Interrogation of the Experts

Back in 2010, I sat down with some of the sharpest business minds I could collar — copywriters, consultants, marketers — people who’d actually been in the trenches and made it work. The idea back then was to run this as a monthly paid series for veterans thinking about going self-employed. Fast-forward to now, and you get the whole lot here for free.
The advice is still rock solid, even if some of the offers they mention are long gone. Think of it as a shortcut to the kind of lessons you’d usually only learn after years of trial, error, and empty wallets. And just like with the veterans, each one ends with me asking them to pull up a bollard and spin me a dit — a funny story from their own career. So it’s not all business theory; there’s a bit of humour in there too.
​Quick heads-up on the intros: Each one kicks off with about 40 seconds of sound effects and a disguised voice saying “tell me everything you know.” Back in 2010, I thought it was cool. These days I’d keep it to five seconds tops — but hey, people had more patience then. Call it vintage charm.

Peter Thomson
Peter Thomson is one of the UK’s top strategists on business and personal growth. Starting out in 1972, he built three successful companies and sold one to a public company after only five years for £4.2 million — retiring at 42.

Ted Nicholas

(Former U.S. Marine)
Ted Nicholas went from $96,000 in debt at age 21 to launching a candy company (“Peterson’s House of Fudge”) where he learned the ropes of business. He went on to become one of the most successful copywriters and marketing consultants in the world, authoring best-sellers and speaking internationally.​

Paul Green
Paul Green is a PR expert who helps businesses get noticed. With 13 years as a journalist and editor in newspapers and radio, he launched PR company Publicity Heaven in 2005, specialising in media coverage that grows businesses.

Michael Tipper

(Former Royal Navy)
Michael Tipper is a writer, speaker, trainer, and facilitator with over two decades of experience in memory improvement, productivity, and leadership development. He combines military discipline with practical strategies to boost learning and performance.