There is no fixed job spec, so the real work is figuring out your strengths, your gaps, and the networks that can support you.

It matters because the founder journey is different for everyone, and trying to copy a generic entrepreneur template can lead to frustration, inauthenticity, and a suspicious amount of time spent pretending to enjoy networking.

The discussion focuses on self-awareness, skills-gap analysis, and building small, useful networks that help with technical, emotional, and business needs.

Timestamps

00:00 - What founders really need instead of a job spec
00:34 - Why a founder role cannot be defined like a corporate job
01:35 - Every business is different, even in the same trade
02:05 - The “never-ending toilet roll” problem of founder responsibilities
03:03 - Why rigid specifications work in traditional workplaces but not for founders
03:59 - Authenticity as the foundation of trust
04:56 - A better approach: skills gap analysis
05:49 - Knowing when to learn, when to get help, and when to outsource
07:00 - Technical skills versus social and emotional skills
07:58 - Confidence gaps and speaking about your business
08:27 - What a founder person spec should really say
09:27 - Why “authentic” is the most important founder trait
10:27 - Adapting your presentation to the audience without faking it
12:06 - Why founder support networks matter
13:02 - How to build a core network without forcing it
14:00 - Networking as a two-way relationship
15:08 - Different networks for technical, emotional, and practical support
16:34 - Why founders need time alone as well as time with others
17:33 - What a founder should be doing, in one answer
18:37 - The freedom of doing what feels right for you

Who is Jase?

Jase spent over 35 years in the military and has more than 20 years’ experience designing and delivering training in leadership, management, mental health, wellbeing and resilience.

Jase draws on his multinational training and organisational development experience to equip trainers with everything they need to meet MYB’s high standards, ensuring theory translates into practical, real-world impact.

Jase is the Jackanory of Mind Your Business®. He brings a bank of relatable and often amusing anecdotes to bring theory to life. He also has a rare gift for distilling complex ideas into simple, memorable sentences, making change feel achievable.

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Find out about courses and UK coalition here: https://mindyourbusiness.uk/

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Connect with the hosts on LinkedIn:

Jase Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jase-smith-zero78training/

Pablo Munoz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablomunozroman/

Kat Sykes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-sykes-business-not-as-usual/