The Elite Business Podcast

Expelled teen to empire builder | Joseph Valente’s blueprint for commercial business growth | EBL2025

On Day 2 of Elite Business Live 2025, Joseph Valente—Apprentice winner, founder of Trade Mastermind and self-made multi-millionaire—delivered one of the most electrifying sessions of the event.

In this high-impact keynote, Joseph shares the real, raw blueprint for commercial business growth, grounded in his journey from school expulsion to building multiple eight-figure businesses—all before age 30.

💼 Key Takeaways Include:
• The 3 pillars of scaling: Leads. Sales. Profit.
• Why most tradespeople-turned-founders fail—and how to fix it
• How to build with an exit strategy from day one
• The mindset shift every entrepreneur needs to succeed
• Why sales is a skill, not a personality trait
• The 11 departments every scaling business must master

Valente doesn’t sugarcoat the entrepreneurial grind—from late-night admin to cash flow crises—but offers a clear formula for growth, backed by action and attitude. Whether you're in trade, tech, or any sector in between, this session is packed with practical strategies to take your business to the next level.

📌 This isn’t just motivation—it’s a masterclass.

🔗 Explore more sessions at: https://elitebusinessevent.co.uk/

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights from Elite Business Live.

#EliteBusinessLive #JosephValente #TradeMastermind #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #SalesTraining #MindsetMatters #SMEs #ScalingBusiness #BuildToExit #ApprenticeWinner

 

Navigating a shifting trade landscape | Global | Elite Business Live

In a world of shifting trade agreements and unpredictable markets, what does it really take to expand a British business globally? This powerful panel discussion from Elite Business Live 2025 goes beyond theory to uncover the real, gritty truths of international growth.

📈 Going Global: Navigating a Shifting Trade Landscape, brought together four industry leaders who’ve been in the trenches of global expansion:

• Julianne Ponan – CEO of Creative Nature, exporting to 18 countries
• Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu – Founder of The Turmeric Co.
• Shalini Khemka – Founder of E2E Exchange
• Alex Shepherd – Sales Director at Universal Partners

Hosted by Hannah Prevett, this session tackled everything from port delays and Brexit pivots to foreign exchange pitfalls, GCC expansion, and the vital importance of cultural localisation.

💡 Top takeaways include:

✅ Why agility beats scale when entering global markets
✅ How to mitigate financial risks through smarter FX and payment strategies
✅ What makes the UAE and Saudi Arabia hotspots for UK brands
✅ The real logistics behind co-manufacturing and allergen control
✅ How SME founders can access overlooked government and trade support

Whether you're an early-stage founder or an established franchisor, this session is packed with practical insights and actionable advice for going global in today’s volatile climate.

Explore more insights and events: https://elitebusinessevent.co.uk/

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights from Elite Business Live.

#EliteBusinessLive #GoingGlobal #InternationalTrade #UKStartups #Exporting #Franchising #BusinessGrowth #SMEs #GlobalExpansion #Entrepreneurship

From Bolton to Billions: The Reebok Story | Joe Foster at Elite Business Live

In this powerful closing keynote at Elite Business Live, Reebok founder Joe Foster takes us on a remarkable journey from a small family workshop in Bolton to building one of the most recognisable global brands in sport and fashion.

 

With honesty, warmth and sharp business insight, Joe shares:

• How Reebok began in 1958 after breaking away from his family’s failing shoe business

• The 11-year uphill battle to enter the U.S. market

• How a chance aerobics trend — and Jane Fonda — triggered explosive growth

• The emotional toll behind the success, including personal loss and business challenges

• His unique philosophy on what it really takes to build something that lasts

 

This is more than a story about shoes — it’s about perseverance, reinvention, and the mindset behind global success.

 

📖 Want the full story? Pick up Joe Foster’s book Shoemaker for the untold history of Reebok.

 

🔔 Subscribe for more world-class business insights and keynote moments from Elite Business Live.

 

#EliteBusinessLive #Reebok #JoeFoster #Shoemaker #Entrepreneurship #BrandBuilding #Leadership #BusinessJourney #GlobalSuccess

The Untold Story of Gendered Funding | Elite Business Live

What happens when five bold voices gather to discuss gender, finance, and the future of funding? You get more than just a panel — you get a powerful, unfiltered conversation that challenges the status quo.

At Elite Business Live, The Untold Story of Gendered Funding featured an extraordinary lineup:
🔹 Hattie Fawcett (Focus for Business)
🔹 Louise Doyle (Needi)
🔹 Andrea Reynolds (Swoop)
🔹 Richard Bermond (British Business Bank)
🔹 Sam Smith, the first woman to float a British stockbroking company

Moderated with care and courage, this session dives deep into:
 💬 Lived experiences of bias in the fundraising world
 📊 The real numbers behind female-led funding
 🤝 The transformative power of mentorship
 🌍 Global perspectives from the UK to the US
 💡 Practical advice on raising capital, staying resilient, and building your network

This isn’t just a conversation for women. It’s for everyone who believes business should be better, fairer, and more representative.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply curious about the real dynamics behind startup capital, this is the story you didn’t know you needed to hear.

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights from Elite Business Live.

https://elitebusinessevent.co.uk/

#GenderedFunding #EliteBusinessLive #FemaleFounders #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #Entrepreneurship #RepresentationMatters #WomenInBusiness #FinancePanel

The Mindset Behind the Millions | Sam Smith at Elite Business Live

What does it really take to scale a business from £1 million a year to £1 million a week?

 

In this game-changing keynote at Elite Business Live, Sam Smith, founder and former CEO of finnCap Group, shares the mindset and strategy behind her extraordinary journey of scaling a business over 24 years. This is not a feel-good speech—it’s a sharp, analytical breakdown of exponential growth, the hidden blockers holding you back, and why thinking much bigger is the most underused tool in business.

 

💥 Discover:

•The Doubling Principle that drives every scalable business

•How Cult Beauty, Monica Vinader and even Microsoft followed the same growth curve

•Why your internal goals may be capping your success

•The “6 Es” of growth culture that every founder needs

•The power of having one person 100% focused on growth

•What happens when you plan ten doubling journeys ahead

 

From bootstrapping to IPOs and acquisitions, Sam’s insights will reshape how you approach growth—starting today.

 

📈 Whether you’re at £20,000 or £20 million, this talk will leave you asking the right question: What’s next… and how do I double it?

 

https://elitebusinessevent.co.uk/

 

#EliteBusinessLive #SamSmith #ScalingBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #Founders #ExponentialGrowth #DoublingStrategy #finnCap

Inclusion isn’t optional | Rethinking talent, teams and the power of difference. Talent Panel Discussion #EBL2025

What started as a “talent panel” became one of the most powerful, honest, and actionable sessions of the entire event. At Elite Business Live 2025, a standout panel of experts dismantled outdated ideas about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and replaced them with something far more useful: reality.

This wasn’t about ticking boxes or performative politics. It was about modern leadership, future-proofing teams, and creating businesses where everyone can thrive.

Highlights you don’t want to miss:
✅ Why DEI is about performance, not politics
✅ The business case for difference: diversity boosts profit, speed, and resilience
✅ A candid discussion on DEI backlash — and why it won’t last
✅ Powerful insights on neurodiversity from the panellists
✅ Real-life practices for building inclusive cultures in remote-first workplaces
✅ How freelancers are reshaping the workforce — and how to lead them better
✅ What schools (and parents) need to do to truly support the next generation
✅ Why inclusion isn’t a footnote — it’s the entire table

From ADHD to unconscious bias, from peer recognition to hiring systems — this panel covered it all with authenticity, empathy, and sharp business acumen. If you want your company to succeed in the long term, you’ll want to watch this.

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights from Elite Business Live.

https://elitebusinessevent.co.uk/

#EliteBusinessLive #DEI #InclusionMatters #Neurodiversity #BusinessLeadership #InclusiveWorkplace #FutureOfWork #DiversityInBusiness #BelongingAtWork #LeadershipDevelopment #ModernWorkplace #FreelancerEconomy #TalentStrategy #ADHDAwareness

The Entrepreneurial Edge: Biohacks for Business Brilliance | Dr. Alka Patel at Elite Business Live

Scaling your company? Innovating with tech? Great — but none of it matters if you're not around to enjoy it. In one of the most surprising and energising sessions at Elite Business Live 2025, Dr Alka Patel brought the house to its feet (literally) to remind us all that your greatest business asset is you.

As a doctor, longevity expert, and founder of the Million Hour Club, Dr Patel didn’t just talk about wellness — she demonstrated it. From one-legged balance tests to live glucose monitor fittings, her keynote delivered practical, science-backed insights on how health drives business performance.

🧠 Her message? “Your health isn’t a side hustle — it’s your core strategy.”

What you'll learn in this unforgettable session: 
✅ Why 10 seconds on one leg could predict 10 more years of life
✅ The Million Hour Mindset — and why aiming to live 114 years isn’t crazy
✅ What kind of leader are you: Ostrich, Roadrunner, Parrot… or Eagle?
✅ How to apply “Strategic Self-Care” like a business plan
✅ LQ (Lifestyle Quotient) and KPPIs — the next evolution in personal metrics
✅ How to use health tech — from sleep trackers to glucose monitors — to take control of your vitality
✅ The research-backed movement that adds 13 years to your life in 60 seconds

Dr Patel challenged the room to stop being reactive and start becoming radically proactive about their health. Because burnout isn’t just bad for business — it’s a risk to everything you’ve built.

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights from Elite Business Live.

https://elitebusinessevent.co.uk/

#EliteBusinessLive #DrAlkaPatel #Longevity #MillionHourClub #BusinessHealth #StrategicSelfCare #EntrepreneurWellness #LQ #HealthTech #BurnoutPrevention #LeadershipEnergy #KPPI #LiveLongerLiveBetter #Biohacking #FounderFitness #BusinessLongevity

Efficiency at what price? The controversial role of AI | Technology Panel Discussion #EBL2025

🎥 Technology, Efficiency – At What Price? | AI at Elite Business Live 2025 🤖

What happens when you bring together some of the brightest minds in tech to tackle one of the biggest questions facing businesses today?

At Elite Business Live 2025, a powerhouse panel featuring Andrew Grill, Alison Wright, Cassie Gasson, and Eric Schwartz dove deep into the controversial – and potentially transformational – role of Artificial Intelligence in modern business.

✨ From 55% faster software development to AI assistants that answer “How do I open the shop?”, this discussion covered:

• Real-world AI success stories across industries

• The productivity boom (and what it costs us)

• Human vs machine tension: are we losing foundational knowledge?

• AI ethics, data privacy, and governance

• The rise of Chief AI Officers and internal AI agents

• Why curiosity might be your company’s best competitive edge

Moderated by the ever-insightful Ollie Barrett, this is a must-watch if you’re navigating the AI revolution and wondering how to leverage it – without losing your soul (or your job).

🔍 Are you asking the right questions about AI in your business?

📌 Hit play and find out.

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights from Elite Business Live.

https://elitebusinessevent.co.uk/

#EliteBusinessLive #AIinBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #TechPanel #BusinessInnovation #Productivity #DigitalTransformation #MicrosoftCopilot #ThrivePlatform #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessAI

The Future Belongs to the Curious | Andrew Grill at Elite Business Live

Andrew Grill at Elite Business Live | Watch Now On-Demand

What does it really mean to embrace AI without losing ourselves? In this dynamic and thought-provoking keynote from Elite Business Live, globally recognised futurist and former IBM executive Andrew Grill challenges us to reframe our relationship with AI—not with fear, but with curiosity.

“AI won’t replace people. People who use AI will replace people who don’t.”

From building burglar alarms as a kid to helping businesses deploy voice assistants with a single PDF, Andrew’s journey is proof that curiosity is the superpower of the future. In this high-energy session, he shares practical strategies, powerful stories, and urgent insights that every business leader needs to hear.

💡 Key Takeaways Include: Why AI won’t replace people—but people who use AI will How to make AI part of your org chart by 2025 Real-world examples of SMEs using AI to grow, save, and innovate The risks: deepfakes, voice cloning & the one low-tech trick that can protect you 5 actions to future-proof your business today Whether you’re an SME owner, tech enthusiast, or digital sceptic, this session is your “aha” moment waiting to happen.

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights on business growth & innovation!

https://elitebusinessmagazine.co.uk

https://elitebusinessevent.co.uk

Disrupt or Be Disrupted | Commercial Business Growth Panel Discussion

In today's fast-changing world, the key to success is simple: Disrupt or be disrupted. At Elite Business Live 2025, we brought together top entrepreneurs who have redefined their industries, built powerhouse brands, and thrived by doing things differently to discuss so you can learn how to spot, seize and sustain business growth.

This Commercial Business Growth panel features:

🚀 Amy Knight (Must Have Ideas)
👔 Alexandra Wood (Alexandra Wood Bespoke)
💡 Chris Kemp (Ingenuity Group)
📈 Mike Greene (Investor & Serial Entrepreneur)
🎡 James Sinclair (Partyman Group – joining virtually)

What you’ll learn in this video:

✔️ How to create an opportunity mindset by listening, learning & leaping
✔️ Why culture drives growth & the importance of empowering your team
✔️ What disruption really means – and how to make it work for your business
✔️ The power of testing, failing, and adapting to scale successfully

💬 “Real disruption doesn’t come from noise. It comes from listening.”

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or just looking for inspiration, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you stay ahead of the curve.

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights on business growth & innovation!

https://elitebusinessmagazine.co.uk
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