Ep74: Paul Hamburger: Scaling Global Brands with Innovation and Speed

Your Business – Your Next Level

In this episode of Your Business Your Next Level, I sit down with Paul Hamburger, a seasoned CEO with a track record of transforming major companies like T-Mobile, Telecom New Zealand, and Cable & Wireless into global market leaders. Now at the helm of Admiral Sports, Paul shares how he’s bringing a legacy British sportswear brand into the modern era through cutting-edge innovation, vertical integration, and customer-first thinking.

We dive into how Paul has applied hard-earned lessons from telecom and pharmaceuticals to the apparel space, why listening to your customers is more powerful than any strategy tool, and how Admiral is disrupting a market dominated by giants through speed, customization, and sustainability. Whether you're running a startup or scaling a global brand, Paul's insights on leadership, execution, and innovation are practical and transformative.

Key Takeaways:

Start with the Customer, Not the Product: Paul transformed Admiral by eliminating customer pain points—no minimums, no product expiration, consistent sizing, and full customization.

Speed is a Differentiator: While competitors take 45–120 days, Admiral delivers fully custom kits in 7–30 days thanks to vertical integration and proprietary software.

Innovation Is Simpler Than You Think: Paul proves that asking real customers the right questions is more valuable than overanalyzing or relying solely on frameworks.

Don’t Regret—Act Fast: Insight without action is worthless. Paul shares personal lessons in missed financial opportunities and the importance of seizing the moment.

Empower Teams Through Clarity and Trust: Putting people first—both customers and employees—has been a core driver of Paul’s leadership and business success.

Timeline Summary:

[00:00] - Paul’s journey from pharma to telecom to owning Admiral Sports

[03:00] - Reviving brands like T-Mobile and applying lessons to apparel

[06:00] - Innovation through listening: how convenience wins over big names

[10:00] - Creating Admiral ID and customizing gear at scale

[13:00] - Why vertical integration gives Admiral a massive edge

[16:00] - The simple secret: listen, build around the customer, and deliver

[20:00] - Manufacturing in the Dominican Republic and shipping from Miami

[22:00] - Sustainability, lean production, and long-term brand loyalty

[24:00] - Balancing legacy sports heritage with modern athleisure and global markets

[27:00] - Why value > cost: customers pay more when they see the difference

[30:00] - Missed investments, fast action, and leadership takeaways from tech

[33:00] - Final insights: Put people first—in leadership, in product, and in business

Links & Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-hamburger-386a566/

http://www.admiral-sports.com