Grow Your Own Career | The Career Farm (Mission Driven Entrepreneurs)

I recently read Give & Take by Adam Grant. It's revolutionised the way I assess my professional contacts - helping me to understand what's motivating others and how I can use that knowledge to build better relationships. Here are my key learnings.


This week I'm talking to Keren Long, founder of Ethical Apparel Africa.

Direct download: MDE_55_-_Keren_Long_of_Ethical_Apparel_Africa.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 11:19pm UTC

Blake Mycoskie is the real deal, a complete inspiration for aspiring social entrepreneurs. His book "Start Something that Matters" tells the story of Toms Shoes, and is a clarion call to all of us to find a way to make a difference.


Gerry Thompson describes himeself as a trainer/coach/speaker comedian. He's also an ex-architect and has sold more than half a million books. I talk to him about Inspirational Gamechangers - how on earth did he get to interview all these amazing people?


This week...it's me! My story, with all the bumps along the way!

Direct download: MDE_51_-_Jane_Barrett_of_The_Career_Farm.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 8:33pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Clair Challenor-Chadwick of Cause UK

Direct download: MDE_50_-_Clair_Challenor-Chadwick_of_Cause_UK.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 10:09pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Rob Blythe, co-founder of Instant Impact.

Direct download: MDE_49_-_Rob_Blythe_of_Instant_Impact.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 1:03pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Harriet Griffey, author of "I want to sleep". How many of us suffer from sleep deprivation? It's crippling, and Harriet's on a mission to help us get a good night's sleep.


This week I'm talking to Lara Galinsky of Echoing Green

Direct download: MDE_47_-_Lara_Galinsky_of_Echoing_Green.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 5:25pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Patrick Dudley-Williams of Reef Knots

Direct download: MDE_46_-_Patrick_Dudley-Williams_of_Reef_Knots.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 1:21pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Julianne Ponan of Creative Nature

Direct download: MDE_45_-_Julianne_Ponan_of_Creative_Nature.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 8:06am UTC

This week I'm talking to Jason Dudek of Mountain Lion Agriculture.

Direct download: MDE_44_-_Jason_Dudek_of_Mountain_Lion_Agriculture.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 7:04pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Kate Giles, founder of Crewroom. When Kate's rowing career was cut short by pnuemonia caused by wearing the wrong training kit, she used the setback to create a profitable business around making sure others were better equipped.

Direct download: MDE_43_-_Kate_Giles_of_Crewroom.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 11:29am UTC

This week I'm talking to Akosua Afrigie-Kumi, who after an early career in fashion set up her own label, AAKS, employing local weavers in her native Ghana to produce stunning bags that are now sold all over the world. Mission - tick, entrepreneur - tick.

Direct download: MDE_42_-_Akosua_Afrigie-Kumi_of_AAKS.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 8:03am UTC

George Bramble always knew he wanted to run his own business, and after a couple of years in a major corporate that's exactly what he did. His business, Beco, now sells 150 lines in 43 countries. This is mission driven entreprenurship on a serious scale.

Direct download: MDE_41_-_George_Bramble_of_Beco.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 6:13pm UTC

Chris Burgess of CBiS Education is on a mission to engage children with technology and coding through the education kits they suppply to schools. How many lessons did you go to that start with "who wants to be a Jedi?" Robots, mind control, it's all here!

Direct download: MDE_40_-_Chris_Burgess_of_CBiS.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 10:31pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Tom Hooper of Third Space Learning. He tells the story of how he set up his company to address one of the biggest educational problems in the UK.

Direct download: MDE_39_-_Tom_Hooper_of_Third_Space_Learning.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 5:23am UTC

This week I'm talking to Nina Grunfeld of Life Clubs. Nina has been helping people her entire life; from the playground to the boardroom. Not afraid to share the mistakes she's made, Nina shares her experiences of building a business - warts and all!

Direct download: MDE_38_-_Nina_Grunfeld_of_Life_Clubs.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 9:24pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Ben Gallagher of Ben&Andrew, a company on a mission to create a world of cultural, charitable and profitable enterprise.

Direct download: MDE_37_-_Ben_Gallagher_of_Ben__Andrew.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 10:07pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Rob Symington, co-founder of Escape the City. Five years in and they've built a community of over 200,000 kindred spirits. Rob talks candidly of his own entrepreneurial journey, how he's faced down his fears along the way.

Direct download: MDE_36_-_Rob_Symington_of_Escape_the_City.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 9:02pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Joe Carnell, a pioneering entrepreneur fusing food and music to meet the tastes of his generation. Why "cold press" is best, the challenges of a young business, and just how he managed to hook up with the phenomenal Jamal Edwards.

Direct download: MDE_35_-_Joe_Carnell_of_Ugot.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 1:36am UTC

MDE 34: Bringing the vibrancy of Africa into people's daily lives, Andrew Hunt of Aduna

This week I'm talking to Andrew Hunt of Aduna, a company on a mission to breathe the vibrancy of Africa into the daily lives of people all over the world.

Direct download: MDE_34_-_Andrew_Hunt_of_Aduna.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 9:48pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Manolis Sfinarolakis, founder of Reality Crowd TV. Manolis is on a mission to inform, educate, inspire, and motivate entrepreneurs worldwide on how to create small busineses through crowdfunding.

Direct download: MDE_33_-_Manolis_Sfinarolakis_of_Reality_Crowd_TV.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 10:23pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Tracey Strandness of Barefoot Athletic, an eco-friendly athletic apparel company on a mission to encourage the athlete in everyone. The real story here though is Tracey's incredible personal journey. Truly moving and uplifting.

Direct download: MDE_32_-_Tracey_Strandness_of_Barefoot_Athletic.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 6:06am UTC

Since the age of seven David Katz has lived by the motto "If it's to be, it's up to me". His vision is to solve the problem of oceanbound waste, and do it in a way that transforms the lives of many of the most impoverished citizens on the planet.

Direct download: MDE_31_-_David_Katz_of_The_Plastic_Bank.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 6:04am UTC

This week I'm talking to Hermione Taylor, founder of Do Nation - a unique business making sustainable living mainstream. Fun, inspiring and packed with advice for entrepreneurs - find out about crowdfunding, company structures, and even rhino poo!

Direct download: MDE_30_-_Hermione_Taylor_of_The_DoNation.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 3:29pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Ruth Anslow, who with her sister Amy founded HiSbe, a radical supermarket created to serve the community, not shareholders. This episode has it all: innovative funding, fantastic mission and a rollercoaster entreprenuerial ride!

Direct download: MDE_29_-_Ruth_Anslow_of_HiSbe.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 8:11pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Anthony Day, The sustainability coach. Anthony has built his career helping companies to improve their track record in this vital field. Warm, engaging, pragmatic, Anthony works to deliver truly sustainable growth for his clients.

Direct download: MDE_28_-_Anthony_Day_The_Sustainability_Coach.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 9:56pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Jane Kenyon, author and founder of Girls Out Loud. Jane's extraordinary achievements have come against the odds, and she's still battling to champion a cause where the need is screaming but the funding and support is diabolical.

Direct download: MDE_27_-_Jane_Kenyon_of_Girls_Out_Loud.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 8:38pm UTC

This week I'm talking to David Lale, founder of the recruitment company Charity People and Career Volunteer - two companies that really do help people to use their skills for good. Honest, warm, funny - I want to work for him!

Direct download: MDE_26_-_David_Lale_of_Charity_People.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 7:09am UTC

This week I'm talking to Mark Heiman of the Lur Apparel. Beautiful, sophisticated womenswear made from plastic bottles? Well, not quite - but nearly! Find out how Mark does it, and how Lur supports the Guatemalan workers who make their products.

Direct download: MDE_25_-_Mark_Heiman_of_Lur_Apparel.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 11:50pm UTC

This week I'm interviewing Peter Bregman, the internationally best selling author, about his new book "Four Seconds". Seth Godin says it's a book that could change your career, your marriage, your life! Let's see how all this applies to entrepreneurs...

Direct download: MDE_24_-_Peter_Bregman_Author_of_4_Seconds.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 8:16pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Murray Grainger who left a successful career as an in house lawyer to found Impact on Integrity, a consultancy looking to weave integrity into the DNA of corporations across the globe.

Direct download: MDE_23_-_Murray_Grainger_of_Impact_on_Integrity.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 6:19am UTC

In a change to our usual format, this week I'm talking to Zella King, author of "Who is in Your Personal Boardroom?" This is essential stuff for any entrepreneur looking to build a support team for themselves. Listen in, this is golddust.


This week I'm talking to Dee Wood of ItDoesTheJob.com. Dee's on a mission to build her company into the go-to department store for sustainable living, and to prove that you don't have to live in a mud hut and turn all the lights off to live sustainably!

Direct download: MDE_21_-_Dee_Wood_of_ItDoesTheJob.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 12:13am UTC

In this episode I talk to Oliver Jones, who with his wife are the team behind the family-friendly Deer Shed festival. Oliver was tending an almost-out-of-control bonfire as we spoke - does he survive to tell the tale? Listen on..!

Direct download: MDE20_-_Oliver_Jones_of_Deershed.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 11:16pm UTC

This week I'm talking to Claire Young of School Speakers and co-founder of Girls Out Loud. One of the few to emerge from the hit TV series the Apprentice (UK) with her reputation enhanced, Claire's on a mission to inspire the next generation.

Direct download: MDE_19_-_Claire_Young_of_School_Speakers.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 12:56am UTC

This week I'm talking to Liam Black, the serial social entrepreneur who has just published the must-read "Social Entrepreneur's A to Z". So why is Liam worried that you're not getting enough sex? And who threw that shoe at him? Listen on!

Direct download: MDE_18_-_Liam_Black_of_Wavelength.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 3:33am UTC

This week I'm talking to Michelle Evans, who left a stellar career at Microsoft and found her passion in nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs to break the shackles of corporate life. Brutally honest, funny and sincere, Michelle is true inspiration.

Direct download: MDE_17_-_Michelle_Evans.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 11:35pm UTC

This week I'm talking to David Ralph, host of the phenomenally successful Join Up Dots online chat show. David takes his inspiration from Steve Jobs' famous Stamford speach, and is on a mission to help everyone pursue the life they deserve.

Direct download: MDE_16_-_David_Ralph_of_Join_Up_Dots.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 2:57am UTC

You know that bottle of water you bought the othr day? You know it took a quarter of a bottle of oil and another seven bottles of water to produce it? Step forward Guy Jeremiah, Dragons Den survivor and sustainable water hero!

Direct download: MDE_15_-_Guy_Jeremiah_of_Ohyo.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 12:35am UTC

This week I talk to Shannon Houde founder of Walk of Life Consulting, which helps people find their dream impact careers. Her journey includes corporate USA, eco-tourism in Patagonia, an NGO in Switzerland, an MBA, and corporate responsibility in London.

Direct download: MDE_14_-_Shannon_Houde_of_Walk_of_Life_Consulting.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 7:14pm UTC

In this episode I talk to Rex Idaminabo of African Achievers, which numbers Archbishop Desmond Tutu amongst the recipients of its awards. Rex is on a mission to celebrate and promote Africans who are excelling in their communities.

Direct download: MDE_13_-_Rex_Idaminabo_of_African_Achievers.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 3:27pm UTC

In this episode I talk to Viv Oylou of Dream Corner. Viv has worked in the corporate world, gained an MBA, been a consultant, set up a charity and now hosts a radio show inspiring women world-wide. How to have a varied career and life!

Direct download: MDE_12_-_Viv_Oyolu_of_Dream_Corner.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 5:59pm UTC

Ever since my life affirming kayaking holiday with Wilderness Scotland a few years ago I was itching to interview Paul Easto about his entrepreneurial journey in co-founding this unique, award winning responsible travel company.

Direct download: MDE_11_-_Paul_Easto_of_Wilderness_Scotland.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 4:27pm UTC

Chris Langwallner of NamZ. A serial entrepreneur, Chris has built successful businesses in India, China and Singapore - quite an achievement for an Austrian boy who got so homesick his parents thought he'd never leave!

Direct download: MDE_10_-_Chris_Langwallner.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 3:39pm UTC

In this episode I talk to Sven Segal of Po-Zu, makers of beautiful shoes with soul. Sven talks about how his values drove him to start his own business, the challenges of competing with big brands and the best use for a shoebox we've heard so far!

Direct download: MDE_9_-_Sven_Segal_of_Po-Zu.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 2:54pm UTC

In this episode I talk to Naomi Timperley of 4hub. From Baby Loves Disco (via Dragon's Den!) to business mentor to social media guru, Naomi shares her story. Just how did she get those 20,000+ followers on Twitter?

Direct download: MDE_8_-_Naomi_Timperley_of_4hub.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 3:25pm UTC

In this episode I talk to Sam Hardwick who lived in a garden shed with his wife and small child to get the resources together to follow their dream of building a sustainable holiday park. Sam tells us the story which led to him persuing this adventure.

Direct download: MDE_7_Sam_Hardwick_of_Mantes.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 12:38pm UTC

In this episode I talk to Sarah Dembitz who used her interest in nutrition to found the delicious and nutritionally balanced Saviour Snacks. Plenty of sleepless nights along the way - find out how Sarah coped and thrived.


An interview with Leon Richards of Good Talent - the specialist MBA recruiter helping sustainable organisations find the right business talent. Can you really have a Porsche and work in a sustainable company? Leon reveals all!

Direct download: MDE_5_-_Sandra_Blackburn_of_Pure_Lakes.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 6:02pm UTC

In this episode I talk to Stephen Prior, the former headmaster who co-founded Forest Carbon off the back of his MBA. Four million trees later, what has he learned?

Direct download: MDE_4_-_Stephen_Prior_of_Forest_Carbon.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 5:06pm UTC

In this episode I talk to Dan Brousson who set up Onyabags as a single parent having been widowed with 2 young children. Within 4 years he was turning over £500,000 all from his kitchen table.

Direct download: MDE_3_-_Dan_Brousson_of_Onya.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 7:10pm UTC

An interview with Leon Richards of Good Talent - the specialist MBA recruiter helping sustainable organisations find the right business talent. Can you really have a Porsche and work in a sustainable company? Leon reveals all!

Direct download: MDE_1_-_Leon_Richards_of_Good_Talent.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 1:29pm UTC

In this episode I talk to Kate Andrews, co-founder of Loco2- the online European train booking company looking to make it as easy to book a train journey across Europe as it is to book a flight.

Direct download: MDE_2_-_Kate_Andrews_of_Loco2.mp3
Category:Mission Driven Entrepreneurs -- posted at: 1:28pm UTC

1