Dave and Alicia Store, co-founders of DSNM, join the Evolve to Succeed podcast to trace their 25-year journey from a one-man, paper-based chart-correction service to an award-winning super-yacht-navigation technology company with 27 employees and 620 vessels under subscription. Dave candidly recounts the scrappy early years - dot-matrix printers, Pritt Stick, and fax machines - while Alicia explains how joining the firm (initially to cover maternity leave) professionalised its finances, people processes and long-term vision.

The couple unpack the pivotal moments that reshaped the business: realising captains would pay for a fully managed service; raising prices to signal quality; surviving the 2008 crash, COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine shock; and, most dramatically, self-funding and launching their proprietary software, Compass. Their complementary personalities - Dave the risk-taking visionary, Alicia the detail-driven operator - emerge as the engine behind DSNM’s culture of obsessive customer service and constant product iteration.

They also share the realities of running a high-pressure, family-run company in a glamorous, yet unforgiving industry. Topics range from work-life integration with their young son Louis, to tight recruitment standards, to the pride (and responsibility) of winning two Queen’s Awards and employing a close-knit team.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

• Find a pain-killer, not a vitamin. Early success came from doing the tedious chart-correction work crews hated.

• Price can signal value. Raising rates—rather than undercutting incumbents—attracted more super-yacht clients.

• Service DNA first, tech layer next. DSNM’s core white-glove support never changed; software (Compass) scaled it.

• Complementary co-founders matter. Visionary risk (Dave) + operational diligence (Alicia) created balanced growth.

• Crisis = clarity. COVID and the Ukraine conflict forced the team to reassess purpose, costs and future bets.

• Culture of “no passengers.” Every hire must be a self-starting problem-solver; weak links show instantly in a small team.

• Bootstrapping builds resilience. Funding software internally preserved speed and ownership—crucial in a niche market.

• Work-life “blend” beats balance. Shared purpose, clear role boundaries, and intentional family time keep burnout at bay.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to DSNM and Its Founders

06:50 The Evolution of Services and Software Development

12:04 Navigating Business Challenges and Financial Lessons

20:39 Balancing Growth with Company Culture

30:04 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Strategy

38:18 Reflections on Success and Personal Growth

42:50 Family Dynamics and Work-Life Balance

48:53 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts

In this captivating episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren Munson reconnects with returning guests Julie and Sally, fresh from their epic adventure of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

After 59 grueling days at sea, the team successfully completed their journey from La Gomera to Antigua aboard the Ebb & Flow. Julie and Sally share vivid tales of their extreme challenge, from breathtaking wildlife encounters to the relentless mental and physical tests they faced.

This episode is a moving testament to courage, camaraderie, and the power of human determination. Tune in and be inspired!

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

Triumphant Arrival: The powerful emotions of crossing the finish line to a cheering crowd and reuniting with loved ones.

Surprises & Challenges: Navigating unexpected battery issues, hand steering for hours, and battling huge storms.

Life at Sea: Their daily routines, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and how they coped with the isolation and vastness of the ocean.

Wildlife Wonders: Magical moments with whales, playful dolphins, and even a curious marlin!

Team Dynamics: Insights into working as a team of three, including how they supported one another during tough times.

Mind Over Matter: The mental strength and resilience it took to row day after day, and how they now see challenges in everyday life differently.

Personal Growth: Reflections on how this experience changed their perspectives and their lives.

Chapters

00:00 - The Journey Begins: Crossing the Atlantic

06:02 - Surprises and Challenges at Sea

10:13 - Daily Life on the Ocean

14:39 - Overcoming Fears and Isolation

20:02 - Mental Resilience and Personal Growth

28:31 - Highlights and Pinnacle Moments

29:07 - Surfing the Waves of Adventure

30:08 - Wild Encounters: Whales and Wildlife

31:13 - The Thrill of the Ocean: Sounds and Sights

32:10 - Team Dynamics: Bonding Through Challenges

33:42 - Resilience and Problem Solving at Sea

39:00 - Physical Challenges and Recovery

43:14 - Adjusting to Life After the Ocean

46:35 - Future Adventures: What's Next?

On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Emma Burke, co-founder of Laceeze, shares her entrepreneurial journey from the inception of her innovative shoelace solution, to her recent experience on Dragon's Den.

Emma discusses the challenges and successes of developing her product, transitioning to a full-time commitment, and the importance of marketing strategies and brand ambassadors in driving growth.

Emma shares her journey on Dragon's Den, the challenges and opportunities that arose from her appearance, and how it impacted her brand. She discusses the intense experience of pitching, the immediate spike in brand awareness following the show, and the subsequent growth and challenges in her business.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

Transitioning from a side project to a full-time business.

Product development.

Brand ambassador programs.

Utilising platforms like Amazon.

Emma’s Dragon's Den experience.

Understanding your audience.

Building a brand community.

Utilising freelancers.

New marketing platforms like TikTok.

Balancing personal life with business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Laceeze

03:13 From Concept to Product

05:46 Transitioning to Full-Time

08:48 Product Development and Expansion

12:05 Marketing Strategies and Brand Growth

15:10 Funding and Financial Growth

17:47 The Dragon's Den Experience

21:07 Preparing for the Pitch

27:56 The Intensity of Pitching on Dragon's Den

30:58 The Impact of Dragon's Den on Brand Awareness

34:45 Post-Show Opportunities and Challenges

39:34 Embracing New Marketing Trends

41:02 Personal Reflections

46:28 Balancing Business with Personal Life

48:27 Defining Personal Success