
Secret Leaders with Dan Murray-Serter & Chris Donnelly
Dan Murray-Serter and Chris Donnelly are two serial entrepreneurs who've built, sold, scaled & failed companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In Secret Leaders we get inside the greatest minds and greatest moments in business, because we believe the best way to learn about business is to hear from the people who make it happen.Sponsored by Wise Business and Vanta.Contact: hello@secretleaders.com
Latest episodes

Sep 10, 2024 • 1h 16min
Simon Squibb Generates BILLIONS Of Views By Investing In Strangers!
Simon Squibb, an innovative entrepreneur, is revolutionizing business by investing in strangers and helping them achieve their dreams. With billions of views on TikTok, he shares his unique strategies for generating viral content and emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Simon discusses the transformative power of generosity, advocating for a model where profits support social good. He also highlights the significance of community and creativity in building sustainable businesses that foster success for all.

Jul 16, 2024 • 4min
We want to hear from you
We’re taking a short production break while we prepare for the next season, but while we’re preparing, we want your feedback on the show and what you want us to cover.Fill out this form to let us know what you want to hear from us on the next season of Secret Leaders and check us out on YouTube Thank you for your suggestions and for listening

Jul 2, 2024 • 1h 2min
A Business without a company? - Timothy Armoo
What happens after that coveted exit? What does life look like for a founder who's achieved what so many others are striving for?Today, we're diving deep into that very question with Timothy Armoo, a serial entrepreneur who sold his influencer marketing company, Fanbytes, in a multi-million pound deal at the age of 27. But this isn't a story about how to build and sell a successful startup - it's about what comes next.What's truly captivating about Tim’s current chapter is his unconventional approach to business. He's not following the typical path of immediately jumping into another venture-backed startup or becoming a full-time investor. Instead, he's crafting a unique strategy that involves everything from funding lithium mines in Africa to investing in avocado imports.…SponsorsVanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleadersPersonio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders--NewsletterSign up here: https://secretleaders.email/.

Jun 25, 2024 • 1h 21min
How To Exit Using Private Equity - Alexis Sikorsky
In the world of entrepreneurship, we dream about the BIG EXIT. We talk about mergers, acquisitions and IPOs… But there's one exit strategy that's often whispered aboutSelling to private equity. Today, we're pulling back the curtain on this mysterious world with someone who's not only been through it, but has come out the other side a fan.…SponsorsVanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleadersPersonio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders--NewsletterSign up here: https://secretleaders.email/.You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

Jun 18, 2024 • 1h 14min
Building Social Chain Almost Broke Me - Dom McGregor
Dominic McGregor was riding high as the co-founder of Social Chain, a social media agency that exploded from scrappy startup to global player in just a few short years. But as the company grew, so did Dom's drinking problem - until it all came crashing down.In this conversation, Dom shares the inside story of his battle with addiction, from the red flags he ignored to the moment he hit rock bottom, and the painful but transformative journey of getting sober and rebuilding his life. The life of a founder isn’t alway glamorous. From the relentless pressure to perform to the loneliness and isolation that can come with the top job. If you've ever wondered how to spot the signs of addiction in yourself or your team or what it really takes to face your demons and come out stronger on the other side, this episode is for you.…SponsorsVanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleadersPersonio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders--NewsletterSign up here: https://secretleaders.email/.You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

Jun 11, 2024 • 1h 13min
Succession planning for Founder-CEO’s - Evgeny Shadchnev
Imagine building a company from the ground up, pouring your heart and soul into it for years, only to reach a point where you realise it's time to step aside as CEO. How do you know when it's the right time? How do you navigate that transition while setting the company up for continued success? And what comes next for you as a founder?These are the crucial questions we're diving into today with Evgeny Shadchnev, a founder who has lived through this very journey.Evgeny is an author and co-Founder Makers, a coding bootcamp that has trained thousands of software developers. After nearly a decade at the helm, he made the difficult decision to step down as CEO in 2020.In our conversation, we talk about the complex emotions and strategic challenges of this process. Evgeny shares how he knew it was time to move on, the importance of planning ahead, and the pitfalls to avoid when hiring and onboarding a successor.We also discuss the surprising commonality of founder transitions and why they should be seen as a mark of success rather than failure.Evgeny's story illustrates that sometimes the best thing you can do for your company is to get out of the way - and that new adventures await on the other side.…SponsorsVanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleadersPersonio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders--NewsletterSign up here: https://secretleaders.email/.You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

Jun 4, 2024 • 1h 9min
Founding The Super-Human Olympics - Christian Angermayer
Entrepreneur Christian Angermayer discusses his bold ventures in biotech, crypto, and anti-aging, including his controversial idea of enhanced games with performance-enhancing drugs. He challenges societal norms, promotes informed decision-making on substances, and emphasizes the importance of security certifications for startups. Christian also talks about investing in future tech, leisure experiences, and impactful ventures in biotech targeting longevity and medical advancements.

May 30, 2024 • 14min
My Favourite Failure: Make Yourself Redundant - Andy Brown
Leadership coach Andy Brown shares his journey as a founder of a once-thriving marketing agency, highlighting the pitfalls of rapid growth and personal burnout. He discusses the importance of maintaining focus, letting go, and building a strong team for sustainable success. The podcast delves into the challenges of growth, lack of processes, embracing failure, and trusting in talent for business growth.

May 28, 2024 • 1h 28min
The Algebra of Wealth - Scott Galloway
Scott Galloway, serial entrepreneur, NYU professor, and author of 'The Algebra of Wealth,' shares insights on wealth-building pillars: focus, stoicism, time, and diversification. Emphasizes aligning life with values, not just financial success. Discusses strategies for savings, compound interest, and HR management. Explores dynamics of wealth in relationships, growing wealth gap, and wealth-building masterclass with practical tips.

May 23, 2024 • 20min
My Favourite Failure: The Great Underwear Fiasco - Joel Primus
What does it take to bounce back from a business blunder that nearly costs you everything? Ask Joel Primus, the Founder who went from a mortifying moment on Dragon's Den to a multi-million dollar exit - and then found himself on the brink of bankruptcy when a global pandemic hit.Joel takes us behind the scenes of ill-fated underwear launch that left him red-faced on national television and scrambling to save his company. Through it all, Joel emerges with a newfound appreciation for the long game of entrepreneurship, the power of perseverance, and the importance of confronting one's fears head-on.…SponsorsVanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleadersPersonio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders--NewsletterSign up here: https://secretleaders.email/.You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.
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