Albany Group
In this episode, we talk to Stewart Griffiths, co-founder of Albany Group, a tech company that proudly serves the banking, legal and insurance sectors with innovative risk and intelligence products.
We discuss why you should not create a product to solve a problem that doesn’t exist, when to seek harsh counsel when developing a company, why getting investment can affect your ability to adapt, and when to ignore small fires.
Gibraltar Trading Company
In this episode, we talk to PJ, a former Royal Marines Commando, Hostile environments instructor, Anti-poaching conservationist, Firefighter and founder of the Gibraltar Trading Company.
We discuss the founding the company on Etsy during the pandemic, finding massive growth through Instagram content, the strength of a community, how studying your idol companies leads to new growth ideas and how to define your USP.
Monkey Mountaineering
In this episode, we talk to Sam Marshall, a former military officer and founder of Monkey Mountaineering, a values-driven company helping others fulfil bucket-list adventures at high altitude.
We discuss how to pivot and find unexpected income streams during those difficult early years, how communicating your values can be a USP in its own right, and why the personal touch is vital when the market throws unexpected challenges at a business.
Tac:Life
In this episode, we talk to Nathan Mather, a former British Army soldier and Close Protection specialist that founded ‘Tac: Life’, a British Defence manufacturing company that bought the world’s first personal wearable automated external defibrillator (AED) to market.
We discuss bootstrapping a start-up from an idea to a fully-fledged business, the impact of a strong brand, where content plays a role in marketing and how to adapt to changing marketplaces.
Trident Search
In this episode, we chat to Josh Keeley, a former Royal Marines Commando turned co-founder of Trident search, a cutting-edge Cybersecurity recruitment agency helping companies attract and retain digital defence professionals.
We discuss all aspects of scaling a tech agency during difficult times, how to leverage experiential marketing, why paying for a stall at conferences is a waste of funds for start-ups, and how to pivot through uncertainty using those vital skills gained during military service.
Mission Ctrl
In this episode, we talk to Ben Ford, a former Royal Marine turned founder of Mission Ctrl, a full-service data and systems transformation consultancy helping companies drive efficiencies.
We discuss the challenges of scaling a tech start-up, we dive deep into how to grow brand awareness, tailor your messaging, and pivot through uncertainty using vital skills gained during military service.
Redeployable
In this episode, we talk to Ben Read, former soldier turned tech entrepreneur and founder of Redeployable, a UK-based tech platform that connects military service leavers with careers in technology and other A-grade industries.
We discuss how to grow a tech start-up, such as the challenges of bootstrapping, developing early interest in your product before it’s launched, the power of a strong brand position, how to do top-of-funnel marketing authentically, and a whole host of other insights that start-ups (and most scale-ups) will definitely want to hear!
Your Eco
In this episode, we talk to Nick Spicer, former Army Infantry officer turned disaster responder and founder of Your Eco, a B-Corp accredited company that delivers renewable energy installation services in the new build and retrofit markets both in the UK and internationally.
We discuss how to plan your content so you don’t miss important times, how your employees can be brand advocates, the Kaizen approach of continuous improvement, and why you should ‘be more buffalo’!
Veteran Trees
In this episode, we talk to Dan Earp-Jones, a former Royal Marines Reservist, Royal Signals soldier and the founder of Veteran Trees, a 3D design enterprise that makes beautiful bespoke signage and gifts from naturally felled wood and slate.
He has made stunning commissions for big organisations such as Edgar Brothers and the British MoD, private customers in special forces and elite military units, the US military and the wider veteran-owned business and enterprise community
We discuss how organic word-of-mouth has helped his business grow, the power of LinkedIn and Instagram, the importance of research and development, optimising the production process and managing customer communications.
The Coastal Exploration Company
In this episode, we interview Henry Chamberlain, former Royal Marines Commando officer, humanitarian security advisor and founder of the Coastal Exploration Company – a business that offers eco-friendly sailing experiences for those looking to disconnect from laptops and phones, and reconnect with Norfolk's untamed coastal beauty.
We discuss how to craft a strong narrative around your brand, why it’s useful to have a second income source in those challenging early days, increasing brand awareness on Instagram, and how to find other growth engines.
4GD
In this episode, we talk to Rob Taylor, founder of 4GD, a technology and data-focussed defence training company that works with militaries all over the world.
We discuss the importance of branding, when to get a custom-coded website, how to tackle digital marketing, and why you should stop worrying about what your competitors are doing and just focus on your own swimming lane.
Frontier Risks
In this episode, we speak to Duncan Godfrey, a British Royal Marines veteran and director and head of operations at Frontier Risks, an innovative, full spectrum Security Risk management consultancy that helps military service leavers quantify their experience and knowledge into industry-recognised qualifications amongst many other important services.
Maddog adventures
In this episode, we speak to Marc, a British military veteran and co-founder at Maddog adventures, an innovative UK-based expedition company that takes people to the jungle for incredible life-affirming experiences.
We discuss the power of branding, content marketing, merchandise, and why it’s important to show personality in your company!