Now We Build

Sam Marchant
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Now We Build is a podcast hosted by Sam Marchant, an entrepreneur turned investor. Sam's conversations with seasoned company founders and operators will give you unique insights, wisdom and practical guidance on how to build your startup for success. Now We Build is proudly sponsored by Google Cloud, Carta, Fuelled Insurance, and Seven Legal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2D AGO

    The marketing advice nobody tells you | 3 CMOs on what actually works

    Three of the best marketing minds we’ve had on the show, brought together in one special episode. Darren, Rory, and Steve on why story comes before spend, why constraints make you more creative, and why truly understanding your customer is the most underused growth lever in business. Darren Goode has led marketing at L’Oréal, Apple, and Paramount and was formerly CMO at Elvie and Zumper.  Rory McEntee is CMO at GymNation, and previously delivered some of Gymbox’s most disruptive marketing campaigns as their Brand & Marketing Director.  Steve James is Behavioural Marketing Chief & CMO at Bias Worx, former Marketing Director at Property Finder, Virgin Mobile, and Head of Commerce at giffgaff and EE.  In this episode, Sam discusses with the 3 CMOs: Why most brands fail before they’ve spent any money What it really takes to build a story people believe inHow budget constraints can be a secret weaponHow to build a brand community people are genuinely proud to belong toWhy the best ideas come from being close to your customer The counterintuitive power of behavioural marketing What happens when you put customer satisfaction ahead of commercial instinct Timestamps 00:00: Intro 00:45: Darren: Story Before Spend 11:55: Rory: Creativity Under Constraint 26:10: Steve: The Behavioural Marketing Edge Learn more: https://linktr.ee/nowwebuild  Did you enjoy this interview? Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Follow: Darren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrengoode/  Rory: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/rory-mcentee-3746a1a Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steverjames/  Follow Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammrchant  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammrchant  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min

  2. MAR 25

    #45 - Jimmy Fitzgerald on mastering international markets, from ServiceNow to Paddle

    Discover insights on building high-performance teams, navigating cultural differences, and leveraging AI for customer relationships. Jimmy Fitzgerald shares his extensive experience in scaling global tech companies, highlighting strategies for international expansion, customer success, and product innovation.  Jimmy is CEO at Paddle, a Merchant of Record providing secure payment infrastructure for over 6,000 software companies around the globe. Jimmy has 20+ years of experience helping SaaS businesses scale, previously leading ServiceNow’s customer outcomes team as SVP.  In this episode, Sam and Jimmy also discuss: Global market entry strategiesCustomer outcomes and relationshipsProduct platform evolution and AI impactNavigating trust in leadership transitionsCross-cultural management  Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Journey at ServiceNow: Building a Legacy 04:24 Entering New Markets: The Asia Experience 10:13 Building Customer Relationships: The Art of Listening 13:09 Common Mistakes in Geographical Expansion 17:48 Transitioning to Paddle: A New Challenge 20:43 Navigating Trust in Leadership Transitions 25:40 Understanding Paddle's Product Suite 29:36 Customer-Centric Leadership and Company Culture 33:07 The Impact of AI on Customer Relationships Learn more: https://linktr.ee/nowwebuild  Did you enjoy this interview? Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Follow Jimmy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmyfitzgeraldpaddle/  Follow Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammrchant  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammrchant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min

  3. MAR 4

    #44 - Mahmoud Abdel-Fattah Moursy on Cartona's growth to over $60m annual GMV in Egypt, and how non-technical founders should think about building tech teams.

    In this conversation, Mahmoud shares his journey from being a product manager at Careem to co-founding Speakol and launching Cartona. He discusses the lessons learned from his experiences, the importance of focus and empathy in product development, and the challenges of scaling startups in different markets. Mahmoud emphasizes the need for genuine relationships with suppliers and the significance of being hands-on as a founder. He also contrasts the startup ecosystems in Cairo and Dubai, providing insights into the advantages and challenges of each. Key takeaways: Mahmoud's early experience at Careem shaped his approach to product management.Focus and empathy are crucial in product development.Building a startup requires a hands-on approach from founders.The startup ecosystem in Cairo is different from Dubai's.It's important to be genuine with suppliers and partners.Scaling a startup involves understanding market needs and iterating quickly.Hiring the right people is essential for startup success.Non-technical founders should seek builders as co-founders.Embedded finance can be integrated by learning from experts.The startup journey is about continuous learning and adaptation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min

  4. FEB 25

    #43 - Miha Jagodic on scaling Bloq.it to over 200,000 daily users, raising $28m, and scaling his team to over 400 across 9 countries

    In this conversation, Miha shares the journey of founding Bloq.it, a startup focused on smart lockers, detailing the challenges faced in the early stages, the importance of location, and the lessons learned from mistakes. He discusses the pivot from a direct-to-consumer model to a B2B approach, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the company scaled rapidly. Miha emphasizes the significance of team dynamics, operational efficiency, and offers valuable advice for aspiring hardware founders. Key takeaways The initial idea for Bloq.it was inspired by the shared economy boom.Securing funding is crucial, but early-stage founders must validate their concepts first.Location matters; being in the right environment can significantly impact a startup's success.Mistakes in hiring can be costly; it's essential to take time to find the right fit.Pivoting to meet market demand can lead to unexpected growth opportunities.COVID-19 created unique challenges but also opened doors for innovation.Scaling requires a shift in mindset and operational processes.Communication is key to aligning diverse teams within a hardware startup.Founders should remain true to their vision despite external feedback.Hiring for common sense and integrity is vital for building a strong team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min

  5. FEB 18

    #42 - Ahmad Iqbal on building Canva's first AI tool, Magic Write, and now scaling Canva across MENAP as General Manager

    In this conversation, Ahmad shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early days in Canada with his first startup, Attendee, to his transition into product management at Canva. He discusses the integration of AI into Canva's product suite, particularly the development of Magic Write, and his recent role leading Canva's expansion in the Middle East. Ahmad emphasizes the importance of localization and genuine intent in business, offering insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and those considering career transitions. Key takeaways Ahmad co-founded Attendee, an event registration company, during university.He learned valuable lessons about product marketing and development through failures.The startup ecosystem in Toronto was developing during his early entrepreneurial days.Ahmad transitioned to a product role at Canva after networking during a quarantine.Magic Write was developed during an internal hackathon at Canva.The initial user response to Magic Write was overwhelmingly positive.Ahmad is now leading Canva's expansion in the Middle East, focusing on localization.Canva aims to support 250,000 SMEs in the region through tailored products.The importance of genuine intent in building relationships in MENA.Ahmad encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on impact and scale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  6. FEB 4

    #41 - Georg Rute on co-founding and scaling Sympower and Gridraven, and why Estonia produces so many high quality startups.

    In this episode, Sam Marchant interviews Georg Rute, an entrepreneur who has transitioned from the Estonian startup ecosystem to launching GridRaven in the U.S. Georg shares his journey from his early days as a sea kayaking instructor to founding his first startup, Sympower, which focused on sustainable energy solutions. He discusses the cultural differences he experienced moving from Estonia to Texas, the challenges of bootstrapping a startup, and the importance of mentorship and support programs in Estonia's growing startup scene. Georg also reflects on his experiences in the energy sector, including his role in digitization at Estonia's national grid operator, Elering, and how these experiences shaped his approach to founding GridRaven, which aims to solve critical issues in the energy transmission industry. Key takeaways "I think it was my parents that not too gently guided me towards doing something in the real world." "We were two guys starting a software company with no development experience and no developers." "It's more about the big picture. What's the actual potential?" "Things don't happen inside the building, they happen when you're outside." "I had the courage to do it actually, and also that the company is a success." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min

  7. JAN 28

    #40 - Joe Wilson on launching 5 startups (with 2 exits), and scaling Bunq to 20m customers with a +$1.5bn valuation

    In this conversation, Joe Wilson shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur, discussing the lessons learned from founding multiple companies, transitioning to a corporate role at Microsoft, and ultimately joining Bunq. He emphasizes the importance of dreaming big, operational excellence, and the significance of hiring the right people. Joe's insights provide valuable guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs and those navigating the complexities of business. Key Takeaways The journey of entrepreneurship often starts from necessity.Finding opportunities is a key skill for entrepreneurs.Technology is evolving rapidly, and businesses must adapt accordingly.Hiring smarter people is crucial for success.Selling ahead of capabilities can drive growth.Understanding operations is essential for business success.Having a clear dream can guide entrepreneurial efforts.International thinking is vital for scaling businesses.Choosing the right team members is critical for success.Operational details can determine the success or failure of a business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min

  8. JAN 21

    #39 - Fabio Bin on building WeRoad: €130M revenue, 300k travellers, and the power of community-led growth

    In this conversation, Fabio Bin, co-founder of WeRoad, shares the journey of building a travel community focused on connecting solo travelers. He discusses the importance of targeting the right audience, validating the concept through social media, and the unique role of travel coordinators in enhancing the travel experience. As the business scaled, maintaining customer connection and adapting marketing strategies post-COVID became crucial. Fabio emphasizes the significance of community engagement and the need to navigate generational shifts in travel preferences. He also highlights common mistakes in building community-based businesses and offers valuable advice for founders. Key takeaways The idea for WeRoad was born from a need for solo travelers to connect with others.Targeting millennials and young professionals was key to WeRoad's success.Mood-based travel categorization helps match travelers with similar interests.Building trust with customers was essential in the early days of WeRoad.Travel coordinators play a vital role in enhancing the travel experience.Maintaining customer connection is challenging but crucial as the business scales.Post-COVID, marketing strategies have shifted to focus on accountability and creativity.Community engagement is about real connections, not just a large audience.Generational shifts in travel preferences require adapting marketing narratives.Founders should focus on building genuine communities rather than just tech solutions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to WeRoad and Its Founding Story 02:56 Targeting the Right Audience: Age and Mood-Based Travel 05:36 Building Trust and Validating the Concept 08:11 The Role of Travel Coordinators in Enhancing Experience 11:07 Scaling the Business and Maintaining Customer Connection 13:40 Adapting Marketing Strategies Post-COVID 16:18 Community Engagement and Customer Retention 18:58 Navigating Generational Shifts in Travel Preferences 21:45 Common Mistakes in Building Community-Based Businesses 24:21 Final Thoughts and Advice for Founders Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
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About

Now We Build is a podcast hosted by Sam Marchant, an entrepreneur turned investor. Sam's conversations with seasoned company founders and operators will give you unique insights, wisdom and practical guidance on how to build your startup for success. Now We Build is proudly sponsored by Google Cloud, Carta, Fuelled Insurance, and Seven Legal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Marchant
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sam Marchant
  • Show Website
    Now We Build