In this episode of the First Buck podcast, host Nic Cary interviews Anne Boden, founder and former CEO of Starling Bank. Boden shares her journey as an entrepreneur and offers insights and advice for early-stage entrepreneurs. She discusses her first job at Lloyd's Bank, the importance of perseverance and taking risks, and the challenges she faced in starting her own bank. Boden also talks about her upcoming book, "The Female Founders Playbook," which provides guidance for female entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the need to hire for strengths rather than weaknesses and highlights the importance of embracing stress and seeking inspiration from other entrepreneurs' stories.  Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Anne Boden's career journey: from Lloyd's Bank to founding Starling Bank Perseverance and taking risks: why they are crucial for entrepreneurs Challenges of starting a bank: insights into the hurdles Boden faced and overcame Advice for early-stage entrepreneurs: practical tips from Boden’s own experiences The female founders playbook: an overview of Boden’s upcoming book and what readers can expect Hiring for strengths: the importance of building a team based on strengths rather than compensating for weaknesses Embracing stress: how to manage and leverage stress for success Seeking inspiration: the value of learning from other entrepreneurs' journeys    

Nic interviews Lisa Jacobs, the CEO of Funding Circle. Lisa discusses her journey as an entrepreneur and offers insights into the world of small business lending. She shares her experiences of earning her first money through odd jobs and building websites, and how those early experiences shaped her interest in small businesses. She also talks about her time in management consulting and the valuable skills she gained, such as problem-solving and receiving feedback. Lisa emphasizes the importance of taking calculated risks and shares her own experience of leaving a secure job to join Funding Circle. She also discusses the changing landscape of small businesses over the past decade, highlighting the increase in resilience and the shift towards online businesses. Lisa provides advice on managing stress as an entrepreneur, including taking care of oneself and seeking support from mentors and advisors. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of agility, seeking feedback, and finding a balance between work and personal well-being. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: About the peaks and valleys of earning money while working in small businesses The value and importance of taking calculated risks and seeking feedback The role of self-care in the entrepreneurial journey How finding a mentor and other key figures to talk to for support can help you build resilience as an entrepreneur

Nic interviews Clif Marriott, Marriott, co-head of the TMT group at Goldman Sachs International and a Board Member at Sky's the Limit. Clif shares his experiences and insights on entrepreneurship and building successful teams. He also discusses his early entrepreneurial ventures, such as selling lemons and working as a paperboy, and how these experiences ultimately shaped his career. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Why is it important to take risks and seek out new opportunities in your professional journey How can you go about financing a business? What does successful team-building entail? How can you manage the stress that comes with ambitious careers?

In this podcast episode, Nic interviews Raena Saddler, the director of Product for Youth Wellbeing and Equity at Meta (formerly Facebook), where she leads teams to focus on making Meta's products more equitable and inclusive and supporting teams to create a positive, safe and an age appropriate experience online. Prior to this role, she was VP of product and managing director at Cheryl Sandberg's Lean in Foundation. In her more than six years there, she helped develop initiatives that raise awareness of critical issues to advancing women at work and developed programs to help companies build equitable and inclusive workspaces. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How Raena built a technology career that enabled her to get closer to mission-oriented work What is the importance of finding mentors and sponsors who believe in your skills and can help you advance in your career? How can proactive problem-solving and creating an inclusive and empowering work environment change the game for everyone? What is the importance of authenticity in relationships and careers? Raena's advice for working moms, including the value of prioritizing and presence

Nic Cary interviews Michael Sharff, the global head of Communications at PA Consulting. They discuss Michael's journey from working in a pet store to his current role in global communications. Michael shares his experiences and offers advice for young adults and entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the importance of taking risks, being open to new opportunities, and constantly learning and adapting. He also discusses the value of understanding customers and building relationships with them, as well as the importance of networking and building a support system. The episode concludes with a discussion on staying informed and recommended reading. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: The importance of taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone in your career How to practice talking about your interests and experiences to potential employers The value of surrounding yourself with the right teammates and mentors The importance of staying informed and continuously learning in a rapidly changing world The significance of understanding and connecting with customers in order to succeed as an entrepreneur or founder

In this episode of the First Buck podcast, host Nic Cary interviews Gabriele Barbera, head of Global Sales for Hewlett-Packard (HP). Gabriele shares his journey from starting his own business as a teenager to working for Accenture and eventually joining HP. He emphasizes the importance of sales skills and mentality, highlighting the need to understand and prioritize the needs of customers. Gabriele also discusses the value of taking risks, seeking feedback, and being open to change. He advises entrepreneurs to challenge themselves, hire people who are different from them, and listen to their instincts when making decisions. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of mentorship and the benefits of seeking diverse perspectives. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: The importance of sales skills and mentality in entrepreneurship The need to understand and prioritize customer needs The value of being open to positive criticism and feedback Taking calculated risks and not being afraid to challenge the status quo The importance of agility and the ability to adapt to change  The benefits of seeking diverse perspectives and challenging oneself The significance of listening to one's instincts and making decisions with the available information The importance of momentum and taking action rather than waiting for perfection

In this episode of the First Buck podcast, host Nic Cary interviews Mohamed Junaid, "Jay", co-founder of Supersight, a company that uses large language models to analyze crypto and finance data. Jay shares his journey as an entrepreneur, starting with his first venture in e-commerce and his experience working at JP Morgan and Deloitte. He emphasizes the importance of saving money, finding smart people to work with, and focusing on the customer. Jay also discusses the role of social capital and mentors in his career and offers advice on managing the stress of starting and growing a business. The episode concludes with a discussion of Supersight and its vision for bringing transparency and context to crypto networks. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Jay shares his journey of earning his first pound and starting his entrepreneurial career He emphasizes the importance of saving money and investing in oneself - Jay discusses the significance of finding the right people to work with, including co-founders and mentors He highlights the value of social capital and building a network of support Jay introduces his new venture, Supersight, which focuses on large language models and crypto finance products

Jeff Lynn is the Co-founder and Chairman of Seedrs, a company that connects investors with growth-focused European startups. He began his entrepreneurial journey with Seedrs 15 years ago and, prior to that, had a career as a corporate lawyer.  Jeff is also the Co-founder of Startup Coalition, a nonprofit that pushes for policies that support UK tech startups. Business Insider recognized him as one of the top 10 “Coolest People in UK Tech,” and GQ previously included Jeff in their list of “The 100 Most Influential Men in Britain.” In this episode… Risk-taking is virtually inseparable from entrepreneurship. Launching a business comes with varied unknowns that can hinder aspiring entrepreneurs from taking a leap of faith. Taking entrepreneurial risks can indeed come with substantial costs. However, these risks can also provide the momentum you will later reflect on as pivotal in your entrepreneurial journey.  Jeff Lynn, a UK-based entrepreneur, is well acquainted with taking business risks. In his experience, 90% of risks taken don’t garner rewarding outcomes. However, risk-taking strategies that aren’t successful help guide you to the 10% that glean a successful ROI. Jeff’s account of how he pitched the first regulated crowdfunding platform to investors highlights some of the risks entrepreneurs face in their ventures. On this episode of The First Buck podcast, Nicolas Cary welcomes Jeff Lynn, Co-founder and Chairman of Seedrs, to discuss the lessons Jeff learned in his 15-year entrepreneurial journey. Jeff recounts his transition out of the legal industry, the risks he took to bring Seedrs to fruition, and how a business deal with a high-profile athlete reaped benefits for both parties. Jeff also shares interviewing best practices, mentorship expectations, and the importance of community in entrepreneurship. 

Juanita Gonzalez-Uribe is an Associate Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a world-leading university dedicated to educating students in the social sciences. Juanita’s research focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, and private equity. Her literature has been published in academic journals, including The Review of Financial Studies and The Journal of Financial Economics, and she has received awards such as the Jaime Fernandez de Araoz Prize for “Best Paper in Empirical Corporate Finance,” the Coller PhD Prize, and the Kauffman Dissertation Fellowship. Juanita is also the recipient of several research grants. In this episode… Growing a business is much like experimenting. As entrepreneurs begin the journey of building and launching their businesses, they will discover both favorable and limiting processes. Learning how your business responds to certain variables can increase its valuation. The problem is  that too few enterprises have access to resources that allow them to take risks, a concept known as capability constraints. Juanita Gonzalez-Uribe, an expert in entrepreneurship and innovation, recognizes that business owners experience these constraints due to not being taught how to navigate these limitations in an educational environment. While an entrepreneurial curriculum could benefit business owners, learning from experience is fundamental to mitigating capability constraints that naturally occur in the industry. On this episode of The First Buck, Nicolas Cary welcomes Juanita Gonzalez-Uribe, an Associate Professor at LSE, to discuss her research on how mitigating capability restraints increases entrepreneurial potential. Juanita shares resources available to entrepreneurs seeking mentorship, creative funding strategies, and how to build a complementary team. Her entrepreneurial background encourages aspiring and veteran business owners wherever they find themselves on their journey.

Michelle Parsons is a Product Executive in Residence at Product School, the global leader in product training with a growing community of 2 million product professionals. Michelle has leveraged her 15 years in the industry to develop product management certification programs to help product creators achieve their career goals. As a product leader knowledgeable in search, discovery, and personalization, Michelle has implemented solutions and created user-centric products for leading consumer tech companies, including Netflix, Spotify, and Hinge, a mobile dating app. She is also a board member for Sky’s the Limit. In this episode… A business' main objective is to convince consumers why their product is a necessity, and many entities will go to any length to attract as many patrons as possible. Conducting business that is strictly transactional causes missed opportunities. These missed opportunities include the ability to provide a personalized customer experience. Neglecting the user experience can cause your audience to become disinterested and disengaged from your brand. What can you do to avoid this oversight and ensure maximum consumer engagement?  Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs without a seasoned reputation must strategize ways to build personal connections with customers. Michelle Parsons, a product advisor, believes business owners severely underestimate the impact of user research on brand success. Understanding who your audience is and why they resonate with your brand encourages personalized relationships, helping you gain loyal customers.  On this episode of The First Buck Podcast, Nicolas Cary welcomes Michelle Parsons, a Product Executive in Residence at Product School, to discuss how establishing a personalized connection with customers fosters a thriving company. An anecdote divulging how Michelle improved Hinge’s user experience and its effect on brand growth highlights how a personalized user experience bolsters brand engagement. Get inspired by her story and the wisdom she shares with fellow entrepreneurs.