S2 E5: Building, Ending and Beginning Again

Host: Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires
Guest: Greg Owen – Lead Product Designer, The LEGO Group

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Greg Owen, Lead Product Designer at the LEGO Group, for a thoughtful and honest conversation about transitions, endings, and what it really takes to thrive at work.

Greg reflects on his journey from professional ice hockey into design, entrepreneurship and leadership, and a significant chapter in his career: co-founding the digital design studio Daughter, growing it over seven years, and ultimately making the decision to bring the business to a close.

Julie and Greg revisit the period when Julie was coaching Greg and his business partners, exploring what was happening beneath the surface at the time, what the coaching revealed, and how that work helped Greg gain clarity about his strengths, energy and what he needed in order to do his best work.

This episode offers a rare and refreshing perspective on leadership and entrepreneurship, not through stories of scaling and success alone, but through the reality of recognising when something has run its course and navigating that ending with authenticity and integrity.

Julie and Greg talk about:

• Transitioning from professional sport into business and leadership
• What it's really like to build a values-led business with friends
• Why clarity around roles, energy and purpose matters in leadership teams
• How coaching helped uncover what Greg needs in order to thrive
• Navigating difficult decisions with honesty, care and integrity
• The emotional and practical realities of ending a business
• Letting go, moving on, and finding renewed energy in new roles
• Creating space for reflection during times of uncertainty and change

Greg also reflects on how his background in elite sport shaped his mindset around endings, competition and change, and how coaching techniques continue to influence his work in design and leadership today.

This episode will resonate with business owners, leaders and creatives who are facing change, questioning what's next, or grappling with decisions that don't come with easy answers.

Resources & Tools Mentioned

• Six Thinking Hats – Edward de Bono
  A powerful thinking and decision-making framework that helps individuals and teams explore ideas from multiple perspectives
• The Disney Creativity Strategy (Walt Disney Method)
  A simple yet effective creativity technique that separates thinking into three modes: Dreamer, Realist and Critic — allowing ideas to be explored, shaped and refined without shutting them down too early.

Henley Business School

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

Connect with Julie

Website: lightingfires.co.uk
Email: [e-mail]
LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

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