The Forbes Trail Mitchell Forbes

Andrew is a serial entrepreneur, who after a 20 year stint co-founding and scaling Frank PR into one of the UK’s most iconic and well-respected agencies. Andrew founded and now runs Bloch & and Associates, a boutique advisory firm specialised in marketing services which handles everything from agency M&A on behalf of PCB Partners, agency selection processes on behalf of AAR, through to a variety of NED roles with some of the UK’s most exciting marketing services companies including AFO Group, Stakked, Words+ Pixels and many more. As if that isn’t enough, Andrew has also worked as official spokesperson and PR adviser to Lord Sugar for nearly 25 years!


Vulnerable, frank yet charismatic, Andrew walks us through his growth journey as we pay particular attention to lessons in emotional intelligence, leaderships, professional services, balance & wealth creation.


(04:58) - The Journey of Andrew: From Advertising to Entrepreneurship

(09:35) - Balancing High Performance and High Trust: The Role of Emotional Intelligence

(16:47) - The Value of Self-Reflection and Emotional Intelligence in Business

(23:29)- Andrew Block & Associates: A Creative Portfolio Career.

(34:42) - Prioritizing Passion and Profit

(40:48) - Andrew emphasizes the importance of being authentic in communication and personal branding.

(41:22) - Andrew discusses the value of enjoying work and working with people he respects and likes.

(47:03) - Andrew advises on the significance of being oneself in personal branding and social media presence.



Follow me here:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-forbes-436b1488/

TikTok - @TheForbesTrail



If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing with a friend or leaving a rating. Stay tuned for more insights into the world of sports and entrepreneurship on The Forbes Trail!

Hiring your first AE in the DACH region can be a real pain!



That's why we brought in our client, Rama, CEO & Founder of Phantasma Labs, to discuss this exact topic. Rama partnered with Nobel to hire Enrico, who began as an AE and has now been promoted to Head of Sales.

Hiring your first AE in DACH presents many challenges:



- What seniority do we hire for?

- Which background should they have?

- How do we qualify the right soft skills?

- How do we set it up for success?

- How should we structure the interview process?

We offer our insights and experiences on ALL of the above and hope this bring a ton of value to listeners.


(00:13) - Introduction of guests and topic of discussion.

(02:36) - Discussion on when to hire the first account executive and the importance of having a clear direction for the salesperson.

(07:05) - Characteristics and skills needed for a successful account executive, including agility, communication, and motivation.

(10:07) - Importance of having a founder's mindset and how it shows up in day-to-day work.

(14:06) - Importance of transparency in the interview process, setting clear expectations on compensation, and assessing candidates for the right skill set.

(28:07) - Discussion on the onboarding process, customer interactions, and the importance of maintaining a customer-centric approach even as the company grows.



Follow me here:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-forbes-436b1488/

TikTok - @TheForbesTrail



If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing with a friend or leaving a rating. Stay tuned for more insights into the world of sports and entrepreneurship on The Forbes Trail!

#142 - Oliver Weingarten - Co-Founder & CEO Summit Sports

Oliver Weingarten, the founder and CEO of Summit Sports, joins us on The Forbes Trail to share his remarkable journey in the sports industry.

Oliver reflects on his diverse heritage and educational background, blending law, German studies, and a passion for sports. Transitioning from the legal field to the dynamic world of sports, Oliver recounts his experiences at the Premier League and Formula One, highlighting the autonomy and entrepreneurial spirit that led him to pursue his dream job.

Delving into the intricacies of the sports industry, Oliver discusses the challenges and successes he encountered, from anti-piracy efforts to title sponsorship deals. He emphasizes the importance of autonomy and integrity in his career trajectory, ultimately leading him to establish Summit Sports. Oliver's vision for Summit Sports revolves around providing comprehensive support to athletes and creators, bridging the gap between traditional sports and emerging trends like eSports.

With a focus on authenticity and purpose-driven initiatives, Oliver shares his insights on the future of sports and entrepreneurship. His commitment to transparency and professionalism resonates with his approach to building relationships and fostering a sense of community within the sports industry.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into Oliver's entrepreneurial journey and learn more about Summit Sports' innovative approach to supporting athletes and creators.



(00:15) - Oliver's Diverse Heritage and Educational Background

(01:17) - Transition from Law to Sports Industry

(02:21) - Autonomy and Entrepreneurial Spirit at the Premier League

(05:41) - Transition to Formula One and Challenges Faced

(10:41) - Introduction to eSports and Establishment of London United

(18:48) - Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Navigating Challenges

(25:49) - Vision for Summit Sports and Comprehensive Support for Athletes

(32:52) - Integrity and Transparency in Sports Industry

(39:49) - Future of Boxing and Golf in the Sports Industry

(41:14) - Impact of Streaming Platforms like Netflix on Sports Entertainment

(44:53) - Insights on Entrepreneurship and Navigating Challenges in Sports Industry



Follow me here:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-forbes-436b1488/TikTok - @TheForbesTrail



If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing with a friend or leaving a rating. Stay tuned for more insights into the world of sports and entrepreneurship on The Forbes Trail!

#141 - Graeme Brown - Director of Golf at The Dutch


Graeme Brown, Director of Golf at the Dutch, joins us on The Forbes Trail to share his journey in the world of golf. Graeme delves into his early introduction to golf at a young age, guided by his father, and his progression through the ranks in Scotland and college in the United States. Transitioning from amateur to professional golf, Graeme reflects on the challenges and successes he faced on the tour.

Discussing the intricacies of the golfing world, Graeme provides insights into the qualities that set successful players apart and the importance of continuous improvement in all aspects of the game. He shares his experiences at Montrose Golf Links and the transition to becoming the Director of Golf at the Dutch, highlighting the unique concept and community-focused approach of the club.

From bespoke memberships to personalized travel experiences, Graeme sheds light on the offerings at the Dutch and the emphasis on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for members. He touches on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on golf participation and the club's efforts to adapt and accommodate members' needs.

With a passion for building relationships and fostering a sense of community, Graeme discusses the role of golf as a vehicle for business networking and personal connections. He shares upcoming travel plans and the excitement of exploring new golf courses and destinations.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into the world of golf from Graeme's perspective and learn more about The Dutch's unique concept and focus on network & community.



(00:20) - Graeme's Early Golf Beginnings

(04:21) - Graeme's Love for Golf Practice and Competition

(12:32) - Graeme's Decision to Join The Dutch

(18:47) - The Concept of Memberships at The Dutch

(26:23) - Impact of COVID-19 on Golf Memberships

(30:55) - The Dutch Travel Agency and Bespoke Travel Opportunities



Follow me here:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-forbes-436b1488/

TikTok - @TheForbesTrail



If you enjoyed this episode, why not leave a rating or perhaps share with a friend? :)

#140 - Ted Brady - Managing Matt Fitzpatrick & Founding a Player Agency

Ted Brady is a Golf Agent, most notably managing Matt Fitzpatrick for 7 years, including his US Open win in 2022.

Ted, the founder of LAIK Sports, joins us on The Forbes Trail to share his journey in managing professional golfer, Matt Fitzpatrick and launching his player management agency. We go into Ted's origin story and growth from the early days working for Chubby Chandler. Ted dives into the importance of leveraging data for performance improvement in golf and the importance of balance between commercial opportunities and on-course success for players. He reflects on the highs and lows of his career, including navigating challenging moments with players under performing and celebrating major victories.

Ted's approach to player management focuses on individualized strategies tailored to each player's strengths and goals with performance being the ore focus of everything he does. Tune in to learn more about Ted's insights and experiences in the world of golf management!



(00:00) - Introduction to Ted Brady & his origin story

(07:48) - Discussion on Player Performance & Management

(11:46) - Exploring the Player-Manager Relationship

(13:18) - Data in Player Performance

(23:18) - Balancing On & Off The Course Activities

(26:10) - Trends in Athlete Brand Deals

(39:56) - Career Highs & Lows

(43:50) - Min Woo Lee is on Fire



Follow me here:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-forbes-436b1488/

TikTok - @TheForbesTrail

As per title 😆