Bulletproof Entrepreneur

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Our guest, John Rood, hails from Chicago, USA. John and his wife built an education business which they later sold to a private equity firm for a life-changing sum of money.

And to some degree, that’s where his problems started...

‘Life after exit’ was far from plain sailing for John, despite the fact that he was now financially secure. He went through a number of changes and realised that he was not prepared for the life transition and new set of challenges he faced as a wealthy ex-business owner.

He recognised that there was no blueprint or How-To guide for business owners who sold up and needed to navigate the next chapters of their lives - and so he wrote one!

John’s book Beyond the Exit charts his own journey but also provides valuable insights from his conversations with over 70 other exited entrepreneurs who’ve been on similar journeys and which we discuss during the conversation.

We also discuss:

• The 3 Things You Must Do Before You Sell Your Business and how to prepare yourself for life after exit - and what he’d do differently if he were ever to sell a business again..
• The 5 most popular activities for entrepreneurs after they sell - and why you should avoid most of them!
• We explore the concept of how much money is enough, a truly fascinating subject that has more to do with psychology than maths.

And John shares a great story about how he lost out to Sam Altman, the founder of Open AI when he was planning to invest some of his new-found wealth in a  tech startup!

So much wisdom shared -  and so now, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr John Rood.

Links:

Beyond the Exit

What Happens When You Get What You Want?: Success and the Challenge of Choice

Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top: Amazon.co.uk

This podcast is produced by Tribunista

Sponsored by Capital Partners

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My guest today, Marc Adams, is the author of a book by the same title and has spent nearly four decades deep in the trenches of business and entrepreneurship. His extensive experience, from a career in corporate life to setting up his own business, has given him a unique perspective on the ups and downs of life as an entrepreneur.

A cancer diagnosis in 2020, giving him six months to live, compelled him to write a book about everything he knows about business building, creating entrepreneurial value, and exiting in the most tax-effective way.

Happily, Marc overcame the diagnosis and is now in good health, providing advice and consultancy to founders keen to benefit from his knowledge and experience.

During our conversation, Marc unpacked some steps you can take to increase revenue, reduce costs, and multiply your company’s value.

• He explains how he helped a company reduce its costs by over £2 million and redeploy that capital to fuel future growth.
• He explains what so many businesses have got wrong about their website and digital presence and how they can improve it and drive sales.
• He also shares some smart ideas on getting financially organised ahead of a sale to minimise the tax burden on founders when they sell their company.
• And as someone who only a few years ago was staring death in the face after his terminal diagnosis, Marc's view of what true wealth means is well worth hearing.

He goes through so much more, and we could have gone on for another hour and still not covered everything!

Check out the show notes for links to some fabulous resources Marchas offered for free to listeners on this podcast, including a complementary diagnosis of your current business based on the advice in his book.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr Marc Adams.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/1marcadams/?originalSubdomain=uk

Secrets To 10Xing Your Business: And Cashing Out Tax-Free: Amazon.co.uk 

The Secrets to 10xing your business and Cashing Out Tax-Free Scorecard?

Acquisitions4You

Russell Brunson Collection 2 Books Set (Expert Secrets, Dotcom Secrets): Amazon.co.uk 

How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No (Acquisition.com $100M Series Book 1) eBook : Hormozi, Alex

This podcast is produced by Tribunista

Sponsored by Capital Partners

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This podcast is for entrepreneurs, reverse engineering the formula for successful scale, sale, and exit—inspired conversations with world-class entrepreneurs and the specialists who support them.

I came up with that strapline when I launched the pod a couple of years ago, as that’s exactly what I wanted to create—a resource that, if you’re a business owner or aspiring entrepreneur, you can tap into and learn from those who were perhaps a few years ahead of you on the journey.

Then, you can apply the lessons learned and the wisdom shared.

In many ways, today’s guest, Josh Keegan, is the perfect guest for the pod.

A chartered accountant and successful entrepreneur, he has started, scaled, and exited several businesses and, in his current role, applies his experiences to help over 100 business owners.

I recently read his book Small Business Big Profit and I loved the way he used his experiences - good and bad to codify precisely how to create a successful business.

During our conversation, Josh shared how facing a financial black hole in his business that could have been terminal forced him to rethink how a business should operate, particularly regarding all-important financials.

He explains why he decided to sell his business just as he’d got it into great shape. It was working like a dream, and he needed to spend only 90 minutes a week working in it.

He breaks down his three-part framework and the specific actions you should take to achieve organisation, structure, and control.

He also shares valuable insight into the right approach to improving your pricing and creating greater profits and enterprise value.

And listen towards the end of our conversation when Josh explains the surprising method he uses to eliminate stress and anxiety—he recommends it to every entrepreneur and guarantees its effectiveness!

He also provides links to many free resources, including frameworks and templates, that you can download and use immediately in your business.

Before we hear from Josh, I'd like to ask you for a quick favour.

As you know, this podcast production is a labour of love. There are no annoying advertisements or walls, but it does take time and effort to create.

So, if you've benefited from listening to the conversations, I’d be grateful if you could head to the Apple Podcasts platform and leave a five-star review and perhaps a few positive words.

Also, remember to hit the subscribe button to receive the latest episode as soon as it's available.

But now, without further delay, a masterclass in building a financially fit business.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr Josh Keegan.

Links 

https://www.ultimatefd.co.uk/about

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-keegan/?originalSubdomain=uk

https://www.instagram.com/the_ultimate_fd?igsh=bmJkbWtxNWlrM2J0

https://www.property-entrepreneur.co.uk/daniel-hill/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Lecture-Achieving-Childhood-Lessons/dp/0340978503

This podcast is produced by Tribunista

Sponsored by Capital Partners

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This podcast is for business owners and entrepreneurs - reverse engineering your way to success through inspiring conversations.

And the conversation you're about to hear is truly inspiring.

I'm conscious that many of the guests I've had on the podcast over the last couple of years have shared stories of incredible success.

But anyone who’s been in business for any length of time knows the significant challenges and difficulties of entrepreneurship.

And no one knows that better than today's guest, Phil Bray, founder of the Yardstick Marketing Agency, which is growing fast and going from strength to strength.

However, during his business journey, Phil faced overwhelming challenges, eventually losing everything—his business, his house, even his car!

At the same time, his relationship fell apart, and he had a 5-year-old son to care for.

This is a story of passion, resilience, and retaining a positive mindset despite overwhelming difficulties. I hope it encourages you if you’re ever going through a tough time.

During our conversation,

• Phil shared how his ambitious business plans came crashing down when the great financial crisis of 2008 hit  - and the one thing he would never do again and recommends business owners avoid at all costs.
• He explains how he built personal resilience and managed to get through the toughest time of his life.
• Applying the lessons he learned,Phil provides a four-part ‘blueprint’ for business growth—priceless advice for all ambitious business owners.

And listen closely towards the end of our conversation when Phil shares his thoughtful definition of ‘True Wealth’ - I promise every business owner will relate to it!

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr Phil Bray

Links:

https://theyardstickagency.co.uk/about-us/phil

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-bray-yardstick?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It https://amzn.eu/d/3qJrwzx

The Happy Index: The Sunday Times bestseller packed with management tools and leadership advice for a happier, healthier workforce https://amzn.eu/d/0EzRkKO

This podcast is produced by Tribunista

Sponsored by Capital Partners

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Joanna Jensen is the founder of Child's Farm, the hugely successful baby and child skincare company that was recently sold for £40m.

This is one of the most inspiring conversations I’ve had since we launched the podcast. Joanna is a fabulous storyteller, and her enthusiasm is infectious!

Hers is an amazing story of grit, resilience, and sheer determination to succeed against the odds.

Joanna battled cancer, surgery, and a divorce, all while building her business.

She funded it in the early days with credit cards, renting out rooms in her house, and even selling jewellery!

She started the business out of necessity. In fact, 99% of female consumer brand entrepreneurs created their company out of a personal need. They needed something in their own lives that didn't exist, so they started a business to fill the gap in the market—and that’s what Joanna Jensen did to help one of her children who had very sensitive skin. 

• Joanna discusses the importance of sheer hard work, taking complete responsibility for one's decisions, and not blaming others.
• She explains why it’s important to build your ‘tribe’. She found that many other people had similar issues with their children’s skincare and leveraged the press and social media to create a movement of like-minded advocates.
• And as we’re now in the campaigning period for the general election, Joanna has some words of advice for all politicians about the vital importance of SMEs and entrepreneurship in the UK to ensure a vibrant economy—she doesn't mince her words!

There were so many gems of wisdom in this conversation and it should be shared with as many business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs as possible.

Business can be tough and this conversation could  just be the inspiration they need.

I give you Joanna Jensen, one of the UK’s greatest female entrepreneurs.

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannajensenuk/

https://www.childsfarm.com/ 

https://buywomenbuilt.com/

https://femalefoundersrise.com/

This podcast is produced by Tribunista

Sponsored by Capital Partners

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Welcome back to the Bulletproof Entrepreneur podcast, where we delve into the minds of experienced entrepreneurs and uncover their secrets to success.

I’m your host, Alan Smith, and I’m really excited to bring you my conversation with today’s guest, Alexis Sikorsky.

Alexis is an entrepreneur who built a software business from the ground up and eventually negotiated a sale to private equity for over $100m.

I’ve just read his new book, "Cashing Out: A Business Owner’s Guide to Selling to Private Equity".

It’s a great book, as he dives deep into the details of life as a founder—the downs as well as the ups. I encourage you to buy it immediately and read it cover to cover!

During our conversation, Alexis shares lots of great stories, such as

• How he agreed to a sale valuation based on a multiple of his very ambitious future forecasts at a time when his company was barely breaking even.
• He explains Why he thinks that raising capital should be avoided at all costs for most businesses — a very different view from the one held by the VC world, 
• He also outlines the vital importance of being a ‘benevolent dictator’ when growing your business, as democracies simply don't work!

These are only a small sample of the wisdom he shares, forged at the coal face of real-life business building.

It's a master class for all business owners, and we’re privileged to learn from his experiences.

So now, let’s go over to the conversation with my brilliant guest. ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr Alexis Sikorsky.

Links:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/alexis-sikorsky-consulting

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cashing-Out-business-selling-private-ebook/dp/B0CZ148DCJ

This podcast is produced by Tribunista

Sponsored by Capital Partners

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If you’re a business owner who plans to sell your business one day, this episode is essential listening.

Picture this: You've poured years of your life into a business, helping to build it from the ground up, and then the business is sold.

As a result, you receive a seven-figure sum, and you’re financially secure.

Or at least you hoped so.

But then you take the proceeds, decide to invest in a new company, and lose it all.

That’s the situation today’s guest, Jim McLaughlin, experienced when he made an exit several years ago.

If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you’ll have heard entrepreneurs share their journeys of scaling, successfully exiting, and creating economic security for themselves and their families.

But not every story has a happy ending, and I’m grateful for Jim's candid sharing of his story.

It reminded me of the time I met a client who had just sold his company, and I asked him what his biggest financial concern was now - he looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘Losing it all’

Founders know a cash sum at exit often represents years of grind, hard work, and sacrifices. However, they’re immediately faced with big decisions about what to do with the capital.

Unfortunately, Jim made a few errors and is keen to ensure that others learn from them.

• Jim talks about the importance of knowing your numbers and the 3 KPIs he tracked weekly.
• How he was able to be resilient in the face of incredible challenges.
• He also shares the work he’s doing now to help small business owners and the buzz he still gets from it.

He also outlines the most important thing you must do if you sell your business for a significant sum—that advice alone is worth listening to the episode for!

Contact details and Resources Mentioned

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-mclaughlin-b227975/?originalSubdomain=uk

Content hubs | FSB, The Federation of Small Businesses

Who Moved My Cheese: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life

The Wolf of Wall Street eBook : Belfort, Jordan

Think And Grow Rich: Amazon.co.uk: Hill, Napoleon: 9780091900212: Books

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs

This podcast is produced by Tribunista

Sponsored by Capital Partners

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Peter Cowley is one of Europe’s best-known angel investors and active supporters of entrepreneurship. He studied computer science at Cambridge and founded his first company in 1984.

Since then, he’s launched no less than 12 companies, some of which he exited from successfully, some of which failed, and one that is still going over 40 years later.

As one of the UK’s most successful business angels, he’s invested in 76 technology companies, and his book, The Invested Investor, is widely recognised as the business bible for the startup and entrepreneur communities.

But behind his incredible success are a series of dreadful experiences in his private life.

A personal battle with alcoholism, the loss of close family members and tragically, the death by suicide of two of his children.

Sadly, Peter is currently battling Stage 4 cancer and has just published what he expects to be his last book, Public Success, Private Grief, in which he documents his journey, both business and personal.

Peter still has an immense passion for the entrepreneurial community. During our conversation, he offered invaluable advice and insight to anyone building a business or planning to start their journey.

He also details the challenges he’s faced and how he’s managed to keep going despite unfathomable life experiences.

A truly inspiring man and I was honoured to speak with him and share the conversation with you.

Links:

Peter Cowley

Public Success Private Grief: The extraordinary life of an angel investor, cancer patient and dad

Project Cancer — Peter Cowley

Papyrus

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13019244/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alancapital/

This podcast is produced by Tribunista

Sponsored by Capital Partners

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I’m pleased to share a fascinating conversation I had recently with Jeremy Harbour, one of the most successful and experienced entrepreneurs around.

Jeremy is a born entrepreneur who started selling jeans, watches, and even Cadbury creme eggs at age 11! 

He left school at 15 and has gone on to build, buy, and sell multiple companies. He’s currently more active than ever through his company and network, The Harbour Club.

Jeremy has deep insight into the strategies and tactics needed to build value and think beyond the traditional model of organic growth, one client at a time.

During our conversation

• He described the three levers of business growth and introduced a fourth, often overlooked lever, which can be a game changer for many entrepreneurs.
• He talks about business failure and the two vital lessons he learned when things didn't work out as planned. As any business owner knows, disappointment is an inevitable part of the journey, so knowing how to manage it is vital.
• He also shares the specific tactics you can deploy as you prepare your business for a successful sale, including one idea that any entrepreneur can use that could increase your profits by 40%. That idea alone will ensure that this episode will be an excellent investment of your time.

A high-energy entrepreneur and a wonderful storyteller, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr Jeremy Harbour.

Links

Jeremy Harbour

Harbour Club

The Harbour Club by Jeremy Harbour - LEARN HOW TO BUY AND SELL BUSINESSES FOR A LIVING | LinkedIn 

Jeremy Harbour (@harbour.jeremy) • Instagram photos and videos

Go Do Deals: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Buying & Selling Businesses eBook : Harbour, Jeremy: Amazon.co.uk: Books

https://www.bizbuysell.com/

This podcast is produced by Tribunista

Sponsored by Capital Partners

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Let me set the scene by telling you that one of my all-time favourite TV shows is "Succession”. It's a fascinating tale of a wealthy family wrapped up in the complexities of their business empire led by the founder and patriarch, Logan Roy, brilliantly portrayed by the actor Brian Cox.

If you haven't watched it yet, I highly recommend you do. But let me give you a quick overview: "Succession" is not just about wealth and power; it's a saga of business intrigue, sibling rivalry, and the delicate art of succession planning.

Now, while most of us may not hail from billionaire clans in New York, family businesses are a cornerstone of our economy.

90% of private enterprises in the UK are family-run, employing nearly 14 million people and generating over £1.7 trillion in annual turnover. They're the backbone of British entrepreneurship.

These businesses may be owned and managed by a couple, there may be siblings or other generations involved, or they could simply be run by one owner-founder who will usually bring with him or her some level of personal family dynamics.

Yet, despite their prevalence, the intricacies of family businesses often remain unexplored. That's why I'm excited to introduce today's guest, Russ Haworth.

Russ is the UK’s leading authority on family businesses. A former financial planner who now runs his own consultancy business, providing advice and insight to families as they navigate the inevitable challenges faced by business owners and those closest to them.

• During our conversation, Russ shares his experiences exploring the human side of the business which is  even more important than the financial side of an organisation.
• We discuss the tricky subject of wealthy business owners and their choices  about whether or not to help their children financially - or to allow them to carve out their own path in life. This is something that comes up regularly in my conversations with successful entrepreneurs and is an important issue.
• And Russ explains why it’s important to have what he calls a ‘lifeboat drill’ -  a form of dress rehearsal to make sure that the family and the business can be well prepared to meet any future challenge, expected or unexpected.

Family businesses exist at the intersection of money, business, emotions - and the family itself, so there are few more complex and challenging institutions.

And there are millions of them across the country!

It’s a fascinating and important subject, and Russ is a proven expert in all the nuances and complexities.

Now, discussing everything you need to know about the family business, ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr Russ Haworth.  

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellhaworth/?originalSubdomain=uk 

https://familybusinesspartnership.com/ 

https://www.questforlegitimacy.com/ 

https://fambizpodcast.com

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wealth-3-0-Future-Family-Advising-ebook/dp/B0CBJ41FYR 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Family-Wealth-Bloomberg-Hughes/dp/1119453216

This podcast is produced by Tribunista

Sponsored by Capital Partners