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.

Mick Walker has been making award-winning videos for major brands around the world for over 17 years. He's all about keeping video production simple and accessible – something he calls 'Video Made Simple.'. In this episode, you will hear: 💬 Why Mick "never wanted to run a business". 💬 How "coming clean" about owning a lifestyle business changed everything. 💬 Why most businesses overcomplicate video. 💬 The importance of "starting with shite". 💬 Why video is the ULTIMATE evergreen asset. This episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast (and the 111 that preceded it) is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Austin Newberry is the owner and CEO of Logspan - a timber building manufacturer based in Scotland. Austin is a family man who says that he still struggles with work/life balance. In this episode, you will hear: 💬 Austin's POWERFUL story about a childhood family holiday - and how it impacts his parenting style to this day. 💬 What it's like to take over a family business - and why it still doesn't feel like his business. 💬 The building blocks that ANYONE can use to get better at public speaking. 💬 Whether "Boardroom" (our 2024 Mastermind group) is as SCARY as we marketed it to be. 💬 How to create (and protect) BOUNDARIES between work and life. This episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast (and the 110 that preceded it) is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

crreeeaaaaaak!   What's that noise?   Oh, it's just the sound of me, opening the doors for the March 2024 intake of my One Percent Club.   Why the creaking?   Well, the doors have been closed since the 1st of October last year - and they need a bit of WD/40.   What's the One Percent Club?   It's a community of like-minded, ambitious lifestyle business owners, all committed to the following cause:   "To leave their business 1% better each week."   The One Percent Club shows them how, through education, inspiration and perspiration - helping them discover WHAT to do to make those 1% gains, and the accountability to actually DO the work.   Could the One Percent Club help you to leave YOUR business 1% better each and every week?   Find out in 6 minutes (and eight seconds) with the explainer video  on my website: https://www.bigidea.co.uk/one-percent-club    Right, I'm off to oil those hinges... 

Husband and wife duo, Jon and Miriam run Mod A Mini, a BMW Mini performance parts ecommerce store and Torque Monkey, a physical garage in Chelmsford specialising in performance vehicles.   In this episode, you will hear:   💬 Why HATING cars was an ADVANTAGE when starting a car business 💬 How DIFFICULT the first few years were - and how much HARD WORK was needed. 💬 The importance of "leaving work at work" when working with a loved one. 💬 Why Jon and Miriam LEFT the One Percent Club (and then returned!) 💬 How working on Jon's HEALTH improved the BUSINESS too.   This episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast (and the 109 that preceded it) is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Ambitious, lifestyle business owners can learn valuable lessons from Charlie Munger, the renowned investor and Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. Here are some key lessons: Value of Continuous Learning: Munger is a strong advocate of lifelong learning. He believes in expanding one's knowledge across various disciplines, not just in your field of business. Business owners can benefit from this by constantly seeking new knowledge and perspectives that can help them make better decisions. Importance of Mental Models: Munger emphasizes the use of mental models from multiple disciplines to solve complex problems. Business owners can apply this by integrating ideas and concepts from different areas to gain a more comprehensive view of their challenges and opportunities. Inversion: Munger often uses inversion, a problem-solving technique, to think backward and identify potential pitfalls. Business owners can apply this by considering what not to do or what could go wrong in their business strategies. Long-Term Perspective: Munger's investment philosophy is built on the idea of holding quality assets for the long term. Business owners can adopt this mindset by focusing on sustainable growth and avoiding short-term thinking that might compromise the long-term health of their businesses. Rational Decision-Making: Munger promotes rationality in decision-making, emphasizing the importance of avoiding emotional reactions. Business owners can benefit from this by making well-thought-out decisions based on facts and analysis rather than emotions. Competitive Advantage: Munger encourages business owners to build and maintain a competitive advantage. Whether through unique products, excellent customer service, or innovative processes, having a sustainable advantage can lead to long-term success. Circle of Competence: Munger advises staying within one's circle of competence, focusing on what you understand well. Business owners should recognize their strengths and limitations and make decisions accordingly, seeking expert advice when needed. Ethical Behavior: Munger values ethical behavior and integrity in business. Business owners can learn the importance of conducting business honestly, which builds trust with customers and partners. Risk Management: Munger emphasizes the need to consider and manage risks. Business owners should conduct thorough risk assessments and implement strategies to mitigate potential threats to their businesses. Patience and Discipline: Munger's investment success is partly attributed to his patience and discipline. Business owners can apply this by staying committed to their long-term goals and not being swayed by short-term fluctuations or pressures. Adaptation: Munger recognizes the importance of adaptability. Business owners should be willing to adjust their strategies and embrace change when necessary to stay relevant and competitive. Simplicity: Munger often advocates for simplicity in decision-making and business processes. Business owners can benefit from simplifying complex issues and strategies to make them more manageable and effective. Overall, Charlie Munger's principles can guide ambitious business owners toward making informed, rational, and ethical decisions that promote long-term success and personal growth.

It's Chriiiiistmaaaaasss! We start this Christmas special episode by wishing Noddy Holder's Evergreen Asset (Merry Xmas Everybody) a happy 50th birthday. We also dissect the rise of AI in 2023 (No, it's not coming for your job - but it IS going to change your job completely!), celebrate the return of in-person events, and explain how to listen to John's audiobooks for free. We also end the year by looking at the boys' Books of the Year - including a "personality profiling" book that identified John as someone who is: overly judgemental has a lot of self-discipline spends a lot of time thinking how to become a better person likes routine is really disappointed when other people don't do their part. Yep, that sounds like John! This episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast (and the 107 that preceded it) is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Nicky Thomas is the founder of The Growth Community, a networking group that promises “Real Community Business Networking”, with relaxed, purposeful networking, and no membership sales pitches. Nicky joined the One Percent Club 18 months ago, and as a result, grew her business by 75% in her first 12 months of membership. That huge level of growth doesn't come without a cost, however, and it's this cost that we talk about in today's episode - the price small business owners pay for growth. This episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast (together with another 106 episodes from the back catalogue) is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Graeme Tennick is Chief Impact Officer at Tennick Accountants, where he isn't afraid to roll up his sleeves, and is on a mission to empower trades and professional services business owners who know the grind of long hours, minimal returns, and the frustration of hefty taxes. The word "impact" runs through today's episode - Graeme talks about the impact of his father's forklift business on him as a young man, the impact of making a few wrong decisions (and more than a few right ones!). As I implore readers of The False EXIT to "truly live and breathe" their vision and values, Graeme is doing just that - demonstrating how small business owners can impact their own lives, as well as those of their immediate family, team of co-workers, clients - and ultimately leave the world a better place. How will YOU have an impact today?

I've got two pieces of time-sensitive information to share with you today - one involving an 82% discount, and on that could (literally) change your life.   But BOTH require some action in the next 8 days...

Never give up in business. If there's one piece of advice that today's guest Alastair Imray embodies, it is this. Alastair's business career began with no qualifications and no money but a determination to start his own business. Alastair has proven that hard work, determination, constant learning and never giving up has been the key to running a successful business. Wearing a Nike "Just Do It" T-short, Alastair tells us: How he sold anything and everything - from ice cream on Bondi Beach, to items he found in dumpsters. Why you should never give up in business. How Michael Lieberman became a hero to Alastair. A few dozen of the business books that helped shape his success. How Alastair won a contract with his dream supplier - by refusing to take no for an answer! Exactly how Alastair removed himself from the day-to-day "on the tools" running of his business.

What's the best Exit Strategy for a Small Business? It depends... In this summer-special podcast, John and Jason discuss their (many!) failed attempts to exit their small business over the years, including: Thinking they sold their company for £2m - only to get a Dear John email. John giving away 49% of his small business for free What happens when you abdicate rather than delegate. How to choose the right exit strategy for small business owners. Why "doing nothing" isn't really an option. How John and Jase discovered the "False EXIT" - and why they're glad they did!

Do NOT sell your business... At least not until you've read John's new book - The False EXIT. The False EXIT isn't a book about selling your business. It's a book about NOT selling your business - it's about keeping, rather than killing the golden goose. The book is available NOW on Amazon (in Kindle, Paperback and Hardcover formats), with the Audiobook version coming in January 2024. For the next 48 hours, there's some VERY special launch pricing, making the book as cheap as it will ever be. In John's words, "fill your boots! Buy 1 copy, 10 copies or even 100. Get one for clients, colleagues and people you vaguely like - anyone who needs to read this book." In this episode, John practices his narration for the audiobook (only stumbling over the phrase "lugging buckets") by reading the introduction for us - enjoy!

How many goals is too many? If you're today's guest Nathan Pascoe, there is no limit! In this episode, Nathan explains: Why he has a 90-day plan AND a 120-year plan. The importance of reviewing your goals twice a day. How everything he does is for his "future self" The relentless focus on high value tasks (such as sending Weekly Emails) Why Nathan focuses on the "long game" How he achieves just about ANYTHING he sets his mind to. Why John calls him "the most ambitious, ambitious lifestyle business owner we've ever had on the show!"

"To live longer, get stronger..."  Today, on the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we're joined by Matt Fox from Physiocore, a group-based class which helps people to live longer and get stronger, by future-proofing their bodies with a unique combination of mobility, core, balance and strengthening exercises. As a Physiotherapist with a degree in sport science, he has worked in the NHS, private practice and spent over 10 years working full time in professional football at Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers FC. Matt has helped many hundreds of people create a flexible and strong body with a view to keeping active and healthy for life. In this episode, Matt tells us:   How we can outperform our age. Why we should avoid "junk miles" - for our bodies AND our business. How he's used the Evergreen Assets ecosystem, and the Could Do List to improve his business. Why it took hearing the "constant, never-ending improvement" message more than 100 times before the penny dropped. The moment he designed his own ambitious, lifestyle business, camping in his back garden with his kids. That he's a bit of a routine machine...

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we meet Stephen Gibbens from Accountech.   A culture of overwork led to Stephen collapsing in his car, fearing a heart attack - or worse. He'd spent decades growing his business and had no desire to become the richest man in the graveyard.   In the hard-hitting episode, Stephen tells us:   Why overworking is bad - for your health and your wealth How to spot the symptoms of overwork. Why he never considered his to be a lifestyle business. How Jim Collin's Hedgehog Concept changed his thinking. Why "clients with very little money" are his perfect niche.

"Our 100th Episode..."  In December 2016, I uttered the immortal words to Jason: "Do you fancy starting a podcast?" Just over six years, and 99 episodes later, the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is about to hit the 100 episode milestone - something that seemed impossible when I felt like quitting after 6 months. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - consistency is a superpower.  How did we get to 100 episodes? One episode at a time, one month at a time. We found a way to make it easy. We mastered the art of showing up, every single month. We made it FUN. Including THIS special, 100th episode, recorded in front of a live audience of listeners and previous guests. Here's to the next century!

"I made ONE decision - and it changed my life..."  In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we meet Roger Haycock from Roger's Bakery. One decision led to us talking to Roger today. That one decision, made on 30th December 2020, led to a succession of domino-effect decisions that have profoundly changed Rogers's life as he embarks on his "third challenge". Roger tells us that:   One decision started it all. He is naturally curious, wanting to find out how things work. How food poisoning led to him starting a conservatory business! His secret ingredient for artisan bread - FIRE! How Routine Machine motivated him to change "routines that weren't working" Roger's advice for anyone looking to make ONE decision to change their life. How you can learn ANYTHING from personal development books.