In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Warren speaks with Jess and Terry, the joint managing directors of Rubicon People, about their journey. From starting out as employees to leading an employee-owned business.

For anyone navigating joint leadership responsibilities, you certainly don’t want to miss out on this, as Jess and Terry provide invaluable advice and experiences around working as partners to manage a team.

They also discuss the evolution of Rubicon People, the challenges faced in the recruitment industry, and the impact of transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust.

The conversation highlights the importance of good leadership, employee empowerment, and the future ambitions of the Rubicon People as they navigate the recruitment landscape.

This episode of Evolve to Succeed covers…

Jess and Terry’s journey within Rubicon People.

The transition to employee ownership and its effects on business culture.

How leadership styles evolve and are influenced by previous leaders.

How employee councils can play a crucial role in decision-making processes.

The importance of trust and autonomy in empowering employees.

Financial Freedom Day.

The recruitment industry and the ongoing skill shortages.

Chapters...

00:00 Introductions

02:55 Rubicon People

06:14 Previous Owners: Lloyd and Jocelyn

08:52 Becoming Joint Managing Directors

12:13 COVID and Market Changes

14:58 Employee Ownership Trust

17:49 Initial Reactions to Employee Ownership

21:10 Employee Councils

23:46 Leadership Styles

27:10 Empowering Employees

30:01 Challenges in Recruitment

32:48 Advice for Transitioning to Employee Ownership

36:06 Financial Freedom Day

38:57 Succession

41:54 Final Thoughts

In this incredibly inspiring episode, Mark Darcy shares his personal journey, from a challenging childhood to a successful business career and a subsequent struggle with mental health.

After a long battle, Mark eventually made a positive transition and now focuses on helping others through the New Forest Wellbeing Group and the Youth Wellbeing Group.

During the episode, Mark explains his new philosophy on life, where he dedicates his time earning, serving and learning – which has helped him discover true happiness in life.

He also talks about the importance of listening and creating a loving environment where everyone is understanding and supports one another. Mark also envisions the next phase of his life - focusing on well-being and community support.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

● Seeking support and understanding one's own mental health.

● Transitioning from a challenging past to a fulfilling present.

● Helping others and creating a kind and loving environment.

● Finding balance in life by spending time earning, serving, and learning.

● Finding true happiness through meaningful experiences, not material possessions.

● Volunteering and getting involved in projects focused on mental health.

● Seeking professional help and prioritising one’s own mental health.

Chapters

00:00 Childhood

05:44 Business Career

11:09 Mental Health and Support

15:41 New Purpose and Helping Others

23:10 Community

25:10 Achieving Balance

28:03 Happiness

30:21 Basic Lifestyle

32:16 Are You Okay?

35:32 Life's Unexpected Challenges

36:29 Midlife Realisation

39:42 Loved Ones

41:40 Emotions and Openness

45:57 Avoiding Regret

49:50 Material Possessions

51:22 Pure Contentment

Adam Lewis, co-founder of BBD Boom, shares his journey of starting and running a remote business and the benefits of systems thinking. He emphasises the importance of understanding your co-founder and building a strong partnership.

Adam also discusses the challenges and rewards of remote work and the need for a strong company culture. He highlights the value of apprenticeships in growing a business and shares his insights on systems thinking and the tools they use at BBD Boom.

Adam concludes by discussing the future of the company and his personal definition of success.

The key takeaways from this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast are:

• Building a strong partnership with your co-founder is crucial for the success of your business.
• Remote work can be successful with the right systems and processes in place.
• Investing in apprenticeships can help grow your own talent and create career opportunities.
• Systems thinking is about viewing your business as an integrated engine and optimising processes for better efficiency and customer experience.
• Tools like HubSpot, teamwork, and AI can greatly enhance productivity and business performance.
• Success is defined by personal fulfilment, making a positive impact, and having the freedom to choose your path.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Background of BBD Boom

03:19 - Starting a Business and Moving Away from Traditional Agency Model

04:15 - Challenges and Early Days of BBD Boom

05:34 - Lessons Learned and the Importance of Sales and Marketing Mindset

07:30 - Realisation of Success and Early Adoption of HubSpot

09:55 - Building a Strong Partnership and Company Culture

12:18 - The Value of Apprenticeships in Business Growth

16:28 - Benefits and Challenges of Remote Work

27:22 - Implementing Systems Thinking for Better Efficiency

33:04 - Tools for Productivity and Business Performance

36:20 - Future Plans for BBD Boom and Personal Definition of Success

45:02 - Conclusion