The 40-year plan | family, conscious investing & build what lasts | John Frankel

The 40-year plan | family, conscious investing & build what lasts | John Frankel

In this Bee Formless™ Flow Driven CEO & VC conversation, I connected with John Frankel, Founding Partner at ff Venture Capital, to explore life, leadership, investing and the power of compounding. What made this conversation particularly interesting was that it did not begin with venture capital, startups or artificial intelligence. It began with family. John spoke openly about getting married young, raising five children, becoming a grandfather many times over and why he believes people spend far more time planning their careers than they do planning the lives they actually want to live.  We discussed the idea that our twenties and thirties are not only years for building careers and wealth, they are years where relationships, skills, networks, experiences and family can compound too. John challenged the idea of focusing solely on two-year and five-year plans, encouraging listeners to think much further ahead. What happens when we start making decisions through the lens of a forty-year plan instead? Throughout our discussion, he kept returning to the difference between consciously shaping a life and simply drifting into one. One of the questions John kept returning to was whether people are consciously making decisions about their future or simply drifting into them. From fertility and family through to founder psychology, venture capital, physical AI, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies, this conversation challenged conventional definitions of success and building something that lasts. I loved John's view on successful founders, often "delusionally optimistic", the importance of high-trust relationships in venture capital, and why there has never been a more exciting time to start a company than right now. The Shape Shift in motion At the heart of this episode was a shift from measuring success primarily through career progression, financial outcomes and external achievement towards recognising the long-term compounding effects of family, relationships, trust, agency and the choices we make throughout life. This is how that shift unfolded through the Bee Formless™ methodology: LEARN (LETTING GO) ✨ Success compounds through more than money alone ✨ Family, relationships and life decisions deserve the same intentionality as career planning ✨ Founders often need to believe in a future others cannot yet see UNLEARN (CREATE, REIMAGINE & RESHAPE) ✨ Reimagine success through a forty-year lens rather than a quarterly one ✨ Create agency rather than drifting into major life decisions ✨ Reshape venture capital as a relationship built on trust, not simply transactions ACTIVE RECOVERY (REFLECT & RESET) ✨ What are you currently compounding in your life? ✨ Are your decisions aligned to a two-year plan or a forty-year plan? ✨ What would change if you thought in decades rather than quarters? 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrankel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrankel/] 🌐 https://ffvc.com [https://ffvc.com] 💭 Are you consciously building the life you want, or simply hoping it arrives? If something is shifting for you in leadership, business, investing or growth, begin with a Strategic Shape Shift Diagnostic: https://calendly.com/beeformless/strategicshapeshiftdiagnostic [https://calendly.com/beeformless/strategicshapeshiftdiagnostic] #beeformless #flowdrivenceo #flowdrivenvc #ffvc #founders #startupgrowth #consciousinvesting #lifeleadershipbusiness #family #compounding #entrepreneurship

Building the next generation of founders | Leadership, ambition & self-belief | Brandon Bernklau

At 24 years old, Brandon Bernklau is a next gen leader in hos own right, already operating globally across capital, consulting and next-generation company building, while dedicating much of his time to helping other young entrepreneurs turn ideas into action and vision into reality. In this Bee Formless™ Flow Driven CEO & VC conversation, we explored entrepreneurship, leadership, ambition, AI, founder psychology, personal growth and what it means to build something meaningful in a world moving faster than ever. What I appreciated throughout our discussion was not simply Brandon's ambition, although setting a goal of building towards a billion-dollar valuation by the age of thirty is certainly ambitious. It was the intention sitting underneath it. Brandon spoke openly about wanting to help shape the next generation of founders, creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs while building something meaningful of his own. One thing that made me smile early in our chat was Brandon apologising as life unfolded in the background during his first virtual podcast interview. As someone with twenty-five more years of lived experience than Brandon, I found myself reminding him that the older I get, the less interested I become in perfection and the more interested I become in authenticity. We also discussed the assumptions that can emerge across generations, from age bias towards younger founders who are still proving themselves, through to the experience and perspective that only time can provide. We instead returned to the value each generation can bring when experience, fresh thinking and human connection come together. I loved Brandon's wise belief that leadership is not simply about what we build for ourselves, but also about the opportunities we create for others. The Shape Shift in motion At the heart of this episode was a shift from ambition as ego towards ambition as responsibility, from theory into action, and from individual success towards building the next generation of founders, leaders and entrepreneurs with more courage, clarity and good power. This is how that shift unfolded through the Bee Formless™ methodology: LEARN (Letting go) ✨ Self-doubt often comes from fear rather than truth ✨ A big vision needs a meaningful reason behind it ✨ Founders need to remember why they started before the difficult days arrive UNLEARN (Create, reimagine & reshape) ✨ Reimagine ambition as contribution rather than personal achievement ✨ Create momentum by moving from theory into action ✨ Reshape power as responsibility, voice and impact RELEARN (Test & implement) ✨ Build the blueprint before expecting the outcome ✨ Surround yourself with people who believe in the vision and challenge the execution ✨ Keep returning to the reason you are building when the road becomes uncertain ACTIVE RECOVERY (Reflect & reset) ✨ Why are you really building what you are building? ✨ Where is self-doubt asking you to stop before you have truly started? ✨ How could your ambition become a force for positive impact in the lives of others? 🔗 https://linkedin.com/in/brandonldg [https://linkedin.com/in/brandonldg] 🌐 https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernklauco/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernklauco/] 💭 What is one vision, idea or ambition you keep returning to, and what would happen if you stopped doubting your ability to bring it to life? #beeformless #flowdrivenceo #flowdrivenvc #leadership #entrepreneurship #founders #nextgeneration #businessgrowth #highflow #personalgrowth #ai #venturecapital

Business growth, investing & lessons from a winemaker | Michael Walker

In this episode of the Bee Formless™ Flow Driven CEO & VC Podcast, I connected with Michael Walker to explore life, leadership, business, investing and what happens when patience, connection and long-term thinking are allowed to shape the outcome. Michael is CEO and CIO of Max Partners Australia, alongside this, he is also Principal Owner and Winemaker at Faisan Estate Wines. What I appreciated throughout this discussion was Michael’s perspective on opportunity and how often it arrives through unexpected doors. We spoke about Michael's journey in private equity, entrepreneurship, family business, leadership, capital raising, AI and global investment opportunities, and for me it highlighted the idea that some of the biggest shifts in our lives and careers are rarely planned. There was also a quiet optimism throughout the conversation. While industries, technologies and markets continue to evolve, trust, judgement and the quality of the people around us remain as important as ever. I loved the parallels between investing and winemaking, they are far from the same, yet both require judgement, patience and an understanding that some things simply cannot be rushed. The Shape Shift in motion At the heart of this episode was a shift from focusing solely on transactions, outcomes and growth towards recognising that sustainable success is often built through relationships, timing and trust. Whether building a business, raising capital, developing leadership teams or creating a great vintage, experience and patience can matter just as much as strategy itself. This is how that shift unfolded through the Bee Formless™ methodology: LEARN (Letting go) ✨ Not every opportunity can be forced into existence ✨ Relationships often create value long before results appear ✨ Strong leadership remains one of the greatest assets any business can build UNLEARN (Create, reimagine & reshape) ✨ Reimagine networking as building genuine relationships rather than collecting contacts ✨ Create opportunities by consistently putting yourself in the room ✨ Reshape growth through people, trust and connection, not capital alone RELEARN (Test & implement) ✨ Invest in relationships before you need them ✨ Build leadership teams capable of carrying future growth ✨ Stay open to opportunities that arrive from unexpected directions ACTIVE RECOVERY (Reflect & reset) ✨ Which relationships are quietly shaping your future? ✨ Where are you waiting for an opportunity instead of creating one? ✨ What would change if you invested in connection as intentionally as growth? 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-walker-34b05812/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-walker-34b05812/] 🌐 https://maxpartners.com.au/ [https://maxpartners.com.au/] 🍷 https://faisanestate.com.au/ [https://faisanestate.com.au/] ✍️ http://100wines.substack.com/ [http://100wines.substack.com/] 💭 What opportunity might emerge if you simply kept showing up? If something is shifting for you in leadership, business, investing or growth, begin with a Strategic Shape Shift: https://calendly.com/beeformless/strategicshapeshiftdiagnostic [https://calendly.com/beeformless/strategicshapeshiftdiagnostic] #beeformless #flowdrivenvc #businessgrowth #investing #privateequity #familybusiness #winemaking #connection #nonlinear

Consumer Brands, human behaviour & investing in what sticks | Danny Cohen

In this episode of the Bee Formless™ Flow Driven CEO & VC Podcast, I connected with Danny Cohen to explore life, leadership, entrepreneurship, venture capital, consumer behaviour and why people remain at the centre of innovation, no matter how quickly technology evolves. Danny is Co-Founder and General Partner at Sticker Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on consumer businesses within Israel’s innovation ecosystem. While much of the venture world gravitates towards deep tech, AI and enterprise software, Danny has built Sticker around a different belief: understanding people is just as important as understanding technology. What I loved about this conversation was how often we returned to the people side of business. We spoke about entrepreneurship, founder resilience, consumer psychology, storytelling, venture capital, women in investing, brand building and the realities of starting again after decades of experience. Danny shared his journey from being a partner in some of Israel’s largest venture capital firms to becoming a founder himself through Sticker Ventures. It was a reminder that no amount of experience removes uncertainty when you choose to build something new. We discussed consumer businesses and why they continue to matter in an increasingly technology-driven world. As Danny explained, people are emotional, we connect through stories, experiences, identity and belonging. Danny’s observation was on point: “People are not the side dish. They’re the main dish.” THE SHAPE SHIFT IN MOTION At the heart of this episode was a shift from treating consumers as transactions towards seeing them as people. Danny’s perspective was a powerful reminder that behind every company, product, brand, startup and investment decision sits something technology cannot replace: human curiosity, emotion, creativity and connection. This is how that shift unfolded through the Bee Formless™ methodology: LEARN (LETTING GO) ✨ Innovation begins with understanding people ✨ Consumer behaviour often shapes markets before technology does ✨ Entrepreneurship requires resilience, sacrifice and perspective UNLEARN (CREATE, REIMAGINE & RESHAPE) ✨ Reimagine consumer businesses as powerful drivers of innovation ✨ Create brands that connect emotionally, not just functionally ✨ Reshape how we think about success beyond titles, valuations and outcomes RELEARN (TEST & IMPLEMENT) ✨ Build with story, purpose and human connection ✨ Focus on customer behaviour as much as product development ✨ Stay adaptable as technology and society continue to evolve ACTIVE RECOVERY (REFLECT & RESET) ✨ Are you building for people or simply building products? ✨ What story sits behind the work you do? ✨ Where could a deeper understanding of human behaviour create new opportunities? 🔗https://www.linkedin.com/in/coheda/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coheda/] 🌐 https://www.sticker.vc [https://www.sticker.vc] 𝕏 📸 @coheda @stickerventures 💭 What changes when we stop treating consumers as users and start understanding the people behind the behaviour? If something is shifting for you in leadership, business, investing or growth, begin with a Strategic Shape Shift: https://calendly.com/beeformless/strategicshapeshiftdiagnostic [https://calendly.com/beeformless/strategicshapeshiftdiagnostic] #beeformless #flowdrivenvc #stickerventures #consumerinvesting #entrepreneurship #innovation #humanbehaviour

The future of Biotech investing: from genetic disease to patient impact | Luc Dochez

In this episode of the Bee Formless™ Flow Driven CEO & VC Podcast, I connected with Luc Dochez to explore life, leadership, business, investing and the future of biotech through breakthrough therapies, genetic disease, patient outcomes and the responsibility that comes with allocating capital in human health. Luc is Managing Partner at Droia Ventures, a specialist life sciences venture firm investing in oncology and genetic diseases. What I appreciated most throughout our conversation was that while we spoke about science, innovation and investing, the discussion continually returned to people. We explored precision medicine, breakthrough therapies, rare diseases, leadership, conscious capital and what it takes to move complex science from the laboratory to the patient. There was also a fascinating conversation around the transition from CEO to investor. I loved how Luc described it as moving from parent to grandparent, shifting from direct control and decision-making towards guidance, trust and stewardship. For all the discussion around biotech, investing and innovation, I found myself coming back to something close to my heart and my family’s experience navigating my dad’s complex and terminal cancer. Behind every disease, every therapy and every investment decision is a person, a family and a future that matters. Luc is one passionate and deeply dedicated person when it comes to improving patient outcomes and advancing therapies for those who need them most. The Shape Shift in Motion At the heart of this episode was a shift from treating symptoms to understanding causes, from investing for returns alone to investing for patient outcomes, and from leading through control to leading through trust, stewardship and long-term impact. This is how that shift unfolded through the Bee Formless™ methodology: LEARN (Letting go) ✨ Leadership is not always about control ✨ Better outcomes begin by understanding root causes ✨ Meaningful innovation requires both patience and conviction UNLEARN (Create, reimagine & reshape) ✨ Reimagine healthcare through precision medicine and personalised therapies ✨ Create investment models that support long-term patient impact ✨ Reshape leadership from authority towards guidance and stewardship RELEARN (Test & implement) ✨ Build solutions around real human needs ✨ Stay focused on long-term outcomes over short-term noise ✨ Make decisions through the lens of those ultimately being served ACTIVE RECOVERY (Reflect & reset) ✨ Where are you treating symptoms instead of causes? ✨ What decisions would change if people came before process? ✨ How might trust create better outcomes than control? Where to find more: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/luc-dochez-a20b0b11 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/luc-dochez-a20b0b11] 🌐 https://droiaventures.com [https://droiaventures.com] 💭 What changes when we place people at the centre of our decisions rather than treating them as an outcome of them? If something is shifting for you in leadership, business, investing or growth, begin with a Strategic Shape Shift Diagnostic: https://calendly.com/beeformless/strategicshapeshiftdiagnostic [https://calendly.com/beeformless/strategicshapeshiftdiagnostic] #beeformless #flowdrivenvc #biotech #venturecapital #oncology #geneticdisease #precisionmedicine #consciouscapital #leadership #lifesciences #droiaventures