In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom with Aleksandra King, I sit down with Michelle Niziol, a powerhouse entrepreneur who was fired in Week 1 of The Apprentice UK-but has since built a business empire. While others might have seen an early exit as a failure, Michelle turned it into fuel for success, proving that resilience, strategy, and self-belief can take you further than any TV competition.
🔥 What we discuss in this episode:
1. What REALLY happens behind the scenes of The Apprentice? Michelle spills the truth about the gruelling selection process, the psychological pressure, and the boardroom tactics that make or break candidates.
2. Why she applied twice before making it onto the show-and how a last-minute decision changed her life.
3. The unexpected emotional toll of The Apprentice and why Michelle nearly quit before even starting.
4. The "Week 1 Project Manager Curse"-what went wrong, what she learned, and whether she regrets stepping up as a leader too soon.
5. What Lord Sugar didn't see-Michelle's huge success after the show, running multiple businesses in property, finance, and mortgages.
6. Business lessons from reality TV-how The Apprentice experience shaped her mindset and approach to entrepreneurship.
7. The challenges of being a woman in business-Michelle opens up about dealing with stereotypes, proving herself in male-dominated industries, and why confidence is the key to success.
8. How therapy changed her life-Michelle shares how working with therapists and psychologists helped her manage stress, set boundaries, and redefine success.
9. The importance of work-life balance-from business mogul to hands-on mother, how Michelle transitioned from a relentless workaholic to a leader who prioritizes both business and family.
10. Why women must negotiate harder-Michelle and Aleksandra discuss the gender pay gap, self-worth in business, and why women often undervalue themselves in negotiations.
11. The power of confidence in business-why Michelle believes that most women struggle not with skills, but with self-belief and asserting their value.
What's next for Michelle? The businesses she's running, new projects on the horizon, and her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
💡 Key takeaways from this episode:
1. Setbacks don't define you-how you respond does.
2. Resilience and adaptability are more important than titles or reality TV results.
3. Confidence is a skill that can be learned, and it's often the biggest differentiator in business success.
4. Women must own their worth and stop undervaluing themselves in negotiations.
5. Success is about balance-money alone isn't the goal; changing lives and making an impact is.
🚀 Want more insights from former Apprentice candidates and top business leaders?
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ABOUT BEYOND THE BOARDROOM WITH ALEKSANDRA KING:
Beyond the Boardroom is an unfiltered, high-impact interview series where I sit down with top entrepreneurs, business leaders, and reality TV stars to uncover the truth about success, resilience, and making it in the world of business.
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Each episode cuts through the noise to bring raw, real, and inspiring conversations about what it really takes to build a successful career, navigate challenges, and thrive in high-pressure environments. Whether it's former Apprentice candidates revealing behind-the-scenes secrets, or self-made millionaires sharing their game-changing strategies, this series is for anyone who wants to learn from the best and push their own limits.
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✔ Business leaders & entrepreneurs sharing their biggest lessons.
✔ Ex-Apprentice stars revealing what really goes on behind the cameras.
✔ Unfiltered conversations on success, failure, resilience, and growth.
✔ Actionable tips to help you level up in your own career or business.
The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect Aleksandra King, the podcast, or its producers. We do not endorse or take responsibility for guest statements. Aleksandra King's opinions are her own and should not be taken as fact or professional advice. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only.
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