The Back Yourself Show with Tom Fairey
By Tom Fairey
Featured guests include investors and senior operators behind global businesses such as Google, Microsoft, Deliveroo, Coca Cola, Skype, Giphy, Babylon Health, BBC iPlayer, SeedLegals, Channel 4 Ventures and more.
The Back Yourself Show with Tom FaireyMar 03, 2022
Answering YOUR start up questions
The Back Yourself show is all about giving would-be founders the insight they need to take the plunge into the start up world.
On today’s episode of the show, we are answering questions that our audience have put to us on start ups, growing a business, and what it takes to be a founder.
If you’re interested in the infancy and launch stage of a business or want to know how to nurture a culture of success, this episode is for you!
How to be a CEO at 16
This week’s episode of the show features our youngest guest yet, Suhit Amin.
Founder of Saulderson media, an influencer agency representing prominent gaming and YouTube content creators, Suhit founded the company at just 16.
In this episode, Suhit talks about building a successful business after battling a life threatening illness, how and why he started entrepreneurship at such a young age, and gives insight into the influencer marketing industry.
On next week’s podcast, our host Tom will be answering any start up questions you may have, so send them in via the comments on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
The Back Yourself Show Live: Sifted Summit 2022
On this week's episode of the Back Yourself Show, we were live at the 2022 Sifted Summit in London.
The panel of guests include Lottie Unwin, Founder of The Copy Club, David Foreman, Co-Founder of Prateura Ventures, Molly Johnson-Jones, Founder of Flexa and Patrick Ryan, Founder of Odin.
In this show the panel will be discussing a range of topics like why raising capital is like going on a first date, what VC’s are easiest to work with USA vs Europe, why not to say “these numbers are conservative” to an investor, and why you should post selfies on LinkedIn.
For tips on how to navigate the VC ecosystem, how to hire the right people and what not to say to Investors you’ve come to the right place!
Sit back, relax and enjoy the Back Yourself Show Live!
Horses, Hurdles and an app with 3 million hits in its first week
My guest this week is former jockey turned founder Andy Bartlett. His Roam local app allows people to access an array of local knowledge of food, drink and things to do across the world.
He knows a thing or two about being quick out of the blocks and dealing with hurdles in both his horseracing days and now as a business owner. In this episode, Andy speaks about how his childhood shaped his self-awareness and ability to be authentic when marketing his product. How the network he built whilst in the racing industry has helped him to generate 3 million hits in its first week.
If you’re looking for practical tips on how to build and market an app. Utilising your network to raise money and drive downloads, you’re in the right place!
From England Rugby to CBD start up
My guest this week is George Kruis, former England and Saracens rugby star turned founder of FourFive.
In this episode, George shares insight into how being a professional Rugby player taught him the invaluable skills he needed to become a founder and business owner. He also shared secrets into how he networked and built a team of employees, as well as why he ventured into the science focussed pharmaceutical side of the CBD industry despite having no experience in the field.
00:00 Introduction
00:55 At what point in your career did you start looking into starting a business?
03:40 Was being second row (a position most prone to injuries) what made you get into the CBD/recovery industry?
7:20 What were the first steps you took into the pharmaceutical industry despite no real experience in it?
10:10 What was the hardest thing you had to come up against whilst starting a business?
16:40 How does the pace of being a founder compare with that of an athlete?
20:10 How did you use marketing to differentiate your product?
28:00 Where do you want the business to be in future?
33:30 The Barbarians backheel conversion kick story
36:20 What advice would you give to other athletes looking to make the transition into business?
45:00 Start up Sin Bin
How to Raise Series A&B Effectively
This week we're revisiting Philip O'Reilly's episode, a principal at Draper Esprit.
In this episode, he shares all of the secrets that investors don't want founders to know about how to get Series A&B investment, what happens behind the scenes in an investment committee, what he looks for besides the numbers and where the next hot investment is coming from.
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘about growth and development with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Build Your Network Effectively
This week we're revisiting Matthew Stafford's episode. He's the founder of the global founder network 9others and the impressive Angel Syndicate.
In this episode, he shares his non-linear story of becoming a champion of founders and a successful investor.
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘about growth and development with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
Understanding What Your Success Looks Like
This week we're revisiting Emma Davidson's episode, former Citibank trader and now Hedge Fund Director.
In this episode, she shares her entrepreneurial journey, secrets to early success in her career, the importance of getting stuck in and not letting pride get in the way and truly understanding what success looks like to her.
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com
#startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Build a Company for Success
This week we're revisiting Eamonn Carey's episode, he's the former MD of TechStars.
In this episode, he shares his entrepreneurial journey, the secrets of what early-stage investors (like himself) look for in founders and how to build a company for success.
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com
#startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that. Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Raise Early Stage Investment Effectively
This week we're revisiting Anthony Rose's epsidoe, he's the former head of BBC iPlayer and the founder of SeedLegals.
In this episode, he gives game-changing tips on product development, how to raise early-stage investment effectively and why the stats suggest having military grade focus is key to startup success.
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
Anyone Can Become an Entrepreneur No Matter Your Background
This week we're revisiting Samantha Hornsby and Mae Yip's episode, the founders of Eric.
Today, you will hear how two best friends took very different paths, but ultimately knew they needed to solve a problem in the world. So they gave up successful careers to go it alone, together. Now they run ERIC, the largest creative careers festival in the UK and are pivoting to create market-changing tech.
If you're looking for inspiring advice on how anyone can make it and why your background means nothing, look no further!
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Go From 0 to £1.8 Million a Month in 17 Months
This week we are revisiting Brie Read and Tom Martin's episode, the Founders of Snag Tights. They took an embarrassing event and used empathy and relentless experimentation to create a Startup that within two years takes over 3000 orders and £2m in revenue a month.
If you're looking for practical tips on how to start an online clothing business, how to use Facebook advertising effectively and how to speak to your customers, you're in the right place.
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Be the Architect of Your Own Life
This week we’re dusting off the cobwebs on some of our first-ever podcasts and revisiting them so we can reshare some of their untapped wisdom.
Today, we start with Alex Dunsdon’s episode. He’s a founder, investor and part-time philosopher, and in this episode, he shared his vast knowledge of all things entrepreneurship and investing.
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Ace Marketing and Grow Your Business
This week we are collecting together all of series 4's amazing marketing tips and compiling them into one bite-size episode. In this episode, we are going over: How to listen to your customers effectively, how to hire an amazing head of marketing, how to ask your customer's open-ended questions and how to use influencer marketing to grow your business.
If you're looking for practical tips on how to market your product effectively and grow your business, you're in the right place.
The episode's mentioned:
Why You Should Be Proud to Steal Marketing Strategies with Lottie Unwin
How to Build an Iconic Brand with Hugo Cornejo
Scaling the Unscalable with Disruptive Marketing Tips with Eric Fulwiler
How to Make Your Product Easy to Sell with Dana Publicover
The Power of Influencer Marketing with Jennifer Quigley-Jones
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Start a Company in an Industry You're Not Experienced In
My guest this week is Alice Ursini the founder of UMA
In this episode, Alice shares how she started a company with her friend in a sector she knew nothing about, but that fact worked to her advantage as to how having an outsider look at things made the company a success. She shares all of her secrets on how to talk to your customer when they are children and what are the biggest mistakes a founder can make when building a company for children.
Alice also shares how got onto TechStars and how to effectively network.
This episode is packed filled with so much information make sure you check it out.
0:00 Introduction
6:00 Why she started her business
How to start a business when you're not trained in it
17:30 How to get on TechStars
19:15 speaking to customers when they are children
26:00 What is it like starting a business with a friend
30:00 How to network effectively
35:00 Startup Hack
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Make Your Product Easy to Sell
My guest this week is Dana Publicover the founder of Publicover & Co.
In this episode, Dana shares everything about how to sell your product, from how to simplify your product or service, how to prepare for a sales pitch, to how to effectively speak to your customer and use the data to sell them your product.
Dana also shares the secrets of how she landed herself massive clients like Nassa, Google and McKinsey.
If you’re looking to find out about everything to do with how to sell your product, you're in the right place.
0:00 Introduction
1:14 How to make you’re sh*t easier to sell
4:00 How to simplify your service or product to sell
6:00 How Dana landed huge clients like Google, Nasa and McKinsey
9:00 What is the first thing I should do when preparing for a sales pitch
10:00 How to ask your customer open ending questions
13:45 How to use the customer's language to market your product
18:30 What is the work difference between the US and German
22:30 Startup Hack
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com
#startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that. Website - http://backyourself.show/
The Power of Influencer Marketing
My guest this week is Jennifer Quigley-Jones the CEO & founder of Digital Voices.
In this episode, Jennifer shares everything about influencer marketing, why startups should use influencers, how influencers can grow your business, and how it’s great to gain trust and credibility in early-stage startups.
Jennifer also dives into what should startups look for in an influencer to promote their brand and the biggest question of them all - should startups invest in small or huge influencers.
If you’re looking to find out about everything to do with influencer marketing, you're in the right place.
0:00 Introduction
1:10 What is influencer marketing?
4:40 What should a startup be looking for with an influencer?
9:00 How should startups reach out to influencers?
12:00 How to do brief an influence on what you want
16:20 Who are the best types of companies that should be doing influencer marketing? 19:00 How do you monetize your audience?
26:00 What is the key to learning from working with big brands?
28:30 How do you grow a platform?
32:00 Startup Hack
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com
#startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Build an Iconic Brand
My guest this week is Hugo Cornejo, co-founder at Packfleet, and former VP of Design at Monzo.
In this episode, you will hear from the very man who came up with the iconic hot coral Monzo card. Hugo shares how Monzo was founded, how he came up with the design for the card, and what startups can do to stand out from their competitors.
He dives deep into all of the learning he has taken from Monzo to start his own business Packfleet a zero-emissions delivery company. This episode is packed full of amazing insight and practical advice.
If you’re looking to find out more about how to stand out against your competitors, put customer feedback into action, and create an inclusive company culture, you're in the right place.
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Hugo's entrepreneurial journey
3:15 The origin story of Monzo
7:00 How to create a bank on the side of the customer
11:00 How Hugo came up with the famous hot coral card
15:20 How to create your own Categorie
24:00 Hack - Recording interviews with customers and listening to them while doing work
28:00 Why it was important for Hugo to have a carbon zero company
32:00 How Hugo is creating an inclusive company culture
34:00 Startup Hack
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com
#startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
Why You Should Be Proud to Steal Marketing Strategies
My guest this week is Lottie Unwin, founder of The Copy Club.
In this episode, Lottie details the origins of her startup; how her original idea was never intended to become a business, but how after seeing her community continue to grow, she took the plunge and invested all of her time into The Copy Club.
Lottie explains the ideas behind cross-pollination marketing and how it can grow your business, all while explaining how you can jump on the latest trends with the help of some fantastic anecdotes from around the startup world.
If you’re looking for the inside scoop on all things startup marketing, you’re in the right place!
0:00 Introduction
0:45 Lotties entrepreneurial story
4:00 How Lottie’s business was successfully growing when she was in Deli
6:15 Why Lottie created Copy Club
12:50 How the Church and Crossfit are great examples of community
15:40 How to create an amazing community
17:15 Why is cross-pollination marketing important?
19:50 Is Thursday’s offline marketing good?
23:30 Is offline marketing worth the time and effort?
24:40 LittleMoons amazing startup campaign
29:00 The power of consistency
35:30 Startup Hack
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Recognise the Signs That Mean You Should Pivot to a Startup Idea
My guest this week is Rob Brockington, the CEO of Claro money.
In this episode, you will hear how Rob was brought on as the CEO of Claro Money. Even before he had his foot in the door he knew he wanted to pivot the business. He shares why he wanted to pivot, how he validated the new idea and how to pitch it back to investors. He did all of this just as covid hit but still succeed.
If you’re looking to learn more about validating new ideas, how to ask customers actionable questions and how to pitch to pivot and idea to investors, you're in the right place.
0:00 Introduction
0:45 How Rob came to the decision to pivot the company
2:30 How to validate pivoting an idea
5:00 How to speak to customers without persuading their answers
7:20 How to ask customers action based questions
11:00 66% of the population who are not in debt but they can’t afford a financial advisor
15:00 What to put in a pitch deck to pitch pivoting an idea
17:00 How money affects people's mental health
20:10 Startup Hack - Hiring your friends
21:15 Startup SinBin
If you have a question that you would like answered, email them over to our podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
What the NBA Star Can Teach You About Startup Success
This week we spoke to Fryderyk Szydlowski, founder of Embargo.
In this episode, you will hear the rollercoaster journey that is Fryderyk’s startup story; from losing investment due to Brexit to the pandemic destroying his customer base.
Fryderyk shares tips and tricks on overcoming uncontrollable obstacles and how a founder can pick themselves up when everything is falling apart.
Additionally, he shares how being a former Pro Basketball player taught him about resilience and coping with failure. If you’re looking for tips on keeping a positive mindset when everything is going wrong, you’re in the right place!
Structure:
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Fryderyk's athletic background
7:30 How the athlete lifestyle is similar to a founder
9:15 You're Idols became your rivals
14:30 Where founders should be spending their time
17:30 How you have survived threw 2 economic downsides
25:00 How founders can help their employees when things are going bad
29:00 What is your startup hack
33:00 Startup Sinbin
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that. Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Bootstrap Your Business From 0 to 2.3 Million in 18 Months
My guest this week is Will Koning founder of SaaSLead.io.
In this episode, you will hear the rollercoaster journey that is will's startup story, from dropping out of university to losing all of his clients overnight to being trapped in Barcelona in lockdown. Threw out the obstacles put in Wills's way he still came out on top and in the last 18 months has bootstrapped his business from 0 to 2.3 million.
If you’re looking to learn more about how to bootstrap a business, how to build a product being a non-technical founder and how to recruit new graduate talent, you're in the right place.
Structure:
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Wills Crazy entrepreneurial journey
5:00 The Big Problem
12:00 How to convince Graduates to work for you?
16:00 How did you make revenue?
16:45 The value of Linkedin
19:55 How to optimise to be lucky
21:45 What are the best lessons you learnt around culture
26:45 How to build a product when you're not a tech founder
29:00 How to bootstrap your business from 0 to 2.8 million
30:00 Advice for university dropouts
32:00 Startup Hack
33:45 Startup Sin Bin
Books mentioned: What you do is who you are by Ben Horowitz
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If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com
#startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website! This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
Scaling the Unscalable With Disruptive Marketing Tips
My guests this week we speak to Eric Fulwiler the founder & CEO of Rival.
In this episode, he shares his amazing wisdom on all things marketing, digging into what you should look for in a Head of Marketing, how to create content that speaks to your customer, and how to create disruptive campaigns. Additionally, he shares key lessons he learned from being one of the first-15 employees and MD of EMEA for VaynerMedia.
If you’re looking to learn more about everything to do with marketing, you’re in the right place.
Structure:
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Why is marketing important?
3:00 How to measure the impact of a brand?
5:00 What should you look for when hiring a Head of Marketing?
10:30 How do you test what is good marketing talent?
12:15 How to bring the voice of the customer into the business?
15:49 All growth comes from unlocking new or differentiated value in a market
16:40 You don't buy a product you buy the solution the product brings you
18:15 How important is a personal brand?
21:20 What is a disruptive marketing campaign?
24:10 Big companies waste money
24:45 The pufferfish challenger
28:30 Startup SinBin
31:20 Entrepreneurship is a spectrum
33:31 How Tom raised £1M in 4 hours
34:45 How to create a personal CRM
Links
Competing Against Luck By Clayton M. Christensen - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Competing-Against-Luck-Innovation-Customer/dp/0062565230/ref=asc_df_0062565230/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=311040647414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5285619064828713714&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006495&hvtargid=pla-454317071719&psc=1&th=1&psc=1
Duolingo’s TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@duolingo?lang=en
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website! This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How to Validate Your Business Idea Properly
My guest this week is Johnathan Sun, founder of Horizan VC.
In this episode, he’ll break down the first stages that every founder should not only do to get their business off the ground but validate it properly.
He explains how founders can use prototyping to validate their idea quickly and cheaply; how to calculate the right time to raise money and the biggest mistake when it comes to traction.
If you’re looking to learn more about validating your idea, when to raise money and how to avoid the biggest startup killer, you’re in the right place.
Structure:
0:40 Introduction
0:55 How can you validate your idea?
1:44 How Pretotyping can validate your business idea quickly
3:30 Example of how Johnathan used Pretotyping to validate an idea
5:15 How to find customers
6:00 Why you shouldn’t use Facebook Ads
8:00 In an early-stage startup what counts as a good level of traction
9:33 Mistakes Founders can avoid
15:57 What too early to get money
19:00 Startup Sin Bin
23:40 Startup Hack
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
How a Feedback Driven Culture Can Enhance Your Business
My guests this week are Thomas Rogers and Llewellyn Kinch, founders of Switchd/ MakeMyHouseGreen.
In this episode, they share how speaking to customers changed their business for the better, diving into who they spoke to and what type of questions they asked to get honest feedback. This not only improved their business but gained more customers as well.
Additionally, they share how they have built a company culture of feedback and how they have invested in the growth of their employees.
And lastly, they share how they have used operational automation to improve the day to day running of their business, cutting out wasteful tasks that more time for important projects.
If you’re looking to learn more about speaking to customers, using their feedback, building a feedback-driven company culture and using operational automation to grow your company faster, you’re in the right place.
Structure:
0:50 How they started with
2:30 How listening to customers changed their business for the better.
3:41 When speaking to customers, who to talk to and what to ask
6:00 How to use experiential questions when talking to customers
8:10 Investing in your team
9:20 How to build a feedback-driven company culture
12:45 How not giving feedback can affect your business
14:00 What is operational automation and how it can help your business
15:50 How to use operations in your business
21:00 How being more efficient can help you grow faster
21:50 How do you win customers
23:00 Knowing what your customers want
23:30 Sin Bin - Glossed over
25:30 How to be successful with SBC
26:00 Startup Sin Bin - People lying about how quickly they have created a successful startup
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
Can building community before product lead to more success?
My guest this week is Tessa Clarke, CEO of Olio.
In this episode, Tessa tells the story of how she grew an unassuming WhatsApp group into a community of over five million people. She also delves into how growing a volunteer base of 50,000 has both helped to grow her business, as well as improve her users’ experience. And, she gives tips on how her fellow female founders can level the playing field and stand out when looking for investment!
If you’re looking to learn more about growing a community, how to use and implement customer feedback on your product and tips for winning over investors, you’re in the right place.
Structure:
1:00 Introduction
1:30 How did Tessa go from 0 to a community of 5 million people.
2:30 How they used a survey to validate their idea
6:00 How they tested their idea through a Whatsapp group
7:30 Feedback from their WhatsApp group experiment
8:45 How they had a budget of £10 to reach people
9:45 How they used their customer feedback to build Olio
12:00 Startup book recommendations
12:44 How Tessa built her community from 0 to 5 million
14:30 How they built a community of volunteers
18:23 How they expanded their volunteering community to 50 thousand
19:35 Understanding that you might have to fire a volunteer
21:00 Tessa practical advice for female founders
26:00 Sin Bin
Books mentioned:
The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Link to Dana Kanze - https://www.ted.com/talks/dana_kanze_the_real_reason_female_entrepreneurs_get_less_funding?language=en
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
If you want to join us on the show, then fill in the “Pitch to Us” form on the Back Yourself Show website!
This is your chance to get your interesting and innovative business in front of a global audience, where you can talk ‘growth and development’ with Tom Fairey: a founder who has been there and done that.
Website - http://backyourself.show/
Making your team as efficient as possible with sales automation
My guest this week is Anthony Collias, CEO of Treepoints.
In this episode, he shares his tips and tricks on sales automation and hidden HR costs that could be costing your business thousands. Additionally, Anthony and Tom will be debating about if unlimited holiday makes employees take less.
If you’re looking to learn more about sales automation, hidden HR costs, and company culture, you’re in the right place.
Structure:
0:45 Introduction
0:48 What is sales automation?
4:00 How to optimize your sales Automation?
7:35 How Tom raised 1 million dollars through GMass
8:50 How to make sure your sales automation doesn’t get reported as spam
10:00 What copy should you put in your Sales emails?
13:00 3 key things that should be in every email
14:45 How to get sales through LinkedIn
17:47 Key tools you need to analyse your sales data and success
19:25 The hidden cost of HR that could be costing your business thousands of dollars
25:00 How you should apply an Athletes mindset to your business
27:00 Importance of sleep on your productivity
28:00 Anthony and Toms debate about unlimited holiday
32:00 Startup Sin Bin.
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
BYS Shorts: How to Implement Transparent Financials
This week on BYS #SHORTS, we're diving into three key lessons Paulina Tenner taught us in her episode.
In this Shorts episode, we’re covering how you can implement transparent financials in your company to create an open and flexible environment.
These tips all came from the most recent episode of The Back Yourself Show, so go check that out!
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com
#startup #businesstips #femalefounder #companyculture
Progressive measures to make your employees feel valued!
My guest this week is Paulina Tenner, Founder of Grant Tree.
She’ll be sharing her mission to inspire other business owners with her radical and fresh perspectives on transforming the workplace. Partially why founders should implement transparent financials. Plus, we’ll dig into what Paulina learnt about business while she was a burlesque dancer.
If you’re looking for practical tips to help create a more open company culture, you’re in the right place.
In this episode, you will hear:0:00 Introduction
2:30 How do you cultivate the environment
4:30 Can you trust people to work when they want
7:00 Key things to give people empowerment
9:20 Why Paulina introduced Transparent Financials
17:30 How to invest in your employees
20:00 How much uncertainty should the founder feel
22:00 Why she wanted to write her book
26:30 Being self-aware as a founder
Links:
Ricardo Semler - https://www.ted.com/talks/ricardo_semler_how_to_run_a_company_with_almost_no_rules?language=en
Paulina’s Ted Talk - Entrepreneurship & BDSM by Paulina
BYS SHORTS: How to go from being unemployed to making £100k a month on Fiverr
This week on BYS #SHORTS, we're diving into three key lessons Georgia Austin taught us in her episode.
In this Shorts episode, we’re covering the incredible story of how Georgia went from redundancy in her corporate New York job to making 100K a month on Fiverr. She didn’t stop there though – she then started her own company, Wizard of Content, and grew that into a team of 65 freelance employees!
These tips all came from the most recent episode of The Back Yourself Show, so go check that out!
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com
#startup #businesstips #femalefounder #Fiverr
Top Tips for Mastering Your SEO Strategy
My guest this week is Georgia Austin, Founder of Wizard of Content.
She’ll be sharing practical and actionable advice on how to get valuable eyes on your content, how to land at the top of Google, how to reach your customers and what tools to use to help create and distribute content. Plus, we’ll dig into common content mistakes businesses make and how you can avoid them.
If you’re looking to grow your business through content marketing, you’re in the right place.
In this episode, you will hear:
0:00 Introduction
1:00 What is Content Marketing
2:00 What is good content
3:45 What can you do to improve SEO
6:20 How to figure out the balance of quality over the quality of content
7:50 How do I encourage an audience
9:15 How Georgia went from freelancing on the side to growing to 65 people
15:00 Tips to help stand out on Fiver
16:00 How she grew her team to 65 people
18:30 What are the 3 key lessons you’ve learnt from running your business
20:15 How to work out a tone of voice
24:00 3 tips for Content marking
BYS Shorts: How to Find the Perfect Co-Founder
This week on BYS #SHORTS, we're diving into three key lessons Naïma Camara taught us in her episode.
In this episode, you will hear:
3 things your Co-Founder need to bring to the table
3 questions founders should ask potential Co-founders
Why it’s essential to have a co-founder trial period.
These tips all came from the most recent episode of The Back Yourself Show, so go check that out! If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
How to Find the Perfect Co-Founder
My guest this week is Naïma Camara, CEO of Ownership. And she’s here to share her tips and tricks to finding the perfect Co-Founder.
We’ll be digging into what platforms are the best to find a co-founder, how to test if you and your co-founder are compatible and how to figure out how much equity you should offer.
If you’re a solo founder and are looking to expand your network and team, make sure to check out this episode!
Highlights:
0:45 What should you look for in a Co-Founder
2:30 How do you have a discussion about becoming a Co-Founder
5:00 Is it a good idea to start a business with a friend?
8:00 Where to find a co-founder
12:00 How to figure out the equity
15:20 3 questions founders should ask potential Co-founders
18:30 How employees should approach the equity discussion
20:45 Startup Sin Bin
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
BYS Shorts: how to get more than money from VCs
This week on BYS #SHORTS, we're diving into three key lessons David Foreman taught us in his episode.
In this episode, you will hear:
- How to work out what type of VC you want to work with
- 3 reasons why the VC’s/Founder relationship can break down
- Why you should stop telling investors that you’re going to be a unicorn
These tips all came from the most recent episode of The Back Yourself Show, so go check that out!
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
How to Get More Than Just Money From Your VC
My guest this week is David Foreman, Managing Director at Praetura Ventures. And he’s here to pull the curtain back on VCs.
We’ll be digging into how founders need to find a VC that fits them, how VCs can provide more than just money and how David coaches founders from managing a team of 10 to leading as CEO of 100.
He’s also here to share some hard-hitting facts:
- How a lack of honesty on both sides causes the VC/Founder relationship to break down
- Why investors shouldn’t give founders detailed feedback
- Why founders need to stop saying they’re going to be a Unicorn
If you’re looking for honest, raw and unfiltered advice straight from a VC you’re in the right place.
Highlights:
- 1:20 The importance of founders finding VC’s that fits them
- 1:57 How Ask VC’s how
- 5:52 3 reasons why VC and Founders relation can breakdown
- 10:30 How VCs can add value
- 14:00 How to coach founders to go from a team of 10 to 100
- 18:36 The power of Mentorship
- 23:18 Bring investment to the North
- 27:20 Startup myths
- 33:05 Toxic Startup Behaviors
Quotes:
2:11 “Ask to speak to founders they’ve already backed, and not just the 3 or 4 founders that are doing the best, who are clearly flavour of the month”
23:00 “ Get a mentor who’s not financially motivated by the outcome”
25:30 “The best founders are definitely talent magnets. Who gets really insanely talented people to work with them on building their vision of the business and also very self-aware”
27:43 “There is no monopoly on talent in the UK”
33:24 “As a founder, you don’t have to tell the VC that you’re going to be a unicorn.”
Links: https://www.praeturaventures.com/team/
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
Tom's Top Tips: 5 best pieces of founder wisdom
This week refecting on our 5 best pieces of founder wisdom from the show so far.
The podcast mentioned:
Matthew Stafford - 9others and Dot Matrix Group
"Running a startup is a contact sport" - Max Kelly
How should you define success? - Emma Davidson
"Don't build anything until you know your customers want it" - Anthony Rose
More than an investor, he's a philosopher - Alex Dunsdon
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
Tom's Top Tips: 5 top pieces of actionable advice
This week refecting on our 5 top pieces of actionable advice from the show so far.
The podcast mentioned:
Offsetting a gigaton of carbon with the help of groundbreaking startups
Habits to Woaw top investors - Hannah Redgewell
You need Empathy and Two Laptops to make £2 Million a month
Learning to switch off and avoid burnout
Megan Reynolds Investor at Crane Venture Partners
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
Tom's Tip Tips: how to hire the best people
This week we’re looking at Tom’s Top Three Tests that you can use to ensure you hire the best people for your team, digging into three key tests :
- The Teachers Test
- The Research Test
- The Feedback Test
Link to Tom's Medium article
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
Tom's Top Tips: 5 practical tips to building a successful startup
This week we’re focusing on 5 practical tips that you can use to start building a successful startup.
We will dig into:
- What to put in a business plan
- How to build your network
- How to grow your network with social media and cold emailing
- How to keep ahead of technology
- How to avoid burnout.
Links to Podcast Epsidoes:
Rob Kniaz Partner at Hoxton Ventures
Megan Reynolds Investor at Crane Venture Partners
How should you define success? - Emma Davidson of Staude Capital
Learning to switch off and avoid burnout - Hector Hughes Co-Founder of Unplugged
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder
Tom's Top Tips: how to motivate yourself when everything is falling apart
This week we’re breaking down how to Motivate Yourself When Everything is Falling Apart.
Podcast: Believing in "Post Traumatic Sucess" - Sarah Porter, Founder & CEO of Inspired Minds
Article: How to Motivate Yourself When Everything is Falling Apart
If you have a question that you would like answered, then email them over to my podcast producer Rosie at Rosie@stakester.com #startup #businesstips #founder