Entrepreneurship and Leadership

Richard Lucas
  • 5.0 (5)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

The NBN Entrepreneurship and Leadership channel podcast focusses on entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation, interviewing entrepreneurial people, leaders and others about their journey, motivations, lessons learned and advice for others. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership

  1. MAR 8

    Nick Coutts - Portugal’s Leading Fitness/Health Centre Entrepreneur

    In this episode of Richard Lucas on Entrepreneurship and Leadership, Richard speaks with Nick Coutts — a visionary entrepreneur who reshaped Portugal’s fitness landscape and continues to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence. With over 27 years in the industry, from expanding Holmes Place across Europe to founding Fitness Hut — Portugal’s largest low‑cost gym chain — Nick brings a deep understanding of what drives customer loyalty and business success. He believes great fitness businesses are built not just on equipment or branding, but on people. Every Fitness Hut manager has hands‑on experience as a fitness coach, ensuring real insight into what members need and how to deliver it. Nick shares how attention to detail — from gym cleanliness to staff engagement — defines the member experience. In his view, every “hello” from staff counts, and every ignored client is a missed opportunity. He also stresses the power of a well‑executed pre‑sales strategy: generating momentum and revenue before opening the doors is the key to sustainable growth. Looking ahead, Nick reveals plans for a new disruptive gym model in Portugal — affordable, convenient, and committed to a people‑first culture and how he plans to open 30/year & exit @ 100… leaving “meat on the bone” for the buyer to continue growing towards the 300 capacity that’s identified His approach is a reminder that true leadership means investing in talent, empowering teams, and never losing sight of the customer. Links Nick’s Linkedin Holmes Place Fitness Hub exit to Viva Gym Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership

    1h 25m

  2. MAR 4

    Jeremy Sosabowski: Community Leader and Entrepreneur

    In this episode, Jeremy Sosabowski, CEO and co‑founder of AlgoDynamix, reveals how his company is reinventing market forecasting through behavioral analytics rather than traditional fundamentals or news. By decoding real‑time transactional order flow, AlgoDynamix predicts price movements (hours or days in advance) based on what traders are actually doing — a fresh, practical edge for smaller hedge funds, family offices and HNWI (High Net Worth Individuals) seeking ultimate actionable trading insights. Jeremy shares how the company continues to expand and refine its business model and how they have built a scalable platform capable of handling complex, multi‑asset portfolios. He also dives into Cambridge’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, highlighting how networking, community engagement, and thematic WhatsApp groups have created unexpected opportunities and collaborations. The episode is packed with insights for innovators, investors, and curious listeners. If you want to hear how behavioral science meets financial returns — and how an entrepreneur builds momentum through community — this conversation is absolutely worth your time. Links: CUE Cambridge University Entrepreneurs AlgoDyamix Jeremy Sosabowski Linkedin Richard Lucas TEDxTarnow on “Opportunity Readiness” Jeremy Sosabowski at CAMentrepreneurs Open Coffee Cambridge OptiSynx clock project About Jeremy Sosabowski CEO, AlgoDynamix: Dr. Jeremy Sosabowski is Co-founder & CEO at AlgoDynamix, an AI-based financial price forecasting analytics company. Their products are used by asset managers, including CTAs, hedge funds, and family offices. Jeremy has over a decade of business and technology commercialisation experience. His previous roles include CTO at an instrumentation company (technology acquired) and data analyst within the online transaction space. His 'IP portfolio' includes several granted patents and more than 10 peer-reviewed publications. Jeremy has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in engineering and signal processing including an Engineering Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership

    52 min

  3. FEB 25

    Kola Tytler: Sneakerhead, Entrepreneur, and Medical Doctor

    In this conversation we hear about Kola’s journey as self-taught coder, business school, learning by doing, and how he is self-funding one person AI company for doctors: Kola Tytler’s parallel journey as an NHS Doctor while building pioneering and potentially world changing business is inspiring. Listen in on a remarkable conversation between host Richard Lucas and Kola Tytler, now a qualified doctor who taught himself to code. We explore the roots of his entrepreneurial activity, despite knowing he wanted to be a doctor from a young age. the influence and opportunities of being an immigrant from a different background as he went to medical school in London. his first venture selling event tickets via a Facebook platform, scaling a fashion blog with millions of followers, and launching and exiting the successful Dropout retail business in Milan Lessons of having investors who were not always aligned How he dealt with realising that he might have a bigger financial opportunity through dropping out of his studies. The benefits and limitations of bootstrapping when you have the resources to put together a great team The impact of both his formal business school education and self tuition via online resources like Y Combinator, and prominent SV figures like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. The ambition and vision for his self funded AI platform for doctors iatroX which provides clinical guidance to over 20,000 users. Kola's journey is a masterclass in calculated risk and relentless drive, Kola shares the critical lessons he has learned from his triumphs and challenges. Through insightful questions, Richard draws out the key takeaways on finding balance, the importance of a strong team, understanding domain expertise, and the necessity of continuous business education. This episode is packed with inspiration for anyone looking to bridge diverse passions and build a high-impact venture. About Kola Dr Kola Tytler – Doctor/MBA & full-stack developer MBBS @ King’s College London Certificates in Law & Business (LSE & Imperial) MBA (with merit) @ University of Birmingham MSt Entrepreneurship @ University of Cambridge ‘26 Forbes 30 under 30 Europe, Forbes 100 under 30 Italy IBM-certified AI Engineer & MENSA member Founder of YEEZY Mafia, dropout, & HypeAnalyzer Links iatroX is a UKCA-marked, MHRA-registered medical device. It acts as an AI‑driven assistant that centralizes clinical guidelines offering: 1 quick Q&A, 2 structured brainstorming, and 3 an adaptive quiz engine for medical students. Kola Tytler's Linkedin Kola Tytler's personal websiteDrop Out MilanoHype Analyzer CAMentrepreneurs Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership

    1h 5m

  4. JAN 28

    David Cleevely on Engineering Serendipity and Entrepreneurial Success

    Richard Lucas hosts a compelling discussion with celebrated British entrepreneur and author David Cleevely. In this insightful podcast, Richard and David dive into Cleevely’s book, 'Serendipity: It Doesn't Happen by Accident,' exploring how environments can be engineered to foster luck. Richard guides the conversation as David explains the puzzle that inspired the book: why significant entrepreneurial ventures repeatedly emerge from seemingly chance encounters in hubs like Cambridge. They discuss the characteristics, systems, and culture—including the crucial role of values of generosity and kindness—that enhance the likelihood of serendipitous, high-impact collaborations. David Cleevely's book, 'Serendipity: It Doesn't Happen by Accident,' explores the idea that environments can be engineered to foster luck, leading to entrepreneurial success through serendipitous, high-impact collaborations. LinksHis book 'Serendipity: It Doesn't Happen by Accident” is available here and from all major booksellers,David Cleevely CBE FREng, FIET is the Chairman of the Raspberry Pi Foundation. He is the founder of telecoms consultancy Analysys (acquired by Datatec International in 2004). co-founded the web based antibody company Abcam (ABC.L) with Jonathan Milner and was Chairman until November 2009 which was acquired by Danaher for US$5.7 billion in 2023. He has co-founded several other companies and is Chairman of two of them..He has been active in promoting Cambridge. He was a prime mover behind Cambridge Network, co-founder of Cambridge Wireless, co-founder and Chairman of Cambridge Angels, Founding Director of the Centre for Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge and Vice Chair of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Commission. Other policy work has included membership of the IET Communications Policy Panel, the Ofcom Spectrum Advisory Board and the Enterprise Committee and the National Engineering Policy Group at the Royal Academy of Engineering. From 2001 to 2008, he was a member of the Ministry of Defence Board overseeing information systems and services (DES-ISS, formerly the Defence Communications Services Agency). In addition to Raspberry Pi, his charitable work includes the Cambridge Science Centre, which he helped set up and fund in 2013 and continues as Chair. Richard Lucas, the host of this NBN channel, is founder of CAMentrepreneurs—a network supporting entrepreneurship globally among Cambridge University Alumni and others through locally led chapters. CAMentrepreneurs - Peter Cowley legacy  Books and articles mentioned in the podcast Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives by James H. Fowler PhD (Author), Nicholas A. Christakis The Strength of Weak Ties Mark S. Granovetter Gov. Pritzker Commencement Address: Kindness is intelligence Cambridge Angels Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership

    1h 7m

  5. 12/19/2025

    Richard S. Ruback and Royce Yudkoff, "HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business: Think Big, Buy Small, Own Your Own Company" (HBR Press, 2017)

    Are you looking for an alternative to a career path at a big firm? Does founding your own start-up seem too risky? There is a radical third path open to you: You can buy a small business and run it as CEO. Purchasing a small company offers significant financial rewards--as well as personal and professional fulfillment. Leading a firm means you can be your own boss, put your executive skills to work, fashion a company environment that meets your own needs, and profit directly from your success. But finding the right business to buy and closing the deal isn't always easy. In the HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business: Think Big, Buy Small, Own Your Own Company (Harvard Business Review Press, 2017), Harvard Business School professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff help you: Determine if this path is right for you Raise capital for your acquisition Find and evaluate the right prospects Avoid the pitfalls that could derail your search Understand why a "dull" business might be the best investment Negotiate a potential deal with the seller Avoid deals that fall through at the last minute Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges. Listen to the Think Big, Buy Small podcast. Richard S. Ruback is the Willard Prescott Smith Professor of Corporate Finance at Harvard Business School. Royce Yudkoff is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School. Yudkoff cofounded and served for over 20 years as Managing Partner of ABRY Partners, a leading private equity investment firm. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership

    55 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    Jonathan Baillie Strong: Community Enabler and Podcast Producer

    In this conversation, we hear about how Jonathan transitioned from a corporate career, through digital nomading, to becoming a podcast producer and community enabler. We hear about how his somewhat isolated upbringing as a foreign in rural Belgium created a lifelong desire for connection and being in contact with the wider community. We hear about the impact of having worked on the Tim Ferriss podcast if only in a minor role, impacted his later business, and he shares lessons learned along the way. We hear how and why Jonathan set up the Jackson Heights Insider newsletter• a “new in-town meetup for newcomers in Jackson Heights”, his focus on community engagement and local events. experimental communal dinners using the Dnnr platform, and how he explores potential collaborations with local businesses and community leaders to enhance the newsletter's reach and impact.He tells us about his agency, Spotlight Podcasting, which focuses on business podcasting for mission-driven organizations.• He emphasizes the importance of strategy in podcast production, differentiating from competitors who focus solely on execution.• Jonathan shares insights on client acquisition, including cold outreach and the Dream 100 client approach. Jonathan closes with words of appreciation to his family, and reflects on the importance and value of getting involved in community events,He is not just benefiting from other community activities but building and contributing. He is a living example of someone who is enjoying the journey of entrepreneurship.Jonathan Baillie Strong https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbstrong Spotlight Podcasting http://www.spotlightpodcasting.com Jackson Heights Insider https://jacksonheightsinsider.com “New in the hood” coffee meetups https://luma.com/trkl4j1f?tk=4MKuBC Jackson Heights Insider Dinner Club https://jacksonheightsinsider.dnnr.io Adrian Cepeda https://www.theworldsboroughbookshop.com/ Rob Simmelkjaer New York Runners https://www.nyrr.org/Jonathan Forgash http://queenstogether.orgLouis Howes School of Greatness podcast https://lewishowes.com/Charlie Hoehn ... Recession-Proof Graduate https://www.charliehoehn.com/ Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership

    58 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    Tina Seelig on Making Your Own Luck and Other Critical Life and Entrepreneurship Skills

    Stanford educator and renowned creativity expert Tina Seelig joins Richard Lucas on the New Books Network’s Entrepreneurship & Leadership channel to discuss her new book What I Wish I Knew About Luck (coming April 2026). As the host found himself agreeing with everything Tina said, he asked for examples of people who disagreed with her. First, they discussed the value of respectful disagreement, and the fact that Richard’s father, the late Oxford philosopher JR Lucas routinely took the opportunity to disagree with his son, no matter what point of view was being put forward. Tina shared that her father, aged 99, still thinks that good things just happened to him over the course of his life, whereas she outlines all the actions he took to create that good luck. Tina dismantles the myth that luck is purely random. She distinguishes fortune (things that happen to you) from luck (something you can actively cultivate), and explains why clichés such as “the harder I work, the luckier I get” or “fortune favors the prepared mind” are true but incomplete. What is the “hard work” required to create luck? What exactly is a “prepared mind”? Key highlights: Why entrepreneurship and creativity are teachable skills that everyone can improve, just like sports, music, art, math, or science. The value of keeping a “failure résumé” and viewing failure as a trampoline rather than a lava pit. Real stories of ethical dilemmas early and late in her career. Full details in the book and podcast. Why showing genuine appreciation (especially thank-you notes) is one of the highest-ROI habits for creating luck. A thank you note she wrote was read out at a funeral 20 years later. How to build trust, have difficult conversations, and surround yourself with the right “crew” The foundational role of self-awareness, values, resilience, risk-taking, and patience in manufacturing your own luck Tina also shares the inspiring origin of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program (co-founded by John Hennessy, former Stanford President, and Phil Knight, founder of Nike) and reflects on teaching leadership to some of the world’s most promising graduate students across all disciplines at Stanford University. Show Notes & Sources Pre-order “What I Wish I Knew About Luck” by Tina Seelig Tina’s earlier books: “What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20”, “inGenius”, “Creativity Rules” Tina’s LinkedIn Tina’s Bio, Books, Talks Knight-Hennessy Scholars KHS LinkedIn Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP) Tina Seelig’s famous TED Talk and the legendary “$5 entrepreneurship challenge” Books mentioned: “The No A*****e Rule” – Robert Sutton; “The Course of Love” – Alain de Botton; “Radical Candor” – Kim Scott Tina Seelig’s Stanford Profile Essential listening for anyone who wants to stop waiting for luck and start building it. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership

    43 min

  8. 04/13/2025

    Reading Parties: A Discussion with Ben Bradbury, Founder of "Reading Rhythms"

    In this podcast interview, Richard Lucas hosts Ben Bradbury, founder of Reading Rhythms, to discuss the back story leading to founding Ben's his unique reading-themed events. Ben sharing his entrepreneurial journey, including early influences and the inspiration behind Reading Rhythms, which aims to reduce loneliness through shared reading experiences. We learn about the early role model and nudges Ben had from his mother and uncle, his first steps in entrepreneurship and work as a teenager. We hear about the positive and importantly negative lessons he learned from those experiences. We hear how Reading Rhythms emerged from Ben solving a problem he had in his own life, of finding time to read, and making connections with other readers in New York, and their “breakthrough moment when the New York Times published an article about what Reading Rhythms/ Richard and Ben explore the operational aspects of the business, highlighting its growth, revenue model, and the implementation of a management structure to address coordination challenges across multiple chapters, and work on efficiency and processes. We learn about their use of the Clifton Strengths assessment process, their rigorous and demanding approach to taking on and supporting new Group leaders and Ambassadors, and discuss similarities between Reading Rhythms, the TED-TEDx network and the NBN. The NBN as an organisation and Richard as the host of this channel, and very aligned with what RR is doing, and their enthusiasm is clear for the tone of the podcast Links: 3 steps to turn everyday get-togethers into transformative gatherings - Priya Parker Mark McKergow Host Leadership - book Host Leadership - why "hosting" is an important type of leadership | Mark McKergow  How Village-in-the-City builds micro-local communities worldwide | Mark McKergow Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership

    51 min
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About

The NBN Entrepreneurship and Leadership channel podcast focusses on entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation, interviewing entrepreneurial people, leaders and others about their journey, motivations, lessons learned and advice for others. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership

Information

  • Creator
    Richard Lucas
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © New Books Network