In the 10th, and last episode of the first Silent Partners podcast series, I am joined by Helena Sharman a specialist teacher and assessor.

Helen is the wife of Steve Sharman, Chief Architect at Third Bridge. We started this series with Steve interviewing my wife Zina so it seemed fitting to end it with me chatting with Helena.

My key take aways:

• Once again it is clear that a startup or new business is a whole family affair. If the company hurts, the whole extended family hurts.

• Make sure you have the runway or a few plan Bs if you do want to start something. Jumping into something without a parachute could be costly in many ways

• If you make the decision to embrace your partners dream then Patience and giving them the space to achieve their potential will be crucial.

• Steves obsession with data, knowledge and doing things right is both a super power and his achilles heal. The personality traits that drive him to find perfection also burden him with responsibilities he possibly doesnt need to shoulder

• If you think you can do it and you want to do it .. just do it! My make that my slogan .. oh hang on….

• Finally, one for all of your but the blokes in particular… we talk a good game about supporting each others mental health but rarely do we really check in on each other. A simple (and persistent) text message will suffice and actually calling often works wonders. As someone once said “Its good to talk”!

That the end of the first series. Really loved talking with all the guests and I have learned a huge amount. I will be publishing a summary article shortly so keep an eye out for that.

This alternative business podcast series, created and produced by Nick Pearce, asks the partners of entrepreneurs about their experience through the startup journey (those that end in success or otherwise) and the partners of those who have supported someone on their way to the top of their profession.

This is a Scaling With Scarcity Ltd podcast.

In episode 9 - You Have To Learn To Listen I am joined by Swansea based Adam Thomas, a quality engineer for the American multinational conglomerate 3M. Adam is the husband of Lucy Cohen CEO and co-founder of Mazuma a Welsh software and accounting services company that is disrupting the accountancy industry by providing innovative, technology-driven bookkeeping and accounting services tailored for small businesses.

Key Takeaways

• Making time for each other is key to staying together. And when you make that time ensure you maximise it by being present and doom scrolling or being overly connected.

• Sometimes, quite often actually, the supporting partner just needs to listen and suppress the urge to suggest. Letting your partner talk themselves through the issue at hand will suffice

• Being told no or that you cannot do something is clearly a driver for many a stubborn entrepreneur to prove the doubters wrong.

• Again a startup or scale up is a family affair. Quite often long term family plans rely on the success of the venture so it is in both the entrepreneurs and the supporting partners interest to put the business first.

• Don’t let things fester. Communicate early and communicate often.

• What struck me most was Adam's belief that part of the supporting role is to provide a positive environment, especially when Lucy doubted herself. Reminding Lucy of her talents and mission surely helped, particularly when she and her co-founders faced numerous attempts from the old boys' club to denigrate their efforts. My advice for what it is worth is to keep smashing it guys, if the doubters are doubting then they are clearly worried!

This alternative business podcast series, created and produced by Nick Pearce, asks the partners of entrepreneurs about their experience through the startup journey (those that end in success or otherwise) and the partners of those who have supported someone on their way to the top of their profession.

This is a Scaling With Scarcity Ltd podcast.

In Episode 8 - 'The Only Way Out is Through,' I chat with Nick Funk, who is based in Spokane and serves as VP of Engineering at SDVI. He has been married to Tiffany for 15 years; she is the Co-Founder & President of point.me.

The conversation highlights how two extremely hard-working professionals manage to make things work despite challenges. As you will hear, the road has bumps, which are to be expected when one of you decides to start a #startup!

My Takeaways:

• Give yourself space to fit things in. If you oversubscribe yourselves with personal or financial commitments, you will likely find it hard to adjust when life intervenes.
• Nick and Tiffany clearly communicate well. Working so closely together at home makes it crucial to understand who is responsible for what, as both give their all to their respective careers.
• There is a saying, 'It’s lonely at the top,' which can be exacerbated by remote working. It’s important to be able to talk with someone who understands the challenges you are facing when you need to unload.
• Modern life with two working professionals in one household sometimes requires some outside help. From gardening and cleaning services to employing a house manager, it is crucial to ensure that you are spending your time in the most valuable way possible for the health and happiness of your family.
• Lastly, the phrase 'the only way out is through' had a profound effect on me. Many entrepreneurs will know the feeling all too well that you need to push on when times are hard and stick to your guns. Thanks, Nick — that’s getting framed and put on a t-shirt!
• It’s good to have a stable base for one of you to be able to take a risk.
• Setting out to build a viable, long-lasting business rather than creating a business for an exit might just make you a bit more resilient."Please subscribe and leave a comment to help grow our audience!

This alternative business podcast series, created and produced by Nick Pearce, asks the partners of entrepreneurs about their experience through the startup journey (those that end in success or otherwise) and the partners of those who have supported someone on their way to the top of their profession.

This is a Scaling With Scarcity Ltd podcast.

In episode 7 I am delighted to be joined by London based Pablo Vanel, senior legal counsel and trademark law specialist. Pablo is the partner of Aurelien Brelle the former CEO and co-counder of Woody Technologies a Paris based software company that was acquired in 2022 by Valsoft.

Really enjoyed chatting with Pablo as it really brought home that communication is key and that you should always expect the unexpected!

Key Take-aways 

• All entrepreneurs are first and foremost dreamers
• Compromise is important
• Entrepreneurs are always connected but sometimes you just have to press pause for the sake of your health and happiness 
• You have to communicate, communicate often and communicate clearly
• Perception that all is well is often not the case.
• Leaders in small companies are faced with impossible choices at times
• No-one can succeed alone.

This alternative business podcast series, created and produced by Nick Pearce, asks the partners of entrepreneurs about their experience through the startup journey (those that end in success or otherwise) and the partners of those who have supported someone on their way to the top of their profession. 

This is a Scaling With Scarcity Ltd podcast.

In episode 6, I chat with Consultant Oncologist Rachel Elliott. Chepstow based Rachel has successfully combined a stellar career in oncology whilst bringing up three children and supporting her husband of 26 years Rob Price who sold his business Nanopharm back in 2019.

This episode again touches on a number of really interesting points when it comes to supporting someone to follow their passion:

1. Being there is half the battle as is listening and taking an objective view on issues or matters at hand. Team work makes the dream work as they say
2. It is important to stress that constant optimism needs to be tempered with a more balanced view on working life.
3. The sacrifice is real! Whether the pausing or slowing down of a career or being tied to a location it's not always plain sailing.
4. Being in a startup or being married into one is a veritable rollercoaster but it is better to be on it than stood at the side and never experience the highs and lows.
5. If you have collectively decided to support them then it can be better to give your partner the space or freedom to pursue their dreams
6. Don’t let your environment define you.. You can break out

7. And I really want to hear more about Robs breaking bad moments!

This alternative business podcast series, created and produced by Nick Pearce, asks the partners of entrepreneurs about their experience through the startup journey (those that end in success or otherwise) and the partners of those who have supported someone on their way to the top of their profession. 

This is a Scaling With Scarcity Ltd podcast.

In episode 5, I chat with Derby based Claire Flinn. Claire has successfully combined a career in marketing whilst bringing up two children and supporting her husband of 22 years Rob who is currently the CEO of Marlow Fire & Security PLC.R

This episode touches on a number of really interesting points when it comes to supporting someone on their journey to the top:

1. Clearly for some entrepreneurs past experiences provide the fuel to drive themselves to ensure their families do not experience the same

2. In that vein, when family is so important it is clear that those seeking success in business do often sacrifice precious moments in their childrens lives due to work commitments.

3. There are some golden rules that are non-negotiable be that Sunday roasts or taking holidays as a family

4. Being the supportive partner requires patience, listening skills and thick skin at times

5. Could it be that the role models of the previous generation setup Rob and Claire to assume the roles they have?

6. Without someone taking care of business at home it is almost impossible for the other person to take care of business at work

This alternative business podcast series, created and produced by Nick Pearce, asks the partners of entrepreneurs about their experience through the startup journey (those that end in success or otherwise) and the partners of those who have supported someone on their way to the top of their profession. 

This is a Scaling With Scarcity Ltd podcast.

In today's episode, I chat with Chepstow based Sian Gorshkov. Sian has built a successful career as a dentist whilst bringing up two children and supporting her husband of 24 years, Mike Gorshkov, in his mission to build a successful recruitment business.

This episode touches on compromise rather than sacrifice, stepping away to ensure good mental health and sometimes how being the silent partner is all that is needed.

Mike has worked in recruitment man and boy and in the last 22 years has taken Linear from inception to an established and recognised brand accumulating awards and accolades along the way. 

This alternative business podcast series, created and produced by Nick Pearce, asks the partners of entrepreneurs about their experience through the startup journey (those that end in success or otherwise) and the partners of those who have supported someone on their way to the top of their profession. 

In today's episode, I chat with Alex Johnston, a psychologist who made the profound and pioneering decision to step back from his own career working for Médecins Sans Frontières in order to support his wife, Caroline's pursuits, all the while ensuring their children experienced a nurturing and wholesome upbringing.

Amongst other financial institutions, including UBS and Eastspring, Caroline was a Managing Director at JP Morgan. As you will hear, Caroline's career took Alex and the children all over the world.

This alternative business podcast series, created and produced by Nick Pearce, asks the partners of entrepreneurs about their experience through the startup journey (those that end in success or otherwise) and the partners of those who have supported someone on their way to the top of their profession. 

This is a Scaling With Scarcity Ltd podcast.