Lessons From Y Combinator, Burnout, Investing And Book Writing, With Devin Hunt Not My First Guess podcast

#Entrepreneur #Business #Hattie Willis #Tech #Trading

26:28

Squid Game is back—and this time, the knives are out. In the thrilling Season 3 premiere, Player 456 is spiraling and a brutal round of hide-and-seek forces players to kill or be killed. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please break down Gi-hun’s descent into vengeance, Guard 011’s daring betrayal of the Game, and the shocking moment players are forced to choose between murdering their friends… or dying. Then, Carlos Juico and Gavin Ruta from the Jumpers Jump podcast join us to unpack their wild theories for the season. Plus, Phil and Kiera face off in a high-stakes round of “Hot Sweet Potato.” SPOILER ALERT! Make sure you watch Squid Game Season 3 Episode 1 before listening on. Play one last time. IG - @SquidGameNetflix X (f.k.a. Twitter) - @SquidGame Check out more from Phil Yu @angryasianman , Kiera Please @kieraplease and the Jumpers Jump podcast Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts . Squid Game: The Official Podcast is produced by Netflix and The Mash-Up Americans.…

Not My First Guess «
Lessons from Y Combinator, Burnout, Investing and Book Writing, with Devin Hunt

3 years ago 1:06:00

MP3•Episode home

Episode #1: Meet Devin Hunt
Devin is a serial founder, investor and startup mentor.
His first startup was accepted onto Y Combinator, on a cohort with Dropbox, Songkick and Disqus, but ultimately failed. His second startup Lyst is still going strong, raising a pre-IPO round of funding at a reported $700m valuation in 2021.
But Devin, having burned out and left the company, also went on to found two more startups. The first, Foundercentric, taught founders "how to suck less" by getting fast and continuous feedback from real customers, and his latest venture, Useful books, helps Non-Fiction writers get real feedback from their readers and community as they write.
He's also an investor at Seedcamp, a fund which has invested in 7 European unicorns: Hopin, Wise, Revolut, Sorare, wefox, Pleo and UiPath.
In this episode he shares:

What Paul Graham taught him on Y Combinator
Why his first idea died, and how he could have killed it a lot faster
How they tested the core assumptions in Lyst
His experience of burnout, and how he avoids it today
How to speak to customers to avoid bad data
The most common advice he gives startups he invests in
And when to hold your nose...

Links:

https://www.usefulbooks.com/
https://www.lyst.co.uk/
https://seedcamp.com/

Chapters

1. Devin Podcast Final Editing Doc (00:00:00)

2. Y combinator (00:05:09)

3. Why Fuzzwich failed (00:11:29)

4. Proof of concepts (00:14:16)

5. Charismatic foundership (00:15:33)

6. Lyst Founding story (00:18:34)

7. Burnout and Mental Health (00:26:00)

8. Founder Centric (00:31:03)

9. What to look for in a cofounder (00:56:04)

62 episodes

Lessons from Y Combinator, Burnout, Investing and Book Writing, with Devin Hunt

Not My First Guess

published 3 years ago

MP3•Episode home

What Paul Graham taught him on Y Combinator
Why his first idea died, and how he could have killed it a lot faster
How they tested the core assumptions in Lyst
His experience of burnout, and how he avoids it today
How to speak to customers to avoid bad data
The most common advice he gives startups he invests in
And when to hold your nose...

Links:

https://www.usefulbooks.com/
https://www.lyst.co.uk/
https://seedcamp.com/

Chapters

1. Devin Podcast Final Editing Doc (00:00:00)

2. Y combinator (00:05:09)

3. Why Fuzzwich failed (00:11:29)

4. Proof of concepts (00:14:16)

5. Charismatic foundership (00:15:33)

6. Lyst Founding story (00:18:34)

7. Burnout and Mental Health (00:26:00)

8. Founder Centric (00:31:03)

9. What to look for in a cofounder (00:56:04)

62 episodes

#Entrepreneur #Business #Hattie Willis #Tech #Trading

All episodes

Not My First Guess

1
Building a Business From Joy Not Fear: Featuring Thea Brook 1:00:37

19 weeks ago1:00:37

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

21 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

23 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

25 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

30 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

32 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

34 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

36 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

38 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

51 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

43:29

Joining us in this episode is Charlie Rosier, a seasoned entrepreneur and fourth-time founder. Her latest venture, Babbu, disrupts the early childhood education space with an innovative online platform tailored for children aged 0-5. Driven by personal experience and insights gained during lockdown conversations with fellow parents, Charlie recognized the overwhelming pressure parents face—spending 37 hours weekly on childcare concerns alone. Determined to alleviate this stress, she birthed Babbu. Rooted in science but crafted by parents, Babbu reimagines the parenting journey, providing a supportive community and expert advice to empower parents in nurturing their children. This episode we discuss: Lessons learned as a serial founder Grief that comes with failed businesses Why we have to value our time differently as founders Lessons in linkedin marketing Fundraising - what Charlie knows now but didn’t know when she started Balancing being a mother with being a startup founder and the guilt that comes with it Links to Babbu’s website: https://babbu.co.uk/…

Not My First Guess

1
The Beauty of AI For Good: Featuring Simi Lindgren, Founder of Yuty 56:59

1 year ago56:59

56:59

This episode we are joined by Simi Lindgren Founder of Yuty. Some of you may recognise Simi from our special episode on fundraising as an underrepresented founder, where she was joined by two other incredible guests. But we wanted to take the time to dive deeper into Simi’s story and insights building an AI startup. Simi initially went to med school thinking that she would become a doctor. However, she soon realised that she wasn’t there for the right reasons. This led her to dropping out of her degree and getting an internship at a magazine working in beauty, and ultimately leading her to following her own passions. Simi then built up her experience in the beauty industry, working in marketing communications where she matched brands and PRs with media celebrities and influencers. Having progressed really well, in 2020 she decided that it was time to do something herself, which led to the launch of Yuty. Founded in 2020, Yuty is a venture capital backed technology company that uses AI to redefine hyper-personalisation, transforming the way brands can engage with their customers. The app provides data backed product recommendations delivered through a quiz, in order to help all customers, regardless of race, gender or ability, to find the product that is right for them. Having had personal experiences of not feeling seen or understood, and not being able to find the right products, Simi wanted to create something that was accessible for all, and after teaching herself to code, Yuty was formed. This episode we discuss: Choosing a path for the wrong reasons and going off the “beaten path” despite pressure internally and from the family Why she went down the VC route with Yuty Choosing an Investor Partner and how to manage them The importance of constantly asking questions Assumptions and why being curious is the ultimate founder trait Plus much much more! Links: Yuty website: https://www.yuty.me/…

Not My First Guess

1
Strands of Success: From Instagram Community to Industry Game Changer: Featuring Kate Berski 1:00:06

1 year ago1:00:06

1:00:06

This episode we are joined by Kate Berski, Co-Founder of Curlsmith, a high performance, inclusive haircare brand which she started with her husband in 2018. It soon became one of the fastest growing textured hair brands and would go on to retail at Ulta Beauty, Target, Boots and many more. The idea for Curlsmith was formed out of a family struggle to find suitable haircare products for Kate’s nieces’ curly hair. Kate and her husband Michal soon realised that there was a gap in the market with lots of people unable to find appropriate products for their hair. Using her experience in advertising and brand consulting, combined with Michal’s experience working for some major beauty companies, they soon developed a community around an Instagram page that they launched, which shared advice, recipes and tips for people with curly hair, before they began the process of making their own product. In this episode, we discuss: The haircare industry and how Curlsmith was brought to life The journey (and cost) of developing a product The pros and cons of staying lean as long as possible Digital vs retail channels Going down the VC route and how that helped grow the business The toll a startup has on your mental health Having a kid whilst running a business, and realising there’s more to life than work What it’s like to sell your company How entrepreneurship compares to becoming an author And much much more… Links: Kate’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kate.berski/ Curlsmith website: https://uk.curlsmith.com/…

Not My First Guess

1
Fertile Ground for Founders: Changing Lives and Welcoming New Ones: Featuring Tess Cosad 55:43

1 year ago55:43

55:43

This episode, we are joined by Tess Cosad, the CEO and Co-Founder of Béa Fertility. As someone who takes much of her inspiration from injustice, Tess saw the pain and difficulties that many people were going through in their attempts to build a family, with access and affordability making the journey even more stressful and heartbreaking for many. In comes Béa Fertility, a company that provides clinical-grade fertility treatment that can be shipped straight to your door, and costs 1/20th of what IVF would. Tess has always been passionate about building businesses that make an impact. She was the first woman to lead a digital startup program to female entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia in 2018, and is also a pioneer of the FemTech industry having gained experience working with Hers By Design, and Emberson Ventures, a B2B marketing agency. Despite often being one of the few women in male-dominated VC circles, Tess persists in her commitment to bring about positive change and support impactful solutions, by pushing evidence-based strategies and supporting founders who adopt similar change driven principles. This episode, we discuss: Mistakes and lessons learnt from Tess’s previous start-up ventures The importance of speaking to your users/customers The importance of storytelling and how this became Tess’s skillset Why being the keeper of the context is your most important role as CEO of a startup The process of finding mentors The struggles of finding investors and raising funds, and the importance of keeping your passion throughout the process And much more including hilarious stories that had our editor chuckling almost the whole way through the edit! Let us know what you think! Links: Bea Fertility website Brad Feld’s book Venture Deals Founders Pocket Guide to term sheets…

Not My First Guess

1
Rethinking Start-up Funding for more Equitable Entrepreneurship: Featuring Andy Ayim MBE 1:03:13

1 year ago1:03:13

1:03:13

This episode, we are joined by Andy Ayim MBE, a serial founder and Angel Investor who is known for his human centered approach to business. Over a decade ago, Andy cofounded Mixtape Madness, a proudly bootstrapped 7 figure business. When he left day to day operations there, he dove into Product Management with high growth startups such as WorldFirst, acquired for $700m by Ant Financial; and Series C startup Zilch where he was Head of Product Management. In 2018 he took his next leap, to become Managing Director at US based VC firm, Backstage Capital where he raised over $2.5M to deploy into underrepresented founders. As you’ll hear, improving equity in the startup ecosystem has been a huge driver for Andy, and led to his next startup, The Angel Investing School, a company on a mission to train the next generation of angel investors, including those who feel excluded by the current system, or haven’t seen typically themselves represented among angels. Additionally, Andy supports startups, scaleups and corporates as an advisor; this is someone who knows what it takes to grow a company. Andy’s impact has seen him get voted as one on the top 10 BAME Leaders in Tech in the FT, as well as being awarded an MBE for his services to diversity in tech. Andy has also been one of our biggest supporters at IfWeRaise from the very early days, in fact even before I met my co-founder, and is now one of our Board Advisers, so it was extra special having him on the show. In this episode, we discuss: Andy’s personal user guide as his intro into the world of entrepreneurship (and why we probably all need one) Why Andy created Angel Investing School and how it’s evolving The importance of building social capital and a personal brand as a founder Why fundraising isn’t always the best option What Andy looks for in founders from an Angel's perspective The importance of storytelling and how to nail it The backwards relationship we have with failure in the UK Links: Angel Investing School: https://angelinvestingschool.com/ Andy’s Personal User Guide: https://andyayim.com/my-personal-user-guide/ Mixtape Madness: https://www.mixtapemadness.com/…

Not My First Guess

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Baking in Loyalty: Cakedrop's Recipe for Startup Success - Featuring Nicola Ward, Co-Founder of Cake Drop 49:14

1 year ago49:14

49:14

This episode we are joined by Nicola Ward, Co-Founder of CakeDrop. Having both worked in the City, Nicola and her sister Anna had a conversation about how awkward office birthdays can be. Often forgetting to buy a cake and having to resort to a cheap last minute one from the shop around the corner. They felt that something needed to be done to improve the employee experience in the office and uplevel celebrations at work. This gave way to the idea for CakeDrop. CakeDrop began by delivering artisan cakes to offices for employee birthdays, supported by an online calendar that allowed office managers and HR teams to pre-schedule key dates for the year ahead. 7 years on, and CakeDrop have worked with customers such as Disney, Meta, Netflix and LadBible. In this episode we discuss: Evolving her business idea Running a business with a sibling How CakeDrop began and how they got to where they are now How they reacted to lockdown Building a team and finding the right people Learning the difference between how your gut is leading you and how your anxiety is leading you to make decisions Public speaking and founder confidence The importance of momentum in fundraising Managing your potential investor base Link to the Cake Drop website: https://cakedrop.london/…

Not My First Guess

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Breaking Barriers: Opportunities For All: Featuring Felicity Halstead, Founder of GoodWork 58:43

1 year ago58:43

58:43

This episode we are joined by Felicity Halstead, founder of the company GoodWork. GoodWork is a not-for-profit that works with employers to create employment opportunities for young people from marginalised communities. Having had experience in youth programmes, as well as working with social mobility organisations and supporting entry-level recruitment in her job, Felicity saw first hand that a young person’s results on paper are not an accurate representation of how that person would apply themselves in the workplace. So often organisations would focus on past performance rather than potential. This led to the creation of GoodWork as Felicity hopes to breakdown systemic barriers to create more opportunities for young people. In this episode, we discuss: Preconceptions around what talent looks like and how to identify potential Transitioning from only working in the public sector to the private sector The importance of finding your community Fundraising in the charity sector The community interest company (CIC) route Being a LinkedIn topvoice The impact of having an ADHD and Autism diagnosis Link to the GoodWork website: https://www.goodwork.org.uk/…

Not My First Guess

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Changing currencies, changing lives: Featuring Robert Hayward, Founder of GoodFX 53:48

1 year ago53:48

53:48

This episode, we are joined by Robert Hayward, founder of GoodFX, an international payments B Corp that turns currency conversion into social good, using the profits they make every time their customers trade FX, to support charities and create meaningful job opportunities for refugees. For anyone who doesn’t know, The foreign exchange market, commonly referred to as the Forex or FX, is the global marketplace for trading currencies. Having spent 10 years in the city working in banking, Rob had started to wonder how he could put his skills to use and make a difference in the world. After initially rejecting an opportunity to work in FX, he realised that there could be a way to use some of the money the industry was making in lockdown to make a difference. This birthed GoodFX. In this episode we discuss: Rob’s journey into entrepreneurship and how he used his skills learned in the corporate world to get there The intoxicating nature of working with a “big fish” company Using a business model as a vehicle for social change Raising money as a B Corp, and the value of B Corp applications The importance of having self value as a fundraiser The necessity of bootstrapping when making an impact business Link to the GoodFX website: https://www.goodfx.co.uk/…

Not My First Guess

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Designing company culture like a customer experience 53:56

1 year ago53:56

53:56

This episode, we are joined by the founders of Future Kind Collective, Alicia Grimes and Natalie Pierce. Having initially met when Natalie interviewed Alicia for a job, the two found themselves working in the same company on strategy and service design projects focused on culture change. What started as a working relationship soon blossomed into a friendship and the two bonded on a shared feeling that something wasn't quite right about traditional culture consulting and that a change was needed. Alicia and Natalie thought that a more holistic approach was called for, with a focus on a genuine care for the people behind the business, prioritising people over profit, with as much focus on employees as customers. These ideas paved the way for the Future Kind Collective to be born, where a team was built that focuses on turning around the Culture of companies to create a better environment for all involved, or helping startups create great cultures from day 1! In this episode we discuss: How Alicia and Natalie met and the birth of Future Kind Collective Imposter syndrome The definition of Culture How founders can use values to make decisions about what they do and don’t do The importance of saying no as founders Link to the Future Kind Collective Website: https://www.thefuturekind.co/…

Not My First Guess

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Business and bipolar: changing the future of mental health support, with James Roycroft-Davis, Co-Founder of Baseline 46:01

1 year ago46:01

46:01

In this episode we’re joined by James Roycroft-Davis. James is a Serial Founder, Angel Investor and Host of the UK’s #1 Founder and Investor Mental Health Podcast - Vulnerable. He’s previously started businesses around weightless and dog training, but hadn’t yet found his purpose and the business he wanted to build for the next 10 years, until in March 2023 he was diagnosed with Type 2 Bipolar Affective Disorder. When he started sharing about his diagnosis on his social media he was flooded with messages saying “there’s no support for me or my support networks”.It’s what led him to co-found Baseline, as he puts it:The first company building technology, content, and community in the Bipolar space, to help people on the bipolar spectrum and their support networks to live better. In this episode we dive into: - Why first time founders need to stop giving investors god like status - The shocking correlation between founders and the Bipolar spectrum - How getting his diagnosis led to Baseline - Building your first product on a shoestring with AI - The importance of building for mental health sustainability as a founder - The need for founders to nail content creation and personal branding - And much more! James’ Business Baseline: https://www.joinbaseline.co/ James’ Podcast, Vulnerable: https://open.spotify.com/show/1K0x3TuxwlV8lhRhMJzcSD?si=3b8cb3208ce34ca2…

Not My First Guess

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How to successfully exit your own company, with Tim Deeson 45:22

1 year ago45:22

45:22

This episode, we're joined by Tim Deeson, serial founder and angel investor with over 20 years of experience building companies. He started his first company Deeson, which grew to be a multi-million pound digital agency, at age just 20. Tim successfully exited Deeson to co-found GreenShoot Labs, an innovative conversational AI consulting and product development studio. After exiting that, Tim became an Angel Investor and took up a role at LSE as an entrepreneur in residence, giving advice to students, alumni and staff on their start up ideas and business. Alongside all this work, Tim started to feel the founder itch again, and so it was really lucky that when we met he ignored Hattie's initial attempts to tell him he could not be her co founder, because they were increasingly sharing the same mission of how to make access to the startup ecosystem fairer. Ultimately this led to the beginning of IfWeRaise, a company that Tim and Hattie co-founded in 2022 In this episode we discuss: Tim’s journey into entrepreneurship and the surprising difference between selling to bigger and smaller organisations Why and how to successfully exit a business that you founded Co-founder relationships Becoming an Angel Investor The importance of focusing on a customer market rather than investor market How Hattie and Tim met and the development of IfWeRaise Tim’s Businesses: Deeson: https://www.deeson.co.uk/ OpenDialog.ai: https://opendialog.ai/ If We Raise: https://www.ifweraise.com/…

Not My First Guess

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An un-bae-lievable journey: featuring Amardeep Parmar, podcast host and Co-founder of The Bae HQ 54:12

2 years ago54:12

54:12

In this episode we’re joined by Amardeep Parmar, Co-founder of The Bae HQ which is the number one community for British Asian Entrepreneurs; curator of the Tedx Chigwell programme, and host of the Entrepreneurs Handbook. As if that wasn't enough, having written and edited hundreds of Articles around the subject of entrepreneurship, Amar is also an Angel Investor. Before lockdown, Amar was a technology consultant, having graduated with an economics degree. However, when covid hit, Amar decided to invest his time into more creative interests and began writing articles online. He became the second-fastest growing writer on medium.com, second to Barack Obama. This paved the way for a new career whereby he was able to become a fulltime creator in 2021. In this episode we discuss : The pressures of being and calling yourself a “creator” in the entrepreneurial world The importance of making and putting out content in order to learn Treating people like people, not putting them on pedestals Social intelligence Lessons learned from podcasting Angel Investing and advice for first time raisers Checkout more of Amar’s content: The Bae HQ: https://www.thebaehq.com/ The Entrepreneurs Handbook https://open.spotify.com/show/5nceulxUsr8jrJ2TdSEVOK?si=14ab888833a4470f Mentioned Resources https://seedlegals.com/ https://hatchenterprise.org/ https://www.antler.co/…

Not My First Guess

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Banker to changemaker: empowering SMES in emerging markets featuring Alberta Asafo-Asamoah, Co-founder of Liquify 48:37

2 years ago48:37

48:37

Today I’m joined by Alberta Asafo-Asamoah, a social entrepreneur and educationalist, and co-founder of Liquify, an invoice marketplace that enables SMEs in emerging markets to get quick access to affordable cash. Having started her career building deep expertise in the financial world, Alberta left banking in 2018 to pursue a career in impact investing because she wanted to combine her knowledge and experience in financing, with her passion for social issues and social change. This led Alberta to founding Algebra In The City (AITC), an educational tuition and consultancy business. Having spent some time as a tutor, Alberta had seen a disparity between students that went to private schools and students who went to state schools, including differences in the way students had been taught to process information and problem solve. This led Alberta to wanting to make education more equitable for young people by making tuition much cheaper in order to increase accessibility. However, one of the things we dive into in this episode is Alberta’s desire to build something at scale- and once she realised this wasn’t the business she wanted to be building for the next 10 years, it was time for a pivot to build something more VC backable… one that ultimately led her to liquify. In this episode we talk about: Internships and the importance of taking a step back when you’re starting something new Mistakes you make when starting a new business The importance of deciding whether you want your business to be scaelable What VCs want The importance of finding the right co founder Prioritising your personal life whilst running a business And so much more Check out Alberta’s company Liquify: https://liquify.digital/ Check out Algebra in the City: https://www.algebrainthecity.com/about-us/ W Massive thank you to this episode’s sponsor ShipShape. If you want to tailor your search for VCs, check them out at www.shipshape.vc…

Not My First Guess

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Fundraising Special Part 2 (Back By Popular Demand) 45:58

2 years ago45:58

45:58

This episode is a little bit special. We're doing our second fundraising compilation, taking different tips and hard won lessons from our founders we've interviewed before. In this episode, we're going to focus on five founders: 1. Jay Richards: At the time of interview, Jay's company Imagen had 25, 000 community members across 111 countries, having raised just 400k. Incredible growth. Here Jay talks about how some founders have a grit that means they can just go further with less. Curious about Imagen? Learn more here: https://imageninsights.com/ 2. Valentina Milanova: Valentina has raised several rounds of funding for her femtech company Daye, including a 10 million series A. In this episode she talks about her experiences fundraising as a female founder as well as some of the things she did but maybe wouldn't do again. Checkout Daye’s website: https://www.yourdaye.com/ 3. Lottie Unwin: Lottie is a proud bootstrapper who grew her business to over a million in revenue without fundraising. In this episode she shares her perspective and why she chose a different path. Since recording Lottie’s company have rebranded from CopyClub to Upworld. See more of what they’re up to at https://up-world.co/ 4. Joyeeta Daas: Joyeeta is a serial founder who created five startups and successfully exited three. Since the episode aired, she's fundraised again for her most recent venture, Samudra Oceans: https://www.samudraoceans.com/ 5. Eliot Brooks: Eliot grew health tech startup Thriva to over 100,000 customers and more than 130 staff before he decided it was time for his next startup adventure. Before he left, Thriva had raised 11 million pounds in funding based on 100 percent year on year growth rates: Thriva | Home Blood Testing & Health Checks Together they cover a huge range of business models and industries. From B2B SaaS to HealthTech and FemTech, Community plays, DeepTech and ClimateTech. Want to dive in deeper- checkout each of the guests’ full episodes: Jay Richards: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4o0lQfU69vC8HEYzdfs4wb?si=de2a9f708a864d2b Valentina Milanova: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jfFTiaD2hRyiuCHUaproV?si=2c4584b088ce47d3 Lottie Unwin: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2iRxjMLNUXviNhpVPJXmiE?si=293d0b1e872140b4 Joyeeta Daas: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2NV8fCzOUKaGSU0xeUQwMJ?si=8d3a33cf63334748 Eliot Brooks: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3bfYSOaUSL9Fxf9xP6IxIZ?si=2df55b95df004a1e Finally, a massive thank you to this episode’s sponsor ShipShape. If you want to tailor your search for VCs, check them out at www.shipshape.vc…

Not My First Guess

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What VCs don't tell you when you're raising with Jasmin Thomas, serial Founder & Angel Investor 37:08

2 years ago37:08

37:08

Today I’m joined by Jasmin Thomas, Serial Founder & Angel Investor. After a successful career building the first teams of unicorns like Deliveroo, Algemy, Improbable and Dark Trace, Jasmin turned her hand to her own business. Having been diagnosed with MS, Jasmin had experienced the benefits of CBD oil first hand, from relieving period cramps to flare ups she was having. From this, she was inspired to start her own efficacious skincare company, Ohana Health. However, as she soon found out, having a CBD based product brings even more challenges than your regular startup. And once she realised it wasn't a VC backable business, she made an even bolder move to shut the company down. Now, she uses the valuable insights she gained through that experience, along with a deep passion for supporting women in various capacities, particularly early stage founders and those in the tech industry, to fuel this next phase of her career. Her dedication is channeled through her work with angel community Alexandria Angels, where she focuses on investing in exceptional deal flow at the early stages, aiming to diversify cap tables, as well as acting as a venture partner and scout for VCs and as a consultant, collaborating with pre Series A startups. She's also committed to supporting the development of gender diverse tech teams, bridging the gap for women in tech and STEM fields with tech recruitment agency Xena. In case you couldn't already tell, she's a rather remarkable leader in the community and has even been highlighted by Richard Branson as an entrepreneur to watch for her exceptional drive and vision. In this episode we discuss: Thinking out of the box as a core founder skill Asking VCs the right questions while you raise The secret value recruiters bring to the table How intention and self-awareness lead to success Unearthing hidden hurdles in your industry, early And so much more! Links: Check out Alexandria Angels - https://alexandriaangels.persona.co/ Learn about Angel Investing from Andy Ayim - https://andyayim.com Check out We Are Xena - https://wearexena.com Listen to our episode with Alexia Baron - spoti.fi/3EhjhXh Listen to our episode with Jacqui - Check out our new sponsor shipshape.vc - https://bit.ly/43Kq99N…

Not My First Guess

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The simple mantra you need to succeed with marketing featuring Jacqui Patton, Founder of Ink Blot Creative 41:18

2 years ago41:18