FETE: Stories to Inspire

This week on FETE: From Employee to Entrepreneur – Stories to Inspire, host Katy Berrill speaks with Simon Wrenn, a CEO running a £35 million business with over 3,000 employees. But Simon’s story didn’t start in a boardroom, it started in Burger King.
We explore Simon’s raw and real entrepreneurial journey: from cleaning windows to managing large-scale contracts, experiencing business failure, and ultimately becoming CEO of a national company.Simon shares the highs, the lows, the lessons, and what it really takes to succeed.
In this episode:
The myth of needing a grand plan
How “boring” industries often bring in the big bucks
What makes a great leader (and how to build a team that challenges you)
The importance of failure, resilience, and timing
How to get started when you have no idea where to begin
Whether you’re stuck in a job you hate or already dreaming of your next venture, this episode is packed with wisdom, realness, and inspiration.
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share!Let’s turn ambition into action.

This week on Fete: Stories to Inspire, Katy Berrilll is joined by Kate Barnes-Quinn, a finance director-turned-fractional CFO-turned-consultant and pub owner.
Kate shares the rollercoaster of moving from FTSE-listed tech companies and high-pressure fundraises to burnout, legal battles, and a complete re-evaluation of what success really means. Now focused on mentoring founders and educating startup teams, Kate offers hard-earned wisdom about:
Knowing your destination before you start
Navigating entrepreneurship as a parent
Setting boundaries before burnout
And why being “cheeky” might just be your best business strategy
This is an honest, energising, and powerful conversation about building a business and a life that works for you.
#FetePodcast #FounderJourney #FinancialLeadership #PodcastForEntrepreneurs

Real stories, honest advice, and practical inspiration to help you go from the 9-to-5 grind to building a business you love. In this solo episode, Katy shares a behind-the-scenes look at her first year in business, from juggling mum life and client work to figuring out her offering, audience, and mindset.
You’ll learn:
Why you don’t need to quit your job to start preparing
How clarity, simplicity, and consistency fuel long-term growth
Why being visible and building trust matter more than perfect branding
What it really takes to build a profitable, purpose-led business from the ground up
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have the time,” this episode will show you how to make it work anyway.
📍 Plus, a sneak peek into the upcoming Business Basics course – designed to help you build structure, clarity, and confidence at any stage of your journey.

Welcome to FETE: From Employee to Entrepreneur – Stories to Inspire. I'm Katy Berrill, your host, here to guide and empower you as you turn ambition into action.
In this episode, I’m joined by Lucy Toon, a talented graphic designer and founder of her own consultancy. Lucy shares her inspiring journey from agency life to running a successful business while raising two young children.
We talk about building confidence, navigating redundancy, growing through trial and error, and how she’s shaped a business model that supports her life, not the other way around. If you're balancing ambition with family or just looking for real talk on what it takes to go freelance, Lucy’s story is full of insights, humour, and heart.
Tune in for:✔️ Starting small and growing with intention✔️ The challenges of early freelancing✔️ Learning to say no (and mean it)✔️ Building boundaries, systems, and support✔️ The power of gut instinct in business
Listen now on Apple & Podbean — and don’t forget to subscribe and share if you’re enjoying the series.

From Accidental Freelancer to Tech Founder – Iain Rowe’s Journey.
In this episode of From Employee to Entrepreneur – Stories to Inspire, I chat with Iain Rowe, founder of Prominent Media and Fintrano. Iain shares how he went from a full-time role at the Open University to becoming a self-employed web developer almost by accident, and eventually a tech entrepreneur. We discuss the power of saying no, building a business around real customer needs, and why communication and consistency matter more than perfection. Whether you're side hustling or scaling, Iain’s story is full of honest insights and practical takeaways.

In this special solo episode of FETE: Stories to Inspire, host Katy Berrill shares her personal journey of navigating business ownership alongside motherhood. From running a business during lockdown pregnancy to welcoming twins and reshaping how (and why) she works, Katy reflects on the highs, challenges, and lessons learned. If you’re balancing business with parenting, or considering how to design a business that supports the life you want,  this honest, relatable episode is for you.

In this episode of FETE: Stories to Inspire Podcast, I sit down with Wendy Dooley from House of Colour to hear how she went from a career in HR to running a thriving colour and style consultancy. Wendy shares her story of discovering a long-held passion, buying a franchise, and learning to build a business that brings her joy and purpose. We discuss confidence, personal branding, sustainability, and the honest highs and lows of being your own boss. A must-listen for anyone craving a career change or a confidence boost.

🎙️ Podcast Episode Description:
In this episode of FETE: From Employee to Entrepreneur, host Katy Berrill welcomes Nicola Hageman, founder of The Numbers Quarter. Nicola shares her inspiring journey from dreaming of being an accountant at eight years old to building her own successful accountancy practice while juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship.
Listen as she talks about the realities of starting a business, trusting your instincts, and the lessons learned from ten years of running her company. Whether you're thinking about making the leap or are already on the journey, Nicola’s story will leave you motivated and ready to take action.

In this week’s episode, Katy is joined by Claire Hersant, founder of Voyant Design and the creative mind behind some of Katy’s brands. With 26 years of business experience, Claire shares her journey from employed life to entrepreneurship, the challenges of juggling motherhood and work, and how psychology plays a powerful role in branding. Expect insights into creating a consistent, meaningful brand, plus plenty of inspiration for any working parent navigating the business world.

In this solo episode of FETE: Stories to Inspire, I get personal, sharing the behind-the-scenes reality of balancing life as a multi-business owner and mum of three under four. From understanding who I am to building systems that keep chaos at bay, I share my thoughts on how I deal with having a lot going on! I hope this episode is a balance of thought provoking insights, practical tips, and a big reminder that getting to know yourself is the foundation of sustainable success.