An Unorthodox CEO

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

On this weeks episode of An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats to Rob Najair about how he turned his passion for sport & helping people into a career. Listen as they talk all about what it was like starting his own business, the importance of sleep for recovery, and how setting boundaries has created a better work-life balance!You can find more out about Najair Movement by following Rob on Instagram @najair_movement00:00 Intro01:25 Where Robs love for fitness came from05:30 Life after college - what next07:30 Finding his work passion09:10 Taking the leap into his own business11:20 Robs first business & his business coach17:00 Finding his niche19:10 How Movement Training works & what injuries Rob sees21:20 Importance of sleep & value of a quality mattress24:30 How caffeine and alcohol affect your sleep26:30 Weight loss & making good habits28:38 Rob used to PT the office29:40 Rob time in the theatre31:20 His escape from work & creating boundaries35:30 Spending your time where you are best spent37:57 Where he sees himself in 2 years40:33 Quickfire questions47:00 Tip of the week49:30 Outro

In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve sits down with Lewis to talk about his journey from the football pitch to the furniture industry. From playing for Portsmouth to building a career in business, Lewis shares how resilience shaped his path and how he finds balance between home life and work!00:00 Intro02:30 Early life & journey into football07:30 What its was like training with the pros09:00 Playing with the big names10:19 How Lewis felt when football came to an end11:14 His first sales job12:45 How football made him so resilient14:20 Enter the world of furniture16:00 Progressing through the roles17:49 Jumping from employed to self employed20:00 Differences between high end & commercial21:30 Balancing suppliers & retailers23:30 Travelling & balancing home life27:45 How the industry could work better together30:11 Quickfire questions36:35 Tip of the week38:56 Outro

Welcome back to Season 2 of An Unorthodox CEO! This week, we are joined by Paul Matthews, customer experience expert and director at Insight 6!Listen as Steve and Paul chat about where the opportunity for him to start his own business came from, how creating positive feelings for customers is so important and his highs and lows in business! Plus so much more!00:00 Intro02:10 Where Paul started his career05:40 Always loved sport & fitness08:00 The opportunity to start his own business11:00 What insight 6 does for businesses12:30 How the surveys influenced Sussex Beds13:10 Why getting feedback is so important14:53 Turning poor experiences into great ones17:15 Team satisfaction surveys are needed18:38 Pauls highlights & toughest parts of running his own business20:27 A note from Olivia (Pauls Daughter)21:40 Customers always remember the feeling they had23:30 How Paul destresses24:30 A gift from Paul to Steve & Victoria26:12 Quickfire Questions30:44 Tip of the Week32:45 Outro

An Unorthodox CEO is back and we kick off with the first episode next Wednesday at 8am! You don't want to miss it as we speak to more guests, some of our team and end the year with our goals for 2026! Want to be a guest dont forget you can leave a review or send us an email on anunorthodoxceo@sussexbeds.co.uk