Conversations That Grow

Are you struggling to build self-confidence and find your feet? Continuous self-improvement gives you the edge for optimal performance because you get to know your strengths and maximize them in all spheres of life.Join us for this episode of Push To Be More where Manish Mak a.k.a Mak from Formula Media shares his journey of overcoming fear of judgment and gaining self-confidence to find his identity and establishing his own successful business! Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Mak's biggest challenge was confidence, particularly in his early twenties when he entered the media and music industry. He overcame this challenge through pushing himself out of his shell and being in the limelight, despite his introverted nature. His entry into the BBC Asian Network was part of a deal with his record label, and he found the experience of being on the radio and connecting with millions of listeners to be both rewarding and emotionally challenging.Mak discusses the importance of believing in oneself and embracing feedback in order to overcome fear and build confidence, which is an evolving process that never stops. It is important to enjoy the journey and understand that different challenges require different approaches.Despite tough times and personal challenges, Mak launched his business Formula Media in 2019 and secured a pro bono project for the Prince's Trust, which became an award-winning campaign, by pulling together support from friends and colleagues and committing to seeing it through no matter what.Mak stays motivated and recharges himself through discipline and balancing two sides of himself - one that is always focused on growth and building, and the other that is more relaxed and calm. He practices hot yoga, goes to the gym, practices breathing techniques, does meditation, spends time with loved ones, and tries to minimize drinking to maximize his productivity.Mak plans to focus on utilizing AI to take away laborious tasks and open up time for creative thinking while applying media for good and diversity. He also aims to establish a bigger purpose for Formula Media.-----------------------ABOUT MAKMeet Mak, a media marketing expert with a passion for pushing boundaries and finding new and emerging media channels. With over 12 years of experience working with some of the world's largest advertising agencies and clients, Mak has overcome many challenges in his career, from making the decision to become an entrepreneur to navigating the relentless pace of the media industry. He's led global media strategy for brands like Coca-Cola, Sony, and Shell, and has won multiple industry awards for his work. Mak is also a DJ and music producer, with a love for music that has influenced his career in media. He is the Founder and CEO of Formula Media, a cutting-edge agency that's focused on using data-driven media advertising to make a positive impact in the world. Mak is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is interested in the intersection of media and technology, particularly in areas like AI and machine learning.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Looking for inspiration to push through the challenges of entrepreneurship? Join us for a journey of perseverance as we explore how the words and life of Winston Churchill shaped one entrepreneur's path to success.In this episode, Matt is joined by Mark Buchanan who shares valuable insights about the power of determination, discipline, and courage, and how to overcome the temptation to settle for mediocrity. Don't miss this inspiring episode!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Mark's diverse experiences and logical approach to problem-solving have shaped his leadership and business strategy. He enjoys consulting and coaching, focusing on empowering individuals and harmonizing their efforts to achieve business success. He believes that people are fascinating and all have unique stories and cultures.The biggest challenge for Mark is finding a balance between having a strong sense of self and humility, which allows him to be confident in his beliefs but also open to the perspectives of others. He acknowledges that this balance takes time and practice, and that it is important to always be open to the possibility that his beliefs and opinions may be incomplete or incorrect.Mark explains the concept of 4DX, which is a set of four disciplines of execution that help businesses achieve their goals. The four disciplines are painful behavior patterns that require discipline but lead to positive outcomes. The concept comes from the Franklin Covey organization famous for the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People which provides a foundational platform for 4DX.Most people start with good intentions, but over time, they fall back to their default ways due to lack of discipline and familiarity. To achieve above-average success, one needs phenomenal determination and courage, and mutual accountability is pivotal to staying on track. Groups of people working towards a shared vision outperform individuals working alone.Mark finds spending time alone in nature and photography to be energizing and centering, helping him recharge and repair. He also finds meditation and prayer helpful in reminding him of his own smallness and insignificance, which reduces stress and helps him focus on his part in a bigger picture.Mark is involved in starting a new fair trade company called We Are Fair Trade, which is the successor to Trade Craft in its mission. He was inspired to take on this challenge due to his involvement with Tradecraft and the importance of the fair trade mission. The new company aims to use digital opportunities to continue the mission and involve a younger audience in ethical practices.-----------------------ABOUT MARKMark has had a remarkable career, spanning multiple sectors and roles. Starting as an electrical engineer, they moved on to become a leader in the charitable sector before transitioning to consulting, coaching, and founding his own company. With experience working with clients in 60 countries, he has become an expert in leadership, problem-solving, and instilling a culture of strategic execution. His passion for social responsibility and sustainability led him to found We Are Fair Trade Ltd, and he's also a Churchill fan who never gives up. When not working, he can be found on his motorbike or pursuing his other hobbies like photography.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Most of us try to eat a healthy diet and detox regularly. But have you ever wondered, what are we detoxing from or why we need to? Whether you have or haven't, this episode of Push to be More is a must listen for everyone!Matt is joined by Emma Bianco, the founder of Pure Earth Collection, a multi-award-winning eco children's brand. Emma shares her journey of growing her business by 350% while juggling pregnancy, a newborn, and two small children. She shares her passion for non-toxic and sustainable living and talks about of the dangers of micro-plastics in our everyday lives, particularly among children and what we can do to be safe.Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Emma started her journey towards a healthier lifestyle after experiencing health complications in her twenties. She discovered that many common, ultra-processed foods are unhealthy, and started to eat a healthier, organic diet. Later, after becoming a mother, she realized that products marketed for babies are often full of toxins, microplastics, and other harmful substances. Emma now advocates for healthier product options and encourages people to make simple swaps to reduce toxins in their homes and in their lives.Emma talks about the challenges and biases she faced as a woman when trying to raise funds for her startup, particularly as a mother. She shares how investors questioned her abilities to run a business and be a mother at the same time, and how she responded by being transparent and determined, eventually growing her business by 350%.Emma discusses the challenges of balancing work and motherhood, and shares her strategies for prioritizing her children while still succeeding in her career. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries around technology use to create a healthy environment for her children.Emma recharges her batteries by balancing alone time with time spent with family and friends. Even though she has a lot going on with her business, family, and newborn, she tries to find at least 30 minutes to an hour each day for alone time and exercise to refresh herself.Emma's vision for her business is to continue to grow by at least 120% year on year over the next five years by providing sustainable and organic products. She wants to inspire other brands to push towards sustainability and inspire more women to start their businesses. She also addresses the issue of greenwashing and emphasizes her company's commitment to transparency and truthfulness.Microplastics are harmful to human health, especially babies and children. The tiny particles can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact, getting into the bloodstream and even breast milk. To reduce exposure, individuals can open windows, vacuum and dust, and phase out synthetic plastic-based fabrics in favor of natural materials.-----------------------ABOUT EMMAEmma is the founder of multi award-winning eco children's brand Pure Earth Collection which has achieved 120% YoY growth over 5 years. Last year, alongside juggling pregnancy, a newborn and two small children she grew the business by a massive 350%. She is an advocate of non-toxic and sustainable living having experienced health issues in her early 20s which led her to research and learn a lot about environmental toxins in our everyday lives.Before setting up Pure Earth Collection Emma had a 10 year career in finance focused on Africa. Including working in corporate finance, private equity and consultancy all focused on financing and promoting business across sub-Saharan Africa to help boost private sector markets across the continent.Emma is a creative at heart, with a mathematical and business brain and a passion for health and wellness. She feels particularly strongly about helping to spread awareness of the dangers of micro-plastics to human health and helping families understand why children are more exposed to these toxins.She's now combining her interests and skill sets to help bring safer, more natural products into the baby market. She's on a mission to protect the long term health of children and the planet.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

We can sometimes feel that we need to do something big to make a difference whereas that's not true. Vaishali Shah joins Matt in this episode to talk about her family legacy of giving back and what she does to keep it alive. Join us as we unlock the secrets of The Power of One and learn how you too can make a difference in the world, one step at a time! You won't want to miss our conversation with this inspiring entrepreneur!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Vaishali talks about her motivation for using her businesses to give to charity and how it was influenced by her upbringing in a family that emphasized giving back, as well as the support of her father who mentored and inspired her. Some personal challenges that she faced were her parents' divorce and moving from Jersey to Paris and now, starting from scratch again in Dubai, which pushed her out of her comfort zone and made her more resilient, helping her become a more business-minded and entrepreneurial individual.Vaishali enjoys running two businesses as it provides variety. She niches within each business, focusing on cultural and multicultural wedding stationery for Ananya Cards and food, hospitality, and lifestyle for Creative ID. This helps her manage social media and focus her marketing efforts.To maintain her energy and creativity, Vaishali practices self-care activities such as visiting spas and traveling to exotic locations. She also enjoys listening to podcasts and wants to start journaling and meditating on a daily basis.Vaishali hopes to create a community called "Chai and conversation" for like-minded entrepreneurs and business owners to talk about charity and support each other's efforts in making a positive impact. -----------------------ABOUT VAISHALIVaishali is an award-winning entrepreneur who has been running two successful businesses for over 20 years. As the founder of Creative ID, a branding and marketing consultancy, and Ananya Cards, a luxury stationery brand, Vaishali has helped businesses all over the world connect with their ideal clients and create purposeful, aspirational content. She is also a dedicated supporter of sustainability, diversity, and charity work, donating 10% of her profits to important causes.As an industry expert, Vaishali has been featured in global wedding publications, blogs, and media, and her work at Ananya Cards has been creating sophisticated wedding and event stationery for celebrations rich in personality and culture for 17 years. When she's not busy changing the world and running two successful businesses, Vaishali enjoys relaxing in a spa, exploring the newest art exhibitions in the city, and traveling to beautiful places. -----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

How can a digital agency stay relevant in the age of Artificial Intelligence?Andrew Armitage, a digital marketing expert, award-winning agency founder, and bestselling author joins Matt for this episode to share his insights on  staying competitive as a digital agency to provide value to clients. Tune in to discover valuable insights on running and growing your business in this age of AI.Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Andrew had a fascination for tech since he was a teenager, and had an entrepreneurial streak in the family. He combined his creative skills with his corporate experience to start his own digital agency in 2006. With hard work, dedication and an understanding of the complexities of development, he has been able to build it into a multi award-winning company.Andrew discusses the challenges of running a digital agency in the age of AI, such as recruitment, lost pitches, adapting to technology, and dealing with feast-and-famine cycles. He also emphasizes the importance of attitude and aptitude when recruiting and maintaining discipline in order to succeed.In the digital marketing industry, staying ahead of the curve is a challenge in the age of AI. Andrew suggests that digital marketers need to use AI for more menial tasks, but also be aware of its risks and lack of context. He urges people to develop both technical and soft skills, as well as focus on developing relationships with clients in order to succeed.Andrew discusses the importance of holistic website planning to avoid wastage and ensure digital properties are sustainable, iterative and have longevity. He also explains why he wrote a bestselling book on the topic, which serves as a useful tool for clients when meeting prospects.Andrew finds balance in his life by taking part in activities such as biking, walking, running, and spending time with his family. These activities provide him with an escape from the busyness of life, allowing him to recharge and reflect on his goals and direction.Andrew plans to continue to grow his digital agency by focusing on providing great work for good clients and creating a good environment for his team, while staying a team of 10-12 members at most.-----------------------ABOUT ANDREWAndrew Armitage is a digital marketing expert, award-winning agency founder, and bestselling author with over 20 years' experience in the industry. As the founder and director of A Digital, he oversees a talented team of eight and has built bespoke websites and applications for top companies like ExxonMobil, the NHS, Windermere Lake Cruises, and James Cropper plc.Andrew's bestselling book, "Holistic Website Planning," offers actionable insights and strategies for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge through digital marketing. He also hosts The Clientside Podcast, where he shares insights from senior digital leaders on the impact of digital on people, culture, and performance.Outside of work, Andrew loves exploring the beautiful Lake District on foot or by bike. His passion for helping businesses succeed through digital marketing is matched only by his love for the great outdoors.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Success as an entrepreneur doesn't come easy. You have to be able to balance work and life while juggling a million other things. But it is achievable.Join us for this episode of Push To Be More where Jim Martin from Align Digital shares the valuable lessons he's learnt while trying to find the elusive work-life balance and becoming a successful entrepreneur.Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Jim found it difficult to work as a marketer in Argentina, so he resorted to his family's book publishing business. After some time working there, Jim and his wife moved to New Zealand where he had to start from the bottom again.After arriving in New Zealand, Jim was surprised by the amount of days off given to employees. With time he adapted well to the Kiwi lifestyle such that he can no longer imagine returning to a life with excessive working hours and no holidays.He switched from agency life to an entrepreneurial life, as he could better manage his time and work on his terms. He has learned to check his ambitions and set achievable milestones.Jim started his own business, Align Digital with partners he knew from the agency. However, when agencies weren't paying for their services and relationships between partners became strained, he dissolved the partnership and relaunched his company. To compete more effectively, he decided to build a team and expand his services.Jim emphasizes that there is no one "magic bullet" to competing with younger individuals in the industry. Consistency is key--bringing a patient and long-term mindset can lead to success.Jim regularly sets aside time for his family and friends. He also tries to spend special quality time with each of his kids. He has found that structuring his life around these regular activities gives him the sense of balance he needs.-----------------------ABOUT JIMJim is a Communication Sciences graduate from Argentina who has found his passion for marketing and moved to New Zealand in search of the illusive work-life balance. He kickstarted his career at ACG Education, playing a role in growing the company to was later sold for 500M NZD. After this success, he moved on to an international marketing agency where he led a team of 16 and achieved remarkable growth. Jim then founded Align Digital, a consultancy that helps SMEs optimize customer journeys and conversions. Align Digital has assessed over 1000 sites and created 500 landing pages to date, and is now launching a new startup called 'Conversion Club' to train marketing teams.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Depression. A lot of people suffer from it in silence and feel like they're the only ones going through it. But that's not true. Darren Bennett from Fortem Property joins Matt in this episode to share about his journey of dealing with depression and finding success in the property business amid the current economic climate.Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Darren has found having a long-term therapist or mentor to be a huge help in dealing with his struggles with mental health. Breaking down goals into achievable targets helps provide positivity.Therapists can help condition the mind in the same way physical exercise conditions the body. There is a stigma around males seeking help, but it is important for men to reach out for assistance.Brexit brought an opportunity in the form of devaluation of British sterling, however mortgage rates have since increased. To deal with the situation, Darren switched his business model to focus more on property management for residual income and stability.There is a lot of money circulating in the system currently due to Government support, which may influence property prices. Darren predicts that interest rates will come down, but not to the levels they were before.Darren loves to travel and recommends traveling and living abroad to those who can work remotely. He also exercises regularly to keep fit.-----------------------ABOUT DARRENDarren is an entrepreneur with itchy feet and loves to travel. He co-founded the Fortem Property with Omar and has been supporting international clients in the UK real estate market since 2012. He’s worked with a host of developers, landlords and investment agencies, and this experience has given him an excellent, all-round understanding of how to achieve success with property. He and Omar formed the business resolving to offer clients something new and different: better opportunities in the market, greater accountability and responsiveness, and ready access to genuine, honest advice.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

It seems like everywhere we look these days people are trying to do more and be more. But more isn't always better and it isn't about how much you're doing but its about delivering quality, the value you are adding, and being able to enjoy the things that matter most in life. Tune in to this week's episode where Ross Hetherington from Snapify Marketing shares about his journey of finding the job that he enjoys doing, the challenges he's had to face and the lessons he's learnt along the way.Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Ross left his first job in marketing to launch Snapify, a Snapchat marketing agency as it was a great opportunity for businesses to reach younger demographics. The agency created filters for bars, clubs, restaurants, festivals and other businesses that would only show up within a certain radius.When deciding on a social media strategy, Ross says it is important to focus on one or two channels and do them well rather than trying to be everywhere at once. Businesses should choose their focus platform depending on their target audience.LinkedIn is a powerful platform that should be taken seriously by businesses. Personal profiles on LinkedIn are more effective than company pages at the moment. Ross suggests focussing on building connections with relevant target audiences, rather than emphasizing quantity.Ross faced personal challenges when navigating university and post-university life. He found it difficult to decide between going the same route as everyone else or something different. He took on different roles to identify what he did not like in order to narrow down his focus.Ross has found that attitude is more important than aptitude when hiring new staff. Learning from mistakes is an important part of the process. He says that people who are keen to learn and question things, even without experience, can make great hires.As an introvert, Ross needs time away from work to recharge and focuses on activities such as taking a walk, meditating, reading and journaling. He loves playing and watching football as well.-----------------------ABOUT ROSSRoss is the founder and CEO of Snapify Marketing which is a Digital Marketing Agency in Liverpool that helps clients all over the world to sell more products, get more leads, sell out events & find their audience online. Before setting off on his own adventures, Ross worked in a large agency helping clients dominate Google. Now, he finds himself expecting his first child, building his first home office and cot, both major DIY projects and is an avid LFC fan and like many of us is struggling with his LFC identity this season.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

A lot of people never reach their potential because they don't know how to find that leader inside them. In today's episode of Push To Be More, Erin Meads shares her secrets to discovering her superpowers and becoming the best possible version of herself.Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Erin regrets that children today have less freedom and innocence than she did in her childhood. She is mindful to create an environment for her own child that isn't based on fear so they can grow up feeling secure and lead a successful adult life.Erin has recently begun to understand the importance of understanding her strengths, blind spots, and internal motivations. She always had an inquisitive nature as a kid and it has been reignited in recent years. Her questioning helps her create solutions for long-term cures instead of quick fixes or bandaids.Erin took tests such as Myers Briggs and HBDI to gain insight into her strengths. She encourages people to look at these results with an open mind in order to understand how they affect them personally. As a leader, she emphasizes the importance of talking about self-awareness on a daily basis in order to support each other within teams or groups.Erin shares an example of coaching a nurse who was making decisions based on fear instead of what she wanted to move towards positively. She suggested that companies should focus on leading with positive actions towards desired outcomes instead of trying to avoid negative ones.To recharge her batteries Erin does Pilates which allows her to switch off from technology for some time; getting out in nature also helps with this process. As well as these activities Erin uses an app to help turn the brain off at night and listens to podcasts or meditates.-----------------------ABOUT ERINErin has spent over 20 years working in Healthcare. Spending her first few years working as a Registered Nurse travelling across New Zealand and Australia, the ‘itch’ to make a greater impact for people’s experiences in health care led her down the path of working in leadership roles from her mid 20’s… humbling, challenging and rewarding!In recent years, after a few surprising life events, Erin has been on a journey to really understand who she is. This has enabled her to further expand her skills and lean into her superpowers for how she best leads and supports teams and individuals in their workplaces.Erin thrives on supporting organisations, individuals and teams through change and creating opportunities where others may see obstacles. Having years of experience leading and working across multiple organisations in Healthcare, Erin has had to navigate many ‘glass walls’ to continue her pursuit of achieving impactful results that focuses on ‘the cure not the band aid’.Erin is also a wife, mother to a very special little boy and step mum. She loves a great coffee, pilates and is hugely passionate about all things sunscreen!-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

We sometimes think that living a life of legacy means becoming famous or wealthy, but that's not always the case. In fact, there are many ways to leave a lasting impact on the world.Chandra Selvadurai joins Matt in today's episode of Push To Be More to talk about the challenges he's had to face in life (including a few near death experiences) and how they've given him a constant motivation and push to make every moment count and leave a legacy behind!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Chandra was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and moved to the UK, then Australia before settling in New Zealand. He met his wife Amanda on a blind date while living in New Zealand and they will celebrate their 30th anniversary next year. They have two grown children - Logan and Anjuli.A key challenge came in 2019 when Chandra collapsed on a train from Manchester to London. He was lucky enough that two young doctors heard the call from the guard and got him off at Milton Keynes where he was able to recover before returning home safely after being deemed "incompatible with life" by medical professionals.Chandra experienced a near death experience at the age of six when he fell into a large drain in Malaysia. An orthopedic surgeon said they had to amputate his right leg or else he would die. A friend of their family, who was also an orthopedic surgeon, heard about this and offered to help them instead. He saved Chandra's life. This gave him motivation to push himself forward as well as encouragement from his parents: never give up, always move forward, be good people.Chandra draws energy from interactions with people and strives for a situation where both parties are better off. He believes in spending time with those who have the same energy and says that life is too short to not enjoy what you do, or interact with people who don't mean something special to him.Chandra believes that organic growth, leveraging existing partnerships and relationships, looking for new types of businesses to bring on board and pursuing growth by acquisition are the four elements necessary for successful growth. He is also motivated by leaving a legacy through his work which will live on in the hearts of people he works with as well as those who come after him.-----------------------ABOUT CHANDRAChandra is a seasoned business executive with a strong background in international pharma and MedTech businesses. He is the MD of Pharmaco - a company that is here to improve lives by delivering exceptional healthcare products which make a profound difference to people’s health and well-being.Chandra is known for strategic thinking combined with a tactical approach to drive business results, as well as team motivation, collaboration and communication skills at all levels of the organization - and if that's not enough - he is just a top bloke, has a beautiful family and loves to drive old Jags...what's there not to love about him?!-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.