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  • Ep 7: From Big Banks to SMEs: Former Banking Exec, Jonathan Beebe, on Investment, Leadership & Growth
    2025/02/21
    Behind the SME with Former Banking Exec, Jonathan Beebe


    What happens when a senior banking leader transitions from global finance to advising SMEs? In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Jonathan Beebe, a former Barclays and Merrill Lynch executive who now serves as an advisor, investor, and non-exec across multiple businesses.


    Jonathan shares his unique perspective on the SME world—offering insights from both big corporations and hands-on SME leadership. He unpacks the key lessons business owners need to know when seeking investment, managing advisors, and making the shift from founder-led to a scalable company.


    What you'll learn:

    • 📊 Investment insights: What investors really look for in SMEs
    • 💰 Funding alignment: Why the wrong investment partner can hurt your business
    • ⚖️ Corporate vs. SME leadership: How decision-making, agility, and resources compare
    • 🤝 The role of advisors: How to leverage non-execs and boards effectively
    • 🔄 Pivoting & adapting: Why flexibility is key in business strategy


    If you're a founder, business leader, or thinking about raising investment, this episode is packed with must-know insights to help you navigate growth, funding and leadership.


    Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk

    Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

    Connect with us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    47 分
  • Ep 6: Building, Scaling and Exiting: The Entrepreneurial Journey with Niama El Bassunie
    2025/02/06
    Behind the SME with Niama El Bassunie, Managing Partner of Baobab Network


    In this episode, we sit down with Niama El Bassunie, a trailblazing entrepreneur who built and exited a successful B2B marketplace in Africa and is now backing the next generation of founders at Baobab Network.


    Niama shares her journey — from starting WaystoCap, navigating the challenges of scaling a cross-border trade platform in Africa, and ultimately exiting the business. She also unpacks the realities of raising capital in emerging markets, building trust in digital commerce, and why having a strong "why" is the key to resilience.


    What you’ll learn:

    • 🌍 How to scale a business in challenging and emerging markets
    • 📈 Lessons from raising capital—including the realities of securing investment in Africa
    • 🔥 Why founder mindset and resilience matter more than the original business model
    • 🚀 The role of accelerators like Y Combinator and how they impact scaling
    • 💡 How Baobab Network is investing in 1,000 African startups over the next decade


    If you’re an entrepreneur, investor or business leader looking for real, hard-earned insights on growth, fundraising and exiting a business, this episode is for you.


    Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk

    Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

    Connect with us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    44 分
  • Ep 5: Resilience and Purpose: Lessons from Starting a Business with Jordan Relfe
    2025/01/23
    Behind the SME with Jordan Relfe, Co-founder of Lifeproven


    In this episode of Behind the SME, Adam Kene sits down with Jordan Relfe, Co-founder of Lifeproven, to explore the challenges and rewards of building a purpose-driven business in the real estate sector. From navigating the early days of entrepreneurship to embedding ESG principles in the property industry, Jordan shares candid lessons on resilience, leadership and finding your "why."


    Key takeaways include:

    • 🔑 The importance of having a strong personal and professional purpose
    • 🌱 How ESG and sustainability are reshaping the real estate landscape
    • 💡 Lessons in building a business culture centred on ownership, communication and values


    If you're a founder, leader or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration to help you on your journey. Give it a listen!


    Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk

    Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

    Connect with us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    53 分
  • Ep 4: From Big Four to SME COO: Sage Lakhani on Leadership, Teams, and Values
    2024/12/05
    Behind the SME with Sage Lakhani, COO of Kene


    In this episode of Behind the SME, Adam Kene is joined by Sage Lakhani, COO of Kene, whose career journey has taken her from working at PwC to leading high-performing teams in the SME space. As a Chartered Tax Adviser, Sage brings deep expertise in tax solutions, process optimisation, and team management, paired with a passion for building strong client relationships.


    Tune in as Sage shares:

    • 🔑 How a COO bridges the gap between vision and execution in SMEs
    • 🌱 The importance of embedding values into team culture and daily operations
    • 🛠 Practical advice for managing teams, fostering trust and aligning goals


    Whether you're managing a team, thinking about hiring a COO, or just looking to refine your operations, this episode is packed with actionable advice you can apply today.


    🎧 Join us for an inspiring discussion packed with actionable insights to help you refine your leadership and strategy.


    Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk

    Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

    Connect with us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    42 分
  • Ep 3: Leading with Purpose: Lessons from 30+ Years of SME Leadership with John Wyer
    2024/11/21
    Behind the SME with John Wyer, Founder and Co-owner of Bowles & Wyer


    In this episode, Adam Kene speaks with John Wyer, Founder and Co-owner of Bowles & Wyer, about his 30+ years of experience leading a successful landscape design and build business.

    John reflects on navigating crises, redefining business identity, and the powerful role of culture in driving growth. From battling financial challenges to creating a purpose-driven, values-led organization, John’s journey offers invaluable lessons for SME leaders.


    Tune in for insights on:

    • Building resilience during tough times
    • The importance of aligning values with client relationships
    • Why culture is the ultimate driver of business success


    This is a must-listen for anyone looking to create a business that thrives through purpose and alignment. 🎙️


    Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk

    Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

    Connect on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    47 分
  • Ep 2: Turning Customer Insights into Action: Lessons in Product and Partnership
    2024/11/07
    Behind the SME with Hugo & Rupert, Co-founders of Pockla


    In this episode, Hugo and Rupert, co-founders of the AI-powered marketing tech platform Pockla, share their entrepreneurial journey. They dive into the importance of deeply understanding customer needs through discovery calls, rather than focusing solely on product-building.


    They also discuss simplifying business hypotheses and objectively testing them based on customer feedback. The duo reflects on their experience with fundraising, emphasising the importance of building long-term relationships with investors and tailoring pitches to their perspective.


    As close friends and co-founders, they talk about the value of open communication, handling tough conversations, and maintaining trust. A very candid convo packed with insights on product development, raising capital, and navigating the co-founder relationship.


    Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk

    Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

    Connect on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    52 分
  • Autumn Statement 2024: Impact on SMEs
    2024/11/01

    In this timely bonus episode, Adam Kene and Catalina Lohmeier dive into the Autumn Statement and discuss its implications for SMEs. From increased National Insurance contributions to adjustments in R&D tax incentives, we examine the ripple effects on payroll, productivity, and overall growth for small and medium-sized businesses.


    Join us as we unpack these economic shifts and share practical insights on how SME leaders can adapt, manage rising costs, and continue thriving in a changing landscape.


    Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk

    Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

    Connect on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    23 分
  • Ep 1: From Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Connectd with Roei Samuel
    2024/10/24
    Behind the SME with Roei, Founder of Connectd


    In this episode, we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Roei, who founded his first successful tech company at just 15 years old, scaling it to 6-million monthly users before being acquired in 2018. Roei shares valuable lessons from his experience, including the critical role of timing in business decisions and the impact of burnout post-acquisition.


    Roei's next venture, Connectd, looks at his focus on revenue-first growth and avoiding high cash burn, all while building a positive, purpose-driven work culture. He reveals his hiring strategies, focusing on diversity in management styles and aligning employees with the company’s values to create a flexible, thriving workplace. We also unpack how Roei tackled the tricky “cold start conundrum” for his marketplace by initially offering SaaS tools to generate revenue and attract early-stage startups.


    Finally, Roei gets real about the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and personal life, sharing how journaling and following a healthy lifestyle have helped him maintain focus, avoid burnout, and channel his energy into success.


    Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk

    Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

    Connect on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme


    Tune in for key insights on scaling a business, overcoming marketplace challenges, building culture, and managing work-life balance from someone who’s lived it all.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    47 分