Secret Leaders

Andrew Wordsworth is the Managing Partner of Sustainable Ventures, an investment fund which has developed Europe's largest cluster of sustainability startups. But the first venture he backed (and was the Chairman of) was a disaster - and what’s strange is it had all the ingredients to be a mega business...--Check out Personio - the all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders

Finding the ideal Co-Founder is one of the most critical decisions a Founder will make.In this episode, Alice Bentinck, CEO and Co-Founder of Entrepreneur First, shares how to create world class productive partnerships and finding your market edge. With over a decade of experience building entrepreneurial teams that have created businesses worth billions, Alice has seen what it really takes to get a business of the ground in the first 90 days.From identifying complementary skills, to conducting successful market research, to putting practicality before passion - Alice covers the full spectrum of establishing a powerful Co-Founding partnership.____________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.

A story of perseverance and learning from failure as Mussayab Ehtesham shares how he turned a $30,000 e-commerce flop into a $1M success. From struggling with a camera wrap product to overcoming setbacks with strategic pivots, his journey to entrepreneurial success is filled with valuable lessons.

Mike Connelly was a top telecoms salesman who decided to strike out on his own. His new venture, Simple Cloud Communications, quickly landed clients thanks to Mike's sales prowess. But he struggled immensely to service those customers without strong technical operations skills.Mike learned first-hand that even star employees can falter as solo Founders if their skillsets are too one-dimensional, but by embracing the right partner to fill knowledge gaps, a business can finally find its footing.--Check out Personio - the all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders

After winning The Apprentice, Joseph Valente expanded his plumbing and gas business to a national scale. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before the markets changes and Joseph had to rebuild his new business from the ground up.He followed in the footsteps of his mentor, became his apprentice, and has gone on to teach others how to avoid his failures and replicate his successes.--Check out Personio - the all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleaders

Leading a team to peak performance begins within.In this episode, Lara Menke; business Psychologist, CEO and Co-Founder of leadership coaching firm CAIA, gives us the keys to unlock our self-awareness and reach peak performance. From feedback and coaching techniques, to the confidence conundrum, to striking the ideal inclusive yet decisive leadership balance - expect practical models you can instantly apply paired with thoughtful reflection on leading people amidst the pressures and stresses of entrepreneurship.SponsorsVorboss - get better internet: https://vorboss.com/secretleadersPersonio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleadersVanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleadersVertice - save on your SaaS or cloud spend ($5k off or a free benchmark) using the code secretleaders: https://www.vertice.one/l/secretleaders--NewsletterSign up here: https://secretleaders.email/.You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

Tom Foxley shares his journey from building a successful coaching business to realizing the importance of aligning work with personal passions. His breakdown on honeymoon prompted a radical change towards seeking meaningful ventures for a fulfilling journey to success.

Building a thriving business takes more than just getting the economics right - it requires truly understanding human psychology and what motivates people. In this episode, Paul Lindley, Founder of kids' healthy food brand Ella's Kitchen, provides a rare glimpse into the human dynamics, vision and motivation at the heart of one of the biggest success stories in the UK startup space. Paul reveals his secrets for:- Mastering company culture and the psychology behind hiring and leadership- Building an iconic national brand on a startup budget - Staying rooted in deeper values and mission even amid huge success--SponsorsVorboss - get better internet: https://vorboss.com/secretleadersPersonio - all in one HR platform: https://personio.com/secretleadersVanta - get 20% off security certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2: https://vanta.com/secretleadersVertice - save on your SaaS or cloud spend ($5k off or a free benchmark) using the code secretleaders: https://www.vertice.one/l/secretleaders--NewsletterSign up here: https://secretleaders.email/.You can find our historic newsletters here: https://www.secretleaders.com/episodes.

Sharath Jeevan, a dot-com crash survivor, discusses the importance of staying true to one's vision, seeking advice while maintaining authenticity, and navigating uncertainty as a founder. He reflects on the dot-com crash, the pillars of authenticity, connection, and excellence for founders, and the need to embrace uncertainty for long-term success.

In this episode, Sophie Scott, founder and psychotherapist, discusses the importance of mental well-being for founders, the reasons why founders need therapy, the mental health challenges faced by successful individuals, the struggle with discipline and self-care, and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs after exiting a startup.