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.

What do a Canadian cattle farm, a failed marriage, and a barn in North Wales have in common?

Bradley J Miller.

In this week’s episode of The Chester Centurions Podcast, we dive into the incredible journey of a man who helped take indoor play from rural roots to global domination—serving everyone from Warner Brothers to Ferrari World.

Brad shares:

• How indoor play was actually invented in a Welsh barn
• Why business is a living organism (and how to keep it healthy)
• What he learned from choosing the wrong business partner
• How a life-threatening illness shaped his leadership
• And why he believes most entrepreneurs are kidding themselves about “balance”

This isn’t your typical business success story—it’s packed with hard-won lessons, surprising history, and a refreshingly honest take on what it really takes to grow something that lasts.

In this episode of the Chester Centurions Podcast, Alan Bark chats with Steve Jackson, founder of Jackson Fire & Security—a business that’s been protecting people and property for over 35 years. Steve shares the journey from starting out in 1991 with just a few fire extinguishers to building a nationwide franchise network of 12 (and growing) branches, employing 80+ people across the UK.

Steve reflects on the early days: how a casual favour for a friend turned into a career pivot, how he and his business partner bootstrapped their way through the ups and downs, and how the company has grown by staying laser-focused on compliance-led services like fire alarms, CCTV, intruder alarms, and more. He also explains why franchising became a game changer—restoring local service quality while scaling nationally.

The conversation covers key business lessons, including why keeping overheads low in the early days is critical, how building the right team is non-negotiable, and the power of keeping things simple (including the classic wisdom: make sure more money comes in than goes out). Steve also dives into the challenges of staying innovative in a highly regulated industry, the importance of investing in the right tech and systems, and how his business thrived through COVID by focusing on essentials.

Looking ahead, Steve talks about ambitious plans to grow their franchise footprint to 20-30 locations, enhancing their ability to serve major national contracts while keeping the personal touch that sets them apart. He’s also brutally honest about the mindset required to succeed: resilience, pragmatism, and a willingness to hire people better than you at the stuff that bores you.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Steve offers gold-standard advice—choose an industry with real demand and longevity, obsess over your numbers, and surround yourself with a rock-solid team.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in service industries, franchising, or simply looking for battle-tested business wisdom from someone who’s built it all from the ground up.

From Pandemic Start-Up to Boutique PR Powerhouse | Moda PR on Chester Centurion Podcast

What happens when two women fed up with the 9-to-5 meet over a Caesar salad and decide to rewrite the script?

In this inspiring and refreshingly honest episode, Alan sits down with Jennifer and Ashley, the founders of Moda PR, a boutique agency born in lockdown and now shaping the personal brands of lifestyle and entertainment clients across the UK and US.

They talk:

• The real truth behind entrepreneurship (spoiler: it’s not all glass doors and beanbags)

• The evolution of PR and why personal branding is no longer optional

• Building a business around work-life blend (not balance)

• Staying motivated, managing burnout, and the myth of the 5am miracle routine

• The top three lessons they wish they knew from day one (including the now-famous “Let Them” theory)

Whether you’re starting your business or scaling it, this one’s full of gold.

Watch now and don’t forget to subscribe for more real business stories.

In this episode of the Chester Centurions Podcast, Alan Bark interviews Jonathan Fell, owner and managing director of Cheshire’s iconic Ice Cream Farm. Jonathan shares the fascinating story of how his family transformed a traditional dairy farm into a nationally recognised visitor attraction, starting back in 1986 when milk quotas forced farmers to diversify. What began as a small-scale operation with secondhand freezers has grown into a unique destination, combining artisan ice cream with imaginative play zones and drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Jonathan talks candidly about the highs and lows of the journey—how a major supermarket contract shaped the business’s direction, why controlling your own marketplace is key to sustainability, and how brand strategy became central to their success. He also opens up about the tough calls they’ve had to make, from charging entry fees post-COVID to managing community perceptions about growth and profitability.

Jonathan gives insight into balancing rapid business expansion with personal life, why trusting his team has been transformational, and how his children are now part of his unofficial R&D department. He also lifts the lid on exciting future developments, including the launch of Ice Cream Fields, their biggest new play area since 2015, and hints at plans for innovative accommodation options.

For entrepreneurs and business owners, Jonathan offers three standout pieces of advice: know every aspect of your business hands-on, think creatively and challenge the status quo, and stay laser-focused on your brand identity to guide every decision.

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in business growth, innovation, and the realities behind building a standout brand from scratch—all served up with a scoop of honesty and entrepreneurial grit.

In this episode, Alan Bark sits down with Vaughn, a seasoned entrepreneur who started his business at 57 after decades in the photocopier industry. Vaughn shares how he transitioned from a career managing corporate sales teams into launching his own copier company — despite limited savings, a young family, and plenty of doubt from those around him.

He talks candidly about the challenges of going solo later in life, the fear that comes with walking away from financial security, and the misconception that business ownership brings instant freedom. Vaughn also offers a grounded take on partnerships, warning that unequal effort can quickly become a source of tension and risk.

What makes Vaughn’s story unique is the way he’s diversified the business. Starting in photocopiers, he spotted an opportunity during COVID when trying to buy an EV charger for his office — and it spiralled into a full-blown renewables business. Within a year, they’d sold 500 chargers. That arm has now expanded into solar panels, air source heat pumps, and commercial electrical installations, currently employing a 12-person team and turning over more than the original copier business.

Vaughn shares his philosophy on growth: adapt or shrink. Whether it’s staying up to date with emerging technologies, entering new markets, or keeping overheads lean, he believes success lies in staying agile and reinvesting profits wisely. Future plans include regional expansion, product diversification, and strengthening their foothold in the renewable energy space.

To wrap up, Vaughn offers three powerful pieces of advice for entrepreneurs:

1. Know your numbers. Understand both the best- and worst-case scenarios before you leap.

2. Keep overheads lean. Especially in the early days, stay agile and cash-conscious.

3. Know your market. Deep understanding beats a good idea every time.

A brilliant episode for anyone thinking of starting a business, making a career pivot, or wondering if it’s “too late” to go it alone.