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 successes of Zero Gravity, a platform designed to support talented students from low-opportunity backgrounds. Tune in for inspirational stories and actionable advice.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:51 Quick Fire Questions with Joe Seddon
01:17 Joe's Background and Key Advice
02:20 Favorite Books and Podcasts
03:07 Personal Preferences and Inspirations
04:17 Productivity Hacks and Sleep Importance
06:01 Flexible Working Hours at Zero Gravity
06:26 Historical Figures and Hidden Talents
08:06 Mantras and Skills to Learn
09:49 Essential Apps and Career Alternatives
11:15 Impact of Zero Gravity and Personal Reflections
13:50 Deep Dive into Zero Gravity's Mission
15:32 Challenges and Early Days of Zero Gravity
23:21 User Acquisition and Growth Hacking
31:10 Partnerships and Scaling Impact
33:45 Fundraising and Financial Management
42:16 Future Goals and Final Thoughts

Zero Gravity:
https://www.zerogravity.co.uk/

Linkedin profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeseddon/

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 effective cash flow management. Insights include creating an MVP, securing seed funding, leveraging networking, scaling operations, and utilising advanced analytics and API integrations. Learn about the upcoming SaaS platform aimed at democratising influencer marketing for small and medium businesses, featuring a freemium model and educational elements. Greg emphasises persistence, user feedback, and the importance of networking, offering a comprehensive look at building and scaling a successful startup.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:32 Quick Fire Questions with Greg Donnelly
14:05 Deep Dive into SoulSquared
17:13 The SaaS Model and Future Plans
19:58 Founding Story and Early Challenges
28:43 Securing Funding and Investor Relations
34:48 Resource Allocation Strategies
38:15 First Big Client Acquisition
39:30 Cashflow and Operational Challenges
44:54 Remote vs. In-Office Work
48:57 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
54:04 Future Plans and Expansion
01:00:05 Competitors and Market Position
01:04:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

SoSquared Website:
https://sosquared.com/

Greg Donnelly Linkedin Page:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdonnelly/

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nwQIIGnFbcFxwMOqNQS6m?si=LTHNLJYKSOmJxcM457BRZg

Apple podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/finance-for-founders-with-samuel-ajala/id1754190164?i=1000674423955

YouTube:
https://youtu.be/w2Aek_cNcOg?si=wwkFWalzIhRHlP7b

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 owners. Tune in to learn about overlooked tax incentives and actionable strategies for reinvesting tax savings back into business growth. This episode is packed with valuable information for entrepreneurs and business professionals aiming to optimise their tax strategies.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:16 Helen Vines' Professional Journey
02:36 The Fascination with Taxation
03:52 Mentors and Influences in Taxation
05:20 Green and Sustainable Tax Incentives
07:11 Client Success Stories and Examples
08:57 Understanding Contaminated Land Tax Relief
14:43 Misconceptions and Challenges in Tax Claims
32:39 Satisfaction in the Construction Industry
33:47 Common Industries Missing Out on Claims
35:07 Capital Allowances in the Startup Industry
37:01 Remediation and Contaminated Land Claims
41:17 Case Studies and Client Success Stories
46:14 Future of Tax Savings and Sustainability
52:39 Career Advice and Personal Insights
01:01:01 Community Involvement and Final Thoughts

Helen Vine Profile:
Helen is the director of Vines Capital Allowances Limited who specialise with Capital allowances and Remediation of Contaminated Land advisory.

Experience, Expertise, Excellence

She can help with tax relief claims for businesses engaged in buying/selling, constructing, fitting out or refurbishing properties. Give her a call on our enquiry line 07726 860 618.

She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (“CIOT”). The CIOT is the leading professional body in the UK for advisers dealing with all aspects of taxation. CIOT members, “Chartered Tax Advisers”, have to meet high professional standards which include:
• keeping up to date with new developments in tax and related areas,
• holding Professional Indemnity Insurance,
• being registered for AML supervision; and
• complying with a robust code of ethics.