Business Success Stories Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:28:24 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2121139 en-us © 2026 Business Success Stories yes 388505ec-ad1e-532e-8fcb-dc6832b6eeed John Evans episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) John Evans https://storage.buzzsprout.com/saqmwfwqdtmqysrp4l2yp2x3i4r1?.jpg Business Success Stories https://www.buzzsprout.com/2121139 Episode 6 - Samantha Wood Episode 6 - Samantha Wood Samantha Wood is our guest for Episode 6.  Sam is a Wealth Manager. She started her new company Wood Mitchell in 2022, to help people plan for wealth and protection when things go wrong.    
Sam has been on an incredible journey to get to this point.  From a challenging upbringing, to life in the Army, first as a soldier and later becoming an Army Officer.   To recovering from a near death accident on her bike training for a triathlon when she came off at high speed causing multiple injuries and a spell in hospital.  We talk about all these challenges she has been through.  The key points to the discussion are all around grit, resilience and determination.    A must listen to episode.   

The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> Samantha Wood is our guest for Episode 6.  Sam is a Wealth Manager. She started her new company Wood Mitchell in 2022, to help people plan for wealth and protection when things go wrong.    
Sam has been on an incredible journey to get to this point.  From a challenging upbringing, to life in the Army, first as a soldier and later becoming an Army Officer.   To recovering from a near death accident on her bike training for a triathlon when she came off at high speed causing multiple injuries and a spell in hospital.  We talk about all these challenges she has been through.  The key points to the discussion are all around grit, resilience and determination.    A must listen to episode.   

The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> Buzzsprout-12532328 Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000 4329 1 6 full false Episode 5 - David Girault Episode 5 - David Girault David Girault is today's guest.  We get to speak about his early days growing up as the son of a farmer in his home state of Texas, where his mum and dad managed over 3000 acres of land, and owning over 700 acres. How his father was a massive influence in his life, and being exposed to seeing his dad involved in banking and property development, lead to him not seeking a career in farming.  We spoke about partnerships and making good choices. We spoke about his desire to build a multi-billion dollar enterprise and acquiring anywhere between 300-500 businesses over the next 3-5 years.   We spoke about how he is adapting to working with his new entrepreneurial group and what that team looks like.   His favourite quotes and the books he has read that have inspired him.  All in all, we spent an hour talking all things business, where he has had success, and failings, and how he has learnt from those failures.  

The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> David Girault is today's guest.  We get to speak about his early days growing up as the son of a farmer in his home state of Texas, where his mum and dad managed over 3000 acres of land, and owning over 700 acres. How his father was a massive influence in his life, and being exposed to seeing his dad involved in banking and property development, lead to him not seeking a career in farming.  We spoke about partnerships and making good choices. We spoke about his desire to build a multi-billion dollar enterprise and acquiring anywhere between 300-500 businesses over the next 3-5 years.   We spoke about how he is adapting to working with his new entrepreneurial group and what that team looks like.   His favourite quotes and the books he has read that have inspired him.  All in all, we spent an hour talking all things business, where he has had success, and failings, and how he has learnt from those failures.  

The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> John Evans Buzzsprout-12492102 Wed, 22 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000 3711 1 5 full false Episode 4 - Carl Allen Episode 4 - Carl Allen Many people will know Carl Allen as a coach and trainer for his business, Dealmaker Wealth Society.  He has over 12,000 students, and over 450 Proteges who get to be coached by Carl and his team daily.  But who is he?  How did he get to become a coach, and mentor to so many people, including myself?   

This podcast, all 1 hour 20 minutes, will give you an insight into who Carl is, where he began, such as overcoming the tragic loss of his father at such a young age. How he then used that experience for him to get into the world of mergers and acquisitions working for Bank of America on Wall Street, where he was involved in buying over 300 businesses.

Carl was very generous with his time in this podcast episode.  We discussed "mindset", and "overcoming limiting beliefs", and we spend some time going through this topic, because it is so important in dealmaking, and in life.  

Carl has his own mentor. Tony Robbins has played an important part in Carl's life, and he reveals how Tony's 6 day programme changed his perspective on life, and gave him the urge to help people. 

As a student myself within Dealmaker Wealth Society, I have heard Carl tell many of these stories, and I felt that this audience would also benefit from hearing them, as they each complete a jigsaw puzzle that makes Carl so fascinating to work with.  So strap yourselves in for 100 minutes of pure gold.

The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> Many people will know Carl Allen as a coach and trainer for his business, Dealmaker Wealth Society.  He has over 12,000 students, and over 450 Proteges who get to be coached by Carl and his team daily.  But who is he?  How did he get to become a coach, and mentor to so many people, including myself?   

This podcast, all 1 hour 20 minutes, will give you an insight into who Carl is, where he began, such as overcoming the tragic loss of his father at such a young age. How he then used that experience for him to get into the world of mergers and acquisitions working for Bank of America on Wall Street, where he was involved in buying over 300 businesses.

Carl was very generous with his time in this podcast episode.  We discussed "mindset", and "overcoming limiting beliefs", and we spend some time going through this topic, because it is so important in dealmaking, and in life.  

Carl has his own mentor. Tony Robbins has played an important part in Carl's life, and he reveals how Tony's 6 day programme changed his perspective on life, and gave him the urge to help people. 

As a student myself within Dealmaker Wealth Society, I have heard Carl tell many of these stories, and I felt that this audience would also benefit from hearing them, as they each complete a jigsaw puzzle that makes Carl so fascinating to work with.  So strap yourselves in for 100 minutes of pure gold.

The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> John Evans Buzzsprout-12383163 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000 4801 1 4 full false Episode 3 - James Sinclair Episode 3 - James Sinclair James Sinclair is the owner of The Partyman Group.  His Group now has revenues of circa £30m and he employs around 1,000 staff. 

I got the chance to interview James on Friday 27th of January (dispite in the interview I said it was 2022!).   There was a huge amount to get though, and I was grateful for James sharing details of E+M=S, his Entreprenuers Academy, how he looks at creative ways to buy both businesses and property, how he uses KPI's in hs business, how he looks within a business to promote staff.  It's a great interview with some fabulous insights to how James is building and creating a successful group of businesses.  

James started in business while still in School, and has now been in business over  20 years.   I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing James and I hope you enjoy this episode too. 

The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> James Sinclair is the owner of The Partyman Group.  His Group now has revenues of circa £30m and he employs around 1,000 staff. 

I got the chance to interview James on Friday 27th of January (dispite in the interview I said it was 2022!).   There was a huge amount to get though, and I was grateful for James sharing details of E+M=S, his Entreprenuers Academy, how he looks at creative ways to buy both businesses and property, how he uses KPI's in hs business, how he looks within a business to promote staff.  It's a great interview with some fabulous insights to how James is building and creating a successful group of businesses.  

James started in business while still in School, and has now been in business over  20 years.   I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing James and I hope you enjoy this episode too. 

The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> John Evans Buzzsprout-12175765 Fri, 03 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000 2604 1 3 full false Episode 2 - Paul Seabridge Episode 2 - Paul Seabridge Paul Seabridge is no ordinary man from the northwest of England, although he says he is.  He is extraodinary in the sense, he left school with his GCSE's and has gone on to buy over 90 businesses in the past 22 years, and no doubt build up his wealth.   Paul launched his new book in January 23: Buy, Build Sell, and much of what we discuss are chapters in his book.   His first acquisition was buying the children's nursery from his mum, allowing her to focus on what she did best, looking after the kids, and he focused on the finance and operations.  Then he learnt a lot by starting up two of his own businesses, and going through all the pain of starting a business.  He discovered M&A and has now gone on to acquire over 90 businesses.  Paul took time out from his family holiday to chat to John about his journey.  In this interview he talks about KPI's, Joint Ventures, Sales and Marketing, the 5 C's and much much more. If you are interested in buying a business this interview is going to help you understand what that jouney may look like. 


The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> Paul Seabridge is no ordinary man from the northwest of England, although he says he is.  He is extraodinary in the sense, he left school with his GCSE's and has gone on to buy over 90 businesses in the past 22 years, and no doubt build up his wealth.   Paul launched his new book in January 23: Buy, Build Sell, and much of what we discuss are chapters in his book.   His first acquisition was buying the children's nursery from his mum, allowing her to focus on what she did best, looking after the kids, and he focused on the finance and operations.  Then he learnt a lot by starting up two of his own businesses, and going through all the pain of starting a business.  He discovered M&A and has now gone on to acquire over 90 businesses.  Paul took time out from his family holiday to chat to John about his journey.  In this interview he talks about KPI's, Joint Ventures, Sales and Marketing, the 5 C's and much much more. If you are interested in buying a business this interview is going to help you understand what that jouney may look like. 


The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> john evans Buzzsprout-12106853 Tue, 24 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +0000 2942 1 2 full false Episode 1 - Abraham Gray Episode 1 - Abraham Gray Abraham Gray is a bundle of energy. He first got into business when he was 15 years old, trading baseball cards. This was bringing him $1,000 a week.  At the age of 16 he had saved $200,000.  Trading sports cards lead to buying into the Beanie Babies craze, where he made more money. By 19 he had a million dollars.  At age 47 he has made over $100 million dollars. He's started up lots of businesses and then sold.  Abraham also shares with us the power of Joint Ventures and collaborations. He talks about training and education.   What Abraham shares with us, is his work ethic and creative mind.  He's a problem solver with such a fun outgoing personality that it's hard not to like him.  And that is one of is strengths; building rapport.  Abraham explains to us how important rapport is with people.   Abraham owns many businesses, but he's also big into property investment.  He's owned over 1000 properties, and always looks for creative ways to do deals, whether it is business deals or property deals.   In this interview Abraham gives us an insight into who he is and the successes he has achieved.   Interviewed by John Evans 5th January 2023.   Show produced by John Evans. 

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> Abraham Gray is a bundle of energy. He first got into business when he was 15 years old, trading baseball cards. This was bringing him $1,000 a week.  At the age of 16 he had saved $200,000.  Trading sports cards lead to buying into the Beanie Babies craze, where he made more money. By 19 he had a million dollars.  At age 47 he has made over $100 million dollars. He's started up lots of businesses and then sold.  Abraham also shares with us the power of Joint Ventures and collaborations. He talks about training and education.   What Abraham shares with us, is his work ethic and creative mind.  He's a problem solver with such a fun outgoing personality that it's hard not to like him.  And that is one of is strengths; building rapport.  Abraham explains to us how important rapport is with people.   Abraham owns many businesses, but he's also big into property investment.  He's owned over 1000 properties, and always looks for creative ways to do deals, whether it is business deals or property deals.   In this interview Abraham gives us an insight into who he is and the successes he has achieved.   Interviewed by John Evans 5th January 2023.   Show produced by John Evans. 

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

The Business Success Stories Podcast show is produced and presented by John Evans.

John Evans was born in Liverpool, England.  At 19 he left to live and work in London.  In 1989 he moved out of the automotive sector to work in vehicle and asset finance at a growing lease company. That company, Leaseplan, is now one of the largest leasing organisations in the world.  Over the next 30 years in corporate life John worked at GE Capital leading a UK sales team, then at HSBC leading an international network of partner banks for leasing and asset finance growth.  He left to start and run his own company in 2007 and shut it down in 2012 due to never recovering from the world financial crash.  He understands the challenges of a start up business first hand!  After moving back into corporate life, this time is the software and SAAS sector, he eventually left once more, this time to buy an established business.  In 2020 he purchased a pharmacy business using OPM as a LBO. This business is something he works on, not it.   He and his business partner are in the process of acquiring several businesses and have also invested in a $1b roll-up to floatation opportunity in the US.   In his spare time he writes songs. He is collaborating with two music composers at present and writing a musical show based on a true crime story of a bank fraud!  

]]> john evans Buzzsprout-12106846 Tue, 24 Jan 2023 07:00:00 +0000 2584 1 1 full false