Master Your Mistakes - with Jesse RT Coleman

Jesse.RT.Coleman
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Interviews with Founders, Creators, and interesting people.... on the mistakes that made them.

  1. [Ep 30] Founder CEO of Growth&Co - How AI Is Reshaping Recruitment

    May 10

    [Ep 30] Founder CEO of Growth&Co - How AI Is Reshaping Recruitment

    Joseph Fitzgibbon, Founder and CEO of Growth and Company, has advised over 300 startups including Attio, Granola and Fyxer AI. We cover the brutal truth about why most CMO hires fail, how to ask the right questions when joining a new company, why "comparison is the thief of joy," and how AI is reshaping recruitment from the bottom up. 🎙️ Master Your Mistakes - the podcast where founders, CEOs and creators break down what went wrong on the way up. 00:00 — Intro: Joseph Fitzgibbon, founder of Growth and Company00:58 — From wanting to be a diplomat to consulting to Diageo03:00 — The first firing: Diageo, ADHD, and a dream job that wasn't06:51 — Six weeks before the wedding: getting put on a performance plan09:45 — Gardening leave, the Grays offer, and being thrown in the deep end13:18 — Why coming in knowing nothing actually worked in his favour16:33 — The Grays adjustment: from £50M strategy projects to £100 marketing costs19:57 — The lesson: stop guessing, just ask what your manager actually wants22:00 — Firing number two and joining Cluno Mechanic: a job radically different from advertised25:00 — The "bull in a china shop" mistake and over-correcting after Graze27:00 — Firing number three and the blessing in disguise that launched Growth and Company30:00 — Why most CMO hires fail and the broken state of recruitment32:20 — The first deals, the pandemic boom, and stumbling into recruitment35:00 — Building a 100% inbound recruitment business by controlling supply37:30 — How AI is decimating junior and middle-management roles40:30 — Final advice: comparison is the thief of joy43:00 — Joseph's favourite quotation

    45 min
  2. [Ep29] Barrister, Actress, Singer: Trusting Your Instincts with Danie Groves

    Apr 6

    [Ep29] Barrister, Actress, Singer: Trusting Your Instincts with Danie Groves

    In this episode of Master Your Mistakes, I'm joined by Danie Groves: criminal barrister, actress, and now debut singer with her first release, Embers. We go deep on the story behind Embers. A song she wrote years ago, rediscovered in an old Google Drive folder one evening. We also get into the emotional weight of criminal law, how she handles dark cases without losing herself, and why she believes it's not always the result that matters. It's how you conduct yourself. 0:00 – Welcome & Introducing Danie Groves: Barrister, Actress & Singer1:33 – Growing Up Half-Thai: Acting From Age 4 in a Musical Household3:06 – The Unexpected Career Pivot 6:10 – Finding Embers: Rediscovering Old Lyrics in a Google Drive Folder8:00 – What Embers Is Really About (Hint: It's Gratitude, Not Heartbreak)10:28 – The Bathtub Moment: How She Knew the Song Was Finished11:28 – Trust Your Instincts — Advice to Anyone on the Cusp of Something Creative13:00 – Musical Influences: R&B, Jazz & Why Real Instruments Matter15:15 – The Confidence Question: How to Put Yourself Out There Vulnerably17:02 – Barrister vs. Singer — Living Multiple Personas Without Losing Yourself20:18 – How Criminal Law Sharpens You as a Person21:00 – The Emotional Toll of Crime Cases: Does She Go Numb?22:22 – A Case She's Proudest Of25:51 – Life Lessons From Embers: "It's OK to Make Mistakes"27:16 – What 5-Years-From-Now Danie Would Tell Current Danie27:35 – Favourite Quote: The Doctor Who Line

    29 min
  3. [Ep28] Founder of Bello Partners: Venezuela's Next Economic Chapter

    Apr 2

    [Ep28] Founder of Bello Partners: Venezuela's Next Economic Chapter

    In this episode, Jean-Miguel Uva, founding partner of Bello Partners, reveals why the story behind Venezuela is one of resilience and untapped potential, not simply instability. 0:00 - Introduction to Jean-Miguel Uva and Bello Partners1:27 - Overview of business opportunities and risks in Venezuela3:14 - Discussion on the resilience of the Venezuelan economy6:00 - Insights on foreign investment interest in Venezuela10:21 - Role of Bello Partners in bridging international business with Venezuela15:08 - The concept of "quiet optimism" in Venezuela's economic outlook20:32 - Potential for Venezuela to leapfrog economic development stages23:13 - Future job sectors for young Venezuelans28:00 - Factors influencing the return of educated Venezuelans34:54 - Advice for future self and the growth of Bello Partners

    38 min
  4. [Ep 27] CEO of Florence: From NHS Doctor to Tech CEO

    Mar 18

    [Ep 27] CEO of Florence: From NHS Doctor to Tech CEO

    In this episode of Master Your Mistakes, I'm joined by Dr. Charles Armitage, the CEO and co-founder of Florence. Florence is the leading platform helping Health and Social Care organisations manage, optimise, and upskill their workforce. Charles shares his unique journey from being a doctor in the NHS to launching a major tech company. He dives deep into the "one-way door" mistakes - the ones that are nearly impossible to reverse - and why the early foundations of your company (like co-founder choice and cap tables) are your most vulnerable moments. 0:00 – Introduction & Welcome3:16 – Charles's Background: From Doctor to Entrepreneur5:19 – Mistake #1: Choosing Co-Founders & Dead Equity10:00 – Why Founding Documents Are a One-Way Door14:00 – Mistake #2: Building the Wrong Product First18:00 – Outsourcing Tech on Upwork & Burning the Budget21:00 – Going Back to Basics: Google Sheets as MVP22:00 – Building Your Entrepreneurial Network25:15 – Accelerators, Upscale & Finding Stage-Specific Peers27:15 – Investor Relationships: Angels vs. Institutional Rounds29:30 – Managing Multiple Investors with Competing Interests31:12 – Mistake #3: Over-Expanding on Covid-Fuelled Growth33:00 – The Covid Revenue Spike & Why It Came Crashing Down36:00 – Painful Lessons: Redundancies, Rightsizing & Recovery38:30 – Advice for CEOs Riding an Unexpected Growth Wave40:10 – The Future of Tech & AI Defensibility42:50 – What Charles Would Build Next (and Why)43:50 – Three Final Questions: Advice to Your Younger Self45:05 – Advice from Your Future Self47:19 – The Desiderata: Charles's Favourite Quotation50:04 – Wrap-Up

    51 min
  5. [Ep 26] Founder of Phenolic: The Emotional World of Fine Wine, Spirits and Cigars

    Mar 14

    [Ep 26] Founder of Phenolic: The Emotional World of Fine Wine, Spirits and Cigars

    In this episode of Master Your Mistakes, I'm joined by Ken Silverio, the founder of Phenolic, a powerhouse in international business development for the fine wine, premium cigar, and rare spirits industries. Ken shares his unique journey navigating the "night and day" difference between working for massive corporate conglomerates and managing the high-stakes, emotional landscape of family-owned legacy brands.From the humidors of London to the vineyards of the Dominican Republic, Ken provides a masterclass on building global partnerships, surviving the volatility of high-end sales, and the most painful mistakes made along the way. 0:00 - Meet Ken Silverio, Founder of Phenolic0:57 - 15 Years in Fine Wine, Cigars & Spirits: Ken's Global Journey1:37 - Why London is the World's Luxury Drinks & Cigar Capital2:20 - Corporate vs. Family-Owned Brands: Night and Day Difference3:30 - The Chaos of Working with Legacy Family Businesses5:01 - Inside Family Wine & Cigar Brands: Who You Actually Deal With7:26 - The Key to a Healthy Sales Funnel in Luxury Goods7:46 - Hidden Benefits of Working with Family Offices: Patience, Empathy & Business Lessons9:00 - How Family-Owned Brands Reshape Your Thinking as an Entrepreneur20:10 - Ken's Biggest Entrepreneurial Mistake22:17 - "Time is the Ultimate Luxury" — How to Convince Your Past Self to Act23:12 - "Let Creativity Find You Working" — The Picasso Quote That Changes Everything23:49 - Navigating Tough Negotiations Across Different Cultures24:54 - The Emotional Roller Coaster of High-End International Sales26:51 - Lessons Ken Learned Working for His Father at 1828:50 - Family Business, Real Estate & Collaborating with His Uncle in the Dominican Republic29:35 - What His Mother Taught Him About Consistency30:56 - Why Every Entrepreneur Needs External Perspectives32:37 - How Ken Fell in Love with Wine, Cigars & Spirits34:46 - Turning Passion into a 15-Year Professional Career34:57 - How to Get Into Fine Wine, Cigars & Spirits as a Beginner36:59 - What is a Humidor? The Cigar Cellar Explained38:33 - How to Start Exploring Wine & Cigars: Read, Consume, Travel39:41 - Why the Dominican Republic is a World-Class Cigar Destination41:36 - What's Next for Ken: Living in the Present & Future Plans43:01 - The Mindset Shift That Would Have Saved Ken Years of Stress44:50 - The Cigar Ritual: Why You Can't Smoke a Cigar When Stressed48:00 - Old World vs. New World: Wine & Cigars Explained50:37 - Dominican Cigars: How They Blend Tobacco From Around the World50:44 - Ken's Real Estate Ventures in the Dominican Republic53:00 - Ken's Life Philosophy

    55 min
  6. [Ep 25] Former CEO of Social Finance: Leadership in uncertain times

    Mar 8

    [Ep 25] Former CEO of Social Finance: Leadership in uncertain times

    In this episode of Master Your Mistakes, I'm joined by Adam Swersky, the former CEO of Social Finance an organisation renowned for creating the Social Impact Bond. Adam shares his journey from being a consultant at BCG to leading one of the most innovative non-profits in the social sector.0:00 – Intro: Meet Adam Swersky, Former CEO of Social Finance3:57 – Handed the Brief: Identifying the "Triple Whammy" of Unemployment 7:22 – The Cost of Growth: Navigating Post-COVID Bumps and Stagnation 10:45 – Scaling Innovation: How Social Impact Bonds Became National Policy 14:15 – Transitioning to CEO: Growing a Portfolio in a Complex Environment 17:50 – Designing for Impact: Bringing Private Sector Skills to the Non-Profit World 21:30 – Public Interest vs. Practical Reality: Lessons from the 2023 Budget 25:05 – The Talent Pipeline: Managing Recruitment in Volatile Markets 28:40 – Recovery Through Work: The NHS and Mental Health Employment Models 32:10 – Reflecting on Leadership: What I Learned at the Top of Social Finance 35:15 – Adam's Favourite Quotation and Parting Advice

    36 min

  7. Mar 4

    [Ep 24] The Fortune 500 CEOs' Executive Coach: Peggy Klaus

    In this episode of Master Your Mistakes, I’m joined by Peggy Klaus, one of the world’s most sought-after executive coaches for Fortune 500 CEOs.Peggy is the author of two best-selling books, BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It and The Hard Truth About Soft Skills, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and Harvard Business Review.0:00 - Welcome and Guest IntroductionIntro to Master Your Mistakes and Peggy Klaus as the guest.0:33 - Peggy Klaus: Background and BooksPeggy’s credentials and two books: Bragg and The Hard Truth About Soft Skills.0:47 - The Biggest Career Mistake: Resisting Social MediaPeggy explains the one mistake she sees many executives make: avoiding social media.1:17 - Realisation and Embrace of Online PresenceShe discusses dabbling online and the initial resistance to short-form content.2:14 - Transition to Online: From Stage to CameraHow Peggy moved from in-person/high-stakes settings to being online and on camera.3:30 - Career Arc: From Entertainment to Wall Street CoachingPeggy’s background in entertainment and how that informs coaching for executives.3:59 - COVID Pivot: Going Virtual and Embracing New PlatformsThe shift to virtual work and openness to YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.4:38 - What Peggy Helps Executives With: Soft Skills and PresenceThe core mission: elevate leadership, communication, and soft skills to match expertise.6:24 - Focusing on Women Leaders and Navigating NormsSpecial emphasis on helping women leaders navigate cultural and organisational constraints.9:05 - Authenticity: Nuance and Audience ContextThe idea that authenticity isn’t one-size-fits-all; audience and context matter.10:39 - “I Am Who I Am” vs ContextDiscussion around defining authenticity beyond a fixed self.11:46 - Adapting Authenticity for Different AudiencesHow expressions of authenticity shift with different audiences (family, board, king, etc.).14:11 - Two Guiding Coaching TenantsPeggy’s two rules for her practice (e.g., not working with people she doesn’t believe in or who won’t work as hard).15:32 - Direct Feedback Style: “I’m Not Going to B******t You”Peggy’s candid, no-nonsense approach to feedback.18:06 - Phrases and Approaches for Tough FeedbackExamples of language to use when delivering challenging feedback.19:34 - Theater Director Anecdotes: Learning from Tough FeedbackA personal story about receiving brutal but valuable feedback in theater.22:31 - Theatre vs. Corporate Worlds: Volatility and FearComparison of personalities, fear of judgment, and managing ego.25:39 - Preparation vs. Winging ItWhy preparation matters and the risks of winging presentations.28:26 - Origin of Bragg and Soft SkillsHow Bragg came about on a plane; backstory to her approach to soft skills.30:29 - Quick Practical Tips: Know Yourself; Plus DeltaStart with self-knowledge and a plus/delta (strengths and areas to improve) framework.33:54 - Feedback Should Be Specific: “How Does That Appear?”The importance of concrete, beheavior-focused feedback.34:51 - Advice to Your Younger SelfPlus-delta, scripting, and reflection as you look back.37:28 - Future-Self Guidance: Stay CuriousAdvice Peggy would give her future self: stay curious and keep learning.38:25 - “Go Big or Go Home” MindsetEmbracing growth and expansion of her work.

    39 min

  8. Jan 30

    [Ep23] Former CEO & Founder Arbilina Nissan on building a beauty tech business

    Arbilina Nissan, was founder and CEO of DASHL, shares her journey of building a multi-million dollar tech & beauty business from the ground up. Arbilina delivers a raw and honest look at the highs and lows of the entrepreneurial journey, focusing on two critical areas: the danger of building before having true validation and the risks of bringing major conglomerates onto your cap table early on. ⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 – Intro: Building a multi-million dollar business and exiting.3:57 – The Sweden Advantage: Why Stockholm is the ultimate tech test market.7:22 – The Cost of Being First: Why changing consumer beheaviour is the most expensive path.10:45 – The MVP Mistake: Spending millions on features before true validation.14:15 – Logistics vs. Vision: The "Hidden Costs" that destroyed unit economics.17:50 – Conglomerate Risks: Why having a "Giant" on your cap table can be a double-edged sword.21:30 – Protecting Your Vision: Managing big investors without losing your soul.25:05 – Scaling Human Systems: Vetting and protecting beauty professionals in a digital age.28:40 – The Founder’s Mindset: What Arbelina would do differently if she started today.32:10 – Final Lessons: The one piece of advice for every early-stage entrepreneur.

    33 min
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Interviews with Founders, Creators, and interesting people.... on the mistakes that made them.

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