An Unorthodox CEO

This week on An Unorthodox CEO we are joined by Sarah Southerden Lee's wife and friend of Steve & Paula! Listen as Steve & Sarah chat all about how she found her way into finance & how she worked her way up. Plus, find out how Sarah met Lee & how many pairs of shoes she owns...00:00 Intro01:40 Sarahs life growing up03:15 How she found her way into finance08:15 Best part of Sarahs job10:40 Working from home & productivity13:40 Becoming a Team Leader17:20 Anxiety & overcoming it20:21 How Sarah met Lee22:54 Sarah, Lee, Steve, Paula & their friendship23:51 Sarahs thoughts on Lee joining the business26:00 Looking in on the challenges of Sussex Beds28:20 Quickfire Questions34:30 Outro

On this week's episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve chats with his friend Colin and original member of Sussex Beds all about what the business was like in the 80's and how its change to now. Plus, they chat about Colin's job in Windows, some contentious quickfire questions and how Steve & Colin work together on the Gangshow!00:00 Intro02:20 How Steve & Colin met04:50 Why Colin ended up working at Sussex Beds07:10 Colins jobs at Sussex Beds08:10 What is was like moving from general furnishings to beds10:20 Funny memories from the opening days11:47 Opening ‘Little Bexhill’13:10 How the opening of Haywards Heath changed the business16:22 Colin became Steves manager18:50 Hiding in wardrobes…20:00 The opening of Eastbourne Shop & the sport shop21:30 Colins jobs in the Window industry22:50 Watching Sussex Beds evolve & what that was like & why good team is so important24:10 Stage Managing Gangshow27:19 Performing in Gangshow & other shows28:54 Quickfire Questions36:31 Outro

On this weeks episode, Steve and Mark chat through his life before Sussex Beds and the jobs that led him into sales, how he has worked his way up with at Sussex Beds starting as a Sales Advisor and his journey to Regional Manager, plus how he de-stresses after work!Question: Ketchup on Lasagna? Yes or No... Let us know in the comments!00:00 Intro01:56 Life before Sussex Beds04:38 How made his way into Sales09:53 Starting as a sales advisor with us14:40 Going from a big to a small business16:20 Becoming Uckfield Store Manager18:45 Taking the leap to manage a brand new store20:37 Becoming a Regional Manager & the kind of manager Mark wanted to be26:00 80% people management and how that works27:10 Hardest part of his job29:44 How Mark has changed over the last 10 years33:40 Mark & his family36:20 Hobbies & how he de stresses45:55 Quickfire questions54:00 Outro

In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats with Oliver Bowen all about the premium bed world. Oliver has been in the industry for over 20+, listen as they chat about how he got into the industry, the businesses he worked for and what he has learnt along the way.00:00 Intro01:50 How Oliver got into beds05:50 His time at And So To Bed & why the business changed11:00 Why looking for the ‘why’ is so important13:10 Olivers role at Feather & Black 14:19 Working out where the brand should sit in the market18:24 Moving to Hästens - working in the luxury sector22:30 Olivers job now working with Carpe Diem23:50 How Carpe Diem design their beds25:12 How Carpe Diem started27:15 Biggest challenge of bringing in a premium supplier into the UK29:30 Your team on the floor make a huge difference31:30 What has changed most in the bed industry over the last 20 years35:37 Quickfire Questions44:30 Outro

We are back! Its 2026, and season 3 is here! Listen as Steve and Shane chat through why he decided to take the job at Sussex Beds, how he moved through the roles and when he finally found his right seat!Plus, like cooking steak? Listen for Shane's top tips!00:00 Intro01:31 Shanes life before Sussex Beds04:00 How he ended up at Sussex Beds05:55 Why did the initial job appeal to him07:01 Working with Sarah (his fiance)10:40 Working in sales as a ‘Sleep Consultant’11:50 Moving on to being a Store Manager14:31 A move into the office working on the website18:50 The catalyst of becoming IT Manager23:30 Benefits of in-house skills24:17 Working with Matt & Chris in IT27:28 Learning to train someone29:30 Quickfire Questions36:52 Outro

Its our final episode of 2025! So we thought we would share with you our goals & aspirations for 2026. Listen as Steve and Victoria share their 2025 goals and if they completed them, plus their goals & the office team's goals for 2026. Have you got a goal? You can share with us in the reviews!00:00 Intro02:30 Goals & SB Meetings03:20 Steve's Goals for 202503:30 Steves' 1st Goal06:30 Steves' 2nd Goal08:02 Steves' 3rd Goal09:00 What Steve wanted to do as a leader in 202511:20 What Steve wanted to spend more time on in 202514:30 Steves 3 Personal Goals for 202618:25 Steves' 3 Goals as a Leader22:40 Victoria Goals for 202525:20 Victoria's Goals for 202628:18 Sarah's Goals 33:23 Grace's Goals39:25 Paula's Goals45:15 Matt's Goals50:39 John's Goals56:20 Sue's Goals1:00:56 Lees' Goals1:08:39 Outro

This week, Steve is joined by one of his best friends, Sam! Find out more about how they produce the Hastings Gangshow, Sam's family life and their joint love for amateur dramatics. Plus get a Gangshow exclusive!You can find out more here - https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/whats-on/event/hastings-gang-show-2026/00:00 Intro02:05 Sam’s family & work life06:40 The Hastings Gangshow & what its like to produce08:50 How Steve & Sam became friends10:00 Why the arts is so important12:06 Scouting is so inclusive13:00 Gangshow dates - 7th, 8th, 9th May 2026! 60th Anniversary14:30 Gangshow exclusive!16:30 Stresses, pressures & fun18:10 Thank you to Gangshow Team20:48 Am Dram & their escapes!25:25 Quickfire Questions35:30 Outro

Listen this week as Steve chats with Andrea Randall-Smith, the CEO of Little Gate. They talk all about the work and the people who make Little Gate a success, what it's like being a CEO for a charity and her escapes! Plus, find out how you can support Little Gate!00:00 Intro01:14 Andreas journey to CEO04:00 Life & work before Little Gate07:14 Andreas introduction to Little Gate10:35 The purpose of Little Gate13:30 How their work transforms lives & success stories18:20 How you can find Little Gate21:00 What are the biggest challenges25:00 How her family supported her27:39 Changing from working in the organisation to on it31:05 How they deal with loneliness in the job32:30 How Vistage has helped both Steve & Andrea35:24 Where she would like to see Little Gate in 5 years38:40 Quickfire Questions44:36 Outro

On this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, we chat with Joe, Grace's Fiancé, all about how he supports her, what it's like working with his family and how he is building a career for himself in the construction industry. Plus, find out how Joe ended up living with Steve & the Pickerings and their favourite memory together.00:00 Intro02:10 Growing up & School Life05:53 College Courses & First Job09:15 Working with his Grandad & Dad12:51 New opportunities14:00 Difficult decisions & his Dad leaving the business17:20 Taking the leap to a new business18:10 Progression through the ranks20:00 Pressures in the construction industry27:08? - How Joe met Grace33:50? Dinner table business discussions36:10? How Grace & Joe support each other38:44 How being involved in dinner table discussions has helped Joe in his career39:45 Holidays together on the business rollercoaster44:20 Joes escapes from work45:45 Quickfire Questions53:05 Tip of the week54:40 Outro