Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds

39. Performance, Portfolio and Property - Ryan Hughes

Born in a two-bed terrace in Salford, Ryan Hughes grew up surrounded by grafters, chaos, and community. The street taught him everything — how to read people, how to graft, and how to make choices that defined his future. While one childhood friend ended up behind bars, another chased overtime and stability. Ryan stood somewhere in between, determined to find his own version of freedom.
Kicked out of school at fifteen, he swapped classrooms for construction sites, carrying bricks and dreams in equal measure. When an estate agent failed to show up one day, Ryan stepped in to handle the viewing himself — and never looked back. From there came years of lessons in grit, mentorship, and business, building from painting student flats to managing a £50 million portfolio before walking away from the comfort of a salary to build Mr Investa from scratch.
This conversation traces the mindset that carried him through every turn — why he chose clarity over alcohol, respect over shortcuts, and purpose over status. For Ryan, the real measure of success isn’t money or material things, but the freedom to build something that’s yours.

38. Passion, Energy & Staying Curious - Nicola Collister

From her Stockport roots in a hard-working, working-class family to the boardrooms of some of the UK’s biggest brands, Nicola Collister’s story is one of relentless curiosity and reinvention. In this episode, Nicola reflects on the choices that defined her path-from turning down a grammar school place as a teenager, to walking away from university in pursuit of independence, to breaking barriers at the RAC as one of its first female managers. She shares what it was like to lead through transformation at the height of the dot-com boom and why curiosity – not comfort – drove her decision to step out of corporate life and start her own consultancy. Nicola also opens up about the leap into investing, what she looks for in founders, and why passion and energy matter just as much as product. Along the way, she reveals the hardest lessons of scaling, the challenges of letting go, and the values that continue to guide her through every reinvention.

37. Travel, Ambition & Building Your Dream Life – Michelle Coulson

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Michelle Coulson — founder of Remote Rebellion — for a conversation about burnout, breakups, Bali, and building a life that actually feels like yours.
Michelle’s journey begins in Bolton, then moves through a wild childhood in Spain, a career in corporate recruitment, and a dramatic decision to call off her wedding just weeks before the big day. But it was a solo bike trip through Europe and a spontaneous move to Bali that really shifted her course.
When the ‘return to office’ email came in 2021, Michelle chose a different path — quitting her job, going all-in on remote work, and eventually launching Remote Rebellion. Her platform now helps others escape the grind, land flexible roles, and reconnect with what actually makes them happy.
 
🔗 Michelle's Links
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/remoterebellion/
https://remoterebellion.com/

36. Pro Raising, Angels and Tech - David Levine

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with David Levine—tech head, founder, investor, and the force behind Manchester Angels—for a masterclass in serendipity, startups, and saying no.
David's story starts in Dublin, where he grew up in a tiny Jewish community, got hooked on computers at 13, and accidentally entered (and won) Ireland’s biggest science fair. He shares how a well-timed comment in a classroom launched his career, how being “cheeky” helped him rise through HP, and how one painful lesson taught him the difference between building something cool… and building something sellable.
From packing face masks at his kitchen table to founding DigitalBridge, David shares honest lessons about raising money, getting burned by the wrong investors, and why Manchester's startup scene is more powerful than people realise. If you're building a business—or just love stories of grit and reinvention—this one’s for you.
David's Links 🔗LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjblevine/
Manchester's Angels - https://www.manchesterangels.org/

35. Hard Knocks, Hospitality & Hotel Football—Jessica Southworth

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Jessica Southworth – hospitality leader and sales mentor – to uncover an astonishing story of survival, setbacks, and stubborn success.
Jessica grew up in Droylsden, where her childhood was equal parts chaotic and carefree. As she opens up, we hear how addiction shaped her home, how she found herself pregnant at 16, and how she refused to become a statistic. This conversation spans heartbreak and hustle – from hiding a school suspension to winning an award from the Queen.
Jessica shares how she raised a child while finishing college, rose through the ranks in hospitality, and became the youngest department head at Hilton by 21. Her story is a lesson in grit, defiance, and the power of being underestimated.
Jessica's Links 🔗 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-southworth/

34. MAFS, Sales & Male Dominated Spaces - Sophie Brown

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Sophie Brown – tech sales leader, public speaker, and reality TV alum – to unpack a story that’s anything but conventional.
Sophie’s journey began in Cheltenham, but her ambition led her to Manchester’s fast-paced tech scene, where she built a career in sales from the ground up – without a degree and often as the only woman in the room.
In this gripping conversation, Sophie opens up about ADHD, media scrutiny, and the reality behind reality TV. She speaks candidly about dropping out of university, navigating all-male work environments, and rebuilding her confidence in the public eye.
It’s a raw, inspiring look at what it means to bet on yourself – in business, in love, and in life.
 
🔗 Sophie’s Links
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiehlbrown/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sophiehlbrown/

33. Football, Education, and Finding Purpose – Aaron Burns

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Aaron Burns – former Manchester United academy player turned entrepreneur and speaker – to unpack a story that begins on the pitch but stretches far beyond it. Aaron’s journey started with dreams of footballing glory, rising through the ranks at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs alongside legends like Ronaldo, Giggs, and Scholes. But when his professional career ended, Aaron was left with an identity crisis many athletes face – what comes next when the spotlight fades?
In a raw and powerful conversation, Aaron opens up about growing up in Greater Manchester, navigating racism and social housing as a mixed-race child, and the pressures of life in elite sport. He shares how he transitioned into business, launched an insurance firm, and created The Consistency Blueprint – a new framework helping others build habits and resilience after sport.
This episode explores the beauty and brutality of ambition, and what it means to rebuild your life after a dream ends. 🔗 Aaron’s Links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-burns-967955b0/ Aaron's Book Club (ABC) - https://www.instagram.com/aaronsbookclubabc/?hl=en Consistency Blueprint Journal – Coming soon

32. Shyness, Sales, and the Drive for Freedom – Joe Averill

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Joe Averill – founder of LEVEL, a customer-centric workspace solution.
Joe’s story isn’t one of loud ambition. Painfully shy growing up and allergic to public speaking, he never seemed the type to lead sales calls or host podcasts. But what he lacked in volume, he made up for in drive – especially when it came to creating freedom for his family.
In this open conversation, Joe reflects on his early days in sales, the mentors who shaped his outlook, and the pivotal life coaching that helped him unlock confidence and vision. From working the phones in Newton Heath to launching a business that blends property, creativity, and values, Joe proves that success doesn’t always shout – sometimes, it just shows up and works harder than anyone else.
🔗 Joe’s Links
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-averill/
LEVEL - https://www.levelworkspace.com/enterprise

31. Jigsaws, Justice, and the 1% Rule – Emily Moffat

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie chats with Emily Moffat – co-founder of pieceful, a purpose-driven jigsaw brand – about building a business from scratch while working a full-time job and protecting the most important relationship in her life.
Emily didn’t grow up dreaming of being a founder – in fact, she thought business was something other people did. But a walk in the Lakes with her partner Joe sparked an idea that became an obsession: creating beautiful, mindful products that help people unplug, reflect, and reset. The result? Pieceful, a jigsaw company that’s anything but ordinary.
From championing female artists and supporting grief communities to plans for dementia-friendly puzzles and digital detox events, Emily shares the emotional why behind their work.
She opens up about burnout, boundaries, and the sacrifices made along the way – from missed holidays to saying no to financial support.
This isn’t just a story about puzzles. It’s about purpose, partnership, and what it really takes to build something bigger than yourself.
🔗 Emily’s Links
Pieceful – https://piecefuljigsaws.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-moffat/

30. Bands, Sales, and Blind Faith – Jack Frimston

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Eddie sits down with Jack Frimston, co-founder of one of Manchester’s fastest-growing lead generation agencies, to unpack a story that didn’t start in business, but in music.
Jack’s journey began on stage, chasing a dream of becoming a professional musician. From his early days in teenage bands to busking across Europe, performing at Trafalgar Square, and sharing stages with major acts like George Ezra and The Beach Boys, Jack spent years trying to break into the music industry. But when the reality of slow ticket sales, missed opportunities, and changing trends finally caught up, Jack found himself having to start again.
In a brutally honest conversation, Jack shares how that setback became the catalyst for his pivot into sales, eventually leading him to co-found a thriving sales agency with his best friend. He explains how his years performing taught him skills that unexpectedly transferred into business, from handling rejection to staying obsessed with constant improvement.
🔗Jack's Links
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-frimston-5010177b/
'Sales Is Therapy' Book - https://amzn.eu/d/3Gjg1hN