In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Vikas Shah, a true entrepreneurial trailblazer. Starting his business journey in his teens, Vikas went on to purchase his father’s textiles company, transforming it into a thriving business in today’s competitive market.

We delve into his early ventures, the challenges of taking over a family business, and how he has navigated the complexities of entrepreneurship while preserving tradition. Vikas shares valuable lessons on resilience, innovation, and the importance of adaptability in business.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a business owner, or someone looking to learn from the experiences of a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice.

Tune in for a conversation filled with insight, passion, and a fresh perspective on what it takes to succeed in business.

In this episode of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we chat with Naomi Timperley, a tech innovator, mentor, and community builder. From launching Baby Loves Disco to mentoring over 500 entrepreneurs, Naomi shares her journey of resilience and reinvention.

We explore her Dragon’s Den experience, founding Tech North Advocates, and her mission to put the North on the global map. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, tech enthusiast, or changemaker, this episode offers insights and inspiration from one of Manchester’s brightest minds.

Tune in for advice, stories, and a fresh take on creating lasting impact!

In Episode 6 of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we sit down with personal branding trailblazer Ash Jones. As a pioneer in shaping personal brands across the UK - especially in Manchester - building the profiles of names like Gary Neville and Sacha Lord.

Join us as Ash shares his journey into the world of personal branding, his experiences working alongside industry giants, and how he’s redefining the game for entrepreneurs and influencers alike.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with one of the leading voices in personal branding today! ___________________________________________________________________________

Check out our socials!

https://www.instagram.com/gmgmpodcast

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

Ash’s LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-jones-85363975/

Produced, Recorded, Edited, and Published from Ministry of Work. https://www.ministryofwork.co.uk

In this episode, we talk to pioneer of local lager Will Evans— an adopted Manc who had a mission to make a beer that ‘tastes like home’ for Greater Manchester. 

Will dreamt of having his own brewery since his first sip of beer as a kid and these days, he’s making his lifelong dreams come true.

Owning ‘Manchester Union Lager’, ‘Wandering Palate’ in Monton and soon to open ‘The Trading Route’, a new, pioneering lager house in the heart of Manchester, Will has certainly established himself as a centre of the Manchester Hospitality community. 

Listen in to hear about Will’s journey working for industry giants and how he ended up as a serial entrepreneur.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-evans-94658892/ https://manchesterunionbrewery.com/ https://www.wanderingpalate.co.uk/ https://thetradingroute.co.uk/

In episode 4 of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we chat with Helen Hardy, a Geordie entrepreneur who moved Manchester.

Helen is the founder of FOUDYS, the leading retailer of women's football merchandise.

She shares how she found herself in this business and what she's learnt along the way.

Listen to hear about Helen's climb to the top in women's football! 

In this episode, we sit down with Manchester-based founder Laura Pomfret, the visionary behind Financielle—a platform empowering women to take control of their finances.

Unlike traditional financial advice, Laura’s approach addresses the unique challenges women face, providing resources to help them budget, tackle debt, and build lasting wealth. She shares her journey from spotting a gap in financial education to making Financielle a go-to resource for women striving for financial independence. Laura is redefining financial freedom for women everywhere, making her a leading voice in financial empowerment.

In this episode, we talk to Bury-born marketing genius Dan Kelsall—a marketer who’s built and exited his own agency, working with brands like Ladbrokes, Coral, and KFC. Unlike most marketers who stick to safe, predictable moves, Dan specialises in helping startups and small businesses grow from scratch, with a twist. He’s Manchester’s leading brain for help startups stand out and making brands unforgettable.

In the pilot episode of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we chat with Dan Sandler, a South Manchester-born entrepreneur behind multiple successful businesses, including QR code table service, a car rental company, and 'Damage Control,' an app that tracks existing damage in rental cars.

Dan shares his journey, lessons from the tech world, and insights on solving everyday problems through innovation.

Tune in to hear how Dan is reshaping industries and what drives his entrepreneurial spirit!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Check out our socials!

https://www.instagram.com/gmgmpodcast

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

Dan's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-sandler/

Produced, Recorded, Edited, and Published from Ministry of Work.

https://www.ministryofwork.co.uk

In this episode of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we meet Charles Burdett, a designer-turned-entrepreneur who turned a “dumb little idea” into a global success story. Charles shares how his love of design, combined with resilience and curiosity, led to the creation of Pip Decks—a tool now used by everyone from corporate leaders to pastors worldwide. From scrubbing butcher shop floors to working with the BBC and launching a thriving business, Charles offers invaluable insights into creativity, innovation, and navigating imposter syndrome. Tune in to discover how a small idea from Greater Manchester became a worldwide phenomenon!

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Jackie Hyde shares her incredible journey of building a thriving insurance business while overcoming immense personal challenges. From navigating a traumatic accident and a cancer diagnosis to breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, Jackie’s story is one of resilience, passion, and purpose. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on turning adversity into opportunity and leading with determination.

In this episode of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we sit down with Phil Jones, the MD of Brother UK, a leading printer company based in Manchester. 

Phil’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of personality. While he wasn't the top student in school, his passion, drive, and focus on self-improvement set him on a path to success.

Phil opens up about how his unconventional journey, shaped by early struggles and challenges, led him to become a key figure in the business world.

Tune in to hear how a relentless commitment to greatness can turn setbacks into stepping stones and learn valuable lessons from a true Mancunian success story.

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Paul Cheetham-Karcz, founder of Sedulo, to talk about his journey from a working-class upbringing in Stockport to building a £20M+a-year financial consultancy.

Paul shares how growing up in a council estate, rejecting a “job for life” mentality, and taking huge financial risks shaped his success. He opens up about his struggles with anxiety, why he believes in writing your own eulogy, and how he scaled Sedulo to work with top businesses and sports teams.

We dive into: The biggest risks he’s taken—including signing a 10-year lease mid-COVID How he went from knowing nothing about finance to running a £20M+ firm Why most successful people are the most anxious people he knows  His mission to break the poverty cycle through his foundation

This episode is packed with honest insights on business, mindset, and resilience.

🔗 https://sedulo.co.uk/ 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-cheetham-karcz/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Jennie Bailey, founder of Calla Shoes, to talk about how she turned a personal struggle into a thriving business.

Jennie shares how an unexpected redundancy and an unplanned pregnancy pushed her to take the biggest risk of her life—starting a footwear brand from scratch, without any experience in shoemaking.

She opens up about the challenges of breaking into a centuries-old industry, why she sold her first 150 pairs of shoes before she even had them, and how Helen Mirren unexpectedly became a customer.

We also dive into the realities of building a product-based business, the financial risks most founders don’t talk about, and the magic moments that make the journey worthwhile.https://callashoes.co.uk/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Lewis Kemp, founder of Lightbulb Media, to talk about his unconventional journey from a council estate in Bolton to leading a thriving marketing agency.

Lewis shares how his early experiences-like door-knocking in the rain and facing constant rejection-shaped his resilience and business mindset.

He opens up about being diagnosed with autism at 30, how it reshaped his self-awareness, and why he believes success isn’t about vanity metrics but about freedom. We also dive into hard-hitting lessons on scaling a business, the real barriers to growth, and why he refuses to work with clients who let their egos get in the way.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-kemp-manchester/

https://lightbulbmedia.co.uk/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Lucy shares how her upbringing in Salford shaped her entrepreneurial journey—building businesses with nothing but determination, learning on the go, and taking risks without fear.

From launching an events company with no experience to co-founding a distillery with her sisters, Lucy's story is one of grit, blind confidence, and figuring it out along the way.

She talks about overcoming setbacks, navigating business partnerships, and the lessons learned from failure, success, and everything in between.

If you’ve ever thought, I have no idea how to do this, but I’ll figure it out, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Ryan Williams, the entrepreneur behind the viral media sensation It’s Gone Viral.

Ryan shares his journey from struggling with academia to discovering his passion for IT and ultimately building a thriving social media empire.

We explore how Ryan turned a side hustle into a multimillion-pound business, the challenges of balancing family life with his growing brand, and the lessons he’s learned about risk-taking, resilience, and innovation. He also reflects on selling the business, navigating personal challenges, and his vision for inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

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Ryan's LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com/in/ryantwilliamsofficial/

Blood, Sweat and Tweets - Ryan & Jenna Williams

www.waterstones.com/book/blood-sweat-and-tweets/jenna-williams/lolo-stubbs/9781916237780/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we explore the journey of Hattie Pearson. A Manchester based radio DJ whose resilience and passion drove her to become successful in a very competitive area.

From being a trailblazer in education, navigating the evolving media landscape, and embracing unexpected paths in life, including triathlons and creative ventures, we get to hear about the trials and tribulations that got her to where she is today.

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Joe Averill – founder of LEVEL, a customer-centric workspace solution.

Joe’s story isn’t one of loud ambition. Painfully shy growing up and allergic to public speaking, he never seemed the type to lead sales calls or host podcasts. But what he lacked in volume, he made up for in drive – especially when it came to creating freedom for his family.

In this open conversation, Joe reflects on his early days in sales, the mentors who shaped his outlook, and the pivotal life coaching that helped him unlock confidence and vision. From working the phones in Newton Heath to launching a business that blends property, creativity, and values, Joe proves that success doesn’t always shout – sometimes, it just shows up and works harder than anyone else.

🔗 Joe’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-averill/

LEVEL - https://www.levelworkspace.com/enterprise

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie chats with Emily Moffat – co-founder of pieceful, a purpose-driven jigsaw brand – about building a business from scratch while working a full-time job and protecting the most important relationship in her life.

Emily didn’t grow up dreaming of being a founder – in fact, she thought business was something other people did. But a walk in the Lakes with her partner Joe sparked an idea that became an obsession: creating beautiful, mindful products that help people unplug, reflect, and reset. The result? Pieceful, a jigsaw company that’s anything but ordinary.

From championing female artists and supporting grief communities to plans for dementia-friendly puzzles and digital detox events, Emily shares the emotional why behind their work.

She opens up about burnout, boundaries, and the sacrifices made along the way – from missed holidays to saying no to financial support.

This isn’t just a story about puzzles. It’s about purpose, partnership, and what it really takes to build something bigger than yourself.

🔗 Emily’s Links

Pieceful – https://piecefuljigsaws.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-moffat/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Izzy Panton—strategist, speaker, personal brand advocate, and proud Bury native—whose unconventional path from enterprise rentals to executive roles, viral TikToks, and media partnerships is anything but ordinary.

Izzy opens up about growing up with strict parents and the pivotal moment when she realised she didn’t need permission to take up space. She shares how hard work, relentless self-belief, and leaning into her unique identity helped her break through rooms where she didn’t initially belong.

From renting cars in Bolton to leading recruitment at UA92 and now heading up sponsorships for The Overlap, Izzy’s story is a masterclass in knowing your worth, building your personal brand, and redefining success on your own terms.

She talks candidly about career pivots, navigating impostor syndrome, what it really means to build a legacy, and why stepping back after becoming a mum became the biggest power move of all.

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/isobelle/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we’re joined by the Ratcliffe brothers—two Northern lads who turned a football scholarship and a borrowed laptop into a fast-growing marketing agency with clients across the UK.

Morgan and Niall share how growing up in Burnley with zero exposure to entrepreneurship shaped their mindset, how they navigated food banks and remote jobs in the U.S., and why success came not from privilege but pure graft.

They open up about what it’s really like building a business as brothers—from sharing a single-bedroom flat to running a 20-person team—and why moving to Manchester became a defining moment for their brand.

🔗 https://www.noticed.co/

In the latest episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Lucy Wilkinson—one of the region’s most iconic children’s entertainers—to talk about how she built a joyful, purpose-led business from the ground up.

Lucy shares how growing up as a natural performer, being underestimated, and following an unconventional path led her to a career that blends entertainment with therapy. She opens up about the emotional depth behind clowning, what adults often get wrong about play, and how she uses laughter as a tool to help children feel safe, seen, and heard.

We dive into:

• How she turned a love of entertaining into a mission-driven business

• Why being a clown is about emotional connection—not just comedy

• The moment she realised her work was a form of therapy

• What she’s learned from over 20 years of bringing joy to others

This episode is packed with heart, humour, and a powerful reminder of how play can heal.

🔗 ⁠https://www.loubylou.co.uk/⁠

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Jordan, a dynamic entrepreneur whose journey is defined by bold pivots, relentless drive, and a passion for empowering others.

Jordan shares how a leap of faith led to the creation of a thriving business, the lessons learned from navigating challenges, and why embracing vulnerability is key to authentic leadership.

From candid reflections on mental health to actionable advice for budding entrepreneurs, this conversation offers a raw and inspiring look at the realities of building something from the ground up.

We also explore Jordan's mission to create meaningful impact through mentorship and why fostering genuine connections is at the heart of their success.

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanstachini/

🔗 https://wearecoandco.com/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Chris Maguire, a journalist, editor, and entrepreneur who has spent decades breaking stories and uncovering the truth.

Chris shares how he knew from the age of nine that he wanted to be a journalist, how he hustled his way into top newspapers, and why he once sat in a van for hours just to get a photo of a crime suspect.

We also dive into his time covering the Fred and Rose West case—one of the UK’s most infamous crimes—why journalism gave him the confidence to start his own business and the shift from journalist to entrepreneur—and how he’s building BusinessCloud into a trusted media brand.

This episode is packed with stories, insight, and raw honesty about journalism, risk-taking, and the business of storytelling.

🔗 www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-maguire-30a96931/

🔗 www.businesscloud.co.uk/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Jack Frimston, co-founder of one of Manchester’s fastest-growing lead generation agencies, to unpack a story that didn’t start in business, but in music.

Jack’s journey began on stage, chasing a dream of becoming a professional musician. From his early days in teenage bands to busking across Europe, performing at Trafalgar Square, and sharing stages with major acts like George Ezra and The Beach Boys, Jack spent years trying to break into the music industry. But when the reality of slow ticket sales, missed opportunities, and changing trends finally caught up, Jack found himself having to start again.

In a brutally honest conversation, Jack shares how that setback became the catalyst for his pivot into sales, eventually leading him to co-found a thriving sales agency with his best friend. He explains how his years performing taught him skills that unexpectedly transferred into business, from handling rejection to staying obsessed with constant improvement.

🔗Jack's Links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-frimston-5010177b/

'Sales Is Therapy' Book - https://amzn.eu/d/3Gjg1hN

In this moving episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we meet Daniel Wilsher—founder of Damaged Goods and Orb. drinks, TEDx speaker, and the driving force behind LivEdX.

Daniel’s journey starts in Rochdale, shaped by early loss, trauma, and years of inner struggle. But what follows is an inspiring transformation: from battling addiction and burnout to becoming one of the UK’s most compelling voices on youth mental health.

🔗 Daniel’s links LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-wilsher-448996168/ LivEdX - https://www.livedxlearning.com

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we meet Nick Entwistle—advertising creative, heart attack survivor, and the force behind the viral One Minute Briefs community.

From surviving a life-changing health scare at 26 to helping take the NHS Choir to Christmas number one, Nick’s story is a masterclass in resilience, instinctive creativity, and the power of online communities.

He shares how a simple idea-one ad, one minute, every day-turned into a global creative movement, collaborating with the likes of Coca-Cola, WWF, and Lucozade. Whether he's directing films, designing public art from wheel trims, or sparking campaigns from bedroom Wi-Fi, Nick proves that the best ideas don’t need permission—they just need action.

🔗Nick’s links

• One Minute Briefs — https://x.com/OneMinuteBriefs
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickentwistle/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we meet Simran Whitham—founder of Format Group, gaming event trailblazer, and proud council estate kid turned creative entrepreneur.

Simran’s story takes us from Barlow Road in Tameside to packing out warehouse raves with Sony, Ubisoft, and EA—and becoming the first person in the UK games industry to secure a TEDx license.

From being rejected by colleges to building his own events empire, Simran opens up about discovering the truth behind the games industry, launching grassroots events from nothing, and why he refuses to stop innovating.

Whether it’s designing energy drinks, fashion lines, or full-blown festivals, Simran is rewriting what a creative business can look like—with passion, purpose, and a lot of grit.

🎟️ Events:

TEDxNorthern Quarter- https://www.tedxnorthernquarter.com/

Format Festival (Liverpool)—Oct 30 - https://format.gg/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we meet Joy France—a poet, performer, creative catalyst, and battle rapper who didn’t truly find her voice until her 50s.

Joy’s story takes us from quiet classrooms in Clifton to poetry slams, rap battles, and turning a tiny room in Afflecks into a haven for Mancunian creativity. Diagnosed with autism later in life, Joy opens up about growing up feeling invisible, how creativity cracked her world wide open, and why saying “yes” to bizarre opportunities has become her way of life.

From taking cabbages for walks through Manchester to spitting bars in underground rap battles, Joy is a walking manifesto for defying expectations, embracing the weird, and doing life your way—no matter your age. 🔗 Watch Joy's Battle Rap Documentary: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Nv_LN2Nq2Es

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Liam Heeley—photographer, creative connector, and co-founder of HEADS—the grassroots platform redefining what it means to build community in the UK’s creative scene.

From leaving university to pursue freelance photography, to co-creating a space where artists, designers, and musicians can truly belong, Liam’s journey is a powerful reminder that you don’t need permission to start something meaningful—you just need vision, consistency, and the right people around you.

He shares how HEADS went from a DIY zine to a city-shaping collective, why creative scenes thrive on authenticity over hype, and what it really takes to build something that lasts in a world that moves fast.

🔗 ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-heeley-2a855112a/ ⁠

🔗 https://www.headscreative.com/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Ashley—hospitality powerhouse, cancer survivor (three times over), and unapologetically passionate advocate for service that exceeds expectations.

Ashley shares her journey from pub life in Timperley to Disney Cruise Lines, Hawksmoor, and her journey into entrepreneurship with AFD Events. 

But it’s the grit behind the CV that hits hardest: a stage four cancer diagnosis at 19, a brain tumour at 30, and most recently, an above-elbow amputation in 2023 following a third unrelated cancer diagnosis.

She speaks candidly about resilience, redefining strength, the unexpected community found in hospital wards, and why she’s not just building a business—but reshaping what hospitality means, one detail at a time.

Whether she’s serving burgers on a cruise ship or consulting at Wrexham FC, Ashley’s story is a reminder that empathy, passion, and refusing to accept less than excellence are what truly set you apart.

🔗 Ashley’s Justgiving Page:

 https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ashleysarmy

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Amman Ahmed—entrepreneur and innovator—whose journey from self-funded startup to a global pet wellness empire is a testament to vision, resilience, and thinking differently.

From launching MusicForPets with just £1,000 to leading an eight-figure acquisition by Create Music Group, Amman’s story is a masterclass in turning setbacks into rocket fuel, building niche communities, and trusting the unconventional path.

He opens up about battling early self-doubt, why staying scrappy matters even after major success, and how staying true to his mission helped him scale without selling out.

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ammanahmed/