38. The chemistry of growth: turning a mould problem into a thriving business | Byron Dixon, OBE

Five years. Zero sales. No paycheck. Most people would’ve given up. Byron Dixon didn’t. Instead, he turned his chemistry knowledge and desire for change into Micro-Fresh. A breakthrough technology now used globally to fight mold, bacteria, and bad smells in everything from school shoes to hospital bedding. In this episode of All About Business , we meet Byron Dixon, scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Micro-Fresh. He shares how he went from a council estate in Leicester to living in Denmark and learning from the Scandinavian way of life, to building a global brand that’s protecting lives, championing sustainability, and changing how retailers think about product longevity. Byron reveals the untold truth about bootstrapping a science business, the resilience it takes to go years without revenue, and how one unexpected call changed everything. He also shares how Micro-Fresh is tackling mold in homes, and why “Home-Fresh” might be his most important innovation yet. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, struggled to stay motivated, or wondered if your idea could really make a difference, this episode is for you. 03:16 Why Did Byron Start MicroFresh? 07:27 MicroFresh's Sustainability, Waste Reduction 10:40 Designing A Non-Hazardous Environmentally Friendly Product 18:46 Starting Without Advantages 20:09 Open University 25:18 Determination & No Fear of Failure 26:25 The First Breakthrough 28:40 Domino Effect - Competition Doesn't Want To Be Left Out 31:00 Big Growth & Market Validation 36:51 How Does A CEO Prioritize and Achieve Goals? 39:59 Moving to the USA? 47:03 Why Young People Feel They Can't Do This 49:24 Switching Off The Phone 51:00 Boredom as a source of creativity 52:42 Putting the Phone and Social Media Away 54:54 Top 3 Things We Should Import From Scandinavia 59:41 Interview Round Check out Microfresh’s website Follow Microfresh on LinkedIn Follow James Reed on LinkedIn All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at Reed.com This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk