Get motivated to challenge the status quo with 23-year-old Steven Bartlett, founder of Social Chain, as he shares raw stories of failure, creativity, and building one of the UK’s most talked-about agencies against all odds.

Steven Bartlett, Founder & CEO, Social Chain

Twitter: @StevenBartlettSC

Website: socialchain.com (may no longer be active)

Join host Max for an eye-opening interview with Steven Bartlett, a self-made entrepreneur who went from being expelled from school and living in poverty to running one of the UK’s largest influencer marketing agencies—before turning 24. Steven’s unconventional path is proof that disruption and bold thinking can trump traditional routes to success. In this candid conversation, Steven reflects on his early hustles organizing sold-out student events, why he believes asking is everything, and the mindset that helped him secure investment, break into consulting for global brands, and ultimately build Social Chain from scratch.

This episode dives deep into how Steven leveraged social media communities to create influence, why cultivating an internal locus of control is essential, and how reimagining work culture leads to exceptional results. Steven and Max also unpack the role of creativity in entrepreneurship, the power of failing fast, and why happiness—not just achievement—should define success. If you’ve ever questioned whether the “normal” path is right for you, this discussion delivers real-world lessons and the inspiration to carve your own.

Note: This podcast is no longer active and was originally published before 2016. Links and contact details may be out of date, but the conversation still holds valuable insights today.

Key Points

• Steven shares how being expelled from school and dropping out of university shaped his rebellious mindset (19:02, 23:09)
• Early hustles running underage club nights taught him to spot opportunity and build from scratch (04:13, 06:29)
• The principle: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get”—and how it landed him free equipment and game-changing introductions (08:42, 09:41)
• Why believing success depends on yourself, not external circumstances, is crucial (11:30)
• Building influence by creating and owning social media communities was the foundation for Social Chain (16:07, 36:19)
• Rejecting conventional career paths and betting that “everyone else was wrong” (21:00, 25:30)
• How poverty and hardship fueled his entrepreneurial ambition, not fear or self-doubt (28:34, 30:37)
• Startup lessons: hiring, partnering, and “learning by doing” instead of chasing perfection (33:40, 51:23)
• Social Chain’s growth strategy—acquiring digital communities and focusing on storytelling over metrics (45:54, 58:13)
• Creating an open, autonomous, and fun work culture by treating employees as trusted partners, not robots (56:05, 62:05)

Top 3 Takeaways

• Challenge conventional wisdom—don’t be afraid to forge your own path even when everyone else disagrees.
• Don’t wait for permission: Asking boldly and being proactive creates opportunities others miss.
• Build from first principles and focus on creative problem-solving, not just following proven formulas.

Links & Resources

• Social Chain: socialchain.com
• Billions in Change (documentary recommendation)
• Articles from Huffington Post (Steven Bartlett contributor)
• Handpicked book mention: References to Steve Jobs and Elon Musk for inspiration

Quotes

“Sometimes you can just ask for things and ask people for help and there’s nothing really to lose in doing so. If they say no, you’re in the position you were in when you started—but if they say yes, you’ve taken a step forward.”

“Being at the bottom and trying is much worse than being average and settled. I was as happy then as I am now, even when I...

Discover the mindset shifts and practical routines that fuel business breakthroughs, personal resilience, and authentic entrepreneurial happiness.

Niyc Pidgeon, Founder & CEO of Optimal You, international success coach, author, and winner of the Sage Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 award. Website: nickpigeon.com

Join host Julian Hall and guest Niyc Pidgeon as they explore the philosophies, strategies, and pivotal moments that define a meaningful entrepreneurial journey. Recorded while Niyc was based in Australia, this conversation blends the science of positive psychology with the practical wisdom of someone who has navigated career pivots, personal hardship, and business growth. Niyc opens up about her journey from Newcastle to launching global ventures, and how finding her voice—and investing deeply in self-development—became the cornerstone of her coaching empire.

In this episode, you’ll hear about the critical importance of mindset in business, lessons learned from near-burnout and adversity, and the story of how Niyc once made Elon Musk cry in a live, international conversation. Other highlights include the role of mentors in accelerating growth, letting go of the status quo, and practical routines for balancing ambition with well-being.

Whether you’re a new founder or a creative entrepreneur looking for clarity, the strategies and stories shared here will encourage you to embrace risk, cultivate optimism, and create value from the inside out.

Note: This podcast is no longer active and was originally published before 2016. Links and contact details may be out of date, but the conversation still holds valuable insights today.

Key Points

• How following personal passion, not just profit, drives sustainable entrepreneurship (00:04:30)
• Using adversity—including bullying and health crises—as fuel for growth and positive change (00:10:07)
• The importance of investing in self-development and coaching, even when it feels risky (00:26:41)
• Lessons on rebelling against societal expectations around career, money, and life paths (00:08:00)
• The transformative power of sharing your own story and building a personal brand (00:20:43)
• Mindset tools from positive psychology for overcoming self-doubt and activating breakthroughs (00:39:43)
• Starting every day with gratitude and morning rituals to boost clarity and productivity (00:44:55)
• Embracing risk: going all-in on purpose-driven projects, even without financial safety nets (00:37:41)
• Delegation and focus: learning to grow businesses by letting go and avoiding burnout (00:17:30)
• Why happiness and fulfillment are the real measures of success, not just external achievements (00:49:36)

Top 3 Takeaways

• Invest in yourself first—mentorship, coaching, and education pay long-term dividends in both business and life.
• Embrace setbacks and adversity as powerful lessons—they can catalyze your self-expression and professional growth.
• Start and end each day with gratitude; small mindset shifts compound into resilience, confidence, and authentic success.

Links & Resources

• Niyc Pidgeon: nickpigeon.com
• Thrive Live events
• Book: "Now Is Your Chance" by Niyc Pidgeon
• Background on Positive Psychology (various academic resources referenced in conversation)
• Young Enterprise program

Quotes

"For me, it's about following your passion and doing what you love. You decide when your journey starts. Everything is temporary and you can create whatever you want, but never get used to it."

"When there's something inside of you that knows that this is going to be the breakthrough for you, you've got to go for it. You've got to take that risk and go all in. Because that's when the magic happens."

"I believe that life is to be enjoyed to its fullest and I...

Discover the power of hard graft, process-driven thinking, and overcoming failure in entrepreneurship.

John Richardson – Serial Entrepreneur, Author, Consultant

Twitter: @johnrichardson

Website: johnrichardson.com (may be inactive)

In this episode, host Max sits down with John Richardson, a renowned entrepreneur who built Ireland’s largest sandwich shop empire by age 28, lost it all before turning 30, and then went on to found several seven-figure businesses. John shares his journey from early ventures in hospitality and retail to becoming a best-selling author and highly respected consultant for coffee shops and small businesses across the UK.

The conversation covers John’s philosophy on market selection, how to use content and expertise to build credibility, and why focusing on financial foundations is essential for entrepreneurs. John also discusses how his passion project in golf became a best-selling book and a film-in-progress, illustrating the importance of process, adaptability, and storytelling in both business and personal development.

Listeners will take away practical strategies for finding profitable niches, scaling expertise, and building resilient businesses that can adapt to fast-changing markets. John’s insights are grounded in real-world experience, offering both inspiration and actionable advice for anyone in business or considering the entrepreneurial path.

Note: This podcast is no longer active and was originally published before 2016. Links and contact details may be out of date, but the conversation still holds valuable insights today.

• John Richardson’s entrepreneurial path: from running 19 businesses across hospitality, retail, and online to building specialized expertise in coffee shops and golf (04:29)
• The critical importance of understanding financials and systems—why focusing on “the money” comes first (15:04)
• How to rebound from total business failure, and why early setbacks can drive long-term success (16:24)
• Process-driven consulting: developing and repeatedly refining business models and frameworks (16:58)
• Identifying profitable niches: why John chose the coffee shop industry and how he validated demand (19:45)
• Authority through content: writing books, public speaking, and leveraging storytelling to build a consulting brand (21:35)
• The difference between genuinely valuable expertise and superficial advice—plus John’s “hundred words for every one you speak” knowledge ethos (32:43)
• John's “Dream On” golf experiment: using research and systems to achieve ambitious goals, and how sporting challenges inform his business philosophy (37:33)
• Productivity and goal achievement: practical routines, time-blocking, and focusing energy where it truly matters (43:06)
• Rethinking “strengths and weaknesses”: why entrepreneurs must address weaknesses and not just double down on passions (64:53)
• Failure and setbacks are often the springboard for future innovation; treat every challenge as a learning opportunity.
• Build authority by combining practical know-how with storytelling—don’t just teach the theory, share real-world experiences.
• To identify a profitable niche, look for markets with demonstrated growth, ongoing demand, and customers willing to pay for substantial results.
• Dream On by John Richardson (Best-selling book about his golf quest)
• The Language of Leaders by Kevin Murray
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek (discussed critically)
• Work by Dan Kennedy (approach to selling information)
• Seve Ballesteros Short Game Video
• Evernote (tool for organization and productivity)

“For every word that you speak on your subject, you should know a hundred more.”

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