Building Bridges: Supporting Founders And Breaking Myths: Featuring Marcus Exall Not My First Guess podcast

1:00:37

Join me, Hattie Willis, as I chat with the incredible Thea Brook, a seasoned entrepreneur and CFO-turned-founder, about her remarkable journey from finance to founding her own businesses. We dive into Thea's unconventional background, from training as a dancer to opening a dance school at 20, and how she eventually found her way into finance and entrepreneurship. Thea shares valuable insights on mental health, personal branding, and her approach to social media as a founder. Get ready for a candid and inspiring conversation that will leave you feeling motivated to take control of your own entrepreneurial journey! Timestamps: 05:00 - Thea's unusual background and how it influenced her entrepreneurial path 12:30 - The importance of talking to yourself kindly and reframing your self-talk 20:00 - How Thea transitioned from finance to entrepreneurship and found her calling 30:00 - Thea's approach to personal branding and social media as a founder Links: Thea’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/theabrook Thea’s website: https://www.theabrook.com/…

Not My First Guess

1
The Power of Calling it Quits: When to Step Away: Featuring Joy Mpofu and Cameron Orcutt 55:27

22 weeks ago55:27

55:27

Ever felt the pressure to keep your startup afloat, even when it's not working out? In this episode, we dive into the tough topic of shutting down your business with Joy Mpofu and Cameron Orcutt, two founders who have been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale. They share their honest experiences of closing their companies, and how they supported each other through the process. We explore the stigma of failure in the UK, the importance of having a support system, and the lessons learned from their startup journeys. Join us as we shortcut our learnings as founders together! 🚀 Links: Joy’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/joy-mpofu-394a1655 Cameron’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/cameronorcutt…

Not My First Guess

1
How to Find the Right Funding For You: Featuring Daniel Sawko 53:14

24 weeks ago53:14

53:14

Are you tired of the painful process of finding investors for your startup? Today, I'm joined by Daniel Sawko, co-founder of ShipShapeVC, who's on a mission to make fundraising easier for founders. In this episode, Daniel shares his journey from consulting to entrepreneurship, and how he's helping founders navigate the complex world of investments. We dive into the importance of empathy in sales strategy, how to reduce the time to accessing capital, and the reasons why founders should focus on building meaningful relationships with investors. If you're struggling to find the right investors for your startup, or simply want to learn more about the world of fundraising, this episode is a must-listen. Key Timestamps: [02:15] Daniel's journey from consulting to entrepreneurship [10:30] The importance of empathy in sales strategy [16:45] How ShipShapeVC helps founders find the right investors [25:00] The benefits of having a sales strategy that includes SMEs Links: Daniel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielsawko/?originalSubdomain=uk ShipShape.vc website: https://www.shipshape.vc/…

Not My First Guess

1
Growth vs Scale: Building Teams That Last: Featuring Neda Sahebelm 58:19

26 weeks ago58:19

58:19

Join us as we dive into the inspiring story of Neda, founder of Keshty, as she shares her journey of overcoming rejection, building a successful business, and investing in others. From her experiences as an only child to navigating the world of entrepreneurship, Neda opens up about the lessons she's learned along the way. Don't miss this episode as we explore the importance of org design, rejecting transactional relationships, and building a strong support network. Neda shares her story of starting Keshty, a business that was built on her mission to make a difference. She talks about the challenges she faced, and how she overcame them. She also shares her insights on the importance of hiring and how it can make or break a business. Plus, she opens up about her experiences with rejection and how she's learned to see it as a redirection. Don't miss this inspiring and informative episode! Links: Neda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nedasahebelm/?originalSubdomain=uk Keshty Website: https://www.keshty.com/about…

Not My First Guess

1
Innovators not Imposters: Featuring Cecil Adjalo 1:04:16

31 weeks ago1:04:16

1:04:16

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Cecil Adjalo, founder of Foundervine, one of the UK's largest and most vibrant accelerators, having designed a high-impact training program that provides ambitious entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, and support they need to confidently scale their ventures. Cecil has a passion for operational efficiency, automation, and creating data-driven organisations which led him into the field of Data and Analytics. He began his career by troubleshooting issues with hospital database software and later transitioned to management consulting, start-up creation, business intelligence, and strategy, with his passion for data and analytics ultimately leading him to where he is now. In this episode, we cover: The importance of focusing on a big vision and not being afraid to think big How to overcome imposter syndrome The challenges of pitching to VCs and the importance of showing traction The role of affinity bias in the startup space and how to overcome it The power of community building and creating a supportive ecosystem for underrepresented founders Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adjalo/?originalSubdomain=uk Foundervine: https://www.foundervine.com/# Startup Experimentation playlist: https://bit.ly/3D9k67j…

Not My First Guess

1
Designing for Neuro Inclusivity: Practical Tips for Founders with Autism and ADHD: Featuring Sascha Evans 55:29

33 weeks ago55:29

55:29

Did you know that 20% of your employees, customers, and friends are likely to be neurodivergent? In today's episode, we're diving into the importance of neuro inclusivity in entrepreneurship, with Sasha Evans, a brilliant entrepreneur and expert in experience design and neurodiversity. Join me, Hattie Willis, as I chat with Sasha about her journey into entrepreneurship, from theatre to startups, and how she's helping founders design for neuro inclusivity. We'll cover practical tips for founders with autism, ADHD, and beyond, as well as how neurotypical founders can create more inclusive experiences for their customers and stakeholders. Plus, we'll explore Sasha's brilliant series on LinkedIn, where she answers your burning questions about neurodiversity. Links: Sascha's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saschaevans/?originalSubdomain=uk Uncommon company: https://www.bemoreuncommon.com/ Zinc incubator: https://www.zinc.vc/…

Not My First Guess

1
Building Bridges: Supporting Founders and Breaking Myths: Featuring Marcus Exall 54:28

35 weeks ago54:28

54:28

Joining us this episode is Marcus Exall, serial founder, angel investor, and investor in residence at Virgin Startup. In this episode, Marcus shares his journey from building and exiting a digital advertising company to supporting countless founders along the way. We dive into his early days as an entrepreneur, from running a paper round as a kid to selling tickets at a nightclub, and how those experiences shaped his approach to business. Plus, we debunk some common myths around investment and entrepreneurship, and discuss the importance of freedom and failure in the startup journey. Don't miss this episode packed with insights and laughs! Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusexall/ Monese: https://monese.com/gb/en/ Up and to the Right: https://www.u2r.co/…

Not My First Guess

1
Pitch Perfect: Unlocking Your Inner Storyteller: Featuring Pascalle Bergmans 1:01:26

37 weeks ago1:01:26

1:01:26

Storytelling is one of the most underrated founder skills! It’s critical for motivating your team, selling to customers, and of course, raising investment. It can also position you as a thought leader, which yes, helps all those things too. But it’s one of the things that trips sooo many founders up. From pitches that make it obvious they were created to follow a formula, to LinkedIn posts that show zero personality, to team talks that end with glazed eyes, it’s so easy to get it wrong. So in this episode, we're thrilled to have a very special guest who knows a thing or two about captivating an audience. Joining us is Pascalle Bergmans, the multi-talented founder of PresenTales, a Pitch Training company which empowers senior leaders and executives to deliver their stories with impact and passion. With an impressive background performing on the West End in musicals like Wicked, Mary Poppins, and Robin Hood, Pascalle is no stranger to the art of engaging storytelling and owning a stage. In this episode, we dive deep into Pascalle's wealth of knowledge and experience. We'll explore: Lessons from the West-End that you need in your startup storytelling Practical tips for overcoming stage fright and delivering presentations with confidence What authenticity and vulnerability in leadership communication really means Growing through LinkedIn Content marketing and how to get over the “Cringe” that holds us back from getting started Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascalle-bergmans/?originalSubdomain=uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_presentales_/ PresenTales Website: https://www.presentales.com/…

Not My First Guess

1
Toks on Tech Stacks: Building a Following Alongside Your Product: Featuring Ghita El Haitmy 50:43

39 weeks ago50:43

50:43

Have you ever wondered how to stay on top of the hottest new tech tools and trends as a founder? Curious how you can leverage platforms like TikTok and Instagram to market your B2B startup in a fun, engaging way? Get ready to learn because in this episode I'm joined by Ghita El Haitmy, the smart and sassy founder of Tech Bible, which empowers professionals to gain a competitive edge by keeping them up-to-date on the latest tech through bite-sized social media content. Ghita has an amazing entrepreneurial journey to share. Ghita started out working in a corporate role but always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur. Her first startup was an AR app for the blind and visually impaired. When that wound down, she realized there was a huge need for someone to test and recommend the best new software tools for businesses. So Tech Bible was born, helping busy professionals cut through the noise and discover the tools and trends to boost their productivity. Ghita has grown a big following by making fun, relatable videos on TikTok and Instagram sharing her tech tips. In our chat, Ghita and I dive into: Her winding path to finding her calling as a founder and content creator How she's making a "unsexy" space engaging and growing a community on TikTok Her hard-won lessons on hiring, delegating, and avoiding burnout as a solo founder Ghita's top tips for making content that educates while still being entertaining and relatable How to find great mentors by leading with value Why focus and trusting your own vision is crucial as an early-stage founder Stay tuned for an illuminating conversation packed with tactical advice and plenty of laughs along the way! Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghita-el-haitmy-a9ab7767/?originalSubdomain=uk Instagram: @techbible.ai Tech Bible Website: https://www.techbible.ai/ My Finder App: https://www.myfinder.uk/…

Not My First Guess

1
From Pitch to Payday, The Hidden Costs of Fundraising: Featuring Sam Simpson 1:00:46

52 weeks ago1:00:46

1:00:46

Have you ever found yourself drowning in fundraising legals and language? This is the interview you’ve been waiting for… In this episode, we're joined by the brilliant Sam Simpson, Co-founder of FounderCatalyst, who's on a mission to simplify and accelerate the early-stage investment legal journey. Sam's not just talking the talk; he's walked the walk, having co-founded and exited several tech start-ups, including the 17th fastest growing company in Europe in 2017. Oh, and did we mention he took that company from £0 to £27m in less than 4 years? But Sam's not just a founder; he's also an active angel investor with 32 investments under his belt in just 6 years. Plus, he's a sought-after board advisor. In other words, when it comes to navigating the minefield of fundraising and investment, Sam’s who you want to learn from. In this episode we discuss: Simplifying the early-stage investment legal journey Insider tips on SEIS/EIS and equity investment Strategies for finding the right investors for your startup Lessons learned from co-founding and exiting successful tech start-ups How to think about valuing your early stage startup What Sam looks for as an angel and what really puts him off even a seemingly “great” deal So, whether you're a first-time founder trying to wrap your head around the legal jargon or a seasoned entrepreneur looking to optimise your fundraising game, this episode is packed with actionable advice and hard-won wisdom. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the people I trust most in this ecosystem! Links: All about valuation: https://www.foundercatalyst.com/blog/all-about-funding-round-valuation-2 Toxic Term sheets: https://www.foundercatalyst.com/blog/avoiding-toxic-term-sheets-everything-you-ever-wanted-to-ask-answered Understanding how an angel thinks: https://www.foundercatalyst.com/blog/understanding-how-angel-investors-think-2 The end of an angel investment: https://www.foundercatalyst.com/blog/the-end-of-an-angel-investment-from-the-magic-to-tragic-2 Founder Catalyst: https://www.foundercatalyst.com/company Sam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samsimpson1/?originalSubdomain=uk…

Not My First Guess

1
From Entrepreneur to Employee: Lessons From Coconut Founder: Featuring Adam Goodall 44:15

1 year ago44:15

44:15

🚀 What’s it like to go Corporate Employee> Founder > Founder > Corporate Employee? At Not My First Guess we love a squiggly career path! 🏁 That’s why we’re so excited to have serial founder, and once again corporate employee, Adam Goodall share his journey and lessons learned, from taking the first leap into full-time entrepreneurship, to deciding when to sell, to why he's enjoying being back in someone else's company. 🌐💡 Adam is a serial founder with two startups under his belt - ProConfirm and Coconut. With a background in accounting at PwC, Adam has focused on innovating in spaces that may not seem “sexy” but have huge potential for growth. Adam first co-founded a startup with his room mate Samuel O'Connor (who he would also co-found Coconut with too), when their work at PwC led them to spot an opportunity to digitise the manual process of verifying client finances. They originally built ProConfirm as a side hustle while working corporate jobs but one of Adam’s biggest lessons was when to take the leap to full time. They soon gained traction, leading to acquisition interest from a major U.S. player. Post-acquisition, Adam discovered his love for product management, setting him on the path to their next venture, Coconut, on a mission to simplify tax and accounting software for sole traders, landlords & their accountants. Since selling Coconut, Adam has now returned to employee life at Funding Circle and is brilliantly honest about what it was like to try to get a job as a serial founder (the hard and easy bits). 🧠 Together we’ll explore: - How to find great ideas, when you are and aren’t looking for them - Adam’s hard won lessons on fundraising for Coconut, even as a second time founder with an exit under his belt - How to know when an acquisition offer is right for you - Advice on validating your idea before building the right product: what an MVP should and shouldn’t be - And how we build a robust identity as founders so we can fully embrace a squiggly career path Don't miss it! #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #FounderStories #fintech #startups #innovation #podcast Links: Coconut: https://www.getcoconut.com/ Adam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjgoodall/?originalSubdomain=uk…

Not My First Guess

1
How Every Founder Can Use AI: Featuring Cien Solon 45:38

1 year ago45:38

45:38

Are you worried you’re not using enough AI as a founder? I promise you’re not alone. In fact, after interviewing our incredible guest today, I went away and automated a LOAD of my own processes - sometimes you just need to understand the art of the possible! This episode is a GREAT start - we’re joined by AI advocate Cien Solon, who is on a mission to make “AI for All” with her latest startups Launch Lemonade and Scale that Thing! Cien is a Product-Led Growth expert, a start-up consultant and a constant builder. She is also a Techstars mentor and part of the Angel Investing School team. She has developed a portfolio of products from fintech, to AI tools to B2B SaaS and had a previous career in Marketing giving her an amazing view of the full journey. Today, with Launch Lemonade, she allows anyone to build AI chat bots to help with very specific tasks - from a sales chatbot to speak with customers, to creating marketing copy, writing reports, the possibilities are mostly bound by our own creativity; that’s why her consultancy startup Scale that thing helps businesses build their AI and Product-led Growth strategies and implement them. So in this episode, as well as product building insights and advice from an incredible expert, expect plenty of inspiration on how you can implement AI in your own business! Links: Cien’s Website: https://ciensolon.com/ Launch Lemonade App: https://launchlemonade.app/ Scale That Thing Website: https://www.scalethatthing.com/…

Not My First Guess

1
Becoming Business Barbie and Making Accounting Accessible for Founders: Featuring Rachel Harris 59:19

1 year ago59:19

59:19

As well as being “Business Barbie” to her followers on instagram, Rachel Harris, is an award-winning content creator, author, speaker, business owner, and most importantly, an accountant extraordinaire. Named as one to watch on the 35 under 35 list and recently crowned as the First Intuition Apprenticeship Mentor of the Year for 2023, Rachel is a true breakout star in the accounting world. Rachel's passion for empowering accountants and small business owners shines through in her remarkable journey. From building the thriving Accountant She community of over 25,000 people to becoming the youngest-ever director and trustee of AAT, Rachel has been a trailblazer at every step. She’s also making an impact, including with her innovative corporate bursary scheme, launched in January 2023, fully funds aspiring accountants in financial hardship, providing them with the mentoring and support they need to succeed. In this episode, we dive deep into Rachel's entrepreneurial journey and the invaluable lessons she's learned along the way. We'll explore: The power of community-building and creating the support system you wish you had What founders do and don’t need to worry about when it comes to accounts The most efficient way to pay yourself as a founder The importance of setting an “internal charge out rate” to value your own time both in the company and out of it Approaches to valuing your company, and what Rachel looks for as an Angel Investor, and trains clients to prepare for in her mock “Dragons Den” investment readiness sessions Links: Rachel’s business StriveX: https://strivex.co.uk/ Accountant_She Website: https://www.accountantshe.co.uk/ Rachel’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accountant_she/?hl=en…

Not My First Guess

1
Transforming Management With AI Innovation: Featuring Sarah Touzani 58:08

1 year ago58:08

58:08

Ever wonder what it takes to transform from a passionate leader into a successful startup founder? In this episode, we'll uncover the secrets to building an innovative, AI-powered solution that's revolutionising the way managers drive team performance. Joining us today is Sarah Touzani, the brilliant mind behind Waggle, an AI co-pilot empowering managers with the tools and insights to excel. Building on Sarah’s 15+ years experience in finance and tech, Waggle has already caught the attention of major players like Techstars and JP Morgan. Backed by a talented, diverse team, Sarah has navigated the challenges of fundraising, fostering culture, and forging strategic partnerships to position Waggle for exciting growth across the US and Europe. In this candid, we'll dive into: Key lessons learned in the leap from leader to founder Strategies for assembling a powerhouse team and aligning them around your "why" Tips for securing funding and leveraging accelerators to catalyse growth Sarah’s approach to product development that attracts an eager customer base How Sarah maintained the vision while keeping operations running smoothly Advice Sarah wishes she had when first starting out Links: Founder Catalyst: https://www.foundercatalyst.com/ Waggle: https://www.usewaggle.ai/…

Not My First Guess

1
Parenting Pioneers: Building Babbu Featuring Charlie Rosier 43:29

1 year ago43:29