In this episode, I’m talking to Paul Dykes, a man who has reinvented himself so many times he has turned it into a way of life.

From employed school-leaver to IT engineer, live music entrepreneur, corporate leader, business founder, coach, trustee, app creator and drummer, Paul’s story is not a neat career plan. It is a gradual unfolding of curiosity, courage and asking, “who am I now?” when life changes shape.

Paul has built a business to just under £1m, closed it, started again, and kept phoenixing.

Today, he helps founders and executives lead from the inside out through Curious Minds Coaching, while building a live music tech platform, supporting an empowerment programme in West Kenya, playing drums in a function band and, quite literally, feeding people. Recent BBQ for 22 included.

Highlights:

(02:30) - A curious child, a village fair, and the tiny traction engine moment

(08:46) - When IT became less about tech and more about asking better questions

(13:40) - Building a business from a hunch that potential was being left on the table

(22:33) - The Covid curveball that forced a sharp turn and a fresh start

(27:12) - Self-leadership, or how to stop leading your business from the outside in

(32:35) - The parts of you that feel scared are not the whole of you

Connect with Paul:

Curious Minds Coaching, bringing Self Leadership to founders, executives and businesses - www.curiousmindscoaching.co.uk

Gigbrite, making live music performances shine- www.gigbrite.app

Urenga Empowerment Programme, transforming young lives - https://invest.urenga.org

Not Quite Saints, event band for corporate & private functions - https://www.instagram.com/notquitesaintsmusic

ConnectHOW, leadership development & coaching - www.connecthow.com

Curious Brainfarts - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/curiousbrainfarts/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/