Sophie Milliken MBE - From UNKNOWN TO UNFORGETTABLE: A Blueprint for Every Business Owner!

How I Built My Small Business

#Entrepreneur #Business #Anne McGinty #Entrepreneurship #Small Business Tips #Success Stores #Marketing Strategies #Financial Management #Customer Acquisition #Business Ideas #Podcasting Education #Startup #Business Plan #Scale Business #Personal Finances #Risk

34:01

I think you could probably go back and track the stages of grief, probably that is what I went through. But I think if you do it right, you end up at acceptance. And that's where I ended up. And that's not to say that I've fully accepted the idea that the golden toad is extinct. Personally, I do still hold out hope that it could still be out there in those forests." - Trevor Ritland This conversation is with Trevor Ritland, who—along with his twin brother Kyle—authored The Golden Toad . The book chronicles their remarkable journey into Costa Rica’s cloud forest, once home to hundreds of brilliant golden toads that would emerge for just a few weeks each year—until, one day, they vanished without a trace. What began as a search for a lost species soon became something much more profound: a confrontation with ecological grief, a meditation on hope, and a powerful call to protect the natural world while we still can. Links: SpeciesUnite.com Kyle and Trevor: https://kyleandtrevor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventureterm/ Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222249677-the-golden-toad Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Toad-Ecological-Mystery-Species/dp/163576996…

about a year ago 57:12

MP3•Episode home

Sophie Milliken is a remarkable entrepreneur and leader with contributions that extend far beyond business. She co-founded City Ladies Networking, chairs the UK Charity Smart Works Newcastle, and serves as a Founding Ambassador for Every Child Needs a Mentor.

Her dedication was recognized in 2023 when she was awarded an MBE by the Order of the British Empire for her services to Business and Education.

Sophie founded SRS Recruitment and Employability in 2013, successfully scaling it before selling in 2019. Now, as the Founder and CEO of Moja Group, an award-winning modern PR agency, Sophie continues to break new ground.

She is the host of the popular podcast Beyond The Bio which consistently ranks on the UK marketing podcast chart. Sophie has written two best-selling books, with a third on the way titled From Unknown to Unforgettable: How to Build a Personal Brand that Goes Beyond the Bio.

Connect with Sophie!
Buy Sophie's latest book From Unknown to Unforgettable
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sophie-milliken
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/moja_sophie/

Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.
Let’s connect!
Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond
Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Chapters

1. Entrepreneurship Ups and Downs (00:00:00)

2. Entrepreneurial Growth and Sale (00:13:02)

3. Lessons Learned and New Beginnings (00:23:15)

4. Publishing Options and Entrepreneurial Growth (00:35:38)

5. Overcoming Fear and Taking Risks (00:44:41)

6. Choosing Life Partners for Success (00:51:04)

7. Building Your Expert Reputation (00:56:03)

92 episodes

How I Built My Small Business

Sophie Milliken MBE - From UNKNOWN TO UNFORGETTABLE: A Blueprint for Every Business Owner!

How I Built My Small Business

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Her dedication was recognized in 2023 when she was awarded an MBE by the Order of the British Empire for her services to Business and Education.

Connect with Sophie!
Buy Sophie's latest book From Unknown to Unforgettable
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sophie-milliken
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/moja_sophie/

Chapters

1. Entrepreneurship Ups and Downs (00:00:00)

2. Entrepreneurial Growth and Sale (00:13:02)

3. Lessons Learned and New Beginnings (00:23:15)

4. Publishing Options and Entrepreneurial Growth (00:35:38)

5. Overcoming Fear and Taking Risks (00:44:41)

6. Choosing Life Partners for Success (00:51:04)

7. Building Your Expert Reputation (00:56:03)

92 episodes

All episodes

How I Built My Small Business

1
Summer Reset: Why I’m Sitting By the Pool Instead of the Mic (And Why That Matters) 3:28

7 days ago3:28

3:28

Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

How I Built My Small Business

1
Elizabeth Husserl - The POWER OF ENOUGH: Redefining Wealth, Well-Being, and What Really Matters 42:17

14 days ago42:17

42:17

Today’s guest is Elizabeth Husserl , a financial advisor, registered investment advisor representative, and the co-founder of Peak360 Wealth Management , a boutique wealth planning firm based here in the Bay Area. Elizabeth has this rare and fascinating blend of expertise: she holds a degree in economics from Tulane and a master’s in East-West psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, where she’s also served as an adjunct professor. Her work weaves together money, meaning, entrepreneurship, and mental well-being — a thread I found both timely and deeply resonant. Before launching Peak360, Elizabeth worked across the Americas in nonprofit settings, and today she’s also a sought-after speaker, having led workshops at places like Airbnb, Unity, and Google. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and daughter, and I can’t wait for you to hear the way she approaches personal finance through the lens of both human psychology and long-term vision. Buy The Power of Enough Facebook : @conversationswithmoney Instagram : @elizabethhusserl LinkedIn : Elizabeth Husserl Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Loren Vandegrift - 2025 Insights from BUSINESS EXITS broker on sales, values, and trends 39:07

21 days ago39:07

39:07

Today, I’m excited to bring back a guest whose first episode was one of the most listened to of Season 1 and in May this year, it topped the charts again as the most streamed episode on Spotify. Loren Vandegrift is a partner at Business Exits and has brokered over $500 million worth of business sales in just the past five years. He’s also no stranger to the founder journey himself... he previously built and led a couple of tech strategy consulting firms. But it was actually a bad experience selling his own company that motivated him to jump into the world of M&A, determined to give other entrepreneurs a better path than the one he faced. Full disclosure: Loren was my business broker when I sold my last company in 2020. Because that experience was so positive, we’ve kept in touch, and I’m lucky to now call him a friend. In this episode, we talk about how business brokering has changed in just the past year and a half, and what current trends buyers and sellers should be paying attention to. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Lauren Vermette — How to Invest in a Franchise on the Side (Without Quitting Your Job) 46:56

28 days ago46:56

46:56

Today’s guest is Lauren Vermette, founder and CEO of Franchisee Insight . Lauren has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between franchisees and franchisors, offering a unique perspective on the franchise industry. She truly understands the challenges and rewards that come with franchise ownership, having successfully built and sold multiple units in her own portfolio. Now, Lauren’s mission is to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the journey of self-discovery—helping them take that first step toward business ownership and, ultimately, toward wealth and independence. And just like a health insurance broker, Lauren’s services are completely free to you as the franchisee; she’s compensated by the franchisor for connecting the right people with the right opportunities. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
John Clapham - From Volcom Australia/ NZ CEO to RAGLAN SURF EMPORIUM 37:52

5 weeks ago37:52

37:52

I met John Clapham or "JC" in Raglan, New Zealand last year when I walked into his shop hoping they weren’t yet closing and said while huffing from my brisk walk, “What time do you close?” He responded with a smile, “depends on whose asking…LOL." And from there, we ended up chatting for about half an hour. I left thinking, I want to hear more of this guy’s story . JC didn’t go to college and worked his way up from tagging surf leashes in a retail shop to becoming CEO of Volcom Australia. He is the co-founder of the Raglan Surf Emporium , is a partner of Raglan Roast Coffee - which now has eleven locations across New Zealand - owns a gas station, holds major real estate investments, and continues to consult and build new ventures. In today’s episode, we only scratch the surface of JC’s journey. But wow - what an inspiration. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Anne McGinty — Finding My Voice: Lessons from Season 2 (So Far) 12:19

6 weeks ago12:19

12:19

What began as a tribute to my dad has unexpectedly become part of my healing journey, transforming from purely business and entrepreneurship to learning through storytelling. How I Built My Small Business recently won a 2025 Communicator Award of Excellence as an educational series , validating the creative endeavor of hosting, editing, and producing this show. • Season One focused on business creation and growth while Season Two explores guests' expertise and perspectives beyond business • Learning through storytelling was deeply valued by my dad, who believed one must never stop learning • Overcoming autoimmune conditions through diet, lifestyle changes, proper exercise, quality sleep, nervous system rebalancing, and the surprising way podcasting filled a missing puzzle piece • Podcasting itself has been healing by providing space to express my authentic voice after years of people-pleasing • Moving away from rigid question preparation to allow for more authentic, flowing conversations • Finding the balance between "doing" and "being" - a lesson learned from New Zealand culture As we head into the second half of this season, I'll keep following the joy and leaning into alignment. I wish you less pressure, less stress, and less rushing. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
David Pope - Buying a Business in Your 40s: Would You Move Your Family? The KAYTECH, INC. Story 50:52

7 weeks ago50:52

50:52

Today’s guest is Dave Pope, a friend of mine from college who spent 14 years in sales in the Northeast before making a bold move and buying Kaytech, Inc., a surface preparation company based in Greenville, South Carolina. At the time, he had no prior experience as a business owner. In this episode, Dave shares what it’s really like before, during and after acquiring a small business with stories from his first year as an owner-operator. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Samantha Rose - Behind-The-Scenes with a 3x NYT Bestselling GHOSTWRITER 53:05

8 weeks ago53:05

53:05

Today’s guest is Samantha Rose , an Emmy award-winning television writer and three-time New York Times Bestselling ghostwriter. She’s the founder of Yellow Sky Media , a literary development company that collaborates with celebrities, experts, and industry leaders to bring their powerful stories to life. Recently, Samantha stepped into the spotlight with her own memoir, Giving Up The Ghost , a poignant exploration of the grief and unanswered questions that followed her mother’s suicide. Her work has reached readers around the world, with projects translated into more than twenty languages and featured in the Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Bazaar, Time, and selected as Reese’s Book Club and Target Bookmarked picks. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Glenn Harrold - The Voice Behind Meditations That Have Helped Millions 49:50

9 weeks ago49:50

49:50

Today’s guest is Glenn Harrold , a meditation guide whose relax and sleep well recordings have personally helped me get much needed rest at times when I’m tired but wired. Glenn is an international best selling self-help author and one of the world’s most successful hypnotherapists. His guided meditations and mindfulness audio titles have been streamed over forty million times. And, his CD title, Complete Relaxation, is the only gold disc ever awarded by Nielsen for a self-help title. Glenn’s story is pretty incredible, from rough teenage years to success in the music business, hitting rock bottom and eventually founding Diviniti Publishing to help bring mindfulness and self-help recordings and products to a global audience. It was the deep personal challenges he faced that led him to dedicate his life to helping others break through mental barriers, find inner peace, and create lasting change. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Neri Karra Sillaman - PIONEERS: What 46% of Fortune 500 Founders Have in Common (And What You Can Learn From Them) 57:29

10 weeks ago57:29

57:29

As the daughter of immigrants, I’ve often turned to my own parents’ story for inspiration, a belief that we’re all capable of achieving anything we truly believe in, and a reminder that taking risks is often the key to making meaningful leaps in life. Today, I’m joined by Neri Karra Sillaman , who shares her extraordinary journey, from fleeing her home country as a refugee to building a global, multi-million dollar luxury brand , and teaching entrepreneurship at Oxford. She’s a 3-time TEDx speaker and the author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs , which has reached #1 in multiple Amazon categories, including Entrepreneurship, Business Diversity & Equality, and New Releases. Her work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and Fast Company , and she’s calling in from Paris for today’s interview. Buy Pioneers on Bookshop.org (Supports Indie Bookstores) Buy Pioneers on Amazon Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Josh Davis phD - The Hidden Science of Communication: NEUROLINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING 42:26

11 weeks ago42:26

42:26

Today’s episode is not so much about starting a business, but a glimpse into the neuroscience of influence and the power of Neurolinguistic Programming. My guest is Dr. Josh Davis , PhD in psychology and neuroscience from Columbia University. He’s the international bestselling author of Two Awesome Hours and an upcoming title The Difference that Makes the Difference . Josh is the founder of the Science-Based Leadership Institute , a sought-after keynote speaker, and his writing has appeared in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Psychology Today, Inc., and more. In this interview, explore the fascinating world of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) —what it is, how it can help us connect, communicate more effectively, lead with greater empathy, and shift self-limiting beliefs. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Jennifer Tsay - Free Photo Shoots to $9M Revenue: The Surprising Business Model of SHOOTT 46:35

12 weeks ago46:35

46:35

Jennifer Tsay is the co-founder and CEO of Shoott - with two Ts, a fast-growing company making professional photography more accessible for clients and a reliable supplemental income for photographers. In just seven years, Shoott has grown from $800K to over $9 million in revenue, achieving operational profitability and expanding services to over sixty cities across the US. "Jen" shares her journey in a very candidly and authentically, and we talk about leadership, giving and receiving feedback, and why experience (even unpaid) is one of the most undervalued assets in today’s time-value culture. She was named a Forbes #Next1000 honoree, Brit + Co’s 30 AAPI Founders We Love to Support, and on the side, she works as an actor and speaker. Shoott has been featured on Forbes, Oprah Daily , The Today Show , People , and much more. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube . Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Lloyd Rooney – Dyslexia, Determination, and 135 Employees: THE JETSON GROUP Story 51:36

13 weeks ago51:36

51:36

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 Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Tara Bielawski - Connecting the Seen and Unseen: A Personal Journey Into MEDIUMSHIP 53:40

14 weeks ago53:40

53:40

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 Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost…

How I Built My Small Business

1
Dr. Bill and Braden Rawls - CELLULAR WELLNESS: The Missing Piece in Modern Medicine 52:20

15 weeks ago52:20