Over dozens of episodes of the Work This Way podcast, we’ve had the privilege of sitting down with some of the most inspiring, resilient, and creative entrepreneurs in the UK. They’ve shared their stories, their struggles, and their hard-won wisdom with a level of honesty that is both rare and refreshing.
We’ve gone back through the archives and pulled out 15 of our favourite pieces of advice. These are the quotes that made us think, that made us nod in agreement, and that reminded us why we love what we do.
Here is the best business advice from the members of the FOUNDRY community, in their own words.
On Taking Risks
“I figured, what’s the worst that could happen? They could say no. But if I didn’t try, I would never know.” – Kevin Sussat.
“You learn to be very resourceful when you’re at sea. You can’t just pop down to the shops if you need something. You have to be able to problem-solve with what you have. That’s a skill that’s incredibly valuable in the startup world.” - Adam Howie, on transitioning from superyachts to startups.
“I saw the potential in Amazon early on. While everyone else was competing on Google, I decided to become an expert in a platform that was only going to get bigger. It was a risk, but it paid off.” - George Meressa, founder of Clear Ads.
On Resilience & Setbacks
“The space between the trigger and your response is where your power lies. In that space, you have a choice. You can choose to react, or you can choose to respond.” - Christel Cowdrey, on rebuilding with dignity.
“I don’t see any of my past jobs as failures. They were all just part of the process of figuring out what I wanted to do.” - Carmen Davies, on her journey of career exploration.
“My ambition was a huge driver of my success, but it also made it hard for me to see the warning signs. I was so focused on growth that I didn’t always listen to my gut.” - Nikola Pottinger, on the tough decision to close her business.
On Authenticity & Purpose
“I believe that when you show up as your authentic self, you attract the right people and the right opportunities. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real.” - Adas Goldshtein-Coleman, founder of Visibly Authentic Brands.
“I spent a lot of years trying to be someone I wasn’t. It was only when I started to embrace my own way of thinking that things really started to click for me.” – Mark Masters, on building a meaningful business as an outsider.
“We’re dealing with people who are often in a very vulnerable position. Having a team that genuinely cares about our clients is non-negotiable. Our mission is our north star, and it guides every decision we make.” - Stu McFadden, founder of Refundee.
On People & Partnerships
“It’s easy to let the business take over everything. We’ve had to be really intentional about switching off and making sure we have time for our family that is completely separate from work.” - Matt Evans, on building a business with his wife.
“People are often surprised by my background, but when you think about it, the skills are incredibly transferable. Dancers are some of the most disciplined and resilient people I know.” – Haydan Firth, on his journey from professional dancer to Head of People.
“You can have the most beautiful space in the world, but if it doesn’t have a sense of community, it’s just an empty shell.” - The workspace design expert on what really makes an office great.
On Mindset
“There are so many parallels between adventure and entrepreneurship. Both require you to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, to be able to push through pain, and to keep your eyes on the prize, no matter how far away it seems.” - Jake Mattock, on rowing across the Indian Ocean.
“I wouldn’t change a thing about my journey. Every experience, good and bad, has made me who I am today.” - Sharon New, on her journey from Cape Town to the UK.
“You’re only as good as your last job. That’s why we treat every project like it’s the most important one we’ve ever done.” - Chris, on building a successful construction business.
What all of these quotes have in common is a sense of honesty, resilience, and a deep understanding of what it really takes to build a business and a life that you’re proud of. We’re so grateful to our podcast guests for sharing their wisdom with us.
Feeling inspired? Surround yourself with the kind of people who will push you to be better. Book a tour of a FOUNDRY location near you and find your community.
