Built Different with Steven Pettigrew
Steven has been in business for almost 15 years. He has started, built, acquired and sold several companies. He is a partner within Monopoli Capital, who are on a mission to help small business owners grow, scale and exit their businesses for life changing sums of money. He is also the host of the Built Different Podcast. Steven shares tips, insights and strategies to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to level up in life and business
Episodes

Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Find My Socials Here: https://linktr.ee/stevenpettigrewinvestor
Sean's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-brown-82680946/
In this podcast episode, the host welcomes Sean Brown, owner of Sean Brown Plumbing and Heating, to discuss his 21-year journey in the business. Sean shares the ups and downs of maintaining a long-standing plumbing and heating business, including his early struggles, staff challenges, and the importance of showing personality through social media. Sean touches on his personal life, mentioning his experience with ultras, marriage, and divorce. He also talks about the potential future of his business, the importance of work-life balance, and the critical role of having the right people on his team. This episode sheds light on the resilient nature of entrepreneurship and the personal sacrifices involved in building a successful business.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Initial Banter
02:53 Starting the Podcast
03:12 Sean's Business Journey
04:29 Early Life and Entrepreneurial Traits
08:23 Challenges and Learning Experiences
15:01 Staffing Issues and Management
36:09 Unexpected Apprenticeship Journey
37:12 Challenges of Managing a Small Business
37:53 The Culture of Entitlement
38:39 Pride and Confrontation
40:10 The Loneliness of Business Ownership
40:43 Finding Joy in Business Successes
41:22 Struggles and Support
45:40 The Power of LinkedIn
51:23 The Ultra Marathon Experience
57:21 Future Plans and Reflections

Friday Nov 08, 2024
Friday Nov 08, 2024
In this episode of the Built Different podcast, host Stephen Pettigrew dives into the crucial topic of building a business with the intention to sell, even if the majority of business owners never actually sell their business. Pettigrew emphasizes the importance of preparing a business for sale to ensure it does not stagnate or die. He explains why it’s essential to understand the buyer’s perspective, why business brokers often fall short, and how the current market, dominated by retiring baby boomers, makes it a buyer's market. He also touches upon the future of pensions and encourages business owners to maximize their potential returns by selling a well-optimized business.
Find My Socials Here: https://linktr.ee/stevenpettigrewinvestor
00:00 Introduction to Building Your Business to Sell
00:25 The Reality of Selling a Business
01:21 Understanding the Buyer's Market
01:45 Generational Shifts and Business Succession
02:42 The Importance of Optimizing Your Business for Sale
03:28 How to Build Your Business to Sell
03:52 The Pitfalls of Using Business Brokers
05:12 The Benefits of Building to Sell 06:47 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Friday Nov 01, 2024
Friday Nov 01, 2024
Find My Socials Here: https://linktr.ee/stevenpettigrewinvestor
Chris's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispeace1/
In this podcast episode, Chris Peace shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting Peace Recruitment in his bedroom to successfully executing a management buyout. Chris discusses the initial challenges of starting and scaling a business, the importance of creating a strong company culture, and the pivotal moments that led to growth, such as the strategic hiring of key personnel. He delves into the intricacies of mergers, acquisitions, and management buyouts, providing insights into his decisions and experiences along the way. Chris also highlights the value of genuine care, mentorship, and strategic planning in achieving business success. Post-exit, he plans to embark on a new venture in business coaching, helping other entrepreneurs and businesses achieve their goals. The episode offers a candid, comprehensive look at the highs and lows of building and selling a business, enriched with Chris's personal anecdotes and practical advice.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
01:02 Guest Introduction and Podcast Goals
01:50 Chris's Childhood and Early Entrepreneurial Traits
04:31 Growing Up in Pilton
06:49 Early Career and First Business Ventures
11:08 Starting Peace Recruitment
19:10 Building and Scaling the Business
23:45 Challenges and Lessons Learned
34:28 The Importance of Mentorship and Coaching
39:00 Reflecting on Key Turning Points
39:40 The Importance of Business Diversification
41:29 Understanding Management Buyouts (MBO)
42:06 The Decision to Pursue a Management Buyout
43:22 Challenges and Considerations in Business Exits
46:26 The Secret Sauce to Business Success
52:03 Balancing Care and Ruthlessness in Business
54:42 Transitioning Leadership and Future Plans
57:52 Emotional and Practical Aspects of Selling a Business
01:04:40 Future Endeavors and Personal Growth
01:06:57 New Ventures and Coaching
01:11:06 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Thursday Oct 31, 2024
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
In the premiere episode of the Built Different podcast, host Steven Pettigrew introduces the series, outlining its purpose and intended audience. Stephen shares his background as a business investor and turnaround specialist and discusses the mission of his company, Monopoly Capital, in helping small businesses achieve growth and success. He delves into why he created the podcast, focusing on sharing knowledge and insights from experienced entrepreneurs to benefit aspiring business owners and those looking to overcome challenges. The episode promises valuable content including interviews, solo episodes, roundtables, and Q&A sessions featuring expert guests from diverse industries. Listeners are encouraged to connect with Stephen on LinkedIn for additional resources.
Find My Socials Here: https://linktr.ee/stevenpettigrewinvestor
00:00 Welcome to the Built Different Podcast
00:17 Meet Your Host: Stephen Pettigrew
01:15 Why Start a Podcast?
02:25 A Sneak Peek of What's to Come
03:24 Who is This Podcast For?
03:51 Why You Should Stick Around
04:25 Stay Connected for More Resources