Dragons Den Failed Her, Then She Hit £10M in Revenue | Rachel Watkyn Tiny Box Company Interview

Most business owners give up after harsh rejection. Rachel Watkyn built a £10 million company instead.

In this episode of the ActionCOACH podcast, Rachel Watkyn, founder of Tiny Box Company, shares her remarkable entrepreneurial journey. After being "absolutely slaughtered" on Dragons' Den, battling chronic fatigue syndrome that left her bedridden for years, and surviving cancer, Rachel scaled her sustainable packaging business from zero to over £10 million in revenue.

What makes Rachel's journey extraordinary isn't just the numbers. It's how she achieved them. For 3-4 months across two consecutive years, she ran her entire business from her bed, a "guilty secret" she reveals publicly for the first time in this interview. Despite losing everything (her house, job, partner, and car), Rachel's "steel rod" determination and focus on something bigger than herself drove her forward when hope seemed impossible.

Discover Rachel's core strategies for scaling from £1 million to £10 million, why the Dragons were wrong about sustainability being "niche," and how she built a team so strong that a former warehouse worker now runs the entire operation. Rachel reveals the power of visualisation and manifestation, why focusing on experiences matters more than material goals, and what truly defines success beyond wealth.

Whether you're battling imposter syndrome, facing health challenges while running your business, or simply trying to scale past seven figures, Rachel's insights on servant leadership, trusting your vision over "experts," and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who lift you up will transform how you approach entrepreneurship.

Key quotes:

"If you're not helping people in some way, then you don't have a business model anyway."

"Especially for women that do suffer from confidence issues, imposter syndrome is to focus on something that's bigger than you."

"Your background, who you think you are, doesn't need to define you."

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Business Exit: Your Business Isn't Worth Selling Yet | Here's Why | James Ashford Entrepreneur Interview

Most business owners dream of a life-changing exit. James Ashford achieved it, selling his company for eight figures. But he reveals a hard truth in this episode: his business wasn't always worth selling. For years, it was practically worthless to buyers.

What changed? Ashford spent three years systematizing his operations, building a company that didn't just run without him but actually grew without him. He shares the strategic decisions that separated his company from competitors, why he refused to discount, and how video marketing positioned him as the category leader.

He also opens up about the unexpected aftermath: the identity crisis that followed his exit and the work of rebuilding purpose beyond the business. Now an active investor, he offers insights into what makes businesses truly valuable to both buyers and the entrepreneurs who build them.

What You'll Learn:

The Fatal Flaw in Most Small Businesses:

Being the best at what you do makes your business worthless to buyers. Transform from operator to owner.

The Three-Year Rule for Sellable Businesses:

James explains which systems made his business attractive to acquirers and why it took three years to build them.

Why Discounting Destroys Business Value:

Saying no to discounts builds a premium brand that commands higher multiples at exit.

The Video Marketing Strategy That Changed Everything:

Educational content solved his core business problem and positioned his company as the category leader.

The Emotional Reality of Selling Your Business:

James shares the identity crisis that followed his exit and how he rebuilt his sense of purpose.

From Operator to Investor:

James now invests in multiple companies and shares what he looks for when evaluating opportunities.

The Diamond Framework for Client Selection:

Learn how to identify and nurture your most valuable client relationships instead of treating everyone equally.

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Business Growth: £50 Million Turnover Started With This Uncomfortable Truth | Jordan Brompton My Energi Interview

Jordan Brompton scaled My Energi from minus £20,000 in debt to £50 million turnover in five years. But she wouldn't do it that fast again. This episode reveals the uncomfortable truths about rapid growth, securing investment without connections, and why believing in yourself is the hardest part.

What You'll Learn:

The Uncomfortable Truth About Scaling Fast: Jordan wouldn't scale at that pace again despite the success. Two redundancy rounds after building to 400 employees taught her that when external factors force you to retract quickly, there's a real cost.

How to Secure Investment Without Connections: A working-class entrepreneur with no degree raised £1.8 million from Sir Terry Leahy and Bill Currie, then £30 million from private equity. Her biggest lesson: due diligence should go both ways.

The Power of Product Identity: Naming products like "Eddi" and "Zappi" creates emotional connection and market differentiation. Jordan purposely gave products identities to educate children and build a brand that could compete in a crowded marketplace.

Why Investors Want to See Sales First: Stop pitching with fancy decks and no substance. Jordan looks for order books, customer commitments, and proof you've invested yourself. AI can create a pitch deck in two minutes. What doors have you knocked on?

The Reality of Manufacturing Scale: Gradual scale isn't optional in electronics manufacturing. Investment cycles (4-5 years) are too short for hardware businesses that need 15-20 year horizons.

Maintaining Belief Through Turbulent Times: Jordan navigated government grant withdrawals, market oversaturation, and pulling back from an IPO when the war in Ukraine hit. Her biggest personal barrier has always been her own mind.

The Grimsby Grit That Built a £50 Million Business: Growing up in a "forgotten about town" created the tenacity that pushed Jordan through every challenge. Wanting it more than your competition is everything.

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