The Gentleman‘s Journal Podcast

How to predict the future — Adam Ludwin of Captify

Adam Ludwin is the co-founder of Captify, a leader in Search Intelligence.

After dropping out of university, Adam founded his first digital media business from a computer in his mother’s hallway at the age of 21. In just a few short years, his company Captify has gone on to work with some of the world’s biggest advertisers, including Apple, American Express, Microsoft and Nike. He now runs a team of more than 200 people across the world, and recently raised over £10 million for further expansion.

In today’s episode, Adam tells us the importance of showing your vulnerabilities, how search intelligence predicted Brexit and the rise of Trump, and why he keeps a photo from his first day at school on his bedside table.

The Gentleman's Journal Podcast is brought to you by Martell cognac. Our thanks also to Mark's Club for their hospitality.

How to stand out from the crowd — Propercorn's Cassandra Stavrou and Ryan Cohn

Cassandra Stavrou and Ryan Cohn are the co-founders of Propercorn, the UK's best selling popcorn brand. The pair started the company in 2011, and back then they used a cement mixer and a paint sprayer to cook up their first batches. Today, Propercorn sells a packet of popcorn every second.

In a today's episode, Cassandra and Ryan discuss building a healthy start-up culture from scratch; the keys to a winning sales pitch; and why Winnie the Pooh is an excellent guide to modern life.

The Gentleman's Journal Podcast is brought to you by Martell Cognac. Our thanks once again to Mark's Club for playing host.

How to succeed as the underdog — Anton Chirkunov of Wheely

Anton Chirkunov is the founder of Wheely, a luxury ride hailing app based in Moscow and London. A typical tech founder prodigy, Anton built the first version of the company at just 23 years old. Since then, it’s grown into a thriving business with more than 250 employees, and next year plans to expand from into Paris and beyond.

In today’s episode, Anton tells us why it’s okay to spend two years building the wrong product; how it feels to be the underdog every single day, and why he never learned to drive himself. 

The Gentleman's Journal Podcast is brought to you by Martell Cognac. Our thanks once again to Mark's Club for playing host.

How to reinvent yourself — David Spencer-Percival of Rosemary Water

David Spencer-Percival is the serial entrepreneur behind No. 1 Rosemary Water and now No. 1 Botanicals, a new range of botanical-infused drinks with various health-giving properties.

In a fascinating episode of the Gentleman's Journal podcast, David tells how a chance encounter in a carpark changed his life forever; why he decided suddenly one day to sell all his worldly possessions; and how a tiny village in the Italian hills might just hold the secret to a long and healthy life.

Our thanks to Dukes Hotel for playing host.

 

How to conquer fear — Jason Fox

Our guest on today's episode of the Gentleman's Journal Podcast is Jason Fox, the former marine, Special Forces operative and documentary filmmaker. 

 

Jason's career has spanned several decades and dozens of countries. But there's been a running theme throughout  — no matter where he finds himself, Jason survives and thrives in the harshest situations on the planet. 

 

From his work as a Special Forces diver to his new Channel 4 documentary investigating the world's deadliest drug cartels, Jason has dealt with some of the most stressful scenarios imaginable. With that in mind, this episode is all about conquering your fears, facing risk, and overcoming monumental odds — whether in business, in entrepreneurship or in life. 

 

Our thanks to Mark's Club for playing host.

How to become a serial entrepreneur — Justin Byam Shaw

Our guest on today’s episode is Justin Byam Shaw, the chairman of the Evening Standard and the Independent, the director of the Felix Project, and a serial entrepreneur. 

Justin’s career has spanned many, many companies and several decades, but it all come back to a few familiar traits — an eye for the main chance, a winning way with people and an uncanny sense of timing.

From the privatisation of BT to the manic days of the dot com boom and the new media revolution, Justin’s successes trace the story of modern entrepreneurship. 

Today’s episode, recorded in his corner office at Northcliffe House, is a must listen for anyone interested in getting to the top and staying there.

How to turn a passion into a business — Nuno Mendes of Chiltern Firehouse

Our guest on today's episode is Nuno Mendes, the world-renowned chef behind Chiltern Firehouse, Bacchus, and most recently Mãos — a remarkable new intimate dining project.

In a fascinating episode of the Gentleman’s Journal podcast, Nuno reveals why it’s okay to have no idea what you want to do with your life after university; why it’s as important to be pleasant as it is to be talented; and the one food he absolutely can’t stand to eat. 

Our thanks once again to Mark's Club for playing host.

How to find followers and influence people — Steve Bartlett of Social Chain

Our guest on this afternoon’s episode of the Gentleman's Journal podcast is Steve Bartlett, the founder and CEO of Social Chain.  Since its birth in 2014, Social Chain has gone on to become the most successful social media agency ever — it owns and controls some of the world’s biggest social accounts, employs more than 250 people worldwide, and has been behind some of the biggest viral trends of the last several years.

In an incredible candid interview, Steve tells us why he dropped out of university on the very first day, how buying followers for your rivals is the quickest way to destroy them, and why everything does NOT happen for a reason. 

Our thanks once again to Mark's Club for playing host

"If you're the smartest guy in the room, you're in the wrong room" — Steve Varsano

My guest on today's episode is Steve Varsano, founder and CEO of the Jet Business, the world’s first private aviation showroom.

Steve’s career started up in the clouds when he trained to become a pilot in the 1970s. He's scarcely come down to earth since. Today, the New Jersey boy has sold more jets than almost anyone in the world, and his remarkable showroom on Park Lane continues to use breathtaking technology and insight to win over its clients. 

In one of the most entertaining episodes we've ever recorded, Steve tells us how a chance encounter at a night club led to his first job in sales; how a good network is one of the most valuable things one can own; and how his first sale — at the hands of some mysterious Venezuelans — was almost his very last.

 

Our thanks, once again, to Mark's Club for playing host.

How to start a bank at 26 — Vernon Hill of Metro Bank

Our guest on today's episode of the Gentleman's Journal podcast is Vernon Hill — serial entrepreneur, master retailer and, most recently, the founder of Metro Bank.

Vernon founded his first business when he was just a teenager, and had set up his first bank by the age of 26. As you’ll find out, he’s not much interested in sticking to conventions — at the time he set up Metro, it was the first bank to be established in the United Kingdom since 1840.

Today, Vernon describes his early career with Ray Kroc, the man behind McDonald’s; how his dog Duffy is at the centre of his business model; and why you should probably abandon your high street bank immediately, if not before.