In this episode of the Chester Centurion podcast, I’m joined by Ian Hazeldine, founder of Yellow Circle, a web design and software development agency that’s been innovating since 2007.

We dive into the real journey of entrepreneurship—starting with an inheritance-fuelled leap of faith and landing in a full-service digital agency that’s helping businesses transform. Ian opens up about:

• Why offering work for free is a fast track to burnout
• How to actually get work-life balance back (spoiler: close your inbox)
• Why “mates rates” should mean full price and paid on time
• The future of websites in an AI-driven world—and why humans still matter
• His 3 biggest pieces of advice for anyone starting a business

This is a masterclass in self-respect, business boundaries, and making tech work for you—not the other way around.

If you’ve ever struggled with undervaluing your work or being “always on,” this episode will hit home.

From Electrician to Tech Trailblazer: Stephen Johansen on Building Indigo & Following Your Gut

What do Madonna, Prince, Formula One, and outdoor Wi-Fi have in common? Believe it or not—Stephen Johansen.

In this episode of the Chester Centurions podcast, Alan sits down with the founder of Indigo, a North West-based IT company that’s quietly powering everything from schools and offices to stadiums and music festivals.

Stephen shares the wild story of Indigo’s accidental pivot into global event tech—including an ambitious project in the UAE that involved Formula One hospitality setups and open-air networking at scale. But the real gold lies in the quiet wisdom he’s gained over 23 years in business:

• Why year two of a startup is the hardest (and what to expect)
• The moment he decided to leap from employee to entrepreneur
• How values shape team culture and client loyalty
• Why “fixing problems” beats “selling solutions”
• His personal philosophy for switching off from work and showing up fully at home

This is a grounded, thoughtful, and inspiring conversation with a founder who proves you don’t need a flashy brand to build an exceptional business.

In this episode of the Chester Centurions Podcast, Alan sits down with Monique, a powerhouse entrepreneur from North Wales who swapped a secure salary for the uncertain road of business ownership — with a mortgage, three kids, and zero safety net.

She shares:

• Why she walked out of her job overnight
• The emotional rollercoaster of starting a recruitment agency from scratch
• How she balances being a mum, a business owner, and a university student
• The myths people believe about self-employment
• Why feedback, mentors, and gym sessions are her secret weapons
• Her plans to scale the business across Wales and into the Northwest

This is a must-listen for anyone contemplating the leap into entrepreneurship — or already in the deep end wondering if they’re doing it right.