Peer Effect

James Johnson
  • 5.0 (13)
  • EMPRENDIMIENTO
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Best way to scale? Your peers have the answers.This is the podcast for scaleup founders looking for insightful, actionable wisdom from some of the best operators around. Each week we’ll explore one secret that other founders and experts are using right now and how to implement it. It’s practical wisdom to build the company AND life you want. Hosted by renowned founder coach and advisor James Johnson. You’ve survived to £1m, now let’s scale to £10m+.

  1. No Investors, No Problem - how George Sullivan has grown his bootstrapped business, The Sole Supplier, to drive £50million GMV per year

    HACE 3 DÍAS

    No Investors, No Problem - how George Sullivan has grown his bootstrapped business, The Sole Supplier, to drive £50million GMV per year

    "If I had taken investment in the early years, it would've wrecked me. I wouldn't have been able to deal with investors breathing down my neck." George Sullivan turned his obsession with trainers into The Sole Supplier, a business driving £50 million GMV annually - without a single investor. His biggest insight? Bootstrapping isn't just about keeping control; it's about growing at a pace that matches your capacity as a founder. In today's episode, I'm joined by George Sullivan, founder and CEO of The Sole Supplier, Europe's leading sneaker marketplace. After discovering parkour at 13 and building various side hustles, George launched Sole Supplier at 22 and has grown it over 12 years to work with the world's biggest brands, building a team of 30 and generating billions in content views. His journey includes navigating untreated ADHD, rejecting the toxic hustle culture narrative, and proving that sustainable growth beats venture-backed chaos. Together we unpack: Why taking investment would have destroyed his business in the early yearsHow ADHD can be both a superpower and a liability in fast-growth environmentsThe danger of being bamboozled by credentials and investor pressure when you're youngWhy quality beats quantity and hustle culture is destructive for motivated foundersHow to validate spending decisions when bootstrapping with limited resources👆 If you're a founder questioning whether you need investment to scale, or struggling to balance ambition with sustainable growth, this conversation will completely reframe how you think about building a business on your own terms. About George Sullivan George Sullivan is the founder and CEO of Sole Supplier, a leading sneaker marketplace that has driven over £50 million in GMV annually. After starting with parkour and various entrepreneurial ventures, George built Sole Supplier from the ground up without external investment, working with major global brands and building a community-focused platform. Over 12 years, he's proved that bootstrapping, when done strategically, can create a sustainable and successful business without sacrificing founder autonomy. Connect with George Sullivan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-sullivan-tss/ More from James: Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

    38 min
  2. Why Founder Networking Feels Fake (And How to Fix It) - Peer Effect Post Bag

    HACE 5 DÍAS

    Why Founder Networking Feels Fake (And How to Fix It) - Peer Effect Post Bag

    "Everyone finds networking awkward - you're not alone." James Johnson and Freddie Birley tackle your real founder questions in the Peer Effect Post Bag. No guests, no case studies - just honest answers to the stuff keeping you up at 2AM. In this episode, James and Freddie answer the question every founder dreads: "I'm terrible at networking with clients. It feels forced and awkward. How do I actually get good at building genuine relationships?" Their answer? Stop performing and start being curious. Together they unpack: Why everyone secretly hates networking (and how to reframe it)The power of asking questions you genuinely want answers toFreddie's go-to conversation starters (and her emergency "do you have pets?" exit question)Why one deep conversation beats meeting 100 peopleHow to make networking a skill you actually practice, not just endure👆 Got a founder question keeping you stuck? Send it to hello@peer-effect.com or find Freddie Birley on LinkedIn. Your question could be answered in the next Post Bag. About the Post Bag The Peer Effect Post Bag is where James Johnson and Freddie Birley, both founder and VC coaches, answer real questions from founders navigating the chaos of building and scaling businesses. No fluff, just frameworks that work. More from James: Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

    7 min
  3. What’s the right way to network? - with Mark Shepherd, Gathr

    8 OCT

    What’s the right way to network? - with Mark Shepherd, Gathr

    "Don't be afraid to be vulnerable. Networking isn't transactional, it's about building genuine connections." Mark Shepherd turned a LinkedIn post about mental health and meeting for drinks into Gathr, a 10,000-member community of VCs, founders, and PE investors. His biggest insight? Authentic relationships beat business card collecting every time. In today's episode, I'm joined by Mark Shepherd, founder and CEO of Gathr, Europe's leading community for founders and investors. After starting his career in strategy consulting and venture capital, Mark built what began as "London Tech Drinks" into a carefully curated network that prioritises genuine peer connections over transactional networking. His journey includes an unexpected MasterChef appearance, battling OCD and anxiety, and discovering that the best business relationships are simply friendships with people who share your mission. Together we unpack: Why networking as a word is "horrible" and what you should focus on insteadHow to identify the right rooms to be in and why curation matters more than sizeThe power of reciprocity and giving before taking in building lasting relationshipsWhy vulnerability and authenticity create stronger connections than any sales pitchThe art of quality introductions and why one perfect intro beats five mediocre ones👆 If you're a founder who finds networking uncomfortable or transactional, this conversation reframes it as building authentic peer relationships that support both your business and mental health. About Mark Shepherd Mark Shepherd is the founder and CEO of Gathr, Europe's leading community of VC investors, PE investors, founders, and advisors. What started as a LinkedIn post has grown into a 10,000-strong community with events ranging from intimate 12-person dinners to sector-specific breakfasts for senior investors. Mark's mission is simple: help founders and investors build genuine peer connections that transcend transactions. Connect with Mark Shepherd on LinkedIn. More from James: Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

    40 min
  4. Knowing When to Exit as a Founder, with Dimitar Stanimiroff

    16 JUL

    Knowing When to Exit as a Founder, with Dimitar Stanimiroff

    "Don't waste your chips on bad hands." Dimitar Stanimiroff has been through multiple exits, some successful, some painful shutdowns. He co-founded WePow(acquired) and Heresy (shut down after 3.5 years). His biggest financial return came from joining Stack Overflow, not founding his own company. In today's episode, I'm joined by Dimitar Stanimiroff, a seasoned SaaS founder, operator, and investor who's experienced both sides of the exit coin. After co-founding WePow and seeing it acquired, he started Heresy, raised $1M in venture funding, and ran it for 3.5 years before making the difficult decision to shut it down. He then joined Stack Overflow as an operator and helped scale it, resulting in his biggest financial return to date. Together we unpack: Why "quitting on time feels like quitting too early" and the real cost of staying too longHow to think of your entrepreneurial journey like poker chips; finite resources you can't wasteThe hard reality of shutting down a business after raising venture capitalWhy his mentor Joel Spolsky told him to quit just months after launchingWhen plateauing milestones become warning signs it's time to fold👆 If you're a founder struggling with the decision to persevere vs. pivot vs. shut down, this conversation provides a framework for making one of the hardest decisions in business. About Dimitar Stanimiroff Dimitar Stanimiroff is a seasoned SaaS founder, operator, and investor. He co-founded WePal (acquired) and Heresy, and helped scale Stack Overflow, Handshake, and CrossBeam to over $100M ARR. As an angel investor in B2B SaaS, he's backed Patch.io, Lightdash, and others from pre-seed to Series A. His biggest insight: think of your time as poker chips and don't waste them on bad hands. Connect with Dimitar Stanimiroff on LinkedIn. More from James: Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

    33 min
  5. Rebuilding and Automating a Business From the Ground Up, with Tara Button

    9 JUL

    Rebuilding and Automating a Business From the Ground Up, with Tara Button

    "I had to let everyone go and run the entire business myself." Tara Button's Buy Me Once had raised £3 million and grown to 14 staff. They were burning through cash faster than they could raise it. The choice: close the business completely or go solo with AI automation. The result? Q4 2024 revenue exceeded Q4 2023 (with the full team) and they made their first profit ever. In today's episode, I'm joined by Tara Button, bestselling author and founder of Buy Me Once, a mission-driven e-commerce business finding the longest-lasting products on the planet. When facing a critical cash crisis in 2024, Tara made the radical decision to let go of her entire 14-person team and rebuild the company using AI automation, despite having zero coding experience. Together we unpack: How to identify which business tasks are truly critical (hint: it's less than you think)The step-by-step process she used to replace entire departments with automationsWhy she worked 16-hour days building email scrapers and inventory systems with ChatGPTHow founders can start implementing AI automation without ripping everything up👆 If you're a founder feeling overwhelmed by operational complexity or wondering whether AI can really replace human work, this conversation will open your eyes to what's possible. About Tara Button Tara Button is the founder of Buy Me Once, an e-commerce platform dedicated to finding the longest-lasting products on the planet to combat throwaway culture. After her business idea went viral in 2016, she raised over £3 million and authored the Amazon bestselling book "A Life Less Throwaway." When her business faced a cash crisis in 2024, she made the bold decision to rebuild it as a one-person operation using AI automation, resulting in their most profitable quarter ever. Connect with Tara Button on LinkedIn. More from James: Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

    33 min
  6. The Secret to Enjoying Your Scale-Up Journey, with Nick Baker

    2 JUL

    The Secret to Enjoying Your Scale-Up Journey, with Nick Baker

    Why You Can't Sustain What You Don't Enjoy Nick Baker left his successful consultancy after 25 years, burnt out from always being "on." He became a non-exec, convinced he'd never return to operational leadership. Then UK Padel came along, and he became CEO because he genuinely loved what they were building. The lesson? You can endure anything temporarily, but you can't sustain what you don't enjoy. About Nick Baker: Nick is the CEO of UK Padel and former co-founder of Alpha FMC, which he took through private equity investment to a successful IPO. After spending 25 years in financial services and stepping back from executive roles, Nick found himself drawn back into operational leadership through his passion for racket sports and building something he truly believed in. Together we unpack: Why genuine passion for your business isn't just nice-to-have; it's essential for long-term successHow to know when it's time to step away and make yourself redundant the right wayThe secret to staying authentic as you scale (hint: stay involved in delivery)Why founder-led selling works so well and how to maintain that edge👆 If you're a founder feeling disconnected from your business or wondering how to sustain your energy for the long journey ahead, this conversation will give you clarity. About Nick Baker Nick Baker is the CEO of UK Padel, which operates multiple padel clubs across the UK and runs the country's biggest national tournaments. He previously co-founded Alpha FMC, a financial markets consultancy that he grew over 25 years before taking it through private equity investment to a successful IPO. Nick is also an active angel investor, having backed over 75 startups, and serves as chairman for several businesses. Connect with Nick Baker on LinkedIn. More from James: Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

    30 min
  7. Shifting from Founder to CEO, with Jennifer Clamp

    25 JUN

    Shifting from Founder to CEO, with Jennifer Clamp

    The CEO who takes all the meeting notes isn't leading. They're sabotaging their own team. They feel comfortable doing what they're good at rather than tackling new parts of their role.  But what if the founder-to-CEO shift wasn't about doing different things? What if it was about fundamentally seeing your role differently? In today's episode, I'm joined by Jennifer Clamp, a founder coach who specialises in supporting founders through the founder-to-CEO transition. Jennifer works within the Founder Coaches Network, helping founders reinvent their role and stay ahead of their organisation's growth through personal development. Together we unpack: How micro-behaviours can completely undermine your attempts to delegateThe shift from valuing "doing" to valuing "being" as a leaderWhy mindset changes are more powerful than behavioural changesHow to discover your unique version of being a CEO👆 If you're a founder or leader feeling like you've reached capacity but know there's more you want to achieve, connect with us below. About Jennifer Clamp Jennifer Clamp is a founder coach specialising in the founder-to-CEO transition, with a particular focus on supporting female founders. She helps founders reinvent their role and stay ahead of organisational growth through intentional personal development. Jennifer's approach emphasises mindset shifts over behavioural changes, helping leaders move from doing-focused to being-focused leadership. Connect with Jennifer Clamp on LinkedIn. More from James: Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

    29 min
  8. Rethinking B2B Marketing in 2025 with Employee Generated Content (EGC), with Katie Street

    18 JUN

    Rethinking B2B Marketing in 2025 with Employee Generated Content (EGC), with Katie Street

    Your best marketing content creators probably aren't who you think they are. Most founders assume it has to be them. They overlook the thought leaders already inside their team. They default to safe, scripted content that feels awkward and inauthentic. But what if the future of marketing wasn’t about personal branding at all… What if it was about empowering your entire team? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Katie Street, founder and MD of Street Agency and host of the chart-topping podcast Marketing in the Madness. Katie works with some of the world’s top marketing tech companies and believes we're at a turning point—where brands that don’t show up with real, human content will get left behind. In an AI-driven world, authenticity and trust are your unfair advantage. And if you’re not visible, someone louder (and less qualified) will be. Together we unpack: How to move beyond founder-led content to team-powered marketingWhy authentic, human content beats polished scripts every timeShifting from a scarcity mindset to one of empowerment when leading your teamThe rising importance of in-person events in an AI-driven world👆 If you're a founder or leader looking to scale your marketing authentically, connect with us below. About Katie Street Katie Street is the founder and MD of Street Agency, an award-winning sales and marketing expert with recognition from BD 100, The APHIS and Beamer. She's also a passionate advocate for women in business and host of the "Marketing in the Madness" podcast. Katie's expertise lies in transforming traditional marketing approaches into authentic, people-powered strategies that actually convert. Connect with Katie Street on LinkedIn.  More from James: Connect with James Johnson on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com More from James: Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

    32 min
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Best way to scale? Your peers have the answers.This is the podcast for scaleup founders looking for insightful, actionable wisdom from some of the best operators around. Each week we’ll explore one secret that other founders and experts are using right now and how to implement it. It’s practical wisdom to build the company AND life you want. Hosted by renowned founder coach and advisor James Johnson. You’ve survived to £1m, now let’s scale to £10m+.

Información

  • Creador
    James Johnson
  • Años de actividad
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodios
    147
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Peer Effect
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Peer Effect