Explore every episode of the podcast Novel: Leaders Lessons

Andrew speaks with the self-proclaimed ‘designosaur’, Jonathan Butters of Butters Innovation who dives into the design industry, discussing the changes he has seen in his lifetime, how technology is impacting creativity in addition to the extracurricular skills needed to blow away the client whilst taking leaps of faith.

Business owner Chris Berg emphasises the importance of building experience before reaching the top. Reflecting on lessons from his own career, Chris discusses the necessity of diversifying skills, leading to an understanding that having multiple capabilities is essential for career resilience. Chris calls for greater support for entrepreneurs in Britain, suggesting that more resources and encouragement would benefit the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Jake takes us on a remarkable journey, recalling his time at finishing school, unsure of his career direction and what his future would or could look like. Fast forward to today, Jake is a proud family man and the successful owner of a multi-million-pound business, opening a state-of-the-art super facility and leading the industry. With stories of taking daring leaps of faith and navigating financial hurdles, Jake emphasises the importance of memory, even recalling a specific scent from two years ago. He reflects on the challenges of acquisitions and his determination to build a successful business in his own community.

Central to his success is fostering a culture of innovation, with an ambitious growth plan that sets sights on international expansion. Amidst tales of trial and error, Jake humorously recalls the advice of a career advisor who suggested he aim lower, showcasing how far he has come.

Join creative designer and co-founder of DefProc Engineering, Jen Fenner, as she delves into the art of thinking outside the box, sharing unique insights on fostering true innovation, even when faced with challenges, and continuously asking ourselves, “what’s next?”

Discover Jen’s journey from nearly opening a sandwich shop to leading dynamic design projects, illustrating the adaptability and resilience needed in entrepreneurship. Jen discusses the hurdles of launching new ideas and offers advice on embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.