Founder's Block from Extra Brain

Extra Brain Ltd
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Founder's Block is a short video conversation series for and about small business founders. Each episode focuses on a real moment of Founder's Block — when something felt stuck, uncertain, or overwhelming — and how the founder made their way through it. Don't expect polished success stories or tidy narratives. This is about the honest, messy reality of building a business: the week a big contract fell through, going in the wrong direction for six months, the decision that felt impossible until suddenly it wasn't. Every founder has been there. Most don't talk about it. Want to know more, find us at Extra Brain

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Founder's Block. Series 1. Episode 4. Chris Piper - Barnsgate Solutions

    In this episode of Founders Block, our CEO Jess Gregson chats with Chris Piper from award-winning small business M&A specialist, Barnsgate Solutions. Jess talks to him about his own experience of Founder's Block, and what he sees when he's working with founders approaching an exit. Chris got Founder's Block big time when he took on his first hire, but it taught him so many brilliant lessons. If you're approaching that point or already have 50 hires, there's some great reflections in here. Chris generously shares his own beliefs in the importance of emotional intelligence in business, and how to manage emotional responses during critical moments like selling. The conversation highlights the continuous journey of adapting as a founder and Founders Block as a recurring, almost daily challenge. This episode is so chock-full of good takes outs and most have nothing to do with M&A, they are themes that run right through the heart of what is it like to be a business founder. We discuss: Why everyone's perfect is different, and what to do about it. Why you should work out what you're bad at when it comes to hiring for your team. Why admitting your wrong doesn't impact your authority. Tactical ways to manage your own worry, AND provide opportunity for your teams autonomy. How, when you understand your emotions, you are better set up for business success and can come to work excited every Monday. If you don't remember at least one of these take outs in years to come, then you didn't listen properly! If you think you have Founder's Block, don't forget that an Extra Brain can help. https://www.extrabrainltd.co.uk/ https://www.barnsgatesolutions.com/

  2. Oct 30

    Founder's Block. Series 1. Episode 3. Eddie Yoon - Category Pirates / Eddie Would Grow

    Episode 3. A biggie. Our Founder Jess Gregson in conversation with business growth legend, Eddie Yoon. Eddie has written over 100 articles for Harvard Business Review, authored and co-authored a library’s-worth of books and mini books, and is a regular commenter on business news networks in the US. Jess met Eddie when Jess trained in Category Design, with him and Category Pirates. If you have left or are thinking of leaving the corporate world to start up on your own, you have started a consultancy or if you want a reminder of why you started your business, this episode is for you. Eddie brings his personal experiences from his journey as a founder to the discussion, and we jam on the importance of emotional support and community in overcoming Founder’s Block®. The episode covers; The evolving definition of success and the need for founders to adapt. When the nitty-gritty details of business can be overwhelming, and what helps. The role of friction and feedback in partnerships and shifting from fairness to outcomes. And the lovely thought that every burden, as a founder, can become a blessing. Hearing someone with a big reputation talk about the same challenges many founders face, is reassuring for any founder. This is a worthwhile listen and one to keep on tap for every time you face Founder’s Block. If you think you have Founder's Block, don't forget that an Extra Brain can help. https://www.extrabrainltd.co.uk/ https://categorypirates.com/ https://www.eddiewouldgrow.com/

  3. Oct 15

    Founder's Block. Series 1. Episode 2. Jamie Mancini - Allora

    In this episode of Founders Block, Jamie Mancini, co-founder of Allora reveals the unexpected journey from holiday inspiration to launching a product and starting a business with some of the most important people in your life. If you have every dreamed about starting a product business, you're on the journey, or you are a founder who wants inspiration about where to find inspiration, then put the kettle or your headphones on - this episode is for you. Jamie shares the fasincating backstory of Allora, sparked during a trip to the hidden gem of Procida, Italy. With a passion for creativity and a desire to innovate, he and his co-founders, including childhood friend Dom Dalton and their wives, Holly and Jen, crafted a unique product. Discover how Jamie's diverse experiences in the creative industry shaped their brand strategy, allowing them to fill a gap in the market with a product that stands proudly, and intentionally, apart. You'll hear: How Jamie and his co-founders’ complementary skills converge to create a standout brand. The challenges of launching a challenger in the beverage sector, and the innovative strategies they have employed to differentiate.How to make decisions when you're building something to last.The importance of having trust in each other's skills.In a market saturated with repetitive messages, Allora represents a refreshing shift towards quality and authenticity. Jamie's journey offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to break into a competitive space, emphasising the importance of collaboration, creativity, and a clear vision. If you think you have Founder's Block, don't forget that an Extra Brain can help. https://www.extrabrainltd.co.uk/ https://alloradrinks.com/

  4. Sep 30

    Founder's Block. Series 1. Episode 1. Nevine Coutry - Playdate

    In this episode, Jessica Gregson from Extra Brain, meets Nevine Coutry, founder of Playdate, the world's first dating app tailored specifically for single parents. In this half hour episode we discuss: navigating founding a technical business as a non-technical founder, getting on the tools, making swift but hard decisions, passion about your problem and the founder mindset, plus the importance of disconnection. If you're a founder who's ever hit a wall or felt lost in your entrepreneurial journey, this episode is packed with framing and ideas that you won't want to miss. Nevine shares her personal journey as a single parent struggling with the complexities of dating. She candidly discusses her motivations for creating Playdate, which emerged from her own experiences of feeling isolated in the dating scene. We about the pivotal moments that led Nevine to become a second time founder with Playdate. We discuss her first encounter with 'Founder's Block' and the tech challenges that have tested her resilience as a non-technical founder. Throughout the episode, we break down the following key topics: Practical strategies for overcoming technical hurdles when you're a non-technical founder, and why ai has changed the game.Insights on hiring and managing a team as your startup scales.Having passion and a personal connection to the problem you solve.The founder mindset, what it is and why it matters.Anti-hustle culture, protecting yourself to protect your business.As Nevine reflects on her experiences, she highlights the importance of learning and adapting, especially in a world where the rules of business are constantly changing. If you're navigating your own entrepreneurial challenges, this episode offers not just inspiration but actionable ideas to help you make progress. This conversation will help you frame similar challenges and leave you motivated If you think you have Founder's Block, don't forget that an Extra Brain can help. https://www.extrabrainltd.co.uk/ https://gotoplaydate.com/

  • 4 Episodes

About

Founder's Block is a short video conversation series for and about small business founders. Each episode focuses on a real moment of Founder's Block — when something felt stuck, uncertain, or overwhelming — and how the founder made their way through it. Don't expect polished success stories or tidy narratives. This is about the honest, messy reality of building a business: the week a big contract fell through, going in the wrong direction for six months, the decision that felt impossible until suddenly it wasn't. Every founder has been there. Most don't talk about it. Want to know more, find us at Extra Brain

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