Bulletproof Entrepreneur

Serial entrepreneur Stefan Wissenbach shares his inspiring journey, emphasizing the importance of getting clear on your Magic Number and defining your Vision and Purpose. He reflects on the tragic loss of his son and how his family has turned it into a platform for good. They discuss the shift from wealth creation to building schools in Africa and finding fulfillment through financial success. Stefan recommends influential books and highlights the benefits of joining the Strategic Coach community for entrepreneurs.

Send us a textI think one of the reasons that this podcast is proving to be popular is that most of the stories follow that classic ‘Hero's Journey’’ narrative arc. Our hero, the Founder is dissatisfied with the status quo of their current situation, sets off on a bold journey of discovery - starts a company, and faces insurmountable problems, huge challenges and fierce obstacles.Eventually against all the odds, finds success and lives happily ever after!If you watch almost any Hollywood film or Pixar movie, you'll see a version of this story unfold broadly along these lines.And today’s real-life story begins by following the classic Hero's Journey - but there's a definite twist in the tail.My guest, Neil Simpson is well known in the creative advertising sector and founded a leading agency called The Corner.With his business partners, he built the company into one of the top independent agencies in the country and so, inevitably buyers came knocking on his door.After one or two interesting but ultimately unsuccessful engagements Neil and his partners agreed to proceed with the sale of their business to a larger corporate.What's interesting and I think is a huge lesson for independently-minded entrepreneurs is recognising that life after a sale, especially if you’re locked into an earn-out over several years can be a challenge.The fact that you're no longer that creative, entrepreneurial fast-moving business and are now a cog in a much larger wheel may not be to your liking.This conversation is packed with words of wisdom from someone who's pretty much done it all from working in, and ultimately leading, large multinational companies,  to setting up and growing his own business, not once but twice, before selling and… well, you’ll have to listen to hear the full story - it’s quite a tale.If you're a business owner or advise and consult with business owners, giving 60 minutes of your time to listen to the conversation will be the best investment you make this week.Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr Neil SimpsonShow notesNeil’s Linkedinhttps://www.thecornerlondon.com/Tim BirtThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textDon Fraser is something of a legend in the financial planning and wealth management sector – he’s been working with entrepreneurs for well over 30 years and he’s got a deep understanding of not only the financial issues but perhaps more importantly the personal and human ones.During our conversation, Don explains the vital importance of timing when you’re planning your exit, and the need to be clear on the big question - How Much is Enough?He explains the actual process that a business owner would go through during the sale transaction and then goes on to share some essential advice for what you should do and essentially what you should definitely not do in the 6 to 12 months after you have exited your business.He also explains his unique three-part formula to ensure a successful outcome over the short medium and longer term.Finally, he shares his recommendations for resources and essential reading for any business owner who is a few years away from their business sale.Full disclosure, Don is a colleague of mine and we’ve worked together for many years. He’s taught me more than anyone else I know about how to manage and support the unique challenges faced by business owners as they go through this business and life transition.You’re going to enjoy this one -  ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr Don Fraser(PS this episode was recorded some time ago and I think I’ve improved as an interviewer since then)  :-).Don Fraser  - Capital Asset ManagementDon on LinkedinResourcesFinish Big -  Bo BurlinghamThe Number - Lee EisenbergWhat Money Can’t Buy - Michael SandelHow much is Enough? Robert SkidelskyTravels with Epicurus - Daniel KleinThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textRichard Bridgwood was the founder of Contender which was a media and film distribution company which he and his team built from scratch over 12 years and sold to one of the biggest entertainment and media companies in the world, Entertainment One.If you’ve got kids, you’ll be familiar with one of his companies’ creations, Peppa Pig which nowadays is a global sensation worth hundreds of millions if not a billion dollars. There’s a lot of money in children’s entertainment!So, part of Richard’s current business legacy is helping bring Peppa Pig to life and so many hours of joy to countless preschool kids - and their grateful parents!Richard is a lovely guy, very down-to-earth and very honest as he reflects back on his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he’s learned.The key lessons I picked up include:Why the current tax regime favours building a business to sell from the outset. The importance of communicating with your team and keeping them informed of key business decisions - although it can still backfire in some instances.How Bill Gates forced Contender to change their business focus and quickly pivot in response to emerging new technology which threatened to blow up their core business modelThe vital importance of taking time out whilst you are running your business to plan for life after you exit - and his admission that he didn’t do this particularly well. This is an emerging theme in my podcast conversations, and I think it’s so important and so we’ll be coming back to this in future episodesRichard’s 3-part formula for experiencing True Wealth.Show Note LinksRichard BridgwoodCranfield Business School Accelerator ProgrammeAngus ThirwellKaran BilimoriaJames CorsellisEntertainment OneDarren ThroopBook recommendationsWhat They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business SchoolEntertainment Industry EconomicsThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textHi and welcome back to the Entrepreneur Transition podcast - the only podcast that explores the uniquely human journey involved in building a business, selling it and crucially, life on the other side.In 20 years of working with and advising entrepreneurs, I’ve come to realise that it’s a transition more than it is a transaction and there are so many issues and challenges that a business owner will have to navigate to maximise their success from a financial but more importantly from a human and lifestyle viewpoint.No one epitomises this more than my guest today, Mike Ames.Mike built a recruitment business to £40m turnover before selling for a life-changing sum of money, before going on to help build another business to £24m turnover and selling that.However, as he very candidly explains, after he sold his first business and become fabulously wealthy, he went to a dark place - and really struggled with his own identity and purpose. His advice on this aspect alone is worth every minute of your time listening.  In a wide-ranging conversation Mike also shares his thoughts on:The difference between building a lifestyle//cash cow business or a ‘scale for sale’ type of business and why it’s essential to know which one you’re runningThe importance of preparing for life after your exit and your relationship with friends, family as well as with yourselfShares some practical insights on how to invest your sale proceeds to ensure the right balance  And towards the end, Mike provides a neat 5-point summary of what it means to have real wealth.This is one of the most candid and inspiring conversations you will hear in a long time.Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr Mike AmesShow note linksThe E MythMichael GerberSeth GodinMalcolm GladwellGary VaynerchukMike Ames - Flair websiteMike Ames and Alan Smith ‘ How to Retire Wealthy’Mike’s LinkedinThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textThis Inspired Conversation is in many ways why I launched the podcast in the first place - to explore the human side of the entrepreneurial journey, every bit as much as the financial side.Let me share a quick true story to  give you some context:Did you hear about the entrepreneur who sold his business and made a fortune and was miserable? Markus Persson is a Swedish tech entrepreneur and inventor of the wildly popular game Minecraft. Starting on a laptop in his bedroom, he went on to grow the company until Microsoft made him an offer to buy the company for $2.5billion from which he personally received $1 billion.He became a billionaire overnight. And that’s when his problems started.Sometime after completing the deal, he sent out a  series of increasingly desperate tweets, One said“Hanging out with a bunch of friends and partying with famous people, able to do whatever I want, and I’ve never felt more isolated”And another one; “The problem with getting everything is you run out of reasons to keep trying, and human interaction becomes impossible due to imbalance” Sudden Money SyndromeHe was suffering from something called Sudden Wealth or Sudden Money Syndrome, and before you say, ” I wish I had his problems; it must be so hard being a billionaire!'” you need to realise that it can be absolutely devastating for some people. Investopedia (Wikipedia of money) describes it as: “A type of distress that afflicts individuals who suddenly come into large sums of money. Becoming suddenly wealthy can cause people to make decisions they might not have otherwise made. Symptoms include feeling isolated from former friends, feeling guilty about your good fortune, and extreme fear of losing your money.”In my day job working with successful founders and entrepreneurs I’ve seen this play out first hand and it can be a real challenge.That's why I was so keen to invite Susan Bradley onto the podcast. Susan’s the founder of the Sudden Money Institute and she’s written 2 books on the subject.She’s also been advising her clients and other professionals for many years on this vital and deeply complex area. In this wide-ranging conversation, Susan talks about;The importance of thinking deeply and preparing well for the transition a long time in advance - years, not weeks and months.Considering the family dynamics between spouses/ and children and how to communicate well including creating your own “Bliss List”.Why it’s vital to create a “Brains Trust” and specifically, a “Thinking Partner” who can act as an independent Trusted Adviser to help you navigate the journeyThis is not a fluffy conversation, it’s full of practical advice and specific steps to take before, during and after a business sale or retirement and major life transition.So if you have the ambition to exit your business successfully on a personal basis as well as a financial one you will get a lot out of today’s conversation.Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Susan Bradley.Sudden Money Institute Book - Sudden Money; Managing a Financial WindfallSusan’s Ted Talk Susan Linkedin This podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textFrom a council estate in Hackney, London to an ‘8-figure exit’ by age 27. The most inspirational founder conversation you will hear in a long time.I’ve met a lot of entrepreneurs over the years but few are as impressive as Tim Armoo - or Timo as he’s better known. He knew he didn’t want to be poor and decided from an early age that being an entrepreneur and starting his own business was the way to create his own financial security.He started his first business while still at school before founding Fanbytes, aged 21 and at University. The business was built from day one to be sold. Timo was highly intentional about designing a company attractive for potential acquirers and shares the exact steps he took to secure a life-changing exit.So much positive energy, wisdom and intelligent thinking from one of the UK’s smartest young entrepreneurs.Links:Tim ArmooFanbytesSo Good They Can’t Ignore You22 Immutable Laws of MarketingUltimate Sales MachineChet HolmesNick Wheeler/Charles Tyrwhitt SI PartnersSign up to join our community of entrepreneurs and their advisers at www.entrepreneurtransition.comHelp us spread the word by leaving a 5-star review on Apple PodcastDrop me an email at alan@entrepreneurtransition.comThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textTom Manwaring is at the top of his game. He’s the leading Mergers & Acquisition advisor in the UK focused on the media sector and in particular television production companies.He’s advised hundreds of owners and completed almost 50 deals (including 13 in the last 2 years which is some going considering what’s been going on). The combined sale value is in excess of £1 billion so he’s definitely someone worth listening to.You’ll have watched many of the shows created by the businesses that he’s sold - they're as diverse as  Paddington Bear, Sex Education, Normal People and David Attenborough's Perfect Planet.If you’re a business owner in the television sector and you’re thinking of selling, you’ve probably already got Tom on speed dial.But regardless of what type of business you’re in, this episode is an education in the art and science of creating a successful business exit. Wherever you are on your own journey, you’ll find lots of practical takeaways and actionable advice.Please enjoy - ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr Tom Manwaring.Links:Tom Manwaring Helion PartnersTom’s Linkedin This podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textMy name is Alan Smith and I’m a founder, entrepreneur, investor, wealth manager and yes now a podcast host!Over nearly 20 years, my team and I have established our business, Capital Asset Management as the leading independent wealth advice business in the UK, focused on working with successful business owners.In that time, I’ve worked with hundreds of founders and have always been fascinated by their entrepreneurial journey and what’s got them to where they are today. I wanted to create a place where great content is available to help the current and future generations of business owners navigate their own journeys and learn from those that have gone before them.If you want to listen to be educated, entertained and inspired by outstanding entrepreneurs and the people who support them, you have come to the right place.Welcome to the Entrepreneur Transition Podcast.https://entrepreneurtransition.com/alan@entrepreneurtransition.comFind me on LinkedInFollow me on Twitterwww.capital.co.ukThis podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a textFor this episode, we go to the Emerald Isle to speak with a serial entrepreneur from Ireland called Donal Daly.A self-confessed tech geek, he founded, scaled and sold 5 companies and is now on his 6th, most, the most exciting, and certainly on a personal basis the most rewarding.Over his 30-year entrepreneurial journey, he’s bootstrapped his start-ups, he’s raised external funding, and he’s bought a business from one of the biggest tech companies in the world.He’s gone on to exit to different types of buyers including to the team via Management Buy Outs - MBOs.Donal shares his views on what a founder should focus on, the importance of creating a nurturing environment for your team and also of Imposter Syndrome.It’s rare to meet someone who has this range of experience and you will certainly learn something from him - I give you Mr Donal DalyShow notes:www.futureplanet.comdonal@futureplanet.com Produced by George Barbov of GR Media Podcast supported by Capital Asset Management www.capital.co.ukNew episodes are out every fortnight- totally free and with no advertisements.This podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management