In this episode, we sit down with Scott Marshall, founder and managing director of Roma Finance, to explore his journey from engineering to becoming a trailblazer in the world of property finance. Scott unpacks Roma’s unique borrower-first approach, their innovative lending products like Roma Flow, Grow, and Pro, and how they’re using AI to streamline operations. We also cover the impact of rising interest rates, building long-term customer relationships, and Scott’s philosophy on leadership...
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In this episode, we sit down with Scott Marshall, founder and managing director of Roma Finance, to explore his journey from engineering to becoming a trailblazer in the world of property finance. Scott unpacks Roma’s unique borrower-first approach, their innovative lending products like Roma Flow, Grow, and Pro, and how they’re using AI to streamline operations. We also cover the impact of rising interest rates, building long-term customer relationships, and Scott’s philosophy on leadership...
In this episode, we sit down with Scott Marshall, founder and managing director of Roma Finance, to explore his journey from engineering to becoming a trailblazer in the world of property finance. Scott unpacks Roma’s unique borrower-first approach, their innovative lending products like Roma Flow, Grow, and Pro, and how they’re using AI to streamline operations. We also cover the impact of rising interest rates, building long-term customer relationships, and Scott’s philosophy on leadership...
In this episode of Finance for Founders, host Samuel Ajala sits down with Kathryn Strachan, founder of Copyhouse, to dive deep into the realities of entrepreneurship, business growth, and scaling success. Kathryn shares her incredible journey — from walking dogs to building an award-winning agency — and offers powerful insights on the difference between growing fast and growing well. She highlights the critical role of strong leadership, company culture, and effective marketing strategies in...
In this episode of Finance for Founders, we sit down with Mark Dwyer, the accidental entrepreneur behind Big Red Cloud, a cloud accounting platform that has served over 75,000 customers. Mark shares hard-won lessons from building and scaling a business—from surviving tough markets to navigating acquisitions and maintaining financial discipline. We dive into his leadership style, his take on customer support as a market differentiator, and how he balanced family life while running a fast-growi...
In this episode of Finance for Founders, host Samuel Ajala sits down with Guy Bartlett, a seasoned entrepreneur, M&A strategist, and founder of The Business Buyers Club. With over £146 million in closed deals, Guy shares powerful insights into business acquisition, SME growth, and scaling businesses the smart way. 🎯 From his military roots to becoming a leader in entrepreneurship and business coaching, Guy dives deep into the transition process, strategic acquisitions, funding options li...
In this episode of Finance for Founders, Samuel Ajala sits down with Astan Morarji — a serial entrepreneur who has launched, scaled, and exited over £30M worth of businesses. Astan shares brutally honest insights on what it really takes to grow a business, build trust, and lead through chaos. You’ll learn: ✅ Why trust beats authority in business ✅ How to scale fast without burning out ✅ The real cost of hiring top talent ✅ Why upselling existing clients is a growth cheat code ✅ How ...
🎙 Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Wyclef Sande, an inspiring Ugandan entrepreneur and the founder of Blue Trucco Coffee. From a humble upbringing in Uganda to building a business that champions Ugandan coffee on the global stage, Wyclef shares his remarkable journey of resilience, rejection, and passion. He discusses how coffee and travel can drive social impact, his transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and why Uganda’s robusta coffee deserves global recognit...
In this episode of Finance for Founders, we are joined by Lavinia, an award-winning blockchain consultant, international speaker, and founder of Women in Blockchain Talks. Lavinia is on a mission to introduce 50,000 women to the world of blockchain and web3 technology. Lavinia shares her journey, discussing her upbringing, the challenges she's faced in a male-dominated industry, and her passion for diversity and inclusion in tech. The conversation delves into Lavinia's personal story, her fai...
Summary In this episode of Finance for Founders, Samuel Ajala interviews Ryan Chenier, CEO of Mastery Fractional CFO Services. Ryan shares his journey from corporate leader to entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of fractional CFO services for small and medium-sized businesses. He discusses the financial blind spots that many founders overlook and provides actionable advice for achieving financial clarity and business growth. The conversation covers the cost-effectiveness of hiring a fra...
In this episode of Finance for Founders, Samuel Ajala interviews Salvatore Tirabassi, a seasoned fractional CFO and business strategist. They discuss Salvatore's extensive experience in finance, his insights on scaling businesses, and the importance of financial forecasting. Salvatore shares his journey through the venture capital landscape, the evolution of financial tools, and the challenges faced by startups in managing their finances effectively. The conversation emphasizes the need for f...
Summary In this episode of Finance for Founders, Samuel Ajala interviews Nana Parry, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Tectonic. They discuss Nana's journey from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, the challenges of starting and scaling a business, and the importance of customer insights. Nana shares his experiences with Tectonic, the role of AI in business, and the significance of maintaining a human touch in customer interactions. He also emphasises the value of networking, mentoring, a...
Summary In this episode of Finance for Founders, host Samuel Ajala interviews Sharon Gillenwater, co-founder and former CEO of Boardroom Insiders. Sharon shares her journey from her upbringing in California to building a successful tech startup that sold for $25 million. She discusses the challenges she faced, including her experiences with venture capital, the lessons learned from her early ventures, and her current endeavors in supporting other entrepreneurs. The conversation highlights t...
Summary In this episode, Giuseppe Baidoo, co-founder of Gusto Snacks, shares his inspiring journey from Italy to the UK, highlighting the challenges he faced as a minority founder and the importance of mentorship. He discusses the innovative marketing strategies that set Gusto apart in the competitive healthy snacks market, the funding challenges they overcame, and the personal growth he experienced throughout his entrepreneurial journey. Giuseppe emphasizes the significance of resilience, c...
Join host Samuel Ajala in this insightful episode of 'Finance for Founders' where he converses with Dr. Valentine Obi, the founder and CEO of eTranzact Global. Dr. Obi shares how he spearheaded financial inclusion in Africa with the continent's first multi-channel electronic transaction platform, and his vision behind the newly launched Xcelapp. Dive deep into the challenges of scaling a fintech business across Africa, lessons in leadership, financial discipline, and the importance of purpose...
In this episode of Finance for Founders, host Samuel welcomes Joe Seddon, founder and CEO of Zero Gravity. Joe shares his incredible journey from a single parent household in West Yorkshire to leading a thriving tech startup. They discuss valuable insights on fundraising, scaling a startup, and making social impact. Joe answers quick-fire questions about his life, inspirations, and productivity hacks, and provides advice for young entrepreneurs. He explains the mission, challenges, and succes...
Join Samuel Ajala as he interviews Greg Donnelly, co-founder of SoSquared, a pioneering influencer marketing platform, on 'Finance for Founders.'. Greg shares his journey from launching Portugal's first supermarket comparison site to building a thriving influencer marketplace with over 3,500 influencers and partnerships with major companies like Meta and TikTok. The discussion covers essential topics such as startup funding, scaling challenges, remote work dynamics, and key strategies for eff...
Join Samuel Ajala in a captivating episode of Finance for Founders as he introduces Helen Vines, a seasoned Chartered Tax Advisor specialising in capital allowances and remediation of contaminated land claims. Helen discusses her 20-year career in taxation, sharing insights into how businesses can maximise tax reliefs on capital expenditures. From helping hoteliers save 500K in tax to advising on the remediation of contaminated lands, Helen’s expertise can significantly benefit business owner...
In this episode of Finance for Founders, host Samuel Ajala welcomes Artie Varia, an expert in R&D tax incentives with over 17 years of experience. They delve into the intricacies of R&D tax credits, particularly for tech startups and SMEs. Artie shares her journey from audit to specialising in R&D tax, explains the recent changes in R&D tax legislation, and provides actionable advice for businesses looking to claim these benefits. Whether you're new to R&D tax credits or h...
In this episode of Finance for Founders, we welcome Emmanuel Asuquo, a qualified financial advisor with over 15 years of experience. Emmanuel shares his journey from growing up in East London's Tower Hamlets to becoming one of the youngest financial advisors at Barclays. He discusses the significant role his faith played in overcoming numerous barriers and achieving success. Emmanuel also delves into essential topics such as financial habits, debt management, investing strategies, generationa...
Unlocking Real Estate Investment: SSAS Pensions Explained with Brian Harvey Join host Samuel Ajala in this episode of Finance Founders as he welcomes special guest Brian Harvey, a SSAS pension consultant. Brian delves into the benefits of using SASS pensions to embark on property journeys, shares his own experiences, and provides insights into different types of investments and tax advantages available through SSAS pensions. The conversation covers practical steps on setting up SSAS pensions...
🚀 New Podcast Episode Alert! 🚀 Ever wondered what it takes to become a successful property developer? 🏘️ In our latest episode of Finance for Founders, I had the privilege of sitting down with the legendary John Howard. With over four decades of experience and more than 4,000 property transactions under his belt, John offers priceless insights into the intricacies of property development, investment strategies, and the ever-evolving real estate market. He is also a Judge and Angel on Sky's po...
In this episode, we sit down with Scott Marshall, founder and managing director of Roma Finance, to explore his journey from engineering to becoming a trailblazer in the world of property finance. Scott unpacks Roma’s unique borrower-first approach, their innovative lending products like Roma Flow, Grow, and Pro, and how they’re using AI to streamline operations. We also cover the impact of rising interest rates, building long-term customer relationships, and Scott’s philosophy on leadership...
