After selling eConsultancy for £25M, Ashley Friedlein could have retired.

Instead, he poured 7 years and millions into Guild, a professional messaging platform - only to eventually shut it down.

In this brutally honest conversation, Ashley shares why conventional startup advice can be dangerous, how to know when to keep pushing versus let go, and why work-life balance might be the wrong goal entirely.

Whether you're growing a business or considering an exit, Ashley's rare perspective from both massive success and graceful shutdown offers invaluable lessons on the realities of entrepreneurship.

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8 & 9 Figure Mentors is the podcast that gets inside of the minds of the people who have started, run and exited 8, 9 and 10- figure businesses. Learn about their stories, work ethic, struggles and failures, as well as their big wins, so you can apply their lessons to your own journey.

If you don't have a multi-billion dollar network, use this podcast instead! Simple :D

Tim Cameron-Kitchen is the founder of Digital Marketing agency Exposure Ninja, and is building a group of digital marketing agencies at Shinobi Capital Group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 8 and 9 Figure Mentors, host Tim Cameron-Kitchen sits down with Rob Hamilton, founder of The Instant Group and current investor/advisor. Rob shares his journey from building a profitable office rental company to his current pursuit of adventure and purpose.

Rob reveals his unconventional approach to business, emphasising profitability from day one and the importance of managing risk. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from founder to investor, including a harrowing three-year warranty claim that tested his resilience.

Hear Rob's outlook on:

• Building a profitable business without external funding
• Navigating conflicts and challenges in entrepreneurship
• The importance of exercise and well-being in business success
• Setting and pursuing life goals beyond financial success

Rob's unique perspective on optimising life for adventure and enjoyment offers a refreshing take on entrepreneurial success. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, this episode provides actionable advice and inspiration for balancing profits, purpose, and personal fulfillment.

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8 & 9 Figure Mentors is the podcast that gets inside of the minds of the people who have started, run and exited 8, 9 and 10- figure businesses. Learn about their stories, work ethic, struggles and failures, as well as their big wins, so you can apply their lessons to your own journey.

If you don't have a multi-billion dollar network, use this podcast instead! Simple :D

Tim Cameron-Kitchen is the founder of Digital Marketing agency Exposure Ninja, and is building a group of digital marketing agencies at Shinobi Capital Group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Adam Callinan, the innovative founder of BottleKeeper. Adam shares his extraordinary journey of building a multi-million dollar business with just two employees, navigating the Shark Tank experience, and eventually selling to private equity.

Key highlights include:

• How Adam and his cousin turned a beach day idea into a thriving business
• The unconventional approach of growing to $8 million in revenue with only two team members
• Insights into their Shark Tank strategy and the aftermath of the show
• The challenges of managing extreme revenue seasonality and rapid growth
• Adam's data-driven approach to business and the importance of understanding key metrics
• The decision to sell BottleKeeper to PE and transition into his next venture

Adam's story is a masterclass in lean operations, strategic growth, and the power of understanding your numbers. Whether you're a startup founder or an established entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable lessons on building and scaling a business in today's competitive landscape.

8 & 9 Figure Mentors is the podcast that gets inside of the minds of the people who have started, run and exited 8, 9 and 10- figure businesses. Learn about their stories, work ethic, struggles and failures, as well as their big wins, so you can apply their lessons to your own journey.

If you don't have a multi-billion dollar network, use this podcast instead! Simple :D

Tim Cameron-Kitchen is the founder of Digital Marketing agency Exposure Ninja, and is building a group of digital marketing agencies at Shinobi Capital Group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.