The Side of Entrepreneurship Nobody Talks About - Frankie James Gets Honest

00:00:00: The entrepreneurs are as much about their story, they're their balance sheet.

00:00:03: But actually what we've encouraged our judges to do is really look at the application... Really

00:00:06: looking too?

00:00:07: ...look at the story and journey Look at why And kind of find that human connection within that entrepreneurial journey.

00:00:13: Every overnight success has had someone working grinding for five ten fifteen even more years.

00:00:19: Entrepreneurship is one helluva rollercoaster.

00:00:21: There's so much at stake when you start something.

00:00:30: Today we have an entrepreneurial spirit episode.

00:00:33: Yes Frankie James heads up the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and Ideas Fest.

00:00:41: This is huge!

00:00:43: We're going to be talking about The Entrepreneurial Mindset, especially Technology & AI And how we merge with it and work in collaborate With It...and also the future of festivals conferences events.

00:01:00: I'm looking forward To speaking to her and tune-in.

00:01:08: Well,

00:01:08: I'm so excited to have you here Frankie.

00:01:10: Thank you so much for coming to Point Blank Studios in London.

00:01:14: I love these things!

00:01:15: It's an incredible space!

00:01:16: Do want a press

00:01:17: about this?

00:01:18: Yeah...I do!

00:01:19: Let's

00:01:20: press in better.

00:01:21: no because we could start recording but we're here especially because You Have An Absolute Passion For Entrepreneurship right and i did do A little bit of research okay

00:01:33: And I

00:01:33: noticed that you had studied History and politics.

00:01:36: Yeah,

00:01:37: now how does that correlate to what you're doing?

00:01:39: Now

00:01:40: I don't know if i'm the only one felt like this but when it was well at The age That You have To decide What You want to do for the rest of your life yeah i had absolutely zero clue.

00:01:51: so Before i went to university i took a job Doing door-to-door sales in the south wales valleys on hundred percent commission And they stuck It out For eighteen Months.

00:02:01: um So Your In council estates, with the rain coming sideways and you've got your little briefcase in your selling phone packages.

00:02:15: And I thought that was going to... Well it was brilliant for me because i learned so much.

00:02:20: I learnt confidence ,I learnt how talk people .

00:02:22: I learnt that I was definitely competitive, driven but its not a forever job.

00:02:27: So university if im being completely honest I don't know, this isn't what i want to do right now.

00:02:35: Yes?

00:02:36: I Don't Know What I Want To Do...What Can I Do Where?

00:02:39: Im Not Going To Be Judged That I'm Just Lazing Around And Doing Nothing For Three Years To Kind Of Give Me A Bit of Space To Have In The World?

00:02:47: and I literally was in a relationship with Cardiff at the time.

00:02:50: so Cardiff Was where I wanted to stay.

00:02:52: um..I wasn't the most academic So I kindof Didn't think that certain one university the main one in Cardiff was within my reach.

00:03:02: I thought maybe i won't get into That.

00:03:04: yeah, so it Was literally a case of me looking at a prospectus and going

00:03:08: what?

00:03:08: In those days there's a book.

00:03:09: Yeah

00:03:10: What can I stand learning about?

00:03:13: for three years and my in my naivety I went in You know really open to learning About modern history and politics but they were people that where you Know so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about it.

00:03:25: So I was sort of starting from zero... It's

00:03:27: like their life mission, you know where they're going?

00:03:30: Yeah!

00:03:30: So it was really strange And I battled with myself about dropping out and completing the course but i did do.

00:03:38: it had a lot support around me.

00:03:40: You finished

00:03:41: it?!

00:03:42: I finished it.

00:03:43: yeah..I came up with an okay degree at two one But I'd found my passion for entrepreneurship along that journey

00:03:49: Really!?

00:03:50: How did that evolve into that?

00:03:51: because Now what you're doing on such a big scale, how did that happen?

00:03:57: How did this journey happened for

00:03:59: you?".

00:03:59: So when I went to university there was two things.

00:04:05: But the main one being...I didn't want to live it as student lifestyle You know..I was going in slightly older and although its only few years There's quite of difference between someone who is eighteen or twenty-one I'd kind of done my eighteen year old stuff when i was doing the door-to-door sales.

00:04:21: I've gone out and partied, and they have done all that.

00:04:23: You had finished with it?

00:04:24: Yeah

00:04:25: And you were getting serious!

00:04:27: So I didn't want to be living on beams on toast, you know.

00:04:32: So I knew that had to make money alongside my degree and the grants in a student loan weren't going cut it.

00:04:39: so i worked for My Family Business which was in publishing And It Was A Publication For Entrepreneurs And I Was The Young Person At The Time.

00:04:48: Give The Young person Social Media.

00:04:50: They Understand It And It Kind Of Allowed Me To Immerse Myself In That World.

00:04:55: Realized That It Excited me.

00:04:57: Yeah, before I'd left university.

00:04:59: i'd set something up to go on my own.

00:05:02: So

00:05:02: it seems as though there was already in the family lineage To do with entrepreneurship.

00:05:07: It just meant that you had to slip-in at the right time and You found your spark?

00:05:12: And you've found something.

00:05:13: yeah!

00:05:14: I loved um...I love the stories.

00:05:16: You know..I loved hearing from entrepreneurs and hearing their journeys and their stories.

00:05:22: you know, we went from this to this.

00:05:23: It was like the why?

00:05:24: The purpose?

00:05:25: The growth journey?

00:05:26: The battles that they came up against

00:05:27: and there are battles.

00:05:28: yeah I loved all of that.

00:05:30: yes so it certainly sowed the seed for what i've gone on to do since for sure amazing!

00:05:37: I love that.

00:05:37: You talk about storytelling because her voice impacts is all about story telling.

00:05:42: how important that is as an entrepreneur...the personal of what you're actually bringing to the people whether it's a product, whether its yourself or brand.

00:05:57: How important is that?

00:05:59: Do believe in... You do and helping others as well.

00:06:03: It's one hundred percent central to what we Do.

00:06:06: you know our strap line which actually?

00:06:08: We use less now, but I don't know why.

00:06:11: so i might need To go back into

00:06:13: that meeting coming up soon after this.

00:06:15: yeah

00:06:17: The entrepreneurs are as much about the story is they're their balance sheet.

00:06:20: So yes a result of great British entrepreneur awards it always had such diversity in shortlist.

00:06:30: I don't mean diversity in the traditional sense.

00:06:31: No, no... You know yes we have amazing split of male and female entrepreneurs.

00:06:40: We have really good regional representation particularly because i'm not from London And I love to make sure that we get incredible businesses From all across the UK entering.

00:06:50: But when I say the diversity of business it's.

00:06:54: It is not always the ones you think are going win they're gonna win.

00:06:57: So you might look at a short list.

00:06:59: There's a business there, half-a-million turnover and then there is the business at two hundred million.

00:07:03: turn over.

00:07:03: Now on paper it makes sense that The Great British Entrepreneur of the Year will go to this.

00:07:08: but actually what we've encouraged our judges do really look into the story or journey.

00:07:14: Look in the why And kind find human connection within that entrepreneurial journey.

00:07:20: I love his word Human Connection which is big thing right now as we merge obviously with technology and AI, how important is that now as you're looking at entrepreneurs coming to talk to you?

00:07:35: How do you sort of like go?

00:07:37: okay well there's human connection they want.

00:07:39: You got way... There's so much futuristic there it's going to lose touch.

00:07:44: yeah

00:07:45: Well I think if we think back It was certainly within our memory in our lifetimes.

00:07:53: where can remember the advent on internet?

00:07:57: And I think everyone in the events industry thought that it would be the end of events because everyone will just do everything online.

00:08:03: We're there

00:08:04: again, aren't we?

00:08:05: Yeah!

00:08:06: That's not the case.

00:08:07: now.

00:08:07: what Online does is gives us access to things quicker easier.

00:08:12: It give more global opportunity.

00:08:14: you know its a significant part our lives but...we really crave human connection and with AI feeling a sort of very similar prediction in that AI is going to, you know.

00:08:33: AI's gonna be central to our lives for the next couple years.

00:08:35: any businesses aren't using it are completely left behind.

00:08:38: They will be dinosaurs.

00:08:39: Yeah absolutely.

00:08:40: and now every single industry not just technology

00:08:43: I do believe.

00:08:44: but i think when we're in a world, and just to look at it from really simple point of view.

00:08:49: You know you go on LinkedIn the amount content that is there is astronomical because its being churned out by AI And real voices are drowning and getting lost in noise.

00:09:03: Therefore I think people will seek out experiences face-to-face connection.

00:09:10: That's

00:09:10: community feel

00:09:12: Yes!

00:09:14: obviously initiated Ideas Fest which is

00:09:18: community.

00:09:19: Yes, yeah

00:09:20: very important right?

00:09:26: Tell us about that and how you see your point of difference.

00:09:29: um... Obviously we've still got online perspective but this community thing where people are talking innovators maybe collaborating with different types of industries How do you come up with that one?

00:09:45: Covid

00:09:47: That's an interesting one!

00:09:48: Yeah, literally we were in events business that was unable to run indoor events um in the pandemic and so there was a narrative in the events world that outdoor events would come back sooner than indoor events.

00:10:02: And although that never really transpired... We had an idea which is how can we're doing the same as everybody else, side event.

00:10:14: Yeah a conference and look there's a place for those things.

00:10:19: but I always find that the best conversations i have with people aren't around to boardroom table.

00:10:26: they are you know when you go for a drink after or you go out for coffee Or maybe do something social together.

00:10:33: We feel like it's an environment where we must talk about these things.

00:10:37: But when your sitting down just having conversation other things are being spoken about, do you seem to get more understanding of that person's mission?

00:10:47: Yeah absolutely and...you know.

00:10:49: You can connect on like human levels.

00:10:51: so when there is lots people I speak too about doing something together commercially or strategically or collaboratively.

00:10:59: but then we're having a meeting and i go into the persons office in a room with whiteboard.

00:11:06: Actually, the only bit that we get to know is the surface level stuff about a person.

00:11:10: We'll go into.

00:11:12: how can I help you?

00:11:12: How can you help me and work together... ...I might ask your children if they had a nice weekend but it's all surface-level fluff.

00:11:21: What we found was when people are in an environment where they feel more human.

00:11:27: then other people will connect.

00:11:28: on another level.

00:11:31: The festival really asks them for barriers.

00:11:35: everyone's at the same level.

00:11:36: when you come into a festival.

00:11:37: You know, it's not someone in a better suit or someone is pulled up in a fancier car... People are literally turning up in their Festival selves and some people go full-on Festival.

00:11:49: we've got Fairy Wings and Glitter And some people they're little bit more reserved.

00:11:53: They might say actually I'll just do the jeans & t-shirt thing Maybe put on pink cowboy hat if I'm forced to later.

00:11:59: That would be so cool

00:12:00: but can't be yourself!

00:12:01: Yes enormously in creating a space where people can connect.

00:12:08: Wow and so what has come out of Ideas Fest like any kind of big initiatives, or launching new products?

00:12:21: What actually happens?

00:12:22: these places for creation?

00:12:26: I guess, i don't know everything that happens.

00:12:29: We just create the space for magic to happen and we know those relationships flourish from there.

00:12:35: so people have told us they've met Friends, which entrepreneurship is one hell of a lonely place.

00:12:41: You've got no friends yet!

00:12:43: So it's good for that.

00:12:45: they've met collaborators and customers.

00:12:47: we know people have walked out there with clients.

00:12:50: We know the people who raised investment in that field.

00:12:53: so over four-and-a-half million was raised in twenty-twenty-four.

00:12:56: That wasn't through formal pitching competitions It just meant meeting at the coffee queue or a client disco.

00:13:06: Very interesting.

00:13:07: you say it like this because I think that's a big pivot and shift into where we should be going, when your adding human connection.

00:13:14: Authentic voice people coming together... Hey!

00:13:17: You know what?

00:13:18: What do i want to become part of it?

00:13:20: Let us get happening instead being so formal.

00:13:23: Yeah absolutely.

00:13:25: Ideas Fest is the place for people find their tribe And thats why they have called it The Annual Pilgrimage For Entrepreneurs.

00:13:33: They turn up If they if they immerse themselves in it and we'll create will create the spaces for that to happen naturally so yes people turn up on their own And there a bit apprehensive about it, but we will make sure That we're creating these sort of Serendipitous connections.

00:13:49: You know from us as the organizers are planned A little bit and kind of you know pushed in the right way and then let them evolve in field.

00:13:57: People will come away with something extraordinary because you never know where that connection is going to take you.

00:14:04: And it's just about being open, generous and willing to kind of talk to people.

00:14:12: um...and see where the path takes you.

00:14:14: That is fantastic Frankie.

00:14:16: I love that because its so important.

00:14:17: we don't lose our human connections.

00:14:19: cause were either producing products or brands We want humans to participate in right?

00:14:27: So we need come back central point, which is the human connection.

00:14:32: And if we now go into The Great British Entrepreneur Awards... Which sounds like you know where they're happening and it has been called The Grammys

00:14:44: of

00:14:44: Entrepreneurship!

00:14:45: It's a huge thing.

00:14:49: how much responsibility do feel that?

00:14:52: You have to hold That kind of meaningful quote in a sense.

00:15:00: Yeah, I mean look it's great that we're sat in a music studio talking about the Grammys of Entrepreneurship.

00:15:06: It is

00:15:07: so iconic!

00:15:07: I didn't do these pics either by the way

00:15:11: but you know...we've been very good at spotting a lot household names.

00:15:17: significantly before they become household names and the judging, we have a panel of around one hundred and fifty extraordinary judges who've been there done it got the t-shirt.

00:15:29: And they can... They're good at spotting that sort of special sauce in someone.

00:15:33: you know?

00:15:34: That this person's going somewhere!

00:15:38: So yeah.. We've got um A fantastic track record of doing that and so I think i'm confident We're going to carry on doing that because we have every year and yes, we will miss some absolute blinder businesses.

00:15:53: I'll look back and think they really should've won five years ago or what?

00:15:57: Have you but... You know i'll be completely truthful.

00:16:00: the thing with awards is unless it's completely measured on financial performance which ours isn't.

00:16:05: um They are subjective so you might not win one One Year But you might win The next year.

00:16:11: And It could Be Because The time in the world that you're telling your story is more relevant and resonates more with the judges, or particularly... You get read by a judge who just thinks you are absolutely fabulous and gets it.

00:16:27: So I'm very aware there's not a formula.

00:16:31: Yes we could probably pilot an AI to analyse all of these applications but That goes against everything i want.

00:16:37: Then you lose human emphasis once again.

00:16:41: But yeah!

00:16:41: There's responsibility.

00:16:44: I'm quite happy saying to people is that if you don't win a Great British Entrepreneur Award, Don't be disheartened because it's not the end of The Road.

00:16:53: In fact for so many its been in beginning Of The Road they actually go and look at their business again And maybe then more reflective.

00:16:59: Maybe they've met some incredible People Because our network They take the next step.

00:17:03: You know we're Not the Oracle.

00:17:04: We will get It wrong sometimes But we have got A very good track record Of getting it right Many years running.

00:17:14: even getting a nomination is huge accomplishment and it's like you said, with the music industry just being nominated.

00:17:22: Is enough to sort of relaunch or launch or do something pivot in that situation because you are being seen right?

00:17:31: I did read that you had Steve Bartlett's Diary Of Sia and i know you probably talk about this a lot but so fascinating to see from the beginning stages of his career and come into that obviously through The Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

00:17:57: It's amazing.

00:17:58: We'll

00:17:58: take credit for a little bit of his success, but there was lot that he has done... Of course!

00:18:02: He is the

00:18:02: hard-working

00:18:03: man on his own.

00:18:04: So yeah Steve won A Young Entrepreneur of The Year award in twenty seventeen with his co-pounder Dom and stayed in touch with both them.

00:18:14: you know they've both gone onto do phenomenal things And I think that for us when Steven got on stage and called it the Grammys of Entrepreneurship That I really hope the camera is rolling.

00:18:28: and it was.

00:18:30: It's moments

00:18:30: like that.

00:18:31: we want cameras rolling!

00:18:32: Absolutely,

00:18:32: absolutely so look its amazing to get that sort of recognition from someone who has gone on one helluva incredible journey And were able be a part-of for very early part

00:18:43: time.

00:18:43: That's also once again brings us back into human connection.

00:18:48: Nobody wakes up just one day and they have a thriving YouTube or podcast out to millions.

00:18:56: There's the beginning, I think i wanted to ask you in that respect of the mindset of The Entrepreneur because there is lot down up sad happy lonely everyone my friend now tell us about it Because It Is A Reality Of It too.

00:19:16: Yeah its a roller coaster And You Talked About The Overnight Success.

00:19:20: every overnight success has had someone working grinding for five, ten, fifteen even more years behind the scenes.

00:19:26: And I think a lot of people outside looking in that somebody's just popped out of nowhere and they don't see the graph that is really gone into making something that people care about or want to celebrate and champion it as a success.

00:19:43: Entrepreneurship is one helluva roller coaster!

00:19:46: I'm very lucky that i get to spend a lot of time with amazing people in spaces where they are happy to be vulnerable about that journey and think.

00:19:56: online.

00:19:57: there is a lot entrepreneurship gloss.

00:19:59: There's lots of people posturing, talking how wonderful it was all their wins.

00:20:06: actually every single entrepreneur has had so many head-in hand moments when they thought they wanted quit where it's, you know they're risking its financials and their risk in relationships because it puts strain on a romantic family relationship.

00:20:22: Where there are making sacrifices whether that be sacrifices with family or friends... There is so much an entrepreneur pours into the venture regardless of one person with coffee shop at local high street or global business.

00:20:42: I take my hat off to anybody that goes out and starts, and grows something.

00:20:46: But i think it's important also that...I don't think entrepreneurship is for everybody?

00:20:53: I like when you say this!

00:20:55: That very true statement tell us more about because maybe entrepreneurship might not be.

00:21:06: Put the toe in and then realise, wow this is a different ball game.

00:21:10: Yeah I

00:21:10: think that we need to create an environment where everybody has the opportunity To become an entrepreneur.

00:21:17: You know so thats access to education Access networks And you know what?

00:21:21: We want to help people That have got that entrepreneurial itch-to-scratch.

00:21:28: What i also Think that we shouldn't shy away from Is showing People how tough It really can be because You know, you can go online and watch a couple of Instagram reels that pop up in your thing.

00:21:40: I've been conquered the world!

00:21:41: I want to do this.

00:21:42: so i'm going leave my job...I'll start something and it's gonna become overnight success.

00:21:47: And actually there is so much at stake when you start something

00:21:54: There totally is..and have look down sides & upside & make decision whether you're in for long haul as well.

00:22:02: I wanted to ask, what advice do you have for women who really want to step into this entrepreneurial journey or maybe had done it and then gone?

00:22:14: ah that was so intense but i wanna go back in again.

00:22:17: What can tell them something they hold onto authentically throughout the process?

00:22:24: as technology shifts we're becoming more connected even though everyone's out there doing their global thing, but somehow we are connected.

00:22:35: What can you tell the women that will be listening today?

00:22:39: I think opportunity has never been greater.

00:22:42: We have got our fingertips to allow us try or take something into market Or launch an MVP super-super quickly.

00:22:53: There's access networks.

00:22:55: This stuff is what they're doing But globally you know, events and communities and networks that are open to people getting involved in.

00:23:07: I think there's a lot of generosity in the entrepreneur community Of people who have been there and achieved some success Who are very willing To give back and support for next generation.

00:23:19: That is a thread i see throughout our community with exited founders And people were really on growth journey.

00:23:27: The thing They don't necessarily, they don't have as much to gain from our community in terms of comparison with a startup who can use it for their network or learn.

00:23:40: Someone has already been there and got the t-shirt.

00:23:42: you ask them what do we get?

00:23:44: The biggest thing that they get is the opportunity to engage within support early estate businesses.

00:23:51: so there's huge generosity out there and entrepreneurs who know how tough it is, they really want to reach back down the ladder and help pull other people up.

00:24:00: So I guess what would i say?

00:24:05: Go out have some real conversations with.

00:24:14: take advantage of the time that we're living in now, twenty-twenty

00:24:19: five and twenty six.

00:24:19: It's never been easier to start a business.

00:24:21: it has never been easy for us to start global businesses where you know were connected like thats.

00:24:26: not me saying its easy I'm just saying Its Never Been Easier To Start.

00:24:30: I think to start yes times before to start was kind of headache because you had go through so many things trying figure out who do.

00:24:38: i talk too.

00:24:39: how did find these people?

00:24:42: Yeah, exactly.

00:24:43: You just

00:24:43: type it in and hopefully like you said serendipity everything comes together.

00:24:48: yeah

00:24:49: nobody's more than a message away.

00:24:50: we know which is phenomenal.

00:24:51: I'm going to use that.

00:24:52: Nobody's more then a message way.

00:24:55: It has been such pleasure having you here on the podcast.

00:24:58: thank you really appreciate your giving us this amazing insight And looking forward to coming to Ideas Fest.

00:25:06: Absolutely!

00:25:07: We'll be there and give us one last thing about.

00:25:11: where do you see the future going with what your doing?

00:25:16: Community, we've called ourselves a community for a long time but traditionally that community lives at our events.

00:25:29: There's lulls in it, you know It comes a light and comes on fire when people are together In that field or in the awards ceremony.

00:25:36: Yes What we want to do is work out how Do We Keep People Connected All Throughout The Year And How Do We Back ten years ago.

00:25:45: It used to be so easy because my network was not anywhere near as big as it is now.

00:25:49: So people could call me up and say hey Fran, I'm looking for this type of person And I'd be able to do it.

00:25:52: Don't

00:25:53: think anyone

00:25:53: can call you that!

00:25:55: Of course they still do but there's an enormous ecosystem.

00:26:00: we work with over a hundred thousand entrepreneurs.

00:26:03: what we're looking at is how can we use technology, the data points that have on people and AI to almost be a super connector who doesn't sleep.

00:26:15: That's when real magic comes in.

00:26:17: Yes!

00:26:19: I'm looking forward too it.

00:26:20: Thank you so much for

00:26:21: being here.

00:26:21: We are

00:26:29: here at Point Blank Music Studios And seeing this desk Brings back so many childhood memories for me because I literally grew up in a recording studio from the age of fourteen.

00:26:43: I was doing jingles and demos And working with all these great producers, and little did i know that?

00:26:50: Was actually being an entrepreneur.

00:26:52: yes it was not easy.

00:26:55: I Want to encourage you and if there's something that inside of you have that spark To create music or to even participate in the process of bringing something to life that you know is a reflection of yourself.

00:27:15: Now, I didn't know at that age that i would be going through ups and downs and challenges of what it is to be a recording artist but one thing i did know is that i wanted to be in this room and i wanted to the people who are watching.

00:27:39: The entrepreneur is always giving and this I think, it's a key aspect of why you would enter in such a field.

00:27:49: You're not here to take...you actually hear to give And that's where we pour our heart & soul into projects because they are a personification of what we truly believe in.

00:28:11: What is something that you truly believe, and then... You know that you could somehow package or brand and give to the world?

00:28:19: The world is waiting for your sound, book even your business!

00:28:26: How

00:28:26: do I think entrepreneurially at the same time as be creative?

00:28:31: well i always make sure that my mission is aligned.

00:28:36: That I'm always in a place where i'm true to myself.

00:28:40: all

00:28:41: of the business attributes and everything can come out of me when i know i am aligned.

00:28:45: if im not aligned, If Im Not In A Place Where I Am Authentic...I Don't Think I Could Produce Anything.

00:28:51: So Ask Yourself Am I Aligned?

00:28:54: Am I Being Authentique?

00:28:56: And Is My Story From My Soul?

00:28:59: Because Really, what you're doing is that your producing something from the inner sanctuary of what have held on to and ready release it.

00:29:13: To let go surrender it show world but giving light.

00:29:21: May inspire you at same time if this place where want be in studio recording those songs or creating even film scores as a woman.

00:29:35: This is where it can all begin, that spark is right now.