The Brutal Truth Behind Scaling to £1.3M: the YaYa story is one of burnout, determination & triumph

What Really Happens When the Software Behind a Billion-Dollar Business Fails?

What happens when the software your entire business runs on suddenly becomes inaccessible?That’s where Evan Lever comes in.He’s the founder of The Escrow Company — a global leader in digital escrow for software, cloud infrastructure, and IP.After a successful exit during the Israeli tech boom, Evan moved to London and started again — bootstrapping his new venture from scratch and landing clients like Pfizer, Deloitte, and Unilever.With operations in London, Sydney, and Atlanta, The Escrow Company protects the mission-critical digital assets that power some of the world’s most important technology — even holding entire cloud environments, root credentials, and source code in trust.In this episode, Evan reveals:▫️ What software escrow actually is — and why you should care▫️ How he landed billion-dollar clients from scratch▫️ The risks most SaaS founders completely overlook▫️ Why trust — not code — is his real product▫️ How he built and exited the company after 13 yearsThis is what it looks like to build quietly, globally — and with zero margin for error.📸 This episode was kindly hosted by UCL’s School of Management.Home to a world-class Entrepreneurship programme that supports the next generation of founders: https://www.mgmt.ucl.ac.uk/entrepreneurshipFuelled by Neutonic. For 10% off head to https://www.neutonic.com/chin-wag or use code CHINWAGSubscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/07OOtcuvlNzNQsidtyLRca?si=70b8a28ea8754bf5Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chinwagcoFollow us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/chin-wagFor more on Evan and The Escrow Company, head to:https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lever-873794/https://www.escrowcompany.co/

This App Grew to 100,000 Users by Solving a Problem Instagram Won’t Touch

What if the most important social platform of the next decade isn’t about content, but connection?Jason Iliffe and Nicola Gunby are the co-founders of CLIQ, the app reconnecting people in real life by giving community leaders the tools to build movements, not audiences.After exiting their first startup, they flew home early from a trip to Bali to launch CLIQ in just five weeks. Within days, they had 10,000 users and broke the app every single day.Today, CLIQ has over 100,000 users, has raised £500,000 in early funding, and has created activations with brands like Samsung, Gails, Hip Pop and Canary Wharf - all in pursuit of solving the loneliness crisis.They reveal:▫️ How they rebuilt from scratch after burnout.▫️ Why social apps are broken — and how CLIQ is different.▫️ What happened when they hired the wrong “ex-Apple, ex-Disney” exec.▫️ Why VCs told them “you’ll need millions”, and how they proved them wrong.▫️ How they scaled without followers, ads, or hype.▫️ And why one founder had a stroke at 30, and still didn’t quit.This isn’t a story about going viral. It’s a story about building something that actually matters.Fuelled by Neutonic. For 10% off head to https://www.neutonic.com/chin-wag or use code CHINWAGSubscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/07OOtcuvlNzNQsidtyLRca?si=70b8a28ea8754bf5Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chinwagcoFollow us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/chin-wagFor more on Nicola, Jason and CLIQ, head to:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-gunby/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-iliffe/https://www.thecliq.app/https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cliq/

The Founder who took on the system and RAISED £6.5m...from his bedroom!

What if the next generation of CEOs, engineers, and policymakers are already out there, but just need someone to believe in them?Joe Seddon is the founder and CEO of Zero Gravity, the UK’s leading platform for social mobility. Starting from his bedroom with £0 in funding, Joe has built a tech-for-good company that’s supported over 8,000 low-income students into top universities and is now helping them launch high-impact careers at firms like HSBC, KPMG, and Allen & Overy.He reveals:▫️How he signed HSBC as a paying client at just 22.▫️Why Zero Gravity raised over £6.5 million — and what they did with it.▫️The brand strategy that landed them in The Times, BBC and more.▫️How they built a business model that balances impact with scale.▫️Why mission-first startups must still master enterprise sales.Joe’s story isn’t just about building a business — it’s about changing the system from the inside.We also talk about  @garyseconomics  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC5Ghe5TBQGYIOANuiNW4hDQ] where Joe shares his admiration for Gary’s mission and the fact that he’s unafraid to speak his mind, even when his delivery doesn’t always land with everyone.Fuelled by Neutonic. For 10% off head to https://www.neutonic.com/chin-wag or use code CHINWAGSubscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/07OOtcuvlNzNQsidtyLRca?si=70b8a28ea8754bf5Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chinwagcoFollow us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/chin-wagFor more on Joe and Zero Gravity, head to:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeseddon/https://www.zerogravity.co.uk/

The Brutal Truth Behind Scaling to £1.3M: the YaYa story is one of burnout, determination & triumph

What if the only thing standing between your startup and success… was clarity? Phil Keaney-Bolland is the co-founder of YaYa — the UK’s Best Start-Up Consultancy and one of the fastest-growing companies in its space, as listed on the 2024 Fast Growth Index. With over $1.2M in revenue and clients ranging from cybersecurity to AI, YaYa helps early-stage founders cut through noise and build brands that actually grow their business — no fluff, no vague storytelling, just strategy that works. He reveals: ▫️Why most early-stage branding is a distraction. ▫️What to do when you lose a major client overnight. ▫️The one question every founder should ask about longevity. ▫️How to turn founder obsession into a competitive advantage. ▫️Why building for everyone is the fastest way to fail. ▫️What startups can learn from security-first industries. Our Show Chapters! We breakdown the key factors of success for the ultimate Founder toolbox. Check out your B2B resources and question timestamps below: 00:00 *Intro*✅ *Solving the Problem* - https://www.wolfpack-digital.com [https://www.wolfpack-digital.com] 01:22 How did you know the market needed your service? 05:35 Did you have any fear when choosing which service to offer? 07:45 Would you recommend choosing a product that delivers revenue quickly? 🤝 *Founders & Early Team* 09:05 How did you decide to who to found your company with? 🛠️ *Delivering on a limited budget* 12:05 How do you decide where to spend money? 15:12 What tips would you share? 16:37 What advice you recommend for managing a lean budget? 17:56 What tools would you recommend? 🧾 *First Customer Acquisition* 19:00 How did you secure your first customer? 22:01 Were you transparent with your first customers?💰 *Securing Funding & Investors* 23:44 Why did you decide to bootstrap? 26:01 Would you have grown faster with more capital? 💸 *Managing Finances* - https://www.scaleup.finance [https://www.scaleup.finance] 28:30 What practices do you implement to feel confident with cash flow? 💌 *Brand Building* 33:15 How does Yaya help companies in the security space stand out? 🧳 *Company Culture, Values & Hiring* - https://www.workable.com [https://www.workable.com] 40:20 What criteria do you look for in the people you work with? 42:56 How did you find great candidates? 46:30 Can you have culture in remote only workplace? 🤖 *AI in Business*47:25 What are your thoughts on AI in Business? 52:49 Do you have any predictions about AI? 🪧 *Advertising* 54:20 How do you decide how much to spend and where? 🏖️ *Personal Well-being & Burnout* 59:48 Have you experienced burnout? 1:05:30 Is there something on a daily basis that helps you? 🔮 *Long Term Strategy* 1:10:02 What is your long term strategy? 📸 This episode was kindly hosted by UCL’s School of Management.Home to a world-class Entrepreneurship programme that supports the next generation of founders: https://www.mgmt.ucl.ac.uk/entrepreneurship [https://www.mgmt.ucl.ac.uk/entrepreneurship]. Fuelled by Neutonic. For 10% off head to https://www.neutonic.com/chin-wag [https://www.neutonic.com/chin-wag] or use code CHINWAG Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzrFraJCcsQOlTjAdgGt97A?sub_confirmation=1⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzrFraJCcsQOlTjAdgGt97A?sub_confirmation=1] Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chinwagco Follow us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/chin-wag For more on Phil and Yaya, head to:https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillbolland/ https://www.yaya.co/

How You Can Turn Obsession Into a £1M-a-Year Business like The Big Bakes

What if you could turn a dream idea into a national experience brand, without investors, a fancy office, or startup funding?Adam Chaudri and Eloise Frank are the founders of The Big Bakes, the UK’s first live baking competition experience.From a marquee in a pub garden to four venues and 100+ team members, they built the brand from scratch, relying on gut instinct, great marketing, and obsession with customer experience — not outside money.They reveal:▫️Why some of the best ideas come from gut feel, not data.▫️How to build a brand people love, without spending big.▫️What to do when you’re hiring your first team.▫️Why they turned down VC money, and never looked back.▫️The mindset shift that helped them scale to 100,000 customers.Our Show Chapters! We breakdown the key factors of success for the ultimate Founder toolbox. Check out your B2B resources and question timestamps below: *Intro*00:00*Problem Solving* - https://www.wolfpackdigital.com01:29 How did you know the idea was worth pursuing?04:35 What's the secret to validating an idea?*Starting on a limited budget*09:39 How to make the most impact with a limited budget?13:35 What couldn’t you afford? *Marketing & Customer Acquisition*16:05 Which marketing and PR skills are most important?*Finding Co-Founders, Mentors & Early Team*20:01 How do you find people who align with your vision?23:05 What values do you hold as co-founders?*Securing Funding & Investors*26:45 How did you afford to setup the big bakes?29:41 Looking back would you have taken VC money?32:36 Do some Founders fear taking total responsibility?36:00 Are start-up loans against the company or you personally?*Managing Finances & Cash Flow* - https://scaleupfinance.com36:20 What practices would you recommend for managing finances day to day? *Brand Building*43:58 What are the crucial points that a Founder should work on in the early days?45:20 What type of feedback matters to you?*Culture, Values and Hiring* - https://workable.com46:51 How do you maintain an awesome internal culture?51:46 How do you deal with employees that aren’t right for you? 53:05 Do you have examples of B-team players becoming A-team players?*Pivoting & Strategy Shifts*59:29 How do you decide what products and services to offer?01:01:21 Are you upfront with customers when trying something new?*Personal Well-being & Burnout*01:04:10 How do you maintain enthusiasm and energy without burning out? For more on Adam, Eloise and The Big Bakes, head to:https://www.thebigbakes.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-chaudhri/https://www.linkedin.com/in/eloise-frank-255ab652/Fuelled by Neutonic. For 10% off head to https://www.neutonic.com/chin-wag [https://www.neutonic.com/chin-wag] or use code CHINWAGSubscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzrFraJCcsQOlTjAdgGt97A?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzrFraJCcsQOlTjAdgGt97A?sub_confirmation=1]Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chinwagcoFollow us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/chin-wag