In this reflection episode of Built Not Born In Business, we unpack the biggest lessons from our recent conversation with Andrew Hulbert and what they mean for founders building real businesses today.

This isn’t a surface-level recap. It’s an honest discussion about what actually stuck with us and what we’re implementing inside our own businesses.

We talk about:

• Why long-form video is one of the most underused growth tools in modern marketing

• How one podcast episode can fuel weeks of content, lead generation and brand authority

• Why hiring the person, not the CV, could completely change your culture

• The reality of equity, ownership and rewarding the people who help you scale

• What your “island” looks like after exit and why most founders never stop to think about it

• The uncomfortable truth about happiness, money, health and what success actually feels like

This episode is for business owners, founders and leaders who are building something meaningful and want to think more deeply about how and why they’re doing it.

Real reflection from two founders still in the game.

Because success isn’t born.
It’s built.

What does building a $100m+ business really teach you about people, leadership and success?

In this episode of Built Not Born In Business, we sit down with Andrew Hulbert, founder of Pareto FM, to talk honestly about what it takes to build, scale and eventually step away from a business without losing yourself along the way.

This conversation isn’t about growth hacks or surface-level culture talk.

Andrew shares how building a people-first business from day one shaped everything that followed. From hiring without traditional interviews, adapting roles around real lives, and rewarding behaviour that actually matters, to the uncomfortable lessons that only come from responsibility, pressure and making mistakes at scale.

We also talk openly about:

• What founders often get wrong about “company culture”
• Why treating people like humans is a competitive advantage
• The leadership lessons that only come from losing money and trust
• What happens emotionally after exiting a business
• Why success doesn’t feel the way most people think it will
• How family, time and perspective change once the business is no longer running you.

This is a grounded, honest conversation for business owners who care about how they build, not just what they build.

What does it really take to build a £100m+ business in the real world?

In this episode of Built Not Born In Business, we sit down with Tobias Allen to talk honestly about the lessons that shaped his journey, including what he learned from working with Alex Hormozi and Simon Squibb.

Tobias breaks down the realities of building a high-growth business. The pressure that comes with scale. The personal cost of ambition. The decisions that matter when the stakes are high. And how ideas popularised by Alex Hormozi and Simon Squibb translate into real-world execution, not just theory.

We explore:

• What building a £100m+ business actually demands

• Which Alex Hormozi principles work in practice and which only work if you are willing to do the hard work

• The mindset shifts required to scale without losing yourself

• The mistakes, pressure, and responsibility that rarely get talked about

• Why success is built over time, not born overnight

Built Not Born In Business is a podcast for business owners, founders, and people thinking about starting a business who want the full picture. The truth behind the results. The thinking behind the decisions. And the reality behind real business success.

This intro episode explains why Mr & Mrs In Business has evolved into Built Not Born In Business and what this new series is really about.

The original podcast started as honest conversations about life and business as a married couple. It was real, relatable, and helped a lot of people feel less alone in their journey.

But over time, the conversations changed.

The guests we were drawn to weren’t just talking about running businesses. They were talking about building them. The pressure. The responsibility. The mistakes. The personal cost. And the long, unglamorous road that rarely gets shared online.

Built Not Born In Business exists to tell those stories.

This podcast is about what actually goes into building something meaningful. Not the overnight wins. Not the polished success narratives. But the decisions, sacrifices, mindset shifts, and moments of doubt that shape real business owners over time.

In this short intro episode, we explain:

• Why the name had to change

• What Built Not Born In Business stands for

• Who this series is for

• And what you can expect from the conversations ahead

This series is for business owners, founders, and people thinking about starting a business who want a clearer, more honest picture of what success really involves.

Because real business success isn’t born.
It’s built.

In this festive 2025 edition of the Mr & Mrs in Business podcast, Chris and Helen sit down with Alicia, the newest team member at Two Krakens to share honest reflections on parenting, partnerships and the behind-the-scenes chaos of growing a business together.

This episode covers everything from filming confidence, client relationships and podcast nerves to hilarious Christmas traditions, parenting fails and what it’s really like juggling work, kids and ambition. You’ll hear about real-life challenges in business, personal growth and how Alicia made the brave leap back into the working world after prioritising her family.

If you’re a business owner or working parent, this episode is a warm reminder that nobody really has it all together and that’s okay. Pour a Baileys, enjoy the chaos and get ready to feel a little less alone in your business journey.

Two Krakens is growing and this episode shares why we’re so excited for 2026.

As 2025 draws to a close, Chris and Helen sit down to reflect on the biggest business lessons they’ve learned this year. From negative brand associations and content repurposing, to listening to your body and knowing when to ask for help.

This episode covers everything from scaling businesses and facing online trolls, to how your team culture can be transformed with small, thoughtful changes like early finishes on Fridays. It’s real, raw and honest, exactly what Mr & Mrs in Business is all about.

They also share the story behind their latest documentary project, explain how they're planning for a huge 2026 and why it's OK to close a business if you’ve taken all the learnings from it. There’s inspiration here for business owners of all sizes and a reminder that it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.

Whether you’re celebrating the wins or still pushing through, take a pause, reflect with us and head into the new year with purpose.

Marketing isn’t just ads, it’s every single interaction your business has. In this episode of the Mr & Mrs In Business podcast, Chris and Helen break down the truth behind effective marketing, why most businesses get it wrong and how real brand trust is built through consistency, personality and long-form content.

From bad habits on airplanes to bad habits on LinkedIn, this episode is part honest rant, part masterclass in what actually works when you’re trying to grow your business. They share how video and podcasting have powered the success of their own two brands, Thread A Pixel and Two Krakens, and why more businesses need to stop chasing likes and start building relationships.

They also dig into employee-generated content, brand consistency and the massive mistake many companies make by only posting from their business page. No matter your industry, this episode will show you how your team, your tone and your trust all shape your brand.

If you're tired of wasting time on content that doesn’t convert and you want to understand how to use your marketing to actually drive long-term business growth then this one’s for you.

In this episode of Mr & Mrs in Business, Chris and Helen sit down with Laura and Kelly from Hayley Windows to talk about the real experience of being women running a business in the construction world, from generational ownership to managing customers, pricing challenges and staying grounded in a very flashy industry.

The conversation dives into what it’s like being women-led in a male-dominated sector, how roles evolve over time when working with your partner and why brand, service and trust still win in business today. Expect relatable stories, a bit of ranting and plenty of laughs.

They also explore how perception doesn’t always reflect reality, especially when people assume business owners are loaded, or that turnover equals profit. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood as a business owner or wanted insight into the reality behind running a trade-based company, this one is packed with gold.