Best of 2025: Enterprise Nation’s top 19 most listened to podcasts

We’ve had some incredible guests on this year’s podcasts. From entrepreneurs making drink bottles and kids’ wees more sustainable to well-known business owners who exited for tens of millions of pounds.

Enterprise Nation’s podcast series include The Small Business Sessions, Founder Fails and The Small Business Retail Sessions. Check them out and subscribe on our small business podcast homepage.

1. Louise Hill, GoHenry: Building a brand to help millions of kids understand money

Louise Hill was inspired to start GoHenry after being frustrated by her own children's understanding of money management and hearing other parents complain about the same thing.

The business was bought by US company Acorns in 2024, which means it now has around six million subscribers in the UK, US and Europe. In the UK, one in five children between the ages of 10 and 12 has a GoHenry card.

Host Dan Martin talks to Louise about:

• coming up with the idea for GoHenry

• building the first app and the challenges she had to overcome

• getting big partners, such as Visa, on board

• breaking an equity crowdfunding world record in 2016 when she raised £4 million

• tips on finding investors and pitching from her experience raising over $100 million in venture capital funding

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

2. Kirsty Hulse on confidence, burnout and building a speaking career

In episode one of Founder Fails, we were joined by Kirsty Hulse, an international speaker, author and award-winning voice on confidence at work.

Kirsty shares how she built a global speaking career. She talks about walking away from a successful business, navigating burnout and what she's learned about confidence, failure and being human.

Host Bejay Mulenga MBE talks to Kirsty about:

• why Kirsty walked away from a profitable business and why closing a company can be braver than starting one

• the health scare and burnout that forced her to reassess success, ambition and pace

• how she built a second career as an international speaker focused on confidence at work

• the role of self-talk, self-compassion and accepting your flaws in becoming genuinely confident

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

3. Deepak Ravindran on burnout, redefining success and finding identity beyond your business

Deepak Ravindran co-founded Oddbox the UK’s first sustainable fruit and veg box delivery service.

He shares the personal and leadership lessons behind building a food-waste-fighting business – from early doubts and bold career moves to burnout, identity shifts and the surprising ways failure shaped the journey.

The conversation covers:

• the leap from a stable career in finance to founding Oddbox

• how to separate your self-worth from your business identity

• burnout, therapy and rebuilding purpose after growth and pressure

• why founders should reframe "failure" as an experiment, not an identity

• the importance of reconnecting with your "why" and values

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

4. Joanna Jensen, Childs Farm: Turning a need for eczema cream into a multi-million-pound skincare brand

Joanna Jensen came up with the idea for Childs Farm when looking for a natural and effective product for her daughters who struggled with sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

The business launched with independent retailers and online in 2012, before expanding to national retailers including Boots and Waitrose in 2014. Childs Farm was sold to PZ Cussons for £40 million in 2022.

Host Dan and Joanna talk about:

• the process of manufacturing a product

• the impact of a viral Facebook post that led to a million products sold

• brilliant advice for getting into retailers like Boots and Waitrose

• how she works with businesses as an angel investor

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

5. Daisy Morris on creativity, community and finding joy in the messy middle

In this episode, we're joined by Daisy Morris, social media strategist, community builder and bestselling author.

Daisy shares how creativity, vulnerability and connection have shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She also opens up about the realities of failure and why building community is the foundation of sustainable growth.

Daisy shares her thoughts on:

• how to build meaningful relationships in a digital world

• the "we vs. me" approach to social media and creating content that resonates

• the importance of sharing failures online when things go wrong

• taking ideas from seed to reality – and knowing when to pivot or persevere

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

6. Zoë Chapman, The Whizzer: The power of networks and networking in growing a business

We're joined by Zoë Chapman, founder of Whizzer, the revolutionary portable toilets for adults and children.

Zoë started her business in 2020 while recovering from spinal surgery. She decided to turn into reality a portable toilet invention she had come up with in 2015 when she was potty training her son and looking after her disabled father.

Since then, she's gone on to sell thousands of products and land an investment deal on Dragons' Den.

Host Dan talked to Zoë about:

• finding a manufacturer with a limited budget

• how a customer helped Zoë get stocked in a national retailer

• the impact of appearing on Dragons' Den

• the other female entrepreneurs who inspire and influence Zoë

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

7. Anisah Osman Britton MBE on identity, purpose and starting again

Anisah Osman Britton is an award-winning tech entrepreneur, writer and business founder who received an MBE for services to diversity in technology.

Anisah talks about her journey into tech, founding 23 Code Street, navigating start-up culture, representation and the pressures of being a purpose-driven entrepreneur.

Host Bejay talks to Anisah about:

• why she founded 23 Code Street to get more women – especially women of colour – into technical roles and decision-making spaces

• navigating identity beyond your first venture and learning to reinvent yourself

• the toll of purpose-driven entrepreneurship on health, including stress-related illness and recovery

• what needs to change in the ecosystem to normalise failure for women founders

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

8. Will Pearson, Ocean Bottle: Tackling plastic pollution one water bottle at a time

Dan is joined by Will Pearson, co-founder of Ocean Bottle, the reusable bottle brand that funds the collection of ocean-bound waste equivalent to 1,000 plastic bottles for each product sold.

Dan and Will talk about:

• what inspired him to launch the mission-led business

• how he turned the idea into a tangible product

• advice for raising investment for a purpose-driven business

• building a team that shares the founder's values and passion for the mission

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

9. Sam Matanle on redefining the suit through made-to-order fashion

Sam Matanle is the co-founder of Batch, a menswear brand whose mission is to raise the standard of sustainability in fashion by eliminating overproduction and waste.

Founded in 2021, Batch produces high-quality casual suits made to order – manufacturing only what's needed.

Host Catherine Erdly talks to Sam about:

• how Sam and co-founder Julian spotted a gap in the market

• why Batch makes everything to order – and how it drastically reduces waste

• lessons from entering the fashion world without a fashion background

• why off-the-shelf sizing and a single perfected fit works for most customers

• managing customer expectations in a world of next-day delivery

• why sustainability isn't the lead message – and what actually motivates shoppers

• how Batch has used celebrity and influencer partnerships to build credibility

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

10. Theo Paphitis: Dragons’ Den, his dyslexia, the future of the high street and top tips for success

In this episode, we were joined by Theo Paphitis, entrepreneur, investor and star of Dragons’ Den.

Host Dan talks to Theo about:

• his early entrepreneurial experience including running a school tuck shop

• the impact of dyslexia on his entrepreneurial career

• stories from TV's Dragons' Den

• why he still gets impostor syndrome

• what he thinks about AI

• his top advice for business success

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

11. Ryan Panchoo, Borough 22: From making doughnuts for his kids to stocked in Selfridges

What started as Borough 22 founder Ryan Panchoo’s frustration at the lack of allergen-free treats for his kids is now a brand that regularly sells out in Selfridges.

Ryan has grown his business from hand-delivering his products on the London Underground to going full time, being stocked in one of the UK's most iconic retailers and selling overseas.

Ryan joins host Dan to talk about:

• using social media to promote his products from day one

• switching from running the business as a side hustle to going full time

• how he raised investment to fund a commercial kitchen

• letting go of doing everything and deciding to grow a team

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

12. Tom Voller on creative chaos, owning mistakes and building with honesty

We're joined by Tom Voller, the co-founder of global creative production agency Dojo Films, who shares the messy realities behind running a creative business.

From early missteps and undercharging to losing major projects and learning to own mistakes publicly, Tom opens up about what failure really looks like.

Host Bejay talks to Tom about:

• why not knowing what you're doing can be an advantage when building a creative career

• how therapy, coaching and community can help founders become resilient

• why publicly owning your failures builds trust with clients and audiences

• how honesty online has helped Tom attract new business and find peace with vulnerability

• the need for more open conversations about undercharging, ghosting and client challenges in the creative industry

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

13. Richard Harpin: The entrepreneur who sold his business for £4 billion

Richard Harpin is best known as founder of home assistance company, HomeServe, but his entrepreneurial journey began at an early age. That included selling rabbits at age six, and running a fishing fly-tie company, which earned him enough for the deposit on his first house.

Richard grew HomeServe into a FTSE 100 listed business, with thousands of employees serving millions of customers around the world. In 2023 he sold it to Brookfield Asset Management for £4.1 billion.

He joins Dan on The Small Business Sessions to discuss:

• the inspiration behind HomeServe and how he launched the business

• the importance of having an omni-channel strategy

• how to build a team

• what he looks for when investing in a business

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

14. Mike Turner on growing a tea brand with heart

We're joined by Mike Turner, co-founder of Bird & Blend Tea Co. The purpose-led tea brand has grown from humble beginnings in a bedroom to 25 UK high-street stores and an international online business.

Host Catherine talks to Mike about:

• how Bird & Blend grew from market stalls to 25 high-street shops

• the importance of testing, learning and taking calculated risks

• creating memorable, experience-led retail environments

• why empowered teams are at the heart of customer experience

• building a business rooted in values, sustainability and community impact

• navigating supply chain complexities and the realities of sustainable sourcing

• advice for entrepreneurs who want to build mission-driven retail brands

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

15. Candid Studios founders on empowerment through the lens

We're joined by Aimee and Lily Barrett, the co-founders of Candid Studios. Sisters Aimee and Lily started self-portrait photography studio Candid in May 2023.

The business is built around a simple but powerful concept: customers take their own professional-quality portraits in a private, feel-good environment.

With a mission rooted in empowerment, self-expression and self-love, the Barretts have grown Candid into a community-driven brand that's transforming how people show up – in both personal and professional spaces.

Host Catherine talks to Aimee and Lily about:

• how a personal breakthrough inspired the concept for Candid Studios

• building a retail experience with community and emotion at its heart

• the role of social media and storytelling in driving early growth

• expanding the business with help from angel investors and brand partnerships

• how they're navigating the challenges of running a high street studio

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

16. Olly Tyler, Shroot: Buying a failing business and turning it into a success

Joining Dan for the final episode in the current series of the Small Business Sessions is Olly Tyler, owner of greetings card business Shroot.

Shroot creates eco-friendly, biodegradable cards that come with everything you need to grow microgreens, including the pot. It's a gift, card, experience and snack all in one.

Olly didn't start the business, but bought it as a failing venture. He's since turned it into a great success, and has also purchased two other businesses.

In this inspiring episode, Olly and host Dan discuss:

• why Olly bought Shroot and his advice to others for buying a business

• how he turned a failing business into a success

• what advice Olly would give entrepreneurs who are struggling

• funding strategies for growing a business

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

17. Elyssa Desai: How founders can overcome impostor syndrome and burnout

Elyssa Desai is a mindset expert, speaker and coach who guides business owners and others through their "What am I doing with my life?" moments.

A huge focus of her work is helping individuals to understand and reprogramme their mindset so they can confidently achieve their dreams.

In this inspiring episode, host Dan and Elyssa discuss:

• how business owners can manage impostor syndrome

• dealing with burnout

• tips for successful podcasting

• the business benefits of coaching

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

18. Lynsey Crombie, Queen of Clean: How to build a big community online

Lynsey Crombie – known as “Queen of Clean” – first joined Instagram in 2016 and posted an image of her newly clean floor with a bottle of product. Despite having only 40 followers, she got 190 likes and realised she was on to something.

Within six months, Lynsey had 7,000 followers, started being paid by brands to promote their products and became the UK's first cleaning influencer.

Nearly a million people now keep up to date with Lynsey's cleaning tips on social media, she's written several books and she makes regular appearances on television shows including ITV's This Morning and Good Morning Britain.

In the episode, Lynsey and host Dan discuss topics including:

• becoming a social media influencer

• how to grow a following online

• negotiating influencer deals with brands

• building a career as a TV expert

• the power of Facebook groups

• managing a work-life balance

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

19. Josh Kleiner on the story behind Sandwich Sandwich

Josh Kleiner runs sandwich shop chain Sandwich Sandwich with his dad Nick. The family business started with a small location in Bristol in 2010, and now has three branches in the city and has expanded to London.

Josh joins Dan to discuss:

• how the business has grown from its first location

• the reasons behind its popularity on social media

• opening a flagship branch in London

• how to manage high demand for a product

• his advice for running a high-street business

Find the episode on your favourite podcasting platform.

Read more of our top 2025 content

We’ve been sharing our top content from the last 12 months:

• The top 13 most watched Lunch and Learn webinars from 2025

• The top 12 most read blogs from 2025

We also recently posted our top 17 best small business podcast recommendations.