I present a business show on Meridian FM every Sunday at 2pm called 'Love Business with Alan Wick'. It’s available over the air in Surrey, Sussex and Kent, and on TuneIn internet radio. I interview experienced entrepreneurs who are not only happy to share their success stories, but are also willing to talk about their mistakes, what they’ve learned from them and are still learning as they continue along their journey. Plus there’s a Reflections Section at the end, where I link their experiences with learnings you can apply to your business.

If you have a question or a comment, call my 24 hour hotline +44 1342 889488 or you can email lovebusiness@alanwick.com. 

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Here's a selection of some of the fascinating entrepreneurs I've had the pleasure of interviewing:

LOVE BUSINESS WITH ALAN WICK

Greg Smith
Founder and CEO of Send Handwritten

Guy Rigby
Rowing the Atlantic for The Entrepreneur Ship

I interviewed the awe inspiring Guy Rigby, an author, entrepreneurial accountant, and advisor to founders of businesses. Not only is Guy a respected Chair for Entrepreneurial Services for Smith and Williamson; but he’s rowing the Atlantic for The Entrepreneur Ship, in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in December 2021 and attempting to break the record for the oldest pair (combined age) ever to row any ocean. 

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In this amazing interview you will hear:

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• How Guy started his career in the early 1970's as a chartered accountant, working in the music business for Chrysalis Records who managed singers such as Jethro Tull and how his career led him to work with entrepreneurs.

• Guy shares his motto: "Who cares, wins", - explaining the importance of having a good service ethic, as the key to building a business from scratch.

• How hitting the 50-year mark of his professional life inspired him to 'do something real and give something back'

• Which led on how he's going to row the Atlantic with one other team mate on a 25-foot ocean marine boat from the 10th December. They will be rowing alternately, two hours on - two hours off - 24 hours a day, for approximately 60 days for UnLtd, the foundation for social entrepreneurs, whose aim is to develop a generation of social leaders with enduring impact. 

What an amazing challenge. I look forward to hearing how Guy gets on. If you’d like, you can donate here.  

Spencer Gallagher
Co-Founder and CEO of Cactus

I interviewed Spencer Gallagher Co-Founder of Cactus, the UK’s leading Agency growth consultancy. Spencer and his team have worked with over 1,000 creative, tech and innovation agencies over the past 10 years helping them overcome growth challenges and to create successful outcomes for their businesses. Spencer is an author and is the Co-Founder of Agencynomics the community that supports agencies of today and the future.

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In this inspiring interview you will hear:

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• How Spencer helps agencies unlock their growth mindset and how to shift away from the wrong decisions to the right ones.

• The power of yin and yan in business - how pairing with the right partner has been the key to his success.

• How by removing hierarchy and embracing 'holacracy' in a business can increase efficiency and improve teams.

• The importance of constant learning.   He also shares some amazing book recommendations!

• The value of outside advice to help avoid self-sabotage and overwhelm.

• And finally, how the incredible power of having a single vision, focus and a strong belief system is the key to success.

Rachel Flanagan
Founder of Mrs Buckét

In this show, I interviewed Rachael Flanagan founder of Mrs Buckét a commercial cleaning company delivering commercial cleaning services and facilities to a range of businesses, helping them maintain a high standard of hygiene in their workplaces.

During the interview we discussed how Rachael started her business at the tender age of 18 years old and how it has developed and grown into an award-winning, multi-million pound company.

In this fascinating interview you will hear:

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• How Rachael has grown her business from distributing a box of flyers to a 300+ workforce with a 96% staff and client retention.

• Why developing a niche in the market is vital and how it has made Mrs Buckét stand out.

• The value of using quirky and innovative techniques to win new business.

• Why it is so important to look after people and how Mrs Buckét develop their staff, wanting to be known as ‘Employer of Choice.’

• How Mrs Buckét consistently strives to be innovative and the ‘go to’ industry expert.

Nick Russill
Co-founder of TerraDat

In this show, I interviewed Nick Russill, co-founder of TerraDat, who provide specialist 3D subsurface mapping, using state of the art techniques. Nick is also co-founder of Snow-Forecast.com, a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence, and a photographer.

During this interview we discussed how TerraDat Geophysics started, it’s 28 years of steady growth, and how despite the pandemic the business continues to thrive. In this fascinating interview you will hear:

• How to continue to grow your business by innovating and staying agile

• Why it’s important to sometimes say ‘No’ to new business

• The value of honesty, when it comes to ensuring repeat business

• How to work in harmony with your partner, by knowing your strengths and weaknesses

• The benefits of sticking to what you're good at in business

Paulina Tenner
Founder of GrantTree

In this show, I interviewed Paulina Tenner, founder of GrantTree. Paulina is a serial entrepreneur, investor, keynote speaker, writer, and burlesque performer. During this interview we discussed Paulina’s novel Holacracy based organisation, GrantTree, which has arranged over £200m in equity-free R&D funding from the government, to help SMEs. In this fascinating interview you will hear:

• Insights into how a “no bosses’ culture can help a business thrive.

• How allowing staff to curate their own career unlocks true potential.

• The benefits of having a completely transparent, open culture, where staff set their own salaries.

• The highs and lows of investing in small tech businesses.

• How a burlesque persona and a business persona can complement each other.

David Hieatt

Co-founder of The Do Lectures (and Hiut Denim)

In this show, I interviewed David Hieatt, co-founder of The Do Lectures (and Hiut Denim Co), a second time.

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David shares his inspirational story which started on the far edge of West Wales, on an old farm. In 2007, the idea for The Do Lectures began, as a space for the world’s "DOers" to feed their dreams. You will hear about the belief, the struggles, and the resilience involved in developing one of the most unique and exclusive events available today.
 

In this fascinating interview, we discuss:

• How The Do Lectures changed attendees lives

• How you can be influential and small

• The benefits of community

• Playing the long game (ideas need patience)

• How sometimes passion and belief are more important than data

• The value of cultivation and purpose in a business​

Emma Killilea

Founder, Delicious Alchemy

In this show, I interviewed Emma Killilea, founder of Delicious Alchemy. After being diagnosed as a coeliac and realising the limitation of gluten-free products on the market, Emma decided to dedicate her life to making gluten-free options commonplace, so that more and more people can live a happy and healthy life.

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During the interview, we explored her extraordinary story and discussed topics such as:

• Why it is so important to understand the needs, wants, and demands of your customers

• The positive and negative effects of the COVID 19 lockdown

• The importance of innovation in business

• Benefits of having the right product at the right time

• How personal ambitions drives business success

• Why you must get your customer value proposition right

Julian Treasure

Founder of The Sound Agency

In this show, I interviewed Julian Treasure, founder of The Sound Agency. Julian is an author and an international speaker who has been invited to do five TED talks on various aspects of sound and communication.

We discussed his TED talks and the 100 million views they have garnered. In addition, we discussed subjects including:

• What is “the business of sound” & how it can benefit businesses

• The importance of having a very clear purpose

• The challenges of offering a product or service that people don’t know they need

• How to build a successful business with a virtual team

• The difference between having faith in one’s business & knowing it’ll succeed

• Julian’s most important learnings from his long experience as an entrepreneur

David Hieatt
Co-founder of Hiut Denim
(and The Do Lectures)

In this show, I interviewed David Hieatt, co-founder of Hiut Denim Co (and The Do Lectures).

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We explored David’s extraordinary story; starting with how he got his town making jeans again, with the launch of his successful business Hiut Denim Co. David and I discussed his extensive experience and delved into his thoughts around:

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• How story telling can make such a difference to a business and brand

• The power of purpose driven brands

• How having a clear purpose makes you strong

• What to look out for when you take investors on board

• The most important sales tool

• How to deal with a crisis and avoid defeat

• Understanding the culture of a business and its impact

Juliet Barratt

Co-founder and CMO of Grenade

In this show, I interviewed Juliet Barratt, Co-founder and former Chief Marketing Officer of Grenade.

Juliet is a brilliant and inspiring leader, who through her passionate story, revealed the secret that made Grenade the world's fastest-growing nutrition brand. It was a fascinating interview, where we discussed:

• Juliet’s recipe for success 

• The importance of branding  

• The key role of distribution channels 

• The positive and negative effects of investors on your business 

• The key to surrounding yourself with the right people 

• Understanding the language of different markets and how to make them work for you

• How to nurture the culture of your business and keeping it the way that you want

• What business mentors could do for you and your business

Peter Backman

Entrepreneur and Eating Out Expert

In this show, I interviewed Peter Backman, the leading expert on the structure and dynamics of the foodservice sector, and its supply chain in the UK and across Europe.

During the interview, Peter talked about his remarkable life, as well as sharing his thoughts on the future of the hospitality industry. Listen to our conversation to hear more about: 

• What it means to be an entrepreneur

• The benefits of working in the hospitality industry 

• Why it is so important to have clear goals 

• What it takes to go from zero to hero in business 

• The advantages and disadvantages of a partner in the business

• The future of restaurants and the philosophy behind Peter’s book ‘’Restaurants Also Serve Food’’ 

• Peter’s advice to young entrepreneurs

Carrie Bedingfield

Entrepreneur

In this show, I interviewed Carrie Bedingfield, founder of OneFish TwoFish and 50th Generation. Carrie is also a TEDx speaker and the creator of The Lead Generation Machine and LoMo.

During the interview, we explored her compelling story and as well as discussing:

• Increasing productivity through effective time management 

• How to manage multiple businesses

• Childhood traits that lead to entrepreneurship

• When to know when to let your business go 

• The importance of business relationships

John Wyer

Co-founder and CEO

of Bowles & Wyer

In this show, I interviewed John Wyer, Co-founder and CEO of Bowles & Wyer. John has more than 35 years’ professional experience and is a widely published and respected designer, lecturing on his work both in the UK and abroad.

We discussed the growth and the success of his company, including topics such as:

• Why trust is important for your business and brand

• The benefits of understanding the difference between B2B and B2C 

• The importance of customer satisfaction for business valuation 

• The value of having a business partner

• Effects of internal and external factors on business performance

• John’s advice to people who want to start their own business

Alfie Best

Founder and Chairman of Wyldecrest Parks

In this show, I interviewed Alfie Best, the Founder and Chairman of Wyldecrest Parks. The business has 75 residential mobile home parks, seven holiday mobile home parks, and a golf course in Hertfordshire, along with a 50% share in 15 sites in the US. He was recently featured in the Sunday Times UK rich list.

Born in a caravan to a poor Romany Gypsy family; he shared the extraordinary story of how he started, as well as discussing:

• The importance of reinvesting in the business

• Effective leadership as a key to organisational success

• Why organisations should encourage employees to recognise mistakes and learn from them

• His ‘’always say yes’’ policy and why the customer is always king

• Alfie’s secrets of his success

Bob Bannister

Founder, iManage Performance

In this show, I interviewed Bob Bannister of iManage Performance, a training company that works with organisations to change people for good, focusing on blended learning where they combine face-to-face & online learning.

We discussed topics such as:

• How to successfully manage remote teams

• The creation of high functioning teams and how to get people working well together

• The importance of trust within remote teams

• How to encourage professional intimacy

• The impact of flexibility at work on lifestyle

• The silver linings that can come out of difficult times