How I Built My Small Business

Today we have Lloyd Rooney sharing his journey - from leaving the traditional schooling system at 12 due to dyslexia, learning how he learned best, to bartending in the UK and now owner-operating multiple restaurants in New Zealand, employing over 135 people.Lloyed is a co-founder of The Jetson Group, a collection of distinctive restaurants in New Zealand:The Quay, No. 8, Loco, and The Cove Cafe.I had the chance to meet Lloyd and Mike during a recent stop at The Cove Cafe and I was struck, not only by their approach to hospitality but also their business philosophies - ones that blend creativity, strategy, and a deep respect for community and locally sourced ingredients.In this episode, we dive into the behind-the-scenes decisions that have fueled their restaurant success, with a focus in this episode on The Cove Cafe in Waipu, New Zealand - which is highly seasonal. At that one location, his staff swells from 16 year-round to 45 employees for the summer months.Lloyd opens up about the realities of scaling in the hospitality industry, how dyslexia shaped his entrepreneurial style, and why trusting your team is essential to sustainable growth.Check out Lloyd’s restaurants and learn more through the links in the episode description above.Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Tara Bielawski is a medium and today’s conversation is not so much about starting a business and more so about perspective, her gift and her journey to mediumship.Losing my dad was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, and it’s what led me to start this podcast. Conversations like this, whether you believe in mediumship or not, are part of my journey of asking bigger questions about life, connection, and what really matters.Back in December of last year, I was invited to attend a group medium session. I’m pretty open to at least experiencing things once before I knock them, but I won’t lie - while I was curious, I was also very, very skeptical.In my thoughts, I said - “Dad, this is your opportunity to prove to me there’s something else.”And, my mind was blown when Tara started telling me about specific memories with details that have never been written or talked about outside of our family.They weren’t vague details… not like how a horoscope can be bent to apply to anyone’s life.And, there wasn’t just one memory, but several.Connect with Tara:https://www.facebook.com/TaraBMedium/Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Today’s conversation with Dr. Bill Rawls and Braden Rawls is about understanding health at a cellular level.Dr. Bill Rawls is a licensed physician with over 30 years of experience in medicine. After facing a personal health crisis in his early forties, he turned to herbal and alternative medicine, restoring his health and becoming a leading voice in holistic wellness. He is the bestselling author of "The Cellular Wellness Solution," and serves as the Medical Director and Co-Founder of Vital Plan, a holistic health company and Certified B Corporation.Braden Rawls is the CEO and other Co-Founder of Vital Plan, a company she established with her father, Dr. Bill Rawls, in 2008. Under her leadership, Vital Plan has developed meticulously crafted supplement blends using the highest quality ingredients, aiming to empower individuals to take control of their health.The reason I reached out to them is that the information in Dr. Rawl’s book “The Cellular Wellness Solution” had me buzzing from all that I learned because it made so much sense and provided a missing puzzle piece in my healing journey.I’ve been battling a couple autoimmune diseases for about fifteen years, and in that time, I’ve seen at least a dozen different endocrinologists, and each and every one of them told me that healing my own autoimmune condition was impossible. All solutions they offered ultimately led to surgically remove my thyroid or killing it through radioactive iodine. A major vital organ.And, I was unwilling to accept this route as a real solution (for me), and so I spent years reading books to learn as much as I could about thyroid health.Fast forward to today, and without medication, all of my thyroid levels are back in the normal range - because of what I’ve learned about healing through diet, lifestyle and herbal supplements.This is not medical advice. The information and opinions presented in this podcast are for generational informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your own physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is solely at your own risk.www.vitalplan.comwww.rawlsmd.com Instagram: @rawlsmdInstagram: @vitalplanSubscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Kerri Futch is a friend of mine who moved from Northern California to Wisconsin to be closer to family and to chase a dream vision for a Wolf and Fox, boutique winery and an event space.This episode is more of a casual conversation and catch-up between friends, but there are oodles of nuggets in her story, her strategic approach, and you’ll get real-time insights and perspective into what it’s like being in the midst of a less than 1 year-old business.Kerri and her husband, Jon, purchased forty acres of land with a barn in Calumet County, Wisconsin with motivation to cultivate a diverse, sustainable farm, vineyard, and community event space.Let’s hear how it’s going.Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

This interview was so entertaining to host because I felt like I was back in college for an hour and had the most interesting guest teacher who made me laugh, play games, and have fun - all while learning.Duncan Wardle, the former head of innovation and creativity at Disney, is on a mission to teach people how to access their natural creative abilities, to be innovative, explore curiosity, connect through empathy and tap into one’s intuition.As soon as I saw Duncan in the online recording room, he just jumped straight into teaching and you’ll notice that the first few minutes of our conversation were missing because I hadn’t yet hit the record button.After a few minutes I thought, hit the dang record button, which I did. Next time, I’ll hit it sooner.In this episode, you may wonder - who is leading the show? LOLAt one point, my husband overheard us in the distance and said, “it sounded pretty negative when you kept on saying No… what was up with that?” I guess you’ll just have to listen in to figure out what that was about.https://duncanwardle.com/https://theimaginationemporium.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncanwardlehttps://www.instagram.com/duncanjwardle/https://www.facebook.com/DuncanJWardlehttps://x.com/duncanjwardleSubscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Today we’re diving into the world of publishing with Jackie Ashton—literary agent, journalist, and founder of Bookmark, a boutique agency helping thought leaders bring impactful books to life.Before launching The Bookmark Agency, Jackie was an agent at Lucinda Literary, where she landed major publishing deals for authors like Dave Pell (Please Scream Inside Your Heart) and Scott Shigeoka (Seek). With a deep understanding of the publishing industry, she specializes in helping authors craft books that don’t just share expertise but resonate with readers, disrupt industries, and fill market gaps with empathy over ego.She also shares her knowledge in The Big Idea, her free newsletter packed with insights on writing books that matter. And as a journalist and essayist, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Salon.https://www.jackieashton.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Today’s episode is part of Podcasthon, a global effort bringing thousands of podcasts together to raise awareness for charitable causes.My guest today is Christopher Helfrich, President and CEO of Eat. Learn. Play., the foundation he co-founded with Stephen and Ayesha Curry to tackle childhood hunger, early literacy, and active lifestyles for kids in Oakland.Since launching in 2019, Eat. Learn. Play. has raised and invested over $32 million—directly impacting underserved children and families. Under Christopher’s leadership, the foundation has grown into a force for change, helping Oakland kids get the nutrition, education, and movement they need to thrive.Before this, Christopher led the Starlight Children’s Foundation and served as Head of the Nothing But Nets campaign for the UN Foundation, working to combat malaria globally.And in 2024, he and Stephen Curry landed on the cover of Inc. Magazine for their work in fostering equity, access, and opportunity for all.Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Laura Wachtel talks about how improv can make life—and work—better.The principles of improv—like saying ‘yes, and,’ thinking on your feet, and embracing the unexpected—can transform how you communicate, lead, and handle challenges.Laura is the owner of Zipline Improv, where she’s bringing improv out of the theater and into the real world—helping individuals, businesses, schools, and communities use play to sharpen listening, build connection, and get out of their heads.Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Ru Hill is the founder of Surf Simply, a globally renowned boutique coaching resort in Costa Rica that has transformed the way people learn to surf. Unlike traditional surf schools, Surf Simply takes a science-based, technique-driven approach, breaking down the complexities of surfing into teachable, measurable skills. This method has attracted everyone from complete beginners to seasoned surfers looking to refine their craft.Beyond the waves, Ru is a deep thinker on business, leadership, and intentional growth. His grassroots journey—from coaching out of the back of a car to running a world-class surf resort—offers invaluable lessons on entrepreneurship, scaling with purpose, and building a high-performing team without sacrificing company culture.His resort has been featured more than once in the New York Times and if you want to check out what you’re missing, just watch any of the inspiring weekly videos you can find on the Surf Simply You Tube channel.Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Today, Dr. Alexa D’Agostino is coming on the show to share insights on how to build a company from six to seven figures or seven to eight.Alexa founded her first official company at 18 and went on to build and then exit multiple businesses achieving over nine figures in exits by the age of 30.As a part of her journey, she has raised over $100m for charities worldwide.As the CEO of Thynk Consulting Group, Alexa specializes in scaling businesses through strategic marketing, sales, and leadership development. Her expertise has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal.Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost