Not every award is worth the trophy, and magician Oli, otherwise known as Revilo Twist, knows exactly which ones are full of smoke and mirrors.

The award winning magician fell into magic after watching a stranger's rope trick aged fifteen and never looked back. In this episode Oli chats to Debbie about swapping a career in asset finance and recruitment for full time magic just three years ago, inspired by an Ed Sheeran pep talk.

He shares how his business has grown across weddings, corporate events and trade shows. Additionally, he explains why genuine reviews matter more than flashy vanity awards. And find out how a simple card trick can turn a quiet exhibition stand into the busiest one at the show. Oli also opens up about the challenges of scaling, learning to delegate and the surprising overlap between magic and sales.

It's a brilliant listen for anyone curious about building a business doing something completely different.

About Oli

Revilo Twist is a modern, multi-award-winning magician, host & toastmaster - trusted by brands like Porsche and Disney, as well as hundreds of wedding couples, to deliver unforgettable magic and seamless events. With experience entertaining audiences of all ages, he has performed at venues across the UK, from Leicester City Football Club's pre-match shows and Christmas Party to the Silverstone Grand Prix - and even on stage at Victoria Warehouse for over 1,000 guests.

{2:30} How Oli got into magic.

{3:52} How magicians learn their trade.

{4:18} A hobby that turned into a business.

{4:56} Oli's magician name.

{5:45} Diversifying into the corporate world.

{6:34} Oli's career before going full-time 3 years ago.

{8:45} Growing the client base.

{11:20} Oli's favourite events.

{12:33} The experience of wedding awards.

{16:55} The impact of awards on the business.

{19:05} Reviews are everything.

{20:52} How Oli gets new clients.

{23:52} How magic engages Expo visitors better than anything.

{27:25} Using magic as an ice-breaker or teambuilding exercise.

{29:01} Oli's future growth plans.

{30:09} Keeping up-to-date with magic.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Oli: https://www.revilotwistmagic.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revilo-twist-magic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReviloTwistMagic

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@revilotwistmagic

Ten years ago, Charlotte and her husband took out a mortgage on a derelict farm with no real money and no concrete plan beyond a hunch that animals could change lives. Thus, Elysian was born. Today, that farm supports over 400 young people across three sites, many of whom had stopped attending school altogether before finding their way to her.

In this episode, Charlotte shares the personal experience that sparked it all, the early scepticism she had to overcome, and the surprising lesson learned about which animals make the best therapy companions. She also talks about what winning a Special Recognition Award at the Best Business Women Awards meant to her. It's why she was inspired to launch the Elysium Awards. Finally, she shares her vision for professionalising animal assisted intervention across the UK.

A genuinely eye opening listen for anyone curious about alternative education or the powerful role animals can play in recovery and growth.

About Charlotte

Charlotte founded Elysian in 2015, bringing extensive experience from various social care settings supporting individuals with complex needs across all age groups. She spent many years in children's residential care and has over a decade's experience in children's rights, participation and user involvement, championing young people's voices in decision making.

As a Family Specialist, Charlotte has worked across commissioning roles, collaborating with families, children and young people of diverse needs and backgrounds. She has led projects, environments and strategic initiatives to improve outcomes for individuals and families. Furthermore she has leadership experience spanning team and service management, training, supervision, quality assurance and administration.

Charlotte is a passionate advocate for children's rights, and her belief in the power of animals has driven her to bring animal assisted interventions into informal therapy and educational settings.

{2:55} What inspired Charlotte to found Elysian and how they help children with education needs and trauma.

{9:41} The growth of therapy schools.

{11:06} It's not a working farm but is a place where many different animals help young people.

{12:27} Sourcing the animals and the challenges involved.

{14:22} A typical day for a young person and who they are.

{18:18} What happens to leavers.

{19:24} Creating unique training for Elysian staff.

{21:15} Building the profile of the school through entering awards.

{23:12} Introducing the Elysian Exclusive Community.

{24:49} Charlotte's long term vision.

{26:46} Regulation in the industry.

{27:54} Supporting new entrants into the sector.

{28:52} Balancing motherhood with running such a unique business.

{30:28} Plans for expansion.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Charlotte: https://elysianuk.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elysianaatl/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elysiantherapyandlearning/?_rdc=1&_rdr#

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

Elysian Exclusive Community: https://elysiandevelopment.org/exclusive-community/

This week, Debbie talks to Natalie Burkinshaw, founder of Crush, a brand and design agency specialising in manufacturing, engineering and tech businesses. After over twenty years in the industry, beset by imposter syndrome, Natalie finally started entering awards in 2025. Within fourteen months she'd won five, including Gold at the Best Business Women Awards.

They discuss how brand strategy has evolved from a "nice to have" into a commercial necessity. We then discover why Natalie's Chesterfield base hasn't stopped her landing clients like Ministry of Sound, and how Crush balances AI tools with genuine human creativity and storytelling. She also shares honest reflections on imposter syndrome, growing an eleven-strong team, and her plans to launch two new strategy offerings this year.

A brilliant listen for anyone building a brand with real substance.

About Natalie

Natalie is the founder and owner of CRUSH, a strategic brand design agency based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. For over 22 years, she has led both the strategic and creative direction of the studio, building a reputation for transforming ambitious B2B businesses in the tech, engineering, and manufacturing sectors into brands that command attention and drive commercial growth.

Under Natalie's leadership, CRUSH has earned international recognition, including a German Design Award, and has become a trusted partner to clients who value sharp thinking as much as beautiful execution. Her approach blends rigorous brand strategy with distinctive design craft, turning complex technical propositions into clear, confident market positions.

A mother and an active figure in her local and professional community, Natalie combines two decades of agency leadership with a genuine commitment to championing independent creative businesses and the next generation of design talent.

{2:45} What led Natalie to start Crush Design.

{4:06} How the industry has changed over the last twenty years.

{6:15} Why she has focused on specific niches.

{7:45} How Natalie has grown the business significantly over the years.

{9:07} Where did the name Crush come from?

{9:37} Crush's impressive customer list and why an agency doesn't have to be based in London.

{12:45} Why Natalie didn't enter awards for so long, and her strategy once she did.

{16:10} Positive outcomes from winning those awards.

{18:35} Award entries for 2026.

{19:30} Natalie's advice for building a creative business.

{21:50} How Crush has integrated AI.

{26:00} The plans for the next few years.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

Connect with Natalie: https://www.crush-design.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crush-design-and-creative-marketing-limited/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crushdesign/

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