Empire Builders with Nick James

In this episode, I'm joined by someone who's been in my world for a very long time — the one and only Fiona Harrold, widely known as the UK's queen of PR. Fiona's been featured in (and getting her clients featured in) major publications since the late 1980s. She knows exactly what journalists want, how to pitch them, and how to turn a well-placed media feature into a steady stream of high-quality clients. In this conversation we cover why Gary Vee thinks the media pendulum is swinging back to traditional press, why being featured in a newspaper or magazine still builds instant authority and trust like nothing else can, and how that credibility translates directly into clients who arrive on calls already convinced you're the real deal. We also get into the practical stuff — how to write a pitch that actually gets read, how to find and approach journalists (even if you've never done it before), why X/Twitter is where the relationships are built, and how PR feeds your SEO in ways that are becoming even more powerful in the age of AI search. Fiona also gives away her Pitch to Published Feature resource — real-life pitch examples alongside the actual features they generated — so you can see exactly how it's done. VALUABLE RESOURCES Fiona's free giveaway — https://go.fionaharrold.com/pitch-to-publish-feature fiona@fionaharrold.com ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash. Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business two years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned speakers including Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

In this episode I'm joined by Ravi Rajani — a speaker who I can honestly say is up there with the best I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot. Ravi was introduced to me by Dani Wallace, and after watching him present to my mastermind, I knew I had to get him on the podcast. What he shared completely changed how I think about crafting and delivering a talk. We get into Ravi's "Three C's of Trust" framework — Connection, Competence, and Character — and why, when five people offer the same thing at the same price with the same results, the one who wins is the one the audience trusts most. Ravi breaks down his "six Lego bricks" structure for building a signature talk that can flex from 10 minutes to 3 hours, how to choose which story to tell from the hundreds you could tell, and why he believes "amateurs wing it, but professionals make you believe they're winging it." We also cover some brilliant practical advice for event organisers and speakers alike — including why shaving 10% off your allotted time will get you invited back again and again (something every event promoter will thank you for). Ravi also shares a free resource — a sample chapter from his book Relationship Currency, which goes deeper into how to craft a "social proof story" that moves people to action. And if you're coming to Expert Empires in November 2026 — Ravi will be speaking live. Trust me, you don't want to miss it. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.theravirajani.com/socialproofstories ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash. Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business two years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned speakers including Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

The one thing impacting millions of UK business owners right now — and most of us don't even know it's happening. In this episode, Nick sits down with Claire Bartlett — The Simplified CEO — for a conversation that surprised even him. Claire specialises in supporting perimenopausal entrepreneurs to simplify their businesses and create a more sustainable, spacious way of working. And the numbers behind this issue are staggering: 13 million women in the UK are currently perimenopausal or menopausal, over 1 million of them are self-employed, and 67% report it's negatively affecting their business. This isn't just a conversation for women. If you employ people, work with clients, or have a business partner, someone in your world is affected right now. In this episode, you'll discover: Why perimenopause can last 7–10 years and what that means for your business The #1 symptom most people don't know about (it's not what you think) How losing over an hour's sleep per night affects decision-making and productivity Simple but powerful ways to restructure your business to work with you through this phase What business owners and employers can do right now to better support their teams and clients Claire also shares details about her free virtual training — The Perimenopausal Business Revolution — where she equips entrepreneurs with the tools and education to navigate this head-on. Register for Claire's free training: claire-bartlett.co.uk/webinar-registration Follow Claire on Instagram: @theclairebartlett

In this episode, Nick James sits down with Laura Burton - aka "The Brutal Blonde" - to uncover exactly how she generated £149,000 in her first year on LinkedIn with less than 4,000 followers and without posting daily. Laura reveals why chasing likes and comments is actually preventing you from making sales, the exact posting formula that consistently fills her pipeline (3 content posts + 1 sales post per week), and why being in the DMs is more powerful than commenting for growth. From "poking the algorithm" with controversial polls to the simple shift that took her impressions from 2,000 to 60,000 in one weekend, Laura shares the brutal truth about what actually works on LinkedIn right now - and what you need to stop doing immediately. If you're a coach, consultant, or expert who's posting on LinkedIn but not seeing leads or sales, this conversation will completely change your approach to the platform. VALUABLE RESOURCES Connect with Laura on LinkedIn HOW TO SIGN HIGH TICKET CLIENTS ON LINKEDIN [Free Training From Laura]

In this conversation with Matt Harmsworth, Nick James explores the AI revolution that's already transforming businesses - and why most business owners are getting it completely wrong. Matt, a former Hollywood film drone pilot turned AI consultant, recently blew away Nick's Top Level Mastermind with his presentation. In this episode, he reveals the uncomfortable truth: most business owners are throwing money at fancy AI tools but getting zero results because they're focusing on tactics instead of strategy. From ChatGPT becoming the new Google to creating AI avatars and automating low-level tasks, Matt breaks down exactly how to approach AI strategically. Nick shares the three specific ways he's using AI in Expert Empires right now - including creating copy, building video avatars, and automating calls - and Matt explains why you need to stop dipping your toes in and take this seriously before your competition leaves you behind. Whether you're just starting to explore AI or you're already using it in some areas, this episode will help you identify where the real opportunities are in your business. Matt's mantra says it all: "Don't dip your toes in this. Take it seriously." VALUABLE RESOURCES Take Matt's Free AI Assessment (30 questions): https://ai-or-die.co.uk https://ai-or-die.scoreapp.com/ Expert Empires Event (Matt will be speaking): https://www.expertempires2026.com/jan-2026-ee ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

In this episode of Empire Builders, I sit down with Dennis Richards - a psychotherapist, coach, and retreat leader who specialises in helping business owners identify and transform the limiting beliefs that are holding them back. Dennis has run over 30 retreats in the last 10 years and works with experts, coaches, and entrepreneurs to uncover the deep-rooted wounds that prevent them from charging what they're worth, stepping up to bigger opportunities, and creating the life they truly want. This conversation gets personal... We dive into beliefs around money, worthiness, and the three core wounds that affect almost every business owner: "I'm not good enough", "I'm not perfect", and "I'm not worthy". In this episode, you'll discover: The simple exercise to reveal your hidden money beliefs (think about doubling your prices and notice what comes up) How to use your body as a tool to identify where limiting beliefs are stored The quantum regression technique Dennis uses to help people overcome phobias in 30 minutes Why beliefs in your personal life directly impact your business success (and vice versa) The balance between intention and attention - why therapy alone isn't enough How to run successful retreats (from someone who's done 30+) Where to download Dennis's free Belief Blueprint workbook with 10 steps to transform your beliefs Whether you're struggling with pricing, stepping up in your business, or just feel like something's holding you back, this episode will give you practical tools to identify and change those beliefs. Perfect for coaches, consultants, therapists, and expert business owners who know there's another level available to them. VALUABLE RESOURCES ⁠⁠ https://awakenyourinnerpower.com/belief-blueprint-nj https://www.youtube.com/@LightenUpCoaching https://awakenyourinnerpower.com/retreat ⁠https://www.expertempires.com⁠ ⁠https://bit.ly/7figcoachgroup⁠ ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

In this episode of Empire Builders, Nick James sits down with WhatsApp marketing specialist Paul Green to reveal the strategies that are transforming how experts connect with prospects. Discover why WhatsApp has become the essential communication tool for coaches, consultants and course creators who want faster response rates and higher conversions. Paul shares his remarkable journey from commercial airline pilot to marketing innovator, and reveals his simple yet powerful techniques for re-engaging cold leads – including the "90-second selfie method" that's generating £10K sales from a single message. You'll learn why traditional email follow-up is failing and how to leverage the personal nature of WhatsApp to build deeper connections with prospects. Don't miss the live demonstration where Nick implements one of Paul's strategies in real-time, plus access to Paul's complete WhatsApp Playbook featuring 12 proven campaigns that have generated over seven figures for his clients. Whether you're struggling with ghosted leads, slow sales cycles, or simply want to maximise your conversion rates, this episode delivers immediately actionable tactics to revolutionise your follow-up process. VALUABLE RESOURCES www.clientfunnels.co.uk/ee https://www.expertempires.com https://bit.ly/7figcoachgroup https://www.expertempires.com/podcast/ https://www.expertempires.com/ee2025 ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

In this no-holds-barred conversation with Paul Mort, Nick James dives deep into how Paul built his 7-figure coaching business serving 350+ clients while maintaining his sanity. Paul reveals his unconventional approach to scaling through group coaching, how he's developed systems to track client engagement using AI, and why sobriety has been his secret weapon for peak performance. From publishing bestselling books to building a personal brand that connects with married businessmen "who need to get their shit together," Paul shares the uncomfortable truth about what it really takes to succeed: relentless consistency, omnipresence in your marketing, and never-ending content creation. Whether you're just starting your expert business or looking to scale beyond the time-for-money trap, Paul's direct, honest insights on client retention, delivery systems, and goal-setting will challenge you to level up. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.expertempires.com https://bit.ly/7figcoachgroup https://www.expertempires.com/podcast/ ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

In this compelling episode of Empire Builders, Nick James sits down with Steven Bartlett, creator of the massively successful Diary of a CEO podcast. From growing up as the only black kid in a poor family in Devon to building multiple successful ventures, Bartlett shares his fascinating journey and insights. He reveals how his podcast grew from 120 downloads to 10 million monthly listeners through an obsessive focus on 1% improvements. He discusses why breaking free from societal labels led to his greatest successes. Bartlett also opens up about the importance of expectation management in happiness, his innovative approach to content creation, and why sleep and health have become his non-negotiables. Whether you're building a content empire or seeking to understand the psychology of success, this episode offers valuable lessons on perseverance, innovation, and authentic growth. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.expertempires.com https://bit.ly/7figcoachgroup https://www.expertempires.com/podcast/ ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

In this episode, Nick James sits down with Tyler Garns, former VP of Marketing at Infusionsoft (now Keap) and successful agency founder. Tyler breaks down the four fundamental levers any business can pull to double their revenue, shares his journey from employee to multi-million dollar agency owner, and explains why business growth is simpler than most people think. Plus, learn why automation is crucial for scaling your business without burning out, and get actionable insights on where to start with systematising your operations. Don't miss their upcoming one-day workshop in Birmingham on December 7th, where Tyler will work directly with attendees to implement these strategies. This exclusive event is available to Empire Builders community members for just a £1 booking fee, but seats are limited to 40 attendees. Book your spot at expertempires.com/automation. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.expertempires.com/automation https://bit.ly/7figcoachgroup ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

In this episode of Empire Builders, Nick James delivers a compelling keynote from Expert Empires, revealing the five unconscious decisions that shape your business and how to leverage them for success. Nick draws from his experience in building multiple seven-figure businesses to provide actionable insights on transforming your entrepreneurial mindset and decision-making process. Discover Nick's expert strategies for business growth, including: The DISC personality framework and how it influences your business choices How to balance going bigger with getting better in your business Techniques for combining logic and intuition in decision-making Strategies for serving clients while effectively selling your products or services The formula for success: structure plus discipline, and how to apply it How to focus on core business while benefiting from diversification Nick's engaging presentation includes interactive exercises, personal anecdotes, and real-world examples, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage. Whether you're struggling with growth plateaus or looking to optimize your business approach, this episode provides actionable insights on improving your decision-making, adapting your leadership style, and creating a more balanced and successful business. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the UK's leading business mentors as he shares his strategies for transforming unconscious limitations into conscious opportunities for growth and success. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.expertempires.com https://bit.ly/7figcoachgroup ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

In this episode of Empire Builders, Nick James sits down with Kevin Whelan from the WealthTalk podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey and insights on building a world-class business. Nick, the founder of Expert Empires, takes us from his early exposure to personal development at Tony Robbins seminars to the creation and evolution of his own successful enterprise. Discover how Nick navigated the challenges of starting and scaling a business, including: The transition from one-to-one consulting to running large-scale events and masterminds Adapting his business model to serve entrepreneurs at various stages of growth The importance of recurring revenue and long-term business planning How he turned a space problem into a business advantage by creating his own training centre His agile response to the COVID-19 crisis, pivoting from in-person to online events in just 72 hours Nick's candid discussion about both his successes and missteps offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your existing business, this episode provides actionable insights on growth, adaptability, and creating a world-class experience for your clients. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.wealthbuilders.co.uk/ https://www.expertempires.com https://www.expertempires.com/october2024-tickets https://bit.ly/7figcoachgroup ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.

In this episode of Empire Builders, host Nick James shares a powerful training on how to get new clients for free using social media and email. Nick breaks down his three-step system - Hook, Story, Offer - that he's used to build multiple seven-figure businesses, fill event rooms, and generate hundreds of leads for high-ticket programs. He offers valuable insights on: Creating attention-grabbing hooks in various marketing formats Telling stories that build connection and increase desire for your product or service Crafting offers that create urgency and drive action Adapting this system for different platforms and business models Real-world examples of posts that generated significant results Nick also discusses the influence of Russell Brunson and Dan Kennedy's "Magnetic Story Selling" course on refining his approach, and how these principles can be applied to various marketing channels. Whether you're just starting out or looking to optimize your current marketing efforts, this episode is packed with practical advice and proven strategies. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Nick James' years of experience in building successful businesses through effective, cost-free marketing. VALUABLE RESOURCES https://www.expertempires.com https://www.expertempires.com/october2024-tickets https://bit.ly/7figcoachgroup ABOUT THE HOST Nick James Nick dropped out of university at the age of 21 and failed spectacularly with his first coaching business, which forced him to take a £16k/yr telesales job. Within 12 months he was the top performer and left to start his second business at 24. This time he discovered a winning formula and before long had a multi-six-figure company. He then made a huge mistake which nearly put him out of business and cost him £50,000 in personal cash! Fortunately, Nick kept it afloat, turned it around, and sold that business 2 years later in a seven-figure deal. He then co-founded a multi-million-pound marketing company, which he exited in 2015, and created Expert Empires. Today, Expert Empires is known as the UK's number one business event for Experts, with world-renowned celebrity speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, and Lewis Howes gracing the stage. Nick also specialises in helping Coaches, Consultants, Speakers, Trainers, and Authors take their businesses from zero to six figures and beyond through his Expert Empires Mastermind programme.