The Next 100 Days Podcast

#494 - Bilal Jogi - Royal Nawaab Pyramid

Bilal Jogi is the marketing director of the Royal Nawaab Pyramid Indian restaurant in Stockport. It's the biggest in the UK. He markets at scale and this podcast contains some of the secrets as to why they have hit the ground running in this iconic building.Summary of the PodcastIntroduction to Bilal Jogi and the Royal Nawab PyramidBilal Jogi, the marketing director for the Royal Nawab Pyramid / Royal Nawaab Group restaurant chain, is introduced. He provides an overview of the group's affordable luxury Indian/Pakistani cuisine concept, featuring a large buffet with live cooking in open kitchens.The iconic Stockport Pyramid restaurantBilal discusses the group's recent takeover and transformation of the iconic Stockport Pyramid building, which had been derelict for years. He shares details on the scale of the project, the local suppliers and craftspeople involved, and the challenges of filling such a large space.Marketing and customer experience strategiesBilal explains the group's innovative marketing approach, focusing on building anticipation and curiosity through social media, influencer partnerships, and providing an exceptional customer experience. He emphasizes the importance of great service, a diverse menu, and creating reasons for customers to return.Expansion plans and target demographicsBilal outlines the group's expansion plans, including a focus on corporate catering and events, as well as potential future acquisitions like a golf course or hotel. He also shares insights into the group's target customer demographics, which are predominantly non-Asian families.The Next 100 Days Podcast Co-HostsGraham ArrowsmithGraham founded Finely Fettled ten years ago to help business owners and marketers market to affluent and high-net-worth customers. He's the founder of MicroYES, a Partner for MeclabsAI, where he introduces AI Agents that you can talk to, that increase engagement, dwell time, leads and conversions. Now, Graham is offering Answer Engine Optimisation that gets you ready to be found by LLM search.Kevin ApplebyKevin specialises in finance transformation and implementing business change. He's the COO of GrowCFO, which provides both community and CPD-accredited training designed to grow the next generation of finance leaders. You can find Kevin on LinkedIn and at kevinappleby.com

#493 - Jamie Darkin - Growing a Business

Over the last ten years, Jamie has been growing a business from the ground up with no outside investment, working with councils across London and the South East to house hundreds of vulnerable people. These days, he is also investing in tech and buying businesses, so he's got a fair few stories, lessons, and scars to share.Summary of the PodcastJamie's entrepreneurial journeyJamie shares how he has been an entrepreneur from a young age, starting with selling items at a wedding as a child. He continued pursuing various business ventures throughout school and university. However, he eventually dropped out of university to focus on his entrepreneurial pursuits.Growing a business - By providing social housingJamie explains that he co-founded a business with his father that provides social housing for local authorities, working with families in need of temporary accommodation.Diversifying into other investmentsIn addition to the social housing business, Jamie has also invested in a social networking app startup. He shares that over the years, he has been involved in a variety of other business ventures, though not all have been successful.Lessons learned and keys to successJamie reflects on some of the key lessons he has learned as an entrepreneur, including the importance of focus, building the right team and management. It is important to be willing to take action rather than overthinking opportunities.Launching a podcast - "Driven"Jamie discusses his recent launch of a new podcast called "Driven" which features interviews with entrepreneurs, business owners, and others pursuing their purpose. He shares the goals and approach behind the podcast.Leveraging personal branding and AIJamie explains his focus on building his personal brand and leveraging AI tools to be more efficient in his business and podcast efforts. He sees this as an important part of pulling in new opportunities.Future plans and prioritiesLooking ahead, Jamie shares that his main priorities are continuing to grow his property business, especially through acquisitions, while also scaling his podcast and personal brand initiatives. He acknowledges the challenge of juggling all these priorities.Closing thoughts and reflectionsThe hosts, Graham and Kevin, provide their final thoughts on the conversation, praising Jamie's entrepreneurial drive and ability to take action, while also noting the importance of building the right team and processes to support rapid growth.The Next 100 Days Podcast Co-HostsGraham ArrowsmithGraham founded Finely Fettled ten years ago to help business owners and marketers market to affluent and high-net-worth customers. He's the founder of MicroYES, a Partner for MeclabsAI, where he introduces AI Agents that you can talk to, that increase engagement, dwell time, leads, and conversions. Now, Graham is offering Answer Engine Optimisation that gets you ready to be found by LLM search.Kevin ApplebyKevin specialises in finance transformation and implementing business change. He's the COO of GrowCFO, which provides both community and CPD-accredited training designed to grow the next generation of finance leaders. You can find Kevin on LinkedIn and at kevinappleby.com

#492 - Chip Higgins - Bizzics

Bizzics is a combination of physics and business. Our guest Chip Higgns is the author of The Bizzics Way. He's a business strategist, leadership coach, and former banking executive with over 35 years of experience helping small business owners.Summary of the PodcastExplaining the "Bizzics Way" conceptChip explains that "Bizzics" refers to applying the physics law of momentum to business. He was inspired by the idea of momentum being crucial in business, and worked with a physicist friend to better understand the underlying physics principles.Momentum, energy, and velocity in businessChip delves into how the concepts of mass, velocity, and energy relate to business. He discusses the importance of entrepreneurial energy and passion, as well as the need to define clear direction, distance, and timeframes (velocity). He also explains how "mass" in business relates to the density and uniqueness of the value proposition.Scaling coaching through AIChip shares that he has developed an AI-powered coaching platform called "Expert Loop" to make his expertise more accessible and scalable to small businesses. He explains how the AI is trained on his book content to provide on-demand guidance and planning support.Recap and closingThe hosts, Graham and Kevin, recap the key insights from the conversation, particularly around Chip's innovative approach to scaling coaching through AI. They express appreciation for Chip's perspective and the valuable discussion.The Next 100 Days Podcast Co-HostsGraham ArrowsmithGraham founded Finely Fettled ten years ago to help business owners and marketers market to affluent and high-net-worth customers. He's the founder of MicroYES, a Partner for MeclabsAI, where he introduces AI Agents that you can talk to, that increase engagement, dwell time, leads and conversions. Now, Graham is offering Answer Engine Optimisation that gets you ready to be found by LLM search.Kevin ApplebyKevin specialises in finance transformation and implementing business change. He's the COO of GrowCFO, which provides both community and CPD-accredited training designed to grow the next generation of finance leaders. You can find Kevin on LinkedIn and at kevinappleby.com

#491 - Katrena Friel - Personal Brand Development

Katrena is an expert in personal brand development and the founder of the Business Mentor Institute. A leader in business mentoring with over 25 years’ experience, Katrena transforms professionals into industry leaders and is a pioneer in personal brand development and business mentoring. As the creator of the acclaimed Becoming the Expert methodology, Katrena has guided thousands of aspiring consultants, coaches, and executives to build thriving, purpose-driven businesses.Summary of the PodcastKey TakeawaysKatrena offers a unique 12-month coaching program with unlimited access, focusing on building personal brand businessesHer approach includes creating multiple income streams (book, speaking, training, coaching, facilitation, consulting) for clientsKatrena emphasizes the importance of addressing psychological barriers and balancing masculine/feminine energies in entrepreneurshipThe podcast hosts reflect on the value of personal branding through podcasting vs. book writingKatrena's Coaching Approach12-month program with unlimited access for clientsFocuses on deep, meaningful relationships rather than arm's-length coachingMaximum of 20 clients per year, with groups of 5 active at a timeFirst 90 days involve heavy lifting: building assets (book, website, brand, signature program, social media)Combines business strategy with therapeutic coaching to address psychological barriersPersonal Brand Business DevelopmentCreates 7 streams of income for clients: book, speaking, training, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, consultingWrites the client's book in 7-30 days, based on a two-day kickoff sessionBuilds website, brand, and signature program (valued at $5k-$20k)Targets both career transitioners (often 50+ years old) and young entrepreneursTherapeutic Coaching ElementsAddresses introvert vs. extrovert challengesBalances masculine and feminine energiesTackles limiting beliefs from childhood experiencesUses a light trance state to access the unconscious mind for rapid changePublic Speaking and TED TalksKatrena prefers a free-flowing, channeled speaking styleFound TED Talk format too restrictive and memorization-heavyTrains clients to speak confidently without scripts or extensive memorizationPodcast vs. Book for Personal BrandingHosts reflect on podcasting as a potentially quicker route to personal brandingPodcasts offer exposure to new audiences and showcase a personality more easilyBooks are still valuable as "expensive business cards" and confidence-buildersThe Next 100 Days Podcast Co-HostsGraham ArrowsmithGraham founded Finely Fettled ten years ago to help business owners and marketers market to affluent and high-net-worth customers. He's the founder of MicroYES, a Partner for MeclabsAI, where he introduces AI Agents that you can talk to, that increase engagement, dwell time, leads and conversions. Now, Graham is offering Answer Engine Optimisation that gets you ready to be found by LLM search.Kevin ApplebyKevin specialises in finance transformation and implementing business change. He's the COO of GrowCFO, which provides both community and CPD-accredited training designed to grow the next generation of finance leaders. You can find Kevin on LinkedIn and at kevinappleby.com

#490 - Chanelle Aristide - Mortgage & Property Diva

Mortgage & Property Diva, Chanelle Aristide has recently created a unique report covering Mortgages and Property south of London. Chanelle brings a wealth of experience in supporting clients and businesses with high-value property transactions, securing mortgages, insurance, and financial solutions. She has a strong background in project management, PR, and marketing. This diverse experience, including a previous career performing live in the music industry, has equipped her with the ability to connect with people from all walks of life.Summary of the PodcastIntroduction and background on ChanelleGraham and Kevin welcome Chanelle, who runs the Mayfair Mortgage Co., a boutique mortgage and financial consultancy that serves high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients. Chanelle discusses her background in performance, PR, marketing, and real estate, and how she has combined these interests into her current business.Challenges in the mortgage and property marketChanelle discusses some of the unique challenges that high-net-worth individuals can face in securing mortgages, such as complex financial arrangements and the need to provide detailed information to lenders. She also touches on broader issues in the property and construction sectors.Importance of relationships in high-net-worth financeGraham and Chanelle emphasize the importance of building strong relationships with high-net-worth clients, as well as with lenders and other industry contacts. This personal touch is key to Chanelle's approach in serving her target market.Chanelle's "Diva Mortgage and Property Report"Chanelle discusses her upcoming "Diva Mortgage and Property Report", which will feature insights and analysis presented in a unique, entertaining style that reflects Chanelle's personality as a "diva". The report will include song titles as section headings and other creative elements.Chanelle's future plans and embracing changeIn response to Graham's question about her future plans, Chanelle expresses a positive outlook on embracing change, including the rise of AI, and the importance of being adaptable and continuously learning new skills.The Next 100 Days Podcast Co-HostsGraham ArrowsmithGraham founded Finely Fettled ten years ago to help business owners and marketers market to affluent and high-net-worth customers. He's the founder of MicroYES, a Partner for MeclabsAI, where he introduces AI Agents that you can talk to, that increase engagement, dwell time, leads and conversions. Now, Graham is offering a Generative Engine Optimisation Website Auditor that gets you ready to be found by LLM search.Kevin ApplebyKevin specialises in finance transformation and implementing business change. He's the COO of GrowCFO, which provides both community and CPD-accredited training designed to grow the next generation of finance leaders. You can find Kevin on LinkedIn and at kevinappleby.com