The Success or Excuses Podcast
You can have success, or you can have excuses, but you can’t have both. This isn’t just another business podcast. This is for those who are done with the fluff, the motivational soundbites, and the sugar-coated stories. This is for the ones who want the real conversations about what it actually takes to succeed, no shortcuts, no excuses, just raw, unfiltered truth. James Fleming is a multi-seven-figure business owner who’s been in the trenches, built from the ground up, and knows first-hand the discipline, resilience, and mindset needed to make it happen. But this isn’t just about his story, he’s sitting down with the people who have really been through it. The self-made entrepreneurs, the industry disruptors, the ones who have had it all, lost it all, and fought their way back. Expect straight-talking interviews with high-level business leaders and extraordinary individuals who have mastered their mindset, faced failure head-on, and come out stronger. The kind of people who don’t just talk about success, they live it. No fluff. No sugar-coating. Just real conversations, real lessons, and the reality of what it takes to build something that lasts. If you’re ready to stop making excuses and start taking action, hit subscribe. Success or Excuses, you decide.
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Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Calum Stevens didn’t set out to build a career in pharmaceuticals; he fell into it.
After studying marine biology, Calum began working in a clinical environment before joining BDD, a Glasgow-based pharmaceutical company that started as a small university spin-out. Today, the business employs around 35 people and works with both innovative biotech’s and some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Calum Stevens, Commercial Director at BDD, to explore growth, culture and taking action. Calum shares how he stepped away to launch a boat repair and servicing business on Loch Lomond, why he returned under the leadership of CEO Carol, and how he moved from clinical trial assistant into sales, marketing and commercial leadership.
Calum speaks openly about scaling a niche pharmaceutical company in Scotland, recruiting highly specialised scientists who can also sell, navigating long decision-making processes with global pharma, and the challenge of maintaining culture as a business grows. He also reflects on networking, fatherhood and why overplanning can stop great ideas from ever getting off the ground.
James brings his own experience into the discussion, sharing lessons on leadership, accountability, buy-in and building belief before driving change.
Key moments include:✔️ Starting in a small university spin-out✔️ Launching and exiting a boat repair business✔️ Growing into Commercial Director at BDD✔️ Recruiting niche scientific and business development talent✔️ Managing culture as a company scales✔️ Working with biotechs and global pharma✔️ The danger of overplanning✔️ The power of networking and meeting people in person✔️ Leadership lessons from fatherhood✔️ Calum’s three pieces of advice: leap, build your network, don’t take life too seriously
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast
Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Calum Stevens:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/calumstevens/
Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/drug-delivery-international-ltd/
Company Website → https://www.bddpharma.com/
Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to Calum Stevens[00:00:52] Calum’s role and BDD’s origins as a university spin-out[00:02:00] Launching a boat repair business on Loch Lomond[00:03:00] Recruiting niche scientific and sales talent[00:04:30] The challenge of scaling culture[00:07:00] Biotech’s vs global pharma and long decision cycles[00:22:10] Returning to BDD under new leadership[00:25:00] Moving into sales, marketing and commercial leadership[00:37:10] Leadership lessons from parenting[00:45:10] Three pieces of advice for business and life[00:54:00] LinkedIn, networking and closing remarks
Monday Mar 23, 2026
Monday Mar 23, 2026
Val Duguid didn’t plan to start a care company… she was trying to care for her mum.
An exercise physiologist and chronic illness specialist for over 20 years, Val built her career in complex rehabilitation. But when her mum suffered a near-fatal accident, breaking her pelvis, hip and arm, Val stepped away from her previous business and became a full-time carer.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Val Duguid, founder of Bentley’s Home Care, to explore how a personal crisis became a business. Val shares the six weeks spent in hospital, the breakdown of relationships, the struggle to find appropriate care, and the moment she broke down trying to manage a wheelchair and four bags of shopping. That was the turning point. If the service she needed didn’t exist, she would build it
Val explains how Bentley’s began with a befriending service while waiting for a Care Inspectorate licence, how trust and local reputation helped it grow, and why she leads without rigid hierarchies, focusing instead on accountability, ownership and empowering experienced carers.
James brings his own experience of business ownership into the conversation, unpacking the loneliness of leadership, responsibility for staff, and the mindset required to lead without excuses
Key moments include:✔️ Val’s 20+ years in complex rehabilitation ✔️ Her mum’s near-fatal accident and six weeks in hospital ✔️ Leaving her previous business to become a full-time carer ✔️ The struggle to find regulated, suitable care support ✔️ Interviewing individual carers and discovering gaps in regulation ✔️ The emotional breaking point with the shopping incident ✔️ Starting Bentley’s with a befriending service ✔️ Building through trust, referrals and reputation ✔️ Empowering carers to phone doctors and take ownership✔️ Leadership as integrity, accountability and no excuses ✔️ A five- and ten-year vision to expand across Scotland and beyond
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcastYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Val Duguid:Website → https://www.bentleyshomecare.com/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/valerie.duguid.1LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-duguid-69426838/
Timestamps[00:00] James introduces Val Duguid [00:01:00] Val’s background in rehabilitation [00:01:18] Her mum’s accident and life changing overnight [00:03:45] Starting Bentley’s and the befriending model [00:13:15] Hospital experience and personal impact [00:18:00] The wheelchair and shopping breaking point [00:22:15] Interviewing carers and regulatory challenges [00:29:15] Empowering staff and building culture [00:38:30] Vision for expansion across Scotland [00:42:30] Leadership, integrity and no excuses [00:45:45] Val’s top three pieces of advice [End] James closes the episode
Monday Mar 16, 2026
Monday Mar 16, 2026
Mark Glasgow didn’t grow up with much, but he always knew he was going to be a business owner.
A gas engineer by trade, Mark founded Edinburgh Boiler Company in 2015 with a simple objective: make boilers easy and deliver outstanding customer service. He spotted early opportunity in digital, hiring a web designer as his first employee and investing heavily in SEO, radio, TV and marketing to grow fast in a traditional trade sector.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Mark Glasgow, founder and managing director of Edinburgh Boiler Company and director of The Energy Training Academy, to explore ambition, resilience and innovation. Mark shares how growing up with very little fuelled his drive to create a better life for his family, how his company has grown to around 60 staff with a managing director in place, and why renewables now make up the majority of the business.
Mark speaks openly about launching The Energy Training Academy as a community interest company to help address the skills gap in gas and renewables, alongside Scotland’s 2045 net zero target. He also explains how AI, automation and CRM systems are transforming his operations, from voice bots booking services to route optimisation and lead handling.
Together, they discuss family, vision, resilience, uncertainty in UK business, skills shortages and the importance of attaching strong emotion and strategy to long-term goals.
Key moments include:
✔️ Growing up with very little and developing ambition early✔️ Starting as a gas engineer before launching EBC in 2015✔️ Hiring a web designer as the first employee✔️ Investing every penny back into marketing✔️ Growing to around 60 staff and appointing an MD✔️ Moving from boilers into renewables✔️ Cashflow challenges around heat pump funding✔️ Launching a community interest training academy✔️ Addressing the skills gap and net zero targets✔️ Implementing AI, voice bots and CRM automation✔️ Leadership, resilience and mindset✔️ Vision, strategy and building a legacy
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast
Website→ https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Mark Glasgow:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-glasgow-89942047/
Website → https://theenergytrainingacademy.com/
Company Website → https://www.instagram.com/theenergytrainingacademy
Timestamps
[00:00] James introduces Mark Glasgow[00:00:59] Mark’s background and early ambition[00:02:23] Launching Edinburgh Boiler Company in 2015[00:03:15] Digital marketing and early growth[00:04:29] Leadership and appointing an MD[00:05:54] Structure, meetings and growth plans[00:06:24] AI, automation and CRM systems[00:06:57] Moving into renewables and funding challenges[00:07:56] Launching the training academy[00:11:14] Leadership and caring for your people[00:16:06] Uncertainty in UK business[00:18:24] Mindset and personal development[00:29:44] Skills shortages and AI disruption[00:37:03] Future plans and acquisitions[00:38:36] Mark’s top three pieces of advice[End] James closes the episode
Monday Mar 09, 2026
Monday Mar 09, 2026
Brian Creegan didn’t plan to start his business during a global pandemic, he just happened to open on 1 March 2020.
An Irishman who grew up in South Africa before moving to Scotland, Brian built his early career in banking before unexpectedly moving into recruitment and working his way up to director level. Wanting to do things differently, he left to create his own business focused on training companies how to manage hiring themselves.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Brian Creegan to explore what it really takes to launch a business when circumstances are completely outside your control. Brian shares the reality of starting with only months of financial runway, the panic when the world shut down, and how offering free CV support to people helped him stay afloat until work slowly returned.
Brian speaks openly about the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. From income uncertainty and losing clients, to leading small teams through difficult markets and constant change. He reflects on growing up without a safety net, the fear of failure that drives him, and the resilience required to keep going when things feel out of control. James brings his own experience into the discussion, sharing the emotional impact lockdown had on his business, the uncertainty leaders faced when clients paused work, and the pressure of navigating a crisis without a clear roadmap.
Together, they unpack resilience, leadership, hiring, culture, generational change, and what it means to find a way forward when there isn’t one.
Key moments include:✔️ Growing up between Ireland, South Africa, and Scotland✔️ Starting a career in banking before moving into recruitment✔️ Working up to director level✔️ Leaving to start his own business✔️ Launching on 1 March 2020✔️ Panic and uncertainty as COVID shut everything down✔️ Helping people with CVs for free during lockdown✔️ Gradually rebuilding work as restrictions eased✔️ Fear of failure and entrepreneurial pressure✔️ Leadership lessons from mistakes and experience✔️ Hiring, onboarding, and culture challenges✔️ Navigating generational differences in the workforce
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast
Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Brian Creegan:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancreegan/
Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/creegantalent/
Company Website → https://creegantalent.com/
Timestamps[00:00] James introduces Brian Creegan[00:00:54] Brian’s background and early career[00:02:50] Launching just before the pandemic[00:05:07] Panic and early survival tactics[00:06:19] Work returning as restrictions eased[00:11:00] Fear of failure and mindset[00:18:06] Market uncertainty and business impact[00:24:50] Hiring and onboarding challenges[00:31:55] Leadership lessons and mistakes[00:36:00] Generational change in the workforce[End] James closes the episode
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Emma Ross didn’t leave because she was failing. She left while earning £140,000 a year.
After dropping out of university, Emma built her career in banking before moving into commercial finance at HSBC. Within three years she increased her income from £34,000 to £140,000, generating £500,000 net income for the company in her final year. Walking away from that security wasn’t easy.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Emma Ross, founder of Ross Commercial Finance, to explore what it really takes to start again from zero. Emma shares the financial realities of brokering, knowing there could be a six to nine month income gap, and carrying significant family responsibility while making the leap.
Emma speaks openly about the pressure of building a business just two years old. From working 6am to 2am and never leaving emails unanswered, to managing anxiety and the physical toll of stress. She reflects on being the only woman in the room in a male-dominated industry, early criticism about looking “unprofessional”, and how she’s learned to turn that into confidence.
James brings his own experience into the discussion, drawing parallels around hiring, letting go of control, working alongside your spouse, and the realities people don’t see behind visible success.
Together, they unpack growth, standards, awards, marriage, ambition, and the desire to build a team strong enough to eventually work a more sustainable shift.
Key moments include:✔️ Dropping out of university and starting in banking✔️ Moving into commercial finance at HSBC✔️ Increasing income from £34,000 to £140,000✔️ Generating £500,000 net income for her employer✔️ The decision to start Ross Commercial Finance✔️ Expecting a six to nine month income gap✔️ Working 6am to 2am and never leaving emails unanswered✔️ Anxiety, staying busy, and the impact on health✔️ Hiring struggles and learning to let go of control✔️ Building a team of five within two years✔️ Being the only woman at industry events✔️ Early criticism about appearance and professionalism✔️ Winning Best Scottish Broker, Best Commercial Mortgage Broker, Best Bridging Broker, and Highly Commended for Northern Ireland✔️ Being nominated for awards by lenders✔️ Working alongside her husband Marty✔️ Launching a finance and football podcast✔️ The goal of building a team big enough to work a “normal shift”✔️ Emma’s top three pieces of advice: find a mentor, build a strong network, and trust your own abilities
Follow James Fleming:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcastYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast
Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Emma Ross:
Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/3Zv9V5zUzMCDuykaaouvTL?si=5516ec3e3c224848LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-ross-78ab5677/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/emma_ross_commercial_financeCompany LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ross-commercial-finance/Website→ https://rosscommercialfinance.com/
Timestamps[00:00] James introduces Emma Ross[00:00:50] Emma’s background and early career[00:01:30] The decision to leave and start her own business[00:03:00] Financial realities and income gaps in brokering[00:04:00] Work ethic, long hours, and pressure[00:06:00] Anxiety and health impact[00:07:00] Hiring challenges and letting go of control[00:11:30] Women in a male-dominated industry[00:15:20] Award wins and recognition from lenders[00:18:18] Working with Marty and balancing marriage and business[00:27:00] Vision for growth and working a normal shift[00:29:16] Emma’s top three pieces of advice[00:31:00] James closes the episode
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Gavin Kirkwood didn’t fall into business ownership, he worked his way there.From starting out in call centres to becoming a top performer in national sales teams, Gavin built his career through consistency, resilience, and graft. After years working across fleet, rental, and asset finance for major organisations, he reached a familiar crossroads: stay comfortable, or back himself.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Gavin Kirkwood, founder of Kirkwood Asset Finance, to explore what it really takes to launch and grow a business in a brutally competitive industry. Gavin shares why leaving a secure, high-performing role wasn’t an easy decision, how early deals didn’t land the way he expected, and what the last two and a half years of building from scratch have looked like.
Gavin speaks openly about the pressure of running a young business, unpredictable cash flow, sleepless nights, and learning the difference between knowing an industry and being responsible for every outcome within it. From compliance and regulation to trust, pricing pressure, and long sales cycles, this conversation cuts through the polished version of entrepreneurship.
James brings his own experience into the discussion, drawing parallels with building The Power Within Training, and sharing honest reflections on leadership pressure, hiring fears, systems, and responsibility. Together, they unpack resilience, trust, and why consistency matters more than comfort.
Key moments include:
✔️ Starting out in call centres and building confidence in sales✔️ Moving into fleet, rental, and asset finance✔️ Becoming a top national performer in large organisations✔️ The decision to leave security and start a business✔️ Bottling it the first time, then backing himself✔️ Early deals not landing as expected✔️ Learning asset finance properly once the responsibility sat with him✔️ Compliance, regulation, and commission disclosure changes✔️ Speed vs price in asset finance decisions✔️ Peaks, troughs, and unpredictable cash flow✔️ Sleepless nights and pressure as a business owner✔️ Why honesty and customer service win long-term✔️ Losing deals you think are guaranteed✔️ Reputation, trust, and working with larger clients✔️ Sales culture, KPIs, and box-ticking✔️ Hiring fears and protecting brand standards✔️ Systems, processes, and CRM discipline✔️ Gavin’s top three lessons in business and life
Follow James Fleming:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcastYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Gavin Kirkwood:
Website → https://www.kirkwoodassetfinance.co.ukLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-kirkwood-43a46837/
Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/kirkwood-asset-finance-limited/
Timestamps
[00:00] James opens the episode and introduces Gavin Kirkwood[00:55] Gavin introduces himself and Kirkwood Asset Finance[01:20] What the business does and why customer service matters[03:16] Education, options, and challenging “we’ve always done it this way”[04:24] Why banks frustrate business owners[05:00] Tier one, two, and three funders explained[07:31] Speed vs price in asset finance[10:20] Early career in call centres and sales[11:00] Moving into fleet and commercial vehicles[13:59] Wanting more and outgrowing employment[14:18] Bottling the decision to go solo[14:47] Pressing the button and starting the business[15:22] Expecting early deals that didn’t arrive[16:16] Learning asset finance the hard way[17:22] Grit, persistence, and building from zero[19:23] Growth through referrals and reputation[20:17] Trust, service, and honest communication[21:40] The brutal reality of asset finance sales[23:15] Losing deals you think are guaranteed[25:16] Reputation and credibility with big clients[27:30] Reviews, referrals, and organic growth[29:02] Consultative selling and building trust[31:00] Growth fears and hiring challenges[33:19] Systems, CRM, and protecting standards[35:09] Hiring experience vs potential[36:43] Culture, honesty, and autonomy[42:23] Strategy vs day-to-day survival[44:28] Peaks, troughs, and financial stress[45:36] Resilience and trusting the process[45:55] Gavin’s top three pieces of advice[48:00] James closes the episode
Monday Feb 16, 2026
Monday Feb 16, 2026
Kenneth Martin didn’t chase fast growth or flashy success, he built something that lasted. From discovering architecture at just 12 years old, to setting up his own practice earlier than most would dare, Kenny’s journey is one of graft, resilience, and staying true to professional standards even when the pressure was relentless. With Block Architects now over 21 years old, his story is a rare look at what it really takes to survive and evolve in a demanding industry.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kenneth Martin, founder of Block Architects and Interior Designers, to unpack the realities behind building and sustaining a professional practice through recessions, debt, staff cuts, personal sacrifice, and long-term leadership decisions. From working alone in his attic, to employing teams, losing them during the 2008 crash, rebuilding from debt, and starting again from scratch, Kenny shares the honest truth behind longevity in business.
This conversation goes deep into what leadership actually looks like over decades, not years. Kenny speaks openly about the mental toll of responsibility, making decisions that affect people’s livelihoods, carrying debt to keep the business alive, and learning when to step back so the business can survive without you. Alongside that, James shares his own experiences of sacrifice, pressure, and why succession planning is not optional if you care about the future of your company.
If you’re running a business, thinking about growth, or quietly wondering how long you can keep carrying everything yourself, this episode will resonate deeply.
Key moments include:✔️ Discovering architecture at age 12 and committing to it early✔️ Setting up a practice only a few years after qualifying✔️ Growing the business, hiring staff, and learning leadership the hard way✔️ The 2008 recession and the brutal reality of paying staff off✔️ Carrying personal debt to keep the business alive✔️ Going back to working solo and rebuilding from scratch✔️ Why architects feel downturns before anyone else✔️ COVID as an unexpected turning point for growth✔️ The emotional weight of responsibility as a business owner✔️ Delegating, outsourcing, and building systems that don’t rely on you✔️ Why succession planning matters long before you think it does✔️ Balancing business ambition with family, health, and time✔️ The danger of leaving succession planning too late✔️ Kenny’s top three lessons in business and life✔️ The role of hard work, discipline, and deliberate practice✔️ Why most success stories online don’t tell the full truth
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcastYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Kenneth Martin:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethrmartin/
Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/block-architects-limited/
Website→ https://blockarchitects.co.uk/
Timestamps
[00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Kenneth Martin[00:46] Kenny introduces himself and Block Architects[01:56] What it takes to reach 21 years in business[03:01] Discovering architecture at age 12[05:15] Setting up his own practice earlier than expected[06:00] Making hard decisions and leadership pressure[08:03] Professional responsibility and industry accountability[09:19] The 2008 recession and its impact on the business[10:18] Hiring the first employee and rapid early growth[13:31] Debt, downsizing, and moving back home to survive[15:25] Clearing debt and starting again from scratch[17:10] COVID as a period of unexpected growth[18:22] Why succession planning can’t be ignored[20:21] Building a business with the end in mind[23:25] Realising how much the business relied on him[24:31] Outsourcing, systems, and reducing dependency[27:00] Why podcasting became part of leadership learning[31:24] Kenny’s top three pieces of advice[33:23] Hard work, discipline, and deliberate practice[36:11] Letting go and trusting the team[38:38] Lessons from working with family[41:20] Communication challenges with younger generations[41:57] How to connect with Kenneth[42:30] James closes the episode
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Cameron Young didn’t take the traditional route into business, but the lessons he learned along the way shaped everything that followed. From leaving school unsure of his direction, to helping grow a family wedding stationery business into a fast-scaling e-commerce operation, Cameron’s journey is built on learning by doing and putting in the unseen hours.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Cameron to unpack his journey from scaling and exiting a family-run e-commerce business to becoming a partner at Business Partnership. Cameron shares the realities of rapid growth, burnout, business exits, and why so many owners aren’t prepared when it comes time to sell.
This conversation explores what really drives business value, the importance of knowing your numbers, building a business that doesn’t rely solely on you, and why trust, transparency, and the right advice matter when everything is on the line.
If you’re a business owner thinking about growth, exit, or long-term legacy, Cameron’s story offers grounded, honest insight into what to focus on before it’s too late.
Key moments include:✔️ Leaving school and joining the family business✔️ Building and scaling an e-commerce company from the ground up✔️ The reality of long hours, pressure, and burnout✔️ Why drop-shipping and “quick win” business models fail✔️ Learning the hard way to truly know your numbers✔️ Navigating mergers, acquisitions, and a full business exit✔️ The emotional and practical challenges of selling a business✔️ Why owner-led businesses struggle to sell✔️ The biggest mistakes business owners make before going to market✔️ Why trust, transparency, and education matter in business sales✔️ Cameron’s top three pieces of advice for business owners
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jamesflemingmq/YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com
Follow Cameron YoungCompany Website → https://www.businesspartnership.comLinkedIn →https://www.linkedin.com/in/cam95/
Timestamps[00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Cameron[00:00:15] Cameron introduces himself and Business Partnership[01:08] Leaving school and joining the family business[02:04] Moving into e-commerce and early online sales[04:39] Scaling warehouse operations and rapid growth[07:43] The reality of long hours and unseen graft[08:06] The truth about drop-shipping models[12:46] Learning the importance of knowing your numbers[18:20] Merger discussions and acquisition offers[21:08] Burnout and seeking expert support[26:38] Personal loss and rethinking priorities[28:41] Joining Business Partnership[30:34] Common mistakes business owners make when selling[32:00] Owner dependency and valuation issues[36:34] Why many businesses never sell[53:00] Cameron’s top three pieces of advice[57:10] How to connect with Cameron[58:28] James closes the episode
Monday Feb 02, 2026
Monday Feb 02, 2026
Steve Young didn’t wait for certainty, he backed himself and learned on the job.
From leaving school early and working multiple jobs as a teenager, to selling TVs at Dixons, moving into fax machines and copiers, and building a long career in document management and process automation, Steve’s journey is one of graft, resilience, and refusing to live with regret. Buying his first flat at 18 and thriving in high-pressure sales roles, Steve learned early that effort mattered more than titles.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Steve to explore his journey from corporate leadership to building his own business. Steve opens up about the frustration of not being able to make decisions, the fear of starting again later in life, and why he made the conscious choice to build a business with no plan B. The conversation also dives into resilience, failure, and what Steve calls “bounce-back ability”, learning through mistakes and continuing forward.
James shares his own reflections on chasing money, burnout, and redefining what success really means, as both explore why fulfilment, freedom, and potential matter more than income alone.
If you’ve ever questioned whether comfort is holding you back, or worried about reaching the end of your career with regrets, Steve’s story will resonate.
Key moments include:✔️ Leaving school early and starting work young✔️ Selling TVs, fax machines, and building a career in sales✔️ Buying his first flat at 18✔️ Thriving in corporate roles but feeling restricted✔️ Choosing entrepreneurship to avoid regret✔️ Starting a business with no plan B✔️ Learning resilience and bounce-back ability✔️ Redefining success beyond money
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jamesflemingmq/YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com
Follow Steve Young:Website → https://streammanagedservices.co.uk/LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve--young/
Timestamps[00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Steve[00:00:53] Steve introduces himself and his background[01:08] Early sales career and leaving school young[02:08] Moving into digital document management[03:10] Wanting control and avoiding future regret[07:36] Working with growing businesses and managing risk[13:40] Early working life and multiple jobs[17:06] Career growth, incentives, and sales pressure[22:25] Chasing money vs fulfilment[27:00] Resilience, failure, and bounce-back ability[29:57] Starting a business with no plan B[41:44] Vision for the future[45:04] Steve’s advice on success and potential[46:01] How to contact Steve[46:21] James closes the episode
Monday Jan 26, 2026
Monday Jan 26, 2026
Anne Okafor didn’t follow a traditional route into construction.From leaving school at 16 and experiencing homelessness, to years spent in hospitality and retail, to taking a leap of faith back into education in her late twenties, Anne’s journey is built on courage, curiosity, and choosing to keep going.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Anne Okafor to explore the decisions that shaped her life and career. Anne shares how a spontaneous college application changed everything, why she moved three and a half hours to a city where she knew no one, and how that single decision led to a decade-long career in construction planning.
They talk openly about limiting beliefs around education and maths, the power of networking, redundancy and reinvention, and Anne’s progression from not knowing anyone in the industry to becoming Chair of the CIOB Northern Scotland region. Anne also explains why she’s now pursuing a PhD in sustainable procurement in collaboration with the NHS, and what real courage looks like when life doesn’t go to plan.
This is an honest, grounded conversation about belief, resilience, and taking action when the path ahead isn’t clear.
Key moments include:✔️ Leaving school at 16 and navigating homelessness✔️ Feeling stuck in hospitality and retail✔️ Taking a leap back into education with no safety net✔️ Challenging limiting beliefs around maths and learning✔️ Achieving a first-class honours degree✔️ Redundancy, reinvention, and starting a business✔️ Building a global professional network through the CIOB✔️ Becoming Chair of the CIOB Northern Scotland region✔️ Starting a PhD in sustainable procurement with NHS collaboration✔️ Anne’s three core principles: curiosity, courage, and action
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jamesflemingmq/YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com
Follow Anne Okafor:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-okafor/
Website →https://www.anneokafor.com/
Timestamps[00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Anne[00:55] Anne introduces herself and her role in construction planning[02:57] Leaving school at 16 and experiencing homelessness[03:40] Working in hospitality and retail and feeling stuck[04:14] Applying for college on the train home from holiday[05:35] Moving three and a half hours to Stirling with no support network[07:12] Believing university wasn’t “for people like me”[09:39] Returning to education and overcoming self-doubt[10:10] Achieving a first-class honours degree[13:17] Wanting to make the construction industry better[15:15] Advice for women considering construction[16:07] Discovering the CIOB and the power of networking[17:33] Becoming Chair of the CIOB Northern Scotland region[21:07] Redundancy and relying on professional networks[22:19] Starting her own business[25:15] Applying for a PhD after redundancy[27:02] Balancing consultancy work with PhD study[29:14] Giving back through mentoring and STEM work[33:08] AI, leadership, and why human skills still matter[40:45] Starting the PhD in sustainable procurement with the NHS[46:05] Challenging long-held beliefs about maths[53:06] Anne’s top three pieces of advice[57:10] James closes the episode