In this episode of the Online Entrepreneur Academy podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant and wonderfully frank Anne Bates OBE – a woman who has reinvented her life more than once, not by choice, but through sheer determination, humour, and a refusal to stay quiet.

Anne shares how she went from being expelled from school and working as a secretary, to becoming a nursery nurse, a college lecturer, and eventually Chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, advising the UK government on accessible transport. Along the way, she was awarded an OBE – which she wryly rebrands as “Other Buggers’ Efforts.”

We talk about:

• How serious illness and disability forced a career change she never asked for
• The realities of life as a wheelchair user in a world designed for everyone else
• Why language, assumptions, and “special assistance” can help – or completely miss the point
• The difference between the medical model and the social model of disability
• How humour, stubbornness, and a sharp eye for injustice can drive real change

This is a conversation about access, dignity, and unexpected career pivots. It’s honest, funny, and quietly fierce – especially if you’ve ever felt like a square peg being shoved into a round hole.

You can find Ann on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-bates-obe-5bb84227/

Do message us, suggestions, feedback guests you'd like to have in a conversation here? Thank you for you support and interest. Apprecaited

My podcast is advert-free and jingle-free, simply put together, and hopefully demonstrates you can be working alone, keep the tech simple, and still share fabulous information.

Keeping business simple is my motto! ...Although I will at some point have some music and a jingle!!

Thank you for joining us, you'll find us here:
https://calendly.com/susanmaghrabi/coffee-chat Book your Complimentary Appointment

The Rest :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-lancaster-maghrabi/
👉http://bit.ly/OLEAGroup My free FB Group,
https://www.facebook.com/susanlancastermaghrabi/
https://www.facebook.com/SusanMaghrabi101
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpIKPhe3_SD1qNytfILNXQ
The Charity we support:
https://www.facebook.com/StKizitoPrimarySchool see the page for details

In this episode, I’m joined by the remarkable Gabriel Topman - a coaching entrepreneur, investor, and strategic thinker with a seriously impressive background in business growth and brand positioning. Gabriel brings something refreshingly different to the table: a mix of traditional business sense, sharp strategic thinking, and modern insight into how entrepreneurs can truly stand out online.

We explore why he runs not one, but three websites, how “alignment” and “differentiation” can transform your business, and why even the best ideas fail without a solid strategy behind them. It’s a fascinating conversation that blends depth with practicality - whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out, this one will give you plenty to think about.

You can reach Gabriel here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-topman/

gabrieltopman@gmail.com

https://gabrieltopman.com/

And https://businessgrowthaction.com/

Do message us, suggestions, feedback guests you'd like to have in a conversation here? Thank you for you support and interest. Apprecaited

My podcast is advert-free and jingle-free, simply put together, and hopefully demonstrates you can be working alone, keep the tech simple, and still share fabulous information.

Keeping business simple is my motto! ...Although I will at some point have some music and a jingle!!

Thank you for joining us, you'll find us here:
https://calendly.com/susanmaghrabi/coffee-chat Book your Complimentary Appointment

The Rest :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-lancaster-maghrabi/
👉http://bit.ly/OLEAGroup My free FB Group,
https://www.facebook.com/susanlancastermaghrabi/
https://www.facebook.com/SusanMaghrabi101
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpIKPhe3_SD1qNytfILNXQ
The Charity we support:
https://www.facebook.com/StKizitoPrimarySchool see the page for details

Hello and welcome back to the Online Entrepreneur Academy podcast. In this episode I’m thrilled to introduce Andy Kyle , a former secondary school language teacher who spent 14 years in the classroom, and management roles, before making a bold pivot into running his own virtual assistant business.

In this conversation, Andy shares what sparked the change, how he mapped his transferable skills to the corporate world, and why flexibility for family life became non-negotiable. We get into the nuts and bolts of starting from zero, including LinkedIn outreach, landing first clients, and learning new systems.

He also offers honest advice for teachers who are considering a move: take time for self-reflection, make a practical financial plan, and find communities that lift you up.

We finish with our Desert Island choices for a bit of fun.

If you’re a teacher or solopreneur who wants more freedom, or you’re curious about turning classroom skills into a thriving service, this one’s for you.

Check the notes below for Andy’s website and LinkedIn. Enjoy!

Andy's websi: www.andykyleva.co.uk
Email: andy@andykyleva.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-kyle-070b17aa/

And Andy referenced this organisation in our conversation

https://www.adventuresafterteaching.com/

Do message us, suggestions, feedback guests you'd like to have in a conversation here? Thank you for you support and interest. Apprecaited

My podcast is advert-free and jingle-free, simply put together, and hopefully demonstrates you can be working alone, keep the tech simple, and still share fabulous information.

Keeping business simple is my motto! ...Although I will at some point have some music and a jingle!!

Thank you for joining us, you'll find us here:
https://calendly.com/susanmaghrabi/coffee-chat Book your Complimentary Appointment

The Rest :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-lancaster-maghrabi/
👉http://bit.ly/OLEAGroup My free FB Group,
https://www.facebook.com/susanlancastermaghrabi/
https://www.facebook.com/SusanMaghrabi101
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUpIKPhe3_SD1qNytfILNXQ
The Charity we support:
https://www.facebook.com/StKizitoPrimarySchool see the page for details