From spreadsheets to streets: FEO Ignition success

Steve Beadle has lived in Hull all his life. After studying Accounting at the University of Hull, he built a career in finance roles, covering everything from credit control to management accounting.

“I’d spent my whole career in finance,” Steve explains. “On paper it all made sense, but I never really enjoyed it and had been looking for a new direction for quite a while.”

That new direction arrived when he spotted Leaflet Delivery UK as a franchise opportunity.

“When I saw Leaflet Delivery UK was available as a franchise, it caught my eye straight away,” he says. “I did some local market research and could see there wasn’t much real competition in Hull, so it felt like a strong opening.”

Steve also saw an opportunity to bring in his long‑time friend James.

“I’ve known James since college,” he adds. “I knew he wasn’t fully satisfied in his job and he had great experience as a marketing manager. It seemed like a perfect fit, so I asked if he’d be interested in joining me. He said yes, and we bought the franchise rights last March and started operating as Leaflet Delivery UK – Hull.”

Finding support through FEO Ignition

Moving from finance into running a business, Steve knew he needed support and a strong network. That’s where FEO Ignition came in.

“Coming out of finance and into running a business, I knew I needed support,” Steve says. “There were several things about the Ignition programme that really stood out for me. The format was spot‑on: there was a lot of information, but the session length meant it never felt overwhelming.”

“Every single speaker was brilliant,” he continues. “Hearing their stories and backgrounds was fascinating, and I’m sure they inspired everyone in the room, not just me. Just as importantly, they were approachable - happy to answer questions and offer honest advice from their own experience.”

Key lessons Steve took away

A few messages from Ignition have stayed with Steve as Leaflet Delivery UK - Hull grows.

“Probably the biggest one is the need to plan ahead,” he says. “When you’re running a growing business, it’s easy to be completely absorbed in day‑to‑day work, but planning is essential if we want Leaflet Delivery UK – Hull to keep moving forward.”

Another key takeaway was the practical potential of new technology.

“One of the talks, from Leon, opened my eyes to how powerful AI could be for our business - from improving our marketing to streamlining internal processes,” Steve explains. “We haven’t fully used it yet, but I’ve come away with ideas I’ll be looking to implement.”

A peer network that continues

For Steve, Ignition was about more than knowledge - it was also about building a supportive peer group.

“Ignition hasn’t just given me knowledge; it’s also given me a network,” he says. “I’ve already had a follow‑up meeting with one of my fellow attendees, and I’m hoping that as a group we’ll stay in touch and help each other grow our businesses. That sense of local, like‑minded support is a big part of what makes FEO special.”

Building on that momentum

“I’m very interested in taking part in the follow‑up FEO 360 programme,” he says. “For a relatively new business like Leaflet Delivery UK - Hull, having access to that kind of structured support and peer learning feels like a key part of building something that lasts.”

To find out more about jointing FEO, or any of our programmes, please visit HERE.