My Kind of Business

Welcome to ”My Kind of Business,” a podcast hosted by Alex McCarthy, a Certified Business and Mindset coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business owners build meaningful, purpose-driven businesses.In each episode, Alex dives into the real stories behind successful business owners, sharing their wins, struggles and everything in between. Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out, this podcast offers a blend of expert insights, mindset shifts and actionable tips to help you grow your business on your terms.Join Alex as she speaks with inspiring guests from diverse industries who are breaking boundaries and building businesses that matter. From practical advice to motivational conversations, “My Kind of Business” is the perfect space to feel supported and empowered on your entrepreneurial journey.Tune in for valuable lessons, actionable strategies and the reminder that we’re all in this together.

My Kind of Business is a business podcast hosted by Alex McCarthy Coaching, with 68 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Alex McCarthy Coaching hosts My Kind of Business, a business show with 68 episodes published.

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  My Kind of Business

  Rebecca McCloskey on teaching, interior design & the art of growing slowly

  Aug 5, 202640 min

  In this sixty-seventh episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Rebecca McCloskey, founder of Weave Interiors, a residential interior designer based in Tring whose story is a lovely reminder that the things we loved as children often hold the clues to what we're meant to do. In this episode Alex and Rebecca explore: The childhood passions and creative traits that hinted at her future work Growing up around entrepreneurial grandparents and business-owning parents The transferable skills teaching gave her, from planning to client care How moving into her own home reignited her love of design The long fertility journey and how it shifted her focus and priorities Deciding to pursue interior design seriously and completing her course Navigating those first projects and imposter syndrome during COVID Her nature-led, biophilic approach and love of zoning open-plan spaces Creative, local marketing and the challenge of promoting yourself Landmark projects and the fulfilment of transforming clients' spaces Building support networks and the second business, White and Weave Prioritising family, slow growth and protecting her own wellbeing Key Highlights Why the hobbies you loved as a child can quietly shape the work you're meant to do How teaching skills like planning, communication and empathy translate beautifully into running a business Why home should be a sanctuary, and creating it should feel just as joyful as living in it Why authentic client care matters far more than perfect content How repeat clients and referrals are a truer measure of success than any metric Why slow, considered growth can be the healthiest way to build a business around your life Connect with Rebecca Weave Interiors: www.weaveinteriors.co.uk / @weave.interiordesign / Weave Interiors on Facebook White and Weave (rental property design, installation and home staging): www.whiteandweave.co.uk / @whiteandweave.homestaging Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

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  My Kind of Business

  My Business Story

  Jul 29, 202657 min

  My Business Story In this sixty-sixth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex flips her usual format and turns the microphone on herself, sharing the story of the last eight years in business, the twists, the turns and everything she's learned along the way. It's an honest, reflective one. Alex talks about growing from a quiet, imaginative child into a business owner, a mother and someone who cares deeply about personal growth. She opens up about the travel that changed how she saw the world, the accidental start of her first business, the leap into coaching, and how motherhood reshaped what she wanted her work and life to look like. If you're building a business around your life rather than the other way around, this is the kind of episode you'll want in your ears. In this episode Alex explores: Her childhood, early confidence and the curiosity that shaped her Why vulnerability matters in personal and professional growth How travelling and living abroad expanded her worldview and planted the seeds for her business The move from hospitality and export sales into running her own social media management business Building confidence online and getting over the fear of being on camera How becoming a mother changed her priorities and her whole approach to business Why patience and self compassion are underrated parts of success Where the business is heading next, including in-person events and new programmes Key Highlights How solo travel built the courage that later powered her business The moment self-employment shifted into something aligned with who she is Why investing in coaching and starting therapy changed everything How motherhood became a reason to build differently, not to slow down Her honest advice for anyone stuck at the start: take one step today and trust the process Timestamps: 00:01 - Flipping the rules to share my personal journey 01:29 - Childhood: confidence, imagination and early work 04:05 - Wanting to travel and work abroad 05:22 - How travel shaped my mindset and courage 06:23 - Meeting digital nomads and location-independent work 09:13 - From a PGCE to export sales and corporate life 11:29 - Overwork, boundaries and seeking new directions 13:43 - Long-term travel and life-changing experiences 17:52 - The fight for confidence and authenticity 19:00 - Moving to Australia and working in tech 20:48 - Back to the UK and setting up my first business 23:16 - Building and scaling my social media business 26:08 - Investing in coaching and facing self-doubt 27:37 - Aligning my business with personal development 28:48 - Starting therapy and shifting my mindset 30:23 - Pursuing NLP and coaching qualifications 31:48 - Navigating the pandemic and evolving my business 34:20 - Launching in-person networking and community 36:45 - Feeling aligned and embracing motherhood 38:18 - Travelling solo in Sri Lanka 40:00 - Meeting Dave and starting a new chapter 44:08 - Pregnancy, unexpected changes and big decisions 46:23 - Balancing family with business 50:23 - Staying purposeful through podcasting and minimal social 53:45 - Patience and trusting my timeline 56:51 - Future plans: scaling gently and in-person events 60:23 - Advice: start now, take one step and trust the process Resources & Links: Book: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown Connect with Alex: alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

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  My Kind of Business

  What Jealousy & Comparison in Business Are Actually Trying to Tell You

  Jul 21, 202631 min

  In this sixty-fifth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex McCarthy explores jealousy in a way that might completely change how you think about it. Rather than seeing jealousy as something to suppress or feel ashamed of, Alex reframes it as valuable information — a signal pointing you towards what you genuinely want in your business and life. If you've ever felt that uncomfortable pang when someone else shares a big win, this episode will help you understand what's really underneath it and how to use it to your advantage. Main Topics Covered: Why jealousy is a normal human emotion, not a character flaw How shame often makes jealousy feel heavier than it needs to The difference between the feeling itself and the story we create around it Why comparison can distort reality and keep us feeling behind How jealousy can become one of the most powerful tools for self-awareness and business growth In This Episode: Why jealousy isn't something to fear or suppress, but something to pay attention to How shame keeps us stuck, while curiosity helps us move forward The difference between experiencing jealousy and believing the stories it tells you Why comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel is never a fair comparison A simple five-step process for working with jealousy: Notice it without judgement Get specific about what you're actually jealous of Ask what that reveals about your own desires Turn the feeling into an open question instead of a conclusion Sense-check whether it's something you genuinely want or something you think you should want How jealousy can become valuable market research, revealing what kind of work, visibility, pricing, freedom or recognition you're really craving Why your feelings can become a roadmap for your next business decision instead of a reason to spiral Timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome and why we're talking about jealousy 01:08 — Why jealousy is a normal human emotion 03:56 — The shame we attach to feeling jealous 07:42 — Comparison, highlight reels and the stories we tell ourselves 11:18 — Separating the feeling from the meaning you give it 15:10 — The five-step framework for handling jealousy differently 19:54 — Using jealousy as market research in your business 23:06 — Turning envy into clarity, curiosity and action 25:02 — Final thoughts and this week's takeaway Resources and Links: If you're looking for more clarity, confidence and direction in your business, I'd love to help. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed or ready for your next level of growth, there are several ways we can work together: Website: www.alexmccarthycoaching.com Book a Clarity Call: https://www.alexmccarthycoaching.com/clarity-call Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching/ If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you subscribed to My Kind of Business and shared it with another business owner who might need to hear it. Remember, jealousy isn't proof you're failing—it's often pointing you towards what matters most. The more willing you are to get curious about it, the more clearly you'll see the path that's right for you.

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  My Kind of Business

  Letterbox Cocktails: Jennie Bayliss on Turning a "Boring" Idea into a Brilliant Brand

  Jul 15, 202634 min

  In this sixty-fourth episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Jennie Bayliss, founder of Letterbox Cocktails, a serial entrepreneur whose story is packed with resilience, resourcefulness and a healthy dose of fun. Jennie's journey has been anything but predictable. As a child she dreamed of becoming a solicitor, and her early working life took her through accounts roles and part-time jobs before a pivotal chapter saw her studying for a business management degree while raising a young family. Balancing motherhood, work and study taught her lessons she still leans on today. But it's her latest venture that really captures the imagination. Letterbox Cocktails began with a search for a deliberately boring business idea and a LinkedIn mastermind, and grew into a vibrant cocktail delivery brand. Jennie shares the reality of those scrappy early days, from licensing and regulation headaches to the chaos of rapid growth, through to winning the VIP Launch Pad competition and building a colourful, recognisable brand with big plans for TikTok, Amazon and retail. In this episode Alex and Jennie explore: Jennie's early aspirations and the jobs that shaped her pathway Balancing motherhood, work and a business management degree Starting a virtual PA business during redundancy Building a flexible team of mums and overcoming the loneliness of working alone The chance call that led to a project management company and fibre infrastructure work How a hunt for a boring business idea became Letterbox Cocktails Navigating licensing, regulation and the chaos of early growth Winning the VIP Launch Pad competition and evolving the brand Growth plans across TikTok, Amazon, corporate sales and retail Why asking for help and taking imperfect action matter more than being ready Key Highlights How saying yes to unexpected opportunities can completely change the direction of your business The power of building a business around your life, not the other way round Why community, masterminds and networking can be the difference between an idea and a thriving business How scrappy beginnings can evolve into a brand you're truly proud of Why you'll never feel fully ready, and why you should start anyway Connect with Jennie https://www.letterbox-cocktails.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniebayliss1/ https://www.instagram.com/letterbox__cocktails/ https://www.facebook.com/letterboxcocktails1 https://www.linkedin.com/company/letterbox-cocktails/ https://www.tiktok.com/@letterbox_cocktails https://www.youtube.com/@LetterboxCocktails Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

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  My Kind of Business

  Finding Joy Through It All: Jo Taylor on Resilience, Wellness and Trusting Your Gut

  Jul 8, 202634 min

  In this sixty-third episode of My Kind of Business, Alex is joined by Jo Taylor, founder of Mulberry Wellness, a holistic health business built around retreats, movement and mindfulness, and a woman whose warmth and energy are infectious from the very first minute. Jo's journey has been anything but a straight line. From a childhood shaped by travel and a love of movement, she went on to work as cabin crew, seeing the world and learning lessons about service, responsibility and what genuine contentment really looks like, before finding her way into fitness instruction and discovering the thrill of standing in front of a room and helping people feel better in themselves. Over the years she expanded from aerobics into water-based fitness, Pilates and yoga, developing specialist programmes for people with different health conditions and building a loyal community along the way. Then came a cancer diagnosis that changed everything, personally and professionally. Rather than stepping back, Jo found her work became a source of healing, taking her classes online during lockdown and eventually launching Mulberry Wellness, home to retreats, online classes and corporate wellness work rooted in connection and joy. Through it all, Jo has stayed true to her values, trusted her intuition and never lost sight of life's simple pleasures. Her story is a powerful reminder that business can be built around what genuinely matters to you. In this episode Alex and Jo explore: Jo's diverse early career, from travel and cabin crew to fitness instruction The lessons travel taught her about contentment and life's simple joys Building confidence by standing in front of a room and facilitating change Expanding into Pilates, yoga and specialist programmes for different health conditions The impact of her cancer diagnosis on her life and her business Moving online during lockdown and building community through her classes Launching Mulberry Wellness and hosting retreats for connection and growth Balancing business growth with personal values and healthy boundaries Why trusting your intuition is her biggest piece of advice for fellow business owners Key Highlights How a varied, non-linear career gave Jo the skills and self-belief to build her own business The therapeutic power of doing work you love, even through the hardest chapters Why boundaries and values matter more than chasing growth for its own sake How adversity can become the catalyst for building something truly meaningful Why seeking joy, in business and in life, is always worth it Featured Resource ☀️ Doors are open for Summer Business School, Alex's six-session live programme, covering everything from vision and values to visibility, sales, mindset and planning your best Q4. Email alex@alexmccarthycoaching.com to sign up. Connect with Jo https://www.mulberrywellness.co.uk https://linkedin.com/in/jotaylor https://instagram.com/mulberrywellness Connect with Alex alexmccarthycoaching.com instagram.com/alexmccarthycoaching

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