Born in a two-bed terrace in Salford, Ryan Hughes grew up surrounded by grafters, chaos, and community. The street taught him everything — how to read people, how to graft, and how to make choices that defined his future. While one childhood friend ended up behind bars, another chased overtime and stability. Ryan stood somewhere in between, determined to find his own version of freedom.

Kicked out of school at fifteen, he swapped classrooms for construction sites, carrying bricks and dreams in equal measure. When an estate agent failed to show up one day, Ryan stepped in to handle the viewing himself — and never looked back. From there came years of lessons in grit, mentorship, and business, building from painting student flats to managing a £50 million portfolio before walking away from the comfort of a salary to build Mr Investa from scratch.

This conversation traces the mindset that carried him through every turn — why he chose clarity over alcohol, respect over shortcuts, and purpose over status. For Ryan, the real measure of success isn’t money or material things, but the freedom to build something that’s yours.

From her Stockport roots in a hard-working, working-class family to the boardrooms of some of the UK’s biggest brands, Nicola Collister’s story is one of relentless curiosity and reinvention. In this episode, Nicola reflects on the choices that defined her path-from turning down a grammar school place as a teenager, to walking away from university in pursuit of independence, to breaking barriers at the RAC as one of its first female managers. She shares what it was like to lead through transformation at the height of the dot-com boom and why curiosity – not comfort – drove her decision to step out of corporate life and start her own consultancy. Nicola also opens up about the leap into investing, what she looks for in founders, and why passion and energy matter just as much as product. Along the way, she reveals the hardest lessons of scaling, the challenges of letting go, and the values that continue to guide her through every reinvention.

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Michelle Coulson — founder of Remote Rebellion — for a conversation about burnout, breakups, Bali, and building a life that actually feels like yours.

Michelle’s journey begins in Bolton, then moves through a wild childhood in Spain, a career in corporate recruitment, and a dramatic decision to call off her wedding just weeks before the big day. But it was a solo bike trip through Europe and a spontaneous move to Bali that really shifted her course.

When the ‘return to office’ email came in 2021, Michelle chose a different path — quitting her job, going all-in on remote work, and eventually launching Remote Rebellion. Her platform now helps others escape the grind, land flexible roles, and reconnect with what actually makes them happy.

🔗 Michelle's Links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/remoterebellion/

https://remoterebellion.com/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with David Levine—tech head, founder, investor, and the force behind Manchester Angels—for a masterclass in serendipity, startups, and saying no.

David's story starts in Dublin, where he grew up in a tiny Jewish community, got hooked on computers at 13, and accidentally entered (and won) Ireland’s biggest science fair. He shares how a well-timed comment in a classroom launched his career, how being “cheeky” helped him rise through HP, and how one painful lesson taught him the difference between building something cool… and building something sellable.

From packing face masks at his kitchen table to founding DigitalBridge, David shares honest lessons about raising money, getting burned by the wrong investors, and why Manchester's startup scene is more powerful than people realise. If you're building a business—or just love stories of grit and reinvention—this one’s for you.

David's Links 🔗LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjblevine/

Manchester's Angels - https://www.manchesterangels.org/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Jessica Southworth – hospitality leader and sales mentor – to uncover an astonishing story of survival, setbacks, and stubborn success.

Jessica grew up in Droylsden, where her childhood was equal parts chaotic and carefree. As she opens up, we hear how addiction shaped her home, how she found herself pregnant at 16, and how she refused to become a statistic. This conversation spans heartbreak and hustle – from hiding a school suspension to winning an award from the Queen.

Jessica shares how she raised a child while finishing college, rose through the ranks in hospitality, and became the youngest department head at Hilton by 21. Her story is a lesson in grit, defiance, and the power of being underestimated.

Jessica's Links 🔗 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-southworth/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Sophie Brown – tech sales leader, public speaker, and reality TV alum – to unpack a story that’s anything but conventional.

Sophie’s journey began in Cheltenham, but her ambition led her to Manchester’s fast-paced tech scene, where she built a career in sales from the ground up – without a degree and often as the only woman in the room.

In this gripping conversation, Sophie opens up about ADHD, media scrutiny, and the reality behind reality TV. She speaks candidly about dropping out of university, navigating all-male work environments, and rebuilding her confidence in the public eye.

It’s a raw, inspiring look at what it means to bet on yourself – in business, in love, and in life.

🔗 Sophie’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiehlbrown/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sophiehlbrown/

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Aaron Burns – former Manchester United academy player turned entrepreneur and speaker – to unpack a story that begins on the pitch but stretches far beyond it. Aaron’s journey started with dreams of footballing glory, rising through the ranks at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs alongside legends like Ronaldo, Giggs, and Scholes. But when his professional career ended, Aaron was left with an identity crisis many athletes face – what comes next when the spotlight fades?

In a raw and powerful conversation, Aaron opens up about growing up in Greater Manchester, navigating racism and social housing as a mixed-race child, and the pressures of life in elite sport. He shares how he transitioned into business, launched an insurance firm, and created The Consistency Blueprint – a new framework helping others build habits and resilience after sport.

This episode explores the beauty and brutality of ambition, and what it means to rebuild your life after a dream ends. 🔗 Aaron’s Links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-burns-967955b0/ Aaron's Book Club (ABC) - https://www.instagram.com/aaronsbookclubabc/?hl=en Consistency Blueprint Journal – Coming soon

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Joe Averill – founder of LEVEL, a customer-centric workspace solution.

Joe’s story isn’t one of loud ambition. Painfully shy growing up and allergic to public speaking, he never seemed the type to lead sales calls or host podcasts. But what he lacked in volume, he made up for in drive – especially when it came to creating freedom for his family.

In this open conversation, Joe reflects on his early days in sales, the mentors who shaped his outlook, and the pivotal life coaching that helped him unlock confidence and vision. From working the phones in Newton Heath to launching a business that blends property, creativity, and values, Joe proves that success doesn’t always shout – sometimes, it just shows up and works harder than anyone else.

🔗 Joe’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-averill/

LEVEL - https://www.levelworkspace.com/enterprise