The Success or Excuses Podcast

Owen Llanwarne Quit His High-Paying Job to Build a 7-Figure Consultancy | Episode 22

Owen Llanwarne never planned on starting a business but deep down, he knew the corporate world wasn’t where he belonged.
So he left the steady salary behind, set up shop at his kitchen table, and started saying yes to small freelance jobs. No funding. No investors. Just experience, a strong gut instinct, and the belief that he could build something better.
Fast forward, and OTECSA is now a respected process safety consultancy with a growing team and a reputation for doing things differently.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Owen for a raw and grounded conversation about walking away from security, learning to lead, and what it really takes to grow a business when no one’s handing you the rulebook.
They talk identity shifts, hiring headaches, imposter syndrome and the uncomfortable moments that force you to grow.
Key moments include:
✔️ Why Owen left a stable job in engineering to go solo✔️ Building OTECSA from the ground up without a flashy launch or big budget✔️ The pressure of hiring, leading, and letting go of control✔️ What most people get wrong about starting small✔️ Why being good at your job isn’t enough when it’s your name on the business✔️ The mindset shift from employee to founder✔️ How getting outside help changed everything✔️ His advice to any engineer who’s thinking, “Could I do this too?”
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered, straight-talking conversations with people who kept going when everyone else would’ve quit.
 
Follow James FlemingLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtdInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcastYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
 
Follow Owen LlanwarneLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-llanwarne/Website → https://otecsaconsulting.com/

Yvonne Lindsay Built a Multi-Million Pound Business While Raising Two Kids | Episode 21

Yvonne Lindsay didn’t just start a business, she took on an entire industry.
With no funding, no safety net, and a baby on the way, she walked out of a high-paying role at BT and launched a telecoms company from her living room. Fifteen years later, that company now turns over £6 million a year.
But this episode isn’t just about business growth. It’s about grit.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Yvonne for a powerful, no-filter conversation about what it really takes to succeed as a woman, a mum, a founder, and a leader navigating a world that wasn’t built for her.
They talk about the pressure to hold it all together, the strength it takes to keep going when life falls apart, and why most people have no idea what female founders are really carrying.
Key moments include:
✔️ Leaving a six-figure career to start from scratch✔️ Building one of Scotland’s only all-female telecoms companies✔️ Paying wages with nothing left for herself and doing it anyway✔️ Navigating divorce, single motherhood, and leading a team of 18✔️ How pink tools and big energy helped her stand out✔️ The truth about imposter syndrome, burnout, and late-night breakdowns✔️ Why belief matters more than a business plan✔️ Her advice to any woman ready to bet on herself
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered, straight-talking conversations with people who kept going when everyone else would’ve quit.
 
Follow James FlemingLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtdInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcastYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
 
Follow Yvonne LindsayLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonnelindsay/Company → https://telecomnetworks.co.uk/Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/telecomnetworks/

Real Estate Investing for Beginners with Craig Evans | Episode 20

Craig Evans didn’t grow up with money, but he had vision, grit, and a builder’s mindset.
What started as a plan to buy his first home on a shoestring turned into a full-scale property business. He’s designed entire houses in 3D before ever stepping foot in them. Negotiated deals most people would run from. And learned the hard way that success isn’t about shortcuts, it’s about strategy.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Craig for a conversation every aspiring property investor needs to hear.
They talk about the messy reality behind property investing, from dream deals falling through, to getting burned by your team, to the moments you nearly walk away. And how Craig used every one of those setbacks to build something better.
This isn’t a “how to get rich with no money down” story. It’s a story about long-term thinking, real risk, and what happens when you back yourself even when nobody else does.
Key moments include:
✔️ How Craig reverse-engineered his first home renovation with zero budget✔️ The deal that collapsed and the brutal lessons about trust and timing✔️ How ADHD fuels James creativity and decision-making✔️ Why Craig built Novius, and how it’s changing the game in sustainable housing✔️ The truth about working with investors (and the awkward chats with their wives)✔️ What no one tells you about growing slow and why that’s the point✔️ The mindset that kept him moving, even when everything fell apart
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered conversations with real entrepreneurs building real businesses without the fluff.
 
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtdInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcastYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
 
Follow Craig Evans:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybridge/Company Website → https://novius.co.uk/

Chris McLaughlin Turned Side Hustles Into a Full-Time Family Business | Episode 19

Chris McLaughlin didn’t plan on building a business he just said yes to cutting a few lawns.Ten years later, CM Garden Services has grown into a thriving family-run company with a strong brand, loyal clients, and a seriously cute mascot called Bruce.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Chris to talk about what it really takes to grow a business from a handful of flyers to a full team and premises all while learning everything on the job.
It hasn’t been easy. There’ve been late payments, team dramas, and moments where Chris seriously considered packing it in. But through the chaos, he’s stuck to the same values: show up well, build strong relationships, and treat people right (even when they don’t always treat you the same).
This conversation is full of laughs, honest lessons, and the kind of grounded wisdom that only comes from living it.
Key moments include:
✔️ How a pushy mate and a flyer sparked the start of CM Garden Services✔️ What it’s really like running a family business (with your dad, mum and uncle onboard)✔️ Dealing with team challenges and letting go of “being on the tools”✔️ Why professionalism matters in a crowded trades market✔️ How branding, humour and TikTok have helped him stand out✔️ Learning to lead and when to hand things over✔️ The value of knowing your numbers (and why your accountant isn’t your business partner)✔️ What keeps Chris motivated through the hard days: people, purpose, and building something better
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more straight-talking, no-fluff stories from people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going.
 
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtdInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcastYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
 
Follow Chris McLaughlin:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mclaughlin
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/cmgardensFacebook → CM Garden ServicesWebsite → https://www.cmgardens.co.uk/

From Maternity Leave to Marketing Boss: How Donna McAteer Built Global Buzz | Episode 18

Donna McAteer didn’t wait for opportunity she created it.
Two babies under two. No job to go back to. A partner offshore. And absolutely no time to sit and panic. When her role in Dubai disappeared overnight after maternity leave, Donna didn’t spiral she stepped up.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Donna to unpack what it really takes to build a business from your kitchen table, with a newborn on one arm and a laptop on the other. From banking to branding, late nights to local marketing, Donna turned fear into fuel and built Global Buzz into one of Scotland’s most passionate hospitality-focused marketing agencies.
This conversation is packed with energy, honesty, and real-life lessons for anyone trying to juggle parenthood, pressure, and a plan to do things differently.
Key moments include:✔️ The moment she lost her job post-maternity leave  and decided to start her own business✔️ Building a business around two small children and zero childcare✔️ Why being scared of failure was never an option✔️ How routine, structure and mindset gave her freedom✔️ Growing up working class and the entrepreneurial dad who shaped her drive✔️ Her love of food, hospitality and why your marketing should always feel personal✔️ Hiring mistakes, staff challenges and learning how to let go of control✔️ The reality of being “the face” of your business and the pressure that comes with it✔️ How she turned fear into belief, and built her business from grit, not glamour✔️ Her top three tips for anyone starting out in marketing (or any business)
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtdInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcastYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
 
Follow Donna McAteer:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-mcateer-b437b0212/Website → https://www.globalbuzzmarketing.co.uk/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/globalbuzzmarketing

Gavin Smith on Handling Business Failures, Client Loss, and Confidence Crashing | Episode 17

Gavin Smith didn’t follow the rules he rewrote them.
No confidence. No funding. No business plan. Just a belief that there had to be a better way to make a living and a difference. From growing up in a small Ayrshire mining village to becoming the founder of the UK’s leading renewable heat consultancy, Gavin’s story is a masterclass in grit, growth, and figuring it out as you go.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Gavin to unpack the messy, honest reality of starting something from scratch when you're broke, burnt out, and battling self-doubt. From £8K a year to running a business that works while he sleeps, Gavin proves you don’t need to have it all figured out you just need to start.
This conversation is full of mindset shifts, leadership lessons, and the silver shrapnel (you’ll get it when you listen) that comes from years of learning the hard way.
Key moments include:✔️ The 3-year round-the-world trip that built his confidence without taking a single flight✔️ Starting a business with no money, no roadmap, and a lot of Excel spreadsheets✔️ The brutal year he earned £8K and what kept him going anyway✔️ How purpose became the driving force behind profit✔️ Letting go of bad hires (and the guilt that comes with it)✔️ Why your team suffers when you avoid difficult decisions✔️ Building a business that makes money while you sleep✔️ The moment he realised he’d outgrown his own knowledge and what he did next✔️ Neurodivergent-friendly leadership: building systems that work for real humans✔️ Gavin’s top 3 tips for anyone starting a purpose-led business from the ground up
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered, straight-talking conversations with people who kept going when everyone else would’ve quit.
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtdSuccess or Excuses Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcastYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
 
Follow Gavin Smith:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-smith-05423916/
Website→ https://yourenergysource.co.uk
Company LinkedIn (Your Energy Source) → https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-energy-source/
Email → gavinpetersmith@gmail.com

Bullied, Broke & Dyslexic: How Scott Weir Built a Multi-Million Pound Property Business | Episode 16

Scott Weir didn’t just build a business he rewrote the narrative he was handed.
Raised in poverty. Bullied. Stealing food just to survive. Told he’d never amount to anything. For a long time, he believed it. Until he didn’t.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Scott to unpack what it really takes to go from a childhood of hardship to building an award-winning property business with heart.
At 16, he joined the Navy. Years later, he started Pillow Partners with no laptop, no money, and no clue just an idea, relentless work ethic, and the drive to make life better for others.
Diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult, Scott realised his brain wasn’t broken, it was built differently. And that difference became his advantage.
Now, he not only runs a thriving short-term let management business, but helps other entrepreneurs through his franchise model and gives back through Safe Havens, an emergency housing initiative supporting families in crisis.
This episode is raw, honest and full of perspective. Scott doesn’t pretend it’s been easy but he proves it’s possible.
Key moments include:✔️ The trauma that shaped him — and the mindset that changed everything✔️ Why dyslexia turned out to be his greatest business strength✔️ How he launched Pillow Partners without money, experience or a backup plan✔️ What it's really like to lead when you’ve grown up with nothing✔️ Why giving back is built into his business model✔️ The difference between ego-led growth and servant leadership✔️ His advice for anyone who feels like they don’t fit the mould✔️ What every young person needs to hear if they’ve ever been told they won’t make it
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtdSuccess or Excuses Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast?igsh=OW51MzlrazkwMXc%3D&utm_source=qrYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Scott Weir:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottweirpillowpartners/Website → https://pillowpartners.co.ukInstagram → @pillowpartners
 

Real Talk from a Real Estate Underdog: Paul Costello on Grit, Growth & Getting Through It | Episode 15

Paul Costello didn’t just build a business he rebuilt the reputation of an industry that had let people down for too long.
No background in estate agency. No formal training. Just the frustration of trying to sell a flat, a camera phone, and a vision to do things better.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Paul to talk about what it really takes to start from scratch, make it work, and grow a business with integrity, personality, and persistence even when everything feels like it’s against you.
It wasn’t smooth. It wasn’t glamorous. It was two years of rejection, self-doubt, late nights, and lessons the hard way.But Paul kept showing up with a hammer, a set of ladders, and a belief that if they did things the right way, the success would come.
Now, alongside his wife Charlene, Paul runs Upload Abode, one of the most trusted estate agencies in their region with a team, a reputation, and a client base built on honesty, high standards, and being real with people.
This conversation is packed with raw truths, resilience, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from doing the hard yards.
Key moments include:✔️ The house sale that triggered their business idea and how they turned frustration into fuel✔️ What it’s really like building a business with your partner (and the boundaries that get tested)✔️ The brutal early days one house sale at a time, and the self-doubt that came with it✔️ Why having a strong origin story matters more than you think✔️ The moment Charlene joined the business and everything changed✔️ How they’ve grown a team and a brand that people actually trust✔️ The sacrifices no one sees behind the scenes including selling their own stuff to survive✔️ What resilience really looks like when the business hits a wall✔️ Advice for anyone starting out and why being “all in” is the only way✔️ Why your business won’t succeed if you’re not 100% sure you can do it
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.
 
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtdSuccess or Excuses Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast?igsh=OW51MzlrazkwMXc%3D&utm_source=qrYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcastWebsite → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
 
Follow Paul Costello / Upload Abode:Website → https://www.uploadabode.co.ukInstagram → @uploadabodeTikTok → @uploadabodeFacebook → facebook.com/uploadabodeLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-costello-aa804164/

Craig Rattray on Beating Burnout, Dyslexia & Finally Understanding Business Numbers | Episode 14

Craig Alexander Rattery didn’t just learn how to run a business he learned how to run a life.
Raised in a council flat in Newmains, he was the first in his family to attend university. But it wasn’t just about getting a degree it was about escaping limits. Craig’s journey took him from a job in accountancy he never really wanted, into the world of corporate finance, private equity, and finally, to running his own business where he now empowers others.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Craig to explore how he went from feeling trapped in the rat race to living life on his terms in sunny Crete.
It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t smooth.He’s navigated personal losses, battled burnout, and faced the reality that most business owners don’t have a clue about their numbers and it’s costing them. Now, through his Know Your Numbers programme, Craig’s mission is simple: stop businesses from flying blind and help owners steer with confidence.
This episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflections, and the mindset shifts you need to grow a business without losing your way.
Key moments include:
✔️ Why most business owners don’t really understand profit, cashflow, or KPIs✔️ The story of a 57-year-old client who learned more in two hours with Craig than in 35 years of business✔️ The three daily questions every business owner should ask to stay ahead✔️ Why Craig decided to scale back, pack up, and move to Greece✔️ His frustration with accountants who don’t give clients the real insights they need✔️ How to use cashflow forecasts and management accounts to make faster, smarter decisions✔️ The truth about the long hours, risks, and invisible hard work behind financial success✔️ Why excuses are the biggest block to growth and how to overcome them✔️ The power of gross margins, utilisation rates, and proactive financial management✔️ Craig’s two golden rules for business: focus on cash and don’t forget rule one
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more honest, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going when others gave up.
 
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 Craig Alexander Rattary:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigalexanderrattary/
Website → https://knowyournumbers.biz/
Email → craig@crcorporatesolutions.co.uk
Instagram → @knowyournumbers.biz

From Corporate Comfort to Calling It Out with Steve Harris | Episode 13

He walked away from a global role at Lloyd’s Register. Gave up prestige, a title, and a comfortable salary. Why? Because it no longer aligned with his values.
Today, Steve Harris is the Managing Director of Integrity HSE one of the fastest-growing safety, health, and sustainability consultancies in the UK.
This episode of Success or Excuses isn’t just about business. It’s about values, hard choices, and what it really means to lead with purpose.
James Fleming sits down with Steve for a powerful, straight-talking conversation on walking away from the wrong kind of success, building a business on character, and why leadership isn't about being liked it’s about making the world better.
Steve doesn’t play the corporate game. He hires slowly, fires fast, and only works with clients who share his standards. There’s no fluff here just clarity, conviction, and a relentless commitment to doing what’s right.
This isn’t a story about HSE.It’s a story about integrity, resilience, and the cost and reward of building a business that actually stands for something.
Key moments include:
✔️ Why Steve walked away from private equity and built a purpose-led company✔️ The real reason Integrity HSE grew fast and what most people misunderstand✔️ Walking the talk: how values shape every hire, fire, and client relationship✔️ The brutal story of losing a colleague to suicide and the life-changing lesson it left behind✔️ How junior sports sponsorship is part of their leadership strategy✔️ The neurodiversity conference that changed how their clients think✔️ Steve’s take on fake positivity, leadership BS, and what really builds resilience✔️ What happens when you prioritise people over profit and still win✔️ The truth about optimism, pessimism, and the Stockdale Principle✔️ What Steve learned from a life-or-death cancer scare during COVID
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for real, raw conversations with leaders who built on courage — not comfort.
Follow James Fleming:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd
Success or Excuses Instagram →https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast
Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Steve Harris:LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveharris-integrityhse
Website → https://www.integrityhse.com
Email → steve@integrityhse.co.uk