Welcome to Progress Not Perfection a podcast for entrepreneurs, founders, start ups, business owners and solopreneurs who want an honest look at what it really takes to build and grow a business.
Hosted by Dean Mason, founder and Managing Director of Teqex, the show explores the reality behind entrepreneurship, business strategy, scaling, customer acquisition, marketing strategy and revenue growth, if you're ready to get practical insights into the decisions and actions that move a business forward you're in the right place!
Ep 4: Leadership, Recruitment & Resilience: The Reality of Growing and Losing a Business with Ian Taylor
What does success really look like after building, scaling and ultimately losing a business?
On Progress Over Perfection, host Dean Mason sits down with Ian Taylor, founder of Team Spirit, the experiential events company he grew from 1993 to 2020 while working with major brands including Virgin Media, Rolls Royce, Adidas, IWG, Dunhumby and Theo Paphitis’ businesses.
Ian shares the story behind building one of the UK’s most immersive event companies, including the creative vision behind Team Spirit’s unique Oldham headquarters inspired by Disney style experience design. The conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship, from winning early clients and adapting to industry change, to navigating recruitment challenges, leadership lessons and evolving customer expectations in a fast moving business landscape.
If you’re a founder, business owner or leader navigating growth, change or difficult seasons in business, this episode offers an honest conversation about leadership, resilience and the reality behind entrepreneurial success.
Key takeaways
Why customer experience was central to Team Spirit’s business growth
Lessons Ian learned about recruitment, leadership and scaling a team
How the events industry changed from long term planning to instant expectations
The importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship and business survival
The mental health impact of losing a business during COVID
How focusing on controllables helps during uncertainty and setbacks
Why success eventually became more about family and balance than business growth
The power of reflection, mindset and resilience in leadership and entrepreneurship
Connect with Dean on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/)
Email: progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com (mailto:progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com)
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progressnotperfectionpod (https://www.tiktok.com/@progressnotperfectionpod)
Connect with Ian:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-taylor-0343a020a/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-taylor-0343a020a/)
20 Apr 2026
Ep 2: From Corporate Career to Health Coach, How Amanda Robinson Turned Wellbeing into a Thriving Business
A stress related health decline became the turning point that led to building a successful health coaching business.
On Progress Not Perfection, host Dean Mason speaks with Amanda Robinson, founder of Health Steps, about her journey from leaving school early to building a career in corporate environments, including senior roles in travel IT and retail e-commerce at Boohoo, before transitioning into a purpose driven wellbeing business.
Amanda shares the reality of working in high pressure environments, navigating postpartum challenges and managing long term health conditions including Hashimoto’s. She explains how focusing on health, wellbeing and sustainable lifestyle changes, including hypnobirthing and working with a nutritional therapist helped her rebuild her life and ultimately launch a business helping others do the same.
This episode explores the connection between wellbeing and business performance and how prioritising your health can lead to clarity, resilience and long term success as a founder or business owner.
Thanks for listening, make sure to hit follow and subscribe to Progress Not Perfection for more honest conversations on business, wellbeing and growth.
Connect with Dean on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/)
Email: progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com (mailto:progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com)
Connect with Amanda:
https://www.healthsteps.co.uk/ (https://www.healthsteps.co.uk/)
20 Apr 2026
Ep 1: The Power of Teamwork and Personal Growth in Business with Danny Simpson
Building a business comes with a lot of struggles.
In this Progress Over Perfection podcast episode, host Dean interviews Danny Simpson, CEO of Mid Digital Solutions and former leader of Mid Communications, covering his rise from shop floor telecom sales to turning around a struggling O2 franchise business in 2009. Danny discusses differentiating through service, culture, customer loyalty, avoiding leadership bottlenecks and building a personal brand beyond the O2 logo.
He reflects on the loneliness and pressure of entrepreneurship, hidden struggles like near cash crises, imposter syndrome, and the emotional impact of selling the franchise.
Danny also talks about having resilience through the tough times, managing your ego, defining success personally and still trying to prioritise family time.
Thanks so much for listening to this episode, make sure to subscribe!
Connect with Dean on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/)
Email: progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com (mailto:progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com)
Connect with Danny:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-simpson-fiod-2421a221/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-simpson-fiod-2421a221/)
20 Apr 2026
Ep 3: From Cancer Survivor to Charity Leader: How Jess Rigby Navigates Burnout, Fundraising & Work Life Balance at Cash for Kids MCR
What does it really take to lead impactful charity and fundraising work while managing pressure, purpose and work life balance?
On Progress Not Perfection, host Dean Mason sits down with Jess Rigby, Charity Manager at Cash for Kids Manchester, to explore her nearly decade long journey from entry level charity roles to leading a small but high impact team delivering major fundraising campaigns and community support initiatives.
Jess shares her powerful personal story, being diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 19 and receiving support from charities, which inspired her to build a career giving back.
The conversation dives into flagship campaigns like Mission Christmas, Cash for Kids Day and Sports Challenge, alongside key events including the Glitter Ball, golf day, Survivor the Wild and a new skydive fundraiser, all critical to driving donations and supporting families in need.
This episode also uncovers the realities behind charity work: the admin, due diligence, limited resources, and the growing pressure on business fundraising and donations in a challenging economic climate. Jess speaks openly about managing burnout, maintaining work life balance, and staying connected to purpose while leading meaningful, year round impact through grants and community support.
If you're interested in charity leadership, fundraising strategy, purpose driven careers or balancing impact with wellbeing, this episode offers an honest and insightful look behind the scenes.
Thanks for listening, make sure to hit follow and subscribe to Progress Not Perfection for more honest conversations on business, wellbeing and growth
Connect with Dean on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmason1/)
Email: progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com (mailto:progressnotperfectionpodcast1@gmail.com)
Connect with Jess:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-rigby-b1655515b/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-rigby-b1655515b/)
Donate to cash for kids link
https://cashforkids.org.uk/donate/?fbclid=PAVERFWARO77BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaeercxvf3MY1RexXPjRTUJdKffb1b8iSgvVuDgByUEFhMl_S4KM4zYaqR_2LA_aem_ZTQi3eiiGO30KnvjKsXfhQ (https://cashforkids.org.uk/donate/?fbclid=PAVERFWARO77BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaeercxvf3MY1RexXPjRTUJdKffb1b8iSgvVuDgByUEFhMl_S4KM4zYaqR_2LA_aem_ZTQi3eiiGO30KnvjKsXfhQ)
16 Apr 2026
Introducing Progress not Perfection
Welcome to Progress Not Perfection a podcast for entrepreneurs, founders, start ups, business owners and solopreneurs who want an honest look at what it really takes to build and grow a business.
Hosted by Dean Mason, founder and Managing Director of Teqex, the show explores the reality behind entrepreneurship, business strategy, scaling, customer acquisition, marketing strategy and revenue growth, if you're ready to get practical insights into the decisions and actions that move a business forward you're in the right place!
Contact Progress not Perfection
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