Nick Coutts - Portugal’s Leading Fitness/Health Centre Entrepreneur

Guy Pinsent: Banker, Diplomat, Entrepreneur & CEO, Founder of Poland/Czech Republic's Largest Self-Storage Business

In this engaging conversation, Guy Pinsent shares his entrepreneurial journey from Cambridge economics student, being a banker in the City, to the Foreign Office and on to real estate and finally, on his own account, as a successful self storage business owner in Central Europe. Guy discusses the founding and growth of Less Mess Storage, which now operates 18 locations across Poland and Czech Republic with backing from Metric Capital Partners since 2015, and with 100,000 sqm of rentable space and 40,000 more in the pipeline. Key Topics Covered: * The Self Storage Business Model: Guy explains his freehold property approach, inspired by companies like Big Yellow and the McDonald's model featured in "The Founder" film. Also attractive features of the self storage business: long lifetime value of clients, custom inertia, counter-cyclical demand so the business performs well across the business cycle. Cambridge University Value of a first-class education. * The Why question: How Guy never worried about social status, and simply doing what it takes to build a life, do something of value. * Entrepreneurial Philosophy: Discussion of motivation and work ethic, referencing Arnold Schwarzenegger's YouTube talks and Gary Vaynerchuk's "I will outwork you" mentality. * Economic Principles: Insights on loss aversion from Daniel Kahneman's research and lessons from Cambridge professor Michael Kuczynski. * Life as a British Expat: Guy shares his experience living abroad and his documentary project "Should Brits Come Home?" made with Patrick Ney, exploring whether British expats should return to the UK. * Documentary Filmmaking: Behind-the-scenes stories from filming at the Notting Hill Carnival, agricultural shows, and conducting street interviews. * Political Commentary: Reflections on Britain's direction, post-nationalism, and concerns about current UK leadership. About Guy Pinsent Guy is a British real estate entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Less Mess Storage, a leading self‑storage company operating across Central Europe. Born in London and raised in the English countryside, he studied at Eton College and Cambridge University before starting his career in investment banking at Citibank. He later served at the British Embassy in Poland to strengthen UK–Poland business relations, then moved into commercial real estate with Colliers, and in 2014 founded Less Mess Storage, which he has since built into a benchmark player in the Central European self storage sector. Guy’s  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-pinsent-8b08653/]Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-pinsent-8b08653/] Links * Arnold Schwarzenegger - Guy referenced a 4-minute motivational talk on YouTube about entrepreneurship principles  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyhOmBPtGNM]YouTube: Arnold Schwarzenegger 6 Rules of Success [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyhOmBPtGNM] * Gary Vaynerchuk - Richard mentioned him as an American entrepreneur from Belarus known for saying "I will outwork you" as part of his pathway to success example  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq9eEFb0GN8&t=36s]here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq9eEFb0GN8&t=36s] * Daniel Kahneman - Guy referenced his work on loss aversion (people feel $100 loss twice as painfully as the good feeling of a $100 gain)  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loss_aversion]Wikipedia: Loss Aversion [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loss_aversion] * Michael Kuczynski - Economics professor at Pembroke College, Cambridge who taught both Richard and Guy; passed away in 2025 at age 84  [https://www.pem.cam.ac.uk/college/news/michael-kuczynski-1941-2025]Pembroke College: Michael Kuczynski (1941–2025) [https://www.pem.cam.ac.uk/college/news/michael-kuczynski-1941-2025] * Pedro Pablo Kuczynski - Michael's brother, became President of Peru  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Pablo_Kuczynski]Wikipedia: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Pablo_Kuczynski] * Less Mess Storage - Guy's self-storage company operating in Poland and Czech Republic with 18 locations  [https://www.lessmess.storage/en/]lessmess.storage [https://www.lessmess.storage/en/] * Pembroke College, Cambridge - Where both Richard and Guy studied economics  [https://www.pem.cam.ac.uk/]pem.cam.ac.uk [https://www.pem.cam.ac.uk/] * Big Yellow - UK self-storage company mentioned as reference for freehold approach  [https://www.bigyellow.co.uk/]bigyellow.co.uk [https://www.bigyellow.co.uk/] * "The Founder" - Film about Ray Kroc and McDonald's history, illustrating property-based business model  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Founder]Wikipedia: The Founder (film) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Founder] * Richard’s TED-ED lesson based on The Founder link [https://ed.ted.com/on/CDNvs735] * "Should Brits Come Home?" - Documentary Guy made with Patrick Ney about whether British expats should return to the UK especially from a Polish perspective.  [https://youtu.be/covM9GBXsZw?si=yQhmO4d2XtY25wJd]Here [https://youtu.be/covM9GBXsZw?si=yQhmO4d2XtY25wJd] * Patrick Ney [https://newbooksnetwork.com/hosts/profile/5135689b-e061-4004-818c-003028171bd6] was a guest on this NBN channel here [https://newbooksnetwork.com/patrick-ney-filmmaker-writer-and-digital-marketer-with-23-million-views-on-youtube], And gave one of the most popular TEDxKazimierz talks of all time with over 375,000 downloads here [https://www.ted.com/talks/paddy_ney_the_day_before_you_die_why_doing_what_really_matters_is_so_important] * Center for Policy Studies - UK centre-right think tank Guy mentioned  [https://cps.org.uk/]link [https://cps.org.uk/] * Extra Space - Major US self-storage operator  [https://www.extraspace.com/]link [https://www.extraspace.com/] * Metric Capital Partners - Private equity investor in Less Mess since 2015 link [https://www.metric-capital.com/]1 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ftAHtgdcUmRmTQKR2x1ITBL7wx9-ajgbFR-Ytnhqako/edit] Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership [https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership]

Fighting Social Isolation And Loneliness: The Importance Of Good Processes And Hosting In Community Leadership

NBN host Richard Lucas being interviewed by Alexander Goldman. Normally on this channel, you hear Richard Lucas interviewing interesting guests. In this one, you'll hear Richard being interviewed on another podcast about community management and leadership, a topic close to his heart. Many thanks to Alexander Goldman for giving permission to share his podcast here on the NBN Find his podcast, Connecting Beyond the Apps and AI [https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/] and Substack newsletter here [https://interfaceofus.substack.com/]. Connecting Beyond Apps & AI is a research-backed, optimistic podcast about social thriving in our age of digital communication. Through interviews with experts we explore the art, science, and best practices of bringing people together to promote lives of purpose and contentment. Links from the original podcast show notes are below. * Open Coffee Lisbon [https://www.meetup.com/open-coffee-lisbon/] * Open Coffee Krakow [https://www.meetup.com/opencoffekrakow/] * Open Coffee Warsaw [https://www.meetup.com/opencoffeewwa] * Open Coffee Tirana [https://www.meetup.com/open-coffee-tirana] * Lisbon Community Connections Group [https://www.meetup.com/lisboncommunityconnectionsgroup] * Open Coffee Sydney [https://luma.com/calendar/cal-jGAqpKJErdKArb2]. * Krakow Newcomers Welcome Club [https://www.meetup.com/krakownewcomerswelcomeclub/] * Open Coffee Cambridge [https://luma.com/9ic93jzj] * Lisbon Community Newsletter [https://lisboncommunityevents.substack.com/] * CAMentrepreneurs [https://www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/group/camentrepreneurs] * Sunday Assembly [https://www.sundayassembly.org/] * How to organise a TEDx [http://ted.com/participate/organize-a-local-tedx-event] * How to make your event “buzz” - TEDx Training video. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vruIDwpiQtI&t=1s] * Why do pre-events: events before events [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxPGLuS74Y4&t=1s] * Derek Sivers on how to start a movement [https://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_movement] * Priya Parker on transformative gatherings. [https://www.ted.com/talks/priya_parker_3_steps_to_turn_everyday_get_togethers_into_transformative_gatherings] Richard Lucas links * TED.com profile [https://www.ted.com/profiles/54403] * About Richard [https://richardlucas.com/about] * Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardhlucas] * Quora profile [https://www.quora.com/profile/Richard-Lucas-3] * TEDx Talk on Opportunity Readiness [https://www.ted.com/talks/richard_lucas_to_change_the_world_start_with_yourself] * TEDx talk on why you should show up early [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QXqQMtrRU8] Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership [https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership]

Eric Ries, "Incorruptible" (Authors Equity, 2026)

Eric Ries shares how financial 'gravity' pulls great companies away from their founders' purpose, and his solutions in his new book Incorruptible [https://bookshop.org/a/12343/9798893311860] (Authors Equity, 2026) Join us for a uniquely provocative conversation between our host, Richard Lucas, and renowned entrepreneur and "Lean Startup" author Eric Ries on his new book, Incorruptible. Moving beyond the surface-level summary, Richard intentionally focuses on the book's deep ethical and moral core, giving Ries the space to clarify and elaborate on his most challenging ideas.1 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K4rDJYVtfcnGO2FNoSI5UmnNMMn6Y3AchvVpvKs55SM/edit] This is not your typical book tour stop. Richard dives into what he finds "particularly interesting," exploring why founders must prioritize building an enterprise "worth protecting" from the start—a business whose mission is protected by structural guardrails. Richard highlights memorable quotes from Eric's book, including:1 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K4rDJYVtfcnGO2FNoSI5UmnNMMn6Y3AchvVpvKs55SM/edit] * "Not every form of making money is equally good."1 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K4rDJYVtfcnGO2FNoSI5UmnNMMn6Y3AchvVpvKs55SM/edit] * "The more golden the goose, the stronger the temptation to butcher it."1 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K4rDJYVtfcnGO2FNoSI5UmnNMMn6Y3AchvVpvKs55SM/edit] Ries explains that without these defenses, a universal, systemic force he calls "financial gravity" will inevitably pull the organization toward short-term profit maximization over "human flourishing". He argues that waiting until a business is successful to put in guardrails is "too late" because success attracts predators. Taking the principled path, though harder, Ries believes, unlocks "almost unbelievable superpowers". The discussion drills down into practical, yet philosophical questions: Can any system resist a corrupt leader? Richard challenges Ries on the possibility of an ethical defense military technology company (like those defending Ukraine), leading Ries to clarify that technology is neutral; the danger lies in who controls it. They also explore the failure of modern management practices, discussing how reliance on metrics like average hold time can create "false proxies" that actively make customer service worse. Finally, Ries advocates for a powerful solution for corporate governance: a universal director's oath, similar to the Hippocratic Oath, to bind corporate leadership to a commitment to the mission.1 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K4rDJYVtfcnGO2FNoSI5UmnNMMn6Y3AchvVpvKs55SM/edit] Tune in to hear Ries’s candid reflections, including his personal belief that integrity is not merely ethical, but a competitive advantage—the true foundation for economic success, while emphasizing the first step for every founder and entrepreneur: "First, create something worth protecting Links & References * Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad…and How Great Companies Stay Great * Book release date is May 26 in the US, May 28 worldwide Amazon listing [https://www.amazon.com/Incorruptible-Shape-Companies-That-Stand/dp/B0FWZZBPZB] * Website: here [http://incorruptible.co/] * Seth Godin on false metrics [https://seths.blog/2012/05/avoiding-false-metrics/] * Frankenstein, Incorporated by I Maurice Wormser Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership [https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership]

Nick Coutts - Portugal’s Leading Fitness/Health Centre Entrepreneur

In this episode of Richard Lucas on Entrepreneurship and Leadership, Richard speaks with Nick Coutts — a visionary entrepreneur who reshaped Portugal’s fitness landscape and continues to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence. With over 27 years in the industry, from expanding Holmes Place across Europe to founding Fitness Hut — Portugal’s largest low‑cost gym chain — Nick brings a deep understanding of what drives customer loyalty and business success. He believes great fitness businesses are built not just on equipment or branding, but on people. Every Fitness Hut manager has hands‑on experience as a fitness coach, ensuring real insight into what members need and how to deliver it. Nick shares how attention to detail — from gym cleanliness to staff engagement — defines the member experience. In his view, every “hello” from staff counts, and every ignored client is a missed opportunity. He also stresses the power of a well‑executed pre‑sales strategy: generating momentum and revenue before opening the doors is the key to sustainable growth. Looking ahead, Nick reveals plans for a new disruptive gym model in Portugal — affordable, convenient, and committed to a people‑first culture and how he plans to open 30/year & exit @ 100… leaving “meat on the bone” for the buyer to continue growing towards the 300 capacity that’s identified His approach is a reminder that true leadership means investing in talent, empowering teams, and never losing sight of the customer. Links * Nick’s Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-coutts-6160b75/] * Holmes Place [https://www.holmesplace.com/en/en] * Fitness Hub exit to Viva Gym [https://www.bridgesfundmanagement.com/2018/01/09/bridges-backed-viva-gym-acquires-fitness-hut-create-iberian-low-cost-market-leader/] Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership [https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership]

Jeremy Sosabowski: Community Leader and Entrepreneur

In this episode, Jeremy Sosabowski, CEO and co‑founder of AlgoDynamix, reveals how his company is reinventing market forecasting through behavioral analytics rather than traditional fundamentals or news. By decoding real‑time transactional order flow, AlgoDynamix predicts price movements (hours or days in advance) based on what traders are actually doing — a fresh, practical edge for smaller hedge funds, family offices and HNWI (High Net Worth Individuals) seeking ultimate actionable trading insights. Jeremy shares how the company continues to expand and refine its business model and how they have built a scalable platform capable of handling complex, multi‑asset portfolios. He also dives into Cambridge’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, highlighting how networking, community engagement, and thematic WhatsApp groups have created unexpected opportunities and collaborations. The episode is packed with insights for innovators, investors, and curious listeners. If you want to hear how behavioral science meets financial returns — and how an entrepreneur builds momentum through community — this conversation is absolutely worth your time. Links: * CUE Cambridge University Entrepreneurs [https://www.cambridgeuniversityentrepreneurs.com/] * AlgoDyamix [https://www.algodynamix.com/] * Jeremy Sosabowski Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremysosabowski/] * Richard Lucas TEDxTarnow on “Opportunity Readiness” [https://www.ted.com/talks/richard_lucas_to_change_the_world_start_with_yourself] * Jeremy Sosabowski at CAMentrepreneurs Open Coffee Cambridge [https://luma.com/9ic93jzj] * OptiSynx  [https://tracxn.com/d/companies/optisynx/__9Aq2-jHQQ4GkERosrkXE1914Is9c-Zd7BXQ5-sJIH34]clock project [https://tracxn.com/d/companies/optisynx/__9Aq2-jHQQ4GkERosrkXE1914Is9c-Zd7BXQ5-sJIH34] About Jeremy Sosabowski CEO, AlgoDynamix: Dr. Jeremy Sosabowski is Co-founder & CEO at AlgoDynamix, an AI-based financial price forecasting analytics company. Their products are used by asset managers, including CTAs, hedge funds, and family offices. Jeremy has over a decade of business and technology commercialisation experience. His previous roles include CTO at an instrumentation company (technology acquired) and data analyst within the online transaction space. His 'IP portfolio' includes several granted patents and more than 10 peer-reviewed publications. Jeremy has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in engineering and signal processing including an Engineering Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership [https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/entrepreneurship-and-leadership]