In this episode of The Founder's Blueprint Podcast, we dive into the inspiring journey of Katherine Jones, a natural entrepreneur from Liverpool's south end. From a young age, Katherine always had a keen eye for business opportunities.

Her path took a pivotal turn when she discovered her passion for hospitality while working at Marriott Hotels in Kentucky. Today, she is the visionary creator and owner of Social Network, a platform bridging the gap between influencers and brands as well as the popular Think Wine Group.

Katherine shares the innovative idea behind her drink brand, Think Wine—a vegan, organic, low-calorie, low-sulfite prosecco that quickly became a hit. The recent launch of canned prosecco sold out in just eight weeks. Katherine speaks candidly about the highs and lows of her career, her dedication to supporting women in business, and her journey to achieve B Corp certification.

Listen as Katherine discusses the challenges of running a business, from dealing with dishonest staff and fake investors to rebuilding from setbacks. Now, with a new investor who shares her vision for global expansion, Katherine is unstoppable. Tune in to hear how she's working with international brands like Mulberry and what the future holds for her growing empire.

#liverpool #liverpoolpodcast #prosecco

Welcome to this episode of The Founders Blueprint podcast, where Liverpool’s own 'Sid The Barber', joins James in the studio.

Sid shares his journey, from being the class clown during his school days to struggling with the deep loss of his father at a young age. Learn how these pivotal moments shaped his life and led him to discover his passion for barbering—a pursuit his friends initially thought was a joke!

But Sid's journey doesn’t end with barbering. With a keen interest in photography, he has not only competed in the field but also had his work showcased by industry leaders such as JD Sports, Canon, and prominent photography magazines.

This episode delves into how Sid skillfully merges his photography talents with his barbering career, creating stunning celebrity headshots that have attracted a large following on Instagram.

Currently backed by the sportswear brand Reprimo and on the verge of launching his own fragrance brand, Sid’s unwavering passion for learning and determination proves that if you believe in yourself you can achieve anything.

#liverpool #podcast #liverpoolbusinesscollege

Are you a shoe enthusiast? particularly fond of Nike 110's? If so, this episode is tailor-made for you. Join James as he sits down with Charlie McDonough and Sam Byrne, from Liverpool's iconic shoe store- Block P.

Charlie discovered the lucrative potential of the resale industry after profiting from a shoe sale on Depop. After becoming a Depop Community Leader in Liverpool, Charlie was fueled with inspiration for the city's admiration for Nike 110's. Taking a bold leap, Charlie founded Block P, and with the support of colleague and investor Sam, the two have forged a powerful partnership dedicated to the business’s success.

In this engaging conversation, Charlie and Sam recount their adventures traveling across Europe in pursuit of the finest 110's to bring back to their Liverpool store. They also delve into the challenges of launching their own line of products, sharing the relentless efforts required to achieve the quality they desire.

A highlight of their journey has been designing and selling their own 110 slippers—a resellers' dream come true, with demand skyrocketing. What's next for these ambitious entrepreneurs? Listen in to discover their plans for the future and how they continue to fuel their passion for growth.

#liverpool

#fashion

#shoes

In this captivating episode, James sits down with the talented independent Liverpool singer-songwriter Anthony Russell, as he gears up for the launch of his second album Street Songs on 12 April 2025. Known for his soulful voice and heartfelt performances, Anthony takes us on a journey through his life and career, sharing the pivotal moments that shaped his path.

Anthony opens up about his experience on the British talent show, X Factor, and the immense impact it had on his life. He credits the unwavering support from One Direction's Louis Tomlinson as a crucial element that helped him navigate through some of his darkest times. With sincerity and courage, Anthony discusses his upbringing in a challenging environment where drink and drugs were a constant presence, and how these experiences influenced his music and aspirations.

Despite the hurdles, Anthony's determination has never wavered. His incredible journey has taken him to stages around the world, including a recent performance in the Caribbean for Chopard Jewellery. In this episode, he reveals how the encouragement and belief of others have been instrumental in helping him take life one day at a time, ultimately transforming him into the artist and person he is today.

What exactly is wealth management, and how can it benefit you?

In this weeks episode, James delves into the realm of wealth management with John Price, founder and owner of Modus Wealth Management in Liverpool.

John shares his insights into the wealth management industry, detailing his journey from climbing the corporate ladder to his time at the prestigious Coutts, where he became the second youngest Executive Director outside of London.

Despite his success, John realised that his Liverpudlian values and perspectives were increasingly at odds with the corporate environment. Taking the bold decision to take a 100% pay cut to start his own business from his spare bedroom, the business has since expanded to a team of nine and has recently been awarded Professional Services Business of the Year.

https://www.modus-wealth.co.uk

#podcast #wealth #liverpool

In this episode of The Founders Blueprint, James interviews Michael Achilleos, the founder and owner of Grael, a premier luxury footwear restoration and cleaning company located in the vibrant Baltic Triangle of Liverpool.

Mike recounts his journey from running a successful fish and chips shop to realising it was time for a change. As he neared the sale of his business, uncertainty about his next steps began to weigh on him. However, a fortunate search on Google sparked the idea of starting his luxury footwear restoration company.

Now, with a thriving team by his side, Mike is restoring shoes for local celebrities, footballers, and clients from all over the UK. He shares his vision for the company and reveals some exciting plans he has in store.

www.grael.co.uk

.Have you ever been curious about how to purchase a house in the UK? Are you feeling daunted by mortgage jargon and APRs?

Join Alex Leppard, the owner of the award-winning mortgage brokerage AL Mortgages, as he discusses everything mortgage-related with James. Alex shares his journey from being an advisor at Barclays Bank to becoming the owner of one of the fastest-growing mortgage brokerage firms in the North West. The home-buying process can be quite overwhelming, particularly for first-time buyers. Alex breaks down the steps of mortgage broking to simplify the process and enhance understanding. With changing high APR rates, could this be the new norm?

#business #podcast #mortgage

In this weeks episode of The Founders Blueprint podcast, James dives into the inspiring journey of Roxanne Twomey, founder and owner of School of Rox in Liverpool. Roxanne share's her transformative experience of juggling multiple part-time jobs to then ultimately realising the importance of pursuing her true passion - teaching music

From a young age, Roxanne was immersed in the arts, with early interests in boxing, singing, and piano. At just 16, she began teaching music lessons from home, turning a childhood love into a thriving side hustle while completing her studies. With a commitment to excellence and a desire to support her community, she built a loyal clientele, proving that passion and hard work can lead to success.

Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of balancing work, education, and personal interests. Plus, hear about the exciting achievement of how Roxanne has published her very own Beginners Guide to the Piano this year.