The Polish Business Podcast

n this episode of the Polish Business Podcast, Bart Kowalczyk sits down with Paulina Patrykowska, Managing Director of SLT Media — a creative agency helping businesses grow through smart marketing, branding, and web design. Together, they explore one provocative question: “Are websites dead?” In a world dominated by AI, social media, and constant digital change, Paulina shares her lessons from 15 years in the marketing world and why websites still matter — if you let them live. Connect with Paulina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-patrykowska-449a6562/ Try SLT Media for your new website: https://sltmedia.com/ Join PBLINK: https://www.pblink.co.uk/membership-application

In this episode of The Polish Business Podcast, I sit down with Kasia Makarewicz, a senior mortgage and protection advisor at Step by Step Financial Solution System, to unravel the complexities of buying your first home in London. We delve into the challenges of the London property market, discussing high prices, limited supply, and the rising cost of renting. Kasia shares valuable insights on preparing for a mortgage, whether you're employed or self-employed, and emphasizes the importance of early consultation with an advisor. We also explore the mindset shifts needed for immigrants considering property ownership, debunking myths about lifelong mortgage commitments. Tune in to discover practical steps and motivational advice for navigating the competitive London housing market. 📌 Subscribe for more tips on finance, business, and property: https://business.pblink.co.uk/your-first-home-guide Connect with Kasia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasia-makarewicz-1766281/

In this episode of The Polish Business Podcast, I sit down with Maciej Klinowski, a prominent Polish entrepreneur in the UK, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his consultancy, Practipol. Maciej shares his inspiring journey from arriving in London with just £200 to becoming a leading figure in health and safety. We delve into the challenges he faced as an immigrant entrepreneur and the lessons learned over a decade in business. Maciej also discusses the evolving landscape of health and safety, the importance of leadership in shaping organizational culture, and the critical role of education in changing perceptions about safety. Join us for insights and inspiration from Maciej's remarkable story.

In this episode of The Polish Business Podcast, I sit down with Alex Landowski, a serial entrepreneur turned YouTuber, to explore the intriguing question: What does £1M feel like? Alex shares his journey from arriving in the UK with just £200 to achieving a £12 million-plus exit. We delve into the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the challenges of scaling a business, and the mental resilience needed to overcome failures. Alex candidly discusses his experiences with hiring, the importance of motivation, and his transition from business to YouTube. Join us for an inspiring conversation about ambition, perseverance, and the true value of financial success.

In this episode of The Polish Business Podcast, join me, Bart, as I sit down with Adam Pilans, Director of Step by Step Financial Solutions. We delve into Adam's entrepreneurial journey, exploring the challenges and triumphs he faced while building his business. Discover how mindset, trust, and lifelong learning have played pivotal roles in his success. Adam shares his insights on balancing personal and professional life, the importance of family, and the practices that keep him energized and focused. We also discuss the exciting future of his business, including innovative educational courses for first-time homebuyers. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey.

Join me on the H2H Sales Automation Podcast as I sit down with Karl Koniecz, CEO of Circle UK Group Limited, to explore the art of scaling a business beyond geographic boundaries. In this episode, we delve into Karl's journey of revolutionizing the facility management industry with a groundbreaking subscription-based security solution. Discover how Circle UK Group is redefining asset protection with their innovative signal alarm system, combining cutting-edge technology and human expertise. Karl shares insights on the importance of aiming high, embracing change, and understanding client needs to drive business success. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode offers valuable lessons on transforming challenges into opportunities. Tune in to learn how to do it better and make your mark in the business world.

Join me, Bart, on The Polish Business Podcast for an exciting episode as we dive into what's in store for PBLink in 2025. In this episode, I chat with Janeta about our upcoming events designed to enhance your networking skills and support diverse entrepreneurs. Discover details about our February Networking Skills Masterclass with renowned networker Colin McKint, and the innovative Pizza Networking event in London. We also discuss the Construction Forum in April, aimed at connecting professionals in the construction industry. Learn how PBLink is evolving to offer flexible membership options and regular webinars to foster community and growth. Tune in to explore how you can expand your network and gain valuable insights for your business journey.

How did Karl Konicz progress from rough-sleeping in a London park with only three words of English to become COO of a multi-million pound UK company? And he went on to save Christmas in the UK! He attributes an important part of his success to watching Blackadder on TV.

Wojciech (Wojtek) Kołodziejczak’s parents were rich once. But when the economy transitioned to capitalism in the early 90s, their business crashed and the family lost everything. By the age of 6, Wojciech was living with his parents in a wooden cabin on the outskirts of Łódź, a kilometre’s walk to the nearest fresh water pump. That is where his story begins.

Sławek Strzykowski is a visionary and a polymath. He left a high-flying career with Microsoft, driven by an especially personal passion to use the power of technology to improve people’s lives in very tangible ways. He was a captain in the Polish Prison Service, a Business Analyst with SAS Institute and 10 years in Business Analytics with Microsoft. He has always been ahead of his time: back in the 90’s, when computer science was in its infancy, he developed the first Polish national database of offenders. He left a high-flying career with Microsoft, driven by an especially personal passion to use the power of technology to improve people’s lives in very tangible ways. He now runs UnderAnt in Warsaw, Poland, which designs and produces prototype Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAVs or drones, customised to each customer’s requirements, and a sister company, Anteya in England, which provides software and algorithms for the drones and takes care of sales and marketing.

Peter Kuncewicz, CA is Associate Finance Director with EFM, Finance Directors and Business Advisors with a difference. He has a long career in senior FD (Finance Director) and CFO (Chief Financial Officer) posts in countries across the world, but he calls England home. He spoke to Bill Mair of PrecisionPresentation.com for PBLINK Stories. What’s the Difference? EFM fields a team of over 70 Chartered Accountants UK-wide to act as business advisers or accountants to SMEs who may not yet have grown to the stage where they can hire or contract someone full time. EFM will come in and work as little as one day a month to accelerate the growth of the business, making them both flexible and affordable. In fact, EFM even offer the option to sign up for Finance Director or Business Adviser services on demand! EFM advisors often grow with their client businesses, contributing more time as the business expands, accompanying the company on its journey. EFM advisors are not only all Chartered Accountants but also they have each weathered the storms of running businesses and demonstrate real leadership and practical management advice.

Duccio left the corporate world in 2011 and today runs a number of businesses, including: Life Coaching, Career Development Coaching, Executive Coaching and Leadership Development. But in this interview, we’re looking at another part of his portfolio of businesses: his networking groups. Duccio runs the UK Confederation, London Connector, Italian Connector and Property Connector. He also has a property management concern, and a new business, which we will discover in a minute. (UK Confederation is the British branch of Confassociazioni, the Italian networking mega-organisation, with 1.3 million+ members).

This is one of the most diverse interviews we have done to date on PBLINK Stories: Michael Dembinski, chief adviser at the British Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC), born in London to Warsaw Uprising war hero Bohdan Dembiński, speaking to Bill Mair of PrecisionPresentation.com.

Iwona Lebiedowicz is the founder and CEO of PAB Group. Her team at PAB delivers multilingual content services including certified translation in over 200 languages, transcreation and localisation, serving global clients in their chosen markets. As a trilingual cross-cultural consultant, Iwona helps brands and companies to attract, engage, and grow audiences internationally.

Aleksandra (Ola) Fiddler has drive, determination and dynamism. She has never had just one job, doing the same thing every day. Now an entrepreneur and influencer, she prefers to adopt a portfolio approach to business, spinning several plates at the same time.

Jan Szczepański of The Sanders Partnership is not your typical chartered accountant. He lists electronic music like drum and bass, techno, jungle, deep house, chill out, etc, among his interests. He originally trained as a lawyer before going on to qualify as an accountant instead…

What’s behind the success of Amberth, the high-end kitchens and bathrooms design studio in London, which enjoys a great reputation for quality and reliability as well as style? It’s led by a woman, MD Inga Kopała, and around half the workforce directly employed are women, too. Is that the key, or is that just part of it? Amberth deals mainly with residential clients and frequently it is the woman in the household who takes most interest in the detail of the kitchen or bathroom design. Certainly, women feel less likely to be talked down to or patronized when discussing construction or design with a female designer. Amberth is a family firm, run by Inga, with her husband as Project Director, and his brother in Poland manufacturing the furniture. Inga is committed to the value of people and the role they play. Of course, Amberth uses only the best materials and appliances, but if the communication and trust is not there between clients and design/installation ream, the client will not appreciate the end result and it will all be for nothing. Leadership showed during lockdown, too. When they had no choice but to close the showroom for a while, the company discovered that it was actually an opportunity. Inga led her team to brainstorm ideas to respond to lockdown restrictions which led to innovative solutions, better in the long run for their clients. Now, Amberth has honed their remote consultation process to a fine art. Lockdown also gave Inga the time to bring in an outside perspective in the form of a business Action Coach. Effective leadership means admitting when you don’t have all the answers.

Stuart Mason had it all and more: a national chain of print shops, a business property portfolio worth £1.4 million and £500K in the bank. He travelled his business empire in his helicopter or his hand-built Aston Martin. Then, one day, he lost it all. What did he do right? What did he do wrong?

In this special Red Chair edition of Pole Position: The Polish Business Podcast, I welcome Martin Stepek, the founding director of the Scottish Family Business Association. Martin shares the extraordinary life story of his father, Jan Stepek, a business magnate and war hero. From surviving a Soviet gulag to building a multi-million-pound family business in Scotland, Jan's journey is one of resilience and determination. Martin delves into the successes and failures of his father's business, offering insights into the challenges of unprepared success. This episode is part one of Martin's story, with a second installment to follow. Join me as we explore the remarkable legacy of the Stepek family and the lessons learned from their experiences.

Dorota Peszkowska joined PBLINK Stories for a special settled status edition and delved into the detail of what support is available for European (EU, EEA and Swiss) citizens in the UK. Dorota is a journalist, a campaigner and an activist. She moved to Scotland in 2015 from Warsaw and has worked as Editor in Chief at Emito.net in Edinburgh; Project Coordinator for EU Citizens’ Rights Project; a Human Testing Technician for the University of Edinburgh; and now works as EU Settlement Scheme Project Officer with Feniks Counselling, Personal Development and Support Services. Dorota’s role involves both advising and assisting European citizens with the paperwork involved in securing pre-settled or settled status in the UK.