Building from the bottom

Don't use words like "just" and "might" it gives the trust away and makes you seem uncertain. Especially when you're on sales calls.

In today's podcast, I cover 3 main topics:

- The power of goal setting and understanding not everyone want to make a million

- Collaborating and partnerships and how to utilise them to excel your business

- The tough call of business and working for free in hope that you will turn a profit.

Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

This week I get philosophical. It was my birthday last week, making me 22. A birthday I have been waiting for. The only birthday I have been excited for. In this episode I talk about the power of the numbers 22 and 11 in my family, and the meanings behind them.

I also talk about making quick decisions, vs longer term ones, and how I usually go about making these quick decisions.

Finally, people are going to talk you down, especially if you're young and starting a business. They will say "who do you think you are?" and "you're living in dreamland." The only way to get past this is to control where you spend your time. Spend less time with these people, and more time by yourself or with people that cheer you on. Screw the haters.

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

This week I've been chatting with Sam Winsbury.

We've been talking about his journey into business, whether business is born or learned, transitioning to working on the business full time after university and a whole lot more.

This episode is a goldmine for anyone at university who is looking to start, or has already started a business.

The episode covers everything personal branding.

When you're first starting out in business, personal branding can really help you to excel your reputation in the industry. I cover my personal experience with building a personal brand as well as a few tips on how to start building your own.

It will feel uncomfortable at first, but over time, you will build this great habit, build awesome relationships, and maybe even make a bit of money.

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

Mindset is so important when starting a business. But when you first start out, you need to dig deep into why you're starting your company, who do you want to help, what happens when it gets tough? All these different questions are things to consider when you're first starting.

Holding yourself accountable is also really important. I struggled with holding myself accountable with sales, as I was nervous and scared. Sometimes you need someone to help hold you accountable and work through some of your problems with you.

Balancing every task in business is hard when you're starting out. It's even harder when you have to study 15 hours a week and submit 3-6 assignments twice a year.

This podcast breaks down some of the pressures you face as a university student, trying to start and build a business. 

You never know whether you're devoting your time to the right thing.

Lecturers say 'why not wait till after uni?' and 'you're doing it wrong.'

Never being able to go fully all in, even if you want too.

These are just some of the points mentioned in todays podcast. There is more, and it gets a lot deeper and more vulnerable, so be sure to press play, and let's have a chat about it afterwards.

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

We all have values. We all have things we care about. It's really important to tie these into your business.

Today's episode talks about that, and my pursuit in making the world a better place.

I've been punched in the face. When I write this, I don't mean a mental punch, I'm talking full force, fist to the face. 

That moment really changed my perspective. Just click play to hear more.

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

Right now in business it's almost seen as bad to take a break. To spend a few hours playing Xbox on a Sunday.  Truth is though, break give you more energy, more focus and make you more productive. Start planning breaks.

In this episode I break down what hours I am working and what I do on weekends, evenings etc. This might be helpful for someone thinking they're not working enough.

Deadlines can make you productive. They're not all bad. We fit the work to the deadline. So maybe tighten up your deadlines.

I also share a few tips about talking about your business on content online. This is really important. I used to never post about my business, but that's not what the people want.

You've just got to hit play to hear more.

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

If people are calling you weird, because you spend all your time in your room or at a friends house, that's probably a good thing. If you're on the pursuit of something massive, you've got to take massive action. Especially if that's in business.

Managing a client was something I didn't think I would need to think about. I thought it would be a matter of just hopping on a call, telling them info and boom. I was wrong about that. You need processes and systems in place to manage clients effective and to give them a good experience as a customer. Some need more help, some need less, but either way, you need to plan a step by step process the customer will go through.

Things you think are really important when starting off a business, are actually the least important. It's easy to focus on website, brand name, logos etc, when actually the main thing to focus on is sales and if the customer wants what you're trying to sell.

If you don't make a decision, the decision is already made. It's the way it works, people won't wait forever. Pick a decision and more on.

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

The podcast is back, and as the title say's things have changed.

I asked someone to be my co-founder last week and this week I got a response. Unfortunately it wasn't the right time for them. At the end of it all, I was left feeling happy, content, excited and also a little bit sad. I was sad because it would have been great to be on this journey with another person. I was happy and excited because of the honest that was shared and also because it means I can start building what I want to build, which I was putting off until we had that conversation.

I'm building something new, and I cant wait to share it with you. I will share it on C4 | Episode 1. 

In this podcast I cover why I read. It's more than just to learn. It's about pushing the needle to get ahead. It's about taking a step closer to who I want to become. I also share tips on why you should get started and how to take the first step in reading.

I also cover opportunities and chances. You have to be open to opportunities in order to get them.

Beginnings and endings always occur and sometimes it's at the same time. This week a lot of poeple finished their coursework for university for the last time. Now its a waiting game until out of lockdown until they graduate and move into the workplace. A huge ending, and a huge beginning. My girlfriend is one of those people. 

I share my thoughts about positivity and negativity. Sometimes its hard to hold onto positivity and negativity can seep into your life. You have to remember why you began in order to stay in the mindset.

About 8 years ago I got a necklace from my sister, it probably cost her about £12 from a company like Asos. But, I wear it almost everyday. In some ways I channel my energy through that object to work harder. Do you do anything similar?

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

Your goals aren't as far as you think, the people you look up to are only a few steps away. 

This week I worked on my Ikigai, really trying to find where I can bring most value to the world. But I struggled on one part of it, what the world needs? I am going to speak to a friend of mine to see if she can help me find clarity in my life and figure out where I am going moving forward. She will be able to give me a different perspective and help me move onto the next level.

From doing this task, helping others and speaking to people I have found that I really like helping people and using my knowledge and experience to help others progress.

The course mentioned last week is something I am going to be doing but I want to make sure I am putting all the effort of the course in the right direction.

I also started a new job on Monday, a sales and marketing role in an influencer marketing agency. I have really been enjoying it. And by Tuesday I had already got in one lead. For no previous experience I was quite surprised. 

Blogging is a great way to 10X your business or personal brand. Writing down questions that your customers or audience have, and then answering them in a blog or any content in a non-bias way, will really help position you as an expert in your field. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

I have been using an app recently called Streaks. It's a great way to make sure you build habits such as exercising, reading or even brushing your teeth twice a day. Check it out by searching it on your app store.

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

During this episode I have broken down my current new content creation strategy. From editing, to getting subtitles, it's all in there.

Sometimes we feel guilty for resting and not working due to seeing everyone else working. Especially when we are seeing people in different time zones. But often, resting is the best thinig for us as in the long term it can make us more productive. I felt all these feelings whilst I was ill.

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of my Dad's death. It really got me to reflect over the past 10 years and how much times have changed. From sitting with my Dad in the minibus chatting about how life would be better one day, to now sitting in a university bedroom at my desk in Derby. How times have changed. 

It also got me thinking about how much will change over the next 10 years. Will I be looking back and be the person I wanted to be. 

Only time will tell. And you are along for the ride.

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

We have been told to have social distance, but that doesn't mean we need to be socially distant. It's time to pull together. Truth is Coronavirus is effecting every part of our lives. Our businesses, our children, our health systems, all of it.

We need to pull together to help each other through this tough time. 

School students are being closed, just months before thousands of 15 year olds are about to sit their exams, but are having more stress added due to the uncertainty of what their future holds. 

Businesses are tightening their budgets, meaning people are losing their jobs. 

It's tough times. Theres never been a more important time to pull together and help each other.

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

This week I am switching things up. Podcast episodes are going to be a bit more fast paced and high energy. From now on, podcasts featuring just me will be slightly shorter and include:

- 1-2 main points

- 1 point inspired by the world around me (News, Someones content, a book etc)

- A quick update on my company

In this podcast, I talk about recieving a bunch of letters as the tax year comes to an end. It was a really weird feeling to know I have certain debts to pay and also preparing documents for my accountant.

I also mention the Coronavirus, but insead of the negatives (like all other Coronavirus podcasts), I am talking about the positives. My experience with flexible working and the huge opportunity for public speakers in included within that.

Have you ever realised that you weren't movinig in life or business? If so, you're not alone. You probably have 5 year goals. Try to achieve them in 6 months time. It probably won't happen, but the worst that will happen is you will get a lot further than what you would have done. Just try it.

Time management working full time and trying to grow a company can be difficult. But remember you can't just work on your company and your job, you also need time off to focus on family and also to keep yourself creative and from going insane. 

When you are working focus on what you need to do now. If thats sales, then focus purely on sales. Eric Thomas said "you dont need a website, no business cards. If you're good, they'll find you". I truely agree. You could not get any sales for a year then on year 2 grow to be the biggest company in the world. 

You just don't know what showing up consistently and never giving up could do to you.

Have a great week.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment or if you want a chat, then message me on my details down below. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels too.

Drop me a message at:

This week I started using an evening journal called Five Minutes in the Evening. I have never really used a proper journal before and so this one helps guide your thoughts so that you know what to write down. I came up with a little technique which I have found works for me. It's called the PEA approach. P = Point, E = Emotion, A = Answer. The point is the top line thought. The emotion is the thought explained or a little more in depth and the answer counter-acts the emotion, telling you that you are good enough. Just click play to see this in action.

What happens when we die? Nobody knows. But here's my theory. Maybe when we die, we just go into the dream state. Maybe when people speak about 'Hell' they are refering to not lucid dreaming and thus constantly having no control over what you dream about. 

On the train home on Monday evening, there was a young boy. He was asking his parent/carer why he learns History in school. 'History is for people that want to be a Historian' he said. He asked a few other questions of a similar nature and it gave me  a real sense of gratitude and appreciation as I used to be like him when I was about his age. I question the world around me and asking questions that people called 'weird'.

I am starting an evening journal in the next few days, trying to build up an evening routine, so I will keep you posted on that.

I had a tough conversation with my girlfriend this week about why I am starting a company and not just joining one that's doing a similar thing. And the truth is I just have a feeling that this is right for me and I want to make a difference on the world. Feelings are often hard to explain but I just feel like I am doing the right thing and it makes me happy.

I often stay to myself, 'today could be the day' and 'the first client could be just down the road, don't quit', but how longs the road? Is there an alternative road I could take? Is there a way I could make this vehicle faster? 

Don't forget to leave a review/comment. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels below.

Still have questions or want to chat?  Drop me a message at:

This week I went to BBC Radio Derby. I got this opportunity by speaking to a colleague at work who happened to know somebody who works there. Truth is I went in with no expectations, just wanting to learn what they do, get a tour and try and provide value. One of the people who works there, her husband works in podcasting too and might have a chat with me in the future. Opportunity is everywhere, you don't know where it's hiding until you look for it.

Stop copying people, your journey is your own. 

Happy 2020 to everyone listening. It's the first episode of 2020. In this episode I begin by going through a few inspiring quotes that I heard that I just couldn't go without sharing. These quotes were from Les Brown and Tom Bilyeu.

Then I move onto talking about how it felt to get my first lead through my website. It was really fulfilling and kind of like a verification that I am onto something and I can't give up because people want what I am offering and it is valuable.

I share an update on how the whole revamp process is going and update you guys on where I want the company to be by the time I finish university in 2021. 

What are your goals for 2020? My singular goal is to read 12 books by December 31st. I don't know how many books I read last year but I am determind to keep track of how many I read in 2020.

I have an idea but I need your input. Should I start editing my podcast and adding in small snippets of conversations I have about my business or leave it as it is? If I have a guest on the podcast it will stay with the same layout but when I am by myself, this is something I was thinking of doing. What are your thoughts? Should I mix up the way I do my podcast or do you prefer how it is currently? Feel free to message me on any social media or email down below to tell me your thoughts.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels below.

Still have questions or want to chat?  Drop me a message at:

Who set's your priorities? One persons priorities for you are not the same as your priorities for youself. You are going to find things in your life that you think are of most importance, whereas the people around you might disagree. And this will always be the case. So how do you decide what to prioritise? You have to make the decision of what to prioritise.

You have to execute. You have to show the actions you are doing. It's go time. I need to execute more too. 

I also need to be more proactive in getting things done. Often we ask for help a lot to get answers, but we have Google now. And sometimes just trying something can be a lot more impactful. It may take slightly longer, but it will be a huge learning lesson for you. Work it out.

I have been listening to a lot of motivational speeches including Eric Thomas, Tony Robbins and Elon Musk. They all talk about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, but never say how. Today, the how fell into place. So I share that with you in this podcast. You have to put yourself in a position where you cannot turn back.

Have a great week.

Thank you so much for listening and I hope you have enjoyed it. Don't forget to leave a review/comment. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels below.

Still have questions or want to chat?  Drop me a message at:

Everyone in life has temptations of some form and recently I have been letting my temptations win which has caused me to put on weight. But things need to change, and this is something I talk about in this podcast.

I also reflect on what I would do differently if I started my company now and really reflect on what I could have done that would have helped my company grow faster. These points include: Really getting clear on who my target audience is,  Talking to potential clients about their needs and wants as well as looking at what value I can bring to the table.

Last week, I spoke about breaking down a wall. And I forgot to mention a moment I had whilst walking to work that really opened my mind. Never let your past hold you back from creating a better future. The only thing your past will do, is keep you in a cage, so you have to move forward.

Have a great week.

So, how did my birthday go? Well in short, it was amazing. It's one of the first times people have actually showed up for me in my life which rarely/never happens so it was really nice to see everyone come together on my birthday.

This week I cried. I didn't feel like I was doing enough. I wanted my business to move faster, to do more. For a second, I dropped the ball and became short sighted. Luckily my girlfriend reminded me that it's going to be difficult because I am also working full time and helped me see my path clearer.

When travelling to and from work I walk to and from the train station. I listen to motivation on the way to the station and this week one episode just resonated with me. One by Les Brown. He said everyone hits the wall. You get excited, tell your friends about it, you get fired up, and then youhit the wall. Truth is, most people get stunned, knocked down by the wall and turn back. He said the people that succeed are the ones that get knocked down by the wall and look up and have the tenacity to say, I am supposed to be over there, then persevere in order to get to that next level. If you want the link to this video, I can try and find it, just drop me a message or email with the details below and I will see if I can find it.

No matter how hard you try, everyone hit's the wall.

Have a great week.

I never really got the point of Birthdays, it's a day celebrating another year of being alive but also another year closer to dying. It's like a celebration for not dying over the last year. How strange. Right? What is your thoughts on Birthdays?Send your answers to my social media channels (listed below)

You need a voice.  Every has opinions they can share. Whether that's on a podcast, a vlog, a blog or just on social. Or all of them. People are starting podcast everywhere now, about anything. And not just business and personal development, but gaming, technology, social media, model trains, the weather, cars, beauty, different types of pens, whatever your passion is about, you should have a voice about it. And not just because I say so but because you can meet people all around the globe and make friends with people that have a similar view to yours. I've done it, and so can you.

Want to start a podcast, or need any help getting a voice? Message me on any of my social media channels below.

The podcasts mentioned in this podcast are: 

This week stars the mindset master, Lucy Colangelo. She helps people find clarity in their lives and really become clear on who they are and why they do, what they do. She does this through her company called Shine On.

Not only has she helped me on my journey but I also think she will be tremendously valuable in yours. Whether you're going through hard times or you're just starting out in personal development, this  podcast goes deep into how she got to running her business and building up her own mindset in the process. 

What do you want for your life right now? What do you need? The truth is this will change as you grow. If you think a little deeper about what you really want on need, how much of that is really true? Often we feel like we need things, but actually, we just want them.

You don't have to always be productive. There is an art of being unproductive. It allows you to be productive, but also can be highly beneficial for your future self. Whether that's spending time with family, meditating, walking in the part with your partner it can really help you see a new perspective and open your eyes.

As mentioned last week, you are in control. You have more time than you think. When you tell someone you're busy, it's just that you prioritise that thing you're doing over the person asking. So are you really busy?

You're in control, you have 86, 400 seconds in a day. Use them wisely, you never get them back.

Have a great week.

In this episode I talk about how each and every decision you make can affect your life. A decision as simple as what to have for lunch could spiral your life into a direction which you would never expect. 

Often I sit and think about this, and wonder what other paths I could've been on.

I also talk about being grateful for the people around you and remembering to show them attention and appreciation before its too late.

How do you show people you are grateful for them being around?

Thank you so much for listening. Don't forget to leave a review/comment. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels below.

Still have questions or want to chat?  Drop me a message at:

Twitter: @Garethgrafferty

Instagram: @Garethgrafferty

LinkedIn: Gareth Rafferty

YouTube: Gareth Rafferty

Email: garethwork421@gmail.com

Over the summer my life has changed dramatically and I am in a completely different position to what I thought I would be in. I am facing problems that I could have never even thought of.

But what is life. What is life to me? What is life to you? And what is the meaning of life?

Life is how you define it. You are the one with all of the control. But for some reason the is a massive lack of control. From the shoes you buy in your local store to the way you style your hair, the is influence. You and only you, decide if you get influenced.

I'm glad to be back.

Thank you so much for listening. Don't forget to leave a review/comment. I am looking for guests so if you want to be a guest, then message me on one of my social media channels below.

Still have questions or want to chat?  Drop me a message at:

Twitter: @Garethgrafferty

Instagram: @Garethgrafferty

LinkedIn: Gareth Rafferty

YouTube: Gareth Rafferty

Email: garethwork421@gmail.com

This week I have been focusing on learning and improving. Both on podcasting, in business, and in my personal life. Reading has been an important part of this week and I am now reading 2 books. 1 about business, 1 about podcasting.

I have also been learning sales, with help from my good friend Evans Duren I have been learning how I can sales prospect for clients. I have been using a thing called the Chambers of Commerce to help find companies.

Finally this week I have been thinking a lot about whether what I see around me is what I want my life to look like in the future. And the answer is no. I want to live a better life than what I currently live. And so that comes with changes. One step at a time.

This is the final episode to Chapter 2 of this podcast Building from the bottom, but I will be back soon for Chapter 3 so keep an eye out on my social media below to find out when I will be back.

Thank you so much for listening, I appreciate every single one of you. If you ever want to chat about your journey, I will help as much as I can but feel free to contact me via my social media or email and say that you're from my podcast in the first message so I reply quicker.

Thanks again, have an awesome summer.

Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice. This week I have had to. Without external help and advice you could end up down a path you didn't realise you were going down. I am learning a lot about sales. Especially since asking some friends of mine for help. I have also needed other people advice to tell me that I might need to focus a bit more on learning about the industry I am in. These people that you can turn to are really important.

This week I faced a lot of nerves. Mostly from speaking in front of 500 people (my new max). Sometimes things can become nerve-wracking (such as public speaking). It's what you do with your nerves that is important. It's easy to give up, but sometimes you need to fight through your emotions to get to the pot of gold (in my case happiness, fulfilment and control).

This week I talk about being confident in yourself and not worrying about what other people think. Often this can be difficult but what I have learnt during my life is that people will say things whether you're the best or the worst person in the world, so you may as well be happy being yourself.

I need to work on sales. I am not the best at reaching out to people that may be interested in my services. This has caused my nerves to take over and thus I have been procrastinating. However, this is holding up the business development. Therefore, I have contacted a few friends who are also in business for help. I am determined to work on my sales techniques.

 A lot more than mentioned is covered in this podcast, so feel free to check it out. 

This week I had the first woman ever to be on this podcast. SHAY ROWBOTTOM. She is a killer of LinkedIn content and really understands the marketing world, especially the social media world. Shay is a successful business owner who recently started a new company after selling a previous one.

During this podcast she talks about her journey in business and how she started off in music. So much value in this podcast about the hard parts of starting a company, including how much knowledge you need at the beginning of starting a company for the first time.

It was a really great conversation between us.

Find her on:

LinkedIn: Shay Rowbottom

Twitter: Shay Rowbottom

Instagram: Shay Rowbottom

In this weeks podcast I talk about the journey home from Madrid to the UK. It was a really busy few days and I am super glad to be back. When I arrived home, I came home to a huge surprise. Want to know what it was, just click play.

Just before leaving Madrid I sat 4 exams. 2 of which were on the day of flying home. On the 7th June, I got my results. To find out what I got, you know what to do.

I also had my first meeting with my accountants this week which was really exciting but also felt really weird and formal. It was also different for my girlfriend to witness.

Over the next few weeks I am having a digital detox so this podcast will return on the final day of June (30th June). I hope you enjoy the next few weeks, and I'm sure you will enjoy the next episode of Building from the Bottom.

 This week I share some great business advice about what to spend your time on whilst trying to get your first client by Jay Flores. I also review my whole time of me being in Madrid. I discuss what's to come over the next few weeks of my content as well as my feelings towards exams and my nerves. 

I really hope you enjoy this podcast and hope you find value.

Where are you in your business journey?

This week I have realised, after scrolling through Steven Bartlett's instagram, to his first post, that entrepreneurs are the same. They start at a very similar place to us but we build barriers in the way to convince ourselves why we can't get to their level.

I have also read 2 books this week both of them are quite small (100 pages) but great books. Check them out below:

The Psychology of Celebrity - Gayle Stever

Minimalise to maximise your happiness: Cut the Crap - Jake B Melton

 This week is all about your mind and body. What you put in your mind and body effects how you act in a day, how you act in a week and can effect your whole life.

The media talks about eat 5, 6, 7 pieces of fruit and vegetables a day, "Vitamin D is needed to survive" they cry. For a person that didn't eat any fruit and little vegetables, I start with 1 apple a day and condition myself so I can't get out of it. 

If you tell yourself you can make your dreams, you are more likely to put in the work to get there. 

I also talk about pricing again, motivations, client outreach and also getting out of your head. Sound interesting? Just click play :)

This week I start off with some of my biggest struggles since being in business. These include pricing and sales.

I break down the way I got my starting price in my company and how I worked it out. I also share how I am building a brand and trying to get sales by bringing value to people online. I am also looking to do public speaking events to get my business out there.

I speak about how I found my why, and how it dates back to something I have been doing my whole life.

Don't forget, stop searching for affirmation and confirmation. Nelson Mandela didn't.

This week I made a huge breakthrough ...

I launched my company New Found Media.