Ambitious Minds

In this episode, I’m joined by fellow finance professional Scott Foley to discuss the viral debate between Daniel Priestley and Gary Stevenson on The Diary of a CEO.With wealth inequality at the forefront of global discourse, is a wealth tax really practical? We unpack and explain their clashing views on economic freedom, taxation, and government policy.We explore the most controversial solutions to narrowing the wealth gap and discuss some bold ideas such as a 100% inheritance tax, a land value tax, and taxing unrealised gains,We also look at the impact of AI, globalisation, and property prices on the economic landscape—and what it all means for the future of wealth creation and distribution.00:03 Debate Breakdown: Daniel Priestley vs. Gary Stevenson01:39 Key Points of Agreement and Disagreement04:05 Economic Freedom and Entrepreneurship04:29 Wealth Inequality and Taxation11:00 Global Economic Policies and Their Impact17:05 Profit Shifting and Consumption Tax32:07 Inheritance Tax and Wealth Distribution35:46 Unlocking Unrealised Gains36:34 100% Inheritance Tax and Its Implications38:39 Property Prices and Housing Crisis42:30 Why Gary is Wrong about the History of Property Ownership44:05 The Truth About the UK Under High Taxation49:41 Land Value Tax as a Solution01:00:58 Quantitative Easing and Inequality

Is AI Going to Disrupt Your Job or Help You Scale Your Business Faster? In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Phil Chell, founder and CEO of Hera Waterproofing and Chiron AI, to talk all things AI, entrepreneurship, business growth, and how tech is reshaping the way we build successful companies.Phil shares what it really takes to build a profitable business in a saturated market. We explore how AI is helping founders reduce startup costs, streamline operations, and scale faster than ever. He breaks down the importance of cash flow management, how to land your first customer, and the value of leveraging your network to grow.We also get into the personal side of entrepreneurship - dealing with stress, maintaining work-life balance, and learn what Phil risked to go from corporate life to the freedom of building something of his own.00:00 Trailer01:05 Freedom and Loneliness in Business03:43 The Catalyst for Change: Leaving the Corporate World05:17 Starting a New Business08:56 Innovative Approaches in the Construction Industry12:04 Integrating AI: Transforming Business Operations21:38 Financial Literacy and Business Planning25:28 Cash Flow Management: Why Cash Is King32:44 Defining Success in Business33:47 Investment and Growth36:46 Valuing a Tech Business37:54 Hiring and Company Culture40:47 Personal Reflections on Success46:38 Managing Work-Life Balance52:41 Ambition and Mentorship01:02:39 Final Thoughts and AdviceDiscover PhilLinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philchell Get In TouchLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/Website - ambitiousmindspodcast.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast

Are you earning more but still feeling like you don't have any extra income in your bank account each month? We often assume that a bigger pay check guarantees financial security, but without the right strategy, lifestyle inflation, tax inefficiencies, and poor financial planning can quietly erode wealth.This week, I'm joined by Lawrence Bearman, a financial advisor specialising in helping high-income Millennials keep more of their hard earned cash. We discuss how to manage wealth, optimise tax efficiency, and avoid the common money pitfalls high earners face.Expect to learn:02:03 Lifestyle Inflation: The Hidden Trap03:15 Understanding Expenditure04:42 The DIY Investor Dilemma06:14 The Value of Financial Advice13:29 Common Financial Challenges for High Earners15:51 Tax Efficiency Strategies18:57 Property Investment vs. Renting23:05 The Emotional Side of Financial Planning30:16 Finding Financial Balance31:35 Avoiding Lifestyle Creep33:39 End of Tax Year Planning34:44 Understanding Pensions39:41 Lawrence's Best Investment45:26 Social Media for Financial Advice49:59 The Role of AI in Financial Planning55:04 Summary of Financial TipsDiscover LawrenceLinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-bearmanGet In TouchLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/Website - ambitiousmindspodcast.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcastNOTE: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice. Any opinions expressed are those of the guest and host and do not constitute recommendations for specific financial decisions.You should always consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment, tax, or financial planning decisions. Investments can rise and fall in value, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

This week, I sit down with Peter Wood, co-founder of The Graduate Guide, to discuss the biggest challenges facing university graduates in today’s job market.With AI, automation, economic downturns, and the decline of traditional corporate careers, graduates are questioning whether a 9-to-5 job is still the best path.We explore why the graduate job market is so challenging, how to stand out in a competitive job market, the importance of personal branding on LinkedIn, and how to leverage social media for career success.Peter also shares his journey from history student to startup founder, offering insights on networking, breaking free from societal career norms, and finding opportunities beyond traditional corporate jobs.If you're a student, recent graduate, or considering a career change, this episode will give you practical strategies to future-proof your career, land better job opportunities, and navigate today’s evolving job market.00:00 Trailer01:08 Challenges Facing Graduates02:03 Navigating the Job Market03:48 The Graduate Guide Mission05:12 Corporate vs. Entrepreneurial Paths08:04 Advice for Non-Traditional Career Paths09:10 Building a Personal Brand21:26 The Role of AI in Recruitment35:56 The Power of Personal Branding38:41 Building Your LinkedIn Presence41:50 Balancing Career and Personal Life45:47 Overcoming Social Pressure and Cringe56:14 The Journey of Building a Business01:00:20 Joining the Entrepreneurial Community

In this 50th episode milestone, I’m pulling back the curtain on what I’ve learned from the last 12 months launching and growing this podcast - and how these lessons apply to starting any business.From dealing with imposter syndrome to experiencing the benefits of consistency and building a personal brand. I’ll also share the costs of podcasting, why networking is a superpower, and the real struggle of staying focused when opportunities are everywhere.Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a content creator, or just someone who wants to level up, these 10 lessons will save you time, money, and frustration as you build your own path to success.Expect to learn:00:00 Introduction01:21 Celebrating 50 Episodes: A Year in Review02:21 Lesson 1: The Importance of Getting Started04:02 Lesson 2: Embrace Imperfection and Progress10:02 Lesson 3: Consistency is Key11:54 Lesson 4: Managing Work-Life Balance17:17 Lesson 5: The Power of Networking22:48 Lesson 6: Dealing With Imposter Syndrome28:30 Lesson 7: Building Your Personal Brand36:51 Lesson 8: The Challenge of Staying Focused40:39 Defining Success and Ambition50:41 Lesson 9: The Cost of Running a Podcast58:53 Lesson 10: The Reality of Burnout01:08:08 Final Thoughts and Key TakeawaysGet In TouchLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/Website - ambitiousmindspodcast.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast

Dan is an e-commerce expert who turned his Shopify side hustle into a £5 million revenue business. In this episode, he reveals how he scaled his company, maximised profitability, and ultimately exited successfully.The 5-Step Formula to Doubling Profit:Most Shopify store owners focus on traffic and ads, but Dan shares his proven strategy for increasing profit margins - giving you more cash to reinvest in customer acquisition.Accountant’s Guide to Running a Profitable Business:With his finance background, Dan breaks down how to structure your business for sustainable growth, so you’re not just making sales—you’re building a long-term success story.What Happens After a Successful Exit?As an ambitious entrepreneur, what do you do after selling your business? Dan reflects on his journey and shares what he’d do differently if he started again.Whether you're launching a store, scaling to six or seven figures, or planning your exit, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Don’t miss this masterclass in e-commerce success!01:39 From Corporate Career to Entrepreneurship02:07 Why Entrepreneurship?03:16 Starting the Business07:56 Scaling and Hiring15:56 Understanding Unit Economics19:00 5 Step Formula to Double Your Profit47:33 Lessons Learned48:29 The Waitlist Strategy49:05 Balancing Profit and Growth53:51 The Importance of Customer Experience58:24 Resilience in Business01:07:39 Future Ambitions and ProjectsDiscover DanWebsite - https://hellotmrw.io/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-mcclenDouble Your Profit Cheat Sheet - https://hellotmrw.io/pages/double-your-profitGet In TouchLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/Website - ambitiousmindspodcast.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast