People Behind Brands Podcast
Welcome to People Behind Brands - the podcast uncovering the stories, struggles, and successes of the entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators from all walks of life. In each episode, host Mark Tuxford, sits down with inspiring guests to explore life lessons from the world of business - these are real people with real stories.
And remember — People Behind Brands is more than just a podcast. We also host live events and networking experiences to help you grow your brand through authentic, face-to-face connections and powerful conversations. Visit peoplebehindbrands.com for more information.
Episodes
62 episodes
Ep 61: Paul Warren - Family Heartbreak, Resilience, Purpose & Building Honest Brands
For a very special episode, and our first captured on video; Host, Mark Tuxford sits down with Paul Warren, Founder of Making Websites Better (MWB), for an inspiring conversation packed with life lessons and raw honesty. From starting out as a ...
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Episode 61
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28:46
Ep 60: Paul Banks - From Mental Health Struggles to Superpowers: Depression, ADHD, Creativity & Purpose
In the hotseat today is Paul Banks - a creative force in video marketing with Javelin Content Management and the host of MarketPulse, a podcast exploring the ever-evolving world of sales and marketing. But Paul’s story...
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Episode 60
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42:16
Ep 59: Helen Barnett - From Crime Scenes to Content Strategy: Storytelling, Burnout & Finding Freedom
In this episode we chat to Helen Barnett — a former national newspaper journalist turned content strategist, helping brands find their voice and tell their stories with clarity and impact. Helen takes us behind the scenes of her journalism d...
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Episode 59
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35:04
Ep 58: Sachin Parmar - Branding with Purpose, Navigating Grief & Building a Legacy
In this episode, we’re joined by Sachin Parmar — founder of Graphic Kitchen, a branding studio shaping the hospitality space, as well as his role as the driving force behind Niche by Nisha, a kit...
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Episode 58
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37:31
Ep 57: Callum Gracie - SEO, DJ Decks & Navigating ADHD, Fatherhood & Business
For episode 57, we head Down Under for our first Australian guest — Callum Gracie. Callum is a digital marketing specialist with a focus on SEO, helping businesses get seen in all the right places online. But when the laptop closes, he’s beh...
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Episode 57
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32:26
Ep 56: Andrew Wright - From Outsider to Purpose-Driven Fatherhood Through Music & Sustainability
In this episode Mark sits down with Andrew Wright - a Business Development Manager with a powerful story of self-discovery. From feeling like an outsider in his younger years, struggling to find direction and being brought up in an old-schoo...
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Episode 56
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40:31
Ep 55: Kyle McGill - Resilience, Fatherhood & Becoming the Person You Needed
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Kyle McGill, a Financial Planner at Amber River, whose story is anything but ordinary. Kyle opens up about his challenging childhood, growing up with an alcoholic mother, no fath...
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Episode 55
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23:50
EP 54: Richard Clegg - From DJ Booths to Boardrooms — An Ambitious Life in Business & Beyond
On today’s episode we welcome Richard Clegg from JMS Financial Services Group. It’s fair to say Richard has had a varied career from starting out as a DJ from an early age, playing various festivals and venues. Working with the likes of Tinc...
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Episode 54
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28:42
EP 53: Bolaji Olatoye - AI, Legacy & The Power of First Impressions
If you have a keen interest in music, you may recall the third studio album titled ‘No Jacket Required’, released by popular singer-songwriter, Phil Collins. However, as our next guest testifies, to make that all important first impression, ...
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Episode 53
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52:21
EP 52: Georgia Cocks - Fear, Focus & Building a Business at Age 25
In a completely unfiltered chat, Georgia Cocks talks to us about her young entrepreneurial journey. Learning from toxic experiences at previous roles to building and founding a new business, IAMH Global at the age of 25, Georgia candidly ope...
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Episode 53
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37:48
EP 51: Al Tepper - Time, Perspective & Finding Balance After Family Crisis
Introducing the inspirational Al Tepper. The man behind TepFu and Lazy Marketing™ Academy, Al presents a fascinating outlook on life throughout our chat. Al’s best friend is his diary. “Don’t squander your time, make the most of it and embra...
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Episode 51
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39:31
EP 50: Georgia Kirke - Resilience, Reinvention & the Power of the Written Word
Georgia Kirke is on a mission to use the power of written word to shape the next generation of entrepreneurs. From growing up in a farming community as one of eight siblings, to branching out into the world of non-fiction writing and busines...
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Episode 50
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31:08
EP 49: Jim Lewis - Purpose, Family & Making a Difference with Youth Talk
Why do we do what we do? When it comes down to it, family is one of the reasons that drives us on from a personal and professional point of view. The silver fox, Mr Jim Lewis, joins us to highlight the importance of Youth Talk. A charity tha...
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Episode 49
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45:24
EP 48: John Wilson - Building Honest Video, Personal Branding & Turning Challenges into Opportunity
Episode 48 welcomes John Wilson from Honest Video who opens up about why he wanted to become a business owner and be in control of his own destiny. John takes us through how his business came to fruition and how founding a video agency withi...
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Episode 48
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39:28
EP 47: Dave Plunkett - Mastering Referrals, Rebuilding Business & Finding Balance
How does your business generate regular referrals? Collaboration is the name of the game with our latest guest, Dave Plunkett from Collaboration Junkie. Dave is full of high energy and genuinely loves what he does when it comes to creating S...
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Episode 47
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39:51
EP 46: Natalie Moores - Moving Brands Forward, Dating Mishaps & Spoken Word Stories
A company brand is much more than just a logo and some pretty colours. Natalie Moores from Mac+Moore helps business leaders solve tomorrow’s problems by moving brands forward. During this episode we touch upon her creative flair in all aspec...
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Episode 46
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43:37
EP 45: Niki Avraam - Empowering Potential, Overcoming Hardship & Shaping the Future of Work
Niki Avraam is a powerful woman in business. A highly successful individual in the legal sector working on many high profile cases whilst fronting and co-founding her law firm Howat Avraam Solicitors. In recent years Niki has positioned hers...
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Episode 45
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39:53
EP 44: Aaron Desmond - Networking, Resilience & Rebuilding Life After Divorce
Is networking overrated? What’s the secret to becoming a good networker? For episode 44 I’m joined by Aaron Desmond - a popular figure on the Essex networking circuit. Aaron fronts the ever-growing Networking Essex with the sole purpose of b...
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Episode 44
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40:46
EP 43: Christopher Clowes - From Homelessness to Building A Business Empire – A Journey of Trust, Family & Purpose
Episode 43 welcomes the expert in all things marketing strategies and consultancy, Mr Christopher Clowes. Having met Chris a few times previously, we explore his life story to date which has involved going into care as a child, becoming home...
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Episode 43
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31:00
EP 42: Leo Scarborough - Building A Business & A Better Self – Lessons in Family, Failure & Growth
Introducing Birkhamstead’s finest, Mr Leo Scarborough from Buildsmith Solutions. Operating in the construction industry and founding his own businesses, Leo opens up about some of the challenges he has experienced where he openly admits he h...
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Episode 42
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37:03
EP 41: Chris Hopkins - Politics, Loss & Legacy – Finding Strength Through Family & Friendship
For episode 41, Mark is delighted to welcome his good friend Chris Hopkins from Political Research brand, Savanta. During this episode we discuss fond memories of lads' holidays and their adolescent youth. As well touching upon Chris’ politi...
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58:45
EP 40: Derry Green - From Backyard Dreams to Dragon’s Den – Building a Business with Heart
The Secret Garden Glamping’s very own Derry Green joins People Behind Brands Podcast for a heart-warming, emotional episode on how he grew his business born out of COVID-19 for the sole purpose of keeping his children entertained in unpreced...
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Episode 40
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36:38
EP 39: Asher Nathan - From Hospital Bed to Gut Health Pioneer – Building BIOME9 Against the Odds
For an insightful and scientific chat into microbiomes, People Behind Brands welcomes Asher Nathan, co-founder of BIOME9, the UK’s first gut-health test & personalised supplement programme for dogs. During the episode, Asher provides mor...
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Episode 39
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38:10
EP 38: Alex Hayes & Matt Lea - Stitching Success: Building Wear London, Overcoming Life’s Challenges & Navigating Personal Loss
Men's fashion empire, Wear London is the brainchild of today’s guests, Alex Hayes & Matt Lea. The dynamic duo have a passion for the industry and are proud to help keep UK manufacturing alive one stitch at a time through premium products...
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Episode 38
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35:41
EP 37: Jo Coldwell - Turning Pages: Books, Family Units & Life Lessons from Colchester to the East End
For a festive special, Mark welcomes Jo Coldwell, the manager of independent book store Red Lion Books based in the heart of Colchester City centre. Jo is a family member on Mark’s fiancées side so he is delighted to welcome her on today’s e...
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Episode 37
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42:02