The Tingle Zone with Andrew Miller

In this conversation, Mark Hopkins shares his journey from a young boy fascinated by engineering and science fiction to becoming a successful recruitment consultant in the aerospace and engineering sectors. He discusses his early interests, the challenges he faced transitioning from school to an engineering apprenticeship, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Mark reflects on his experiences at a Ministry of Defence base, his time at university, and the eventual shift to recruitment, highlighting the importance of passion and adaptability in navigating his career path. In this conversation, Mark Hopkins shares his journey through various career choices, emphasizing the importance of understanding the true value of opportunities beyond monetary compensation. He discusses the shift from recruitment to management, the impact of the financial crisis on the job market, and the transition to entrepreneurship. Mark highlights the challenges of running a business in a competitive global market and the necessity of adaptability and continuous learning in achieving success. In this conversation, Mark Hopkins discusses the various challenges facing the engineering and manufacturing industries, including Brexit, political instability, and the need for innovation. He emphasizes the importance of inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing, while also addressing the need for strategic business management in a rapidly changing market. Mark reflects on his personal journey in business, highlighting the importance of community and self-discovery in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. takeaways Mark's early interest in engineering was sparked by his childhood experiences with electronics and science fiction. He faced uncertainty and emotional challenges when transitioning from home to a military training environment. Mark's apprenticeship at a Ministry of Defence base provided him with invaluable hands-on experience in engineering. His passion for aircraft engineering grew during his time at the MOD base, leading him to pursue a career in aerospace. University education in aerospace engineering was rigorous, but Mark excelled due to his passion for the subject. Mark experienced financial challenges while balancing part-time work and university studies. He found himself in a holding pattern in his career, feeling unfulfilled despite having a stable job. A chance conversation with a recruiter opened the door to a new career in recruitment. Mark's transition to recruitment was unexpected but ultimately led to a fulfilling career. He emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and open to new opportunities in one's career Connect with Mark Hopkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hopkins-engineering-recruitment/ If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review, it helps more people like you find the show. I hope you enjoy this episode! If you liked what you heard, please like, share and subscribe so you don't miss the next one. - Andrew and The Tingle Zone podcast team My LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrewrmiller Website: www.businessenjoyment.com Also listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5asy8M1EwJsTjg2z2bJxtH Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tingle-zone-with-andrew-miller/id1461708040?uo=4 #thetinglezone #businessenjoyment #entrepreneurpodcast #businesscoaching #ukbusinessowners #foundermindset #businessgrowth #successmindset #smesuccess #businessowner #entrepreneurjourney #businesswithpurpose #coachingpodcast #ukbusiness #businessleadership The Tingle Zone is a podcast for business owners who have built something that works but want it to feel like something too. Host Andrew Miller, founder of Business Enjoyment, talks to successful entrepreneurs and business people about the personal journeys behind their businesses, the lessons that shaped them and the moment they realised success alone was not enough. Each episode goes past the usual growth talk to find out what actually gives these guests a buzz out of what they do. Andrew draws on his own coaching background to ask the questions that get past the polished version of the story, uncovering the beliefs, habits and turning points that changed how his guests run their businesses and their lives. Made for founders and managing directors who have hit a plateau and are asking what it was all for, this show is about finding the enjoyment in business again, not just the numbers. If you are curious what makes other business owners' bits tingle, you are in the right place.

When a corporate innovation role was cut, this week's guest registered his own company the same week. He's the founder and managing director of B4T, an IoT technology business based in Southampton that builds low cost sensors to help organisations like water companies, ports and local councils make better investment decisions using real data. In this episode, we talk through the years of outreach and trial and error that led to B4T's breakthrough product, Jellyfish, a retrofit sensor for water meters that's since become the platform behind everything from emissions monitoring to river pollution tracking. He shares the three principles he still uses to make every decision in the business, why some ideas that flopped early on became core to his strategy years later, and what it actually feels like to build a team, a balance sheet and a business from nothing. What you'll learn: Why community outreach, not a polished business plan, shaped B4T's direction from day one How a redundancy turned into the confidence to start a business with no safety net The three Cs used to guide every major decision: community, cash flow and customer Why one rejected idea from years earlier became the company's core product What it takes to keep a team motivated and a business investable ten years in Search B4T and Jellyfish online to find out more. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review, it helps more people like you find the show. I hope you enjoy this episode! If you liked what you heard, please like, share and subscribe so you don't miss the next one. - Andrew and The Tingle Zone podcast team My LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrewrmiller Website: www.businessenjoyment.com Also listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5asy8M1EwJsTjg2z2bJxtH Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tingle-zone-with-andrew-miller/id1461708040?uo=4 #thetinglezone #businessenjoyment #entrepreneurpodcast #businesscoaching #ukbusinessowners #foundermindset #businessgrowth #successmindset #smesuccess #businessowner #entrepreneurjourney #businesswithpurpose #coachingpodcast #ukbusiness #businessleadership The Tingle Zone is a podcast for business owners who have built something that works but want it to feel like something too. Host Andrew Miller, founder of Business Enjoyment, talks to successful entrepreneurs and business people about the personal journeys behind their businesses, the lessons that shaped them and the moment they realised success alone was not enough. Each episode goes past the usual growth talk to find out what actually gives these guests a buzz out of what they do. Andrew draws on his own coaching background to ask the questions that get past the polished version of the story, uncovering the beliefs, habits and turning points that changed how his guests run their businesses and their lives. Made for founders and managing directors who have hit a plateau and are asking what it was all for, this show is about finding the enjoyment in business again, not just the numbers. If you are curious what makes other business owners' bits tingle, you are in the right place.

In this conversation, Steven Potter shares his journey from being a traditional employee to becoming a successful property investor and coach. He discusses the challenges of early retirement, the loneliness that can accompany it, and the importance of finding purpose in work. Steven emphasizes the need for community support in property investment and the unique approach he takes in coaching others to achieve financial freedom through real estate. In this conversation, Steven Potter, a property coach, discusses various aspects of property investment, including leveraging technology for continuous support, affordable investment strategies, the importance of education, and the role of investors. He shares personal insights on satisfaction, challenges in business, and the significance of building a legacy for future generations. The discussion also touches on adapting to changes in the property market and the thrill of problem-solving in business. takeaways Steven Potter transitioned from a traditional job to property investment. He found early retirement to be lonely and unfulfilling. Steven emphasizes the importance of community in property investment. He aims to improve housing quality in his local area. The property market is influenced by location and economic factors. Running a business requires skills in marketing and sales. Steven learned the hard way about the challenges of entrepreneurship. He believes in supporting others through coaching in property investment. Financial freedom allows for a more flexible lifestyle. Steven's coaching is accessible and focused on practical implementation. You can get into property investment with minimal cash. Investors can be anyone with available funds. Education is crucial for understanding investment opportunities. Personal satisfaction comes from continuous growth and problem-solving. Funding remains a significant challenge in property investment. Learning from past business decisions is essential for growth. Building a legacy for future generations is a key goal. Adapting to change is necessary in the evolving property market. Problem-solving is a driving force in business. Mini retirements can provide financial security and satisfaction. Connect with Steven: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-potter-property-coach/ If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review, it helps more people like you find the show. I hope you enjoy this episode! If you liked what you heard, please like, share and subscribe so you don't miss the next one. - Andrew and The Tingle Zone podcast team My LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrewrmiller Website: www.businessenjoyment.com Also listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5asy8M1EwJsTjg2z2bJxtH Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tingle-zone-with-andrew-miller/id1461708040?uo=4 #thetinglezone #businessenjoyment #entrepreneurpodcast #businesscoaching #ukbusinessowners #foundermindset #businessgrowth #successmindset #smesuccess #businessowner #entrepreneurjourney #businesswithpurpose #coachingpodcast #ukbusiness #businessleadership The Tingle Zone is a podcast for business owners who have built something that works but want it to feel like something too. Host Andrew Miller, founder of Business Enjoyment, talks to successful entrepreneurs and business people about the personal journeys behind their businesses, the lessons that shaped them and the moment they realised success alone was not enough. Each episode goes past the usual growth talk to find out what actually gives these guests a buzz out of what they do. Andrew draws on his own coaching background to ask the questions that get past the polished version of the story, uncovering the beliefs, habits and turning points that changed how his guests run their businesses and their lives. Made for founders and managing directors who have hit a plateau and are asking what it was all for, this show is about finding the enjoyment in business again, not just the numbers. If you are curious what makes other business owners' bits tingle, you are in the right place.

Phil D Hall has been building conversational AI systems since 1982, decades before most people had heard the term. He built his first chatbot on a ZX Spectrum as a teenager, then spent years as a motorcycle courier and furniture maker before training as a systems integrator and studying anthropology, a path that eventually led him to found Elzware in 2002. In this episode, Phil talks about swimming against the AI hype cycle, why he thinks most of what gets called "AI" is really just applied statistics, and the projects he's building now in healthcare, wellbeing and the charity sector, all guided by the principle that people should own their own data. What you'll learn: Why following curiosity across completely different fields can lead somewhere valuable The difference between artificial intelligence, machine learning and applied statistics, and why the labels matter What it takes to keep going when a business fails and you have to start again Why Phil believes people owning their own data will matter more, not less, as AI develops How Phil sizes up whether a new AI solution is worth pursuing before building it Connect with Phil D Hall on LinkedIn to find out more about his work: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/phildhall If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review, it helps more people like you find the show. I hope you enjoy this episode! If you liked what you heard, please like, share and subscribe so you don't miss the next one. - Andrew and The Tingle Zone podcast team My LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrewrmiller Website: www.businessenjoyment.com Also listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5asy8M1EwJsTjg2z2bJxtH Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tingle-zone-with-andrew-miller/id1461708040?uo=4 #thetinglezone #businessenjoyment #entrepreneurpodcast #businesscoaching #ukbusinessowners #foundermindset #businessgrowth #successmindset #smesuccess #businessowner #entrepreneurjourney #businesswithpurpose #coachingpodcast #ukbusiness #businessleadership The Tingle Zone is a podcast for business owners who have built something that works but want it to feel like something too. Host Andrew Miller, founder of Business Enjoyment, talks to successful entrepreneurs and business people about the personal journeys behind their businesses, the lessons that shaped them and the moment they realised success alone was not enough. Each episode goes past the usual growth talk to find out what actually gives these guests a buzz out of what they do. Andrew draws on his own coaching background to ask the questions that get past the polished version of the story, uncovering the beliefs, habits and turning points that changed how his guests run their businesses and their lives. Made for founders and managing directors who have hit a plateau and are asking what it was all for, this show is about finding the enjoyment in business again, not just the numbers. If you are curious what makes other business owners' bits tingle, you are in the right place.

Andrew Miller sits down with the Managing Director of an HR consulting firm to talk about what it really takes to build a business around freedom rather than relentless growth. They dig into why being selective about the work you take on is a strength, not a weakness, and how choosing meaningful work over chasing scale changes the shape of a business and a life. The conversation also covers rebuilding after a major business failure and how that experience can completely reshape your perspective on work. It's a grounded look at flexibility, autonomy, and what success looks like when it's defined on your own terms rather than the market's. Key takeaways: Freedom and flexibility can matter more than growth at all costs Being selective about the work you take on is a strength Doing meaningful work you genuinely enjoy is worth building around Rebuilding after failure can reshape how you see success Connect with Campbell here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/campbellurq/ http://www.whitecubeconsulting.com If this episode resonated with you, subscribe for more conversations on building a business that gives you room to breathe, and get in touch if you'd like to talk about what freedom could look like in your own work. I hope you enjoy this episode! If you liked what you heard, please like, share and subscribe so you don't miss the next one. - Andrew and The Tingle Zone podcast team My LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrewrmiller Website: www.businessenjoyment.com Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5asy8M1EwJsTjg2z2bJxtH Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tingle-zone-with-andrew-miller/id1461708040?uo=4 #thetinglezone #businessenjoyment #entrepreneurpodcast #businesscoaching #ukbusinessowners #foundermindset #businessgrowth #successmindset #smesuccess #businessowner #entrepreneurjourney #businesswithpurpose #coachingpodcast #ukbusiness #businessleadership The Tingle Zone is a podcast for business owners who have built something that works but want it to feel like something too. Host Andrew Miller, founder of Business Enjoyment, talks to successful entrepreneurs and business people about the personal journeys behind their businesses, the lessons that shaped them and the moment they realised success alone was not enough. Each episode goes past the usual growth talk to find out what actually gives these guests a buzz out of what they do. Andrew draws on his own coaching background to ask the questions that get past the polished version of the story, uncovering the beliefs, habits and turning points that changed how his guests run their businesses and their lives. Made for founders and managing directors who have hit a plateau and are asking what it was all for, this show is about finding the enjoyment in business again, not just the numbers. If you are curious what makes other business owners' bits tingle, you are in the right place.