Bulletproof Entrepreneur

Send us a textBob has enjoyed 100% launch success returning over $1 billion to his investors. He’s founded six companies, sold four and is still running two.He’s grown two startups to $100m and $156m in sales in 5 years and 3 years respectively.During our conversation, Bob explainsThe vital importance of having a crystal clear vision for your company and what the 11 elements of a successful vision are that comprise what he calls his Vision Pie.The main reasons that startups fail (the most important one accounts for 42% of failures) - and what you should do to avoid being one of them!When the data confirm that only 1 in 400 companies secure funding, he shares his evidence-based reasons for this and explains how to ensure that you are one of the companies that do get funded (it's not about your pitch deck!)Bob has also kindly provided the Bulletproof Entrepreneur audience with access to several valuable resources - see the links below.Links:https://homegrownclub.co.uk/events/rockstar-series-founder-of-leon-henry-dimbleby-in-conversation-with-alan-smith/Bob Norton - Fractional CEO/COO Helping Companies Reach 50%-100% CAGR, Scaling Guru, Leadership Operating System - AirTight Management | LinkedInhttps://clevelenterprises.com/Recommended_Reading.htmlhttps://www.ceobootcamp.us/top8 - Free eBook - Top 8 Reasons Companies Fail to Raise Funds – From my experience as a Serial Entrepreneur and also angel investor.https://www.ceobootcamp.us/top20  - Free eBook Top 20 Reasons Startups Fail And How to Avoid Them – This based on research of hundreds of startup postmortems. Free course on the top 40 skills entrepreneurial teams need to build a successful companyWebinar replay for Mastering the Top 10 Challenges of Growth and Scaling any business. – The challenges of scaling are statistically 1.260 harder than building a successful startup because these skills are so rare and only learned by experience. No university teaches these things.Webinar replay: How to Raise Millions for Any Company – Learn the 30 other sources of capital beyond angel and VC and how to prepare a company and get it into the top few percent investors see.The 11 Elements of a Successful Vision article and diagram – The Vision Pie and Vision Cone concepts to be way beyond the average understanding of how to develop and use a complete vision. This is on Bob’s Blog with over 175 other articles searchable by topic and keyword 6 Professional Certifications and 40 Courses can also be seen at www.EntrepreneurshipU.com – I believe these courses can easily triple a company’s chances of success because they are jam-packed with dense content that incluThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textIan is an entrepreneur who built and, after 7 years, sold a highly successful marketing agency for £23 million. In this episode, he shares the lessons learned on his journey so far.Ian had a postcard on the wall beside his desk at his first job with 2 words on it - “Question Everything” - and he’s lived his life by that mantra ever since.A deep thinking entrepreneur who has always challenged conventional thinking,  and so I let the tape run as he was sharing so much wisdom. You’re going to learn: The importance of finding a co-founder with complementary skills  to your own and where, as Ian says, 1 + 1 = 3  otherwise you're wasting your time. His unique view on how to build a business and win new clients - a core skill for any successful company but particularly one that has the ambition to scale up. The value of spending time with your business advocates and partners, sharing your story explaining your future plans and vision - and it was this that eventually led to the sale of the company to a PLC.Towards the end of our conversation, Ian explains the importance of challenging conventional thinking particularly when it comes to pricing your services. This is a subject that we've done a lot of work on in my business and one that every entrepreneur should reflect on. Remember - “Question Everything.”Links:https://www.lbbonline.com/news/communisis-acquires-life-in-23-million-dealhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-humphris-5bb8a413/?originalSubdomain=ukhttps://nokamo.com/Mark RitsonKotler on Marketing by Philip Kotler (1999-06-07) HardcoverHow not to Plan: 66 ways to screw it upHow Brands Grow: What Marketers Don't Know: Amazon.co.ukEat Your Greens - Wiemer Snijders: 9781789016758https://www.amazon.co.uk/Choice-Factory-behavioural-biases-influence/dp/085719609XHow to Build a Car: The Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Formula 1 Designer eBook : Newey, Adrian: Amazon.co.uk: BooksThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textMy conversation this time is a little different and rather intriguing. Ruth Sturkey spent her career advising entrepreneurs and executives about their big life transitions, such as selling their businesses and retiring.And then was faced with planning her own business sale and retirement -  or at least the next chapter of her life.By her admission, and despite having advised clients for years, she admits she felt somewhat unprepared and is now happy to share her experiences so that others can learn.In our wide-ranging conversation, she discussed how the serious illness of her business partner caused a 3-year exit plan to be reduced to 3 weeks and highlighted the importance of having your business risk plan in place to manage the unexpected.She explains how we've got the concept of retirement all wrong, and why she’s had to learn the hard way how to do it well. And she talks about life after the business sale, what she misses, and what she would do differently if she had her time again. Some real nuggets of wisdom and profound insights which will be truly valuable to you.And as someone who has spent several decades talking to wealthy clients, listen to her description of true wealth  - its a lot of fun.If you've enjoyed the podcast, I'd really appreciate it if you could jump onto the Apple platform (even if you don't usually use it for your podcasts) and leave a 5-star review and a few positive words.And also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast - it really helps us spread the word and is much appreciated.But now, stand by to learn from someone who can share her experience from both sides of the table - as an adviser to entrepreneurs and then as a successfully exited entrepreneur herself - ladies and gentlemen, I give you Ruth Sturkey...Links:www.ruthsturkey.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthsturkey/?originalSubdomain=ukhttps://twitter.com/ruthsturkey?lang=enhttps://instituteforfinancialwellbeing.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/behavior-gap-radio/id1034934586http://wecandohardthingspodcast.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rest-is-politics/id1611374685This podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textUnless you’ve been living in a cave for the last year, you’ll be all too aware of something called artificial intelligence. AI’s not new, it’s been around for years, and you've probably been using applications like Alexa and Siri to tell you what the weather’s like, turn on your music, or even order a pizza. But all of a sudden, the speed of innovation seems to have changed, and it's become a lot more serious and relevant to business owners.I first heard of an application called Chat GPT at the beginning of the year, and within days my kids were using it to do their homework, and I tested it by having it help me write a few well-received blog posts.But I’ve been scratching the surface of what’s now out there and the implications for anyone in business today.This podcast was designed from the outset for business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and the people who advise and consult with them. And so when something is about to hit the business world like a freight train, I thought it was essential to publish a one-off special AI-focused episode to unpack the threat and explore the opportunities.Aalok Shukla is an expert in the world of artificial intelligence and, importantly, how it’s going to impact entrepreneurs and SMEs. During our conversation, he takes us on a whistle-stop tour of what to expect from the new technology.This is not the time to put your head in the sand, this is a time to engage, to be curious, and to learn. To help you, Aaolok is running a workshop with Piers Linney, the ex-Dragon from Dragons Den who is very involved in AI and tech innovation, and I’m doing a presentation from the non-expert real-life business owner viewpoint.I believe that you'll learn more in that one day than in a year of reading articles and browsing websites about AI.You’ll also leave with a step-by-step actionable 90-day plan for your own business. Spaces are limited, so sign up now using my unique discount code for £149 off. - use the link below and the code ALAN.In the meantime, talking about the AI revolution as applied to small businesses, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. Aaolok Shukla.Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aalokshukla/?originalSubdomain=ukhttps://www.miacloudacademy.com/offers/F4Zz6922/checkout?coupon_code=ALANhttps://www.miacloudacademy.com/london-eventsThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textToday's guest is Jeremy Tobias Tarsh who is one of the original inspirations behind my launching this podcast. Jeremy is happy to share that he’s been a client of our firm for many years and it was during one of our many deep-dive conversations about the complex challenges faced by him and other entrepreneurs that I thought I should launch something.I told him that I would have loved to have recorded the long chats we had so others could benefit from his unique experiences. Well, now we've done just that. During our conversation... He explains the impact of growing up in an entrepreneurial family and one of the key lessons he learned early on from his Father was that in any business, there are only ever likely to be two or three key numbers to focus on, and the rest is detail. It’s vital to know your numbers.He also shared his experience of not accepting a traditional multiple of profit as a valuation, but truly understanding the opportunity that owning his business would create for any potential buyer and the loss they faced if they didn't acquire it. On that basis, he was able to get an incredible valuation, which had little to do with an EBITDA number.And in line with a theme that comes up regularly in my conversations, he candidly discusses the challenges he faced as an exited entrepreneur with plenty of money but with a loss of identity amongst his family, his friends and business colleagues. Wise words to learn from.And towards the end, he shares a brief analogy of an egg timer - don’t miss it, quite profound. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Jeremy Tobias TarshLinksJeremy Tarsh - Chair - Claude Limited | LinkedInThomson Reuters buys Practical Law CompanyThe Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials): Amazon.co.ukBy Alan Cooper - The Inmates are Running the Asylum: Why High-tech Products Drive Us Crazy and How to Restore the Sanity (2): Amazon.co.uk: BooksInvictus by William Ernest Henley | Poetry FoundationJoseph (Genesis) - WikipediaThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textJodie and Jenny are cofounders of a hugely successful agency called The Marketing Pod, and 11 years ago they decided to tread that well-known entrepreneurial path, took a big risk and walked away from a comfortable corporate life to start their business.Why? Because, as is often the case, they were frustrated that what they were looking for didn't exist, and they knew there was a demand.They also wanted to create something that was more in line with their own lifestyles and that reflected their personal values and culture.So many lessons and words of wisdom in our conversation, and plenty of encouragement to take the entrepreneurial leap and follow your passion. As they say ‘Life’s too short not to give it a go.’We discussed the importance of finding great mentors and advisers  - and why getting on a business accelerator or growth programme was such an important part of their success.They explained why niching down and becoming known as the ‘go-to experts’ for a specific sector is essential and why most entrepreneurs struggle with that as they see shiny new opportunities everywhere that they have to say ‘no’ to - trust me I can relate to that one!And the underlying secret of their success, which is all about the people and the culture in their business  - easy to say, hard to do— which is why their advice is so helpful if you're building your own business.You are going to get so much out of this conversation. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the energy, positivity, and wise words of Jodie Williams and Jenny Hughes.LinksThe Marketing Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-williams-themarketingpod/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-hughes/The Entrepreneurship Centre - Cambridge Judge Business SchoolTraction: Get a Grip on Your Business Paperback – Illustrated, 19 April 2012Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior and How to Effectively Communicate with Each in Business (and in Life) HardcoverThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textTo celebrate the landmark 25th episode of the podcast, I was delighted to be able to speak with the Co-Founder and CEO of BrewDog, James Watt.BrewDog is valued at over $1,500,000,000 and is one of the UK’s leading Unicorn companies... However, it’s been far from a smooth ride.Having decided that a career as a lawyer ‘in a cheap suit doing glorified admin’ wasn't for him, he spent several years working on a North Atlantic fishing boat and that’s where a lot of his business resilience came from.We discussed many areas of business but these stood out:Marketing; He shares some incredible stories about the crazy stunts that BrewDog created to gain publicity. Some were wildly successful and some less so - but they all got tons of attention for the brand.The value of constraints: He tells the story of their pitch to the TV show Dragon’s Den and what happened next. It’s a masterclass in creativity and how to use constraints to your advantage.A powerful vision: James is crystal clear about his values and that of the company, the team and the community that they’ve created. And he doesn't hold back on defining the vision - total world domination!James is a world-class storyteller, a rebel, a leader and undoubtedly a Bulletproof Entrepreneur.You are going to love this conversation- ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr. James Watt. Links:https://www.brewdog.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-watt-21a5a912b/?originalSubdomain=ukJames Watt - BrewDog CEO - YouTubeThe Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy AnswersThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textHenry is the co-founder of the fast-food restaurant chain Leon with the unforgettable strapline ‘If God did fast food..’From humble beginnings, with one small shop in Carnaby Street in London to a national and international brand which eventually sold for a reported £100 million Henry is undoubtedly a bulletproof entrepreneur.During our conversation, he explained:How they came up with the memorable name Leon and the vital importance of getting your business name right from the outset.What he believes to be the two most important attributes that any entrepreneur must have to succeed .The value of narrative and storytelling to help grow your media presence and generate new customers.And as we were wrapping up the conversation, Henry provided us with one of the best definitions I've ever heard of what True Wealth really is.His new book, "Ravenous," has just been published and is a seriously good read if you're interested in learning about our food system and how to optimise for maximum energy  - something that every entrepreneur needs to do.LinksHenry DimblebyLEONRavenous: How to get ourselves and our planet into shapeBillionaire Issa brothers buy Leon for £100m | Evening StandardThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textOne of the original ideas behind the podcast was to create a repository of essential insights, experiences, and information. A knowledge hub that you can dip in and out of whenever you needed to be reminded of key issues throughout your business journey.One thing is certain and that is that you’ll need to work with a lawyer at some point, and judging from conversations I’ve had with previous guests, understanding the role of a corporate lawyer, and finding a good one is a vital part of the process.I’ve known today’s guest, James Crotty of Foot Anstey for a few years. I worked with him on a transaction where I was buying another wealth planning business a couple of years ago. I got to know James and his team and found them to be supremely professional, of course, but equally as important, they were very human and recognized the emotional strain that owners are under as a transaction proceeds. So, I was keen to get him on the podcast to share his experience and his wisdom.What we have is a masterclass covering all the legal aspects involved in selling your businesses, - from before there’s even a deal on the table, right through to well after the sale has concluded and you're on to your next adventure.James reveals his 8-step process, breaks it down in detail and outlines what to expect and how to prepare for the experience.Towards the end, he explains a new service that he’s recently launched that, I believe every business owner who thinks they may sell at some point should look at.The episode is a bit longer than the others, but there’s a lot involved in the legal process.Exploring the essential legal information, you need to know before selling a business, ladies, and gentlemen I give you Mr. James Crotty. Links:https://www.footanstey.com/our-people/james-crotty/https://uk.linkedin.com/in/james-crotty-0b8a5062This podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textI’ve been following an anonymous account on Twitter for some time, and I’ve really enjoyed a lot of the content and thoughts shared on some of my favourite topics such as  entrepreneurship, mergers & acquisitions, and intelligent investing.The Twitter handle is an anonymous one - The Secret Accountant, but I can now officially reveal the identity of this mysterious business expert as being none other than Mr Craig Richardson.There’s a good reason for the nom de plume which he explains during our conversation, but the headline relates to a new book that he recently published called "How Do You Really Sell Your Business" - which is obviously right in the sweet spot for you if you’re a bulletproof entrepreneur and a fan of this podcast.And the good news is that to celebrate this episode, Craig AKA The Secret Accountant has slashed the price it sells for on Amazon for the next few weeks!So, as soon as you’ve listened to this episode, jump over to Amazon, and grab your copy - the link is in the show notes.   Now Craig’s got an incredibly interesting back story. He’s been a poacher turned gamekeeper turned poacher again and is reluctant to call himself an entrepreneur – he says that if indeed he is an entrepreneur, he’s an accidental one!He started by qualifying as a chartered accountant in the corporate finance team at KPMG and it was there that he caught the bug of working with founder owners. He just loved helping them grow their companies and plan a successful sale and exit.But then came a change of strategy at KPMG and their desire to focus on bigger corporate clients. So, Craig decided to leave to be able to continue to work with SME business owners, which is where his passion always was.Since then, he’s spent more than 20 years helping entrepreneurs successfully grow, improve, and sell their businesses and now runs his own company where he continues to advise, consult, and invest in companies and their owners.I found it fascinating listening to him explain that the skills required to take a company from £1m to £5m turnover are different to those needed to take a company from £5m to £10m and then to £20m and above - some great insights wherever you are on that scale.He also talks of the importance of what he calls the magical entrepreneurial dust that only a founder is capable of sprinkling over his company and why they should focus on this more than some of the more regular day-to-day roles And as someone who's worked with business owners and continues to support them, he breaks down the key attributes which are essential in an ideal ‘Trusted Adviser’ relationship which is designed specifically for entrepreneurs.Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Craig Richardson AKA The Secret AccountantLinksThe Secret Accountant (@TheSecretAcct) / TwitterCraig Richardson - Non Executive Director - BIL Group | LinkedInDSW ConsultingPHD Industrial HoldingsHow do you really sell your business - Book offerThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management