Curious Leadership with Dominic Monkhouse E351 | Dan Williams: How Optimism, Grit and Vulnerability Built a £30M Business
Can optimism really scale a company?
In this episode, Dominic chats to Dan Williams, CEO of Orean Personal Care, to explore what it really takes to lead through chaos - from doubling revenue in tough markets to leading with vulnerability, optimism, and Ironman-level discipline.
Under Dan’s leadership, Orean has grown from £3M to £30M turnover, becoming one of the UK’s fastest-growing contract manufacturers in the beauty industry — all while achieving B Corp certification and building a culture rooted in learning and care.
What you’ll learn:
💪 How training for an Ironman reshaped Dan’s mindset as a CEO
💡 The power of optimism when leading through adversity
❤️ Why vulnerability builds trust faster than authority ever could
🏭 How Orean scaled without losing its culture or values
📈 What it takes to grow sustainably - from £3M to £30M
If you’re a founder or CEO navigating the messy middle of growth — trying to scale your team, your systems, and your mindset — this is a masterclass in how to stay human while building something extraordinary.
Book recommendations:
The Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday
Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor E Frankl
About the guest:
Dan Williams is the CEO of Orean Personal Care, a UK-based contract manufacturer producing premium skincare, haircare, and wellness products for some of the world’s most innovative beauty brands.
Under his leadership, Orean has grown tenfold in revenue and achieved B Corp certification, balancing profit with purpose.
A lifelong endurance athlete, Dan brings his Ironman mindset into business — combining optimism, resilience, and relentless learning to build a company culture defined by progress, not perfection.
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Chapters:
00:01:00 - Dan Williams: Background and Personal Life
00:01:32 - Business Growth Journey
00:03:39 - The Importance of Optimism
00:04:53 - Vulnerability as a Strength in Leadership
00:06:44 - Challenges of Turnarounds and Maintaining Energy
00:08:24 - The Role of Sports in Personal Development
00:10:42 - Achieving Goals Through Determination
00:12:05 - The Impact of Belief and Support
00:13:22 - Leadership and Management Styles
00:16:03 - Promoting from Within vs. Hiring Externally
00:18:05 - Succession Planning and Employee Development
00:21:06 - Overview of Orean's Business Model
00:23:34 - Curiosity and Understanding Customer Needs
00:27:14 - Establishing a Five-Year Vision
00:30:02 - Building a Strategy for Growth
00:32:29 - Evolving Leadership Team Dynamics
00:33:09 - Time Management and Work-Life Balance
35:00.00 - Navigating Challenges in Leadership
37:19.00 - Balancing Passion and Time Management as a CEO
42:13.00 - Finding Balance Between Passion and Life
43:19.00 - Effective Hiring Strategies and Lessons Learned
45:23.00 - Mastering the Art of Interviewing
49:02.00 - Book Recommendations