On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson talks to Matt Fleming, founder of AF Oliver. Matt talks about his time in the PR and media industry, from selling vans and an advertising agency to co-founding Aylesworth Fleming. He talks about the importance of building strong relationships, being fun to work with and always bringing high energy to meetings. He also discusses the significance of finding a niche and gaining knowledge in that area.
Matt reflects on the happiest and most challenging periods of his business, such as the 2008 financial crisis. He discusses the emotional stress of making redundancies and the importance of having a support network. Matt also reflects on the lessons he learned from the near-collapse of his business in 1990 and the impact it had on his personal life.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
08:25 Building Relationships and Finding a Niche
14:56 The Importance of Energy and Expertise
24:46 Navigating the Process of Selling Multiple Businesses
26:31 Breaking Up for Better Value and Fit
27:00 Navigating Tough Times
27:56 The Importance of a Support Network
29:23 Lessons Learned from the Near-Collapse of AF Oliver in 1990
38:15 Resilience and Adaptability in Business
41:58 Debt and Leveraging in Business
43:53 Finding Purpose and Enjoyment in Work
48:38 Defining Personal Success
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Participating in Evolve’s Digital and Creative Growth Group Programme has been incredibly valuable. The sessions on growth strategies, planning, leadership, and employee engagement have given me the confidence and tools to drive our business forward. The new connections and perspectives I gained have been instrumental in supporting our growth. Thank you to Evolve for this fantastic opportunity.
The Evolve team were organised, forward thinking and a pleasure to work with. The Business Festival was a success, which helped us engage with our business community, understand their challenges and build connections. I would not hesitate to recommend Evolve to any Council or public sector organisation, looking for a team to organise successful events within their region.
The Evolve team has played an integral part in making the Peer Networks programme a success in Dorset. The whole team has always acted with the highest standards and with great professionalism, be that in the management of the programme or the coordination. They are extremely diligent and organised and they have been pleasure to work with. Following their involvement with Peer Networks, they also successfully won a competitive tender for another business support programme we commissioned which they have approached with and equally excellent attitude.
Warren has been instrumental in supporting Norco in its growth and success for many years. He has guided the team and I through huge change management, leadership and development, while giving an experienced and honest assessment on a regular basis to ensure we achieve our goals and objectives and deliver on our business strategy.
The expert coaching and guidance Evolve offer is invaluable. When you view business and strategy with perspective you can have thoughts, ideas to make decisions that will impact your business in a positive way.
Working with Evolve has been a game-changer for us and the businesses in their programmes. Their knowledgeable, skilled team brings real business experience and is genuinely invested in success. Their innovative approach and attention to detail have greatly improved our efficiency and impacted many businesses. Evolve’s commitment to understanding needs and delivering tailored solutions has exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to elevate their business. Evolve is more than a partner—they’re a catalyst for growth.
It’s been fantastic because we’ve had the opportunity to step out of the office, the questions have been steered. It’s got everybody opening up and they’ve been a lot more open and honest about, what the gaps are, where the holes are and what we need to fill. We’ve taken that away, implemented that in the higher management meetings. We’ve implemented so much from the Evolve sessions that will go towards the company yearly objectives and I hope will continuously improve what we’re trying to do within the business.
It has opened my eyes and has been a great experience. The Business Accelerator programme has raised a lot of important questions and made me reflect, leading to a better business strategy
The programme has really kicked me to reflect and made me want this. The company is going to drive forward and not simply go with the flow.
The Evolve Business Accelerator is a fantastic programme for founders in the early stages of developing a business idea. The programme was instrumental in helping me develop HR Diagnostics to MVP stage and I would have struggled to get where I am without this help and support. The mentors have a pragmatic and approachable style, and they are good at connecting people through their extensive network. Thank you to the Evolve team 🙂
I first met David in November 2022. Since then, he has been a significant positive influence on my growth as a founder, providing invaluable advice and new opportunities for both my personal development and my business. Thank you, David, for your encouragement and help. I truly appreciate it and would gladly recommend you to any founder or organisation seeking advisory services.
Evolve offers a fantastic peer group which adds huge value to myself and my business!
The Evolve peer group sessions are a great place to get away from the day to day, refocus and ultimately bounce ideas off other business people. The structure of the session permits open conversation with your peers and always provides useful insights that you would not be able to get anywhere else. The specific work books challenge you and really get you thinking on what is important in your business.
Collaborating with Amy and the whole Evolve team has been an incredibly seamless experience. Amy’s professionalism is evident in every interaction and her dedication to helping businesses thrive is inspiring. Amy’s commitment to going the extra mile ensures that each programme is tailored to meet the unique needs of Dorset businesses. I highly recommend working with Amy and the Evolve team.
The Evolve Business Accelerator was brilliant for me and my business. Their support helped refine our strategy, expand our services, and achieve significant growth. The mentors were incredibly supportive and provided invaluable insights to plan and scale. With all this working alongside such a great peer group of like-minded business owners, where we can all discuss and overcome challenges together! A big thank you to the Evolve team for their support, and I would strongly advise anyone starting out, or already established in business to reach out to Evolve and discuss the help available!
Attending Evolve’s Growth Group Programme was incredibly valuable. The workshops on business strategy, planning, and leadership helped me broaden my horizons and gain new insights. Meeting other leaders facing similar challenges was both supportive and motivating. Joining a business peer group has allowed me to continue benefiting from this broader perspective. Thank you to Evolve for this transformative experience.
Working with Warren was transformative for our startup. His expertise in creating pitch decks and financial forecasts has been invaluable. We now have the confidence and tools to present our business to investors effectively. We are excited about the future and anticipate good news soon. Thank you, Warren, for your invaluable support.
Participating in Evolve’s Growth & Productivity Programme has been incredibly beneficial. The programme provided crucial insights into growth strategies and enhanced our team’s engagement through improved communication and leadership. While there is still work to be done, the progress we’ve made is very promising. Thank you to Evolve and the Dorset LEP for their support.
I have worked with Warren on a number of successful acquisitions and disposals. We often worked together many months or even years ahead of the ultimate transaction in order to achieve the optimal result. Warren’s skills include being able to see the wider commercial and strategic benefits of a transaction and therefore ensuring that a coherent and considered plan is devised and implemented well in advance. I actively recommend Warren and his team to anyone considering how they might best maximise an exit from their business.
Warren does not see himself as a guru and would be embarrassed to be referred to that way. But when I think of seeking support from my network on any business topic, if not life topic, invariably I’m after someone who has seen, experienced and done it all, from financial to operations to strategy. From big business to little business, but who also understands the importance of family and health, and not just business ‘success’. That person is pretty much always Warren, my guru.
In the 4 years I have been working with Evolve, I have doubled my turnover.
Evolve’s support was instrumental in our investment journey. His expertise in developing our pitch deck and financial forecasts has given us the confidence to approach investors with a strong proposition. We’re excited about the potential and appreciate the support from the Dorset LEP that made this possible. Thank you, for helping us take our innovative sunscreen to the next level.
The training provided by Evolve has been invaluable for our leadership team. The sessions have equipped us with essential skills and fostered a culture of continuous improvement. We are now better equipped to handle complex challenges, engage our teams effectively, and drive the firm forward. We greatly appreciate Evolve’s expertise and commitment to our development.
I have found Evolve Peer groups provide a valuable support network with like minded local business leaders, which has created time for reflection outside of the office and as a business we have gained real advice and coaching from the Evolve team.
The Evolve team have a huge amount of real world experience over many years in the entrepreneurial and business growth sector.
Great humans, running a great business, offering real solutions and support with integrity and authenticity. No fluff, just fast paced learning and support.
Partnering with Evolve for the Ignite Start-Up programme has been brilliant for our local entrepreneurship support efforts. The comprehensive training and personalised mentoring provided to participants have led to the successful launch of numerous new businesses. The value of this programme is clear, and we are thrilled with the results. A big thank you to the Evolve team for their expertise and commitment!
Working with Warren and Evolve has been instrumental in shaping DDC Dolphin’s future. The strategic advice and leadership training provided have equipped us with a clear vision and the skills to implement it effectively. We now have a stronger financial foundation and a more aligned leadership team, ready to drive the company towards new successes. We’re grateful for their support and expertise.
