Sales Leader Secrets

• S2, Ep 10: Leading The Disability Activism Agenda

  What’s it like to build a career around changing the way we think about disability? In this episode of Sales Leader Secrets, Amanda Downs talks with Esi Hardy, founder of Celebrating Disability and a leading voice on inclusion.Esi’s path has been far from typical. From training as an actress and working in performing arts in LA, to moving into health and social care, she’s now running her own business helping organisations and individuals create spaces where disabled people can thrive.If you’re interested in leadership with purpose and building workplaces where everyone belongs, this episode is worth a listen.Here are the highlights:00:00 Introduction04:50 Starting a business after leaving charity work06:42 Driving disability inclusion with Homes for Students09:53 Learning leadership through early challenges13:04 Building inclusive hiring practices18:48 Choosing value-driven clients and redefining authenticity at work22:40 Building a value-led pipeline through SEO and exploratory calls28:36 Disability activism shifted my mindset33:09 Faking It, Making ItJoin us each month for the Uspire webinar series “Become a Better Leader” and get valuable leadership frameworks and techniques to help you achieve sustainable growth that lasts. https://theuspiregroup.com/uspire-events/become-a-better-leader-webinar-series/​About Amanda Downs:Amanda Downs is Uspire's Director of Commercial Leadership and a commercial training and coaching expert. She has worked extensively in Europe, EMEA, the US, and Asia and is an accredited Insights Discovery practitioner. She also leads Uspire's commercial leadership proposition.​She produces the popular Sales Growth Expert blog and is currently writing her first sales leadership book.​Connect with Amanda:Website: theuspiregroup.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadowns2/​About The Uspire Partnership:Uspire challenge, energise and upskill leaders to set the stage for business transformation and commercial success. Members of the Uspire team are all industry professionals and have first-hand experience of the commercial challenges you face. We develop leadership skills and commercial capabilities; delivering profitable growth and a sustainable legacy of change.​Connect with Uspire:Website: theuspiregroup.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uspire-ltd/About Esi Hardy:Esi Hardy is the founder and Managing Director of Celebrating Disability, a consultancy established in 2017 to promote disability inclusion in workplaces. With a background in public services, social care, and the charity sector, Esi has consistently focused on advocating for the rights of disabled people. Her diverse career path includes experiences as a theatre actress and a psychodynamic counsellor, all unified by her commitment to disability advocacy.As she has cerebral palsy and identifies as a hybrid wheelchair user, Esi draws on her lived experience to highlight the barriers faced by disabled people. This perspective enriches her consultancy work, enabling organisations to implement strategies that foster truly inclusive environments.Celebrating Disability offers tailored services, including disability...

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• S2, Ep 09: Ella Cookson on Leading Freedom for 2,500 Women

  What does it take to lead a team of over 2,500 people and still keep things grounded? In this episode of Sales Leader Secrets, Amanda Downs chats with Ella Cookson, a standout leader at Tropic Skincare. Ella’s story is one of resilience. After a tough few years, she rebuilt her confidence and has gone on to support thousands of ambassadors across the UK.Ella talks honestly about the ups and downs of leadership, how she’s grown her team, and what’s helped her stay true to herself along the way. You’ll hear how Tropic has shaped a fresh approach to direct selling, and why community and recognition matter more than ever.If you’re leading a team or thinking about taking that step, this one’s for you.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction 05:45 Preservative-free natural skincare (the tropic difference)09:17 Empowering women through skincare sales11:45 Empowering team leadership15:00 Letting go of control19:31 Using human design to unlock your power22:06 Understanding your team25:01 Empower and celebrate your team28:59 Sales leadership secrets revealedJoin us each month between August and November for the Uspire webinar series “Become a Better Leader” and get valuable leadership frameworks and techniques to help you achieve sustainable growth that lasts. https://theuspiregroup.com/uspire-events/become-a-better-leader-webinar-series/About Amanda Downs:Amanda Downs is Uspire's Director of Commercial Leadership and a commercial training and coaching expert. She has worked extensively in Europe, EMEA, the US, and Asia and is an accredited Insights Discovery practitioner. She also leads Uspire's commercial leadership proposition.She produces the popular Sales Growth Expert blog and is currently writing her first sales leadership book.Connect with Amanda:Website: theuspiregroup.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadowns2/About The Uspire Partnership:Uspire challenge, energise and upskill leaders to set the stage for business transformation and commercial success. Members of the Uspire team are all industry professionals and have first-hand experience of the commercial challenges you face. We develop leadership skills and commercial capabilities; delivering profitable growth and a sustainable legacy of change.Connect with Uspire:Website: theuspiregroup.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uspire-ltd/About Ella CooksonI’m a mum of two young kids, a skincare enthusiast, and a proud ambassador for Tropic Skincare. I’m part of Tropic’s Diamond Advisory board, which means I get to help shape the future of one of the UK’s fastest-growing ethical beauty brands, while also supporting an incredible team of women to build flexible businesses around their lives.

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• S2, Ep 08: A Glamping Good Leader!

  Ever thought a farm field could turn into a five-star getaway? In this episode of Sales Leader Secrets, Amanda Downs chats with Joanne Collinge, a former teacher who traded the classroom for a life on the family farm in Lancashire. What started as a challenge to bring in extra income has grown into Little Oakhurst Boutique Glamping, a rural retreat with serious charm.Joanne shares how she built the business from scratch, using creativity, second-hand materials, and sheer determination. With no background in sales or marketing, she learned as she went, often with her daughter by her side guiding her through social media.Listen to hear how Joanne turned a side project into a standout brand, what it’s really like running a business with your family, and why keeping it personal has made all the difference.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction 02:08 A career crossroads, from the classroom to the farm05:14 Glamping begins: A naive idea, and taking a bold leap07:58 Growing with grit: Building with scrap and story10:32 Leading as a family: roles, respect, and Rr16:43 Standing out in sales: Marketing & ‘Four in a Bed’ fame19:34 Values-driven leadership: respect, autonomy, and mistakes welcome22:15 Looking ahead: vision, sustainability, and boutique growthJoin us each month between July and November for the Uspire webinar series “Become a Better Leader” and get valuable leadership frameworks and techniques to help you achieve sustainable growth that lasts. https://theuspiregroup.com/uspire-events/become-a-better-leader-webinar-series/About Amanda Downs:Amanda Downs is Uspire's Director of Commercial Leadership and a commercial training and coaching expert. She has worked extensively in Europe, EMEA, the US, and Asia and is an accredited Insights Discovery practitioner. She also leads Uspire's commercial leadership proposition.She produces the popular Sales Growth Expert blog and is currently writing her first sales leadership book.Connect with Amanda:Website: theuspiregroup.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadowns2/About The Uspire Partnership:Uspire challenge, energise and upskill leaders to set the stage for business transformation and commercial success. Members of the Uspire team are all industry professionals and have first-hand experience of the commercial challenges you face. We develop leadership skills and commercial capabilities; delivering profitable growth and a sustainable legacy of change.Connect with Uspire:Website: theuspiregroup.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uspire-ltd/About Joanne CollingeJoanne is a former teacher turned entrepreneur who left the classroom to create a one of a kind glamping site built from upcycled materials on her family farm. Passionate about sustainability and the great outdoors, Joanne's innovative retreat has won multiple awards and even been on TV. She thrives on connecting people with nature. Find out more: https://www.littleoakhurst.com/

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• S2, Ep 07: Lee Personius on Leading Growth, One Pizza At A Time

  Have you ever wondered how a small food startup with just four people became one of the UK’s leading names in the food-to-go industry? In this episode of Sales Leaders’ Secrets, Amanda Downs sits down with Lee Personius, founder and CEO of Tugo.From humble beginnings in a rundown trading estate, Lee has grown Tugo into a £22 million business and he’s aiming to double that in the next decade. He shares how he secured early investment, won over big customers, and maintained a close-knit team culture along the way.Tune in to learn more about leadership, growth, and why celebrating with pizza matters more than you think.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction 05:16 Early stage mistakes and growth06:56 Startup journey with key support11:23 Balancing family feel & performance13:47 Why some people are built to be entrepreneurs18:39 Developing a softer leadership style over time21:48 Reliable support in tough times24:28 Caution in crisis27:54 Be clear on what you doJoin us each month between May and November for the Uspire webinar series “Become a Better Leader” and get valuable leadership frameworks and techniques to help you achieve sustainable growth that lasts. https://theuspiregroup.com/uspire-events/become-a-better-leader-webinar-series/About Amanda Downs:Amanda Downs is Uspire's Director of Commercial Leadership and a commercial training and coaching expert. She has worked extensively in Europe, EMEA, the US, and Asia and is an accredited Insights Discovery practitioner. She also leads Uspire's commercial leadership proposition.She produces the popular Sales Growth Expert blog and is currently writing her first sales leadership book.Connect with Amanda:Website: theuspiregroup.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadowns2/About The Uspire Partnership:Uspire challenge, energise and upskill leaders to set the stage for business transformation and commercial success. Members of the Uspire team are all industry professionals and have first-hand experience of the commercial challenges you face. We develop leadership skills and commercial capabilities; delivering profitable growth and a sustainable legacy of change.Connect with Uspire:Website: theuspiregroup.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uspire-ltd/About Lee Personius: Lee Personius is the Founder & CEO of Tugo Food, a forward-thinking foodservice company on a mission to make great food more accessible, sustainable, and adaptable. Tugo works with partners across the food industry to deliver smart, flexible food solutions that meet the demands of modern service without compromising on quality or values.Under Lee’s leadership, Tugo has grown into a purpose-driven business that doesn’t just talk the talk. They’re proud to be a certified B Corp, a Gold-accredited Investors in People organisation, a Times Best Places to Work honouree, and a National Living Wage Employer. That people-first, sustainability-focused mindset is baked...

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• S02, Ep 06: Leading Potential through Direct Sales with Babette Ogden

  Have you ever wondered what it truly takes to unlock the leadership potential in others and transform lives through a career in direct sales? In this episode of Sales Leaders' Secrets, host Amanda Downs sits down with Babette Ogden, a seasoned direct selling leader whose journey spans from her early days at Avon in South Africa to her current role as Regional Sales Manager for The 1:1 Diet (formerly Cambridge Weight Plan). Together, they dive into Babette’s inspiring story, unpack the unique challenges and life-changing impact of direct selling, and explore why building relationships and fostering confidence are at the heart of effective sales leadership. Make sure you tune in to listen to Babette’s sales leader secrets. Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction04:18 Launching a UK brand with American training08:43 Expanded the consultant network from 2,500 to nearly 8,00012:39 Build confidence through public speaking, foster genuine caring relationships over direct selling14:00 Direct selling is about making a difference in people's lives17:08 There is equal opportunity in direct selling25:53 Believe in yourself, be brave, and stay true to your values28:35 Unlocking potential through leadership.Join us each month between May and November for the Uspire webinar series “Become a Better Leader” and get valuable leadership frameworks and techniques to help you achieve sustainable growth that lasts. https://theuspiregroup.com/uspire-events/become-a-better-leader-webinar-series/About Amanda Downs:Amanda Downs is Uspire's Director of Commercial Leadership and a commercial training and coaching expert. She has worked extensively in Europe, EMEA, the US, and Asia and is an accredited Insights Discovery practitioner. She also leads Uspire's commercial leadership proposition.She produces the popular Sales Growth Expert blog and is currently writing her first sales leadership book.Connect with Amanda:Website: theuspiregroup.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadowns2/About The Uspire Partnership:Uspire challenge, energise and upskill leaders to set the stage for business transformation and commercial success. Members of the Uspire team are all industry professionals and have first-hand experience of the commercial challenges you face. We develop leadership skills and commercial capabilities; delivering profitable growth and a sustainable legacy of change.Connect with Uspire:Website: theuspiregroup.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uspire-ltd/About Babette Ogden:I've spent the last 35 years in the direct selling industry, and I still wake up every day excited about what I do. This business has given me the chance to help people change their lives—whether it’s finding more freedom, building confidence, or reaching financial goals. I'm incredibly proud to be the recipient of the 2019 DSA award for Excellence in Field Sales Development, one of the highlights of my career, but what means the most to me is seeing others grow and succeed through this amazing...

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