Not My First Guess

In this engaging conversation with Thea Brook, a seasoned entrepreneur and CFO-turned-founder, listeners explore her unique path from dance to finance. Thea emphasizes the vital role of mental health and positive self-talk in entrepreneurship. She shares her insights on building an authentic personal brand and the importance of joy over fear in business. The discussion also touches on finding creativity in challenges, the balance between authenticity and privacy on social media, and the need for founders to rethink their approach to problems for greater innovation.

Joy Mpofu, a former VP at Morgan Stanley turned founder of a women’s sexual health startup, and Cameron Orcutt, ex-CPA and co-founder of a fintech for first-time homebuyers, dive into the tough decisions behind shutting down businesses. They share personal stories about navigating the stigma of failure in the UK and the strong support systems that helped them through. The emotional toll of entrepreneurship, identity struggles, and the necessity for open dialogue in these challenging moments are key highlights of their candid conversation.

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 SMEsLinks:Daniel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielsawko/?originalSubdomain=ukShipShape.vc website: https://www.shipshape.vc/

Neda Sahebelm, founder of Keshty and an angel investor focused on impact-driven companies, shares her inspiring journey through entrepreneurship and overcoming rejection. She emphasizes the significance of strong organizational design and building supportive networks. Neda discusses the challenges founders face in hiring and task delegation while offering insights on sustainable growth. Plus, she reframes rejection as a critical redirection, encouraging authentic connections that foster resilience and creativity in business.

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 bigHow to overcome imposter syndromeThe challenges of pitching to VCs and the importance of showing tractionThe role of affinity bias in the startup space and how to overcome itThe power of community building and creating a supportive ecosystem for underrepresented foundersLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adjalo/?originalSubdomain=ukFoundervine: https://www.foundervine.com/#Startup Experimentation playlist: https://bit.ly/3D9k67j

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=ukUncommon company: https://www.bemoreuncommon.com/Zinc incubator: https://www.zinc.vc/

In this engaging talk, Marcus Exall, a serial founder and angel investor at Virgin Startup, shares his entrepreneurial journey from childhood hustles to successful business exits. He dives into the myths surrounding investment and entrepreneurship, exploring the emotional side of startups, including ADHD struggles. With anecdotes about his experiences, he discusses the importance of resilience, mentorship, and the power of personal connections in the startup ecosystem. Marcus offers unconventional advice on design for viral growth, fundraising, and the complexities of scaling a business.

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 storytellingPractical tips for overcoming stage fright and delivering presentations with confidenceWhat authenticity and vulnerability in leadership communication really meansGrowing through LinkedIn Content marketing and how to get over the “Cringe” that holds us back from getting startedLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascalle-bergmans/?originalSubdomain=ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_presentales_/PresenTales Website: https://www.presentales.com/

In this engaging discussion, Ghita El Haitmy, founder of Tech Bible, shares her entrepreneurial journey from a corporate background to innovating for the visually impaired. She provides insights on leveraging TikTok and Instagram for B2B marketing, turning a seemingly unexciting space into engaging content. Ghita emphasizes the importance of authenticity in her educational yet entertaining videos, the challenges of avoiding burnout as a solo founder, and the value of mentorship in navigating the tech industry. Dive in for her top tips on building a following!

Sam Simpson, co-founder of FounderCatalyst, shares insider tips on SEIS/EIS, lessons from exiting tech startups, valuing early-stage startups, and navigating fundraising complexities. He discusses finding the right investors, angel investments, and what puts him off deals, offering actionable advice for all founders.