In this episode, Tom Griffiths welcomes Phil Tregous Evans, CEO and co-founder of Giraffe Social, to explore the journey of building and scaling a successful social media agency. Phil shares insights from over 13 years of experience, reflecting on the challenges and lessons learned while growing Giraffe Social from a small startup to a team of 14 working with large global brands.

The discussion begins with Phil’s background and the origins of Giraffe Social, highlighting the early focus on survival and the gradual shift towards strategic growth. A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the challenges of hiring and managing people, particularly as the agency expanded. Phil emphasises the importance of creating a supportive environment, providing team members with a clear vision, and empowering them to make an impact.

Another key theme is the critical role of financial oversight in scaling a business. Phil explains how his partnership with CFO Kane has been vital for sustainable growth, combining creative optimism with financial discipline. The conversation delves into how Giraffe Social transitioned from traditional deliverable-based packages to retainer models, which improved profitability, reduced team stress, and enhanced client outcomes.

Phil also shares insights into the agency’s approach to client work, focusing on strategy-driven social media management for established brands in sectors such as healthcare, finance, fintech, and education. He highlights common challenges faced by clients, particularly a lack of coherent social media strategy, and explains how Giraffe Social positions itself as both a strategic partner and a flexible extension of a client’s team.

Finally, Phil offers advice for aspiring agency founders: seek mentorship, connect with others in the industry, and learn from those who have walked the path before. He also introduces his book, Human First Marketing, which encapsulates the agency’s philosophy of putting people at the heart of marketing strategies.

To contact Phil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-treagus-evans/

In this episode, Callum Woodcock, co-founder of WineFi, discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in the fine wine investment space. The conversation delves into how WineFi has revolutionized the market by combining traditional fine wine with modern data analytics, offering investors a more accessible, diversified, and tax-efficient investment option.

Callum explains the basic premise behind WineFi, highlighting its ability to lower the cost of entry for wine investment and provide a transparent, data-driven approach to selecting wines with the highest potential for appreciation. WineFi allows investors to co-own fine wine through syndicates, starting with as little as £3,000, which is a fraction of what would traditionally be required for a diversified portfolio. This innovative model is designed to bring quantitative analysis to an industry that has not seen such rigorous data-driven investment strategies.

The episode also covers the business model of WineFi, including the company's transparent fee structure, which is distinct from traditional wine merchants who profit from markups on wine. Instead, WineFi charges a one-off administrative fee that covers storage, insurance, and other administrative costs for up to five years.

Callum shares insights into the journey of building WineFi, from its initial seed funding to scaling the business with innovative distribution partnerships. He discusses how LinkedIn and word-of-mouth have been key in attracting early investors, and how these relationships have been instrumental in the company's growth. He also explains the importance of maintaining a hybrid approach to customer engagement, combining self-service with opportunities for personalized consultations.

Lastly, Callum reflects on the types of investors WineFi attracts, including high net worth individuals and professionals looking for alternative, tax-efficient investments. This episode offers an intriguing look at how wine can be redefined as an investment asset in the 21st century.

To contact Callum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callumwoodcock/

In this episode, Tom Griffiths sits down with Liam Corcoran, a coach and investor who helps tech founders scale their businesses from $1M to $10M in annual recurring revenue without burning out. Liam shares insights drawn from over 20 years of experience building, scaling, and investing in companies across AI, Web3, SaaS, and e-commerce.

The conversation explores the common challenges founders face at this growth stage. Liam highlights the founder bottleneck—where every decision depends on the CEO—and the critical importance of hiring the right people for the business’s stage. He also delves into financial management, sharing how cash flow forecasting and retention strategies can transform a company from month-to-month survival to predictable profitability.

Liam introduces his proprietary framework, Clarity OS, which provides founders with structure, rhythm, and systems to run their businesses effectively. Through this framework, he helps leaders remove themselves from day-to-day operations, enabling the business to operate as a system while they focus on strategy and growth.

The episode also covers scaling and exit strategies. Liam discusses how he supports founders in securing investment, growing to the next revenue milestone, and preparing for exits or acquisitions. He stresses the importance of making decisions quickly, using data to validate intuition, and continuously learning from outcomes.

Listeners will gain actionable advice on structuring teams, managing cash flow, commercialising products, and scaling operations with clarity and discipline. Whether you’re a founder aiming to grow your tech business, an investor seeking operational insight, or simply interested in scaling strategies, this episode offers practical guidance grounded in real-world experience.

To Contact Liam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamcorcorancoach/