Screw It, Just Do It | Alex Chisnall Chats With Ray Kelvin, Richard Reed, Steven Bartlett & Others Every Week. Alex Chisnall:

What does it take to start a billion-dollar company during a financial crisis? In this Bite-sized Screw It Just DO It episode, I sit down with Oscar Höglund, co-founder and CEO of Epidemic Sound, to hear how he turned a broken music licensing industry into a global platform used by millions of creators. Oscar shares how he and his co-founders launched Epidemic Sound in 2008 at the height of the recession, why they decided to rewrite the rules of music licensing, and how their vision to “soundtrack the internet” fuelled their growth. His story is a powerful lesson in resilience, timing, and taking risks when others hold back.Key Takeaways:Why starting in a recession can be an advantage for bold entrepreneurs.How Epidemic Sound spotted a broken system and built a solution creators needed.The importance of unrestricted music licensing for the creator economy.Why conviction in your mission matters more than playing by old industry rules.

When most graduates were applying for traditional jobs, Darcy Laceby made a different choice. At 20, she co-founded Absolute Collagen alongside her mum, Maxine, transforming bone broth experiments at their kitchen table into a £50 million challenger brand. In this conversation, Darcy shares the reality of building a beauty business from scratch, navigating early investment decisions, scaling a direct-to-consumer brand, and working in a family-run business. We also explore the challenges of being a young female founder, how to stand your ground with investors, and why belief in yourself can accelerate growth.Key Takeaways:The early days of Absolute Collagen and how a kitchen-table idea became a £50M brandNavigating the challenges of scaling a family businessThe importance of belief, persistence, and trusting your own expertiseLessons in investment, growth, and leading a fast-scaling teamDarcy’s vision for the future of health, nutrition, and personalised wellness

On this Bite-sized Screw It Just DO It, I sit down with Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Indistractable, to unpack the real reason entrepreneurs get stuck. Nir shares how distraction doesn’t come from phones, emails, or social media, but from within. He explains how boredom, stress, and loneliness drive us towards procrastination and how learning to manage internal triggers can change everything. Nir also reveals his simple mantra of consistency over intensity, showing how small, repeatable actions compound into real change in business, health, and life. Whether you are scaling a startup or just trying to stay focused through the noise, this is a practical, no-nonsense framework you can use straight away.Key Takeaways:Distraction starts from internal triggers, not external interruptions.Time management requires pain management, you must address the discomfort you’re trying to escape.Consistency over intensity builds lasting progress in business, health, and creativity.You can’t outsource focus, you must decide

On this episode of Screw It Just DO It I sit down with Boris Diakonov and Eduard Panteleev, the co-founders of ANNA Money, the UK-based business account built to make life easier for small business owners. ANNA combines finance, admin and tax tools in one AI-powered platform, complete with its trademark humour and cat logo. In this conversation we cover the “screw it” moment that pushed them to launch, how they chose the UK market despite being newcomers, and what it took to overcome major setbacks like the Wirecard crisis. We also explore how ANNA grew to 50,000 customers, nearly £30 million in annual recurring revenue, and an 80% gross margin. This is a real look at scaling a fintech startup, balancing co-founder dynamics, and keeping customers front and centre.Key Takeaways:Why the UK market was the right place to launch ANNA despite early fearsHow a bold brand identity helped them stand out in a crowded sectorLessons from surviving the Wirecard collapse and keeping customers onsideThe importance of listen

There are moments in life when everything falls apart. For Lewis Howes, it was a combination of his father’s serious accident, a career-ending sports injury, and the global financial crash. He found himself broke, directionless, and living on his sister’s couch.In this Bite-sized Screw It Just DO It episode, Lewis shares how those challenges forced him to think differently. He began seeking mentors, learning business skills, and experimenting with ways to earn money during one of the toughest economic climates in recent memory.What followed was the first step towards building a multi-million dollar business, the launch of The School of Greatness podcast, and bestselling books that have inspired millions worldwide. His story is a practical reminder that setbacks can push you to create entirely new opportunities if you are willing to act.Key Takeaways:Setbacks can create the urgency needed to find a new path.Mentorship accelerates learning and helps you avoid obvious mistakes.Start small, test ideas, and build

This week on Screw It Just DO It I sit down with Pip Murray, the founder of Pip & Nut, the UK’s fastest-growing natural nut butter brand. Pip’s story starts with a marathon training run that sparked an idea for a better product, free from palm oil. That idea turned into Pip & Nut, now stocked in over 8,000 stores and recently crowned the number one nut butter brand in the UK.We cover how Pip went from working at the Science Museum to living rent-free in a shed after winning the Escape the City competition, raising £120,000 through crowdfunding, and navigating the early challenges of scaling a food and drink brand. We also talk about resilience, culture, and why purpose and sustainability matter more than ever when building a business today.This is a raw and honest look at the realities of entrepreneurship: the pressure of being a solo founder, the importance of consumer feedback, and how to hold onto a challenger mindset even after hitting scale. If you’re looking for lessons on leadership, funding, b

When I sat down with Mike McDerment, founder of FreshBooks, his story reminded me why narrowing focus is often the smartest path to growth. In this Bite-sized episode, you’ll hear how Mike turned a small design problem into a billion-dollar company by obsessing over one specific customer segment.Mike shares how he resisted the temptation to serve everyone, instead targeting only web designers for seven years. That focus built a loyal base and drove word-of-mouth growth far beyond the niche. He talks about bootstrapping from his parents’ basement, raising small angel rounds, and running lean until the first big $30m investment a decade later.If you’re stuck wondering how to get your business moving, this conversation is a blueprint: start small, serve one customer type brilliantly, and let focus fuel scale.Key Takeaways:Identify one clear customer and understand their pain better than they do.Avoid the trap of believing “everyone” is your customer. Focus creates growth.Bootstrapping forces discipline and build

This October we’re bringing together the UK’s most ambitious founders, investors, and business leaders for two days of no-fluff insights, practical workshops, and high-value networking at the Festival of Entrepreneurs 2025.In this episode, I’ll walk you through what the festival is, who it’s for, and what you can expect when you join us at the NEC Birmingham. From scaling strategies to funding opportunities and stories you won’t hear anywhere else, this is your chance to learn directly from the entrepreneurs shaping the future of business.Limited free two-day passes are available now on a first-come, first-served basis. Register today at https://www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.ukDon’t miss a moment of entrepreneurial insight—subscribe to Screw It Just DO It wherever you get your podcasts.And if you’re serious about growing your business, join us on October 8–9 at the NEC Birmingham for the Festival of Entrepreneurs. Two days packed with practical workshops, world-class speakers, and the chance to connect with

In this episode of Screw It Just DO It, I sit down with Nell Daly, founder and managing partner of Revenge Capital. Nell went from a career in clinical psychology to raising a $70 million fund designed to back overlooked and underestimated founders. She explains how her experiences working with people struggling financially shaped her mission to help entrepreneurs access capital, why networking and relationships were central to her journey, and how she sees the future of inclusive investing. We also talk about the challenges she faced as a female fund manager, the importance of persistence in raising capital, and why she believes diverse teams will drive the next wave of global innovation.Key Takeaways:Why persistence and networking matter in raising capitalHow Nell transitioned from psychology to venture capitalThe three criteria she uses for investment decisionsThe importance of diversity and inclusion in building successful startups

In this Bite-sized Screw It Just DO It episode, I revisit my conversation with Richard Reed, co-founder of Innocent Drinks, who sold the smoothie brand to Coca-Cola for over $500 million. Richard shares how Innocent started as three friends selling smoothies at festivals and grew into Europe’s leading healthy drinks company without a master plan or exit strategy. He explains why mission and friendship mattered more than chasing returns, how resilience carried them through setbacks like 2008, and why Jam Jar Investments was launched just 48 hours after selling Innocent to support the next wave of UK founders. This episode is a direct look at scaling a brand, surviving challenges, and giving back to the startup ecosystem.Key Takeaways:Growth often comes without a master plan—execution matters more than theoryMission-driven businesses outlast founder-driven onesResilience is key, even when setbacks wipe out years of progressFriendship and shared values can sustain a founding team for the long haulSupporting othe

I’m joined by Jo Dalton, a serial founder, investor, and champion of female entrepreneurs — to talk about what it really takes to build leadership teams, back founders, and scale businesses without losing your edge. Jo founded JD & CO after years in corporate, determined to create a recruitment firm that actually supports entrepreneurs instead of chasing commission. She’s helped early-stage founders grow into unicorns, invested in female-led businesses, and built a reputation on authenticity and trust rather than traditional sales tactics. In this episode, we talk about how to spot founder potential, why grit and resilience matter more than anything else, the biggest red flags she sees in leadership, and why AI is about to reshape the job market. Jo also shares why maintaining a startup mentality during scale-up is crucial, how to secure smart capital, and the cultural changes the UK needs to compete with the US on scale-ups. Key TakeawaysHiring for Scale-Ups: Why speed can hurt hiring decisions and how t

In this Bite-sized Screw It Just DO It episode, I revisit my conversation with Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer, as he shares the story of how he built one of the world’s most recognisable beer brands from scratch. He launched during a recession, with no credibility, no resources, and fierce competition from global giants. What he did have was resilience, determination, and the ability to turn obstacles into opportunities. From selling only big bottles of Cobra in Indian restaurants to expanding across 40 countries, Lord Bilimoria explains the lessons every founder needs to hear about starting, scaling, and sticking with it when others would give up.Key Takeaways:How to start and scale during tough economic conditionsThe role of customer feedback in building credibility and confidenceWhy resilience and guts are essential traits for foundersTurning early obstacles into long-term opportunitiesThe importance of perseverance when building a global brand

In this episode of Screw It Just DO It, I speak with Maxine Laceby, founder of Absolute Collagen. Maxine launched the business at 50 from her kitchen table after raising her two daughters, turning a simple idea for bone broth into one of the UK’s fastest-growing beauty supplement brands now valued at over £50 million. She shares how her journey was never about chasing investor returns but about doing things properly, respecting her team, and staying true to her values. We discuss her screw it just do it moment, the role her family has played in the business, and why she believes authenticity and empowerment should always guide brand messaging.Key Takeaways:It’s never too late to start a businessAuthenticity creates customer loyalty and long-term growthFamily-run businesses need mutual respect for strengths and weaknessesInvestment should be about finding the right partners, not just the moneyEmpowering customers matters more than exploiting insecurities

When the world shut down, Maria Hatzistefanis doubled down. In this episode, I sat down with the founder of Rodial and Nip+Fab, who shared exactly how she pivoted during the pandemic, scaled her beauty empire to 35 countries, and leveraged both old-school trade shows and new-school DTC strategies to build a global brand.Maria gets honest about the reality of expanding into international markets, the unexpected complexity of going truly global, and what it takes to stay relevant in an industry built on constant reinvention. Whether you're selling skincare or software, the lessons here are universal: stay close to your customer, stay curious, and be ready to evolve.Key Takeaways:Trade shows were instrumental in Rodial's early global strategy.Digital marketing and DTC became essential after losing wholesale revenue.Maria’s shift to Instagram Stories helped her connect directly with customers.Success came from listening to market-specific needs (e.g. product formulations for Asia vs. the US).Hiring local

I’ve spoken to hundreds of founders over the years, but Melissa Snover’s story hits different. This week, I sat down with the force behind Scripted and Nourished, two businesses that are fundamentally changing the way we approach health. From reverse-engineering 3D printers to developing patent-protected technology for personalised vitamins, Melissa didn’t just “solve a problem,” she created an entirely new category. If you’re building a product, raising capital, or trying to scale without losing your startup DNA, this episode has the blueprint.Melissa breaks down how she raised a record-breaking £2.7M as a solo female founder, what it really takes to create IP-driven businesses, and how to hold onto the startup mindset while navigating serious growth, governance, and FDA audits.Whether you’re knee-deep in fundraising or just sick of generic supplements, this one is well worth a listen.Key Takeaways:You don’t need permission to disrupt. Melissa taught herself mechanical engineering and G-code after the world’

From a pop-up shop to a team of over 20, Candy Kittens is the top in brand building and entrepreneurial persistence. In this bite-sized episode, I talk with Jamie Laing and Ed Williams about the first hires, building a team organically, and how they launched a sweet brand with zero background in food or drink.You’ll hear how they leveraged social media and created a nationwide “sweet team” of micro-ambassadors before even having a finished product. We also talk about the importance of staying true to your brand, resisting shortcuts, and building something that lasts.If you’re thinking about starting a product business, growing a consumer brand, or figuring out your first move as a founder, this one’s for you.Key TakeawaysBuild your team around what the business needs, not just good intentionsGrassroots ambassadors can outperform influencers when done rightSocial proof isn’t just about follower count, it’s about the right people18 months of product development was worth it to maintain brand integrityPersistenc

When Aron Gelbard co-founded Bloom & Wild in 2013 with just £30,000 in savings, the online flower delivery market had no standout brands, inconsistent quality, and poor customer experience. Fast-forward to today and Bloom & Wild has delivered over 30 million flowers, raised £120M in funding, and pioneered the letterbox flower format that’s now industry-defining. In this episode, Aron shares how customer feedback shaped the business from day one, the pivotal mistakes that became turning points, and why culture and values like “Care Wildly” have been critical to growth. We dive deep into early-stage challenges, international acquisitions, scaling operations across nine countries, and building a brand people genuinely love. If you’re serious about building a scale-up that balances innovation, customer obsession, and sustainable growth, this is an episode you’ll want to study.Key TakeawaysWhy solving an emotional problem in a “broken” industry gave Bloom & Wild its competitive edge.How early mistakes

In this Bite-sized episode of Screw It Just DO It, I speak with Magnus Grimeland, founder and CEO of Antler, one of the fastest-scaling early-stage VC platforms in the world.Magnus has helped Antler grow to 21 offices across six continents, backing nearly 400 startups in the process. But this conversation focuses on something deeper than capital: community. He shares how they built a global founder network that supports collaboration, peer learning, and talent access, all with a hyper-local approach tailored to each region.You’ll hear how they’ve used tech infrastructure to support remote founders, what role community plays in startup success, and how you can apply the same thinking to scale your own ecosystem, whether you're a founder or investor.It’s a sharp, strategic look at what it really takes to scale something global without losing the intimacy and value of local connections.Key Takeaways:Founder support is more than funding, it’s infrastructureCommunity building is critical to startup successTech

How do you go from a £500 startup to a £200 million brand?On this week’s Screw It Just DO It, I speak to Juliet Barratt, co-founder of Grenade. If you've ever picked up a Carb Killa bar, you’ve seen the impact of brand, timing, and relentlessness in action. Juliet and her husband launched Grenade during a recession, built it into a market leader, and sold it to Mondelez for a nine-figure sum.But this isn’t just another glossy success story.Juliet opens up about the toll of selling your business, what she’d do differently, and why founders need to be laser-focused on product, branding, and fit. She also shares hard-earned lessons about scaling with your partner, the value of mentorship, and what the real road to a global brand looks like. Whether you're building a business, preparing for a raise, or staring down an exit, this is the unfiltered version most founders never hear.Key TakeawaysBrand is everything. Distinctive packaging and positioning were critical to Grenade standing out in a saturated mar

In this bite-sized episode of Screw It Just DO It, I sit down with Julian Hearn, founder of Huel, to unpack the early days of building one of the UK’s fastest-growing food brands. How to systemise and scale from a solo startupWhy obsessing over process is the key to future growthBuilding a culture-first team and hiring for values over skillsStepping away as CEO to let others leadWhy location and work environment can be a competitive advantageJulian didn’t just start Huel, he did everything himself. Branding, packaging, fulfilment, customer service, marketing. It was a one-man operation that exploded into a £40 million business in just four years.We dive into:Julian’s story proves that you don’t need a complicated business plan or a full founding team to get started. You need focus, fast feedback loops, and the grit to keep going when the work is heavy and unrewarded.If you're a founder stuck between startup chaos and scale-up complexity, this one's for you.