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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 GR Media
Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

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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 GR Media
Sponsored by Capital Asset Management

Send us a Text Message.

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 GR Media
Sponsored by Capital Asset Management