Live & Linking #90 with Dave and Karen Meadows
What do you do when life gives you a massive nudge?
You build something brilliant.
That’s exactly what Karen and Dave did when ITV made them both redundant. With a baby on the way, no job, and a whole lot of courage, they poured their redundancy pay into a cabin at the bottom of their garden, and started PUSHED, a now award-winning animation company.
We chat through the entire journey.
From their first projects to landing clients like the BBC, NHS, and celebrity chefs, to weathering the storms of economic crashes, Brexit, and COVID. It’s not all been easy. But every challenge made them stronger—and their team of five is now one of the most respected creative studios in the South West.
But this episode isn’t just about animation.
It’s about the people who show up when it matters. Karen was the first person to pay me for LinkedIn training. She believed in me before I did. And she even sent me scones in the post. That small gesture changed everything.
We talk about community, connection, and how little things, like a thank-you card or an offer of support, can ripple out in ways you’ll never expect.
We reminisce about the COVID morning calls, where our little online gang kept each other going.
We talk about Richie Cridge designing my new website, and James Twigger offering help over a quick chat. This is what happens when you surround yourself with good people.
It’s not just about business. It’s about backing each other, celebrating wins, and lifting each other up when things get tough.
Karen and Dave also share how PUSHED landed on Amazon Prime, how they got through lockdown by pivoting to e-learning, and why they’re now proudly part of Small Business Saturday’s #SmallBiz100.
They open up about the pressures of pricing, imposter syndrome, and why having a good team and a solid community makes all the difference.
So whether you're starting out, facing a wobble, or just need to hear a real story from real people, this one's for you. It’s full of gold, grit, and loads of laughs.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/karenmeadows-pushedanimation
Website: https://pushed.co.uk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pushed_design
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/pushed_design
Email: karen@pushed.co.uk
Small Business Saturday - https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/
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