9 Hard Lessons from 1,200 Founders | Upside #98

In this episode, Ali Shariat and Leon Rhymer sit down with James Sutcliffe, the founder of The Founding Network. The Founding Network is a robust community that brings together over 1,200 founders to share their expertise and navigate the complex challenges of scaling a business. James opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, detailing how he took the leap to start his venture during the COVID-19 pandemic with a baby on the way. He provides candid insights into the realities of the founder experience, exploring the emotional isolation of building a company and the intense financial and reputational strain it creates. The conversation dives deep into the practical hurdles of business growth, explaining why many founders transition from being the core engine of their business to its biggest bottleneck as they approach the £1 million to £5 million revenue marks.