In this episode, I chat with Ben Westerby, a fractional FD and business mentor who’s built a strong personal brand by doing something most people avoid… just showing up. Ben shares what it was like before LinkedIn became part of his routine, when he was barely posting, low on confidence, and unsure what to say. If that sounds familiar, you’re going to see yourself in this conversation straight away.

We get into what actually changed. Not theory. Not hacks. Just simple, consistent action. Ben talks about how posting regularly, sharing a mix of personal and professional content, and yes, even telling dad jokes on a Friday helped him stand out. We also unpack the moment video came into play, why it felt uncomfortable at first, and how that discomfort quickly turned into confidence. There’s a great reminder here that content doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be real.

What’s really interesting is what happened next. More conversations. More opportunities. More trust. Ben explains how visibility led directly to business, and how people now approach him because they feel like they already know him. We also talk about his new venture, Find Your Fractional, and how he’s helping others step into that world with more clarity and support. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines with LinkedIn, this episode will give you the nudge you need to get involved.

Guest contact details

Ben Westerby

• Email: ben@westerbyconsultancy.co.uk
• Phone: 07771697857
• Website: https://www.findyourfractional.io/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-westerby/

Here’s the final episode of the BizFest SW Takeover, and it’s a proper mix of insight, energy, and real-world business conversations.

I’m joined by Lisa Bailey-Brown, Jannice Jones, and Rachel Pearce, all of whom are gearing up for Business Fest South West. Each of them brings a completely different perspective, which makes this episode such a good listen. From life-saving innovation to workplace wellbeing and family support, this one covers more than you’d expect in a short space of time.

We get into some important topics. Lisa shares how LifeVac works and why choking emergencies need more awareness, especially when traditional first aid doesn’t always work. Jannice breaks down what businesses are getting wrong when it comes to burnout, neurodiversity, and inclusion, and more importantly, what they can do about it without overcomplicating things. Rachel talks about building a family hub alongside nurseries and why early support for parents is something that’s needed now more than ever. It’s practical, honest, and full of real examples from people actually doing the work.

What I love about this episode is how grounded it is. No fluff, just people who care about what they do and want to make a difference. If you’re heading to BizFest, this gives you a great preview. If you’re not, you’ll still walk away with ideas you can use straight away in your business or life.

Timestamps

00:00 The chaos and energy of going live

00:39 Introducing the guests

01:49 Lisa Bailey-Brown and LifeVac explained

03:08 How the LifeVac device works

04:00 Why first aid is not always enough

05:31 Jannice Jones on neurodiversity and workplace change

07:03 Preventing burnout in business

08:07 Rachel Pearce and the family hub model

10:46 Supporting families beyond childcare

11:27 The bird question

12:01 LifeVac myths and misconceptions

15:58 First aid awareness reality check

17:58 Jannice on EDI and business impact

20:07 Practical ways to avoid burnout

22:07 Rachel’s business journey

24:46 Why they’re attending BizFest

28:20 How to connect with each guest

Connect with Ashley:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/Website: https://just.15mins.dayLive & Linking Hub: https://just.15mins.day

Guest contact details

Gavin Harris

Email: gavin.harris@fourfrontevents.co.uk

Website: businessfestsw.co.uk

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230

Phone: 01726982197

Lisa Bailey-Brown

Email: lisa.bailey-brown@lifevac.uk

Website: www.lifevac.uk

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-b-860949397

Phone: 07306 750736

Rachel Pearce

Email: helloelihouse@outlook.com

Website: www.elihouse.co.uk

Instagram: eli_house_familyhub

Jannice Jones MSc

Email: support@jannicejones.com

Website: https://www.jannicejones.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannicejones-neurodiversity-consultant/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jannicejonescoaching/

BizFest SW Takeover – Week 11 | Ethical Sales That Actually Work with Richard Palmer

Tickets for Bizfest - Website: businessfestsw.co.uk

I’m Ashley Leeds, The 15-Minute Guy. I help business owners get more visibility on LinkedIn using simple daily habits that take 15 minutes a day.Want more visibility on LinkedIn (in just 15 minutes a day)? Then get a detailed report to show your strengths and things you may be missing. Take my Visibility Quiz and get a clear plan to improve your profile, content, and daily habit.Visibility Scorecard (start here): https://15mins.day/scoreIf the word sales makes you feel uncomfortable… this episode is for you.

In Week 11 of the BizFest SW Takeover, I’m joined by Richard Palmer, sales trainer, author, and founder of SureTrain and Sales Station.

Richard has spent years helping small business owners learn how to sell without feeling pushy, awkward, or “salesy”.Because here’s the truth.

Most people don’t start a business because they want to sell.They start because they’re passionate about what they do.But if you can’t communicate your value, your business simply won’t grow.In this conversation, Richard breaks down what ethical sales actually means and why the traditional view of selling is completely wrong.

We talk about the simple frameworks that help you have better conversations with clients, qualify the right customers, and turn everyday chats into consistent sales.We also dive into his book The Ethical Sales Handbook, where he shares practical techniques to help business owners sell confidently, ethically, and profitably.If you’re heading to Business Fest South West, Richard is also running a series of masterclasses designed to help small businesses win more work without pressure or gimmicks.

This episode is packed with practical advice you can start using immediately.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and BizFest Takeover Week 11

01:13 Meet Richard Palmer

02:20 Why small businesses struggle with sales

04:25 The Ethical Sales Handbook explained

06:10 The two most important sales questions

09:26 Common sales mistakes business owners make

11:22 Why fear of selling holds businesses back

12:50 The importance of discovery conversations

15:18 Structuring a simple sales process

17:10 Why commitment matters before price

18:50 Should you put prices on your website?

19:02 Presenting your solution the right way

21:50 The most common objections in sales

23:04 Handling “It’s too expensive” properly

25:26 Value vs cost in sales conversations

27:10 Richard’s masterclasses at BizFest SW

30:44 How to connect with Richard

Watch the full episode and learn how to sell in a way that feels natural and authentic..

Guest contact detailsGavin HarrisEmail: gavin.harris@fourfrontevents.co.uk

Phone: 01726982197

Website: businessfestsw.co.ukLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230

Richard PalmerEmail: richard@suretrain.co.uk

Phone: 07831172022

Website: https://www.suretrain.co.uk/sales-station

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-palmer-8466144/Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://15mins.day/ashleyBook a quick call with me: https://tidycal.com/ashleyleeds/New videos weekly on LinkedIn visibility, content, and small actions that build trust.