#founderhacks

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Insights for people who start, lead and grow businesses. Collected, curated and collated by the team at Atomex, by founders for founders.

  1. S4 Ep7 Keep Going: Consistent Action, Redefining Productivity, and Figuring It Out with Planner Bee Founder Maya Vertigens

    5d ago

    S4 Ep7 Keep Going: Consistent Action, Redefining Productivity, and Figuring It Out with Planner Bee Founder Maya Vertigens

    Founder Hacks hosts Ben Thomas, Antony Enright, and Alex Moore welcome Maya Vertigens, founder of Planner Bee, a remote virtual assistant team supporting sustainable and ethical businesses. Maya’s theme is “keep going,” emphasizing consistent action even when results lag, using the Dunning–Kruger effect to explain confidence dips and the need to push through the “valley of despair,” while also knowing when to pivot after giving something a fair trial. She recommends Grace Beverley’s Working Hard, Hardly Working, reframing productivity and self-care as overlapping and urging founders to ignore hustle-culture expectations, listen to themselves, and reduce anxiety through flexible rhythms of work and rest—principles she applies in her flexible, remote team culture. From Marie Forleo’s Everything Is Figureoutable, she shares the mindset of saying yes to opportunities and figuring out execution along the way, learning even when outcomes aren’t perfect, and developing authentic leadership. 00:00 Productivity Meets Self Care 00:23 Welcome to Founder Hacks 01:45 Meet Maya of Planner Bee 02:33 Theme Keep Going 03:16 Consistent Action Mindset 05:07 Dunning Kruger Explained 06:10 Pivot or Push Through 10:05 Redefining Productivity 14:44 Flexible Work Culture 17:40 Everything Is Figureoutable 21:19 Authentic Leadership Journey 24:55 Key Takeaways and Farewell

    29 min
  2. S4 Ep6: Navigating Discomfort and Character Building in Entrepreneurship

    Apr 8

    S4 Ep6: Navigating Discomfort and Character Building in Entrepreneurship

    In this episode of Founder Hacks, hosts Ben Thomas, Antony Enright, and Alex Moore welcome guest James Bates, founder of QVO Hospitality. The discussion delves into how character, resilience, and humility contribute to entrepreneurial success. Bates shares insights from personal experiences, relevant readings, and learned lessons, emphasizing the importance of sitting with discomfort to foster growth and sustainability. Topics include the role of AI in business, maintaining balance, and the continuous journey of personal development in leadership. 00:00 Introduction: The Secret to Success 00:28 Welcome to Founder Hacks 01:08 Meet Our Hosts and Guest 02:18 James Bates: From Finance to Hospitality 03:30 The Theme of Discomfort in Entrepreneurship 04:47 Lessons from a Friend's Business Pivot 06:05 The Role of Character in Business Success 14:18 AI and the Future of Work 23:18 Consistent Success Through Obvious Actions 29:28 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Atomex Image by Tim Bell from Pixabay

    34 min
  3. S4 Ep5: Turning Challenge into Opportunity: Learning vs. Luck

    Apr 1

    S4 Ep5: Turning Challenge into Opportunity: Learning vs. Luck

    In this episode of Founder Hacks, hosts Antony, Ben, and Alex explore the intricate dance between luck, timing, skill, and hard work in the entrepreneurial journey. They discuss how regulatory changes and seemingly bad luck can be transformed into learning experiences that fuel business growth. Through various anecdotes, including a dive into Lando Norris's path in F1, they highlight the importance of leveraging the advantages one has, taking pride in meticulous organization, and embracing the learning from due diligence processes. They emphasize that while luck plays a role, it is ultimately the hard work and organization that help entrepreneurs get 'lucky' faster. Tune in for practical insights and inspiring stories to navigate and thrive in the business landscape. 00:00 The Misconceptions of Entrepreneurship 00:20 Introducing Founder Hacks 02:10 Learning vs. Luck: A Key Theme 02:58 Regulatory Changes and Entrepreneurial Resilience 05:32 The Power of Team Collaboration 09:07 Luck and Learning in Business 15:36 The Four Pillars of Success 16:08 Applying the Four Pillars to Your Business 17:36 Learning from Business Processes 21:42 The Importance of Organization 27:24 Final Thoughts and Takeaways Atomex Image by myshoun from Pixabay

    31 min
  4. S4 Ep4: Finding the Sweet Spot: Balancing Support and Challenge for High Performance

    Mar 25

    S4 Ep4: Finding the Sweet Spot: Balancing Support and Challenge for High Performance

    In this episode of Founder Hacks, hosts Antony Enright and Ben Thomas welcome Simon Ursell, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Tyler Grange, an environmental consulting firm. They explore Simon's core belief in 'people-led' businesses and how prioritizing employee well-being and engagement can significantly boost performance. Simon shares insights from his journey, including the implementation of a four-day work week that led to a 30% revenue increase, the importance of balancing high support with high challenge for optimal productivity, and the power of storytelling in leadership. The discussion delves into various polarities in business, such as competition vs. collaboration and doing it right vs. just doing it, stressing the importance of finding a balance. Simon also introduces the role of stories in managing change and driving engagement, offering a refreshing perspective on modern business practices. 00:00 Introduction to Founder Hacks 01:34 Meet Our Guest: Simon Ursell 02:54 The Importance of People in Business 04:14 High Support and High Challenge for High Performance 06:57 Implementing Challenge in the Workplace 12:06 Leadership and Mentorship at Tyler Grange 18:01 Navigating Polarities in Business 21:27 Exploring eSports and Collaboration 23:06 Balancing Polarities in Business 27:36 The Power of Storytelling 29:20 Implementing a Four-Day Work Week 35:10 The Impact of Stories on Leadership 40:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Atomex Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

    44 min
  5. S4 Ep3: The Power of Authenticity and Detachment in Founding and Leading a Business

    Mar 18

    S4 Ep3: The Power of Authenticity and Detachment in Founding and Leading a Business

    In this episode of Founder Hacks, Ben Thomas and co-hosts Alexander Moore and Antony Enright interview Joss Tasker, the founder and CEO of Sync Savings. Joss shares insights from her journey in entrepreneurial leadership, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and detachment from specific outcomes. They discuss Joss's inspiration from 'The Law of Detachment' by Morris Schwartz, which advises founders to release attachment to outcomes to enable greater opportunities. Themes of standing for something, how you've made others feel, and nurturing authenticity in business interactions resonate throughout the conversation. Joss also highlights the importance of being open-minded, recognizing real success moments, and aligning with one’s purpose in driving transformative results in business. 00:00 Introduction to Founder Hacks 01:08 Meet the Hosts and Guest 02:05 Jos Tasker's Journey and Mission 03:23 The Importance of Authenticity 04:37 Challenges and Lessons in Leadership 06:43 The Power of Purpose-Driven Business 08:05 Balancing Authenticity and Commercial Success 15:08 Detachment and Letting Go of Outcomes 20:06 Personal Development and Business Growth 20:59 Letting Go of Outcomes 22:12 Empowering Your Niche 24:26 The Importance of Authenticity 26:28 Purpose and Passion in Entrepreneurship 28:12 Capturing Impactful Stories 31:54 Final Thoughts and Summary Atomex Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

    37 min
  6. S4 Ep2: Adapting to Change: Founder Hacks on AI, Generational Shifts, and Continuous Innovation

    Mar 11

    S4 Ep2: Adapting to Change: Founder Hacks on AI, Generational Shifts, and Continuous Innovation

    In this episode of 'Founder Hacks,' the hosts Ben Thomas, Antony Enright, and Alexander Moore, discuss the necessity for younger generations to master reinvention and adaptation in our swiftly changing world. The conversation covers insights from their collective 50-year experience in starting, growing, and leading businesses, as well as wisdom gathered from other entrepreneurs. Key topics include the unforeseen impacts of AI on platforms like Pinterest, generational differences in workplace expectations, and the importance of continual innovation in maintaining business uniqueness. Through real experiences, readings, and learnings, the hosts emphasize the value of listening, being curious, and staying ahead in the evolving business landscape. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:10 Meet the Hosts 03:17 The Impact of AI on Business 10:27 Generational Differences in the Workplace 20:19 Adapting to Change and Innovation 28:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Image by Gerd Altmann

    35 min
  7. S4 Ep1: Opening Your Brain: Founder Reinvention and External Inspiration

    Mar 4

    S4 Ep1: Opening Your Brain: Founder Reinvention and External Inspiration

    In this episode of Founder Hacks, hosts Ben Thomas, Antony Enright, and Alexander Moore discuss the importance of keeping an open mind to evolve as a founder. They explore how founders can reinvent themselves at different stages of growth, how paying attention to global trends like China's low-altitude economy can spark innovation, and the benefits of exposing oneself to new and unexpected experiences. Along the way, they share personal anecdotes and professional insights, all aimed at helping entrepreneurs navigate the dynamic landscape of business growth. 00:00 Introduction to Founder Hacks 00:53 Meet the Hosts 01:20 The Importance of Reinventing Yourself 02:20 Challenges of Founder Roles 04:35 The 10-Year Rule and Founder Fatigue 08:16 Cultural Differences in Business Growth 11:44 The Low Altitude Economy in China 20:09 The Value of Random Experiences 26:00 Conclusion and Summary Image by Gerd Altmann

    29 min
  8. S3 Ep6: Navigating Change & Authenticity in Entrepreneurship

    08/25/2025

    S3 Ep6: Navigating Change & Authenticity in Entrepreneurship

    In this episode of Founder Hacks, the hosts discuss the importance of embracing authenticity and effectively managing change within businesses. Alex shares insights on leading change by involving team members to ensure success, while Antony highlights the pitfalls of following motivational content that claims to have all the answers. Ben emphasizes the power of being genuine in business interactions. The conversation underscores the value of human relationships and the need to balance ambition with realistic expectations, fostering a supportive and dynamic business environment. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:55 Meet the Hosts 01:47 The Theme of Being Human 02:09 Alex's Story on Change Management 03:47 Antony's Insights on Coaching and Readiness 05:42 Ben's Perspective on Managing Change 10:13 Antony's Reflection on Social Media and Perfection 15:30 Ben's Take on Setting Ambitious Goals 20:28 The Power of Authenticity 26:54 Summary and Closing Remarks Photo by manas rb on Unsplash

    30 min
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About

Insights for people who start, lead and grow businesses. Collected, curated and collated by the team at Atomex, by founders for founders.

Information

  • Creator
    Atomex
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 #founderhacks
  • Show Website
    #founderhacks

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