Avsnitt
-
In this Founder Stories episode, Guy Walker (CEO of Talentia Group) discusses why he’s invited onto many podcasts, what topics he avoids, and his wide portfolio of startups and investments alongside his core education and public sector recruitment business. He explains how he manages time through strong delegation and by focusing on sales, relationships, and problem-solving, and reflects on being memorable and candid. Guy recounts early hustles for money, a work-experience break into IT at 15, moving into hospitality, a failed bar investment, and a record-setting recruitment career before his mother’s rapid death from pancreatic cancer reshaped his priorities and led him to start Dovetail from a spare bedroom with £15,000. He covers ADHD as a work “superpower” with downsides, scaling through COVID via client partnership, recent health changes, a passion for supporting young people, and advice for founders on loving the work, hard effort, and building a strong network.
00:00 High Energy Intro
00:33 Why Guy Gets Invited
02:05 What He Does Today
04:18 Time Management Secrets
08:41 Early Hustles and Money
11:03 Work Experience Matters
15:04 From IT to Recruitment
20:01 ADHD as Superpower
24:04 Letting Go of Sales Dopamine
29:03 Starting a Business for Real
31:35 Startup Reality Check
32:39 Bootstrapping Costs Systems
33:58 Runway Risk Planning
34:40 Scaling To 60 Million
35:41 COVID Partnership Playbook
37:23 Behind The Scenes Culture
39:03 Health Over Hustle
43:03 Running Travel Routine
46:40 Help Young People
51:41 Happiness Maximum Challenge
54:45 Dreams Exit Impact Fund
01:00:08 Founder Advice Closing -
In this Founder Stories episode, Tessa Clarke, co-founder and CEO of OLIO, explains how her farm upbringing and a moving-day experience sparked the idea for a hyper-local app that helps neighbors give away surplus food and household items. She shares key facts about food waste - one third of food globally is wasted, food waste would be the third-largest emitter if a country, and in the UK 60% occurs in homes versus 2% in supermarkets - and describes OLIO’s scale: 9 million users globally, 5 million in the UK, with about £5m of free food and £1–2m of household items shared monthly in the UK. Clarke discusses OLIO’s remote-first team of ~40, hiring for mission obsession and values, fundraising lessons, handling restructures humanely, her co-founder partnership with Sacha, and her advocacy for B Corp, the Better Business Act, and Stop Ecocide, plus a forthcoming “Simple Swaps” book.
00:00 Meet Tessa Clark
00:55 Mission Beyond OLIO
02:48 Origin Story Spark
04:23 Food Waste Wake Up
06:02 How OLIO Works
07:42 Scale and Growth Engine
11:08 Farm Skills to Founder
13:00 Education and Expectations
16:43 Team Size and Remote First
18:59 Hiring for Mission Obsession
23:21 Surviving the Rollercoaster
25:03 Founder Pay and Burn Rate
27:34 Fundraising and Runway
30:18 Restructuring with Respect
34:37 Co-Founder Dynamic
36:03 Dividing Responsibilities
40:30 Founder Visibility Strategy
42:13 Profit With Purpose
46:09 B Corp Better Business
51:53 Life Design Habits
54:32 Simple Swaps Book
58:23 Future Plans Expansion
01:05:32 Closing And Contact
-
Saknas det avsnitt?
-
In this episode, the host speaks with Dominic McGregor, founder of Fearless Adventures, about what he’s building now and the experiences that shaped him. Dominic explains Fearless as an investment-and-support business that helps founders scale through three areas: people (via an academy and talent pool), funding (investing in companies), and marketing (with an emphasis on founders articulating the brand story). He discusses when founder-led sales is helpful versus limiting, and why early personal branding can pigeonhole service businesses. Dominic shares his upbringing in York, moving to private school, a long friendship with Sam, and how a lack of crippling failure contributed to confidence. He reflects on Social Chain’s early traction making trends, his relationship with alcohol and sobriety, and his goals to expand youth opportunity through apprenticeships while being a good dad.
00:00 Confidence at 19
00:27 Meet Dominic McGregor
02:15 What Fearless Does
04:22 People Funding Marketing
07:47 Founder Led Sales Stages
11:38 Freelancer Versus Business
14:53 Childhood and York
16:59 Private School Shift
19:16 Granddad Work Ethic
21:54 No Inner Doubt
27:47 Dropping Out Safety Net
30:27 Unconventional Paths
33:23 Early Social Chain Milestones
34:44 Naming Social Chain
35:19 Building Authentic Community
36:59 Proving Viral Power
39:55 Alcohol and Coping Patterns
43:19 Sobriety and Mental Tools
46:13 Healthy Relationship Check
50:38 Fail Fast and Growth Pressure
52:06 Changing Environment to Quit
56:02 Youth Opportunity Mission
58:23 Parenting and Screen Time
01:03:42 Next Chapter and Wrap Up -
How do you turn a shared passion for sport into a rapidly scaling business that reaches thousands of children every week?
In this episode of Founder Stories, Donna Owen sits down with Asher Smith and Jack Pearce, the co-founders of The Athlete Group. From their early days as teenage sports coaches to building a multi-brand organization, Asher and Jack share the raw reality of scaling a service-based business while staying true to their core mission: finding the right sport for every child.
They dive into the "machinery" behind their partnership, discussing how they transitioned from being "on the tools" as coaches to becoming strategic leaders. They also explore the importance of diverse sports exposure, the challenges of hiring the right team, and why having a "blue hexagon" mindset is key to their success.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The "Find Your Sport" Philosophy: Why exposing children to a wide variety of activities is more important than early specialization.Transitioning from Coach to Founder: The difficult journey of stepping away from the daily delivery to focus on scaling the business.The Power of Partnership: How Asher and Jack balance their different strengths to drive The Athlete Group forward.Building a Culture: The challenges of recruitment in the sports education sector and finding staff who share the "Athlete" DNA.Beyond Football: Why offering everything from tennis to dodgeball creates a more inclusive and successful business model.🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 – Finding the sport every child loves.00:20 – Introducing Asher Smith & Jack Pearce: Co-founders of The Athlete Group.05:15 – The early days: From teenage coaches to business partners.12:40 – The "Find Your Sport" mission and why it drives everything.22:10 – The pivot: Moving from "coaching" to "running a business."30:35 – Recruitment & Culture: Finding the right people for the "blue hexagon."42:15 – Advice for young entrepreneurs starting in the service sector.46:40 – Where to find The Athlete Group and how to join the movement. -
In this episode of Founder Stories, Joel Harrison discusses launching B2B Marketing in 2004 to fill a gap in the marketing media that largely ignored business-to-business marketing, and how the company helped shape an ecosystem where agencies and marketers now identify as B2B. He explains the evolution from a print magazine (which stopped publishing a few years ago) to Propolis, a peer-to-peer advisory platform serving major brands, alongside flagship events like Ignite, the Global ABM Conference, and the B2B Marketing Awards, while noting he has stepped back operationally but remains a co-owner and board director. Joel shares his background in journalism and publishing, family influences in marketing, and how his mother’s cancer prompted him to pursue what mattered. He advises startups to clarify brand and customer pain points, leverage founders/CEOs as authentic ambassadors, and persist through volatility, embracing pivots as reality diverges from plans.
00:00 Life Is Short Mindset
00:36 Founder Stories Intro
02:02 Why B2B Marketing Existed
03:38 Building The B2B Ecosystem
04:51 B2B vs B2C Buying
07:13 Marketing Maturity In Startups
08:48 From Magazine To Propolis
10:52 Joel Early Career Origins
12:39 Why Marketing Became The Topic
15:06 Becoming A Founder At 30
16:23 Cancer Catalyst And Legacy
17:51 Founders Are Not One Type
19:26 Choosing the Leap
20:01 The 28-29 Sweet Spot
21:30 Content Not for Everyone
23:09 Stop Spray and Pray
25:02 Founder Led Trust
26:00 Formats and Authenticity
27:53 Stepping Back as Founder
30:21 New Chapter After Exit
31:04 Where to Follow Joel
33:06 Life Balance and Ambition
34:57 Advice for Early Founders
35:23 Keep Going and Pivot
37:13 Closing Thanks and Future
-
Is AI the "silver bullet" for your business, or is it just creating more noise?
In this episode of Founder Stories, Donna Owen sits down with her close friend and serial entrepreneur Andy Hallett. With a career spanning recruitment, technology, and executive coaching, Andy cuts through the current tech hype to discuss the immutable fundamentals of building a successful business.
Andy shares why he believes the best performers will always rise to the top and why "human-in-the-loop" remains the most critical factor in high-stakes sales and recruitment. They also dive into the psychological transition from "proper jobs" to prolific foundership and the importance of hitting targets before spending your capital.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The AI Reality Check: Why technology is a tool for enhancement, not a replacement for basic business fundamentals.
Rising Above the Noise: How the top 1% of recruiters and founders thrive when the market is flooded with automated content.
The Human Closer: Why agents and bots can't replace the trust required to close a major deal.
Proving the Model: The importance of hitting your internal targets before investing heavily in expansion.
Serial Foundership: Andy’s journey through multiple ventures and what it really takes to be a "prolific" guest on the founder couch.
🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 – Will AI be a "silver bullet" for your business?
00:44 – Introducing the "Prolific Founder": Andy Hallett
01:04 – Why Donna saved the "Proper Guests" for later in the series
25:30 – The transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship
42:15 – Why the best recruiters will always rise above the AI noise
51:19 – Target setting and knowing when to spend your money
#FounderStories #Recruitment #AI #Entrepreneurship #AndyHallett #TheEngine #BusinessFundamentals #SalesTips -
Is the story you’re telling yourself about your business actually a prophecy for its failure?
In this episode of Founder Stories, Donna Owen sits down with George Terry, Co-Founder & Creative Director at Winbox. George pulls back the curtain on the psychological "mental game" of being a founder, exploring how our internal narratives can either lead us to "weird places" or act as a roadmap for massive success.
Together, they dive into the harsh reality of demand generation, explaining why the majority of business struggles are actually just pipeline problems in disguise. If you’ve ever felt like your business is a series of "ups and downs" without a clear direction, George provides the framework to tune back into the story that matters.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The Prophecy of the Story: Why the narrative you embrace during the hard times determines where your company ends up.The 90% Pipeline Rule: Why most founders are misdiagnosing their business problems when they actually just have a demand issue.Guiding the Internal Voice: How to manage the "version of yourself" in your head to avoid negative tangents and stay conscious.The Reality of Hard Work: Why everything worth doing is difficult and how to lean into the struggle rather than running from it.Avoiding "Weird Places": The importance of self-awareness and listening to your guiding voice to keep your business on track.🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 – Why the story you tell yourself is a prophecy.00:24 – The 90% Rule: Why you probably have a demand problem.05:45 – Everything worth doing is hard: Navigating the ups and downs.15:30 – The Internal Voice: Managing the version of yourself in your head.28:12 – Consciousness and awareness in leadership.42:05 – Guiding your business away from "negative tangents."46:20 – How to stay tuned in when the journey gets tough. -
How do you go from dropping out of school at 17 to building, scaling, and selling a massive B2B software company? In this episode of Founder Stories, Donna Owen sits down with Ed Johnson—the "original influencer" before the word even existed.
Ed shares the raw, unfiltered truth about his entrepreneurial journey, including the "bugs" and roadblocks of his early ventures and the critical lessons he used to drive his previous company, Push Far, to a successful private equity acquisition in 2023. Now, he’s doing it all again with URoutine, a new platform centered on the one thing that actually drives success: Accountability.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The $5.99 Rule: Why "sweating the small stuff" early on sets the standard for a team of 50+.
The Co-Founder Trap: Why you must sign your agreement when you're still happy—and why one co-founder should always be more "senior" on paper.
The "Zero AI" Strategy: How simple, "un-shiny" ideas can gain more traction than the latest tech trends.
Revenue vs. Reality: Why first-time founders fail by rushing to monetize too soon.
🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 – The "Misfire": When starting a business takes 5+ years of your life.
01:22 – What is URoutine? Solving the accountability gap.
04:18 – The hard lesson: Why revenue should follow technology, not lead it.
06:58 – Budgeting 101: Questioning every 5.99 subscription.
09:32 – Career "Job Hopping" and why Ed never stayed more than a year.
13:54 – Being a YouTube Partner at age 10: 15 Million views and counting.
20:32 – The 2-year "Side Hustle": Building Push Far while working a 9-5.
23:06 – Potholes & Failures: The social app that crashed at 10k downloads.
30:42 – The CEO's responsibility: Roles, responsibilities, and tempering your stress.
38:52 – How Ed is using URoutine to write a 250-page romantic fiction novel. -
How does a "rebellious" student who failed his A-Levels go on to build a 25-person agency by age 22 and later launch a market-defining AI company? In this episode of Founder Stories, Donna Owen sits down with Leo Rogers, the founder of Curvo.
Leo shares his unconventional journey from fixing corporate IT servers at 16 using nothing but a Google search bar to revolutionizing the sales industry with real-time AI coaching. This is a deep dive into the grit, "naive optimism," and the rigorous science required to scale a high-performance sales organization.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The "Naive Optimism" Factor: Why the certainty to tackle challenges you don't yet understand is a prerequisite for survival in the early days.
Managing "Gray Hair" at 22: Leo’s experience hiring and leading a senior leadership team with decades more experience than him.
The $1 Million Founder Rule: Why founders must stay in the trenches and hit the first £1M in revenue before hiring an AE function.
Gamifying MEDDPICC: How to move away from laborious "check-box" deal reviews and turn sales methodology into a live, fun, and high-adoption experience.
The Future of Sales Tech: Why the trend for 2026 is moving away from annoying meeting bots toward seamless, on-device AI copilots.
🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 – The 75% jump in meeting Notetaker adoption in 2025.
01:55 – What is Kvo? Giving sellers a "second brain" in 500 milliseconds.
05:12 – The Science of Selling: Why MEDDPICC and Gap Selling are non-negotiable.
07:51 – Turning a "weaponized" methodology into a gamified experience.
11:24 – The "Lobby Bot" Fatigue: Why on-device recording is the future.
14:02 – Failing A-Levels and the "nail in the coffin" of academia.
17:15 – Naive Optimism: Fixing architecture servers at age 16.
21:11 – Respect in the Boardroom: Leading a senior team at age 22.
27:23 – Solving the Demand Problem: Why the founder must lead the first million in sales.
31:22 – Network Effects: Building a cap table of 18 top sales leaders.
38:00 – The Knowledge-Performance Gap: Selling complex tech to CTOs.
45:47 – Launching Kvo Self-Serve: The 2026 roadmap.
47:40 – Work-Life Integration: From the office to salsa dancing. -
What happens when you go from being a well-known industry leader in your home country to a total stranger in a new one?
In this episode of Founder Stories, Donna Owen sits down with Paul Ryazanov, the founder of MageCloud. Paul’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, moving from a childhood in the Soviet Union to building a premier global e-commerce agency.
Paul discusses the psychological and operational "grind" of the immigrant founder-the necessity of shedding your ego, proving your worth from scratch, and the power of simple human connection in building a world-class network.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The "Zero Reputation" Reality: Why moving to a new country means no one cares about your past success and how to build a new name from the ground up.
The Soviet Foundation: How Paul’s early life shaped an immutable drive to seek a better life and build something lasting.
The "Small Things" Networking Hack: Why the most powerful way to enter a new room is by offering small, immediate value—like a simple introduction.
Understanding Local Needs: The importance of getting in the trenches, attending meetups, and talking to people to find the "gap" in a new market.
Scaling MageCloud: Insights into the operational grit required to manage a global team and maintain high-level growth.
🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 – Starting from scratch: Why new countries don't care about your history.
00:45 – The Soviet Foundation: How a childhood in the USSR fueled the drive for more.
05:20 – Proving your worth: The psychological shift of being a "nobody" again.
12:15 – The Power of Connection: Using small acts to open big doors.
18:30 – Networking from Zero: Why physical meetups are a founder's best friend.
25:40 – Building MageCloud: Scaling an agency across borders.
34:10 – The "Better Life" mindset: Turning obstacles into fuel.
46:10 – How to connect with Paul and join the MageCloud community. -
Welcome to The Engine – Founders' Stories Podcast. In this episode, host Donna Owen is joined by Rodrigo Malachias, Co-Founder of MedibleGo and CEO at Medible. Rodrigo shares how he built two global companies by combining technology, strategic consulting, and a deep commitment to understanding SMEs. He takes us through his journey from early technical training in Brazil to leading multinational teams, teaching innovation, and now scaling an AI-powered platform designed to help small businesses grow.
Rodrigo explains how MedibleGo uses AI to bridge the information gap between SMEs and banks, unlocking better access to financing while giving founders the insights they need to succeed. He also shares candid reflections on burnout, resilience, and how running became an anchor for his mental and physical wellbeing. From global expansion to the importance of customer listening, Rodrigo offers grounded, practical wisdom for founders building with purpose.
In this episode, Rodrigo breaks down how he transformed years of consulting experience into an AI-driven product trusted by both SMEs and financial institutions. He talks about bootstrapping two companies, securing Innovate UK grants, and why customer insight - not investment - is at the heart of sustainable growth. Rodrigo also opens up about his background, the turning points that shaped his career, and why balance, authenticity, and curiosity are essential to long-term success as a founder.
Key Takeaways
How MedibleGo uses AI to close the global SME financing gap.Why customer conversations matter more than investor conversations.Burnout, recovery, and how running became part of Rodrigo’s life philosophy.The power of iteration, listening, and humility in building a tech company.Global expansion and how the UK’s Global Entrepreneur Programme accelerated growth.Additional Insights
Rodrigo began as a trained electrician and worked in manufacturing at 14.His non-technical PR degree sharpened his communication, teaching, and leadership skills.Years of consulting for global brands shaped Medible’s methodology and product evolution.He teaches innovation in Chile and is writing a book about resistance to new technology.Rodrigo believes scarcity environments (LatAm, Africa) create more resilient founders than wealthy ecosystems.Quotes from the Episode
-
Welcome to The Engine - Founders' Stories Podcast. Host Donna Owen is joined by Riaz Kanani, a Serial Entrepreneur. Riaz shares his journey from starting businesses at a young age to leading successful ventures. He talks about his experience in building companies, exiting major players like IBM, and his approach to scaling businesses. Riaz also discusses the importance of adapting to changing markets, learning from customers, and finding the balance between highs and lows in the entrepreneurial journey. He emphasizes staying true to yourself and focusing on long-term goals.
In this episode, Riaz shares how he helps businesses grow by building and scaling successful ventures. He talks about how he has navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship. Riaz explains why adapting to changing markets and understanding customer needs is key to success. He shares lessons from his experience exiting companies to major players like IBM and how he approaches leadership. Riaz also discusses the importance of balancing highs and lows in the startup journey and why staying true to yourself is vital in business.
Key Takeaways:Riaz’s journey from starting businesses at a young age to leading successful ventures.Adapting to market changes and understanding customer needs is key to success.Scaling a business requires a focus on long-term goals and smart strategies.Learning from both successes and setbacks is crucial for growth.Staying true to yourself and maintaining balance is essential in leadership.
Additional Insights:Riaz started his entrepreneurial journey at a young age, founding businesses before finishing school.His experience with exiting companies like IBM shaped his approach to scaling ventures.He believes understanding technology and adapting to change is crucial for business success.Riaz values staying true to oneself and maintaining balance throughout the entrepreneurial journey.He encourages founders to focus on long-term goals and listen to customers to drive growth.Here are a few quotes from the episode:
"Understanding technology and adapting to change is key to business success." - Riaz Kanani"Success isn’t just about exits; it’s about the long-term journey and learning from setbacks." - Riaz Kanani"Staying true to yourself and maintaining balance is the key to effective leadership." - Riaz KananiJoin Riaz as he shares how his experience in building and scaling businesses helps founders navigate challenges,
-
Welcome to The Engine - Founders' Stories Podcast. Host Donna Owen is joined by Bianca Bass, Chief Marketing Officer at Privalgo and brand consultant. Bianca shares how she helps companies grow by aligning brands with business goals. She talks about her journey from working in large companies like TripAdvisor and Selfridges to advising startups on marketing and storytelling. Bianca explains why understanding customers deeply is key and how creativity can cut through noise. She also opens up about burnout, her background, and why staying true to yourself matters in leadership.
In this episode, Bianca shares how she helps businesses grow by connecting brands with revenue. She talks about her work as CMO at Privalgo and as a consultant for startups that need clear and creative marketing. Bianca explains why brand is not just design but a key part of sales and business success. She shares lessons from working at big companies like TripAdvisor and how she moved into startups to make a bigger impact. Bianca also talks about burnout, staying well, and why being yourself is the best way to lead and connect with others.
Key Takeaways:Bianca’s move from big brands to startups to drive real impact.Brand is a business tool that supports sales and growth.Great marketing starts with truly knowing your customer.Creative, low-cost ideas can cut through noise and build trust.Success means staying well, being yourself, and leading with purpose.
Additional Insights:Bianca started in copywriting before moving into senior marketing roles.Her time at TripAdvisor showed the limits of staying siloed in big companies.She believes brands should sit at the heart of business strategy.Bianca supports women and underrepresented groups in finding their voice.She encourages founders to use creativity over big budgets to stand out.Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“Brand is the golden thread in everything we do.” - Bianca Bass“I don't like everyone, so why do I need everyone to like me?” - Bianca Bass“My biggest motivation in my career is extending the table.” - Bianca BassJoin Bianca as she shares how her passion for brand, storytelling, and customer insight helps founders grow their business with purpose, creativity, and a clear strategy that drives real results.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] - Teaser
[01:00] - Introduction
[01:28] - Bianca’s Role as CMO
[03:09] - Brand & Sales Alignment
[05:30] - Consulting & Customer Insight
[08:00] - Health & Wellbeing
[10:23] - Bianca’s Background
[13:50] - Career Shift to Startups
[17:58] - Impact & Authenticity
[21:59] - Future of Marketing & AI
[25:00] - Advice for Founders
FOLLOW THE GUEST & HER COMPANY:
Bianca Bass: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancabass/ Privalgo: https://www.linkedin.com/company/privalgo/FOLLOW THE HOST:
LinkedIn: -
Welcome to The Engine - Founders' Stories Podcast. Host Donna Owen is joined by Mike Adams, Founder & CEO of introstars, and Founder & Startup Mentor at Skyler Gotham. This platform rewards people for making warm business introductions and is quickly growing across London and New York. Mike shares how he went from being a shy, introverted teen to a top networker attending over a thousand events. He talks about his experience at Zoom during its rapid growth and how it shaped his startup. Mike also explains the value of building real relationships and offers tips for overcoming the fear of networking.
In this episode, Mike shares his journey from being a shy, tech-loving teen to becoming a super connector and founder of Introstars, a platform that rewards people for making warm business introductions. He explains how attending over a thousand networking events led him to see the true power of trusted connections. Mike also talks about his time at Zoom, where he built partner programs across Europe and learned how to scale fast. He offers tips for founders on how to network with purpose, avoid burnout, and build strong relationships that support both business and personal growth.
Key Takeaways:Mike's journey from shy gamer to top networker and founder of Introstars.The platform rewards users for making warm business introductions.Networking is seen as a way to build trust, not just gain clients.Success comes from real connections, not cold outreach or hard sales.Founders should balance hard work with self-care to avoid burnout.
Additional Insights:Growing up in a family business gave Mike early exposure to entrepreneurship.His experience at Zoom taught him how to build and scale partnerships fast.Making introductions is both a way to help others and build a strong reputation.Founders should join events for energy and support, not just leads.Mike believes in a future where connecting people becomes a valued side gig.Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“Everyone loves to connect people because you are solving a puzzle.” - Mike Adams“You are not trying to sell, you are trying to build a relationship.” - Mike Adams“In the age of AI, human trust becomes even more important.” - Mike AdamsJoin Mike as he shares how his passion for connecting people led to introstars, a platform that rewards warm business introductions and helps founders grow through real relationships built on trust.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] - Teaser
[00:58] - Donna’s Introduction and Excitement for the Episode
[03:04] - The Human Nature of Connecting and Solving Puzzles
[05:03] - Shifting Focus to Mike’s Personal Founder Story
[09:42] - The Power of Relationships vs. Cold Outreach
[13:09] - Why Sales Leaders Should Rethink Networking Metrics
[19:28] - Career Highlights: Apple, HP, and Hypergrowth at Zoom
[23:40] - Burnout, Purpose, and Maintaining Balance
[26:24] - Networking as Self-Care and a Non-Negotiable Priority
[32:51] - Tools for Finding Events: Luma and Meetup.com
[35:27] - The Evolution of Networking: From Transactional to...
-
Welcome to The Engine - Founders' Stories Podcast. Host Donna Owen is joined by George Lineker, Co-Founder of YourBusinessNumber. This company provides a second phone number and eSIM to help freelancers and small businesses separate their work and personal lives. George shares his journey from a previous failed app to building a lean, bootstrapped business over four years. He discusses the challenges of relying on platforms like WhatsApp and his vision for a more complete product. George also opens up about his privileged background, his learnings from past ventures, and the importance of routine and a strong team.
In this episode, George shares his journey from a previous venture in second-number apps to co-founding YourBusinessNumber, a company helping freelancers and small business owners separate their work and personal communications. He talks about how identifying the persistent problem of managing two phones led him to build a simple and affordable solution. George also explains the challenge of relying on another platform like WhatsApp Business and his strategic move into eSIM technology to create a more complete product. He shares insights on building a lean team, learning from past failures, and his pragmatic approach to growing the business.
Key Takeaways:George's journey from a failed app to a successful two-in-one phone solution.His company offers virtual numbers for WhatsApp and a full eSIM plan.Growth is driven by a lean team and targeted Google Ads.Success relies on a strong team and learning from past ventures.The future is focused on the independent eSIM product.
Additional Insights:How a privileged background provided the safety net to take entrepreneurial risks.Maintaining a daily routine is crucial for focus when working from home.The importance of having a skilled team where each member handles a specific area.Believing in the core idea is vital for persevering through challenges.How past business failures provided essential lessons for the current venture.Here are a few quotes from the episode:
"I know there are 20,000 people out there who have a use for two numbers on one phone for work." - George Lineker"If you have a good team around you, that's key." - George Lineker"I think it's normal to have things go wrong." - George LinekerJoin George as he shares how his belief in solving the two-phone problem led to YourBusinessNumber, a company helping freelancers and small businesses get a separate work number to improve organization and enable them to switch off.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] - Teaser
[00:59] - Intro to George Lineker
[01:57] - What The Company Does
[03:10] - Solving The Two-Phone Problem
[05:44] - Origin of The Business Idea
[07:31] - Funding and Team Structure
[09:07] - Go-To-Market Strategy
[10:24] - The Challenge of Selling WhatsApp
[11:19] - Introducing The New eSIM Product
[12:44] - George's Background and Schooling
[14:24] - Privilege and Risk-Taking
[19:14] - The "Last Go" Before a Job
[24:09] - Key Learnings as a Founder
[28:19] - The Fully Automated Customer Journey
[30:40] - Total Addressable Market
[33:00] - Future Focus: The eSIM
[35:20] - What's Next for the Business, Personal Aspirations
FOLLOW THE
-
Welcome to The Engine Founders' Stories Podcast. Host Donna Owen sits down with Chris Silvestri, a Conversion Copywriter and Founder of Conversion Alchemy, a company helping B2B SaaS businesses grow through customer-focused messaging. Chris shares how he moved from industrial automation in Italy to building a lean and profitable business in the UK. With a background in software engineering and a passion for psychology, design, and user research, Chris explains how he blends these skills to craft copy that converts. He also talks about life outside work, from music and fitness to staying disciplined without losing creativity.
In this episode, Chris shares his journey from working in industrial automation in Italy to founding Conversion Alchemy, a company helping B2B SaaS brands improve their messaging and copy. He talks about how his background in software engineering, user experience, and psychology led him to develop a method that turns customer research into powerful copy. Chris also explains why most companies overlook key messaging problems and how he helps them fix those issues from the ground up. He shares insights on routine, mindset, and building a business that stays lean while creating real value.
Key Takeaways:How Chris shifted from industrial automation to building a copywriting business for B2B SaaS.Strong messaging starts with research, positioning, and customer insight.How Conversion Alchemy helps clients connect better with their target audience.The role of habits, mindset, and personal branding in building a sustainable business.Why using AI the right way can support but not replace expert strategy and copy.
Additional Insights:How Chris’s engineering background shaped his systems thinking and client approach.Why setting clear boundaries helps balance work, health, and creativity.How personal stories and values attract the right clients and build trust.The impact of being consistent with habits, routines, and content creation.Why mindset and message alignment are key for lasting business success.Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“Start with what people are already thinking when they land on your site.” - Chris Silvestri“Good copy starts with strong research, not just clever words.” - Chris Silvestri“Set your routines first, then build your work around them.” - Chris SilvestriJoin Chris as he shares how his background in software engineering, psychology, and user experience led to Conversion Alchemy, a business helping B2B SaaS companies turn customer research into clear, effective messaging that drives results.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] - Teaser
[00:59] - Meet the "Conversion Alchemist"
[02:04] - What is Conversion Alchemy?
[04:45] - The #1 Mistake in Marketing Copy
[07:45] - Building a Brand with a Podcast and Newsletter
[10:03] - From Industrial Robotics to Marketing
[14:28] - Scheduling Life, Not Just Work
[17:18] - The Influence of a Creative Family
[21:20] - The Built-in Business Partner: A Twin Brother
[23:43] - The Moment That Sparked the Entrepreneurial Leap
[26:03] - Is Everyone Meant to Be a Founder?
[30:28] - The Vision: A Small, Craft-Focused Agency
[31:42] - Using AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch
[34:32] - Going Teetotal for Clarity and...
-
Welcome to The Engine Founders' Stories Podcast. Host Donna Owen sits down with Nathan Bethell, Founder of REFORMERPILATES.COM, a platform uniting studios, instructors, and fans of REFORMERPILATES. Nathan is also a B2B Marketing Consultant at B2B CMO, with over 20 years of experience in marketing across publishing, tech, and IT services. In this episode, Nathan shares how he went from running nightclubs as a teenager to building a fast-growing fitness community. Starting in a working-class household, his story is one of hustle, smart risks, and turning passion into impact.
In this episode, Nathan shares his journey from a working-class background to launching REFORMERPILATES.COM, a hub for studios, content, and community. He talks about how two decades in marketing shaped his business approach and why he believes there is a business inside everyone. Nathan also explains how REFORMERPILATES is growing fast and how his platform supports new studio owners with tools, guidance, and a strong network.
Key Takeaways:How Nathan went from a 20-year marketing career to founding REFORMERPILATES.COM.Why REFORMERPILATES is more than a workout and how it builds lasting community.The power of domain ownership in creating a trusted brand in a growing industry.How Nathan supports studio owners with tools, content, and commercial advice.The value of taking risks, trusting your skills, and finding green space in any market.
Additional Insights:How Nathan’s early hustle shaped his mindset as a founder and marketer.The role of community in both fitness and business success.Why is there still untapped space for digital platforms in niche markets?The importance of helping first-time studio owners grow with the right tools and support.How personal connections and real value build long-term business trust.Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“There is a business in everyone.” - Nathan Bethell“You won’t run out of things to learn with REFORMERPILATES.” - Nathan Bethell“Don’t be scared about the things you don’t have. Just get started.” - Nathan BethellJoin Nathan as he shares how his background in marketing and love for fitness led to REFORMERPILATES.COM, a platform built to support studio owners and grow a strong Pilates community through content, tools, and real connections.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] - Teaser
[01:20] - Intro to Nathan Bethell and REFORMERPILATES.COM
[04:41] - REFORMERPILATES for Everyone
[09:02] - From Marketing to Pilates
[12:04] - Building the REFORMERPILATES.COM Hub
[14:56] - Empowering Studios to Grow
[19:58] - From Hustle to Entrepreneurship
[24:35] - Lessons from Football and Family
[26:53] - Working-Class Roots and Simpler Times
[28:37] - From Football to Film to Marketing
[32:25] - Marketers, AI, and Entrepreneurship
[35:48] - Staying Human in the AI Era
[38:46] - Celebrating Studio Success
[41:20] - Creating a Marketplace for Studios
[45:50] - Growth, Retention, and Risk
[49:16] - Why You Should Try Reformer Pilates
FOLLOW THE GUEST & HIS COMPANY:
Nathan Bethell: -
Welcome to The Engine - Founders Stories Podcast. Host Donna Owen chats with Luke B. (Luke Barry), Co-Founder and Head of Growth & GTM of How Ya Doing, a talent-as-a-service firm that combines deep sales expertise with executive search proficiency. Before launching his own business, Luke spent 15 years in enterprise sales and payments with Lloyds Bank and Citibank. His journey into the corporate world began in an unexpected place: hairdressing. However, after a life-changing accident, Luke made a career pivot to banking, where he discovered the true value of relationships.
In this episode, Luke shares his unique path from hairdressing to corporate banking and how his experiences in sales and payments shaped his approach to recruitment. He also discusses how How Ya Doing is tackling the gaps in traditional recruitment by offering a more personalized, relationship-driven model.
Key Takeaways:How Luke transitioned from banking to founding How Ya Doing.The unique talent-as-a-service business model that mixes sales expertise with recruitment.Building strong relationships has been the foundation of Luke's career.Lessons learned from the challenges of recruitment, especially in specialized fields like FinTech.The journey from a corporate job to a startup founder, including moments of doubt and self-discovery.
Additional Insights:How Luke’s background in sales and payments informs his approach to recruitment.The importance of having the right support systems in life and business.The value of networking and maintaining strong relationships throughout one’s career.Why the future of recruitment might be about more than just finding candidates, but about understanding and fitting into the business culture.Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“Just get out there and do it.” - Luke Barry“You have to pay into your emotional bank account to take out later.” - Luke Barry“If you’re standing still, you’re falling behind.” - Luke BarryJoin Luke as he shares how his career in sales and recruitment led to the founding of How Ya Doing, a company that focuses on relationships and delivering tailored talent solutions to startups and growing companies.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] - Teaser
[01:15] - Redefining Recruitment with a Two-Partner Model
[04:04] - From Failure to Growth-Focused Success
[09:02] - How Relationships and Fintech Shaped Luke
[13:31] - From Hairdressing to Banking
[16:19] - Kindness and Relationships in Career Growth
[18:18] - Resilience and Reflection in Founding
[22:19] - Turning Frustration into Opportunity
[29:32] - Startup Life, Family, and Late Nights
[37:19] - Avoiding Startup Hiring Mistakes
[43:34] - Keeping the Human Touch in Hiring
[45:36] - The Future Vision for “How Ya Doing”
[49:11] - Taking the Leap and Building Relationships
FOLLOW THE GUEST & HIS COMPANY:
Luke B.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-b-83b757aaHow Ya Doing: -
Welcome to The Engine - Founders Stories Podcast. Host Donna Owen chats with Jules Robertson, Co-founder of Tally Workspace, a platform helping startups and scale-ups find flexible office spaces. Jules shares how COVID sparked the idea, how she and her co-founder bootstrapped early on, and why speaking to thousands of businesses shaped their growth. She also talks about balancing work with motherhood, building a strong team, and how modern offices are progressing to attract talent.
Jules isn’t just a founder; she’s someone who listens, adapts, and solves real problems. From spotting gaps during COVID to helping startups find better office spaces, her journey shows smart thinking and care. By mixing tech, data, and human touch, she’s making workspaces work better for growing teams. She spent years in startups, learning fast and thinking ahead. After starting Tally Workspace, she used her skills to fix how teams find office space. Tally makes it easy to book desks, meeting rooms, or full offices. By mixing tech with real help, Jules built a service that grows with every business.
Key Takeaways:Jules’ path from startup idea to Co-Founder of Tally Workspace.How COVID sparked a new way to think about office space.Why team needs’ shape how and where we work?The role of tech and people in finding the right workspace.Building a business while balancing new motherhood.
Additional Insights:How Tally helps teams find spaces that truly fit.Jules’ journey from banking to startup founder.Why speaking to customers shaped early success.The value of good spaces, real help, and moving fast.Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“Just get out there and do it.” - Jules Robertson“Your office should feel better than home.” - Jules Robertson“If you’re standing still, you’re falling behind.” - Jules RobertsonJoin Jules as she shares how Tally Workspace blends tech, data, and human help to make finding the right office easier, smarter, and better for growing teams.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] - Teaser
[00:55] - Introduction to Jules Robertson & What Tally Workspace Does
[02:49] - Office Pain Points & Flexibility
[05:12] - Tech, Data & Human Touch Combo
[06:58] - How COVID Sparked the Idea
[08:37] - Talking to Startups & Early Wins
[10:54] - Workspace Trends & Quality Shift
[13:25] - Dogs, Gyms & What Teams Want
[14:50] - Office Design for Productivity
[19:26] - Jules’ Career Path & MBA Impact
[28:31] - Founding Journey & Balancing Jobs
[33:18] - Sales, AI & Human Connection at Tally Workspace
[37:48] - Why Office Search Needs Support
[43:25] - Jules’ Advice & Final Thoughts
FOLLOW THE GUEST & HER COMPANY:
Jules Robertson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julestallyworkspace/ Tally Workspace: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tally-workspace/Website:
Tally Workspace: https://www.tallyworkspace.com/FOLLOW...
-
Welcome to The Engine - Founders Stories Podcast. Host Donna Owen talks with Darren Westall, Co-Founder and CEO of Paiger, a business development tool for recruiters. Darren shares how his tech background and early sales hustle helped him build Paiger from the ground up. He opens up about learning by doing, bootstrapping the company, and growing it while balancing family life. Darren also reflects on building a strong team, staying hands-on as a leader, and how personal drive and real connections shaped Paiger’s success.
Darren isn’t just a founder; he’s someone who builds by learning and doing. From failing college to building websites and now leading Paiger, his path shows real grit. By mixing tech skills, smart sales thinking, and personal drive, he’s helping recruiters grow with better tools and strong human connections.
Darren spent years in tech, learning by doing and growing through hands-on work. After building Paiger, he used those skills to help recruiters do better business. Paiger makes it easy to find leads, build personal brands, and grow sales. By staying focused and human, Darren built a tool that truly helps teams succeed.
Key Takeaways:Darren’s journey from techie to CEO of Paiger.How LinkedIn posts helped build the brand.Why real human connection beats full automation.Lessons from bootstrapping and early sales hustle.Staying hands-on while leading a growing team.
Additional Insights:How Paiger helps recruiters grow with smart tools.Darren’s story from coder to business leader.Why focus and honesty matter in early growth.The power of showing up, not just selling.Here are a few quotes from the episode:
“If you’re not embarrassed by your first product, you launched too late.” - Darren Westall“People buy from people. Just show up and be real.” - Darren Westall“I’ll stop when I stop having fun.” - Darren WestallJoin Darren as he shares how Paiger’s smart tools, real-world hustle, and people-first thinking are helping recruiters sell better, grow faster, and build lasting success.
Episode Highlights
[00;00] - Teaser
[01:02] - Intro & Darren’s Early Days in Recruitment Tech
[03:38] - Selfies, Hustle & Brand Building
[05:56] - Teaching Business & Failing College
[13:30] - Sales, Human Touch & Career Start
[18:59] - 11 Years at Broadbean
[20:33] - Quitting CTO Role to Start Pager
[26:11] - Bootstrapping & Solo Building
[29:48] - Growth, Relevance & No Exit Plans
[35:37] - US Plans & Team Growth
[39:10] - Disney, Moving & Hiring Friends
FOLLOW THE GUEST & HIS COMPANY:
Darren Westall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenwestall/ Paiger: https://www.linkedin.com/company/paigerco/Website:
Paiger: https://paiger.co/FOLLOW THE HOST:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnalowen/ Company LinkedIn: - Visa fler
