Send us Fan Mail

On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with John Fees, Co-Founder and CEO of GradGuard. After more than two decades as a serial entrepreneur, John has built and successfully exited multiple companies, including businesses acquired by Viacom and JPMorgan Chase, before founding GradGuard, a fintech company providing financial protection products for students and families navigating higher education.

Let’s dive in,
 With John Fees: 

• Why John identified the financial risks facing students and families as a problem worth solving
• How GradGuard was born from John's previous experience in university software and student lending
• Why his earlier exits to Viacom and JPMorgan Chase changed the way he approached building GradGuard
• Why John chose strategic partners over traditional venture capital for GradGuard
• How GradGuard grew from its first university partnerships to more than 750
• Why it took five years to reach the first 150 universities
• How GradGuard built insurance products designed specifically around the realities of student life
• How GradGuard redesigned tuition and renters insurance around students and families
• How he designed his life around being a founder, husband and father of five
• Why sleep, exercise and time in nature are essential to his performance
• The biggest challenges facing higher education, including declining enrolment and AI
• Why John believes AI could actually make education more affordable
• The future of human skills, credentials and university education
• Why John believes business leaders have a responsibility to think beyond shareholders
• The role of values, ethics and stakeholder responsibility in modern business
• Why long-term thinking matters in both business and life
• The importance of mentors, fellowship and asking for help
• The business systems John recommends for founders moving from Level 3 to Level 5
• What John believes founders need to measure as they scale

If you're a founder, business owner or leader considering offshore staffing, or you're already using an offshore team, this episode is packed with practical lessons on people, culture, leadership, ethical business, and building a company from the ground up.

Connect with John Fees:
Website: https://gradguard.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntfees

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level. 

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Natalie Roberts, Founder of Tala Offshore. After 17 years building a career in public practice and corporate finance, including serving as CFO of a multi-million-dollar international technology company, Natalie walked away from it all to build the kind of offshore staffing company she wished existed. 

Let’s dive in,
With Natalie Roberts: 

• Why she walked away from a 17-year career in finance to start again from zero
• The problems she saw inside the offshore staffing industry
• Why her own experience with offshore providers convinced her to build Tala
• How Tala pays above-market rates while building a sustainable business
• Why employee wellbeing is at the centre of Tala’s business model
• The unexpected things Tala provides to improve employees' lives
• How to convince clients to care about people, not just price
• Building and managing a business across Australia and the Philippines
• The software and infrastructure challenges holding Tala back from scaling
• How to build a consistent company culture across two countries
• What life actually looks like as a Level 1 founder
• How Natalie balances entrepreneurship, family and competitive bodybuilding
• The moment with a team member that reminded her exactly why she started Tala
• What Natalie would do differently if she were starting again
• Her ultimate vision for Tala Offshore

If you're a founder, business owner or leader considering offshore staffing, or you're already using an offshore team, this episode is packed with practical lessons on people, culture, leadership, ethical business, and building a company from the ground up.

Connect with Natalie Roberts:
Website: https://www.talaoffshore.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-roberts-7a6561151/ 

The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 

This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level. 

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Eirik Holth, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Black Sheep Coffee. The brand that grew from a trestle table and a rented coffee machine into an international business with more than 100 stores across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the United States.

LEVEL 6: $100M-$500M. Governance, Data & Serious Infrastructure.  

After quitting his corporate job with no business name, no retail experience, and just £20,000 to get started, Eirik built Black Sheep Coffee by challenging industry convention at every turn. Eirik bet the business on specialty-grade Robusta coffee when the industry insisted Arabica was the only premium option. His journey is packed with unconventional decisions that paid off. 

We asked him about building a global brand, leading international expansion, creating a culture of continuous improvement, why founders shouldn't blindly follow industry playbooks, and how to scale without losing what made your business successful in the first place. 

Let’s dive in, 
with Eirik Holth: 

• Why he quit his job before he even had a business name 
• The contrarian bet on Robusta coffee that built Black Sheep Coffee 
• Why he shut down the only profitable part of the business overnight 
• How to make faster decisions with a co-founder 
• Why copying your competitors guarantees you'll always be behind 
• Building teams organically instead of hiring from an org chart 
• What continuous improvement actually looks like inside a global business 
• The systems, data and KPIs driving international expansion 
• How franchising forced Black Sheep Coffee to become a better operator 
• Why being slightly better at everything beats having one big competitive advantage 

If you're a founder, business owner or leader trying to scale beyond startup mode, this episode is packed with practical lessons on decision making, international growth, leadership, systems and building a brand that can compete globally. 

Connect with Eirik Holth:
Website: https://blacksheepcoffee.co.uk/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eholth 

The Business Game is proud to partner with GoHighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses GoHighLevel’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 

This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level. 

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Boaz Gilad, Founder of Zenith Clubhouse, author of The Zenith Code, and host of the Unmask Podcast. After spending more than 20 years building and leading a New York real estate company—including taking it public—Boaz shifted his focus to helping entrepreneurs, executives, and high performers unlock their full potential through disciplined execution and practical 90-day performance systems. 

Rather than relying on motivation or inspiration, Boaz believes success comes from clarity, accountability, and building systems that help you consistently execute. His work challenges many of the myths surrounding performance, leadership, and personal growth, helping people create meaningful results across business and life. 

We asked him about why inspiration is overrated, how top performers think differently, the power of 90-day goals, overcoming fear, making career pivots, and why learning to let go might be the most important skill any founder can develop. 
 

Let’s dive in,
with Boaz Gilad: 

• Why inspiration isn't what creates top performers 
• The misconceptions that hold ambitious people back 
• How the 90-day performance system creates lasting results 
• Why every founder needs accountability—not motivation 
• The biggest mistake successful people make outside of business 
• Why fear of letting go keeps entrepreneurs trapped 
• The surprising mindset shift that changes how you approach success 
• How to make major career pivots with confidence 
• Why practicing "being insignificant" can transform your life and leadership 
• What winning in business—and life—really looks like 
  If you're a founder, business owner, executive, or entrepreneur looking to improve your mindset, build stronger habits, and perform at a higher level, this episode is packed with practical lessons on discipline, accountability, leadership, personal growth, and creating systems that help you consistently win. 

Connect with Boaz Gilad:
Website: https://www.zenithclubhouse.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boaz-gilad-2237954 

The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 

This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level. 

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Maddi Barnett and Michael Dunn, the husband-and-wife founders of InKindle, an Australian preconception health brand born from their own IVF and fertility journey. 

After experiencing years of IVF, pregnancy loss, and the uncertainty that comes with trying to conceive, Maddi and Michael discovered a gap in the market: there were plenty of products supporting pregnancy and babies, but far fewer focused specifically on preconception health and supporting the mum before pregnancy. 

With no background in health supplements or e-commerce, they decided to build the product they wished they had during their own journey... turning a deeply personal experience into a purpose-driven business. 

We asked them about building a business around a problem they personally experienced, how they knew when to take the leap, why being the customer themselves gave them confidence, and what it really takes to build a business from scratch while balancing full-time careers and family. 

Let’s dive in,
With Maddi & Michael: 

• How their IVF journey became the inspiration for InKindle 
• Why they decided to build the product they wished they had 
• What it means to be the customer of your own business 
• Why you don't actually know if your business will work 
• How to turn a personal problem into a business opportunity 
• The importance of solving a problem that you have personally experienced 
• Why “done is better than perfect” 
• How they built a business with no background in supplements or e-commerce 
• The challenges of building a business around a problem people may not know they have 
• How customer feedback became one of their biggest measures of success 
• What their first customers taught them about the market 
• Why they believe “different is different” 
• How they balance business, careers, family and building InKindle 
• The lessons their IVF journey taught them about resilience and business 
• What failure means to them as entrepreneurs 
• What it takes to keep going when you don't know if it's going to work 

If you're a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone interested in turning a personal experience into a business, this episode is packed with honest lessons about starting from scratch, solving real problems, and having the courage to give an idea a crack, this episode is for you. 

Connect with Maddi Barnett and Michael Dunn:
Website: https://inkindle.com.au 
Instagram: @InKindle 

The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 

This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level. 

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Andrew Sparks, Founder of exyt® and creator of Exit OS — a practical operating system designed to help founder-led businesses remove owner dependence, build stronger leadership teams, and scale without the founder becoming the bottleneck. 

After leaving school at just 15 to become a plumber, Andrew built multiple successful businesses before studying psychology and performance, combining decades of real-world business experience with human behaviour to create a framework that helps founders reclaim their time and build businesses that can run without them. 

We asked him about the "Second Stage Squeeze" that traps so many business owners, why working harder eventually stops working, how to build accountability into a growing company, hiring great leaders, creating systems that scale, and what it really takes to build a business that gives you both time and financial freedom. 

Let’s dive in, 

with Andrew Sparks: 

• Why leaving school at 15 became the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey 
• The "Second Stage Squeeze" that traps founders as their businesses grow 
• Why working harder eventually becomes your biggest bottleneck 
• How to stop being the person every decision depends on 
• Building leadership teams that actually take ownership 
• Why most businesses accidentally create a prison for the founder 
• The psychology behind scaling a business without losing control 
• How Exit OS helps founders reclaim 10-20 hours every week 
• Why hiring exceptional people is the closest thing to a business cheat code 
• What true success looks like beyond revenue and growth 

If you're a founder, business owner, or entrepreneur who feels like your business can't function without you, this episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, delegation, systems, accountability, hiring, and building a business that creates freedom instead of burnout. 

Connect with Andrew Sparks:
Website: myexyt.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theandrewsparks 

The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 

This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level. 

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Sahil Nijhawan, CEO of Nexus DMC Oceania and an entrepreneur who has spent more than 20 years building businesses across travel, real estate, construction, AI, and consumer brands. 

LEVEL 5: $30M-$100M: Executive Layer and Divisions 

When COVID brought the global travel industry to a complete standstill, Sahil lost the business he had spent years building. With no income and no clear path forward, he went from leading a thriving company to stacking shelves at Coles at 4am, working in supermarkets, teaching short courses, and rebuilding his life one step at a time. 

Today, Sahil leads Nexus DMC Oceania, helping power a global travel platform supporting 190,000 travel agents across 18 countries, while simultaneously building and investing in AI-native businesses designed for the future. 

We asked him about overcoming failure, scaling multiple businesses at once, using AI to multiply your time, why community matters more than ever in an AI-driven world, and what it really takes to become fearless as a founder. 

Let's dive in, 
With Sahil Nijhawan: 

• How COVID wiped out his business almost overnight 
• Why working in a supermarket became one of the greatest lessons of his life 
• The mindset shift that made him fearless as an entrepreneur 
• How Nexus supports 190,000 travel agents globally 
• Why founders must stop being the bottleneck 
• How his AI assistant "Nova" helps manage multiple businesses 
• Why persistence matters more than talent or timing 
• The importance of building community in an AI-first world 
• How to scale businesses without losing local trust and relationships 
• The lessons he learned from building, losing, and rebuilding everything 

If you're a founder, business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur looking for a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and building businesses that can survive almost anything, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned lessons. 

Connect with Sahil Nijhawan:
Website: https://www.nexusdmc.com/cp/oceania-dmc-21557
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sahil-nijhawan-2018aba 

The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 

This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level. 

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Jonathan Aberman, Founder and CEO of Hupside, a venture capitalist turned entrepreneur who has spent more than 25 years helping launch over 40 technology companies and advising founders on what separates good businesses from truly exceptional ones. 

LEVEL 2: $1M-$3M Dollars. First Teams, First Systems 

After decades investing in innovation, Jonathan returned to the founder's seat with a bold mission: to prove that in a world increasingly powered by AI, the greatest competitive advantage isn't artificial intelligence, it's human originality. 

We asked him whether AI is really replacing people, why originality is becoming the most valuable business asset, the common traits shared by successful founders, why self-awareness matters more than confidence, and what it takes to build a company that stands out instead of blending in. 

Let's dive in,  
With Jonathan Aberman: 

• Why AI is becoming a "sameness engine" for business 
• Why originality will become the biggest competitive advantage of the AI era 
• The founder trait Jonathan says every successful entrepreneur shares 
• Why self-awareness beats confidence every time 
• The biggest reason great business ideas never become great companies 
• Why timing matters just as much as execution 
• Why entrepreneurs need people who tell them the truth 
• The hidden downside of wealth that nobody talks about 
• Why building on top of AI platforms could be a dangerous strategy 
• How Jonathan is trying to build a company that changes the future of work 

If you're a founder, entrepreneur, business owner, or anyone trying to understand how AI will reshape business over the next decade, this episode is packed with practical insights, thought-provoking ideas, and a refreshing perspective on why humans still matter most. 

Connect with Jonathan Aberman:
Website: https://www.hupside.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanaberman/ 

The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 

This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level. 

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Miranda McLennan, Founder of Those Who Dare Agency and what many would call the queen of reinvention. 

Level 1: STARTUP & SURVIVAL STAGE: $0M – 1M  

After spending more than 15 years building businesses across hospitality, fashion, aviation, construction and business consulting, including co-founding an award-winning restaurant in the Italian Dolomites, Miranda has built a career by saying yes to opportunities, trusting her intuition, and reinventing herself whenever life called for it. 

Today, she's launching Those Who Dare Agency, helping creators, brands and media personalities build meaningful long-term commercial partnerships while proving that sometimes the biggest opportunities come when you take the leap before you're ready. 

We asked her about pivoting careers, walking away from successful businesses, building community, launching a business prematurely, and why having great people around you matters more than having the perfect plan. 

Let's dive in,  
With Miranda McLennan: 

• Why Miranda has reinvented herself time and time again throughout her career 
• How a 12-month trip to Italy turned into five years and an award-winning restaurant 
• The lessons she learned from building a business in Europe and working with luxury brands like Porsche and Audi 
• Why saying no can be just as powerful as saying yes in business 
• How ChatGPT helped her discover the business she was meant to build 
• Why nothing in business or life is permanent 
• The biggest advantage of surrounding yourself with great people 
• What founders need to hear before launching their next big idea 
• Why community involvement has become one of her greatest passions 
• What it really means to be one of "Those Who Dare" 

If you're a founder who's considering a pivot, waiting for the perfect time to launch, or wondering whether it's too late to reinvent yourself, this episode will give you the confidence to back yourself and take the next step. 

Connect with Miranda McLennan:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/miranda-mclennan-2039b6166 

The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 

This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level. 

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Darragh de Stonndún, CEO of Automated Industrial Robotics (AIR), a global automation company with more than 550 people across the US, UK, and Ireland. 

Darragh is doing business at Level 7: $500M-$1B - The Global Expansion Stage 

Over the past 25 years, Darragh has helped transform AIR from a collection of regional engineering businesses into a global automation platform. Today, he’s leading the company through its next phase of integrating acquisitions across multiple countries, embracing physical AI, and preparing for a future where the data generated by industrial robots could become more valuable than the robots themselves. 

We asked him about scaling a company across borders, why AI doesn’t scare him, the biggest mistakes businesses make when adopting new technology, and how leaders can build organisations that thrive without them. 

Let’s dive in,  
With Darragh de Stonndún: 

• Why staying a regional business would have cost AIR everything 
• The leadership shift required to manage teams across three countries 
• Why physical AI and humanoid robotics will transform manufacturing 
• The real reason AI should excite, not scare, business leaders 
• Why taking shortcuts with AI could become incredibly dangerous 
• How Darragh built an iPhone app in four hours without writing a single line of code 
• Why industrial data may soon become more valuable than the machines themselves 
• The advantage smaller companies have over billion-dollar competitors 
• How AIR maintains agility while scaling globally 
• What winning in business looks like when you're no longer the person making every decision 

Connect with Darragh de Stonndún:
Website: https://industrialrobotics.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/darraghdestonndun 

If you're a founder, business owner, leader, or simply curious about where AI, robotics, and manufacturing are heading, this episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, innovation, and scaling a business on a global stage. 

The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 

This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business.

Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap.

For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework?
Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com

It's time to Level Up!

We’ll see you at the next level.