In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker sits down with James Leinhardt, the CEO and Chief Sleep Posture Expert at Levitex. James has built a business around improving sleep posture, working with elite athletes, healthcare professionals, and everyday consumers to optimize their rest. He shares how he turned sleep science into a thriving company, the challenges he faced in educating the market, and why sleep posture is critical for performance and well-being.

They also dive into James’ entrepreneurial journey, from developing a patented sleep surface to supporting Team GB’s Paralympians and British Cycling. If you're an entrepreneur looking to build a business with impact, this episode is for you!

Guest: James Leinhardt, CEO & Chief Sleep Posture Expert at Levitex

Episode Title: Sleep Smarter, Lead Stronger: The Science Behind Success

Topics Covered:

✅ How James turned sleep science into a successful business

✅ The biggest misconceptions about sleep posture

✅ Working with elite athletes and hospitals to improve recovery

✅ Challenges of educating the market about a new concept

✅ The business of sleep – how to innovate in a niche industry

✅ Lessons from growing a business and overcoming obstacles

✅ What it really takes to be a successful entrepreneur

📌 Connect with James Leinhardt & Levitex:

🔗 Website: Levitex

🔗 Instagram: @levitexsleep

🔗 LinkedIn: James Leinhardt

💡 "Most people think sleep is just about getting enough hours, but how you sleep is just as important as how long you sleep."

💡 "I never set out to sell pillows—I set out to educate people on sleep posture, and the business followed."

💡 "Elite athletes don’t leave their performance to chance. They optimize everything—including how they sleep."

💡 "Entrepreneurship is about solving a problem, not just selling a product. If you focus on impact, the business will come."

💡 "If you want to change an industry, you have to educate before you can sell."

On this episode of What It Takes, we sit down with Ive Haugeland, founder and principal of Shades of Green Landscape Architecture. Her journey is a powerful story of taking risks, following a passion, and staying true to her values while building a thriving business.

Originally from Norway, Ive started her career designing environmentally sensitive landscapes before making the leap to California in 2000. With no roadmap, she built Shades of Green in 2004, blending Scandinavian design principles with modern sustainability.

But what does it take to turn a creative vision into a successful business? How do you balance artistry with business strategy while staying authentic? In this episode, Ive shares the challenges, lessons, and defining moments that shaped her entrepreneurial journey.

• Welcome & Introduction
• Introduction to the episode and guest
• Ive’s background: From Norway’s landscapes to California’s gardens
• How her love for landscape architecture began
• Early Inspirations & Taking the Leap
• What drew her to environmental design
• Lessons from designing landscapes in Norway
• The bold decision to move to California and start fresh
• Founding Shades of Green: The Reality of Entrepreneurship
• The challenges of launching a business with no roadmap
• How she built a name for herself in the industry
• The balance between creative passion and business management
• Sustainability & Staying True to Her Values
• How Scandinavian design principles influence her work
• Why sustainability is more than just a business strategy—it’s a responsibility
• Navigating the challenges of implementing sustainable practices
• Business Growth: Lessons, Challenges & Wins
• The biggest hurdles she faced in growing her company
• How she learned to scale a creative business
• The proudest moments and projects that define her success
• Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• The hardest lesson she learned in business
• What she wishes she knew before starting her firm
• Her advice for landscape architects and creatives looking to build their own company
• Signature Question: What It Takes to Succeed
• In your experience, what does it take to be a successful business owner?
• Outro & Where to Connect with Ive
• Final thoughts and key takeaways
• Where to find Shades of Green and Ive’s work
• Call to action: Subscribe, review, and share!

1️⃣ On Taking the Leap:

"I moved across the world with no guarantees—just a passion for design and a belief that I could make it work."

2️⃣ On Entrepreneurship:

"I didn’t start a business because I wanted to run a business. I started it because I wanted to create something meaningful."

3️⃣ On Sustainability:

"Sustainability isn’t a feature—it’s a mindset. Every project we take on considers how we can work with nature, not against it."

4️⃣ On Challenges:

"The hardest part of running a business isn’t finding work—it’s learning how to trust yourself as a leader."

5️⃣ On What It Takes to Succeed:

"It takes vision, patience, and the ability to adapt. Business isn’t just about talent—it’s about learning and evolving every step of the way."

In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Robert Ancill, CEO of The Next Idea Group, to discuss his journey of reinvention from a culinary professional to a global business leader in hospitality and design.

Robert shares how he pivoted industries, scaled a business to 24 countries, and oversaw 89+ brand launches and 800+ restaurant openings worldwide. He dives into the challenges of growing a business internationally, the key ingredients for success, and what he’s learned from working with top hospitality brands.

Memorable Quotes from Robert Ancill:

💡 "Success isn’t just about a great idea—it’s about how well you execute it."

💡 "Reinvention isn’t about starting over—it’s about taking what you’ve learned and applying it in new, meaningful ways."

💡 "Scaling a business globally means understanding cultures, not just markets."

💡 "In business, you either evolve or become irrelevant. There’s no in-between."

If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or someone considering a career pivot, this episode is packed with invaluable insights on reinvention, scaling, and long-term success.

• CEO & Chairman, The Next Idea Group
• Expert in restaurant consulting, branding, and interior design
• Over 89 brands launched and 800 restaurant openings in 24 countries
• Former executive with Aroma Café Group, Planet Hollywood, Panera Bread, and HMS Host
• Provides executive coaching to hospitality and design industry leaders

✅ Robert’s journey from culinary arts to global business leadership

✅ The moment that led him to pivot from hospitality operations to consulting & design

✅ How he built The Next Idea Group and scaled internationally

✅ The biggest challenges of growing a business across multiple markets

✅ The lessons he’s learned from 800+ restaurant openings

✅ Trends shaping the future of restaurant & hospitality design

✅ Advice for entrepreneurs looking to pivot industries or scale globally

✔️ Reinvention is possible—but requires adaptability, vision, and persistence

✔️ Scaling a business internationally demands an understanding of cultural differences and market trends

✔️ Execution matters just as much as a great idea

✔️ Success in business comes down to strategic planning, relationships, and continuous innovation

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📌 Connect with Robert Ancill:

🔗 Website: https://thenextideagroup.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/robertancill

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