Leeds Business Podcast

From Lockdown to Launchpad - JFDI; The Mexi Bean Express Story with Danielle Best

September 10, 2025·31 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Join us as we dive into the amazing journey of Danielle Best, founder of Mexi Bean Express. Discover how she navigates the challenges of balancing multiple business ventures, from launching a restaurant during COVID to expanding into yoga and sweets. Danielle shares her insights on resilience, innovation, and the importance of having the right team behind you.If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship podcast that will inspire, motivate and educate you, through the personal business journeys and entrepreneurial lessons learnt of Leeds business owners then this is the podcast for you.INTRODUCING DANIELLE BESTDanielle Best is the owner and CEO of Mexi Bean Express, Kalm wellness studio and Charlie’s Desserts. Danielle began her entrepreneurial journey in 2020. After travelling to Mexico, she identified a niche for high-quality quick-service Mexican food with authentic flavours. Since then, Mexi Bean Express has expanded to multiple locations and won multiple awards, including the Hospitality Leader of the Year award at the Business Desk Yorkshire Leadership Awards.She has also formed a partnership with the Community Foundation for Calderdale and got involved in initiatives supporting women in business.&nbsp; As a single mother of three and an independent business owner, Danielle knows how hard it can be to start and develop a business, especially balancing it with the demands of personal life. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS[00:00:00] The birth of Mexi Bean Express[00:06:00] Expansion and growth strategies[00:12:00] How to build a franchise[00:18:00] Introducing Kalm, and Charlie's Desserts5 KEY TAKEAWAYS &amp; BUSINESS LEARNINGSIf it doesn't work, it's not a failure. Just try and try again.Are you strong enough for this? Do you want it enough? How much are you prerpared to put to get itFor a franchise to work, You've got to have one recipe for success and then replicate itGive it a shot. If it doesn't work, at least you triedYou've got to take that risk. No risk, no reward3 MOMENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR“I've got massive dreams. And I think it's contagious"“I knew I wanted to be massive and national and global"“I cant move for business plans (NOT)"VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOUWebsite: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com&nbsp;LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk&nbsp;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-best-02297820b/ Websites:&nbsp;MexiBean Express - https://mexibeanexpress.co.uk/Kalm - https://kalm.world/ Charlie’s Desserts https://charliesdesserts.com/Shout out: https://www.eatitdrinkit.co.uk/ Zeta Weber - https://msha.ke/zetawebberDON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.Your half of the deal - Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from itYOU MAY ALSO LIKEhttps://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/kate-ball/&nbsp;https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/the-square-ball/<a...

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