In this thirty-third episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Lauren Troiano, a Female Founder and Entrepreneur behind two Bedfordshire-based businesses: The Little Marketing Company and The Little Yoga Company.

Lauren shares her journey from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship, explaining how maternity leave inspired her to build businesses that align with her values. Through The Little Marketing Company, she supports small and medium-sized businesses with marketing strategy, branding, and business growth, offering creative, out-of-the-box solutions to help businesses stand out. Meanwhile, The Little Yoga Company brings mindfulness, movement, and wellbeing to the local Bedford community.

This episode is packed with practical insights for female founders, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, covering how to grow a business with confidence, overcome imposter syndrome, and build a supportive community around your work.

• How maternity leave became a launchpad for entrepreneurship

• Growing small businesses through personal branding and marketing strategy

• Building confidence, creativity, and courage as a female founder

• Balancing family life with running multiple businesses

• The power of community and collaboration in business growth

• Overcoming imposter syndrome and embracing self-belief

• Running purpose-driven businesses with flexibility and impact

[00:00] Introduction and welcome to Lauren [02:20] Maternity leave as the spark for entrepreneurship [06:40] Launching The Little Marketing Company [10:55] Building confidence and community in business [15:30] Balancing family and entrepreneurship [20:45] Personal branding and business growth [25:10] Overcoming imposter syndrome [30:00] Community and collaboration in business [34:20] Future plans for The Little Marketing Company & The Little Yoga Company

• Turning maternity leave into a business opportunity

• Growing small businesses with marketing and branding expertise

• Building confidence, courage, and creativity as a female entrepreneur

• Creating a supportive community for business and personal growth

• Running multiple purpose-driven businesses while staying aligned with values

• Sustainable business growth without stress or hustle

• The importance of collaboration, mentorship, and community

LinkedIn: Lauren Troiano Instagram: @thelittlemarketingco

Book a 2026 Business Planning Workshop: https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2026businessplanning Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com

In this thirty-second episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Jessica Leader – co-founder of SureStay Group and former corporate marketing professional turned property entrepreneur.

After a successful career managing marketing budgets and brand reputations in the corporate world, Jess realised she wanted to do work that created both profit and purpose. That realisation led her to co-found SureStay Group – a property investment company that generates strong returns for investors while providing safe, stable homes for vulnerable families.

Jess’s journey is a powerful example of how aligning your business with your values can create a more fulfilling and impactful path. She shares openly about the transition from the security of corporate life to the challenges and freedoms of entrepreneurship, the importance of trust and relationships in business, and how she’s built a model that combines financial success with social good.

In this conversation, Alex and Jess explore:

• How to transition from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship

• The power of aligning personal values with business goals

• Building trust and supportive networks for growth

• Creating social impact through property investment

• Balancing profit with purpose in business

• Managing investor relationships with integrity

• Finding flexibility and freedom as an entrepreneur

• The importance of quick execution and learning through action

• Balancing family life and business with intention

Whether you’re considering a shift from corporate to entrepreneurship, or simply want to build a business that feels meaningful and values-led, Jess’s story will leave you inspired to take bold, purpose-driven action.

[00:00] Introduction and welcome to Jess [02:15] From corporate marketing to property investment [07:00] The story behind founding SureStay Group [11:40] Creating profit with purpose [16:25] Building a trusted network and managing investor relationships [21:10] Lessons from entrepreneurship and taking action quickly [26:00] Balancing family life and business growth [30:15] Continuous learning and the evolution of SureStay Group [34:30] Jess’s vision for the future of socially impactful housing

• Aligning personal values with business goals for greater fulfillment

• Transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship with confidence

• Combining profit with social impact through purpose-driven property investment

• Building strong, trustworthy relationships with investors and partners

• Balancing family life while growing a meaningful business

• The importance of learning, mentorship, and community in business growth

LinkedIn: Jessica Leader SureStay Group: alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/businessconnectionsession Join the 2026 Business Planning Workshop: https://alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/2026businessplanning Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com

In this thirtieth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Sarah Summers – Registered Nutritionist and founder of Sarah Summers Nutrition. Sarah helps midlife women navigate menopause with clarity, energy, and confidence, without confusion, fad diets, or endless Googling.

After 30 years in the corporate world, Sarah’s own breast cancer diagnosis became a turning point that reshaped her life. She left the boardrooms behind to become a nutritionist, driven by her passion for how food, lifestyle, and mindset can support hormones, energy, resilience, and overall health in midlife.

Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder of the role of gut instinct, community, and informed choices in creating a life that aligns with your values. In this episode, she shares her journey of personal growth, resilience, and empowerment, and offers practical tips for navigating midlife health and lifestyle changes.

In this conversation, Alex and Sarah explore:

• How gut instinct can guide life-changing decisions

• Breast cancer as a catalyst for lifestyle transformation

• Nutrition’s vital role in energy, hormone balance, and resilience

• Community support and networking as keys to personal growth

• Menopause as a time for self-discovery and empowerment

• Managing overwhelm from social media and seeking trusted sources

• Continual learning and developing sustainable healthy habits

Whether you’re navigating menopause, seeking a healthier lifestyle, or wanting to make empowered choices for your health and business, Sarah’s insights are honest, practical, and inspiring.

Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction and welcome to Sarah [02:15] Corporate career and early life [06:10] Breast cancer and lifestyle shift [10:45] Embracing nutrition and further education [15:20] Building a new career and supportive community [20:05] Gut instinct and making empowered choices [25:40] Resilience through challenges [32:15] Navigating menopause and self-discovery [38:00] Practical tips for health, growth, and networking [44:10] Reflections and what’s next for Sarah

Key Highlights

• Transitioning from a corporate career to midlife nutrition and coaching

• Using health challenges as a catalyst for empowerment and lifestyle change

• Nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset strategies to support midlife health

• Building resilience and community support for personal growth

• Networking for learning and growth, not just selling

Connect with Sarah

Instagram: @sarahsummers_nutritionist Website: Standard | VIP

• Shropshire Women in Business Networking Group: shropshirewomeninbusiness.com

Connect with Alex

Book a Business Connection Networking Session: alexmccarthycoaching.as.me/businessconnectionsession Instagram: @alexmccarthycoaching Website: alexmccarthycoaching.com