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How I Failed in Business
The One With the Head of Nerdy Shit
Season 2 | Episode 38 | The One With the Head of Nerdy Shit
This week on How I Failed in Business, we’re joined by one of our very own, Owen MacKinnon, aka Head of Nerdy Shit at Paragon Sales Solutions.
We unpack Owen’s career journey from recruitment into sales, the lessons learned along the way, and how finding the right job can completely change your trajectory. It’s a conversation about growth, confidence and figuring out what you’re really good at.
We also dive into the importance of content creation and team participation, why everyone should be involved (yes, Owen), and how showing up online as a business is all about aura.
And then… Megan files a formal grievance against Owen.
What starts as a professional conversation quickly descends into chaos, questionable workplace behaviour, and an HR nightmare that absolutely does not exist (probably).
In this episode, expect:
- A career journey from recruitment into sales
- Finding your lane and backing yourself
- Why content creation should be a team sport 🎥
- Upholding personal image
- A completely unnecessary internal grievance 😅
If you like your business podcasts honest, funny, and slightly unhinged — this one’s for you.
Stay in-touch with Owen
New episodes of How I Failed in Business every Tuesday — real stories, real mistakes, and internal disputes that should probably stay internal.
Xero Link – Get Discounted Access: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/typzxfzhzw8w
Produced by Paragon Creative Studios 🎙️
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37. The One With the Skateboarding Incident
57:30||Season 2, Ep. 37Season 2 | Episode 37 | The One With the Skateboarding IncidentThis week on How I Failed in Business, things get creative, candid, and physically dangerous (for Shaun).We’re joined by Shaun Cole, and we get straight into the reality of running a creative agency — the wins, the mess, the constant learning curve, and the moment you realise being the boss absolutely does not mean you’ve got it all figured out. We talk starting a business from scratch, making it up as you go along, and why no one ever really “finishes” learning in business.Then… the skate park incident.An injury. A bad decision. A humbling moment that proves gravity is undefeated and entrepreneurs are not indestructible. We unpack what happened, what went wrong, and how sometimes your biggest lessons come from completely outside the boardroom.In this episode, expect:What it’s actually like running a creative agency 🎨Starting a business when you don’t have all the answersLearning on the job (even as the owner)Shaun’s infamous skate park accident 🛹Client red flags you should never ignore 🚩If you like your business podcasts real, reflective, funny, and lightly chaotic — this one’s for you.Find out more about Shaun Shaun LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-cole-72268b1b/Born Agency web : https://bornagency.co.uk/portfolio/Born Agency Insta : https://www.instagram.com/bornagencyishere/Beer with Born Podcast : https://www.youtube.com/@borncreativeagencyNew episodes of How I Failed in Business every Tuesday — real stories, real mistakes, and lessons learned after the damage is already done.Xero Link – Get Discounted Access:https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/typzxfzhzw8wProduced by Paragon Creative Studios 🎙️
36. The One With Megan’s Bad Dreams
45:30||Season 2, Ep. 36Season 2 | Episode 36 | The One With Megan’s Bad DreamsThis week on How I Failed in Business, things get psychological, painfully honest, and slightly unhinged (mostly for Megan).\We kick things off with a look into video marketing - why it’s everywhere, why it works, and how even marketers themselves can still fall for the very tactics they help create. Proof that no one is immune to good storytelling and a well-placed hook.Then things take a turn straight into Megan’s subconscious. We unpack borderline-concerning dreams Megan’s been having - the kind that feel real, linger all day, and make you question whether your brain is actively working against you. There’s analysis, speculation, and absolutely no professional dream interpreter in sight.From there, we get brutally honest about lying in interviews and on CVs — the small exaggerations, the big fabrications, and all the ways it can (and does) go spectacularly wrong. It’s a conversation about credibility, and what happens when the version of you on paper doesn’t quite match the one in the room.In this episode, expect:Video marketing tactics that even marketers fall for 🎥Megan’s unsettling dream multiverse 💤The slippery slope of “just stretching the truth” on CVsInterview lies, red flags, and career-ending momentsQuestioning your own sanity 😅If you like your business podcasts honest, funny, slightly uncomfortable, and unexpectedly self-reflective — this one’s for you.New episodes of How I Failed in Business every Tuesday — real stories, real mistakes, and intrusive thoughts getting far too much airtime.Xero Link – Get Discounted Access:https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/typzxfzhzw8wProduced by Paragon Creative Studios 🎙️
35. The One With Rob’s Receding Hairline
01:12:51||Season 2, Ep. 35Season 2 | Episode 35 | The One With Rob’s Receding HairlineThis week on How I Failed in Business, things get educational, emotional, and follicular.We start by attempting to learn different languages and absolutely butchering a few accents, and say a heartfelt thank you to all our listeners across the globe!We're then joined by Kate Holohan, a specialist in trichology, who brings both expertise and honesty in equal measure. Kate shares how she found herself working in such a niche field, what trichology actually involves, and why hair health is about far more than just products on a shelf.We dig into some of the most common hair-care myths people still believe, and why Rob’s receding hairline may or may not be entirely his own fault.Kate also opens up about losing her business under deeply unfair circumstances, the impact that had on her personally and professionally, and how she rebuilt herself and her career stronger than ever. It’s an honest conversation about resilience, starting again, and trusting your expertise when everything else falls away.In this episode, expect:Learning new languages (badly) and questionable accents 🌍A very sincere apology from Megan Rob confronting his hairline head-on 💇♂️Losing a business, rebuilding confidence, and coming back stronger A story all about feet 🦶If you like your business podcasts honest, funny, and unexpectedly educational — with a side of vulnerability and self-awareness — this one’s for you.Stay in touch with Kate LinkedIn : Kate HolohanInsta : @hairtherapyukTik Tok : @hair.therapy.ukYoutube : @HairTherapyUK New episodes of How I Failed in Business every Tuesday — real stories, real setbacks, and chaos exactly where it belongs.Xero Link – Get Discounted Access:https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/typzxfzhzw8wProduced by Paragon Creative Studios 🎙️
34. The One With the Human Mannequin
01:05:37||Season 2, Ep. 34Season 2 | Episode 34 | The One With the Human MannequinThis week on How I Failed in Business, we’re back, and we’re easing in the only way we know how: a bit of life admin, big plans for the year ahead, and stories that quickly spiral into “how did we even get here?” territory.We kick things off by catching up on what we got up to over the break and the goals we've been setting for the year ahead — the realistic ones, the ambitious ones, and the ones we’ll probably laugh about later.Then we’re joined by Ryan Faulkner and John Mark from 42 Risk Management, who bring the chaos in the best possible way. From working security on the doors to concerts, festivals, and high-profile clients, they share some genuinely unbelievable stories!We also dig into how Ryan and John Mark built 42 Risk Management, how they balance the business together, and how they push, challenge, and motivate each other when things get tough.And... Ryan and Rob take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the first time they met, at a divorce party, with Ryan working the bar and Rob working as a naked butler.In this episode, expect:A catch-up and goals for the year ahead 🎯Life on the doors: concerts, festivals, and security chaos ✨Stories of stalkers, fans, and being sent a life size human mannequin... 😳Motivation, accountability, and growing a business as a team 💪A naked butler origin story (obviously) 🍹If you like your business podcasts honest, funny, and packed with stories you probably won’t hear anywhere else, this one’s for you.Want to learn more about 42 Risk Management? 🌐 https://42riskmanagement.org.uk/Xero Link – Get Discounted Access:https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/typzxfzhzw8wNew episodes of How I Failed In Business every Tuesday — with real stories, real emotions, and chaos exactly where it belongs.Produced by Paragon Creative Studios
33. The One Where We Got Tipsy for New Years
44:50||Season 2, Ep. 33Season 2 | Episode 33 | The One Where We Got Tipsy for New YearsThis week on How I Failed in Business, we’re ringing in the new year the only way we know how… with a drink in hand, a little bit of chaos, and a surprising amount of reflection.We kick things off by raising a glass to 2025, celebrating the moments that made us laugh, cringe, and go “did that really happen?!” — before getting properly hopeful (and slightly tipsy) as we share our wishes for 2026.Along the way, we look back on some of our favourite guests and episodes, reliving the conversations that stuck with us, the lessons we didn’t expect, and the moments that have become proper “How I Failed” classics.If you fancy something that feels like a New Year catch-up with mates — honest, funny, and a bit unfiltered — this one’s for you.In this episode, expect:A toast to 2025 (and everything it threw at us)Our wishes, hopes, and slightly ambitious plans for 2026A look back at favourite guests and standout episodesOur 2025 best bits — the funny moments, the wins, and the “only us” momentsTipsy chat, real reflections, and the usual unplanned chaosWe are taking a short break for the start for January 2026, and will be back in the middle of the month!Xero Link - Get Discounted Access: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/typzxfzhzw8w
32. The One With Megan's Birthday Surprise
58:12||Season 2, Ep. 32Season 2 | Episode 32 | The One With Megan’s Birthday Surprise 🎉This week on How I Failed in Business, things get emotional The episode kicks off with our usual, perfectly normal chit-chat — with Megan completely unaware of what's about to happen...What follows is a full-blown “This Is Your Life”-style celebration, as Rob reveals a disturbing number of stories from Megan’s childhood (some of which probably should’ve stayed buried). Along the way, we share heartfelt messages, videos, and memories from Megan’s family and friends — and yes, tissues are strongly recommended.But the surprises don’t stop there.We’re joined by some very special guests, leading to an emotional reunion with one of the biggest role models in Megan’s life — a moment none of us were quite prepared for.In this episode, expect:🎈 A big birthday ambush📼 Childhood stories that range from hilarious to mildly concerning❤️ Messages from family and friends that hit right in the feels🌟 Surprise guest appearance and an unforgettable reunion😂 The usual chaos, laughter, and completely unplanned emotionsIt’s heartfelt, it’s funny, it’s slightly unhinged — and it might just be our most personal episode yet.New episodes land every Tuesday — bringing real stories, real emotions, and just the right amount of chaos.Xero Link https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/typzxfzhzw8w
31. The One With The Comedy Legends
01:24:54||Season 2, Ep. 31Season 2 | Episode 31 | The One With the Comedy LegendsThis week on How I Failed in Business, we welcome perhaps our funniest guest yet — the brilliant (and dangerously quick-witted) Liam Fish. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix Christmas chaos, stand-up comedy, and career lessons… well, this episode is for you.In this episode, we dive into:Our Christmas plans - including the surprisingly heated debate over how to cook sprouts that actually taste good! 🎄 Liam and Rob's crazy venture into stand-up comedy 🎤The “thrill” of being a client relationship manager (and yes, the quotation marks are intentional 😅)Knowing your worth, and charging for it! 💰As always, the trio manage to derail the conversation with their own brand of questionable humour — none of which we’ve edited out. You're welcome.Expect unfiltered storytelling, practical lessons, and more laughs than we were prepared for!Stay in touch with Liam🔗 Liam Fish Xero Link https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/typzxfzhzw8wNew episodes land every Tuesday — serving up real stories, real lessons, and the perfect amount of chaos.
30. The One With All The Inappropriate Jokes
01:08:58||Season 2, Ep. 30Season 2 | Episode 30 | The One With All The Inappropriate JokesThis week on How I Failed in Business, we welcome the brilliant Radosław Wróblewski — founder of Sparrow Construction — a man who knows a thing or two about building things that don’t fall apart… unlike some of our business decisions.In this episode, we break down:What running a construction company teaches you about leadership and resilience 🧱The art of making yourself completely unnecessary in your own businessWhether work–life balance is real or just another myth we're trying to chase 🌙And Megan and Rob drop a few inappropriate jokes that we absolutely did not edit out!Radoslaw brings raw experience, sharp insights, and the kind of perspective that only comes from years of solving problems people didn’t know they had.Expect honest conversation, practical takeaways, and more laughs than we planned for — because apparently we can’t be trusted with microphones and a platform.Stay in touch with Rad🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rados%C5%82aw-wr%C3%B3blewski-02189a149/🌐 https://www.sparrowconstruction.co.uk/XERO Linkhttps://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/typzxfzhzw8wNew episodes land every Tuesday — delivering unfiltered stories, real lessons, and occasional chaos.🎙️ Produced by Paragon Creative Studios