Lost & Founders

He Sold His First Business at 24 and Built Two More Before 30

This week on Lost and Founders, host Julian Fayad sits down with Matthew Nicholas, founder of retail asset management company Greyfield and Snap Fitness franchisee, for a raw and honest conversation about what it really takes to build multiple businesses from scratch. Matthew started his first business at 18, scaled it to 25 staff, merged with his biggest competitor and sold it all by 24. What came next was anything but slowing down. He unpacks the lessons, the mistakes and the mindset behind building two very different businesses, why knowing your strengths is the most underrated skill in business, and what great leadership actually looks like in practice. If you are a young entrepreneur or someone building something from nothing, Episode 22 is for you.

The Price of Unethical Behavior in the Lending Industry

On this episode of Lost and Founders, host Julian Fayad is joined by Rory McGrath of Aurelius Capital for an unfiltered discussion on the ethical state of the lending and mortgage broker industry. Rory, known for his outspoken stance, pulls no punches on controversial marketing tactics—including why a 'Black Friday' sale on a 30-year credit commitment is morally questionable and invites regulatory scrutiny. We discuss the cost of non-compliance, the inevitable disruption coming to the sector, and the crucial need for finance professionals to adapt or face ruin.

The Gritty Reality of Building an Un-Monetised Solution

In this heartfelt and gritty episode of Lost & Founders, we sit down with Founder and CEO, Emmanuel Al-Jinavo, of Feed4Ward, who is spending his own money and time to build a solution aimed squarely at supporting the small business community.    Driven by the mission to stop SMEs from collapsing due to issues like delayed payments and backlogs, he explains the intense emotional and financial sacrifices required. He contrasts the clear monetisation of traditional businesses with the "different game altogether" of tech, where investment must happen long before revenue. Hear his journey from moments of self-doubt to finding the powerful motivation—the community's feedback—that keeps his fuel gauge full.

Raw Files, Real Success

This week on Lost and Founders, host Julian Fayad sits down with Shayben Moussa, co-founder of the successful wedding photography and video business, Siempre (Siampre), which has been running strong for over a decade. Shayben unpacks his dual dedication to business and an unshakeable personal challenge: completing over 1000 consecutive days of "pulsary exercise" by the time the episode airs. He discusses the catalyst behind this commitment, and the radical, no-excuses mindset required to maintain it—even finding a secret container gym during 36 hours of airport travel. Beyond fitness, Shayben shares his unfiltered views on building a career in the creative industry, arguing that raw files and a portfolio are the only things that matter when hiring, not a university degree. He reveals the shocking story of walking away from his Graphic Design course just one subject shy of finishing, demonstrating the ultimate confidence in his vision over a piece of paper.

Are Job Cuts Actually Due to Outsourcing and Tech?

This week on the Lost and Founders Podcast, our host Julian Fayad welcomes finance expert Bora Tuncoglu to the studio! After much persistence, Julian sits down with the Founder and Director of BMoney Finance to dive into one of the most pressing and controversial topics in business today: job cuts and corporate transparency. The conversation immediately tackles the elephant in the room: Are recent layoffs truly due to "restructuring," or is it a hidden PR disaster? Julian and Bora discuss why many large companies are hesitant to admit that job losses are actually the result of automation, AI, and outsourcing. The reality, they argue, is that technology is rapidly changing the workforce, and companies are choosing to obscure the truth to protect their public image. Tune in as they peel back the layers on corporate excuses, the real impact of automation, and what this means for the future of employment in the finance industry and beyond.