Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast

The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN for our March 2025 intake. Find out more (and apply to join) here, before the doors close on Monday, March 31st. In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, One Percenter Ben Proudlove shares his journey of founding Merrow Scientific, a company specialising in high-end scientific instruments. He discusses the unique niche his business occupies, the challenges he faced transitioning from a scientist to an entrepreneur, and the valuable lessons learned over 21 years in business. Additionally, Ben explores the role of philosophy in guiding his business decisions and personal growth, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and judgment in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. In this conversation, Ben shares insights from his 21-year journey in business, emphasising the importance of stoic philosophy, mindset, and process in navigating challenges. He discusses personal experiences, the significance of coaching and understanding individual motivations, and the intersection of sports and business. The conversation highlights the need for reflection on achievements and the driving 'why' behind their work, ultimately defining what an ambitious lifestyle business looks like. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

In this solo epsiode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses, and founder of the One Percent Club reads the very first chapter of his forthcoming book "Retention First: Why Existing Customers Are Key to Growth" If you would like to be a beta reader for the book, email [email protected].

Hey, it's John here – and I've got some BIG news for you. 🚀 Right now, the doors to the One Percent Club are OPEN for our March intake! 🎉 If you're a small business owner looking for consistent, sustainable growth – without working 100-hour weeks or burning yourself out – this is your chance to join a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, all focused on making 1% improvements every single week. Here's what you get as a One Percenter: ✅ Three, 90-minute coaching calls each month to keep you on track and accountable. ✅ 90-day planning sessions – so you know exactly what to focus on. ✅ Direct access to Jason for 1-2-1 support – whenever you need it. ✅ A proven system to help you work ON your business, not just IN it. ✅ And most importantly – a community of business owners who get it. If you're tired of going it alone, trying to figure everything out yourself, and getting distracted by every new shiny thing… this is for you. But here's the thing – we only open the doors twice a year. And when they close, they're shut until September. So if you want to grow your business, improve your lifestyle, and make 2024 your best year yet, head over to bigidea.co.uk/one-percent-club and grab your spot before it's too late. Join us now at bigidea.co.uk/one-percent-club – and let's make those 1% improvements together. See you inside! 💪

Improving your business by just 1% every week is the path to steady, sustainable growth that lasts. In this solo epsiode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses, and founder of the One Percent Club breaks down just how easy it can be, rattling off 36 ways you could improve your small business by 1% this week.

We all set big goals, and then dream about how brilliant life will be when we hit them. But how often do we consider what life will be like if we DON'T achieve them? In today's short episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, bestselling author of Big Ideas.. for Small Businesses explains how imagining telling your kids they WON'T be going to Walt Disney World after all increases the odds that you WILL meet Micky and Donald after all...

Are you a financial advisor who hasn't got an ISA? An accountant who misses the tax deadline for your own self assessment? A builder with a half-finished kitchen at home? Well then, today's short episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is for you - as John Lamerton, bestselling author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses encourages you to be your own client - and explains how lucrative that can be...

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, John and Jason interview One Percenter Simon Fisher, who describes himself as "that property guy from Torbay who loves networking, travelling, sport & business." Simon shares his journey navigating various business ventures, including web design, mortgage brokering, a jet ski business and an estate agency. He discusses the importance of seizing opportunities, the challenges faced in different markets, and the dynamics of running a family business. Simon also reflects on the concept of a 'false exit' and how he plans to continue contributing to his business while delegating responsibilities to his family. In this conversation, Simon Fisher discusses the evolution of his business and personal mindset, emphasising the importance of delegation, building a diverse leadership team, and creating a sustainable business model that aligns with his lifestyle goals. He shares insights from his journey, including the impact of running on his mindset, the value of mentorship, and the necessity of letting go of control to empower his team. Simon also reflects on the challenges of small business ownership and the importance of adapting to changes in the market.

I got a new fish tank recently. It's three times the size of my old one, and full of REAL plants, soil, sand etc. In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, I explain what happened when I introduced my old fish to their new home...

December 20th 2024 was the shortest day. From here on in, it's constant, never-ending improvement. Marginal gains every day, gaining an extra minute in the morning, and/or a minute in the evening. No noticeable difference whatsoever from day to day. After a week, we gain 10 minutes of daylight a day. Whoop-de-do. After a month, we get an extra hour a day. Now we're talking! We start to notice the difference - eventually waking up in daylight, or driving home in daylight (for me, one of the first signs is leaving a football match in the daylight around late February.) After six months of constant never-ending improvement, we gain an extra 8 hours, 48 minutes and 38 seconds of daylight - a world of difference. But it all happened little-by-little, day-by-day. And so it is with your business - if you're following the One Percent Way, you're making your business 1% better every week - an improvement that you won't even notice for months - but that eventually you'll look back over dozens (or eventually hundreds!) of weekly 1% gains, and the difference will be like night and day...

Summary In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, business book author John Lamerton discusses the influence of Rory Sutherland, particularly his book 'Alchemy', which highlights the importance of psycho-logical solutions in addressing problems that seem to require logical fixes. John illustrates this with examples from the London Underground and even proposes a rebranding of Inheritance Tax to enhance public perception and engagement. He shows how small businesses can adopt these psycho-logical insights to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. You can get a FREE chapter of John's book Big Ideas... for Small Businesses here.

Is your Marketing strategy primarily inbound, or outbound? Despite having written a bestselling business book (Evergreen Assets) about an inbound, content marketing led strategy, John Lamerton doesn't suggest that this is necessarily the best option for YOU. In this short, solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John explains the difference between the two strategies, and suggests you may want to do BOTH...

Every year in the One Percent Club, John and Jason ask One Percenters to start the year by pondering TWO questions: What's the ONE thing you want to acheive in 2025? What's the SYSTEM that's going to get you there? This is a really simple exercise, but sticking to that system for a whole year is more difficult...

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, hosts John and Jason interview Martin Ross, a travel counselor who shares his journey from working at Disneyland Paris to building a successful lifestyle business in travel. Martin discusses his experiences in the travel industry, the challenges of starting a new business, and the importance of finding a niche. He also emphasises the role of content creation and marketing in his business, as well as the benefits of incremental improvements and the use of AI to streamline processes. Throughout the conversation, Martin highlights the significance of balancing work and lifestyle, particularly in his life in France. They discuss the evolution of content creation and personal branding in the travel industry. They explore how technology has made it easier for individuals to generate content and build a brand without needing a large team. Martin shares insights on the importance of reflection for business improvement, the necessity of marketing as a core function of any business, and how to define an ambitious lifestyle that allows for personal fulfillment while achieving business goals.. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas.. for Small Businesses talks us through the biggest mistake he ever made - spending £250,000 building a business that earned him just £750 before being shut down.

Just because you've worked out something on a spreadsheet, doesn't mean that you'll get the same results when working with actual, real humans... In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, bestselling business book author John Lamerton show us how human psychology comes into play, and defies all logic!

When you create Evergreen Assets, you do the work ONCE, and reap the rewards again and again (and again!). That's the OPPOSITE of what's happening in my garden right now, where I seem to have acquired a new full-time job!

In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Evergreen Assets: Do the Work Once, Reap the Rewards Again and Again (and Again!) explains why you should be BOTH an explorer AND an exploiter.

In this Christmas special edition of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John and Jason reflect on the key themes of the past year, focusing on the importance of vision and values in business. They discuss how genuine values shape company culture and attract the right team and clients. The conversation also touches on the political landscape, economic challenges like inflation, and the significance of seizing opportunities. Jason shares his Book of the Year, highlighting insights from Boris Johnson's memoir, emphasizing the power of vision in leadership. In this conversation, Jason and John delve into the leadership style of Boris Johnson, emphasizing the importance of communication and vision in leadership. They also discuss insights from the book 'Die with Zero' by Bill Perkins, which focuses on retirement planning and the importance of spending wisely throughout life. The conversation also touches on personal reflections about aging, ambition, and the desire to live a fulfilling life, culminating in a discussion about setting intentions for the upcoming year. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

Would you rather have a £10 discount, or a £2 glass of wine? As a buiness owner, would you rather give a £10 discount, or a £2 glass of wine (that's worth £10 to the customer)? In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses explains why you should be able to find the £2 glass of wine in YOUR business.

You've got to choose one or the other - you've either got to be the BIGGEST (in which case you HAVE to beat all rivals, else you WILL lose)... Or, you can be the ONLY - in which case, no one can compete with you - and you're guaranteed to win. In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, author John Lamerton explains why he's the ONLY "normal bloke from Plymouth writing books for ambitious lifestyle business owners, to help them improve their business and lifestyle by 1% each week."

Charlie Munger advised us to "make friends with the eminent dead". Sadly, Charlie is no longer with us, and is one of those "eminent dead" himself. In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas.. for Small Businesses introduces us to some of his dead friends...

In this short episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, bestselling business author John Lamerton explains why "a little leverage is a great thing", but a lot could spell DISASTER.

Today We're Joined By One Percenter Dav Thomas, for whom life revolves around design and creativity, something he's channelled into an innovative tabletop gaming accessories business. Dav shares the challenges he's faced, including burnout, the importance of seeking help, and the role of COVID-19 in providing him with a much-needed break. We also look at the lessons learned from crowdfunding, the significance of saying no, and the desire for a balanced lifestyle. Dav emphasizes the importance of creativity in business and the need to prioritize personal well-being over work. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

In this short episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton shares the FIVE "magic ingredients" from his bestselling book Big Ideas... for Small Businesses - Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business GROW.

In this short episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton asks: "what impact would a £350,000 lottery win have on your lifestyle?" The lottery win is ficticious, but the impact on your lifestyle doesn't have to be... You can get a FREE chapter of ANY of John's best selling business books - just CLICK HERE.

In this short episode of the Ambitous Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton looks at an accountant using direct mail to acquire clients with a Lifetime Value of £20,000 - for just £91. John shares the LTV > CAC formula from his forthcoming book Retention First (due out in 2025), and explains why you should focus on increasing Lifetime Value, NOT reducing Customer Acquisition Cost.

In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses and Evergreen Assets explains why his brand new, sexy-AF kitchen tap is useless - and why YOUR business needs to avoid falling into the same trap.

In this solo epsiode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of the bestselling book Routine Machine explains how ONE simple change to his dog's food could add years to his life - and life to his years! Whether you've got a furry friend or not - this podcast IS NOT about the dog - it's about the ROUTINE.

One Percenter Gary shares his journey from running a lifestyle business to building an ambitious lifestyle business. He discusses the personal challenges he faced, including family health issues and the impact of COVID-19 and Brexit on his business. Gary reflects on the strain in his partnership, the difficult conversations he had to navigate, and the divergence of visions and values between him and his business partner. He emphasizes the importance of community support and outlines his future plans for the business, including family involvement and creating a sustainable model that allows for growth without sacrificing personal time. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN (but close at 9pm on Monday 30th September) I'm BANNED from playing Monopoly in my own house. But that doesn't stop me from playing Monopoly in REAL LIFE - and winning the game of business by doing so. Click here to find out more about the One Percent Club, and how it can help you.

The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN. In today's episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton (author of Big Ideas.. for Small Businesses) explains why it took him NINE MONTHS to earn £13.51 - and how this was the MOMENT he knew he'd be successful. Click here to find out more about the One Percent Club, and how it can improve your business AND your lifestyle.

The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN. In today's episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton explains why there's no "smoke and mirrors" at play with the One Percent Club. No "selling from the stage" No "escalation models" designed to fleece you of every penny. No "£1,997 courses" or "Cayman Island Masterminds". No fake discounts for the "first 50 people to run to the back of the room". Just one price - £127/month - and a focus on lifelong relationships. No smoke and mirrors required. Click here to find out more about the One Percent Club

In this bite-sized solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses, explains what happens when his car disappeared from his driveway overnight - and why he was actually GRATEFUL for it!

Karen Hardie, Owner Of Xheight - A Branding & Packaging Design Agency, joins us to discuss: 🦩 The stigma around lifestyle businesses - and whether you can have SERIOUS goals as a lifestyle business owner. 🎯 The importance of setting goals that you TRULY desire. 💍 Marrying your business partner. 🏖️ Testing running a business from abroad. 😎 How Karen does life AND business on her terms. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts... The One Percent Club is NOW OPEN. Click here to read how the One Percent Club could improve your business AND your lifestyle.

Doors to the One Percent Club are now open. BUT... Please listen to this 5-minute solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast BEFORE joining - because the One Percent Club is NOT for everyone. It's why doors are closed for 83% of the year. It's why we have set criteria for the people who can (and can't!) join. And it's why we famously have a "no d***heads" rule - yes really! Click here to see what the One Percent Club is, and how it can help improve your business AND your lifestyle.

How do you deal with customer complaints? In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business, John Lamerton, author of bestselling business books such as Big Ideas... for Small Businesses, Evergreen Assets and Routine Machine explains why it should be "the end of the world" for EVERY complaint you get...

I made a deal with Dave Grohl on the Foo Fighters' recent UK tour. Dave & Co put existing customers (fans) first - BEFORE trying to win new ones. In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses explains the power of "Retention First" thinking.

I actually told one of my One Percenters to go and get a job at Starbucks. I explain why in this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast - and it's NOT because I wanted him to quit his business and "get a real job"...

You may have seen this image doing the rounds on social media: In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses explains why this is a TERRIBLE idea, that could actually KILL your business if you blindly follow the advice.

Ambitious, Lifestyle Business owners John and Jason meet to discuss: ⚽ The importance of "process over outcome" - even if you're looking to win a European football tournament... 🏖️ Why Jason is (seriously) looking to emigrate. 🤬 The biggest challenges facing small business owners right now. 🦩 How the One Percent Club could help with those challenges (doors open next month - September 1st) The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

How does a weekly email that DOESN'T sell ANYTHING help you market your product/service? By using the exact technique that Walt Disney deployed 70 years ago to launch Disneyland...

After hiring more than 30 people, here are the 5 things I believe you need, in order to hire an A-player: You need to know what an A-player looks like. Always be hiring. It's worth paying more for A-players. The first 100 days (after hiring) are crucial. You will make mistakes. Correct them quickly. What other tips would you add?

Would you pay £5 million for a "really nice view"? In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses runs the numbers on his dream house - and asks "can you put a price on freedom?"

Running a small business is like playing Snakes & Ladders - just as you feel you're about to win the game, you land on a snake.. and find yourself almost back where you started. There are ladders in this game though - and if you know where to find them, and how to increase your chances of landing on one, you're more likely to beat your competition. In this 5-minute solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton show you how to "rig the game" in your favour - ensuring that, as long as you keep rolling the dice, you WILL win.

Suzy Watson, founder of Explore Norfolk UK, discusses her experience with various online businesses, including network marketing, selling dog collars, and weight loss pills. Suzy emphasizes the importance of passion in building a successful business and highlights the need for authenticity. She also talks about her membership of the One Percent Club and how it has helped her make incremental improvements in her business. In this episode, We discuss: ❤ Why passion is crucial in building a successful business. Having a genuine interest and enthusiasm for what you do will keep you motivated and help you connect with your audience. 😇 How being true to yourself and your values will resonate with customers and build trust. 🤝 Why joining a supportive community, like the 1% Club, can provide valuable guidance, accountability, and ideas for growing your business. 📈 Making incremental improvements in your business every week can lead to long-term success. Focus on being 1% better each week. 📜 The Could Do List is a powerful tool for capturing ideas and creating a 90-day plan based on the most impactful ones. ⏰ Blocking out "1% time" each day to work on specific tasks can help you prioritize and move your business forward.

How do you get the perfect blend of Sales vs Marketing? In this solo 5-minute episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Evergreen Assets, explains the importance of getting the balance just right - and the HORRIBLE taste that will be in your customer's mouths if you get it wrong...

In school, we're taught that copying others is bad. However, in this 5-minute solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton explains how copying the right people is a sure-fire way to guarantee yourself success.

Can you have a lifestyle business AND get rich? Can you scale a business, AND have a life? In this 5-minute solo episode, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses explains how you can leverage the pendulum of ambition and lifestyle to design your very own ambitious, lifestyle business.

Meet Phil Allen. Phil blows stuff up for a living. 💥 His company, Entertainment Effects provides special effects, pyrotechnics and water features to live sport, music, TV and corporate events. Flames 🔥 Confetti Cannons 🎊 Fountains ⛲ Smoke Machines 🌫 Phil is our guest on the Ambitious, Lifestyle Business podcast this month, where we discuss: 📈 How Phil TREBLED his business in a couple of years. 📕 The ONE book that changed everything. 😨 The pressure of letting someone ELSE detonate explosive material near Premier League footballers. 👨‍💻 How Phil generates a HUGE ROI from investing in tech (hint: he's not buying Nvidia shares!) 🧗‍♂️ The more than 100 "1% improvements" that Phil has stacked up over the past three years.

Kris Oldland launched 1927 Media in 2013 and over ten years, built his primary brand Field Service News to be a global leader in the field, before disaster struck - and Kris was forced to sell the business - worth £2.6million at its peak - for £1,000. In this powerful episode, Kris bears all and tells us: 💬 The key mistakes that he made leading to the collapse.. 💬 The warning signs he ignored for years. 💬 Why it's important to separate you, from your business. 💬 The value of a business partner who is different to you. 💬 Why he views his experience as a "ten-year MBA" - and is determined to return stronger. This episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast (and the previous 112) is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.