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On this weeks episode of An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats to Rob Najair about how he turned his passion for sport & helping people into a career. Listen as they talk all about what it was like starting his own business, the importance of sleep for recovery, and how setting boundaries has created a better work-life balance!
You can find more out about Najair Movement by following Rob on Instagram @najair_movement
00:00 Intro
01:25 Where Robs love for fitness came from
05:30 Life after college - what next
07:30 Finding his work passion
09:10 Taking the leap into his own business
11:20 Robs first business & his business coach
17:00 Finding his niche
19:10 How Movement Training works & what injuries Rob sees
21:20 Importance of sleep & value of a quality mattress
24:30 How caffeine and alcohol affect your sleep
26:30 Weight loss & making good habits
28:38 Rob used to PT the office
29:40 Rob time in the theatre
31:20 His escape from work & creating boundaries
35:30 Spending your time where you are best spent
37:57 Where he sees himself in 2 years
40:33 Quickfire questions
47:00 Tip of the week
49:30 Outro
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In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve sits down with Lewis to talk about his journey from the football pitch to the furniture industry. From playing for Portsmouth to building a career in business, Lewis shares how resilience shaped his path and how he finds balance between home life and work!
00:00 Intro
02:30 Early life & journey into football
07:30 What its was like training with the pros
09:00 Playing with the big names
10:19 How Lewis felt when football came to an end
11:14 His first sales job
12:45 How football made him so resilient
14:20 Enter the world of furniture
16:00 Progressing through the roles
17:49 Jumping from employed to self employed
20:00 Differences between high end & commercial
21:30 Balancing suppliers & retailers
23:30 Travelling & balancing home life
27:45 How the industry could work better together
30:11 Quickfire questions
36:35 Tip of the week
38:56 Outro
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Welcome back to Season 2 of An Unorthodox CEO! This week, we are joined by Paul Matthews, customer experience expert and director at Insight 6!
Listen as Steve and Paul chat about where the opportunity for him to start his own business came from, how creating positive feelings for customers is so important and his highs and lows in business! Plus so much more!
00:00 Intro
02:10 Where Paul started his career
05:40 Always loved sport & fitness
08:00 The opportunity to start his own business
11:00 What insight 6 does for businesses
12:30 How the surveys influenced Sussex Beds
13:10 Why getting feedback is so important
14:53 Turning poor experiences into great ones
17:15 Team satisfaction surveys are needed
18:38 Pauls highlights & toughest parts of running his own business
20:27 A note from Olivia (Pauls Daughter)
21:40 Customers always remember the feeling they had
23:30 How Paul destresses
24:30 A gift from Paul to Steve & Victoria
26:12 Quickfire Questions
30:44 Tip of the Week
32:45 Outro
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An Unorthodox CEO is back and we kick off with the first episode next Wednesday at 8am! You don't want to miss it as we speak to more guests, some of our team and end the year with our goals for 2026!
Want to be a guest dont forget you can leave a review or send us an email on anunorthodoxceo@sussexbeds.co.uk
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This week, we sit down with Paul to explore his journey from his first job and university days to becoming a leader who now guides CEOs across the country. Listen as he chats with Steve about what it’s like to run a business you didn’t found, the importance of listening and vulnerability, and how Vistage changed his approach to leadership. Plus so much more in our Series 1 finale!
00:00 Intro
03:18 A bit about Paul & life growing up
07:18 Paul’s first Job
09:14 Life at University
12:05 How Paul ended up in the South East
16:20 Becoming a Manager (Sorry Paul - Becoming a Leader)
17:31 Experiences working with friends
21:30 How Vistage changed Paul
24:58 Being a CEO in a business you didn’t found - learning to listen
30:00 Balancing family life & business
32:35 Why he joined Vistage & what it’s all about
41:45 Why vulnerability & honesty is really important in business
47:10 Implementation is key to moving forward
50:00 Value of coaching & imposter syndrome
53:00 Paul sleeps on a Sussex Beds mattress!
55:25 Quickfire Questions
1:09:25 Outro
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We are back with Sue for episode 21! Listen as Steve and Sue chat about all things product - why they are all our own brand, the process of creating products, and why having the same values as our suppliers is vital! They talk to us about the products on the shop floor that have changed over the last 20 years and why having our own brands helps us get the customer the perfect bed for them.
00:00 Intro
01:40 Why our product ranges are different to 20 years ago
06:45 All our products are built to facilitate quality sleep
09:25 What Sue looks for in a product she is buying & 60 night trial
13:42 How we meet different product needs
14:20 Suppliers: How we work & what we look for
17:45 All our products are own brand - why?
23:12 How we understand our customers
25:15 Quickfire Questions
31:21 Tip of the Week
32:30 Outro
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This week, we’re answering 13 big (and fun) questions – all asked by YOU! From memorable Gang Show moments to when to grow your business, the skills every employee will need in the next five years, and even how a CEO winds down for sleep – there’s something for everyone. Got a different question? Leave it in the review section and we will make sure we answer it!
00:00 Intro
01:30 What can you see yourself doing if you hadn't of gone into the family business?
02:43 When is the right time to grow your business? And Is growing your business through openings more shops the most effective strategy?
06:08 You are a Brighton football fan - Do you prefer to be a coach on the sidelines or a captain on the pitch?
08:05 What skills will be most valuable for employees in the next five years?
09:10 What is Steves favourite ever Gang Show moment?
If he could perform one sketch/musical number at Gang Show and then go and perform it in the West End what would it be?
12:25 What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a business today?
13:51 What advice would you give someone aiming for a leadership role?
15:15 How do you know when to take a risk versus play it safe?
17:52 What are things we can do instore at Sussex beds to get our name out there?
19:20 If Sussex Beds had a time machine, which year would you visit and why?
20:50 What is something you do to try and help you get to sleep when you can’t?
23:35 Outro
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From launching a print business to starting a football agency and raising a large family, Ben Barrett has built a life where passion fuels everything he does. In this episode, he chats with Steve about how he turned bold ideas into successful ventures, why values matter in business, and how he learned to balance ambition with family life.
00:00 Intro
01:38 A bit about Ben & how he got into print
06:30 Having similar values to your suppliers is key
10:12 The importance of making customers super fans
12:19 Why Ben took the leap to start his own business
18:00 The factor agreement & how he turned it all around
22:45 Bens son playing football & Why he founded a Football Agency
26:48 Bens first scout & how the agency grew
32:05 Football is a cut throat industry
33:10 Ben & his ‘home alone’ style family
35:35 How he splits his time between business & family
42:30 What Ben loves about business & his hardest moments
57:43 Quickfire Questions
1:02:40 Outro
Leave a question for Steve here - https://forms.gle/PEcCM14CDe57tqCd8
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We are back for another episode, and this week we are joined again by Grace. Listen as she talks with Steve about why display is vital in retail and how consumer buyer behaviour affects where we place our beds! Plus, find out how printing in-house has been a game-changer for our display!
00:00 Intro
01:35 Why Steve love’s merchandise
03:20 Graces favourite parts of display & the theory behind it
07:55 Store layouts - why they are all different
10:57 How we educate customers through display
13:30 Why good display & the right product has a big impact on sales
15:25 How Grace decides what to put on our windows
16:37 Merch is also all about the senses
18:10 In-house print, how we use it & the advantages
22:29 Quickfire Questions
27:35 Tip of the week
28:49 Steve’s Bed Knob Award
31:05 Outro
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In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve and Lee chat about how their friendship began, why Lee started at Sussex Beds and the highs and lows of being a Regional Manager! Plus, find out what life being a chef is like and which one they’d ditch — whiskey or wine… (it was a tough choice)
00:00 Intro
02:27 A little bit about Lee, Chef, Pub Manager & Morrisons
08:42 Why Lee joined Sussex Beds
10:50 Taking his career change in his stride
13:45 How Steve & Lee became friends
16:10 Steve’s chat & working together
17:50 Lee working his way up the business
19:22 Balancing team & business
23:38 Why leading & nurturing people is so much more rewarding
26:25 What Lee loves about this job
28:05 Best thing about being a friend in the business
31:30 Quickfire Questions
38:00 Tip of the week
39:45 Outro
You can listen to Fun House here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nVTcVgLUQU
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In this episode, we sit down with Sarah, our People Manager! Listen as Steve & Sarah chat about how their HR, recruitment and processes have changed over the last 6 years! Plus, Sarah shares why she believes HR belongs directly under the CEO, what the real purpose of HR is in a growing business, and why everyone who applies gets an interview.
00:00 Intro
01:57 A little bit about Sarah
04:45 Why Sarah joined Sussex Beds
07:10 How she ended up in HR at Sussex Beds
09:30 How her apprenticeship helped shape the HR recruitment process
12:23 The purpose of HR
14:35 Why HR fits under the CEO
15:55 The reason why everyone gets an interview
21:10 The main thing we look for in an interview
25:32 What’s next for our HR & onboarding days
27:10 Hardest part of recruitment
28:18 Change the words in your job ads
29:30 The biggest challenge as a HR/ People Manager
31:10 Quickfire Questions
36:45 Tip of the week
38:00 Outro
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We are back with episode 15, and Josh Pickering has joined us again! Listen as Steve & Josh chat about all things engagement, how happiness surveys have helped the team to feel more heard and why the wheel of kudos is a simple way to boost morale and recognise everyday wins. Tune in for some tough, quickfire questions that get Steve & Josh thinking!
00:00 Intro
02:10 National Stats - % of engaged team members in a business
05:05 Focus on getting those 62% to join the engaged 23%
07:29 What can encourage engagement?
09:08 Monthly team happiness survey
11:30 Communication & feeling heard as an employee
12:46 Trying not to take the negative personally
15:39 Sharing business goals & team choosing department ones
17:58 The power of committees
21:25 Why formal & informal 1-1s are so important
27:18 Wheel of Kudos & the prize
30:18 Quickfire Questions
37:28 Tip of the week
38:09 Outro by Josh
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Our 14th episode is here! This week Steve chats to Victoria (the voice behind the camera) all about why they started the podcast, the highs and the challenges of working in a family business and how university helped to shape her approach to work & life!
00:00 Intro
02:37 A bit about Victoria, uni life & joining Sussex Beds
07:05 How did uni prepare her for work & why ROI is so important
10:34 Is working for SB what Victoria expected
12:40 Why they started the podcast and how it was created
16:35 Do you want to be a guest? Let us know!
16:50 Highlights & Challenges of working with Sussex Beds
21:40 How Victoria de-stresses & personal challenges
27:30 Quickfire Questions from Paula
33:30 Tip of the week
34:23 Outro
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Listen as Steve chats with Lynn & Julie in our 13th episode, get ready for lots of laughs. Find out about their funniest moments working together, how they support each other and the challenges of working on the front line in the family business! Plus, get an insight into selling and what the most important aspect of that is!
00:00 Intro
02:50 What John Pickering was like when he was younger
04:20 When Lynn joined the business
06:47 How different Sussex Beds is now to 35 years ago
07:30 When Julie joined the business & what she did before
11:30 Selling is all about connections
13:00 John & Julie both working in the business
14:15 Challenges of being a family member on the front line
17:20 Best parts of working in a family business
18:40 The story of the wardrobe
21:00 Lynns sister Wendy
22:30 How they both de-stress and relax
24:15 Quickfire Questions
30:42 Tip of the week
31:57 Outro
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It's episode 12, and we have done something a little bit different! Listen as Steve gets interviewed by Matt Southam, host of the Balanced Ambition podcast! Find out more about Steve as he opens up about the rewarding reality of running a growing family business. They talk about navigating financial turmoil and coaching challenges, installing company-wide KPIs and learning how not to micromanage - we find out more why Steve is An Unorthodox CEO!
00:00 Intro
01:00 Growing up above the furniture shop
04:30 Joining the family business full-time
05:00 Restructuring after a rocky period
05:40 How working with a business coach changed everything
07:23 What makes Steve’s leadership style so different
10:44 Performance reviews with his wife
11:00 Allowing people to fail (and why that matters)
13:25 Hiring people better than you
16:15 Building a culture that outlives the founder
21:30 Why Sussex Beds turns away low-quality sales
22:30 The power of real-time data and KPIs
27:20 Becoming visible as a CEO on LinkedIn
28:30 Resilience: “Knock, knock, knock… win”
33:00 Performance reviews around the dinner table
36:00 The struggle to switch off (even on holiday)
39:00 Why amateur theatre helps Steve decompress
41:30 Final advice for new business owners
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In this episode, listen as Sue chats with Steve about her journey and roles throughout her 30 years in the business, how she copes with challenging times and the best parts of working with her family. They explain the donkey story from Matts episode and Sue talks about her escapes from work!
00:00 Intro
02:00 The Early Days & School Life
04:08 How Sue joined the business
09:00 Managing Sleeping Solutions & the challenges
13:26 Becoming a Director & looking after Sales & Buying
15:11 Splitting the role of Sales & Buying
17:27 The ups, the downs & challenging moments
21:50 How Sue de-stresses, her escapes & emotional times
26:15 The donkey story
28:45 Quickfire Questions
31:49 Tip of the week
32:30 Outro
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It's episode 10, and in this one we meet Paula, Steve's wife! Listen as they talk about how they met, what it's really like being a wife to a CEO and how Paula's beauty salon changed her perspective on business! They chat about all things performance reviews and how working with your children and family is both the best and most difficult part.
00:00 Intro
03:00 How Paula and Steve met
04:07 Paula’s life before Sussex Beds & her love of design
07:30 How AI is assisting in the role of marketers
09:10 What happened when Josh came along & why Paula joined the business
12:06 Opening her beauty salon
16:40 Coming back to Sussex Beds
20:40 Being a wife to a CEO & the ups and downs over the years
28:00 Performance reviews
29:39 Quickfire Questions
36:50 Paula’s hobbies
38:01 Tip of the week
40:00 Outro
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In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, listen as Matt chats with Steve about how the pressures of taking on huge projects affected him and his drive, and how they got through it together. Plus, find out what it was like growing up and working together as they share some funny stories!
00:00 Intro
02:00 Life growing up together & school life
09:52 When Matt joined the business
14:34 Jump scares & Telescopic finger
19:19 How Matt ended up in finance
24:32 Transitioning into a Director & the pressure that comes with that
29:30 Life at home
33:00 Escapes and hobbies
39:43 Getting a Fractional CTO & CFO
42:42 Quickfire Questions
47:35 Tip of the week
49:53 Outro
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It's episode 8 and it's a big one! This week, we talk to the founder of Sussex Beds, John Pickering! Listen as he chats with Steve about what led him to found Sussex Beds, his favourite part of the job, and how his family is his motivation.
00:00 Intro
02:25 Life growing up
08:00 John’s first venture
09:31 Buying Miles Furnishes
14:20 How Sussex Beds was born & the heart of the business
23:25 John's motivations & his wife Sandra
27:05 Passing the business over
34:20 Toughest point in business
37:01 Quickfire Questions
42:23 Unorthodox tip of the week
43:18 Outro
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In this episode, Steve dives into the power of owning your numbers and why it can be a total game-changer for any business. Hear how this mindset became a turning point for Sussex Beds, how the book Traction shaped his leadership style, and why every single person in the team has their own number – and what that really means.
00:00 Intro
02:14 How decisions were made before KPIs & Targets
06:22 What was the turning point for the business & our KPIs
11:48 Influential books & everybody owning their number
15:17 Quickfire Questions
20:02 Unorthodox tip of the week
22:33 Reviews (Thank you)
24:36 Outro
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