Martin Lock

Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers Directory Cannabis Lawyer of the Week Ricardo Geada is a regulatory partner advising UK and international businesses on compliance, investigations and market access, with a particular focus on the legal cannabis sector (medical and CBD wellness), vaping and other consumer products. I also have worked on matters pertaining to crypto/digital assets. Ricardos centres on designing compliant routes to market, navigating regulator scrutiny, and managing risk across the UK, EU and multi‑jurisdictional projects. Before joining Irwin Mitchell, Ricardo led the Regulatory Solutions team at Lawrence Stephens, acting for global cannabis companies and advising on the legality and labelling of e‑cigarettes/e‑liquids, cosmetics, foods and supplements, as well as Home Office licensing for controlled drugs and cultivation. Ricardos public commentary includes articles in The Times on disposable‑vape policy and the legitimate use cases for crypto. He regularly speaks and moderates at cannabis industry conferences both here and abroad. https://lnkd.in/gAeVNpQB

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Franchising is the fastest-growing model in the UK. The main challenge? It’s not a lack of opportunities. The market is big, demand is there. It's complexity of tech. Franchisor: “Everyone’s selling the next best thing. Some are genuinely impressive." It sounds good until you need: - One for inventory - One more for loyalty - Another for marketing - One for staff scheduling - One for delivery management - Plus dashboards, reporting, reviews, training... And then you're left explaining to a franchisee Why their tech stack costs more than their rent. Franchisees want simplicity, clarity, and value. Not seven logins, seven bills, seven support teams. PS Is your tech stack out of control?

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🚀 Built to Win. Now Available on Kindle After years of building, refining, failing, rebuilding and systemising businesses, I’ve come to one very simple conclusion: Most businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they were never designed to win. That insight became the foundation for my first Kindle book, Built to Win. This isn’t another motivational business book filled with theory and buzzwords. It’s a practical guide to building businesses that actually work in the real world, businesses that can grow, scale and perform consistently without depending entirely on the founder. Inside Built to Win I break down the core principles that separate fragile businesses from resilient ones: • Clear strategy, knowing exactly where you compete and how you win. • Strong systems, creating repeatable performance rather than relying on luck. • Disciplined leadership, building teams that understand the mission and execute it. • Operational excellence, turning good ideas into daily habits that deliver results. • Scalable structures, building organisations that can grow without collapsing under pressure. Too many businesses are built around heroic effort. The real goal is different. Build something that works because of the systems, not because the founder never stops working. If you’re a founder, manager, entrepreneur or leader who wants to build something stronger, smarter and designed for long-term success, this book is for you. 📖 Built to Win is now available on Kindle. And if you’d like to see the systems thinking behind how I build businesses in the real world, you can also see it in action here: 🍕 https://lnkd.in/eB_HexnR #BuiltToWin #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessSystems #BusinessGrowth 📚 https://lnkd.in/e2eZzUMu

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RELEASE: Tilray Brands is acquiring BrewDog for just £33 million—almost two full orders of magnitude cheaper than its implied valuation when private-equity firm TSG Consumer Partners bought ~22% of the business in 2017. 🔗 Check the links in the comments for the full release, plus my previous coverage on both firms.

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I've been working exclusively with private jet companies for about a year now. Here's what I've noticed about SEO in this industry. 1. The search behaviour is different Most operators optimise for "private jet charter." But their actual buyers are searching things like "last-minute jet rental from London" or "private jet for 8 people to Monaco." Way more specific. Way higher intent. The generic stuff gets traffic. The specific stuff gets bookings. 2. Trust matters more than traffic Detailed fleet pages outperform vague service descriptions. Transparent pricing frameworks work better than "contact us for a quote." Real information beats marketing fluff. High-net-worth clients do their research. They're not impressed by stock photos and buzzwords. 3. It never stops changing Google updates constantly. AI platforms are changing how people search. What worked six months ago might be invisible now. I've seen established operators lose visibility because they treated SEO like a one-time project instead of ongoing maintenance. That's it really. Nothing groundbreaking. Just observations from doing the work. P.S. Check out my Private Jet Hub guide here: https://lnkd.in/eu3naJCZ

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De Beers Sight as a Tariff Test... Initial reports from this week’s De Beers Group sight suggest quieter trading, with rough demand easing after the surge in supply that entered the market in July. This sight carries added weight, though, as it may also reflect sentiment around the new US import tariffs. The next 25% duty on Indian imports, taking effect tomorrow during sight week, is not lost on the trade, even if the timing is coincidental. The increase lifts the total rate to 50% and is a factor that cannot be ignored in the rough buying decisions made in Gaborone this week. I explore some of the implications in this week’s Pressing Matters executive memo, which went out yesterday. Read here: https://lnkd.in/d3buZBpS #diamonds #diamond #jewelry #trade #tariff #India #jewellery Image: De Beers Global Sightholder Sales office in Botswana. (De Beers)

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A friendly reminder that it's 2026 already. Don't forget to update the year on your site footer. It's a small detail affecting trust. When a prospective client visits your website and they find the year is not updated, a doubt will arise whether or not your business is still active. If you are an Elementor user, you can make use of Dynamic Tags to automatically change the year on your site footer.

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In the early days of my 1st business, I made the mistake most founders make: Thinking the work had to be perfect before anyone could see it. I still remember pitching those first few clients. Writing and rewriting decks, changing the smallest details. Not because it was bad, but because I could already see what it could become in 2 years. And that’s where most people get stuck. → Comparing version 1 to the version theywishthey already had. But I’ll tell you what I’ve learnt: → The only way to get to version 20 is by sharing version 1. That’s how you get feedback. That’s how you get sharper. That’s how you grow. It doesn’t mean putting out something half-baked. But it does mean stopping the habit of hiding behind “perfect.” The work improves when it’s out there, not before. So if you’re sitting there overthinking that pitch, that deck, that content - don’t. Start where you are. Put in the work. Share what you’ve got. And remember: the first of anything isn’t supposed to be perfect. But do it anyway, as It’s the only way it gets better.

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Unpopular opinion: Steven Bartlett new Flightcast platform is probably a waste of money for 99% of podcasters. Before you disagree, hear me out... The promise of one platform to handle your recording, editing, distribution, and analytics is the dream. No more juggling 5 different tabs and subscriptions. But is it actually better than the tools you might already be using? Let's break it down. Option #1: The All-in-One Route (Flightcast) - For a monthly fee, you get a single, unified system. - The biggest win here isn't just features, it's time. - You're buying back the hours you spend moving files, checking different analytics dashboards, and managing multiple logins. This is the 1% I'm talking about: businesses or full-time creators where that convenience is worth every penny. Path #2: The "Pick and Choose" Way - This is what most of us already do. We pick the best tool for each job. - Your setup probably looks like this: - Recording: Riverside (The quality is great). - Editing: Descript (Editing by typing is a game-changer). - Sharing: Buzzsprout or Spotify for Podcasters (They work well and don't cost much). The best part here is that you have more control, and you save money. You get to use the very best tool for each step, and you usually pay a lot less. The only catch? You have to make them all work together yourself. So, what's the real answer? Flightcast isn't for everyone. If you use your podcast to get customers, or if your time is literally money, then an all-in-one tool can help you get way more done. But for the other 99% of you who are just starting, have a small budget, or already have a system that works, you don't need to chase the newest, coolest thing. The "pick and choose" way is super powerful and saves you money. Remember, the tool doesn't make the podcast. Good content does. I'm curious, what tools do you use for your podcast? Let me know in the comments! #Podcasting #VideoPodcast #Flightcast #ContentCreation #PodcastTips

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Just a quick update on further progress regarding our AI travel booking capability from within WhatsApp for Business channel. This is now extended to support any plugged-in travel partner for flights, hotels, and restaurants. With our recent launch of a first Agent2Agent booking of a flight, this can now also be done via WhatsApp. Essentially, any company can now set up a WhatsApp Business channel account and allow its customers to add that channel, then link their AI Concierge agent and start conversing with their agent to book travel. Their AI agent holds all preferences and profile data to be shared with suppliers as requested and approved from within WhatsApp. We expect to be able to support experiences and rental cars shortly, with the latter being the hardest to get right regarding pickup and drop-off locations, but it's doable! www.dataiera.com

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Y'all! This is so HUGE for the podcasting industry. Removing the financial barrier to entry means there's NO REASON you can't start a podcast. If you've got a smartphone, thanks to the FLAN plan that's REALLY all you need to launch your show. Here's how to launch your podcast 100% FOR FREE: Step 1 - Set up a free local & niche plan (FLAN plan) account w/ RSS.com Step 2 - Record audio on your smartphone (It's how I began working on my latest podcast before upgrading to lavalier microphones - yes, REALLY!) Step 3 - Run your recorded audio through Adobe's Adobe Podcast audio enhancer (You can edit and enhance up to 30 minutes FOR FREE and it sounds so good folks might not notice it was recorded on a smartphone!) Step 4 - Upload the enhanced audio file to your podcast host with a snazzy description and title Step 5 - Publish the episode, and finally Step 6 - Promote, promote, and promote some more! It's NEVER been easier (OR CHEAPER!) to get started in podcasting. You can upgrade with fancy equipment and paid plans later. But for now, JUST START! I'm rooting for you and would love to know what podcast is burning within you to get out into the world!

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We’ve put together a free Pre-Raise Checklist for UK startup founders 🗣️ It’s designed so you can make sure you’re actually ready to raise before you start talking to investors. This guide will help you: → Pressure-test raise readiness → Sense-check your round size and structure → Avoid chasing investors who will never invest → Enter fundraising with a plan, not hope This is based on what I've learnt along the way, and the patterns we see across hundreds of UK raises. 👉 Comment “checklist” below and I’ll send it over. 👈 Remember to make sure we're connected so you can receive my DM. Big thanks to Matt Thomas, Jonathan Day, Emmi Nicholl, Harrison F. and Jason Druker, MBA for your valued contributions to this guide 💪 #earlystage #ukfounder #startup

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀" 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼'𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀. Let me say this clearly: the laundromat acquisition gurus flooding LinkedIn have probably never dealt with a broken washing machine at 3am, let alone run a business for 18 years like I have. Yet, somehow, they've convincing people that buying a "boring business" is a shortcut to easy money. It's not. And it's actually insulting to the real operators who've spent decades building and growing their real businesses. Here's what they're not telling you while they're selling you their $2,000 course: every business comes with genuine complexity that can't be learned from a PDF or cheat sheet. Equipment breaks down. Employees quit without notice. Regulations change. Customers don't pay. Cash flow gets tight. These aren't minor inconveniences. They're business-ending challenges if you don't know what you're doing. But here's the real problem: these course sellers have figured out something brilliant. Why risk their own money buying laundromats when they can make more selling the dream to others? They're not in the boring business sector: they're in the hope business. And hope sells better than commercial washing machines, HVAC businesses or window washing routes. After nearly two decades of running a business (and a successful one at that), I can tell you that success comes from understanding your customers, deep industry knowledge, operational discipline, and yes, a sh*t load of luck. It doesn't come from following someone's generic acquisition playbook and getting duped by a sales pitch. So before you hand over your savings to someone promising and easy path to wealth, freedom and independence, ask yourself: would you take medical advice from someone who's never practiced medicine? Then why take business advice from someone who's never run the business they're teaching you to buy? The boring business trend isn't really helping entrepreneurs and potential business owners. It's creating expensive lessons for people who deserve better guidance. If you don't believe me, ask them to provide real evidence of the "boring businesses" they claim to have bought. I have many times. The response? They'll either claim it is protected IP (code for total BS) or 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴.

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"Teach everything you know" just doesn't the same way anymore. The mistake I made for years though was giving *everything* away in the hope that a reader would think "I wonder how good the free stuff is!" Wrong. That's a bad way to run a business these days. Give your best STORIES away. Give valuable INSIGHTS away. Show TRANSFORMATIONS. But never give the full system. It's not stingy. That's strategic. Your newsletter creates desire. Your paid offer fulfills it. Get this wrong and you'll never earn to your potential.

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More and more companies are raising debt for EV charging - an extremely promising sign that the market is maturing well!

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“The Margin Recession Nobody’s Pricing… and the Grid That Isn’t Ready.” It was great to be back in the saddle with Robert L. on the podcast this week. Bespoke Group After a wild week of headlines, Rob Larity and I dug into a paradox: geopolitics feels chaotic, yet U.S. markets still look serene. Are investors right—or late? In this episode we cover: Large-cap calm, small-cap struggle: S&P leadership masks a four-year slog in small/micro caps—and what that divergence signals for risk. Profit margins > revenues: The ‘70s lesson—revenue can rise while margins compress. Labor, supply chains, and resilience spend are the squeeze. Capex booms & hangovers: How multi-year data center/infrastructure cycles can overshoot—and what disciplined operators should (and shouldn’t) scale. The coming power pinch: Flat grid investment meets AI/data center demand. Reliability, who-pays-what, and why energy storage becomes strategy, not optics. AI beyond the hype: Adoption waves, troughs of disillusionment, and where the real opportunities hide (hint: not always in semis). Bitcoin as a geopolitical force: From “fad” to a parallel system with its own incentives—what that means for policy and portfolios. Who should listen: Operators in manufacturing and energy, CIOs/CFOs thinking about margin risk, Bitcoiners, and anyone building through volatility instead of trading it. 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gx3px5XY

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Custom Websites that drive results: When www.makehampers.com wanted a more straightforward way for customers to send luxury hampers, www.brickweb.co.uk created a custom checkout allowing multiple delivery addresses in one transaction. Clear product filters and personalised gift messaging have made hamper shopping easier, increased sales by 30% and encouraged repeat customers.

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Episode 6 with Shaun Polovin, the founder of Dimple is now live 😎 Shaun turned a forgotten product category—colour contact lenses—into a breakout global beauty brand by spotting a hidden opportunity, challenging the subscription model, and scaling without killing profitability. The episode breaks down how sharp thinking around margins, CAC, and international expansion fuelled Dimple Colour’s explosive growth, and how Shaun, a former leader of a 150-person ecommerce agency, built a high-performing team, pushed into global markets, and navigated the emotional and near-failure moments that shaped the company. It’s a clear, honest playbook for anyone chasing product-market fit, pivoting, or scaling a consumer brand.

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