In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Schlipf, someone who’s lived several entrepreneurial lives; building tech startups, investing as a global VC partner, and eventually stepping in as CEO of the well-known beauty brand Cowshed.

Jordan talks honestly about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship: the long hours, the sacrifices, and the moments where you’re forced to question what you actually want from your career.

We get into how he rebuilt his routines, how he learned to lead bigger teams, and the reality of making tough decisions during a company restructure.

This episode is full of practical lessons; whether you’re running a startup, moving into leadership, or trying to figure out your next step. Jordan is refreshingly real about what it takes to grow, evolve, and keep your ambition intact.

00:00 Introduction

01:57 Soul Searching and Career Transition

14:45 The Realities of Entrepreneurship

20:57 The Importance of Health and Routine

26:18 Challenges of Company Restructuring

34:02 The CEO's Evolving Role

34:34 Defining a Good CEO

36:39 The Importance of Recruitment and Culture

38:11 Knowing When to Step Down

41:27 Avoiding Business Pitfalls

45:13 Diverse Business Ventures

49:57 Investment Strategies and Wealth Management

55:22 Reflections on the Finance Industry

01:02:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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So many ambitious people today feel like they’re doing everything right, getting the degree, working hard, climbing the ladder... and yet still struggling to make real financial progress.

It’s not your imagination.

The old playbook that worked for previous generations doesn’t work anymore.

In this solo episode, I break down the truth behind why so many Millennials and Gen Z feel stuck, frustrated, or left behind… and more importantly, what actually works today.

Drawing on over a decade of experience advising clients as an Investment Manager, I explain:

• Why housing, wages, degrees and social mobility have completely shifted

• How wealth moved from income → ownership (and why that matters for you)

• Why your parents’ roadmap no longer applies in today’s economy

• The modern playbook for building wealth sustainably and realistically

• How to increase your earning power, not just your savings

• Why a second income stream is becoming essential, not optional

• How your network can accelerate your career more than any qualification

• Why redefining your timeline can unlock huge opportunities

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/

Subscribe to my Substack: https://substack.com/@fuelyourambition

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Christine Nicholson is a award-winning business mentor, author, and exit strategist. In this episode we unpack what it really takes to build, scale, and successfully exit your business.

With over a hundred business sales under her belt, Christine shares real-world lessons on the three types of exits every founder should understand, how to prepare for due diligence long before you sell, and why financial freedom starts outside your business.

From the emotional rollercoaster of letting go to the practical steps that protect your wealth, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom for entrepreneurs who want to create lasting value, and a life beyond the business.

00:00 Introduction

01:54 Preparing for Business Exit

06:44 The Importance of Delegation

13:40 The Psychological Toll of Due Diligence

19:31 The Role of Preparation in Due Diligence

23:16 Personal Entrepreneurial Journey

29:28 The Overlooked Strategy: Acquiring to Exit

30:26 The Reality of Business Dependency

33:59 Preparing for Wealth Outside the Business

34:54 The Pitfalls of Not Planning Ahead

42:07 The Gender Dynamics in Business Ownership

44:57 The Challenges of Selling a Business

47:52 The Importance of Building Business Controls

49:43 The Motivation Behind Helping Others

53:39 The Impact of Upbringing on Success

55:57 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More Information

Contact Christine:

https://christinenicholson.co.uk/

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Colin Campbell is the host of Cambro Conversations and a top-performing sales coach.

When Colin was made redundant from his sales director role, he didn’t panic, he pivoted. He used that moment of uncertainty to rebuild his career on his own terms, turning a side project into a full-time coaching business. In this episode, he breaks down how to juggle a side hustle alongside a demanding job, stay financially sharp, and keep moving forward when life throws you off track.

We also explore how AI tools can streamline sales, why consistent follow-ups are a game-changer, and how to stay market ready no matter how secure your job feels.

If you’re thinking about going out on your own, or just want to build something meaningful on the side, this episode is packed with insights to help you do it the smart way.

00:00 Intro

03:17 Building a Side Hustle and Market Testing

09:30 Financial Realities and Planning for Self-Employment

18:54 Sales Coaching and Structuring Your Business

28:47 The Importance of Follow-Up in Meetings and Podcasts

29:30 Effective Communication and Clear Actions

29:57 Leveraging Guest Introductions and Networking

30:47 Structuring Follow-Ups for Success

34:00 The Role of AI in Sales and Follow-Ups

35:43 Utilizing AI Tools for Efficiency

41:03 Cold Outreach and Client Acquisition

46:28 Tailoring Sales Approaches to Client Needs

51:19 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Connect with Colin:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/col.cambro/
Email List - https://colcambro.kit.com/30bde23b0c
Email - Colin@colcambro.com

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Tom had everything most people dream of. A top degree. A role at JP Morgan. The kind of career that looks perfect on paper. But behind the prestige, he felt something was missing.

In this conversation, Tom opens up about what it’s really like working in one of the world’s biggest investment banks... and why he walked away. From side hustles and consulting to building his own ventures, he reveals the reality of leaving security for the unknown.

Now, as a fractional CFO, Tom helps entrepreneurs understand the truth about their finances: the difference between profit and cash flow, why recurring revenue matters, and how to prepare a business for sale. His journey is one of ambition, risk, and redefining success.

This isn’t just about money. It’s about identity, growth, and the courage to bet on yourself.

00:00 Introduction: Working at JP Morgan

01:22 University and Internships

03:38 Life at JP Morgan

05:41 Deciding to Leave JP Morgan

08:46 Starting New Ventures and Side Hustles

10:07 Challenges and Realisations in Small Businesses

10:52 Providing Financial Consulting to Small Businesses

14:55 Improving Business Cash Flow and Profit Margins

30:09 Future Business Plans and Advice

30:29 The Value of Recurring Revenue

33:05 Preparing Businesses for Sale

36:28 Building a Personal Brand

42:11 The Importance of Consistency

46:14 Ambition and Personal Growth

51:36 Investing in Yourself

55:21 Conclusion and Contact Information

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Giles always dreamt of making it in football, and he did when he was hired by AFC Bournemouth, Chelsea FC, MCC and Bath Rugby, before launching his own sports business.

In this episode, Tom shares the realities of working in elite sport, the transition to entrepreneurship, and why surrounding yourself with high-performing people matters. He also opens up about his personal journey as a father raising a child with a rare syndrome, and how that challenge fuels his drive, resilience, and ambition.

We dive into leadership, personal branding, and the role of AI in business, while exploring the importance of passion, curiosity, and consistency in building long-term success.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro & Football Beginnings

00:39 Breaking into the Sports Industry

06:03 Chelsea FC & Career Progression

20:28 The Commercial Side of Sports

26:17 Social Media’s Influence

31:18 Balancing Family & Tech

36:17 Vulnerability & Authenticity

39:22 Raising a Child with a Rare Syndrome

44:02 Life as a Business Owner

48:31 Finding Passion & Purpose

01:06:23 Leadership & Team Building

01:09:24 The Startup Mindset

01:13:27 AI in Business

01:16:31 Lessons from Podcasts & Books

01:23:57 Sports x Business Insights

01:31:14 Motivation & Ambition

01:40:03 Why Consistency Wins

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Starting a business is hard.

Starting one with your spouse? That’s a whole different level of risk.

In this episode, I sit down with Joe Fraher, an architect who, alongside his wife Liz, built a boutique design and build firm in Central London, right in the middle of the 2008 financial crisis.

Joe shares the real story behind how they made it work: from opposite views on risk, to navigating financial pressure, managing a growing team, and raising a family at the same time. He opens up about going sober, leading through chaos, and the mindset it takes to grow something meaningful without losing your relationship, or yourself.

This is an honest conversation about ambition, business, marriage, and the messy parts in between.

• Giving up alcohol to take control of his life again
• Redefining success beyond money and titles
• Teaching his children about wealth, risk, and responsibility
• Balancing love, family, and business without losing either
• And why the future of construction lies in digital manufacturing and AI

This is a raw and revealing conversation about what it really takes to build something meaningful, and the mindset shifts required to survive it.

00:00 Introduction to Risk-Taking

00:41 Starting the Business Journey

00:57 Architectural Services and Turnkey Solutions

02:08 Challenges and Growth in Architecture

03:29 Navigating Redundancy and Building a Business

07:52 Managing a Growing Team

09:14 The Importance of Risk and Ambition

11:08 The French Alps Project

15:15 Hiring and Team Dynamics

22:25 Education and Career Pathways

29:02 Client Relationships and Long-Term Projects

31:49 Liz's Role in the Business

32:14 The Importance of Listening to Clients

32:44 Emotional Investment in Projects

35:22 Client Profiling and Matching

37:55 Trust and Transparency in Business

38:34 Adapting to Economic Challenges

45:35 Leveraging AI in Business

52:32 Financial Education and Generational Wealth

01:02:55 Leveraging Good Debt

01:03:36 The Pitfalls of Bad Debt

01:05:02 Balancing Risk in Family and Business

01:06:23 Aligning Ambitions with Your Partner

01:09:36 The Future of Work and Personal Goals

01:13:32 Challenges of Entrepreneurship

01:14:44 The Impact of Government Policies on SMEs

01:25:59 Personal Habits for Success

01:30:42 Concluding Thoughts

Discover Joe and Fraher

Website - https://www.fraher.co/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frahergroup/

LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/joseph-fraher

Get In Touch

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/

Website - ambitiousmindspodcast.com

Instagram - www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does burnout look like for high achievers and ambitious creatives? Celebrity photographer Bradley Green shares his personal story of burnout, mental health, and the cost of relentless ambition.

Brad has built a life many dream of, travelling the world as a photographer capturing icons like Matthew McConaughey and Conor Benn. But behind the lens lies a deeper struggle — the mental and physical toll of pushing too hard for too long.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The signs of burnout in high achievers
• How to balance ambition with wellbeing
• The impact of diet, sleep, and media consumption on performance
• Why even the most successful need to slow down
• Tools to build a sustainable work-life balance

This raw and honest conversation pulls back the curtain on the Instagram highlight reel, offering real-world advice for entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone navigating the pressure of constant growth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.