Ace Biz Hacks

Ace Biz Hacks with Assim Ishaque delivers no-nonsense insights into the real challenges of entrepreneurship—because building a business isn’t all success stories. Discover lessons from the 60% of entrepreneurs who don’t make it past five years, with raw, practical advice from an experienced founder and mentor. In each episode, Assim tackles critical startup challenges—like cash flow struggles, marketing flops, and business pivots—sharing his own hard-won insights and actionable hacks. With over 20 years of experience launching ventures, raising capital, and mentoring founders, he delivers straight talk and real solutions for entrepreneurs at any stage. Subscribe to Ace Biz Hacks and get real-world business tips to overcome obstacles, avoid common pitfalls, and fast-track your success. 🎙️ Hosted by Assim Ishaque 📢 Sponsored by The Entrepreneur’s Trust (www.entreust.org) 🔗 LinkedIn: Assim Ishaque 📸 Instagram: @asimbrix

Sometimes things can get confusing in the workplace, caused by issues ranging from communication difficulties to office politics. But how do you weather the storm? This episode will teach you how to simplify workplace issues – from recognising your own complexities to keeping in control. This podcast is NOT sponsored by Rolls Royce, but it could help you to buy one a little sooner - of thats your goal ! It is sponsored by The Entrepreneurs Trust www.entreust.org Presented by Assim Ishaque Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/assimishaque/ Instagram @asimbrix

Fear of selling is holding you back! 🚨 If you struggle with sales, it’s not just hurting your business—it’s affecting your confidence, too. In this episode, we uncover the real reasons behind sales anxiety and how to overcome it for good. Mastering sales isn’t just about closing deals—it’s about gaining the confidence to succeed in all areas of life. This episode is NOT sponsored by Breitling watches—but conquer your fear, and you might afford one sooner. 😉 📢 Sponsored by The Entrepreneur’s Trust (www.entreust.org) 🎙️ Hosted by Assim Ishaque 🔗 LinkedIn: Assim Ishaque 📸 Instagram: @asimbrix

Founders get endless invites to pitch ideas and present innovations—but is it always worth it? 🤔 Pitching takes time, energy, and focus, so when should you say “Yes” and when is a firm “No” the smarter move? In this episode, we break down the real value of pitching, how to spot time-wasters, and when to step back to focus on what truly matters. 🎙️ Hosted by Assim Ishaque 📢 Sponsored by The Entrepreneur’s Trust (www.entreust.org) 🔗 LinkedIn: Assim Ishaque 📸 Instagram: @asimbrix

As entrepreneurs, we chase sales, funding, and social media attention—hoping people will pay. 💰 But in the rush, we often lose sight of why we started and what true wealth really means. In this episode, we explore the entrepreneurial ‘bubble,’ how to break free, make a real impact, and recharge your mindset. It’s about more than just business—it’s about lifting others up, too. This podcast is sponsored by The Entrepreneur’s Trust (www.entreust.org), supporting startups with training and guidance. 🎙️ Hosted by Assim Ishaque 🔗 LinkedIn: Assim Ishaque 📸 Instagram: @asimbrix

Dealing with Business Intimidation – It’s real, and it can happen to anyone. Should you fight back, step away, or take another approach? In this episode, we break down practical ways to handle intimidation, develop coping strategies, and recognize when to seek support—because you’re not alone. This podcast is sponsored by The Entrepreneur’s Trust (www.entreust.org), providing training and support for startups. 🚫 Not sponsored by Hiscox Business Insurance—but we’ll tell you if you might need them! 🎙️ Hosted by Assim Ishaque 🔗 LinkedIn: Assim Ishaque 📸 Instagram: @asimbrix

Diversity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem – a great goal, but sadly reality. In this podcast two entrepreneurs of Asian origin talk about how a lack of black entrepreneurs is bothering us both. My guest in this podcast is Umesh Kumar, serial entrepreneur on his 4th startup, an innovation consultant working Unilever, P&G, SXSW, Techstars, Virgin Startups, European Pioneers and The Accelerator Network in the UK and internationally. With his insightful experience he positively driven to make a difference in the world. Notice: This conversation gets emotional and but too controversial too - not for children. This podcast was recorded in July 2020, published in Black History Month, October 2020. Get in touch with Umesh : LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meshkumar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mesh_kumar Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mesh_Kumar Listen to his fantastic series of podcasts: If you would like to see behind the scenes, follow our dedicated podcast pages. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigideaswithmesh Twitter: https://twitter.com/ideaswithmesh

Why are so few innovative black entrepreneurs making making through? I talk with Dr. Ifeyinwa Kanu the Founder of IntelliDigest Limited and multi award winning innovator of catering scale Anaerobic Digestion technology she's a Fellow of Royal Society of the Arts, Council member of the Women’s Engineering Society, to name a few of her credentials. We talk about Dr Kanu’s surprising perspective on the Black Lives Matter movement and on how black entrepreneurs receive less than equal treatment in their business life. Despite impressive credentials we talk about her challenges seeking investment. To contact Dr Ifeyinwa Kanu: linkedin.com/in/ifeyinwa-kanu-84331874 Twitter: @ifeyinwa_kanu @IntelliDigest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntelliDigest.ltd/ https://intellidigest.com/

Our favourite books are prized and writing your own is on the bucket list of many. As a result of COVID-19, many find themselves increasingly reflective and thinking about writing our own book. But where do we begin? how do we actually turn an idea into a book worth reading and what's involved? In this podcast I talk to author and writing coach, Ginny Carter, recent winner of the Business Book Awards ‘Sales & Marketing’ category. As an expert in communicating your message, Ginny lays out a step-by-step method to writing your book, from finding your voice to planning your ideas. Learn how to turn your thoughts into productivity, as we discuss the opportunities that authoring a great book offers, such as growing your business, increasing your impact and the monetary issues too. Listen in on this podcast and embark on your very own book journey! You can find Ginny here: Website: https://marketingtwentyone.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnycarter/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/_ginnycarter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingTwentyone/

We talk about the pandemic legal conundrums facing business and take heed of issues that entrepreneurs need to be aware of with Amardeep Gill, partner in law firm Trowers & Hamlins and nationally ranked Solicitor by Chambers UK and Acritas. Through his work advising 5G projects and digital tech firms we consider how tech saved our social connections throughout this pandemic and how this shift could form a permanent change in society. As a partner in his firm, we discuss what good leadership during this difficult time. Connect with Amardeep at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amardeep-gill-74166358/ Website: https://www.trowers.com/

What do you do when your business is being crushed by the impact of the Pandemic? Do you give up and go home or do you stand up in a fight ? Geeta Salhan established her specialist catering company with her sister after struggling to find a company to serve her own health needs. Green Sisters is now an award winning food service company focussing on meeting the needs of consumers with health and dietary needs without cutting out flavour and nutritional value. Geeta explains where she sought inspiration to completely tear up her business model, fighting through the pandemic challenges. Listen in as we talk about risks, entering a new market, learning by doing, driven by necessity and led by a greater mission. www.greensisters.co.uk twitter : @GreenSisters Instagram: Greensister_official Geeta on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/geeta-salhan-2470892/

Meet Petar Zaharinov, CTO and Radina Popova, CEO of DiFOLD in Bulgaria, who are braving the pandemic to launch their folding reusable water bottle. An Architect by profession, Peter explains how his 4 years research to develop a collapsible design technology was accelerated by when his highly business co-founder in Radina, a former Saatchi and Saatchi marketeer joined him to form a company. Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology Climate KIC (EIT Climate KIC) accelerator provided DiFOLD with an initial grant and mentoring to start building a commercial plan around their project. DiFOLD demonstrates the importance of a complementary team in taking innovation to revenue and shows ’Bill Aulets 24 Steps of Disciplined Entrepreneurship’ and Seth Godin’s customer focus in action. Radina explains how early failures helped refine their customer ‘persona’ to better formulate their message and mission. These two climate focused innovators treat the pandemic as another challenge as they dive into their Kickstarter crowdsource funding campaign. The Entrepreneurs Trust wishes them every success. www.difold.tech Radina Popova: www.linkedin.com/in/radinapopova Petar Zaharinov: www.linkedin.com/in/petar-zaharinov-81b62524/ Social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/difold.tech Instagram: www.instagram.com/difold.tech/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/OrigamiBottle LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/difold/

Survival through the COVID19 pandemic is a stretch for us all and for many it’s a tragedy; a first in most of our lifetimes. In 2016, a heavily pregnant Natalie Queiroz went through a 9 minute murderous attack that changed her life forever. It was a complete surprise to the medics that she survived, but not to Natalie, who ‘decided’ she was going to live. Natalie and her baby survived, and things were never the same again. She grabbed a hold of life, continuing to raise her family in a positive manner, raised thousands of pounds for the charity who were a key part of her survival that fateful day, founded an organisation addressing the growing threat of knife crime, authored a top selling book and delivered a TEDx talk. In this podcast we talk about her ‘decision’ and the importance of four key elements of the survival mindset that are applicable to entrepreneurs facing systematic threat to their businesses. Be inspired to thrive through this challenging time – it’s your choice! Further information about Natalie Queiroz can be found here: Her motivational speaking/coaching company Natalie Q Inspire Ltd: www.qinspire.co.uk TEDx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHrdDXZwzuM Her book – ‘Still Standing’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Still-Standing-Natalie-Queiroz/dp/1789460654

Creative businesses have a great impact on society through their music, design work, software development, architectural creation, social media impacts. They contribute to the ‘culture’ of society. But how do they deal with the impact of COVID19 ? For some immediate prospects are bleak. How should they respond, what is the way forward for them? In this podcast I am joined by the CEO of The Creative Quarter Company in Nottingham, Stephen Barker. Come on board this conversation as he provides a healthy perspective on how creative businesses should be collaborative in their attitude, maintain an optimistic mindset if they can, and take responsibility for their own future. And how agencies like the Creative Quarter can help. Listen in on his thoughts on how the pandemic, whilst calamitous now for many, may leave some positive lasting legacy too. For Further information The Creative Quarter Website : www.creativequarter.com Find and connect with other businesses https://www.creativequarter.com/cqfinder

Managing the impact of COVID19 on your business like a corporate with Gosia Walendzik, Certified Change Management Professional How should small companies, entrepreneurs and innovators react to a global shutdown? Strap yourselves in! In this podcast, I talk to Gosia Walendzik - advocate for the behavioural change. This is an honest conversation about knowing how people react to adverse change can help you and your company’s future. We talk about what big corporate companies do, how do they manage in times of crisis and what can we learn from them. Whether you are a big company, entrepreneur or innovator – learn how to successfully lead in times of uncertainty. Gosia is a certified change management professional and passionate for strengthening the case for behavioural change. She has over a decade of experience leading complex change programmes encompassing transformation and human transition processes. She is a member of the Change Management Institute and co-leads the London Chapter for this community of practice. If you have any questions to Gosia email her at hello@acceleratechange.co.uk Follow Gosia on: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratechange/ Instagram: @gosia_walendzik Website: https://www.acceleratechange.co.uk/

Governments, healthcare and corporates are moving at rapid speed to deal with the COVID19 pandemic. But what do innovative entrepreneurs do? Yes, we follow the guidelines but how do we respond in our business? How do we deal with cancellations of meetings, deals and opportunities? The Entrepreneurs Trust Podcast brings together two other innovative Coaches, Consultants and Speakers: Debbie Clarke of www.Debbiedooodah.co.uk : digital coach and brand strategist and speaker with Steve Hobbs of www.askingbetterquestions.co.uk a professional facilitator, executive coach and speaker. We all work with the startup community, incubators and universities and have interesting experiences probably similar to many ambitions’ small businesses. The three of us talk openly about how we are coping, how our plans are shifting and come up with our creative ideas to keep calm and carry on!

Listen into a live discussion with 6 ‘climate change’ focussed entrepreneurs from across Europe as we unpick their business model before their stakeholders do ! This is a section of my two day seminar for Europe’s leading investor for sustainability focussed businesses, EIT Climate KIC. We used my framework to help entrepreneurs assess the weaknesses in their business model before anyone outside their business does. These smart entrepreneurs allowed me to record this conversation to review their Business Model where we get to hear the issues of concerns for them – and not where we would have expected. Listen in if you preparing your business to raise funding, find new customers, suppliers and need some inspiration make sure it as robust as you need it !

The Entrepreneurs Trust ‘Secret Sauce’ Podcast with Onyeka Obiacha, Managing Director of the – The Tsai Centre for Innovative Thinking at Yale University https://entreust.org/2019/12/02/ethical-coffee-cups-to-world-class-innovation-centre-leadership/

The entrepreneur’s journey is often a bumpy ride – not something that Business Schools, incubators and accelerators really consider in much depth. In this podcast, I discuss some of those situations and look at what entrepreneurs need to know to get through the stinky situations when they happen. Listen in and be prepared.

An entrepreneur has to be so many things to so many people, which can cause conflicts and stress. But what is the actual identity that such a person should actually adopt? As an entrepreneur, you are so many things. These include being some ones’ role model, an amazing employer, coach, friend, battling with updating the social media presence, stretched by your own ambition as well as the cause that you are in, plus the objectives and targets your setting for yourself. Is easy so see that being so many things can be difficult.