• #76 Why founders keep hiring the wrong people (and what to do instead)
    2025/06/24

    Logan Merrick is the co-founder of Willbound, a company helping founder-led businesses hire elite talent from the Philippines.


    In this episode, we talk about why most offshore hiring fails, what founders get wrong about delegation, and how Logan rebuilt after burning out and publicly crashing his first company.


    He shares the lessons from running a lean 7-figure e-commerce brand, how that led to building Willbound, and why the quality of your hires determines how fast, or how painfully, you scale.


    Whether you're hiring your first operator or trying to build a remote team that actually works, this episode will help you rethink how you approach talent.


    Topics We Cover:

    • Why most founders approach hiring the wrong way

    • The myth of cheap offshore labor

    • How Logan accidentally started a recruiting company

    • His public business failure and how he rebuilt

    • What “buying back time” actually looks like

    • How to identify and attract top 1% global talent

    • Common mistakes founders make when building remote teams

    • The mindset shift from chasing growth to building leverage


    Logan:


    LinkedIn


    Willbound:


    Website


    Follow Me:


    YouTube

    Newsletter

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Twitter

    TikTok


    Chapters:


    00:00 – Intro

    01:00 – How Logan built Willbound from solving his own hiring pain

    05:00 – Why most offshore hiring fails

    08:00 – What top talent in the Philippines actually looks like

    12:00 – The recruiting system Logan built from scratch

    16:00 – The biggest hiring mistake founders make

    20:00 – Why Logan doesn’t chase hypergrowth anymore

    24:00 – Lessons from scaling a 7-figure brand with a 10-hour workweek

    28:00 – Burnout, ego, and rebuilding after public failure

    33:00 – What motivates Logan now

    37:00 – Building a personal brand after disappearing from the spotlight

    41:00 – Tips for building a lean, high-performance remote team

    47:00 – Why systems and great people matter more than hustle

    52:00 – Advice for early-stage founders on hiring and delegation

    58:00 – Byron and Logan reflect on audience-building and motivation

    01:05:00 – Logan’s closing question for Byron

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 時間 20 分
  • #75 How to build real authority in 2025
    2025/06/17

    In this episode, I sit down with Sam Winsbury, founder of Kurogo, a leading personal branding agency working with founders and CEOs. Sam shares how he built Kurogo from a solo freelancing gig into a 15-person team generating 30–50 inbound leads a month through content.


    We cover:


    • Why personal branding is still underrated in B2B

    • How Sam landed his first clients and scaled his offer

    • What positioning actually means, and why most founders skip it

    • The pricing lessons that took Kurogo from £500 retainers to revenue-share deals

    • Hiring mistakes, growth pains, and why a big team isn’t always better

    • How he manages a fully remote team across 3 continents

    • What’s next for personal branding: podcasts, newsletters, and real authority

    • Behind the scenes of launching his new podcast, Success Clues


    Whether you’re building an agency, growing your personal brand, or thinking about how to stay relevant as content gets more competitive, this episode is packed with practical insights.


    Sam:


    LinkedIn

    YouTube


    Kurogo:


    Website


    Follow Me:


    YouTube

    Newsletter

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Twitter

    TikTok


    Timestamps

    00:00 – Intro

    01:17 – What Kurogo does

    02:03 – The story behind the name

    03:11 – Why Sam skipped the 9-to-5

    06:16 – From ghostwriting to full-service

    08:38 – How his pricing strategy evolved

    10:04 – When the business started taking off

    11:17 – Early lessons from LinkedIn

    13:37 – ROI from personal branding

    15:13 – Downsizing, AI, and staying lean

    16:40 – Building systems while scaling

    19:13 – Learning from clients

    21:43 – Remote culture & team dynamics

    23:30 – Sam’s current role in the business

    25:12 – Where personal branding is heading

    27:18 – What’s still hard at this stage

    29:28 – Sam’s personal content process

    31:38 – Launching the Success Clues podcast

    34:55 – Why I started my own podcast

    38:02 – Owning your audience

    39:51 – Hardest moment as a founder

    42:25 – Identity shifts and self-belief

    48:38 – What he’s building with Kurogo

    50:01 – What he’d do differently

    51:19 – Why most middle management is useless

    52:14 – Final questions

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 時間 5 分
  • #74 This AI Powered Marketplace Is Replacing Cold Outreach with Creator Influence
    2025/04/14

    David Walsh is back on the pod, and this time, Limelight isn’t just an idea. It’s a fast-growing B2B creator marketplace that’s helping brands like HubSpot, Xero, and Webflow tap into niche creators for measurable growth.


    In this episode, we dive into:


    • Why cold outreach is dying — and what’s replacing it

    • The power of niche creators in B2B marketing

    • How Limelight is using AI and data to scale partnerships

    • David’s no-BS approach to startup building

    • Fundraising lessons from a second-time founder

    • What most startups get wrong about product design

    • The underrated skill every founder needs


    David doesn’t hold back. If you're building a startup, scaling a brand, or rethinking how to do marketing in 2025, this one’s for you.


    Connect with David:


    LinkedIn

    Limelight


    Follow Me:


    YouTube

    Newsletter

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Twitter

    TikTok


    Subscribe for more conversations with founders who’ve been there, built that, and kept going.


    New episodes every week.


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to Limelight's Growth

    03:14 Building a Core Team

    06:08 Strategic Shifts in Scaling

    09:01 Hiring and Company Culture

    11:47 Raising Capital and Investor Relations

    15:00 Raising Capital: The Necessity and Strategy

    17:49 Crafting the Perfect Investment Deck

    20:52 The Importance of Speed in Product Development

    23:55 Prioritizing Features: Aligning with Business Goals

    27:06 Leveraging Influencers for Brand Growth

    30:07 Measuring Campaign Success: Metrics That Matter

    32:46 Navigating Challenges in B2B Marketing

    35:56 Lessons Learned: The Entrepreneurial Journey

    38:48 The Future of Business: Distribution and Brand Value

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    50 分
  • #73 How Two Brothers with No Industry Experience Are Shaking Up the Drinks Market
    2025/03/31

    How do you build a drinks brand from scratch with zero experience, no industry connections, and giants like Bud Light as your competitors?


    In this episode, James Smith shares how he and his brother turned a simple idea (healthier, low-sugar vodka sodas) into Arrowtown, a drinks brand that's making serious waves.


    From disastrous first batches and legal threats to bootstrapping sales by hand-delivering cases around their hometown, James opens up about the messy reality of entrepreneurship.


    We cover:


    • Why their initial lack of industry experience became their greatest strength.

    • The grassroots marketing strategy that got them into regional stores.

    • How they've managed to compete successfully against billion dollar global brands.


    This conversation proves that sometimes, not knowing the "right" way is exactly what you need to find your own path to success.


    Subscribe for more founder stories, actionable insights, and honest conversations.


    Connect with James & Arrowtown:


    Arrowtown Drinks

    James Smith


    Follow Me:


    YouTube

    Newsletter

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Twitter

    TikTok


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to AeroTown

    02:55 The RTD Market Landscape

    06:08 Consumer Trends and Health Consciousness

    08:53 The Journey of Starting AeroTown

    12:02 Networking and Learning from Others

    15:03 The Importance of Naivety in Entrepreneurship

    18:01 Building a Brand with Family

    20:57 The Genesis of AeroTown

    24:09 Transitioning from Idea to Launch

    26:53 The Entrepreneurial Spirit and Family Influence

    29:48 Reflections on Running a Business with a Sibling

    34:48 Family Dynamics in Business

    38:59 Grassroots Beginnings: The First Sale

    47:13 Challenges and Setbacks

    50:03 Bootstrapping and Funding Strategies

    55:07 Future Aspirations and Growth

    58:27 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs


    Brought to you by Cue Studios, empowering founders to share their story clearly, consistently, and creatively.

    Learn more

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 時間 9 分
  • #72 Why 'Following the Herd' Might Be Your Smartest Business Move Yet with Tom Ridges
    2025/03/24

    In this episode, I sit down with Tom Ridges, founder of Herdify, to explore how understanding human behaviour and herd mentality can revolutionize your marketing strategy.


    Tom shares his incredible journey, from spending £70K on a failed app to discovering a unique way of using behavioural science and herd dynamics to help businesses pinpoint exactly where their customers are.


    We dive deep into why traditional demographic marketing often fails and how Herdify achieves jaw-dropping results by tapping into the conversations customers are already having.


    Tom also candidly reveals key lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of transitioning from consulting to SaaS, and why curiosity and action-taking are critical for entrepreneurial success.


    If you're tired of wasting money on ineffective marketing or want to uncover the hidden force driving consumer decisions, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you won't want to miss.


    What You'll Learn:


    • How herd mentality impacts customer behaviour (and how you can use it)

    • The marketing "secret weapon" behind Herdify's success

    • Tom's journey from costly failures to building a thriving startup

    • Practical advice for early-stage founders and marketers looking to stand out


    Connect with Tom:


    LinkedIn


    Herdify Website


    Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, rate, and share to help more listeners discover the show!


    Follow Me:


    YouTube

    Newsletter

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Twitter

    TikTok


    Chapters:


    00:00 Introduction to Herdify

    02:01 Understanding Audience Behavior

    06:02 Targeting Innovators and Disruptors

    08:02 The Journey of Building Herdify

    12:12 Defining Success in Business

    15:10 The Importance of Curiosity

    18:09 Building Relationships with Customers

    19:48 The Qualities of a Founder

    24:03 Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship

    29:09 Lessons from Failure

    32:06 Challenges in Sales

    35:15 Navigating Early Sales Challenges

    40:06 The Importance of a Strong Team

    42:29 Key Hires and Their Impact

    48:47 Long-Term Vision for Herdify

    50:49 Overcoming Product Perception Challenges

    55:31 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 時間 3 分
  • #71 We Tried These Life Hacks! Here’s What Actually Works! with Nick Daniels
    2025/03/10

    In today's episode, we try something new.


    Byron is joined by Nick Daniels, and we reflect on our experiences and insights from the past year, discussing life hacks, technology, productivity, and mindset shifts.


    We share personal anecdotes and practical tips that have significantly impacted our lives, emphasizing the importance of intentional habits and reframing perspectives to enhance well-being and success.


    We also discuss the importance of taking action as a key differentiator for success, how to transform everyday frustrations into gratitude, and the lessons learned from past failures.


    It's so important to focus on effectiveness rather than just being busy, leveraging AI for learning, and utilizing automation tools to improve workflow.


    Our discussion also covers health and fitness hacks, including meal prepping and optimizing sleep for better health.


    In other words, it's a lot. We cover a lot of ground, but there's something in there for everyone.


    In the episode, we discuss:


    • Finding a balance between consumption and action

    • Sleep hacks

    • Boosting productivity

    • Reframing challenges

    • Comparison

    • Impacts mental health

    • Focusing on effectiveness

    • Using AI tools

    • Meal prepping

    • Building a personal brand

    • Habit stacking

    • The ABC method

    • Anti-goals

    • Non-negotiables


    Nick:


    Newsletter

    Website

    Instagram

    TikTok

    YouTube

    Spotify


    Follow Me:


    YouTube

    Newsletter

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Twitter

    TikTok


    Chapters


    00:00 2024 Recap: Reflections and Insights

    02:29 Life Hacks for Productivity

    08:17 Tech That Transforms Daily Life

    15:21 Enhancing Focus and Productivity

    20:05 Small Habits, Big Impact

    22:28 Mindset Shifts and Mental Models

    33:00 Taking Action: The Key to Success

    33:59 Transforming Frustrations into Gratitude

    38:53 Learning from Past Failures

    45:06 Focusing on Effectiveness Over Busyness

    49:04 Leveraging AI for Learning

    55:14 Automation Tools for Efficiency

    58:45 Health and Fitness Hacks

    01:04:51 Optimizing Sleep for Better Health

    01:05:51 The Power of Sleep and Nutrition

    01:08:06 Daily Habits for Mental Clarity

    01:10:41 Building a Personal Brand

    01:18:50 New Year's Resolutions and Personal Growth

    01:26:16 Effective Habit Formation and Goal Setting


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 時間 38 分
  • #70 Why Attention Is the New Currency (And How to Use It) with Matt Wheeler-Barrett
    2025/02/25

    In this conversation, Byron and Matt Wheeler-Barrett discuss the inception and mission of Unyfy, a B2B personal branding agency.


    They explore the significance of personal branding in today's digital landscape, the importance of building relationships with clients, and the impact of social media trends.


    Matt shares insights on leveraging AI for content creation and reflects on his early entrepreneurial experiences, emphasizing the lessons learned and the realities of running a business.


    The discussion culminates in thoughts on growth, responsibility, and future aspirations for Unyfy.


    In this conversation, Matt Wheeler-Barrett shares his journey in entrepreneurship, discussing the importance of building momentum, the distinction between dreamers and starters, and the challenges of team building and capacity management.


    Matt also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the significance of mentorship and networking in achieving success.


    Highlights:


    • Personal branding is essential for standing out in a competitive market

    • Building relationships

    • AI optimizing content creation

    • Early entrepreneurial experiences

    • Networking crucial for finding opportunities and partnerships

    • Entrepreneurship requires discipline

    • Attention is a key currency

    • Investing in people

    • Reinvesting in your business

    • Execution and action are what separate dreamers from starters

    • Offer value for free to build relationships

    • Persistence is key in finding clients and opportunities

    • Mentorship and networking


    Matt:


    LinkedIn


    Unyfy:


    Website

    LinkedIn


    Follow Me:


    YouTube

    Newsletter

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Twitter

    TikTok


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to Unifi and Its Mission

    03:02 The Importance of Personal Branding

    05:50 Building Relationships and Client Engagement

    08:48 Navigating Trends and Hacks in Social Media

    12:04 The Role of AI in Content Creation

    15:02 Lessons from Early Entrepreneurship

    17:49 The Journey of Building Unifi

    20:55 The Reality of Entrepreneurship

    23:52 Reflections on Growth and Future Aspirations

    27:58 Building Momentum in Entrepreneurship

    30:54 The Difference Between Dreamers and Starters

    33:22 Navigating Tough Decisions in Business

    34:16 Team Building and Capacity Challenges

    35:49 Leveraging AI in Business Operations

    39:07 Empathetic Leadership and Team Dynamics

    43:41 Long-Term Vision for Unify

    45:58 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

    49:13 Finding Mentors and Building Connections

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    54 分
  • #69 The ONE Leadership Skill You’re Probably Ignoring (But Shouldn’t) with James Fleming
    2025/02/10

    In this episode I'm joined by, James Fleming, Managing Director of Power Within Training.


    We discuss the unique approach of his leadership development company, focusing on motivational intelligence.


    He shares his journey from a successful corporate career to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of understanding human motivation and adapting leadership styles for the modern workforce.


    James reflects on the challenges and growth his business experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the significance of resilience and support in overcoming doubts and achieving success.


    In this conversation, James shares his journey in leadership training, emphasizing the importance of overcoming excuses, transforming challenges into opportunities, and the significance of storytelling in gaining buy-in from participants. He discusses his vision for global expansion, lessons learned from business failures, and the ongoing battle with imposter syndrome. James encourages listeners to take action against their fears and highlights the rewarding nature of the hard path in entrepreneurship.


    In the episode, we discuss:


    • Motivational intelligence

    • Effective leadership requirements

    • How leadership has to adapt to a changing world

    • Early entrepreneurial days and challenges

    • Asking the right questions.

    • People need to feel involved to truly engage in their work.

    • Leadership development

    • Believing in your vision is essential for long-term success

    • The biggest excuses

    • Lessons from business failures

    • Managing fear

    • Nothing good happens in the comfort zone

    • The rewarding hard path

    • What if you could?


    James:


    LinkedIn


    The Power Within Training:


    Website

    LinkedIn


    Follow Me:


    YouTube

    Newsletter

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Twitter

    TikTok


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to Power Within Training

    03:04 Understanding Motivational Intelligence

    05:56 The Journey to Entrepreneurship

    12:00 Adapting Leadership for the 21st Century

    17:11 Growth Through Adversity

    24:54 Overcoming Doubts in Early Entrepreneurship

    30:54 Vision for Global Expansion

    32:20 Overcoming Common Excuses

    33:40 Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

    34:50 Lessons from Business Failures

    37:45 Navigating Imposter Syndrome

    42:08 Building Buy-In Through Storytelling

    46:56 Taking Action Against Excuses

    49:51 The Hard Path to Success

    51:43 The Journey of Starting a Podcast


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    57 分