Business Mutiny by Jon Graves

In this episode of Business Mutiny, Jon speaks with Jason Green, former founder and now an EOS Implementer, about why so many founders become trapped in the businesses they built. Jason shares the highs and lows of his own entrepreneurial journey — from scaling a company to 250 people and selling it, to raising and losing $5 million, to nearly breaking under the pressure of running a chaotic service business. They unpack how EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) helps founders move from confusion to clarity through better vision, accountability, people, structure and execution. A must-listen for founders, leaders and business owners who feel like everything still runs through them.

What if the way your brain works isn’t the problem?   In this episode of Business Mutiny, I sit down with Anna Daphna, an ADHD and neurodiversity specialist, to explore how neurodivergent brains actually work and why so many entrepreneurs, founders and creative thinkers fall into this category.   We talk openly about ADHD, dyslexia, burnout, masking, executive function and confidence, and why traditional systems like schools and corporate workplaces often fail people who think differently.   Anna explains why many neurodivergent people struggle with things like focus, planning, delegation and perfectionism, yet can thrive in environments that allow creativity, speed and problem solving.   We also explore the connection between ADHD and entrepreneurship, why people with neurodivergent traits are far more likely to start businesses, and how business owners can better support both themselves and their teams.   We cover: What neurodivergent actually means Why ADHD isn’t simply a “disorder” How schools and workplaces misunderstand different brains Why many founders struggle with delegation and focus The difference between flow and hyperfocus How nervous system regulation affects productivity Practical advice for parents, leaders and entrepreneurs   If you’ve ever felt like the system wasn’t built for your brain or you manage people who think differently, this conversation will change how you see performance, productivity and success.

Are you wondering why your broadband, mobile and phone bills keep going up every year? In this video I explain what’s really happening inside the UK telecoms market and why so many telecom providers are increasing prices in 2026. Many customers assume telecom companies are simply increasing prices to make more profit. The reality is far more complex. Wholesale telecom networks across the UK are increasing prices dramatically as the industry prepares for the PSTN switch-off in 2027, forcing businesses and consumers to migrate away from copper services and onto fibre networks. In this video I break down: • Why UK broadband prices are rising • The impact of the PSTN copper network shutdown • Major Openreach wholesale price increases • Why some telecom suppliers are doubling legacy service costs • How Ofcom regulation has changed price rise structures • Why smaller telecom providers often don’t profit from these increases • How businesses can reduce telecom costs by switching services   We also look at real examples of price rises from major UK telecom suppliers including Openreach, Gamma, Vodafone, CityFibre and mobile networks like EE, O2 and Three. If you run a UK business and want to understand telecom price rises, broadband costs and mobile contract increases, this video explains what’s happening behind the scenes. And if you want help reviewing your telecom bill, I’m offering a £100 challenge — if we can’t save you money, I’ll send you £100 personally. Check us out http://www.northerntelecom.co.uk #Telecoms #Broadband #UKBusiness #TelecomPriceRise #Connectivity #BusinessBroadband #MobileNetworks #PSTNSwitchoff #Ofcom #TelecomIndustry

In this episode of Business Mutiny, Jon sits down with Conor Hull from CW Finance to unpack the real journey from employee to business owner just six months into going solo.   Conor shares what it’s actually like stepping out on your own: the mindset shift, the pressure when the phone doesn’t ring, the unexpected admin and marketing workload, and why having the right support network can make or break the early stages.   They also break down business finance in straightforward terms: Asset finance explained (hard vs soft assets) Hire Purchase vs Leasing What lenders really look at When personal guarantees are required Why interest rates vary so much The pros and risks of invoice finance Common mistakes SMEs make when funding vehicles and equipment   If you’re a business owner considering financing assets or you simply want to understand how borrowing should be structured without wrecking your cash flow this episode gives you clarity without the jargon.   Practical. Honest. No fluff.   Listen in and make smarter financial decisions for your business.

In this clip from my interview with Chris Worden from Director First, we tackle one of the biggest issues still facing UK business owners — Bounce Back Loans.   Thousands of directors are still carrying BBL debt. Some are unsure what their options are. Others are facing serious consequences after misuse. And with HMRC winding up petitions increasing, the pressure on directors has never been higher.   In this conversation we cover: What to do if you still have a Bounce Back Loan The difference between genuine struggle and Bounce Back Loan fraud Director disqualification statistics and what they mean How many directors have been banned recently What happens when HMRC issues a winding up petition Practical advice if your company is insolvent When to seek professional help   This isn’t scare tactics — it’s clarity.   If you’re a UK director, shareholder or business owner with outstanding government-backed debt, this is a conversation you need to hear.   ⚠️ If you’ve received letters from HMRC, a statutory demand, or a winding up petition — act early. Avoiding it makes it worse.   Watch the full interview for deeper insights into insolvency, director responsibilities and protecting yourself properly.   #BounceBackLoan #DirectorDisqualification #HMRC #WindingUpPetition #UKBusiness #Insolvency #CompanyDirectors #BusinessDebt #SME #Entrepreneurship

Leadership isn’t theory... it’s execution.   In this episode, I sit down with Steve McNicholas, leadership practitioner, author, and performance specialist, to break down what real leadership looks like inside growing businesses.   We cover: Leadership development in SMEs How to close the gap between strategy and results Self-leadership and executive accountability Building high-performance teams Avoiding burnout as a founder or CEO Leadership mindset vs management tactics How to stop being the bottleneck in your business Why most businesses struggle with DIY leadership   Steve shares his “Leadership Success Engineering” framework — focusing on self-awareness, team alignment, performance management, and building an operating system for scalable leadership.   If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, CEO, managing director, or senior leader trying to grow a business without losing control, this episode is packed with practical leadership strategies you can apply immediately.   This isn’t guru theory. It’s real-world leadership, built from experience in corporate, private equity, and SME environments. Keywords: leadership development, leadership skills, business leadership, executive leadership, CEO mindset, entrepreneur leadership, high performance teams, performance management, self leadership, leadership coaching, management training, SME leadership, founder journey, scaling a business, accountability, decision making, organisational culture, leadership framework, business growth strategy, private equity leadership

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Worden to have an honest, unfiltered conversation about what really happens when business goes wrong and what directors actually need in those moments. We talk about the thinking behind Director First and why so many business owners wait too long before asking for support. Chris shares where he first experienced the realities of business distress firsthand, and how those early lessons shaped his approach to helping directors navigate pressure, uncertainty, and tough decisions. We break down the real options on the table when a business is struggling — not the myths, not the panic-driven advice, but the practical routes available to directors when things aren’t going to plan. From early intervention to more formal processes, we explore what choice actually looks like when emotions, responsibility, and livelihoods are all involved. Most importantly, we talk about mindset. Why peace before profit has become the guiding principle behind Chris’s work, and why protecting people mentally, emotionally, and personally, matters just as much as protecting numbers on a balance sheet. This is a conversation for founders, directors, and leaders who want clarity without fear, honesty without judgement, and a reminder that asking for help early is a strength, not a failure. If you’re a business owner navigating pressure, or simply want a deeper understanding of what really happens behind the scenes when companies struggle, this episode is well worth your time. https://directorfirst.uk/ https://www.youtube.com/@DirectorFirst https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-worden-01090b46/  

In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Miller — business coach, multiple author, TEDx speaker, and founder of Business Enjoyment to talk about what success really looks like once the noise fades.   After spending 16 years working in insolvency at KPMG and Barclays, Andrew has seen business at its very worst. He’s watched owners lose everything, not just financially, but emotionally and that experience shaped a very different view of leadership and success.   We explore why business is simple, but people are complicated, why so many business owners feel unfulfilled even when things look good on paper, and why enjoyment should be treated as a serious barometer — not a luxury.   This is a conversation about: Why money alone isn’t a measure of success The emotional connection between owners and their businesses Leadership, pressure, and burnout Purpose, enjoyment, and fulfilment Why changing yourself often comes before changing the business   Andrew challenges the idea that success is about profits, titles, or possessions, and instead argues that if you’re not enjoying what you do, something is broken — and it’s worth fixing.   An honest, thoughtful discussion for business owners who want more than just growth for growth’s sake.

In this episode, I sit down with James Gardner to unpack a moment that stayed with him, being the unhappiest person in what’s meant to be the happiest place on earth. That experience opens up a wider conversation around happiness, pressure, and success, and how those ideas shift as you move through different stages of life and business. We also dive into goal setting, acquisitions, and James’s journey from corporate life to business exit, and ultimately to owning and running funeral homes — a path that gives him a very different perspective on time, priorities, and what really matters. This is a real, grounded discussion about ambition, fulfilment, and building a life and business that actually makes sense to you.

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Newnham, author, copywriter, speaker, and creator of the Space Ranger Fred series to talk about the real journey behind the books. From sofa-surfing to becoming a published author, Matt shares what it actually takes to turn creativity into a sustainable business. We dig into storytelling, resilience, rejection, and how his background in marketing and communications shaped his success as a writer. This is a conversation about building something meaningful, taking risks, learning fast, and sticking with it when the odds aren’t in your favour, lessons that apply far beyond publishing. If you’re building a business, chasing a creative career, or trying to turn an idea into something real, this episode is for you. Space Range Fred is available now at https://www.spacerangerfred.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Matt-Newnham/author/B019Y7BM7O?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=IkzsWihIWIV73QJKcqHKGJX2BOVmROjzz3UjYoO9QtE Topics covered: • Turning creativity into a business • The realities of being a published author • From marketing to storytelling • Failure, resilience, and momentum • Why consistency beats talent   🔔 Subscribe for more real business stories 🎧 Full episode available now #BusinessMutiny #Entrepreneurship #AuthorJourney #CreativeBusiness #RealStories Subscribe to the channel for business insights, podcasts, and expert advice. 👍 Like the video 💬 Comment your thoughts 🔁 Share with your network 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode 🔗 Follow Jon Graves Website: https://jongraves.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongraves YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jongraves TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jongraves 📩 Business Enquiries: hello@jongraves.co.uk Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.