Confounded: Recent Episodes
Alastair Campbell
Welcome back to Confounded, where we dig into the untold stories behind building businesses—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Today, I’m joined by someone whose name might not be immediately familiar, but whose influence on the UK’s automotive and tech scenes is undeniable.
David Edmonston is the founder of the legendary PistonHeads.com, one of those rare founders who built something before the world was ready for it, and made it work anyway.
Pistonheads was a site that not only transformed the way car enthusiasts connected in the early 2000s but did it before social media was even a thing. He built it from the ground up, bootstrapped the whole way, and eventually sold it to Haymarket Media in 2007.
Since then, David’s been quietly shaping some of the biggest names in the automotive and auction world—building platforms like Collecting Cars and Watch Collecting, and most recently launching Driving Masters, a project aimed at bringing the joy of advanced driving to petrolheads everywhere.
We talk tech, the grit behind going solo, what it takes to stay relevant across decades of change—and of course, a few tales from the road along the way.
In this episode of Confounded, we talk about:
• How he built PistonHeads from scratch in a pre-social media world
• Why he still loves bootstrapped businesses
• The inside story of Collecting Cars
• What drives him now, with his latest venture Driving Masters
This one’s for anyone who’s ever built something from nothing—and wants to do it again.
If you like the show please consider a small donation https://www.buzzsprout.com/1158479/supporters/new
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In this episode of Confounded TV, Alastair sits down with David James, founder of Total Car Check and now Director of Special Projects at Motorway. What starts as a conversation between friends turns into a masterclass in building lean, lasting businesses — fuelled not by hype, but by persistence and purpose.
David shares how Total Car Check began with a personal crisis: his parents unknowingly bought a stolen car, losing over £4,000. Frustrated by the lack of affordable tools for car buyers, he set out to fix it — not to build a business, but to solve a problem. That mindset turned into one of the UK’s biggest car data platforms, delivering 50 million checks per year — all built solo, with zero marketing budget and a borrowed laptop.
We explore:
- How David bootstrapped from a personal project into a real business.
- Why giving away value (free stolen car checks) built long-term trust and growth.
- The role of SEO, user trust, and daily discipline in his success.
- Why persistence is the greatest competitive advantage.
- The real risks of chasing investment too early.
- His transition into Motorway, and how he applies small startup thinking at scale.
- What AI and no-code mean for today’s founders — and why understanding first principles matters more than ever.
We also get real about:
- Burnout, bootstrapping, and the mythology of overnight success.
- The danger of meetings, committees, and corporate theatre.
- Why most ideas fail not because they’re bad, but because people give up too early.
David’s advice to new founders?
“Pick something you genuinely care about. Stick with it longer than anyone else. Most people quit just before it gets good.”
Whether you’re building your first app with no-code tools, bootstrapping a SaaS, or just wondering how to turn a painful problem into a meaningful product — this episode is packed with lessons, humour, and real-world insight from someone who’s done it the hard way.
Support the show
Meet Andy Entwistle CEO of The British Motor Show
Prepare to be taken on a journey of automotive revival, as Andy, a true veteran of the car industry, joins us to recount the adrenaline-fueled adventure of breathing life back into the iconic British Motor Show. Discover how he steered through the unpredictable roadblocks and high-speed turns of reinventing the illustrious event, which vanished in 2008. From securing the legendary name to crafting a show that drove nearly 50,000 fans wild with excitement, Andy's tale is one of passion, perseverance, and the power of four wheels.
Buckle up for an exploration into the challenges that came with the COVID-19 pandemic, throwing a wrench in the gears of event planning. Andy opens up about the momentous decision to hit the brakes and postpone the show, a strategic pit stop that led to a roaring comeback, defying the odds of the industry's pandemic paralysis. We celebrate the event's success, highlighting the last-minute ticket surge that crowned the show a phenomenal spectacle, reinforcing our belief in the magnetic allure of motor events.
As the episode shifts gears, we address the electrifying topic of EVs and their pivotal role in the future of driving. With Andy's insights, we learn how transforming car shows into an immersive playground, where petrol heads and the EV-curious can get hands-on with the latest electric models, is accelerating the shift toward greener wheels. We wrap up pondering the delicate balance between scaling up and keeping the authentic charm of the show, much like tuning a classic car for modern-day performance. It's an episode that drives home the value of innovation, experience, and the timeless love for automobiles.
Iman Fadaei is helping the estimated 10 million displaced Ukrainians find work worldwide. From a standing start, he and his team are helping get Ukrainians into work wherever they end up, which helps them with accommodation, mental well-being, and quickly integrating into society.
The platform was initiated in response to the situation of their CTO Igor, who is Ukrainian and still based in Ukraine. The suddenness of his plight during these first days of the war and the severity of the situation his family and friends are still experiencing has inspired the team to contribute however they can.
From over 100 countries, they have posted 2000+ vacancies from companies looking to help. And this is just the beginning – staggeringly, employukraine.org has only been live for 30 days and has already been covered by Forbes, CNBC, Sifted, SIA, REC and others.
Here’s how you can help:
Post a job.
Do you have a job you can post? Go to employukraine.org
Promote.
Can you share employukraine.org with your business network and invite them to post their jobs? Feel free to tag employukraine.org on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok.
Volunteer.
employukraine.org need help with PR, translations, social media, partnerships, research, development and more.
If you’re able to volunteer please send your LinkedIn details and (any) availability to team@employukraine.org
Find out more at https://employukraine.org
and find Iman on Linked In at https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanfadaei/
Shannon, now 31, joined 10 Yetis when she was just 18-years-young and worked her way up through the PR ranks to the helm of the agency. She has previously been awarded accolades such as PR Week’s 30 under 30, The Drum’s UK’s Top 50 Digital Women Under 30 and a place on B2B Marketing’s Top 10 30 under 30 list.
She has led campaigns for the likes of Confused.com, Gocompare, Just Eat, carwow, Totaljobs, WaterAid, Optical Express and Hillarys Blind and is passionate about delivering creative campaigns for brands that drive phenomenal results.
From helping start-ups sky-rocket to success through clever PR tactics, to making a splash with stunts and “hero” content, Shannon shares how things have changed over the years in the world of PR and the impact of digital media and SEO on client and journalist expectations.
10 Yetis works with start-ups right through to global brands on PR, social media, web, design, video and SEO campaigns.
Find out more at www.10yetis.co.uk
Find Shannon on Linked In
Meet Tara Halliday PhD – Imposter Syndrome Specialist
Ever feel like a fraud at the peak of your success? You're in good company as we unpack the elusive imposter syndrome with our guest expert, Tara, who holds a PhD in the subject. We kick off by peeling back the layers of this psychological pattern, distinguishing it from mere low self-esteem.
Tara enlightens us on how our worth isn't measured by our accolades and how childhood beliefs might be the true culprits behind those nagging doubts.
Join us as we explore why that nagging voice in your head might be more than just a passing worry. We look at the telltale signs of imposter syndrome, from stress responses to perfectionism, and discuss how these internal battles can take a toll on our careers and mental health.
Recognising imposter syndrome is just the beginning; our conversation sheds light on the misconceptions that can lead to isolation and self-sabotage. We discover that acknowledging these feelings is the first step toward overcoming them, and we provide the initial tools to start that journey.
Embark on an enlightening journey with Darren Fell, the maverick behind Crunch, as he narrates the amazing saga of transforming the accounting landscape for the better.
Darren spills the beans on the genesis of Crunch, the hurdles faced, and the triumphant moments that cemented its place as a haven for small businesses and contractors in dire need of accounting bliss. From the early days of battling sceptical bloggers to the expansion of services that bolster the backbone of micro-businesses, Darren's tale is a testament to perseverance and innovation.
As we navigate the crossroads of modern entrepreneurship, Darren sheds light on the seismic shifts in business practices, remote work phenomena, and the fintech revolution spurred by open banking. Young visionaries are flipping the script, crafting turnkey solutions out of mere ideas, all while Crunch steers through the complexities of a global workforce post-Brexit. Darren’s insights on maintaining culture in a remote world and the agility required to thrive amid unforeseen challenges, like the COVID-19 pandemic, are not just thought-provoking - they're game-changing for any business looking to stay agile.
This episode is more than just a chat; it's a masterclass in entrepreneurship, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of bringing fairness and innovation to the marketplace. Join us for this compelling episode that promises not just insights but the inspiration to mould the future of your business ventures.
Unlock the secrets to transformational project planning and masterful delegation with the digital pioneer behind New York City WebGurls International, who joins us in a riveting conversation. We're diving into the heart of effective task prioritization and how to cultivate a team culture that prizes learning from every outcome. You'll hear tales from the tech trenches that paint a picture of the internet's dramatic evolution, and glean practical advice on breaking down monolithic projects into achievable segments.
Embark on a journey through lean and agile methodologies with us, as we traverse beyond the realm of software development and into the fabric of day-to-day life and strategic business planning. Our guest, a maestro of the Textbeat workshops, lays out a 10-step roadmap for product creation that pivots on customer feedback and prototyping, sidelining coding to a later stage. We'll discuss the metamorphosis of the CTO role from hands-on coder to visionary leader and uncover strategies for startups to streamline product development, avoiding the snares of excessive complexity.
As we bid farewell to our enlightening session, we marvel at the transformation of TechSuite for Entrepreneurs, which has burgeoned from a local bootcamp to a global online beacon of innovation during the pandemic's upheaval. This episode is a veritable toolkit for entrepreneurs aiming to sidestep common tech industry blunders and propel their ventures forward. Tune in for insights that promise to sharpen your entrepreneurial acumen and equip you with the wisdom to chart a course through the dynamic waters of technology.
Born and raised in south London, Rich runs a Y Combinator backed startup, Business Score, connecting online businesses with growth capital.
He spent his early years in #activism from representing his local town Croydon as youth MP.
He also worked on social and political campaigns including the #LivingWage campaign. He studied at the London School of Economics where he was also elected the universities Court of Governors.
Rich then worked at McKinsey in London before starting his #entrepreneurial journey. Business Score is a funding marketplace for eCommerce companies.
Rich has gone through an amazing journey, from concept, through the Y Combinator process and now back in the UK to landing his first clients, building a platform to support fast growth ecommerce business.
His goal is to totally automate the supply of money to ecommerce businesses where traditional funding just cannot deliver using old systems and measurements.
Along the way he has met Silicon Valleys finest and most famous investors and is one of the rare UK founders who have applied, won a place and graduated from the Y Combinator process.
Business score is a funding platform designed to help high growth ecommerce businesses through automated lending.
Just back in London from Copenhagen, we discuss on how normal life is in Denmark compared to UK and how people need to meet people to build real relationships.
For the last 3 years Mads has been building and championing his platform. A single API where consumer facing businesses and website can allow their visitors and clients can apply to multiple lenders simultaneously.
A graduate of Copenhagen Business School, Mads honed his knowledge of lending at Zopa and Lendable growing a wide network of contacts and the knowledge and skills need to try and attempt a super complex API for financial lending.
As a platform and by re-defining the broker model Accepty makes finance fairer for consumers and doesn’t keep the customer details leaving the lenders with the relationship from the beginning.
With over 30 lenders on the platform, his company now counts comparison sites, loan brokers, finance apps, lenders and banks as clients. Accepty is now the leading loans api for search and comparison engines in the UK.
Mads has retained their independence so there are no vested interests – this means their service is not favouring higher commissions to the detriment of customers and unlike other providers, they do not compete against our partners and we only succeed when our partners succeed.
Step into the future of work with us as Gerry Brennan, CEO and founder of Cloudbooking, unveils how a simple hospitality orders system sprouted into a pioneering cloud-based solution for corporate booking systems. Imagine a world where managing workspace usage is as smooth as the cloud services we've come to rely on, a vision Gerry turned into a corporate revolution.
Throughout our chat, we navigate the twists and turns of Cloudbooking's history, from its early struggles to its rebirth in 2011, and how it's helping companies tackle the overflow of meeting room bookings with innovative tech and a user-centric approach.
Join us for a deep dive into the complexities of optimising office spaces in the concrete jungle of London, where real estate prices are as high as the city's iconic skyscrapers. We'll share how Jerry's brainchild employs RFID tags, sensors, and the humble yet resurgent QR codes to balance tracking desk usage with respecting privacy. This conversation is a treasure trove for those seeking to understand how technology can seamlessly integrate into our professional lives, streamline our daily routines, and even navigate through the trials of a pandemic.
From the cultural shifts in work-life balance to the innovative strategies companies are adopting to foster employee well-being and sustain productivity, Jerry gives us a peek at Cloudbooking's expansion plans. Whether dialling in from your home office or tuning in from your local café-turned-workspace, this episode is an enlightening exploration of the modern work environment and the technology reshaping it.
Did you know there were 10,000 varieties of Champagnes in France you have never seen in the UK? Me neither!
Peter and Dan are two of the most interesting people i’ve met – the depth and knowledge they have of the wine is amazing.
Add in their energy, humour and sense of mission and this podcast fizzes with energy 🙂
They have launched Sip Champagnes to bring you the very best wines from across France from small local vineyards. These champagnes are the very best they can find and the effort they put into to finding, tasting and importing these wines is immense.
Really worth a listen – their genuine care and passion shines through and it was a pleasure to interview them!
News Flash ! – Quinoa isn’t pronounced the way you think or why you think… That’s one of many amazing things I learned from Meeting Kathryn and the most trivial.
Listen to this episode as Kathryn tells the story behind her success at Discount Vouchers and her amazing new startup Upside Savings , a single app that can save money in your bank account based on what and where you shop while you do nothing!
Since our recording their Seedrs campaign is now live and as of 19/09/2020 is at 87% of target – have a look and find out more at Seedrs as they “Reinvent cashback through Open Banking to build a nation of savers.”
Other subjects covered including maximising your email list open rates and being smart about which providers to use and why, how Honey won the toolbar / extension wars and ways to save while shopping online.
A fun and insightful chat with Tom Wood, the CEO and founder of Cazana.
In a short space of time, he has built the company, raised crowdfunding and equity funding, bought https://carandclassic.co.uk and taken to Cazana to be a leading data company in the automotive space.
Tom hails from a business & innovation background having led technology teams within investment banking and pharmaceutical sectors and founded and sold companies in the marketing technology space.
Cazana provides automotive insights for the future of vehicle ownership. Using big data and predictive analytics, Cazana analyses millions of automotive transactions daily to assess the value and risk associated with every vehicle on the road
Cazana’s systems are used by manufacturers, finance companies, dealerships and insurers globally.
(Since this was recorded Cazana was sold to Cazoo)
Unlock the secrets behind powerful branding with branding guru Andrew King, the innovative force behind PJ Smoothies and Strike, who joins us to dissect the anatomy of a brand that not only captures attention but also accrues value.
Andrew offers a treasure trove of wisdom for those looking to elevate their company’s market presence. Whether you're at the forefront of a fledgling startup or driving an established enterprise, our conversation with Andrew is packed with real-world examples and actionable advice, showcasing the undeniable link between a fortified brand and its ability to command higher respect and value.
As an expert in branding and positioning, I have learned a lot from this conversation. He explains in depth how to build your brand DNA and it’s not just about packaging.
Learn how your brand impacts the whole company, its ethos, beliefs and values.
WARNING – The sound quality is not as good as it could be. This was a recorded call without decent microphones, but it was worth listening to!
Need to understand more about Bitcoin?Meet Mitch Eccles, a man on a mission to cut through the jargon and help us mere mortals understand it. Even for technical people, understanding cryptocurrencies can be a headache. Mitch will make this daunting process easy by guiding and teaching you so you gain confidence in using cryptocurrencies.He has years of experience and a deep understanding of Bitcoin and how it works. Listen up to hear how it works, and I promise we cut the jargon and also dig into the murky depths of the Bitcoin conspiracy theories. Bitcoin is breaking the requirement for fiat currencies and democratising financial transactions.We discuss, amongst many other things, how Bitcoin can empower women in Saudi Arabia, how it helped Venezuelans protect their money from hyperinflation, how to start buying Bitcoins, and how Mitch almost missed out on Bitcoin in the early days.The YouTube video he mentions as a good primer on how the economy works is found at https://youtu.be/PHe0bXAIuk0
When the world ground to a halt, Lee's sabbatical in Thailand unexpectedly turned into the birth of PPE for People, a company now at the forefront of supplying vital protective gear during the global pandemic. Our latest episode spotlights Lee's remarkable journey, from navigating the turbulent beginnings with test kits to his company's intricate dance with the PPE supply chain. Step into our conversation as we traverse the complexities of managing a remote team, the scrutiny of sourcing products from China, and how time seemed to warp in the pandemic's early days, leading to rapid advancements in medical technology.
Imagine a marketplace where care homes can secure PPE not only swiftly and efficiently but also affordably through a smart reverse auction platform. That's the reality Lee's team crafted for the UK, revolutionizing the procurement process. Tune in to learn about the inception of this platform that balances cost, quality, and speed, and hear how it grew from one to thirty live RFQs in just two weeks. Discover the critical role of user feedback in shaping this evolving marketplace and the stringent supplier criteria that ensure care homes receive the best protection without compromise.
Finally, we unveil the global expansion of this PPE revolution, where Lee's vision to tackle price inflation and accessibility materializes into the largest global PPE marketplace. Beyond the economics, we reflect on the cultural shift in mask-wearing, from a symbol of pandemic response to a staple in daily life across the globe. Lee shares anecdotes from various cultures, illustrating the collective push towards normalcy. And as we celebrate the launch of PPTV, Lee gives us a glimpse into the platform's future, aiming to streamline the PPE buying experience even further. Don't miss this deep dive into how PPE for People is changing the landscape of global health and safety.
With Sarah Curran MBE helping me, I bring you the first Episode of Confounded TV, a lighthearted and energetic video podcast about life, lockdown, startups, business, and more.
This week, Dan Blatchford of SipChampagnes.com does a 60-second pitch for his new side hustle, and Will Bicknell of Felloh! tells all about starting a new (and amazing) social payments business using Open Banking to revolutionise online payments.
Listen and subscribe on Spotify or watch the chaos on YouTube
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high-octane energy blast to start the week
Cheers to the entrepreneurial go-getters!
Dan Blatchford steps into 'The Elevator Pitch' spotlight to showcase his online venture, SipChampagne.com. With a clink of glasses and a pop of sustainably sourced bubbles from less well-known French vineyards, SipChampagne.com is revolutionizing the UK market.
We also raise a toast to Will Bicknell, diving into his inspiring narrative of birthing a business while on furlough – a testament to his undying ingenuity.
These stories aren't just about new ventures; they're a tribute to the spirit of supporting the underdog businesses and the emerging industries carving niches in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Meet Iman Fadaei Founder at employukraine.org & TalentPools
Iman is helping the estimated 10m displaced Ukrainians to find work across the world. From a standing start he and his team are helping get Ukrainians into work wherever they end up which helps them with accommodation, mental well-being and quickly getting integrated into a society.
The platform was initiated in response to the situation of their CTO Igor who is Ukrainian and still based in Ukraine. The suddenness of his plight during these first days of the war, and the severity of the situation his family and friends are still experiencing, has inspired the team to contribute however they can.
From over 100 countries they has posted 2000+ vacancies from companies looking to help. And this is just the beginning - staggeringly employukraine.org has only been live for 30 days and already covered by Forbes, CNBC, Sifted, SIA, REC and others.
Here's how you can help:
Post a job.
Do you have a job you can post? Go to employukraine.org
Promote.
Can you share employukraine.org with your business network and invite them to post their jobs? Feel free to tag employukraine.org on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok.
Volunteer.
employukraine.org need help with PR, translations, social media, partnerships, research, development and more.
If you're able to volunteer please send your LinkedIn details and (any) availability to team@employukraine.org
Find out more at https://employukraine.org and find Iman on Linked In at https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanfadaei/
Andy is an experienced events producer and is now Chief Executive of Automotion Events, the business behind The British Motor Show.
After a 12 year absence The British Motor Show returned in 2021, delivering a unique new format and helping educate and entertain nearly 50,000 visitors over 4 days. Unlike many specialist shows, they focus on bringing automotive back to the masses, helping to deliver new audiences to all elements of automotive, from EV to Motorsport.
The British Motor Show is like no motor show seen before, featuring dynamic content including an arena show, 2 Live Stages, "The Electric Motor Show", test drives and much much more.
Andy has over 20 years experience within the automotive industry, with specific experience in business development and event and business management. A strong passion for the industry and a leader with a focus on delivering innovative solutions to help promote our industry.
Find out more at https://thebritishmotorshow.live
Find Andy on Linked In
Shannon, now 31, joined 10 Yetis when she was just 18-years-young and worked her way up through the PR ranks to the helm of the agency. She has previously been awarded accolades such as PR Week’s 30 under 30, The Drum’s UK's Top 50 Digital Women Under 30 and a place on B2B Marketing’s Top 10 30 under 30 list.
She has led campaigns for the likes of Confused.com, Gocompare, Just Eat, carwow, Totaljobs, WaterAid, Optical Express and Hillarys Blind and is passionate about delivering creative campaigns for brands that drive phenomenal results.
From helping start-ups sky-rocket to success through clever PR tactics, to making a splash with stunts and “hero” content, Shannon shares how things have changed over the years in the world of PR and the impact of digital media and SEO on client and journalist expectations.
10 Yetis works with start-ups right through to global brands on PR, social media, web, design, video and SEO campaigns.
Find out more at www.10yetis.co.uk
Find Shannon on Linked In
Imposter syndrome is the secret feeling of being a fraud when you’re not.
A doubt that you’re good enough, despite a track record of success, and a fear of being found out.
It affects 70% of professionals at some point in their careers, men and women equally.
Imposter syndrome creates stress, reduces creativity and productivity. It can lead to burnout and people ending their careers.
When you resolve imposter syndrome, you finally feel good enough, you feel like you belong, excel and enjoy your success.
Dr Tara Halliday has been a holistic therapist and coach for 21 years and specialises in resolving imposter syndrome.
Her book ‘Unmasking' was an Amazon #1 Bestseller in 2018.
She runs Inner Success, an 8-week, one-to-one training and coaching programme for C-suite executives to eliminate imposter syndrome for good.
Take the Free Imposter Syndrome Test: http://bit.ly/ImpostorQuiz
https://completesuccess.co.uk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-halliday-phd/
Book: http://bit.ly/TH_Unmasking
Meet Darren Fell, the Founder at Crunch an award-winning online accounting solution and community.
Crunch is invested in by former Skype Chairman Michael van Swaaij.
Darren has been named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ by Sussex Business Awards, and is also a past winner of the ‘Innovation in Business’ accolade at the Brighton and Hove Business Awards.
Prior to Crunch, Darren created, built, and later sold the email marketing specialist company Pure360 to the NASD listed US firm, MobiVentures, for $7.8m (funds that Darren later used to create Crunch). Pure360 now employs around 100 people and has over 2,000 clients including Innocent Drinks, Financial Times, and Rightmove.
Crunch offers easy-to-use, accounting software, with every add-on imaginable, all the way through to a full accountancy service. The audience they love to work with is freelancers, contractors, and small businesses across the UK.
Crunch is also home to Crunch Chorus, an ever-expanding self-employed community of 50,000 members.
Nelly is on a mission to help entrepreneurs minimise technology mistakes. She teaches the roadmap to successfully manage technology teams and projects like a CTO ... without being technical or learning how to code.
She runs the TechSpeak for Entrepreneurs Academy and was featured in ️Fast Company’s “League of Extraordinary Women” and ️Wall Street Journal’s “Woman on the IT Fast Track”
The TechSpeak 10 step process consists of the following:
Step 1: Validate and Refine the Idea
Step 2: Build an interactive prototype of a possible solution.
Step 3: Create technical specifications for your prototype
Step 4: Pick the right tools & technologies that could be used to build the project.
Step 5: Determine the price and budget for your project & define your MVP
Step 6: Hire a Tech Team to estimate and code the project
Step 7: Design your MVP.
Step 8: Project manage the coding of the MVP
Step 9: Hosting options, security, and scaling techniques
Step 10: Refine your product based on data from actual users using your product
You can find out more, completely free at https://www.techspeakforentrepreneurs.com/free-classes/ and if you subsequently decide to sign up Nelly has kindly given you a 10% discount code - use code CONFOUNDEDTV
Nelly is also a Speaker and presenter for many organisations and major industries events including: Women’s Enterprise Center, NY Entrepreneurs Business Network, Small Business Summit, BlogHer, Social Media Jungle, Women 2.0, BlogWorld, and has been featured in INC Magazine, NBC Today Show, Fast Company Magazine, NewsDay.com, O’Reilly, SmartMoney, SmallBiz, TechRepublic, Women’s Radio
And if that wasn't enough Nelly is the CTO of Webgrrls International, the first and largest networking organisation of women in or interested in the Internet and Technology.
Founded in April, '95 with six women in New York City, Webgrrls' currently has over 100 chapters worldwide with over 30,000 members.
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.
Rich has gone through an amazing journey, from concept, through the Y Combinator process and now back in the UK to landing his first clients, building a platform to support fast growth ecommerce business.
His goal is to totally automate the supply of lending to fast growing ecommerce businesses where traditional funding just cannot deliver using old systems and measurements.
Along the way he has met Silicon Valleys finest and most famous investors and is one of the rare UK founders who have applied, won a place and graduated from the Y Combinator process.
Business score is a funding platform designed to help high growth ecommerce businesses through automated lending.
Find out more at https://www.scorethebusiness.com
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.
Already a provider of meeting and desking systems to blue chip clients, Gerry has seen huge demand since the Covid pandemic began as clients look for ways to safely manage their office spaces. Not only that but Gerry has run the Cloudbooking team of over 60 people purely as a remote business for over a decade.
The changes that some people are struggling with today, he knows inside out.
He explains how he gets it to work and the key things he does to help motivate, engage and manage his team.
It’s a long one at over an hour but I’m not apologising, Gerry has more experience in managing remote working, room planning and desk management than anyone else in the UK.
I guarantee you learn something useful in this podcast! Or your money back ;-)
Cloudbooking is a workplace space management and utilisation tool that uses live data to analyse how desks and meeting rooms are actually used and helps companies to improve their efficiency and the booking process around them. This service is particularly important in the current pandemic and is helping companies plan the safe return of their staff to the office in a socially distanced and secure way.
Find out more at https://cloudbooking.com
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.
Just back in London from Copenhagen, we touch on how normal life is compared to the UK and how people need to meet people to build real relationships before going on to talk through his business and how he has built something really special.
A graduate of Copenhagen Business School, Mads honed his knowledge of lending at Zopa and Lendable growing a wide network of contacts and the knowledge and skills needed to try and attempt a super complex API for financial lending.
For the last 3 years Mads has been building and championing his platform. A single API where consumer facing businesses and websites can allow their visitors to apply to multiple lenders simultaneously. As a platform and by re-defining the broker model Accepty makes finance fairer for consumers and doesn’t keep the customer details leaving the credit introducers with the relationship from the beginning.
With multiple types of credit available on the platform, his company now counts comparison sites, loan brokers, finance apps, lenders and banks as clients. Accepty is becoming the leading search and comparison engine for credit in the UK, powering businesses that truly care for customer outcome and responsible data handling.
Mads has retained Accepty's independence so there are no vested interests - this means their service is not favouring higher commissions to the detriment of customers and unlike other providers, they do not compete against their partners and only succeed when their partners succeed.
Find out more > Accepty.co.uk
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.
News Flash ! - Quinoa isn’t pronounced the way you think or why you think…
That’s one of many amazing things I learned from Meeting Kathryn and the most trivial.
Listen to this episode as Kathryn tells the story behind her success at Discount Vouchers and her amazing new startup Upside Savings - https://www.upsidesaving.com/ - an app that can save money in your bank account based on what and where you shop while you do nothing!
Since our recording their Seedrs campaign is now live and as of 19/09/2020 is at 87% of target - have a look and find out more at https://www.seedrs.com/upsidesaving as they “Reinvent cashback through Open Banking to build a nation of savers.”
Other subjects covered including maximising your email list open rates and being smart about which providers to use and why, how Honey won the toolbar / extension wars and ways to save while shopping online.
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.
Did you know there were 10,000 varieties of Champagnes in France you have never seen in the UK? Me neither!
Peter and Dan are two of the most interesting people i've met - the depth and knowledge they have of the wine is amazing. Add in their energy, humour and sense of mission and this podcast fizzes with energy :-)
They have launched Sip Champagnes https://sipchampagnes.com to bring you the very best wines from across France from small local vineyards. These champagnes are the very best they can find and the effort they put into to finding, tasting and importing these wines is immense.
Really worth a listen - their genuine care and passion shines through and it was a pleasure to interview them!
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.
Tom hails from a business & innovation background having led technology teams within investment banking and pharmaceutical sectors and founded and sold companies in the marketing technology space.
In a short space of time, he has built the company, raised crowdfunding and equity funding, bought https://carandclassic.co.uk and taken to Cazana to be a leading big data company in the automotive space.
Cazana provides automotive insights for the future of vehicle ownership. Using big data and predictive analytics, Cazana analyses millions of automotive transactions daily to assess the value and risk associated with every vehicle on the road.
Cazana's systems are used by manufacturers, finance companies, dealerships and insurers globally. Companies use Cazana's data to provide vehicles to the modern automotive consumer who wants to access, not own vehicles.
Find out more at https://cazana.com
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.
Need to understand more about Bitcoin? Meet Mitch Eccles, a man with a mission to cut the jargon and help us mere mortals understand it. It's a headache, even for technical people to understand, Mitch will make this daunting process easy; guiding you and teaching you, so you gain confidence in using cryptocurrencies.
He has years of experience and a deep understanding of what it is and how it works.
Listen up to hear how it works and I promise we cut the jargon and also dig into the murky depths of the bitcoin conspiracy theories, breaking the requirement for fiat currencies and democratising financials transactions.
We discuss amongst many other things, how Bitcoin can empower women in Saudi Arabia, helped Venezuelans protect their money from hyperinflation, how to start buying Bitcoins and how Mitch almost missed out on Bitcoin in the early days.
The YouTube video he mentions as a good primer on how the economy works is found at https://youtu.be/PHe0bXAIuk0
We also discuss the new website he has built at https://learnwhybitcoin.com/ to help educate us (for free!) and his personalised service to help people on a 1-2-1 basis at all all levels.
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.
I interviewed Andrew in 2018 for an older project and found the audio down the back of the sofa so can bring you this great interview for Confounded - yay!
Andrew is an expert in building food & beverage businesses. Amongst other experiences he was the CEO of PJ Smoothies and is now a Director and co-founder of https://www.stryyk.com the alcohol free spirits company.
An expert in branding and positioning there is lots to learn from this conversation. He explains in depth how to build your brand DNA and it's not just about packaging. learn about how your brand impacts the whole company, its ethos, beliefs and values.
The sound quality is not as good as it could be - this was a recorded call without decent microphones but it is worth the listen!
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.
As part of a series of videos for PPE4People.com I was given the chance to interview Lee Parry, founder and CEO.
Lee is currently in Thailand, having been stuck there during the global lockdown, and has decided to stay. With the help of Doug Scott, Angel Investor and co-founder, Lee has created a fantastic team of volunteers and now has over 1500 active buyers at any one time using the PPE4People website.
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.
Al Campbell and Sarah Curran bring you the first Episode of Confounded TV, a lighthearted and energetic video podcast talking about life, lockdown, startups, business and more.
Will Bicknell tells all about starting a new (and amazing) social payments business using Open Banking to revolutionise online payments. He started the business within days of being furloughed and now has a chance and building a unique, transparent and social friendly payment system. A revolution in the making!
Also, this week Dan Blatchford of SipChampagnes.com does a 60 second pitch for his new side hustle selling champagnes on subscription.
Watch:
YouTube http://bit.ly/confounded2
Confounded TV is the people podcast with amazingly successful and interesting guests and a high octane energy blast.