In this thirty-eighth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Sanne van der Ende – personal trainer, community-builder, and founder on a mission to bring kindness, compassion, and joy back into fitness.

Sanne shares her journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial household to completely rebuilding her life after years of depression, negative body image, and an unhealthy relationship with exercise. She talks about the pivotal moments that shaped her path: transitioning from hospitality to personal training, moving abroad to create a fresh start, rediscovering movement as something nourishing, and ultimately stepping into a business that reflects her values and belief in accessible, kind fitness.

This conversation is honest, grounding, and full of real insight for anyone navigating self-doubt, early-stage entrepreneurship, or the pressure to fit into an industry that doesn’t always feel aligned.

In this episode, Alex and Sanne explore:

• How Sanne’s upbringing shaped her entrepreneurial spirit

• The transition from hospitality to becoming a personal trainer in 2019

• Rebuilding her relationship with exercise after years of struggle

• Navigating self-doubt, comparison, and fear in the early days of business

• How COVID became the unexpected catalyst that allowed her to grow

• The role of therapy in building confidence and managing negative thoughts

• The importance of community in her bootcamps and business model

• How motherhood has influenced her work-life balance and mindset

• Her vision to reach more women globally through accessible home workouts

• Why kindness can be your business strategy

Whether you’re starting out in business, rebuilding confidence, or wanting to create something more aligned with your values, Sanne’s story is both grounding and inspiring.

[00:00] The roots of entrepreneurship [03:08] Transitioning from hospitality to personal training [06:11] Early business challenges, fear and comparison [08:59] Motherhood and finding balance [11:57] Building confidence and community [15:03] Therapy and rewiring negative thoughts [18:01] Growing a business during COVID [21:03] A vision for global impact [24:00] The power of kindness and community in business

• The entrepreneurial influences that shaped Sanne’s belief that she could work for herself

• Turning her own struggles with mental health and body image into her mission

• Allowing movement to become joyful rather than punishing

• The messy early days of self-doubt and comparison

• Therapy as a powerful tool for confidence and clarity

• Community as the heart of her bootcamps and online presence

• Building a business aligned with kindness, accessibility, and empowerment

• Holding a bigger vision without losing authenticity

YouTube (Strong Squad – 15-minute workouts): https://www.youtube.com/@sanne.personaltraining

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanne.personaltraining/ https://www.instagram.com/strongsquad.london/

Website: https://sannevanderende.com/

Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexmccarthycoaching/ Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com

In this thirty-seventh episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Bec Johnson – funeral industry marketer, speaker, and Founder on a mission to support independent funeral directors and change the way we talk about death.

Bec shares her journey from uncertainty in her career to finding purpose in the funeral industry. She discusses pivotal moments that shaped her path, including transformative experiences at Camp America, personal tragedy, stepping into her family business, and ultimately building a business that reflects her values and passion.

This conversation is raw, honest, and full of insight for anyone navigating career transitions, entrepreneurship, or the challenge of tackling difficult topics in business.

In this episode, Alex and Bec explore:

• How personal experiences shaped Bec’s purpose and confidence

• The challenges of leaving a family business and stepping into independence

• Building a client base from scratch with honesty and integrity

• The importance of values in defining business identity

• Networking, word of mouth, and meaningful relationships in business

• Creating provocative content and sparking important conversations

• Normalising discussions about death to reduce stigma

• Reframing rejection and using it as a learning opportunity

Whether you’re looking to build a business that aligns with your values, tackle difficult topics, or step into a leadership role in a niche industry, Bec’s story is both inspiring and practical.

[00:00] Journey of self-discovery [05:53] Catalyst for change [11:51] Stepping into the family business [18:09] Transitioning to independence [24:03] Building a new vision [26:58] The leap of faith into full-time entrepreneurship [30:39] Building a client base from zero [33:15] Defining values and identity [35:04] Networking, relationships and word of mouth [38:14] Provoking conversations through content [41:10] Talking about death openly [45:34] Looking ahead: the potential in business [47:38] Advice for new entrepreneurs

• Transformative experiences that shaped Bec’s entrepreneurial path

• Turning personal tragedy into opportunity and purpose

• The messy early days of starting a business and building confidence

• Using values as a compass for decision-making

• Networking and word of mouth as key business tools

• Provoking meaningful conversations in a sensitive industry

• Reducing stigma by normalizing discussions about death

• Learning from rejection and using it to grow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarketing.ltd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/remarketingbec/

Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexmccarthycoaching/ Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com

In this thirty-sixth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Sue Chalmers – founder of Willow & Hen and former motor industry professional turned lifestyle store owner.

After years working in the motor industry, Sue reached a point where she knew she wanted to build something more aligned with who she was. That intention led her to open Willow & Hen – the calm, community-focused lifestyle store she’d dreamed about since she was young.

Sue’s journey is a beautiful example of following your interests, trusting your timing and allowing your business to evolve naturally. She speaks openly about what it was really like to step out of a fast-paced, male-dominated industry into the world of mindful retail, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the joy of building a business that feels purposeful and personal.

In this conversation, Alex and Sue explore:

• transitioning from the motor industry to running a lifestyle store

• the early influences that shaped her entrepreneurial path

• creating a business rooted in community and connection

• sourcing products locally and working with purpose

• the evolution of Willow & Hen over time

• navigating change with resilience and curiosity

• building a business that feels calm, intentional and aligned

• what it really takes to follow a long-held dream

Whether you’re thinking about a career shift, dreaming of a more creative path, or wanting to build a business that feels like you, Sue’s story is an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to create something meaningful.

[00:00] Introduction and welcome to Sue [02:10] From the motor industry to mindful retail [06:45] The early influences behind Willow & Hen [11:20] Creating community through a lifestyle store [16:00] Sourcing locally and working with purpose [21:05] Building a business that evolves with you [26:30] Lessons learned from navigating major career change [31:40] What alignment and fulfilment look like in business [35:20] Sue’s hopes and plans for the future of Willow & Hen

• Following your long-held interests even when the path looks unexpected

• Shifting from a fast-paced corporate environment into intentional entrepreneurship

• Building a community-focused business rooted in connection

• Supporting local makers and choosing products with purpose

• Navigating big career changes with courage and curiosity

• Allowing your business to grow and evolve season by season

• Creating a work life that feels calm, aligned and meaningful

Instagram: @willowandhen Website: willowandhen.co.uk

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