Peer Effect

Jeremy Parker, co-founder of Swag.com and the innovative mind behind Swag Space, joins us on "Peer Effect" to share his journey of reshaping the promotional products industry. With a knack for pivoting and scaling businesses strategically, Jeremy has navigated Swag.com from its inception to its acquisition by Custom Ink, and beyond into new ventures.

His approach to understanding customer needs and adapting to market demands exemplifies the agility required in today’s fast-paced business environment.

In this episode, we delve into:

• Jeremy's experiences in scaling Swag.com and his strategic insights into customer engagement and market penetration.
• The evolution of his role from a hands-on startup founder to CEO, and his recent shift back to founder with Swagspace.
• Practical advice for entrepreneurs on maintaining resilience, adapting strategies, and truly listening to what customers need.

Discover more about Jeremy Parker’s work at Swag Space or follow him on LinkedIn for more exciting insights.

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This week, we’re joined by Rob Volk, founder of Foxbox Digital, a leader in tech consultancy and digital transformation.

Rob shares profound insights on the shift from hands-on founder to strategic CEO and the crucial strategies that drive sustainable business growth.

In this episode, we explore:

• The art of letting go of control as to empower and build trust within your team.
• Managing your energy as a founder for sustainable growth.
• Cultivating a culture of deep focus to promote productivity and autonomy.

Rob's experience illustrates the challenges and triumphs of expanding a startup into a thriving business. His strategies for fostering a culture of empowerment and focusing on scalable growth are invaluable for any entrepreneur stepping into a CEO role.

Discover more about Rob Volk’s work at Foxbox Digital or follow him on LinkedIn for more exciting insights.

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In this episode of Peer Effect, Nigel Thomas, founder of David to Goliath, shares his profound journey of transformation from facing life's darkest moments to rising with a new vision; turning personal challenges into a source of inspiration for others facing their own "Goliaths."

Together, we dive into:

• Nigel's decision to leave a secure corporate job to pursue a risky but rewarding entrepreneurial path.
• The profound impact of meaningful relationships on happiness and resilience.
• Leadership insights and encouraging personal and professional growth among teams through relationship building.

Explore how Nigel is not only documenting his growth but also helping others navigate their challenges through the strength of vulnerability and the power of community.

For more about Nigel Thomas's journey and insights, follow him on LinkedIn.

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Dean Seddon, founder and CEO of MAVERRIK, steps into the Peer Effect spotlight to share his innovative approach to marketing and the undeniable power of personal branding.

With a decade of steering MAVERRIK to success, Dean has mastered the art of utilising his personal brand to propel his business forward. His journey reveals the critical role of a founder in not only shaping a company's strategy but also its public perception and internal culture.

In this episode, we delve into:

• Dean's strategic insights on using personal branding as a tool for business growth and customer engagement.
• The balance required to transition from hands-on involvement to strategic leadership without losing the personal touch that characterises founder-driven businesses.
• Practical advice for founders on maintaining their role as a central figure in their companies without risking burnout.

For more on how Dean Seddon harnesses personal branding for business success, follow him on LinkedIn and discover how MAVERRIK is redefining marketing strategies.

More from James:

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Daniel Solomon, co-founder and CEO of OMNINGAGE, steps into the Peer Effect spotlight to share his journey of transitioning from a corporate role to the thrilling uncertainties of startup life.

With his rich experience, Daniel brings to the table deep insights on fostering innovation, scaling operations, and managing a globally dispersed team effectively.

In this episode, we explore:

• Daniel's strategic move from a secure position at Cisco to identifying market gaps and launching OMNINGAGE, a SaaS solution revolutionising contact centres.
• Strategies for bootstrapping a startup, leveraging offshore development for cost efficiency, and securing anchor customers.
• Building and nurturing a global team, from the practicalities of remote management to cultivating a shared vision and culture.

For further insights and inspiration, follow Dan on LinkedIn and explore how OMNINGAGE is making waves as the world’s most innovative customer engagement platform for Amazon Connect!

More from James:

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Kirsten Lum, CTO and co-founder of Storytellers.ai, brings a fresh perspective to the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship.

With a background as unique as starting with an English literature degree and transitioning into a leader in the tech industry, Kirsten's journey is nothing short of inspirational. Before co-founding Storytellers.ai, her experience spanned significant roles at Amazon, where she led data science, econometrics, software engineers, data scientists and business intelligence, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of machine learning and AI within small business segments.

Today, Kirsten joins "Peer Effect" to unfold her narrative and discuss the democratisation of AI and machine learning for startups and small businesses. We covered:

• Kirsten's unconventional path into data science and AI, and how these technologies are not just for the elite tech companies
• The value of leveraging your distinctive experiences to innovate and navigate the challenges of your industry.
• Tips and strategies for finding balance amidst the hustle of startup life to sustain creativity and productivity.

Discover more about Kirsten Lum’s work at Storytellers.ai or follow her on LinkedIn for more exciting insights.

More from James:

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As 2023 is coming to an end, so is season 2 of Future Fit Founder Podcast.

Today, I am taking a moment to reflect on what I learned from the guests on this podcast.

Ultimately, it all starts with you as a founder.

Here are my top 5 ways to help yourself:

1. Be patient with yourself, as a founder, the journey you are embarking on will be longer than you are planning for
2. Be kind to yourself, the pressure you are feeling is often self-inflicted.
3. Be fair to yourself, comparison is the thief of joy and grass is always greener on the other side. Water and take care of your garden first.
4. Prioritise yourself, you will survive longer and enjoy the journey more.
5. Trust yourself, your gut instinct will serve you more than listening to outside opinions.

Tune in and listen to the last episode of 2023, as I share my thoughts on how you can get more out of your business and create more sustainability in your day-to-day life, as a founder.

Want to know how Future Fit you are? Take 3 mins to benchmark yourself with our Founder Fitness Test on peer-effect.com. You might discover some surprising gaps!

Or just follow James on LinkedIn for more thoughts around coaching and being future fit.

Sharath is the Founder of Intrinsic Labs. Sharath is a recognised author and trainer on inflection points, coming up with a new book in January called “Inflection”.

Sharath is no stranger to navigating tough leadership moments.

He has dedicated his career to guiding organizations through inflection points.

Sharath focuses on the inflection points, to guide leaders towards making informed decisions.

He shares his expertise on how to anticipate these moments and start prepping for them well in advance.

Sharath argues that the best leaders are those who can see these moments coming and start preparing for them in advance.

In today’s episode, we also talk about:

• The cost of inaction
• The power of reflection moments
• Using the threat of the future to shift the present

Tune in and listen to Sharath Jeevan share his expertise and offer a roadmap for turning these challenging moments into opportunities for growth and transformation. This episode provides a valuable resource for leaders seeking to navigate their own inflection points, whether you're in the midst of a crisis or simply curious about the concept.

Want to know how Future Fit you are? Take 3 mins to benchmark yourself with our Founder Fitness Test on peer-effect.com. You might discover some surprising gaps!

Or just follow James on LinkedIn for more thoughts around coaching and being future fit.

Tim is the Founder of EchoMany. In its first year, they secured 45 blue-chip clients in the first year.

But Tim had dark times ahead

In February 2018, the Cambridge Analytica scandal happened.

Facebook clamped down on all data access which led to lost clients and campaign struggles.

He was all in but with no way to deliver his product.

He’d shut a successful tech development agency to focus on this big potential product which had gained insane traction.

What could he do now?

In today’s episode, we also talk about:

• Difficult decisions to make when things are going wrong
• Making the best of a negative situation
• The importance of an exit strategy

Tune in and listen to Tim Redgate’s inspirational story. He provides a firsthand account of navigating a start-up through a major crisis and making difficult decisions. This episode offers valuable insights and lessons that entrepreneurs and business leaders can apply to their journey.

Want to know how Future Fit you are? Take 3 mins to benchmark yourself with our Founder Fitness Test on peer-effect.com. You might discover some surprising gaps!

Or just follow James on LinkedIn for more thoughts around coaching and being future fit.

Eli is the Founder of Instafloss. His company has $2.7m of pre-orders and $1.3m in equity, with a product launch happening soon.

But Eli is no stranger to big mistakes.

In 2014, Eli made one of the worst decisions of his career.

He believed hiring from the top down was the right move. But he was wrong…

Backed by the confidence of a successful crowdfunding campaign, he made two hires that cost the company he was building $1m.

After making peace with his mistake, Eli took a step back and hired a marketing executive.

This decision helped his business more than the big-name hires.

Eli and I discussed his process to build a committed team, which not only helped bring the product to life but also ensured its effectiveness in solving a real problem.

He soon understood that building a great team doesn’t happen by chance, but is backed by strategy and making difficult decisions.

In today’s episode, we also talk about:

• The reality of big-name hires and building a team from the top down
• The right approach to a probation period
• The necessity of making tough decisions and letting people go.

Tune in and listen to Eli’s journey with Instafloss. Eli provides powerful takeaways for any aspiring entrepreneur who is looking to build the right team. He offers a practical approach to scaling, and an alertness to potential pitfalls and how to turn a start-up into a thriving, successful business.

Want to know how Future Fit you are? Take 3 mins to benchmark yourself with our Founder Fitness Test on peer-effect.com. You might discover some surprising gaps!

Or just follow James on LinkedIn for more thoughts around coaching and being future fit.