record in high growth business strategies. Throughout his career, Mike has achieved successful six and seven-figure exits plus he has raised over £1.6m in Venture capital and franchised his businesses over 68 times. As a podcast Host, Keynote Speaker, Angel Investor, Executive Coach and Non-Executive Director, he provides a motivational ‘hands-on’ driven approach that is supported by an extensive skill set across the fundamental disciplines of business. Outside of his executive services, Mike still plays an active role as the Growth Engine Architect within The SuccessHub's HubSpot Inbound Certified Partner Agency channel that supports High growth SME's and Mid Corporate / Enterprise clients. Mike is passionate about giving back to the community, he is an active Business Mentor for Doncaster Councils 100 Mentor Program, plus he contributes to the SuccessHub Community Program and Charitable work where he raises money for his favourite charity the NSPCC.

https://www.thesuccesshub.io

https://blog.thesuccesshub.io

https://blog.thesuccesshub.io/podcasts

Alan Smithson - Entrepreneur, Investor, Virtual - Augmented Reality Pioneer and DJ

Alan Smithson is an entrepreneur and investor who has always been on the cutting edge of emerging technologies. After graduating from University of Guelph with a Molecular Biology degree, Alan realized technology and music were his passions. He pursued a career in the DJ industry which developed into an AV Production & DJ Company, Star Productions Inc; leading to the creation of the EMULATOR, the world’s first touchscreen DJ System. His latest endeavor as Co-Founder & CEO of MetaVRse has entered him into the world of virtual and augmented reality experiences, becoming a leader in business applications for AR/VR and providing insight into this exploding field of technologies. Alan has been recognized as an industry pioneer, and was recently mentioned in an article on “10 Virtual Reality Leaders you should follow in 2016”. Equally comfortable behind a turntable or a group of Fortune 500 executives, Alan continues to evolve MetaVRse and its innovations, and is working on his third book, “Immersive Technology for Business”.

http://metavrse.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alansmithson

https://www.instagram.com/metavrse

https://twitter.com/metavrse

https://www.facebook.com/metavrse

Hamilton Perkins - Young Entrepreneur and Environmentalist

Hamilton is the founder and President of Hamilton Perkins Collection, an e-commerce retailer, offering designer travel bags at an affordable price, while holding the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

Hamilton Perkins Collection has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, The Washington Post, and Money Magazine.  Hamilton Perkins Collection has hosted trunk shows at Bloomingdale’s and was the winner of the 2016 Virginia Velocity Tour business pitch competition hosted by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.   

Prior to starting Hamilton Perkins Collection, Hamilton was an Investment Advisor at Merrill Lynch and, earlier, worked as an Analyst at Bank of America.  

He has also served in a leadership capacity with various non-profit organizations and has been recognized for his volunteer work and service hours assisting low-income populations.

Hamilton is also a contributing blogger for The Huffington Post.  He is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a degree in Business Administration and he earned his M.B.A. from William and Mary.

http://hamiltonperkins.com 

Use coupon code 'stayingaliveuk' at checkout to receive 10% discount on your earth bag.  Thank you Hamilton!

http://huffingtonpost.com/author/hperkins-584 

https://twitter.com/HamiltonPerkins 

https://www.facebook.com/hamiltonperkins 

https://www.instagram.com/hamiltonperkins 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamiltonperkins

Michael de Groot - Interviewed by Phil Gerbyshak about Storytelling

Sometimes you interview someone, and their story just clicks. Talking with Michael de Groot about sharing your story to sell more was one of those times. In this all too brief conversation with Michael.

About Michael de Groot, as told by Michael de Groot:

It took me a while to discover what I truly enjoy. And when I realised that I have always been interested in computers and more laterally the internet plus assisting people, I can truly say I am now experiencing my dream job. Working for myself of course is the first priority, assisting others to grow is the second priority, everything else just follows.

Staying Alive UK is about just 1 key objective delivered across 2 disciplines. My key objective is coaching businesses and business professionals to become better storytellers.

My business tool of choice is of course LinkedIn and it is the best place to share your personal and/or business story. So this is one half of my business and a major part of my coaching.

The other half is assisting businesses and specifically creative agencies to enhance their storytelling techniques through Whiteboard Animation. An almost childlike medium allowing stories to come alive through hand drawing illustrations and unfolding stories frame by frame. Time to ‘Share Your Story’. 

Connect more with Michael de Groot

Website/Blog: http://stayingaliveuk.com

Webinars: http://linkedinlectures.com

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/stayingaliveuk

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stayingaliveuk

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stayingaliveuk

Mixcloud: http://mixcloud.com/stayingaliveuk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayingaliveuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maedegroot

Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/user/michaeldegroot

Medium: https://medium.com/@stayingaliveuk

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/stayingaliveuk

Phil Gerbyshak is the Chief Digital Officer of Vengreso and is a co-founder. He’s an award-winning speaker, an author and a technology geek who has been using digital to build business for nearly 20 years when he hand coded his first website dedicated to his favorite decade, the 80s. 

Since the early days of the Internet, Phil has built websites, communities and bank accounts using the latest tools integrated into the classic needs of sales and marketing. A teacher at heart, Phil has delivered programs for audiences of 5 to 500, for the Fortune 50 to the smallest businesses and he’s been featured in articles in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Financial Times, Daily Globe and Mail, Inc.com and Entrepreneur.com to name just a few places. 

When Phil isn’t teaching digital sales transformation, creating content, or reading the latest business book, you can find him playing pinball, walking on Florida’s beaches or enjoying one of 50 craft breweries in the Tampa Bay area.

Rebecca Bell - Strategic Communicator and Marketing Expert

Rebecca is driven by the challenge of making positive change happen in technology and digital business via effective communications, marketing and stakeholder engagement.

With more than 20 years' experience across a range of marketing, strategic planning, communications, sales acceleration and enablement disciplines, she excels in building teams and strategies that accelerate business success and create advocacy.

Her focus is on getting things right in 3 areas: 

1. The right comms or marketing strategy

2. Communications, content and messaging which delivers impact

3. Creating strong engagement with your audiences

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebbell/

https://twitter.com/rebell

Karen Yankovich - Online Entrepreneur

Karen has worked in corporate America, owned small businesses, and been an entrepreneur and a solo-preneur. She built her multiple 6-figure business by learning how to blend high-touch relationship based marketing with practical business online savvy. She is known as the ‘LinkedIn Queen’, and is an expert in online marketing.

Karen’s mission is to empower entrepreneurs to build highly profitable businesses doing what they love, all while making an impact.

• As an entrepreneur she helps business owners develop and maintain a cohesive, authentic and professional brand presence online to increase their profits.

• Karen has found her sweet spot combining her business experience and talents and she loves helping her clients find theirs.

https://linkedin.com/in/karenyankovich 

https://twitter.com/karenyankovich

https://www.facebook.com/karenyankovich 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8iXVucCrQNarFf3V_mvNIw 

https://www.instagram.com/karenyankovich/ 

And here is the link of the Ted Talk we mentioned in the podcast.

Casey Brown: Know your worth, and then ask for it.

AJ Wilcox - Online Marketer and Ads Specialist

AJ loves the concept of being present when customers are at the bottom of the funnel, and who are ready to make a purchase.

He has been an online marketer since 2007 and he’s managed hundreds of Google AdWords campaigns. He’s always been fascinated by the lead quality from intent-based targeting. 

He was introduced to advertising on LinkedIn in 2014. He figured that it likely wasn’t a good platform because he hadn’t heard of it before then. As he continued to dive deeper into LinkedIn, he began to see the value that he felt the industry had not picked up on. He then founded B2Linked in an effort to spread the success he was experiencing through LinkedIn advertising to other companies.

He’s extremely active in the online marketing community. He’s a LinkedIn Certified Ads Partner, he manages the official LinkedIn Ads group forum, and he’s a board member of SLC | SEM among other things. He’s an exotic car nut and a triathlete. I lives in Utah with his wife and 4 kids.

Website: http://b2linked.com/about/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wilcoxaj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/B2Linked/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilcoxaj/

Vicky Franklin - Bowen Therapist

Vicky has been playing sport and riding horses since she could walk.

To reach her goal of treating Horses and Riders, she had to start with the Human Bowen.  Bardley Bowen is a small private clinic offering horses, riders and humans Bowen Therapy

Bowen is a very gentle complimentary therapy that works on a whole range of conditions including muscular skeletal, emotional and visceral dysfunctions. 

It is believed to work by stimulating the nervous system, and by acting as a ‘factory re-set’ for the body it helps the body to restore optimum structure, functionality and health.

Bowen is good for both acute and chronic issues. It treats the whole person and because it is so gentle, it is effective for animals and humans of all age ranges.

https://www.facebook.com/BardleyBowen

http://www.bardleybowen.co.uk

vicky@bardleybowen.co.uk