Business Fest South West, Visibility & Building Something People Want to Talk About

Here’s another episode of Live & Linking and this week I’m joined by Gavin Harris, one of the founders of Business Fest South West.

Gavin’s story is a brilliant one because not that long ago hardly anyone in the South West business community knew who he was. Fast forward to now and Business Fest South West has become a real fixture in the calendar. We chat about how it all started, what inspired him to launch a brand new business festival, and why building visibility from day one mattered so much.

What I really enjoyed about this conversation was hearing how Gavin approached it with a genuine community-first mindset. From reaching out to local businesses and building relationships face-to-face, to creating those exhibitor-only pre-show networking events that have become such a big part of the BizFest experience.

We also talk about why business exhibitions don’t have to feel stuffy or corporate, and how they’ve worked hard to make the event feel energetic, welcoming, and memorable. There’s loads in here about networking, showing up consistently, marketing your business, and making sure people know who you are.

We also had a good chat about visibility on LinkedIn, social media, and why people can’t buy from you if they don’t know you exist. Gavin shares some brilliant practical insights around marketing, partnerships, events, and getting noticed in crowded spaces.

If you’re building a business, planning events, or looking for ways to become more visible in your industry, you’ll get loads from this one.

Connect with Ashley:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/

Website: https://just.15mins.day

Live & Linking Hub: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13981378/

Guest contact details

Gavin Harris

Business Fest South West

Email: gavin.harris@fourfrontevents.co.uk

Phone: 07445050260

Website: www.bizfestsw.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230/

What happens when you combine LinkedIn strategy with real sales expertise? You get a conversation like this. Ashley Leeds is joined by sales trainer and LinkedIn expert Niraj Kapur to unpack why so many business owners struggle with selling, undercharge for their services, and rely too heavily on social media without building genuine relationships. Niraj shares stories from his career in publishing, events, and international sales before explaining how he now helps founders and business owners become more confident in both sales and LinkedIn.

This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone trying to grow a business. Ashley and Niraj discuss why personalised outreach works better than spammy sales messages, how storytelling builds trust faster than hard selling, and why many people are pricing themselves completely wrong. There’s also a brilliant conversation about confidence, follow-up, startup challenges, and the dangers of generic business advice. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should raise your prices, pick up the phone more often, or stop hiding behind LinkedIn posts, this episode will definitely make you think.

One of the standout moments is Niraj’s reminder that people still buy from people. Whether it’s commenting thoughtfully on someone’s LinkedIn post, researching a prospect properly before a meeting, or even sending a handwritten letter, the human touch matters more than ever. Ashley also puts Niraj through a live “Roast My Post” session where they break down how LinkedIn content can either help or hurt your reach. Honest, practical, and full of value, this is a must-listen for business owners who want to improve visibility and sales without losing authenticity.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Meet Niraj Kapur

02:18 Niraj’s career journey

04:26 Why people hate selling

05:34 Building trust on LinkedIn

07:08 The power of handwritten outreach

09:31 Researching clients properly

11:04 Storytelling vs persuasion

13:06 Pricing and undercharging

15:49 Charging what you’re worth

18:12 Dangerous pricing advice

19:35 Sales advice for startups

20:36 Breaking into competitive markets

22:43 Pricing creative work

25:00 Roast My Post

28:02 Why LinkedIn dislikes links

29:59 The Closers Club

Guest contact details

Niraj Kapur

Email: niraj@everybodyworksinsales.com

Phone: 07733179854

Website: www.everybodyworksinsales.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nkapur

Here’s Episode 100 of Live & Linking and what a brilliant way to celebrate the milestone.

This week I’m joined by Melanie Goodman, LinkedIn trainer, marketing consultant, and one of the leading voices helping professionals understand how to use LinkedIn and Substack together. Melanie has spent years helping businesses turn connections into conversations and conversations into real opportunities. We talked about how LinkedIn has evolved far beyond being just a job hunting platform and why so many business owners are still missing the real opportunity sitting right in front of them.

A big part of the conversation focused on content creation and why long form content is becoming more important than ever. Melanie explained how she uses Substack alongside LinkedIn to build a stronger community, create recurring revenue opportunities, and grow an email list that she actually owns. We also explored repurposing content properly, avoiding SEO problems, and why writing one great long form article can create multiple LinkedIn posts. There’s loads in here for anyone who struggles with consistency or feels overwhelmed trying to keep up with every social media platform.

We also chatted about the reality behind personal content on LinkedIn, why impressions don’t always equal clients, and how genuine engagement still matters most. Melanie shared practical advice about standing out online simply by being human, replying properly to people, and building long term relationships rather than chasing vanity metrics. If you want a smarter, calmer approach to LinkedIn marketing and content creation, this episode is packed with ideas you can use immediately.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Episode 100

00:59 Meet Melanie Goodman

05:28 Why Melanie started using Substack

11:47 What Substack actually is

14:53 Building a long form content strategy

16:00 Repurposing content with AI

17:36 Personal content vs business content

19:29 Why birthdays matter on LinkedIn

21:03 Growing your own email list

24:18 Roast My Post

28:40 Final thoughts

Guest contact details

Melanie Goodman

Email: melaniegoodman@trevisanconsulting.com

Phone: 07555106642

Website: https://www.trevisanconsulting.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniegoodman-training-marketing-employeeadvocacy/

Other: https://substack.com/@melaniegoodmanlinkedinconsultant

This week’s episode is all about one thing Accountex.

I sat down with Caroline Hobden, Portfolio Director behind one of the biggest accounting events in the world, to talk about what actually goes into making it happen and why it keeps getting bigger every year. From the moment you walk into the Excel to the buzz on the show floor, Caroline gives a real behind-the-scenes look at what makes this event tick and why it’s become such a key date in the calendar.

We get into the practical side as well. How do you deal with over 400 speakers and 16 stages? What should you plan before you even arrive? And what are the small things that can make a big difference on the day like downloading the app, wearing the right shoes, and knowing where to go when you need a break. Caroline also shares what’s new this year including the FD Show, the AI advisory hub, and a more accessible HMRC presence where you can actually speak to someone face-to-face.

If you’ve ever been overwhelmed at a big event or felt like you missed more than you saw, this episode will help you approach it differently. It’s about having a plan, knowing your priorities, and making the most of every conversation. Whether you’re attending Accountex this year or just curious about how events like this work, there’s plenty in here you can take away and use straight away.

Guest contact details

Email: chobden@divcom.co.uk

Phone: 07740104215

Website: https://www.accountex.co.uk/london/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-hobden-62888519/

This week, I’m chatting with Justin Ricklefs, founder of Guild Collective and author of Give a Damn. Justin joins me bright and early from Kansas City, coffee in hand, and we get straight into what really matters. Not just business, but life. Family, leadership, and why who you are matters far more than what you do. It’s one of those conversations that makes you stop and think about how you’re showing up, both online and offline.

We dig into Justin’s core idea that care can actually be a competitive advantage. Sounds simple, but most businesses completely miss it. He breaks down his four Cs: curiosity, compassion, clarity, and consistency. We talk about why clarity is often the missing piece, how consistency actually drives results, and why businesses that ignore the human side are leaving opportunities on the table. There’s also a brilliant discussion around personal branding and why people connect with people, not polished corporate noise.

And of course, we couldn’t leave it there. We put one of Justin’s LinkedIn posts under the spotlight in Roast My Post. It’s a proper, honest breakdown of why good content sometimes doesn’t land and what to do differently. If you’re trying to build your presence, connect with your audience, and actually stand out, there’s plenty here you can take and use straight away.

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/

Website: https://just.15mins.day

Live & Linking Hub: https://just.15mins.day

Guest contact details

Email: justin@guildcollective.com

Website: justinricklefs.com

Website: guildcollective.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinricklefs/

In this episode, I chat with Ben Westerby, a fractional FD and business mentor who’s built a strong personal brand by doing something most people avoid… just showing up. Ben shares what it was like before LinkedIn became part of his routine, when he was barely posting, low on confidence, and unsure what to say. If that sounds familiar, you’re going to see yourself in this conversation straight away.

We get into what actually changed. Not theory. Not hacks. Just simple, consistent action. Ben talks about how posting regularly, sharing a mix of personal and professional content, and yes, even telling dad jokes on a Friday helped him stand out. We also unpack the moment video came into play, why it felt uncomfortable at first, and how that discomfort quickly turned into confidence. There’s a great reminder here that content doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be real.

What’s really interesting is what happened next. More conversations. More opportunities. More trust. Ben explains how visibility led directly to business, and how people now approach him because they feel like they already know him. We also talk about his new venture, Find Your Fractional, and how he’s helping others step into that world with more clarity and support. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines with LinkedIn, this episode will give you the nudge you need to get involved.

Guest contact details

Ben Westerby

• Email: ben@westerbyconsultancy.co.uk
• Phone: 07771697857
• Website: https://www.findyourfractional.io/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-westerby/

Here’s the final episode of the BizFest SW Takeover, and it’s a proper mix of insight, energy, and real-world business conversations.

I’m joined by Lisa Bailey-Brown, Jannice Jones, and Rachel Pearce, all of whom are gearing up for Business Fest South West. Each of them brings a completely different perspective, which makes this episode such a good listen. From life-saving innovation to workplace wellbeing and family support, this one covers more than you’d expect in a short space of time.

We get into some important topics. Lisa shares how LifeVac works and why choking emergencies need more awareness, especially when traditional first aid doesn’t always work. Jannice breaks down what businesses are getting wrong when it comes to burnout, neurodiversity, and inclusion, and more importantly, what they can do about it without overcomplicating things. Rachel talks about building a family hub alongside nurseries and why early support for parents is something that’s needed now more than ever. It’s practical, honest, and full of real examples from people actually doing the work.

What I love about this episode is how grounded it is. No fluff, just people who care about what they do and want to make a difference. If you’re heading to BizFest, this gives you a great preview. If you’re not, you’ll still walk away with ideas you can use straight away in your business or life.

Timestamps

00:00 The chaos and energy of going live

00:39 Introducing the guests

01:49 Lisa Bailey-Brown and LifeVac explained

03:08 How the LifeVac device works

04:00 Why first aid is not always enough

05:31 Jannice Jones on neurodiversity and workplace change

07:03 Preventing burnout in business

08:07 Rachel Pearce and the family hub model

10:46 Supporting families beyond childcare

11:27 The bird question

12:01 LifeVac myths and misconceptions

15:58 First aid awareness reality check

17:58 Jannice on EDI and business impact

20:07 Practical ways to avoid burnout

22:07 Rachel’s business journey

24:46 Why they’re attending BizFest

28:20 How to connect with each guest

Connect with Ashley:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/Website: https://just.15mins.dayLive & Linking Hub: https://just.15mins.day

Guest contact details

Gavin Harris

Email: gavin.harris@fourfrontevents.co.uk

Website: businessfestsw.co.uk

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230

Phone: 01726982197

Lisa Bailey-Brown

Email: lisa.bailey-brown@lifevac.uk

Website: www.lifevac.uk

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-b-860949397

Phone: 07306 750736

Rachel Pearce

Email: helloelihouse@outlook.com

Website: www.elihouse.co.uk

Instagram: eli_house_familyhub

Jannice Jones MSc

Email: support@jannicejones.com

Website: https://www.jannicejones.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannicejones-neurodiversity-consultant/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jannicejonescoaching/

BizFest SW Takeover – Week 11 | Ethical Sales That Actually Work with Richard Palmer

Tickets for Bizfest - Website: businessfestsw.co.uk

I’m Ashley Leeds, The 15-Minute Guy. I help business owners get more visibility on LinkedIn using simple daily habits that take 15 minutes a day.Want more visibility on LinkedIn (in just 15 minutes a day)? Then get a detailed report to show your strengths and things you may be missing. Take my Visibility Quiz and get a clear plan to improve your profile, content, and daily habit.Visibility Scorecard (start here): https://15mins.day/scoreIf the word sales makes you feel uncomfortable… this episode is for you.

In Week 11 of the BizFest SW Takeover, I’m joined by Richard Palmer, sales trainer, author, and founder of SureTrain and Sales Station.

Richard has spent years helping small business owners learn how to sell without feeling pushy, awkward, or “salesy”.Because here’s the truth.

Most people don’t start a business because they want to sell.They start because they’re passionate about what they do.But if you can’t communicate your value, your business simply won’t grow.In this conversation, Richard breaks down what ethical sales actually means and why the traditional view of selling is completely wrong.

We talk about the simple frameworks that help you have better conversations with clients, qualify the right customers, and turn everyday chats into consistent sales.We also dive into his book The Ethical Sales Handbook, where he shares practical techniques to help business owners sell confidently, ethically, and profitably.If you’re heading to Business Fest South West, Richard is also running a series of masterclasses designed to help small businesses win more work without pressure or gimmicks.

This episode is packed with practical advice you can start using immediately.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and BizFest Takeover Week 11

01:13 Meet Richard Palmer

02:20 Why small businesses struggle with sales

04:25 The Ethical Sales Handbook explained

06:10 The two most important sales questions

09:26 Common sales mistakes business owners make

11:22 Why fear of selling holds businesses back

12:50 The importance of discovery conversations

15:18 Structuring a simple sales process

17:10 Why commitment matters before price

18:50 Should you put prices on your website?

19:02 Presenting your solution the right way

21:50 The most common objections in sales

23:04 Handling “It’s too expensive” properly

25:26 Value vs cost in sales conversations

27:10 Richard’s masterclasses at BizFest SW

30:44 How to connect with Richard

Watch the full episode and learn how to sell in a way that feels natural and authentic..

Guest contact detailsGavin HarrisEmail: gavin.harris@fourfrontevents.co.uk

Phone: 01726982197

Website: businessfestsw.co.ukLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gavinharris6230

Richard PalmerEmail: richard@suretrain.co.uk

Phone: 07831172022

Website: https://www.suretrain.co.uk/sales-station

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-palmer-8466144/Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://15mins.day/ashleyBook a quick call with me: https://tidycal.com/ashleyleeds/New videos weekly on LinkedIn visibility, content, and small actions that build trust.