School of Hard Knocks Podcast

Richard Harpin | He Was $10K From Bankruptcy… Then Built a $4B Company

Richard built HomeServe into a £4.1 billion global company operating in 10 countries, starting with just £50,000 and multiple early failures. In this episode, he breaks down the near-collapse moments, the pivot that changed everything, and the exact business model that scaled globally. He also shares his 9-step framework for building a billion-pound company, insights on bootstrapping vs. raising capital, and why copying proven ideas beats chasing originality. A masterclass in scaling, resilience, and strategic execution. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Simon Squibb | He Was Homeless at 15… Now He’s Worth Hundreds of Millions

Simon Squibb is a self-made entrepreneur worth hundreds of millions who has invested in over 80 companies. After becoming homeless at 15, he built his first business with just £200 and no formal education in business. In this episode, he shares the raw truth about failure, survival, and building from nothing. He breaks down why traditional education fails, why purpose matters more than money, and what it really takes to succeed. This is a conversation about ownership, resilience, and creating your own path. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Poppi Founders | How They Built Poppi Into A $500 Million A Year Soda Company In 4 Years (Then Sold For $2 Billion)

Alison and Stephen Ellsworth, founders of Poppi, share how they went from early-stage struggles and personal health challenges to building and exiting a $2 billion beverage company. They discuss risking financial stability, validating their product through real customers, leveraging viral content for growth, and navigating the realities of scaling a business as a married couple. This episode explores entrepreneurship, brand building, leadership, and the mindset required to sustain long-term success. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Bill Gurley | Legendary Investor on Missing Google, Backing Uber, and What Makes Billion-Dollar Founders

Bill Gurley, legendary venture capitalist and early investor in Uber and Zillow, shares the principles behind identifying billion-dollar companies. He reflects on missing the Google opportunity, lessons from evaluating thousands of founders, and why execution consistently beats ideas. The conversation explores network effects, founder psychology, venture capital decision-making, and how young investors can build an edge in emerging industries. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

John Caudwell | The British Billionaire Who Lost Everything… Then Built a $2B Empire

John Caudwell, founder of Phones 4u, built a billion-pound empire from scratch and exited for £1.5 billion after two decades of relentless growth. Starting with monthly losses and facing near collapse after losing 95% of his supply, he rebuilt through sharp commercial instincts and strategic hiring. In this episode, he shares lessons on scaling to 10,000 employees, hiring elite talent, navigating ruthless suppliers, and building wealth on thin margins. He also discusses philanthropy, legacy, and why success ultimately goes beyond money. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.