In Episode 10 of The Founders Blueprint, host James sits down with Liam Quirk, CEO and founder of Quirky Digital. Liam shares his inspiring journey from Despite leaving school without formal qualifications in math's, english, or science to leading one of the fastest-growing SEO agencies in Merseyside.

Liam's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. He began his career with an apprenticeship and began building PCs from scratch. Motivated by his uncle's success in search engine optimization (SEO), Liam taught himself everything he needed to know, to build his own business. As a teenager, he began earning money by creating and renting websites to businesses—a venture that paved the path for his current success.

Fast forward to today, Quirky Digital is thriving under Liam's leadership, boasting a soaring turnover and a reputation for excellence. Join us as Liam shares his insights on entrepreneurship, the digital landscape, and the mindset required to run a successful business.

In episode 9 of The Founders Blueprint, James is joined by the multi-award-winning and world-renowned artist, John Charles.

Born and bred in Kirkby, John opens up about his early love for art, and recalls the day he sat a small coffee table with a tiny easel where he painted Disney pictures. However, his story takes a dark turn, when during his teenage years, he struggled with alcohol and drug addictions. John bravely recounts these dark times and discusses his inspiring path to recovery.

John, supported by his wife Jen, reflects on his return to the art world he loves. He speaks of his next steps in opening his own art gallery in Southport and is excited to showcase his work to the public.

This is an amazing conversation with an inspiring and warm-hearted man who has turned his passion into a celebrated career.

artistjohncharles.com

In this weeks episode, James dives into the entrepreneurial journey of Jess, the dynamic force behind Spray Tans By Jessy. After completing her apprenticeship as a barber, and working many hours in hairdressers, Jess felt she needed more from her career. Embracing her passion for beauty, she embarked on a new path in spray tanning, a decision that would soon transform her professional life.

Jess shares her experiences of stepping into the world of self-employment. After the birth of her second child, she made the courageous choice to leave her role as a barber to launch her own business, fully aware of the trade-offs like forfeiting holiday & maternity pay.

Jess opens up about the unseen side of her success. From the highs of running a flourishing business to the challenges of managing anxiety and maintaining a vibrant social media presence, Jess offers a heartfelt account of balancing her roles as a busy working mum and a successful business owner.