What does success really look like after building, scaling and ultimately losing a business?

On Progress Over Perfection, host Dean Mason sits down with Ian Taylor, founder of Team Spirit, the experiential events company he grew from 1993 to 2020 while working with major brands including Virgin Media, Rolls Royce, Adidas, IWG, Dunhumby and Theo Paphitis’ businesses.

Ian shares the story behind building one of the UK’s most immersive event companies, including the creative vision behind Team Spirit’s unique Oldham headquarters inspired by Disney style experience design. The conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship, from winning early clients and adapting to industry change, to navigating recruitment challenges, leadership lessons and evolving customer expectations in a fast moving business landscape.

If you’re a founder, business owner or leader navigating growth, change or difficult seasons in business, this episode offers an honest conversation about leadership, resilience and the reality behind entrepreneurial success.

Key takeaways

• Why customer experience was central to Team Spirit’s business growth
• Lessons Ian learned about recruitment, leadership and scaling a team
• How the events industry changed from long term planning to instant expectations
• The importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship and business survival
• The mental health impact of losing a business during COVID
• How focusing on controllables helps during uncertainty and setbacks
• Why success eventually became more about family and balance than business growth
• The power of reflection, mindset and resilience in leadership and entrepreneurship

Connect with Dean on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/

Email: progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progressnotperfectionpod

Connect with Ian:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-taylor-0343a020a/

Building a business comes with a lot of struggles.

In this Progress Over Perfection podcast episode, host Dean interviews Danny Simpson, CEO of Mid Digital Solutions and former leader of Mid Communications, covering his rise from shop floor telecom sales to turning around a struggling O2 franchise business in 2009. Danny discusses differentiating through service, culture, customer loyalty, avoiding leadership bottlenecks and building a personal brand beyond the O2 logo.

He reflects on the loneliness and pressure of entrepreneurship, hidden struggles like near cash crises, imposter syndrome, and the emotional impact of selling the franchise.

Danny also talks about having resilience through the tough times, managing your ego, defining success personally and still trying to prioritise family time.

Thanks so much for listening to this episode, make sure to subscribe!

Connect with Dean on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/

Email: progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com

Connect with Danny:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-simpson-fiod-2421a221/

What does it really take to lead impactful charity and fundraising work while managing pressure, purpose and work life balance?

On Progress Not Perfection, host Dean Mason sits down with Jess Rigby, Charity Manager at Cash for Kids Manchester, to explore her nearly decade long journey from entry level charity roles to leading a small but high impact team delivering major fundraising campaigns and community support initiatives.

Jess shares her powerful personal story, being diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 19 and receiving support from charities, which inspired her to build a career giving back.

The conversation dives into flagship campaigns like Mission Christmas, Cash for Kids Day and Sports Challenge, alongside key events including the Glitter Ball, golf day, Survivor the Wild and a new skydive fundraiser, all critical to driving donations and supporting families in need.

This episode also uncovers the realities behind charity work: the admin, due diligence, limited resources, and the growing pressure on business fundraising and donations in a challenging economic climate. Jess speaks openly about managing burnout, maintaining work life balance, and staying connected to purpose while leading meaningful, year round impact through grants and community support.

If you're interested in charity leadership, fundraising strategy, purpose driven careers or balancing impact with wellbeing, this episode offers an honest and insightful look behind the scenes.

Thanks for listening, make sure to hit follow and subscribe to Progress Not Perfection for more honest conversations on business, wellbeing and growth

Connect with Dean on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/

Email: progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com

Connect with Jess:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-rigby-b1655515b/

Donate to cash for kids link

https://cashforkids.org.uk/donate/?fbclid=PAVERFWARO77BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaeercxvf3MY1RexXPjRTUJdKffb1b8iSgvVuDgByUEFhMl_S4KM4zYaqR_2LA_aem_ZTQi3eiiGO30KnvjKsXfhQ