E351 | Dan Williams: How Optimism, Grit and Vulnerability Built a £30M Business

Can optimism really scale a company? In this episode, Dominic chats to Dan Williams, CEO of Orean Personal Care, to explore what it really takes to lead through chaos - from doubling revenue in tough markets to leading with vulnerability, optimism, and Ironman-level discipline. Under Dan’s leadership, Orean has grown from £3M to £30M turnover, becoming one of the UK’s fastest-growing contract manufacturers in the beauty industry — all while achieving B Corp certification and building a culture rooted in learning and care. What you’ll learn: 💪 How training for an Ironman reshaped Dan’s mindset as a CEO 💡 The power of optimism when leading through adversity ❤️ Why vulnerability builds trust faster than authority ever could 🏭 How Orean scaled without losing its culture or values 📈 What it takes to grow sustainably - from £3M to £30M If you’re a founder or CEO navigating the messy middle of growth — trying to scale your team, your systems, and your mindset — this is a masterclass in how to stay human while building something extraordinary. Book recommendations: Unbeatable Mind - Mark Divine The Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday Start With Why - Simon Sinek Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor E Frankl About the guest: Dan Williams is the CEO of Orean Personal Care, a UK-based contract manufacturer producing premium skincare, haircare, and wellness products for some of the world’s most innovative beauty brands. Under his leadership, Orean has grown tenfold in revenue and achieved B Corp certification, balancing profit with purpose. A lifelong endurance athlete, Dan brings his Ironman mindset into business — combining optimism, resilience, and relentless learning to build a company culture defined by progress, not perfection. Sign up to receive our weekly Curious Leadership newsletter:  https://subscribe.monkhouseandcompany.com Follow Dominic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicmonkhouse  Chapters: 00:01:00 - Dan Williams: Background and Personal Life 00:01:32 - Business Growth Journey 00:03:39 - The Importance of Optimism 00:04:53 - Vulnerability as a Strength in Leadership 00:06:44 - Challenges of Turnarounds and Maintaining Energy 00:08:24 - The Role of Sports in Personal Development 00:10:42 - Achieving Goals Through Determination 00:12:05 - The Impact of Belief and Support 00:13:22 - Leadership and Management Styles 00:16:03 - Promoting from Within vs. Hiring Externally 00:18:05 - Succession Planning and Employee Development 00:21:06 - Overview of Orean's Business Model 00:23:34 - Curiosity and Understanding Customer Needs 00:27:14 - Establishing a Five-Year Vision 00:30:02 - Building a Strategy for Growth 00:32:29 - Evolving Leadership Team Dynamics 00:33:09 - Time Management and Work-Life Balance 35:00.00 - Navigating Challenges in...