In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’, our host provides an April Monthly Update.
April was a turbulent month for Daniel and his businesses. In this solo episode, Daniel shares a candid update on being hacked, losing access to essential tools like Office 365, and how the fallout affected business performance.
Despite setbacks, progress continues across major projects including a new website, content series, and long-term investments. Tune in to hear the raw reality of running a business through chaos and resilience.
HIGHLIGHTS
· The team was hacked, losing Office 365 access for all staff members.
· Business performance dropped 30% below target due to technical disruptions and seasonal factors.
· A three-year website project is nearing completion, aiming to unify systems like CRM, bookings, and finance.
· Launch of a new content series: “Sports Day Showdown” featuring Daniel vs. FD Steve on YouTube and TikTok.
· Updates on crypto investments and the early-stage development of Shizzoo Media, a new podcast/content agency.
· Daniel’s guest appearance on the Independent Minds Podcast, coming in May.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between. Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Building the Business – March 2025 – Daniel Osullivan
Building the Business – February 2025 – Daniel Osullivan
Building the Business – January 2025 – Daniel Osullivan
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’ we talk with Andrew McGee from AME Property and Investments.
From humble beginnings and a £3-an-hour apprenticeship, Andrew McGee has built an entrepreneurial empire spanning fitness, education, and property.
In this episode, Andrew shares his remarkable journey from launching a gym with just a credit card and a dream, to building a property portfolio worth over £2 million.
With deep insights into personal growth, opportunity vehicles, and the importance of systems, this is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs looking for real talk on the highs and lows of building a business from scratch.
HIGHLIGHTS
· How Andrew launched a gym in 2013 with limited funds and no prior experience
· Why systems and standard operating procedures are crucial for business growth
· The power of community during the pandemic and how 90% of members kept paying
· How Andrew pivoted into property and built a £2M+ portfolio by age 34
· Why he focuses on “opportunity vehicles” and scaling businesses that outgrow him
· The importance of hiring for your weaknesses and focusing on high-value tasks
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between. Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website - https://andrew-mcgee.com/
Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
DONATION
Every week that we release an episode of We Built This Business we give £10 to our Charity the British Heart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk/(Started 21.05.2024 we hope to donate £520 a year)
In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’ we talk with Joel Campbell from Cove Group.
Joel shares the journey of how he built the Cove Group, a multifaceted business with ventures in heritage tourism, real estate, and entrepreneur mentorship.
Starting from an 11-year-old selling keyrings at Glastonbury to turning decommissioned prisons into tourist attractions, Joel’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and unrelenting entrepreneurial spirit.
From founding a wellness tech company that ended in a painful exit to creating immersive visitor experiences inside former prisons, Joel unpacks the lessons he’s learned, the systems he’s built, and how he leverages his failures to support other entrepreneurs.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Joel’s childhood entrepreneurial spark that started at Glastonbury Festival
• The founding and painful collapse of his first wellness tech company
• How a failed prison bid led to the launch of a successful attraction business
• The three pillars of the Cove Group: business operations, investment, and entrepreneur support
• Turning historical prisons into unique, multi-use attractions with escape rooms, ghost tours, and overnight stays
• Why having a shareholders agreement and clear business plans matters (and when it doesn’t)
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business.
We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.
Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies.
With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website - https://www.covegroup.co.uk/
Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business and Thrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’ we talk with Jamie Darkin from Cornerstone Property Group.
Jamie shares the inspiring journey of building a successful social housingbusiness that now manages over 200 properties across Kent and London. Starting from humble beginnings with limited capital, Jamie teamed up with his dad to create a business that has now housed over 1,000 vulnerable families. We dive into the early struggles, the power of mentorship, building a team, learning through experience, and Jamie’s next chapter in business acquisitions.
HIGHLIGHTS
• How Jamie went from university dropout to founder of a social housing business
• Starting a company with his dad and their early challenges with cash flow and scaling
• The decision to focus on Cornerstone after trying (and failing) with several other ventures
• Why personal development and mentorship accelerated Jamie’s business growth
• The power of LinkedIn and personal branding for long-term opportunity
• Future goals: Expanding through property development and business acquisitions
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between. Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website - https://cornerstoneproperty.co.uk
Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
Donation: Every week that we releasean episode of We Built This Business we give £10 to our Charity the BritishHeart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk/ (Started 21.05.2024 we hope to donate £520 a year)
This solo episode features the host of the We Built This Business podcast, Daniel Osullivan.
This episode is part of Daniel’s monthly update series, where he shares the real, behind-the-scenes journey of trying to scale his business group from £1.5M to £5M by 2030.
March 2025 brought fresh challenges and wins: from budget cuts and economic shifts to office expansions, content creation, and new podcast ventures. Daniel offers his honest reflections on growth, resilience, and adapting in a tough climate.
HIGHLIGHTS
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business.
We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.
Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 toreceive 15% off your next team building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website
Red Cactus Events – www.redcactusevents.co.uk
Team Building Experiences – www.team-building-experiences.co.uk
Shizzoo Media – www.shizzoo.co
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
January 2025 – Building The Business
February 2025 – Building The Business
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
Donation: Every week that we release an episode of We Built This Business we give £10 to our Charity the British Heart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk/ (Started 21.05.2024 we hope to donate £520 a year)
In this episode of We Built This Business, we talk with Paul Mort.
Paul is a dynamic force in the world of coaching, mindset transformation, and raw honesty. From being sacked from a gym job in 2001 to building a powerful coaching business for married businessmen, Paul has turned personal pain into professional purpose. He opens up about his journey through business, addiction, rock bottom, and ultimately creating a global movement that helps men reclaim their lives and their edge.
HIGHLIGHTS
How being fired from a gym job launched Paul's entrepreneurial journey
The Tony Robbins moment that lit the fire in him
From outdoor bootcamps to a franchise-like model (and the collapse that followed)
His spiral into addiction, hitting rock bottom, and the road to recovery
The viral video with 15 million views that kickstarted his current business
Paul's battle-tested tips for dealing with criticism, trolls, and online hate
Why he believes community and live events are the future-proof way to grow a coaching brand
Insights on writing his book Upgrade and why it took 8 years
Hard lessons learned spending £10k on a failed app
Thoughts on popularity vs profitability in today's attention economy
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business.
We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.
Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website – Paul Mort Official
Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print and Promotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business and Thrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group with brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
Podcast Website
Podcast Linkedin Page
Podcast Instagram Page
Facebook Instagram Page
Donation: Every week that we release an episode of We Built This Business we give £10 to our Charity the British Heart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk/ (Started 21.05.2024 we hope to donate £520 a year)
In this episode of We Built This Business, DanielO’Sullivan sits down with Darryl Bates-Brownsword from Succession Plus UK to explore the critical but often overlooked process of preparing your business for a successful exit.
With only 1 in 5 businesses achieving a truly successful exit, Darryl shares expert insights into why so many business owners fall short—and what you can do differently. Whether you're years away from selling or considering it sooner, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you exit on your terms.
HIGHLIGHTS
· Why most business exits fail—and how to avoid being part of that statistic
· The three key components of a sale-ready business
· When you should actually start planning your exit
· How brokers fit into the process—and what to watch out for
· The dangers of relying too much on your personal brand
· Real-world examples of business exit motivations and strategies
· How valuation works and how to improve it well before sale day
· The step-by-step model of exiting through employment, control, and ownership
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business.
We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.
Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences Website - https://team-building-experiences.co.uk/
Offer Code - Podcast15
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website - https://succession.plus/
Take the Business Sellability Score test - https://succession.plus/uk/business-sellability-score/
Darryl Bates-Brownsword Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-bates-brownsword
Host Website – https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
In this episode of We Built This Business we talk with Olivia Mae Hanlon from Girls in Marketing.
Olivia shares her journey from studying psychology to creating Girls in Marketing, a thriving online community and learning platform for marketers. Olivia talks about how she turned a simple Instagram page into an international business, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and what it meant to be recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30.
HIGHLIGHTS
• How Olivia transitioned from psychology to marketing and started freelancing
• The origins and growth of Girls in Marketing into aglobal learning platform
• The challenges of running a business as a first-generationentrepreneur
• The power of community and mentorship in marketing education
• Olivia’s Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition and how it hasimpacted her career
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on starting a business and navigating challenges
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business
Podcast to discuss how they have built their businesses. We cover how they started, the challenges they faced, their successes, failures, and everything in between. Running a business is hard work, so why not learn from those who have done it?
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences is a nationwide team building company, experts in keeping things fun for companies.
With mobile events like Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge, and more, there’s something for every team.
Visit Team Building Experiences and quote PODCAST15 for 15% off your next team-building event!
VALUABLE RESOURCES
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Becky Hopkin – How I Took On A Business Whilst Becoming A Mother
Jordan Stachini – How I Built a No-Fluff, No-Bull, ROI-Obsessed Marketing Agency
Catherine Storey – How I Used Personal Branding to Attract High-Value Clients
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
Linkedin: Daniel Osullivan
We Built This Business
DONATION
Every week we release an episode of We Built This Business, we donate £10 to the British Heart Foundation. Our goal is to give £520 per year! Donate Here
In this episode of We Built This Business, we talk with Ryan Williams, co-founder of It’s Gone Viral and the KOMI Group.
Ryan shares his journey from creating viral Twitter parody accounts to building one of the UK’s leading social media brands, competing with the likes of LadBible and Steven Bartlett’s Social Chain. He opens up about scaling the business, navigating the challenges of the pandemic, and ultimately exiting the company.
HIGHLIGHTS
· How Ryan’s viral sports parody accounts led to a multi-million-pound business.
· The pivotal moment when It’s Gone Viral was monetized on Facebook.
· Navigating the pandemic and losing 70% of revenue overnight.
· The process of rebranding to KOMI Group and preparing for an exit.
· The emotional and personal impact of selling the business.
· Ryan’s new mission: educating parents on online safety and social media risks for kids.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel O’Sullivan invites business owners and industryexperts onto the We Built This Business podcast to discuss how they have built their businesses. We explore their entrepreneurial journeys, challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way. Running a business is tough, so why not learn from those who have already done it?
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences is a nationwide team building company specializing in Keeping Things Fun for corporate teams. They offer mobile events like Game Shows, Sports Days, and the Crystal Challenge.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive15% off your next event!
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Ryan Williams Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantwilliamsofficial/
Ryan’s Book: Blood, Sweat & Tweets – Available now! - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Sweat-Tweets-inspiring-Entrepreneurs/dp/1916237789
Host Website – https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel O’Sullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group, which includes brands in the events, entertainment, and media industries like Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Football Zorbing UK, Shizzoo Media and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
Podcast Website - https://beacons.ai/wbtb
CHARITY DONATION
Every week we release an episode, we donate £10 to the British Heart Foundation – our goal is to contribute £520 per year! Donate Here
In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’ we talk with Daniel Osullivan, host and founder of the podcast.
In our February 2025 solo episode, Daniel shares behind-the-scenes insights into how the business has grown this month, exciting new developments across the team, event launches, and even his first steps into cryptocurrency. With a focus on consistency, Daniel reflects on the ups and downs of business ownership and shares lessons from the journey so far.
HIGHLIGHTS
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.
Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.VALUABLE RESOURCES
Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group with brands in the events, entertainment, and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events, and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
In this episode of We Built This Business, we talk with Catherine Storey, the founder of Freshbat, a growing inbound marketing agency. Catherine shares her inspiring journey from working in high-street recruitment to launching her own business during the pandemic. She opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, how she built Freshbat from the ground up, and the importance of personal branding in today’s digital landscape.
Catherine also shares her insights on inbound marketing strategies, hiring the right people, and why delivering an exceptional client experience is key to long-term success.
HIGHLIGHTS
· How Catherine transitioned from recruitment to running amarketing agency
· The importance of personal branding for business success
· Key inbound marketing strategies for small businesses
· The biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make – and how to avoid them
· How Catherine hires and manages a remote team
· Why customer experience is crucial for business growth
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their businesses. We explore their beginnings, challenges, successes, failures, and everything in between.
Running a business is hard work, so why not learn from those who are currently building or have built successful companies?
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences is a nationwide team-building company specializing in keeping things fun for businesses. From game shows and sports days to the Crystal Challenge and more, they offer a wide range of mobile events to suit every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team-building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website – Freshbat - https://freshbat.com/
Host Website – We Built This Business - https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
- How I Built a No-Fluff, No-Bull, ROI-Obsessed Marketing Agency – Jordan Stachini
- How I Built A Global Media Brand As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur – Oliver Bruce
- How I Leveraged Data to Transform Digital Marketing – Daniel Bianchini
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
In this episode of We Built This Business, we talkwith Nathan Angus, the co-founder of Wildfire Experience Agency.
Nathan shares his incredible journey of building a leadingevents business, starting from quad bike parties on a farm to running a full-service experience agency with a 20,000-square-foot warehouse filled with everything from hovercrafts to life-sized lion props. He opens up about the challenges of scaling, managing a team, and the lessons he’s learned about leadership and growth in the events industry.
HIGHLIGHTS
· How Nathan turned childhood weekend work into a multi-faceted events agency.
· The evolution from a small family business to a full-service agency.
· The challenges of running an events business through COVID-19 and adapting to virtual events.
· The importance of company culture and building a motivated team.
· Strategic partnerships and why collaboration is key in the events industry.
· Nathan’s approach to risk-taking and why there’s no “perfect time” to start a business.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel O’Sullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their businesses. We explore how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures, and everything in between. Running a business is hard work, so why not learn from those who are currently building or who have built a business?
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences is a nationwide team buildingcompany, keeping things fun for businesses across the UK. From game shows and sports days to the Crystal Challenge and more, there’s something for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website - Wildfire Experience Agency - https://spreadlikewildfire.co.uk/
Host Website – We Built This Business - https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4- How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
In this episode ofWe Built This Business, we talk with Richard Few, founder of Sales Geek.
Richard is a born risk-taker who has revolutionized the sales industry, growing Sales Geek into the world's largest provider of part-time sales directors.
From humble beginnings to international expansion across the UK, US, India, and the GCC, Richard shares his incredible journey, the lessons he learned, and how he overcame adversity to scale a global franchise.
HIGHLIGHTS
· How Richard transitioned from a corporate sales director role to launching Sales Geek
· The struggles of starting a business with only four months of savings
· Overcoming imposter syndrome and learning to trust his expertise
· Lessons from launching a franchise model and expanding internationally
· The unexpected success and challenges of building a sales training platform
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel O'Sullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto theWe Built This BusinessPodcast to discuss how they have built their businesses. We explore their startup journey, business challenges, successes, failures, and everything in between. Running a business is hard work, so why not learn from those who have already built or are currently building their own?
PODCAST SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored byTeam Building Experiences, a nationwide company specializing in fun, engaging corporate team building activities. FromGame Shows toCrystal Challenge, they offer unique experiences to bring your team together.
VisitTeam Building Experiences and use codePODCAST15 to get15% off your next event!
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website -https://www.salesgeek.co.uk/
Host Website –https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
How I Built a £7 Million Events Business From £1000 – Ben McCarthy
How I Built Boost Drinks into a £75 Million Revenue Business – Simon Gray
How I Turned and Event Equipment Hire Startup into a £5 Million Revenue Business – Taran O’Doherty
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO ofThe Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries includingRed Cactus Events,Team Building Experiences,Shizzoo.co,Football Zorbing UK,Nel Events andX Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email:daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
DONATION
Every episode we release, we donate£10 to the British Heart Foundation.Join us in supporting a great cause!
In this episode of We Built This Business, we talk with Adam Smith, founder of A-Game Consultancy. Adam is a high-performance coach who helps business leaders, athletes, and entrepreneurs elevate their mindset, health, and success.
We dive deep into the importance of personal development, business growth strategies, and why hard work is often misunderstood in today’s world.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• How Adam transitioned from hospitality to high-performance coaching.
• The founding story of A-Game Consultancy and how it scaled to a multi-six-figure business.
• The key habits and routines for entrepreneurs to achieve balance and success.
• Why hard work is often labeled as toxic and how to reframe it.
• The mindset shifts needed to overcome limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome.
• Practical steps to improve both your personal life and business performance.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business.
We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.
Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.
PODCAST SPONSOR
This episode is brought to you by Team Building Experiences, a nationwide team-building company that keeps things fun for businesses. From Game Shows to Sports Days, there’s an event for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team-building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website - https://agameconsultancy.com/
Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4- How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The ExperienceSpecialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
In this special solo episode of We Built This Business, host Daniel Osullivan shares an insider update on his own businesses—Red Cactus Events and the newly launched Shizzoo Media. He discusses the growth, challenges, and future plans for the company, offering a transparent look into running and scaling multiple brands in the event and media industries.
From financial goals and team expansion to marketing strategies and investment ventures, Daniel gives an honest breakdown of where the business stands as of January 2025.
HIGHLIGHTS
1. Introducing the How We solo episodes—Daniel’s monthly business update.
2. The growth of Red Cactus Events, its 10 sub-brands, and expansion plans.
3. The launch of Shizzoo Media, a new creative content agency.
4. 2024 financial recap: £1.4M turnover, £120K profit, 15 employees—with a goal to reach £1.75M and 20 employees in 2025.
5. New training initiatives to upskill employees and stay ahead with AI advancements.
6. Marketing shift: focusing on social content and a brand vlog series.
7. Investment challenges: difficulties in securing Bitcoin investment access.
8. Business performance update—team building events are up, but retail experiences are struggling.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We explore their beginnings, challenges, successes, and lessons learned. Running a business is tough—so why not learn from those who have done it before?
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences offers nationwide team building events, ensuring companies Keep Things Fun! From game shows to sports days and more, there’s something for every team.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and use code PODCAST15.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Host Website
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print and Promotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business and Thrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of Red Cactus Events, overseeing brands in events, entertainment, and media, including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
Donation: Every week that we release an episode, we donate £10 to the British Heart Foundation. Our goal is to contribute £520 a year! Donate here.
In this episode of ‘We Built This Business,’ we talk with Simon Gray, founder of Boost Drinks.
Simon shares his journey of building a challenger brand in the functional drinks space, growing it to £75 million in revenue, and eventually selling the business to AG Barr for £20 million. From starting with no formal business plan to navigating challenges like cash flow and competition, Simon reveals how he scaled his business and maintained its identity in a competitive market.
HIGHLIGHTS
1. Starting Boost Drinks: Simon discusses how he turned a university pain point into a thriving business, launching a challenger brand in the energy drinks space.
2. Scaling Up: From a small team to a £75 million revenue business, Simon highlights pivotal moments in Boost's growth journey.
3. The Acquisition by AG Barr: Insights into the deal-making process and navigating the transition after selling his company.
4. Brand Innovation: How Boost diversified its offerings with products like isotonic sports drinks and iced coffee.
5. Lessons Learned: Simon shares the challenges of leadership, including tough personnel decisions and managing cash flow in high-growth phases.
6. Future Plans: What’s next for Simon as he transitions out of Boost and explores new ventures.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel O’Sullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business podcast to discuss how they built their businesses. We explore their origins, challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way. Running a business is hard work, so why not learn from those who’ve done it before?
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences is a nationwide team building company specializing in keeping things fun for businesses. From game shows to sports days, there’s something for every team!
Visit Team Building Experiences and use code PODCAST15 for 15% off your next event.
Team Building Experiences Website - https://bit.ly/tbe-pod
Offer Code – PODCAST15
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website - https://www.boostdrinks.com/
Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print and Promotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 19 – How I Built a Luxury Events Business From Startup to Superyacht – James Clutterbuck
Episode 41 – How I Built a £7 Million Events Business From £1000 – Ben McCarthy
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
In this episode of We Built This Business, we talk with John Lamerton from Big Idea Ventures.
As part of our How To mini-series, John shares his expertise on How to Get Customers by Writing a Bestselling Book. John, a seasoned entrepreneur and bestselling author, discusses the steps, strategies, and secrets to creating a book that builds credibility, attracts customers, and scales your business.
HIGHLIGHTS
· The Power of a Book in Business: Why writing a book can be your most effective tool for marketing and establishing authority in your industry.
· From Concept to Creation: John explains how to structure your book, plan its content, and ensure it speaks directly to your target audience.
· Turning Expertise into a Bestseller: Practical tips on crafting a book that resonates, including the importance of creating a chapter structure and refining your message.
· Using Books to Build Trust and Credibility: How a well-written book accelerates the "know, like, and trust" process with potential clients.
· The Business Ecosystem of Books: How multiple books can serve as tailored "business cards" to attract different audiences and solve specific client problems.
· Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Why you shouldn’t rush the process, the real cost of self-publishing, and the dangers of using AI to write your book.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their businesses. This special How To series focuses on actionable advice from experts, helping you tackle specific challenges and level up your business.
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team-building company, experts in keeping things fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events like Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge, and more, there’s something for every company.
Visit this link and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team-building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website - https://bigidea.co.uk/
Host Website – https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print and Promotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
How I Turned an Event Equipment Hire Startup into a £5 Million Revenue Business – Taran O'Doherty
How I Built a Luxury Events Business From Startup to Superyacht – James Clutterbuck
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of Red Cactus Events and Shizzoo Media with brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’ we talk with Ben McCarthy from Premier Events.
Ben discusses his journey from taking his entrepreneurial spark from humble DJ beginnings to building Premiere Events, a full-service event agency. Ben shares how he navigated financial risks, embraced pivotal business decisions, and transformed his company in the face of challenges like the pandemic.
HIGHLIGHTS
· Starting Small and Dreaming Big: How Ben’s first disco setup in university became the foundation for his future business.
· Taking Risks: Managing five credit cards to fund early business investments.
· Scalable Growth: Shifting from mobile discos to broader event services and owning all necessary equipment.
· Navigating COVID-19: How Premier Events innovated with virtual event studios to survive and thrive during the pandemic.
· Expanding Revenue Streams: The launch of a wood fabrication division and its contribution to the event business.
· Building a Team: Insights into hiring for technical expertise and creating a cohesive team of 40+ employees.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We explore their beginnings, challenges, successes, failures, and everything in between. Running a business is hard work, so why not learn from those who have done it successfully?
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge, and more, there is something for every company.
Visit Team Building Experiences and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team-building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Website – Premier Events - https://www.premier-ltd.com/
Host Website – We Built This Business - https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print and Promotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business and Thrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of Red Cactus Events, we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
DONATION Every week that we release an episode of We Built This Business, we donate £10 to the British Heart Foundation. Help us make a difference: British Heart Foundation
In this episode of ‘We Built This Business,’ we talk with Alex Chisnall, the founder of Podpreneur and co-founder of Pod School.
In this episode, Alex shares his expertise on how to start and grow a podcast for your business. As the host of the #1 rated business podcast, Screw It, Just Do It, Alex provides actionable advice, insights into the podcasting journey, and strategies to make podcasting a valuable tool for business growth.
Whether you’re launching your first podcast or looking to take your show to the next level, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips.
HIGHLIGHTS
· Alex shares his journey into podcasting and the creation of his businesses, Podpreneur and Pod School.
· Insights into overcoming the initial challenges of podcasting, including how to keep going when listener numbers are low.
· Key strategies Alex used to make Screw It, Just Do It a #1 podcast within six months.
· How podcasting can serve as a tool for business owners to find ideal clients and solve niche problems.
· The hidden benefits of podcasting for networking, community building, and personal growth.
· An introduction to Pod School: A community for podcasters to launch, grow, and succeed.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures, and everything in between. Running a business is hard work, so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business?
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team-building company that are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge, and more, there is something for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team-building event.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Alex Chisnall Website - https://podpreneur.co.uk/
Pod Skool - https://www.skool.com/podschool
Screw It Just Do It Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@alexchisnall
Host Website – https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print and Promotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business and Thrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business
Donation
Every week that we release an episode of We Built This Business, we give £10 to our Charity, the British Heart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk/ (Started 21.05.2024; we hope to donate £520 a year).
In this episode of ‘We Built This Business,’ we talk with Simon Cusden about how to mentally survive running a business.
Simon, a coach and keynote speaker, shares his profound journey from being a professional cricketer to overcoming personal battles with addiction, PTSD, and depression. Drawing from his experiences, Simon now inspires and supports high-performing individuals and senior leadership teams in managing stress and mental health challenges.
HIGHLIGHTS
· Simon’s Journey: From professional cricket to rock bottom and his inspiring recovery.
· The Pressure of Leadership: Why high performers often struggle with fulfillment despite outward success.
· Coping Strategies: Simple yet impactful techniques to handle stress and prevent burnout.
· Building Support Networks: The importance of a personal “advisory board” and how to create one.
· Fulfillment vs. Achievement: Why aligning your work with what fulfills you is crucial.
· Mental Survival Tools: From mindfulness to actionable steps for balancing personal and professional lives.
PODCAST INTRODUCTION
Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their businesses. We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures, and everything in between. Running a business is hard work, so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or have built a business?
PODCAST SPONSOR
Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team-building company and experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge, and more, there’s something for every company.
Visit Team Building Experiences and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team-building event!
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Guest Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-cusden-2021
Host Website – https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print and Promotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business and Thrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.
CONNECT & CONTACT
Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: daniel@webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk
We Built This Business