MentorBusiness.com helps business owners and entrepreneurs learn how to scale multiple companies without burning out. In this episode of The CEO’s Boardroom Table, Dr. Lewis Haydon reveals the exact framework he uses to run 10 successful businesses without chaos, stress, or 100-hour weeks.

This is a raw, no-fluff look at how to grow beyond being the operator and start leading like a true CEO. Lewis breaks down the proven structure behind his portfolio of companies and explains how founders can apply the same principles to multiply their income, impact, and freedom.

You’ll discover why most business owners stay stuck inside one company while Lewis uses an ecosystem approach to create stability, scalability, and leverage. He covers his Vision → Plan → Systems → People → Leadership model in detail, showing you exactly how to build businesses that run and grow without your constant involvement.

He also dismantles the myth of “work–life balance,” explains how to diversify your income through connected businesses, and shares the mindset that allows him to stay focused, disciplined, and calm—even when leading ten companies at once.

Takeaways:

The truth about how to run multiple businesses successfully

Why diversification protects your cash flow and mental health

How to build an ecosystem of companies that feed and support each other

The Vision → Plan → Systems → People → Leadership framework

How to create systems before scaling your team

The mindset shift every founder needs to move from operator to CEO

Why leadership and accountability are non-negotiable for long-term growth

The real reason “work–life balance” holds entrepreneurs back

Chapters:

00:00 – Why people doubt you can run 10 businesses

05:42 – Diversification vs. diluting your offer

12:10 – Building an ecosystem of connected companies

18:33 – Why MentorBusiness.com was created

23:55 – The billion-dollar vision mindset

31:20 – Plan × Execution: what actually drives success

36:48 – Building systems that scale beyond you

43:05 – Finding and growing great people

48:22 – Leadership, accountability, and showing up

53:40 – Why “work–life balance” keeps you small

58:05 – The challenge: who’s at your boardroom table?

Keywords (SEO):

how to run multiple businesses, running 10 businesses, how to scale as a CEO, business ecosystem strategy, scaling from operator to CEO, entrepreneur burnout prevention, business diversification, leadership and accountability, systems and processes for entrepreneurs, build a business that runs without you, MentorBusiness.com, business mentoring UK, founder leadership mindset, business growth strategy, CEO boardroom table podcast

Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lewishaydon.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

If you’re a business owner, founder, or coach trying to grow without burning cash, MentorBusiness.com is where we break it down without the fluff, today’s episode shows you how a clear ICP (Ideal Client Profile) turns scattered marketing into qualified pipeline fast.

Lewis Haydon sits down with James Willis (LinkedIn specialist) and Lalit Nag (video & content strategist) to hammer the one principle that makes every channel; content, DMs, ads, or cold calls actually work. This isn’t theory. It’s the operating system behind campaigns that convert and clients you actually want to keep.

You’ll hear hard won lessons on narrowing your buyer, grading clients, cutting toxic engagements, and building messages that trigger “that’s me” in seconds.

Takeaways:

• ICP is the foundation: Without it, great content and outreach still miss. With it, everything compounds.

• Depth over demographics: Go beyond industry/title. Map pain, language, and why-now to write copy that lands.

• Mine your last 10 clients: Rank by profitability, ease of work, outcomes build your ICP from the winners.

• Right door, right conversation: Cold calls don’t feel “pushy” when you’re speaking to the exact right person.

• Two audiences, two messages: Don’t pitch 9–5 aspiring mentors and established coaches with the same hook.

• Grade and prune clients: A/B/C/D tiers; move B/C up, refer Ds away. Protect margins and team morale.

• Content that connects: Raw story + clear ICP beats generic polished content every time.

• Process first, channels second: Systemise journey, objections, and messaging then pour into ads, DMs, or video.

  
  

  Chapters:

00:01 – Lewis: resets, rejection, and the universal principle founders miss02:32 – James: ICP = the foundation (footings) of all lead gen03:57 – The “megaphone to a million” ad lesson (why generic dies)05:28 – Lalit: using ICP to plan content and pick a winning niche06:31 – Speaking to the 2%: a public speaking lesson applied to ICP08:00 – Where to start: James’ “last 10 clients” scoring exercise09:25 – Cold calling isn’t pushy, you’re just pushing the wrong door10:58 – Yes, it’s still a numbers game (with skills)11:56 – Lalit’s editor lens: raw footage, storytelling, and intent13:56 – Two ICPs for MentorBusiness.com (9–5 upskillers vs pro coaches)17:49 – Step one: joy + value alignment (doing work you want to do)18:53 – Lalit on toxic clients, boundaries, and trust23:04 – Grade your clients; protect margin and energy24:28 – Network > guessing: how the platform accelerates results28:33 – Coach vs specialists: build your boardroom of experts31:10 – Wrap: apply ICP now, then choose the channel

Keywords:

Ideal Client Profile, ICP, client grading, LinkedIn lead generation, content strategy, outbound vs inbound, sales objections, cold calling, social media video, storytelling, B2B marketing, client profitability, buyer pain points, messaging frameworks, founder burnout, niche selection, Meta ads, buyer persona, lead qualification, boardroom debate

Watch more episodes at: ⁠⁠https://lewishaydon.com/podcasts/

If you’re a business owner trying to figure out where to invest your marketing budget—this episode is for you. Lewis Haydon founder of MentorBusiness.com sits down with mentors and LinkedIn Lead Gen Marketing Expert James Willis and Video Marketer Lalit Nag to dissect what’s actually working in 2025: inbound or outbound.

This isn’t about theory or hype. It’s about what drives real engagement, qualified leads, and long-term growth for your business. From AI automation and storytelling to social media and client profiling—you’ll learn what’s changing and how to adapt before you get left behind.

They unpack how to leverage content creation and relationship-building to outperform outdated lead generation tactics—and why understanding your ideal client profile is the most powerful marketing move you can make this year.

Takeaways:

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• Marketing success starts with understanding current trends, not chasing noise.
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• Social media engagement now matters more than posting volume.
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• Raw, authentic storytelling outperforms polished, “perfect” content.
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• Building relationships with your audience leads to higher-quality leads.
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• Thought-provoking content drives visibility and trust.
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• AI automation will reshape how businesses scale their marketing.
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• Understanding the customer journey is key to better conversions.
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• Strong copywriting remains the foundation of all marketing success.

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Chapters:

00:00 – Navigating Marketing Strategies in 2025
01:28 – The Power of Social Media Engagement
04:42 – Balancing Old School and New School Techniques
08:23 – Inbound vs. Outbound Lead Generation
10:13 – The Importance of Authentic Content
15:31 – Creating Engaging and Thought-Provoking Content
19:07 – Defining Your Ideal Client Profile (ICP)

Keywords:

marketing strategies, social media, content creation, lead generation, inbound marketing, outbound marketing, ideal client profile, AI automation, storytelling, engagement

Watch more episodes at: ⁠https://lewishaydon.com/podcasts/