Most businesses don’t lose their culture overnight… they lose it as they grow.

On this week’s episode of The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by David Liddle – Founder and CEO of The TCM Group and the People & Culture Institute. He’s a leading UK voice on people, culture and leadership.

His latest book, “People and Culture” explores many of the ideas we discuss in this episode - you can find it here.

I’ve known David on and off for around 20 years, and it’s been fascinating to watch his journey – from community mediation to becoming one of the most influential thinkers in his field.

What struck me most in this conversation is how honest he is about his entrepreneurial journey. It’s had its bumpy moments, but he’s come through them with resilience and continued to move onwards and upwards.

We talk about what really happens as businesses grow – and why the systems you introduce to support that growth can quietly start working against you.

In this episode, David shares:
• Why “growth can eat culture” if you’re not careful
• The mistakes that founders make as they scale
• Why most organisations handle conflict too late - and miss the opportunities it creates
• How better conversations unlock insight, learning and performance

As you’ll hear, David said so much that resonated with me, but most importantly…

Believe in yourself.
It sounds simple, but after listening to this conversation, I hope you will.

David Liddle:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liddledavid/
The TCM Group: https://thetcmgroup.com/
PCA: https://www.peopleprofessionals.org/
Book: People and Culture - A Practical Guide for HR Professionals & Leaders

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by Chris Mole - founder of FounderON and former Founder & CEO of Molzi by Brainlabs.

Chris started his first business days after finishing his A-levels. What followed was a journey fuelled by curiosity, commercial instinct and what he calls the superpower of naivety.

After building and selling his Amazon agency Molzi, Chris found himself facing a challenge many entrepreneurs never talk about: what happens after the exit?

In this candid and honest conversation, we explore the highs, the pivots and the unexpected emotional shifts that come with building and selling a business.

In this episode, Chris shares:
•Why overthinking kills more businesses than bad ideas
•The bold decision to cut half his revenue to chase a bigger opportunity
•Why every founder should know their “exit number” before they build
•How naivety helped him scale fast
•The strange psychology of selling your business and suddenly having “nothing to do”

We also discuss redefining success, resisting the pressure to build a unicorn and why a “quite successful” business that gives you freedom may be smarter than chasing a large valuation.

🎧 If you’re launching your first business, scaling your second, or wondering what success actually looks like for you - this one will resonate.

Chris Mole:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismole/
FounderON: https://www.founderon.com/

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by the fantastic Alison Jones — entrepreneur, publisher, author and coach.

Alison built her career in senior roles at Oxford University Press and Palgrave Macmillan before stepping away from corporate life to create Practical Inspiration Publishing – a business that deliberately broke the traditional publishing rulebook.

In this honest and wide-ranging conversation, we explore what it really means to go it alone – from those 3am doubts and cash-flow fears to building a sustainable, values-led and genuinely impactful business.

In this episode, Alison shares:
• Why writing is one of the most powerful thinking tools entrepreneurs can use
• How her definition of success has changed - and why clarity matters more than ambition
• Why most entrepreneurs underestimate the emotional side of starting a business
• How to turn expertise into a feasible and scalable enterprise
• The realities of cash flow and taking risks

We also discuss entrepreneurship in a world of AI disruption, why books and deep thinking still matter, and how resourcefulness is what really carries founders through.

If you’re thinking about starting a business, already in the thick of it, or questioning what success looks like for you, this episode is well worth a listen.

Alison Jones:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-alison-jones/
Practical Inspiration Publishing: https://practicalinspiration.com/
Podcast: https://extraordinarybusinessbooks.com/podcast-episodes/

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk