Not My First Guess

Feb 24 2025 62 ep. 53 mins 5
Not My First Guess Podcast artwork

Candid lessons from fellow founders, investors and innovation experts; to help you test, launch and scale your idea faster.

  Business  Technology
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Building a Business From Joy Not Fear: Featuring Thea Brook

Feb 24 2025 60 mins  
Join me, Hattie Willis, as I chat with the incredible Thea Brook, a seasoned entrepreneur and CFO-turned-founder, about her remarkable journey from finance to founding her own businesses. We dive into Thea's unconventional background, from training as a dancer to opening a dance school at 20, and how she eventually found her way into finance and entrepreneurship. Thea shares valuab

The Power of Calling it Quits: When to Step Away: Featuring Joy Mpofu and Cameron Orcutt

Feb 10 2025 55 mins  
Ever felt the pressure to keep your startup afloat, even when it's not working out? In this episode, we dive into the tough topic of shutting down your business with Joy Mpofu and Cameron Orcutt, two founders who have been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale. They share their honest experiences of closing their companies, and how they supported each other through the proce

How to Find the Right Funding For You: Featuring Daniel Sawko

Jan 27 2025 53 mins  
Are you tired of the painful process of finding investors for your startup? Today, I'm joined by Daniel Sawko, co-founder of ShipShapeVC, who's on a mission to make fundraising easier for founders. In this episode, Daniel shares his journey from consulting to entrepreneurship, and how he's helping founders navigate the complex world of investments. We dive into the importance of em

Growth vs Scale: Building Teams That Last: Featuring Neda Sahebelm

Jan 13 2025 58 mins  
Join us as we dive into the inspiring story of Neda, founder of Keshty, as she shares her journey of overcoming rejection, building a successful business, and investing in others. From her experiences as an only child to navigating the world of entrepreneurship, Neda opens up about the lessons she's learned along the way. Don't miss this episode as we explore the importance of org

Innovators not Imposters: Featuring Cecil Adjalo

Dec 09 2024 64 mins  
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Cecil Adjalo, founder of Foundervine, one of the UK's largest and most vibrant accelerators, having designed a high-impact training program that provides ambitious entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, and support they need to confidently scale their ventures. Cecil has a passion for operational efficiency, automation, and creating data-dr

Designing for Neuro Inclusivity: Practical Tips for Founders with Autism and ADHD: Featuring Sascha Evans

Nov 25 2024 55 mins  
Did you know that 20% of your employees, customers, and friends are likely to be neurodivergent? In today's episode, we're diving into the importance of neuro inclusivity in entrepreneurship, with Sasha Evans, a brilliant entrepreneur and expert in experience design and neurodiversity. Join me, Hattie Willis, as I chat with Sasha about her journey into entrepreneurship, from theatr

Building Bridges: Supporting Founders and Breaking Myths: Featuring Marcus Exall

Nov 11 2024 54 mins  
Joining us this episode is Marcus Exall, serial founder, angel investor, and investor in residence at Virgin Startup. In this episode, Marcus shares his journey from building and exiting a digital advertising company to supporting countless founders along the way. We dive into his early days as an entrepreneur, from running a paper round as a kid to selling tickets at a nightclub,

Pitch Perfect: Unlocking Your Inner Storyteller: Featuring Pascalle Bergmans

Oct 28 2024 61 mins  
Storytelling is one of the most underrated founder skills! It’s critical for motivating your team, selling to customers, and of course, raising investment. It can also position you as a thought leader, which yes, helps all those things too. But it’s one of the things that trips sooo many founders up. From pitches that make it obvious they were created to follow a formula, to Li

Toks on Tech Stacks: Building a Following Alongside Your Product: Featuring Ghita El Haitmy

Oct 14 2024 50 mins  
Have you ever wondered how to stay on top of the hottest new tech tools and trends as a founder? Curious how you can leverage platforms like TikTok and Instagram to market your B2B startup in a fun, engaging way? Get ready to learn because in this episode I'm joined by Ghita El Haitmy, the smart and sassy founder of Tech Bible, which empowers professionals to gain a competitive edg

From Pitch to Payday, The Hidden Costs of Fundraising: Featuring Sam Simpson

Jul 15 2024 60 mins  
Have you ever found yourself drowning in fundraising legals and language? This is the interview you’ve been waiting for… In this episode, we're joined by the brilliant Sam Simpson, Co-founder of FounderCatalyst, who's on a mission to simplify and accelerate the early-stage investment legal journey. Sam's not just talking the talk; he's walked the walk, having co-founded and exi