Founder to Founder
Founder to Founder
Podcast Description
Welcome to “Founder to Founder,” the brand-new podcast series from Virgin StartUp. This is where real conversations happen – founder to founder – as we dive into the crucial role that mentorship and community play in the journey of building a business.Each episode, we sit down with inspiring founders to uncover the lessons they’ve learned, the guidance that shaped them, and the people who helped them along the way.Brought to you by Virgin StartUp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers themes such as mentorship, business growth, and resilience. Episodes delve into topics like community-building strategies and the impact of mentoring on startup success, with examples including conversations with founders like David Abrahamovitch discussing scaling businesses and Pip Murray sharing insights on navigating early-stage challenges.
Founder to Founder is the podcast where founders share the lessons you won’t find in a business book.
Hosted by Luke Johnstone, founder of PACK’D and Virgin StartUp Mentor, each episode brings together inspiring entrepreneurs for honest conversations about building a business, overcoming challenges, securing support, and learning from the people who helped them along the way.
From funding and growth to leadership, resilience and decision-making, Founder to Founder explores the realities of entrepreneurship through the stories of founders who have been there themselves.
You’ll hear practical advice, personal experiences, and the moments that shaped some of the UK’s most exciting businesses.
Whether you’re starting your first venture, growing an early-stage business, or looking for guidance from people who understand the founder journey, this podcast is for you.
Hosted by Luke Johnstone
Luke is the founder of PACK’D, a disruptive food brand that has generated more than £15 million in sales and reached over one million customers. After launching with support from Virgin StartUp, he now helps the next generation of entrepreneurs as a Virgin StartUp Mentor.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Founder to Founder, Luke Johnstone sits down with Abi Selby, founder of Spabreaks.com, to explore how she built the UK’s leading spa booking platform while staying true to a mission of making wellness more accessible, inclusive and meaningful.
What began as a simple idea grew into a £36 million business that now sends more than 16,000 people to spas every week. Along the way, Abi challenged industry norms, opened wellness experiences to people often overlooked by the sector, and built a purpose-led business that has continued to evolve for nearly two decades.
Together they discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, mentorship, community and the realities of growing a business through major industry shifts, including the challenges of Covid.
This is an honest conversation about purpose, perseverance and building a company that creates impact beyond profit.
In this episode:
- The moment Abi spotted the opportunity behind Spabreaks.com
- Growing a business from startup to industry leader
- Why inclusivity became central to the company’s mission
- Supporting people living with cancer through wellness experiences
- The role mentors played throughout Abi’s journey
- Navigating Covid and rebuilding stronger
- Founder wellbeing and avoiding burnout
- Why relationships are one of the most valuable business assets
- Lessons from leading a £36m business over nearly 20 years
Looking for support on your own founder journey?
Founder to Founder is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start, grow and thrive through funding, mentoring, expert advice and community.
Find out more at virginstartup.org
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Disclaimer
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