Happy MBA

Something's off. You can feel it. The work is working, but something just doesn't fit you anymore. In this episode, Carlos and Laurence are joined by fellow program coach Lana Jelenjev and five graduates of the Happy MBA (formerly Vision 2020) to explore one of the most important questions you can ask in business and in life: who am I becoming? Using the Satir Change Model as their map, they reveal how they navigated the vulnerable in-between of the person they were and their newly recovered authentic selves. In this conversation, you'll hear from: Amelia White, psychotherapist specialising in boarding school trauma, Brighton, UK Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes, embroidery artist, educator and creator of The Hands Manifesto, Perth, Australia Desiree Adkins, the Rebelliously Responsible Coach, helping people-pleasers please themselves, New Jersey, USA Jace Malz, facilitator, learning designer and team coach, founder of Inbo, Montreal, Canada Jorik Elferink, creative clarity coach and facilitator, Amsterdam,…

You don’t need a better plan. You don’t need more qualifications. And you definitely don’t need to wait until you've got the perfect plan. In this episode, we unpack the real reason so many thoughtful, capable people stay stuck at the starting line: fear. Fear of getting it wrong. Fear of being judged. Fear of committing to something that might not work. Rather than trying to “overcome” fear or force confidence, we explore a quieter, more effective reframe: treating your idea like an experiment. Drawing on stories from our own journey, we talk about why mistakes and flaws aren’t signs you’re failing. They’re how learning actually happens. And why perfectionism is often less about high standards, and more about self-protection. In this conversation, you’ll explore how to: Reframe fear and mistakes as useful data, not personal failure Spot when perfectionism is keeping you safely stuck Break through analysis paralysis by doing tiny experiments Move forward without needing full clarity or certainty If you’ve…

The average age of an entrepreneur in the UK is 46, and more than a third of businesses are run by people over 50. Entrepreneurship isn’t just for the young; in fact older individuals bring valuable wisdom, experience, and networks to their ventures. Midlife entrepreneurs are often more thoughtful in their approach, focusing on meaningful work rather than just scaling for the sake of it. This conversation will help you: Understand that there is no age limit to starting a business Recognise that previous career experience isn't wasted effort but can be creatively applied to new ventures Focus on what truly matters in your next chapter by keeping what serves your purpose and discarding what doesn't

In this episode, we open a new chapter of the podcast. After years as The Happy Entrepreneur, we’re evolving the show into Happy MBA, a name that better reflects the work we now do and the people we serve. This conversation is about: what’s changing, why it matters, and who this podcast is really for. If you’ve ever felt a bit out of place in traditional business culture… this one’s for you. 🎧 About this episode In Episode 171 of the Happy Entrepreneur podcast, Carlos and Laurence talk candidly about: Why Happy MBA felt like the right evolution The kinds of struggles we repeatedly see in founders, freelancers, and solopreneurs Why “knowing the theory” rarely solves the real business challenges The limits of traditional MBA-style thinking Building businesses from the inside out Why energy, fun, and sustainability matter just as much as money This isn’t a rejection of business fundamentals, it’s a rebalancing. A reminder that businesses are built by humans, with lives, values, families, fears, hopes, and…

Ever wondered what 500 million years of mountain wisdom could teach you about where you take your business or work from here? Laurence and Carlos explore how the French Alps create the perfect environment for profound perspective shifts. Discover why conversations beside Alpine lakes spark innovations that stuffy conference rooms never could, and how shared adventures build deeper connections than any networking event. More importantly, hear about the magic that happens when exceptional minds gather in an ego-free setting – where CEOs, founders, and changemakers explore and encourage, rather than swap business cards. Links Join the next Alptitude retreat Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Sharing on social media can feel like stepping into the spotlight with nowhere to hide. No wonder so many of us shrink from it. How do we show up bravely without losing ourselves? How do we share our voices in ways that build genuine connections instead of just chasing likes and follows? How can we show up without cringing inside? In this episode, Laurence and Carlos are in conversation with visibility specialist Kevan Smith, exploring how to show up online with consistency, authenticity, and courage. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

The idea of "personal branding” can be a bit exhausting. The thought of carefully curating a version of yourself that’s optimised for engagement feels like too much effort if you struggle to be anything other than yourself. Amanda Baker has been developing a framework to help people navigate their own authenticity, and Carlos will be bringing his own reflections on what it means to market yourself in a way that feels human, joyful, and not like you’re constantly performing. If you’ve ever wondered how to share your story without feeling like a product – or how to stay visible without losing yourself – this conversation is for you.

What if we reframed failure as a step toward clarity rather than away from success? In this episode, Laurence and Carlos sit down with Anne-Laure le Cunff, neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author of the book Tiny Experiments, to explore why failure isn’t failure – it’s feedback. Anne-Laure’s work is all about curiosity-driven learning; turning doubt into discovery through small, low-risk experiments. Her approach aligns deeply with how we support entrepreneurs, coaches, and creatives inside our Vision 20/20 group coaching program: Curiosity leads to clarity. What fascinates you is often pointing you toward the work you’re meant to do. Small experiments create momentum. You don’t need a master plan—just a first step. Failure is data, not a dead end. When you stop seeing failure as personal, you start seeing opportunity. Exploration before exploitation ensures alignment. Before you "scale" an idea, make sure it truly fits you. Structure + flexibility = a sustainable, fulfilling business. The key is having…

Carlos, Laurence, and Lana present the fourth and final session in their Vision Tribe Summit from February 2025. This conversation will help you Reframe sharing your voice on social media from self-promotion to a tool for personal clarity and connection Overcome perfectionism, fear of adding to the noise, and imposter syndrome Build authentic connections by asking questions, curating content that inspires you, and championing others Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Carlos, Laurence, and Lana present the third session in their Vision Tribe Summit from February 2025. This conversation will help you Develop a healthier relationship with money by understanding your personal money stories and how they affect your current attitudes Create multiple income streams through a product pyramid approach rather than solely relying on selling your time Price your services based on value rather than hourly rates, allowing you to better communicate the transformation you provide to clients Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Carlos, Laurence, and Lana present the second session in their Vision Tribe Summit from February 2025. This discussion will help you Shift from traditional marketing approaches that target everyone to creating deeper impact with those who truly resonate with your values Discover why vulnerability in sharing your journey can be your greatest asset in building genuine community connections Understand how stories serve as "light for others to follow," providing guidance through shared experiences of challenges and transformation See how the principle "People like us do things like this" creates powerful cultural bonds that transcend traditional marketing approaches Gain practical frameworks for using stories not just to sell products but to mobilize action, inspire change, and create safe spaces for deeper work Learn the value of crafting "future stories" that invite co-creation and collaboration, even before your vision has fully materialised Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy…

Carlos, Laurence, and Lana present the first session in their Vision Tribe Summit from February 2025. In this session they explore four key dimensions of success: Finding ways to earn while doing what you love rather than chasing wealth at the expense of fulfilment Prioritising what genuinely energises you rather than constant multitasking driven by feelings of "not-enoughness" Surrounding yourself with people who energise you and share your values Creating ripple effects by simply being your authentic self rather than trying to change the world through effort Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Chip Conley is the founder of the Modern Elder Academy and author of Learning to Love Midlife: How to Embrace What’s Next. In this discussion with Laurence and Carlos, he delves into the opportunities and challenges of navigating purpose and professional transitions during this pivotal stage of life. If you’re an experienced professional or seasoned entrepreneur who’s achieved financial success but lost your sense of purpose, this conversation is for you. Perhaps you’ve experienced “purpose drift”, or feel weighed down by the armour you’ve built to protect yourself but which no longer serves you. Chip offers profound insights from his work and personal journey, showing how midlife is not a crisis but an opportunityto curate the rest of your life with intention, joy, and freedom. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Feel like you’re stuck in a loop of fear, overwhelm, and endless faffing about? You’re not alone. Making a big change, whether in life or work, can feel like staring at a blank page with no idea where to begin. But getting moving doesn’t have to be scary, boring, or complicated. In this episode, Laurence, Carlos, and Lana lift the lid on a framework that’s been a game-changer for their Vision 20/20 programme. They share what they’ve learned, what’s worked, and why this approach has helped their community turn “I’m too scared to start” into “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

What if it’s punk to pause? To quote the Nap Bishop Tricia Hersey, that “rest is a form of resistance”? Caro Turlings and Jobbe Holtes are multi-talented creatives and Vision alumni with a deep love for music, dancing, and dressing up. They join Laurence and Carlos to explore How to forget DIY and embrace DIT (Do it Together) Stepping out and stepping up How creativity, rest, and discovering the rebel within can help to fuel the change you want to create in the world. If you want to make a positive impact but think the only way through is to push until you burn out, this conversation will help you find a new way to make a difference more sustainably. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Carlos and Lana dive into the concept of creating Minimum Lovable Products: products that "thingify" your thoughts and turn your ideas into tangible, helpful solutions. These MLPs help you connect with the people you want to serve, promote your mission, and build momentum for your idea. Whether you're looking to iterate your big vision or start marketing your idea, this episode is about creating connections and value. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Sarah Bayliss is the author of Do Nourish: How to Eat for Resilience. She combines expertise with lived experience, helping professionals and entrepreneurs make intentional choices about their nutrition and overall wellbeing. Her approach goes beyond just food. In this episode, they explore how Sarah’s 7 Pillars can support resilience, energy, and clarity, the impact of small, mindful choices in nutrition and habits on your ability to live and work purposefully, and how her personal transformation from burnout to balance reignited her passion for learning and helping others to thrive. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

We know that people will benefit from what we do, and one way to help others find us is through posting on social media. But what do you do when you don't have a content strategy, a target audience, and you're not yet clear on what you're going to post about? If this sounds like you, you're not alone. A question submitted by the Happy Startup School community sparked this conversation: "How do you post on social media when I'm still not clear?" Laurence, Carlos, and Lana dive into their experiences, sharing honest reflections, and discussing how they developed an ability to post what they stand for and believe in online. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

A question submitted by our community sparked this conversation: "How are your values embodied with real examples in your current business? How have your values helped – or even emerged – when things get tough or friction arises?" In this episode, Carlos, Laurence, Lana and guest Stephanie dive into their stories, sharing honest reflections, and discussing how their manifestos shaped their actions, decisions, and resilience. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

How do you change direction without a map? By reconnecting to your inner navigation system. But many of us fall shy of it, because it means engaging with the messy parts of ourselves that we don’t want to acknowledge, let alone embrace. Someone who’s walked this tough but rewarding path is Vision 2020 alumnae Beth Derry. As a successful copywriter for 25 years, Beth has written for and collaborated with clients such as Microsoft, Allianz, and Heineken to help them communicate their impact on people and the planet. But when she reached her mid-forties, she knew she could trust her instincts – instincts that told her she wanted more from life. Beth knows all too well how life's difficulties can shape us. As a teenager and young adult, she faced painful mental health challenges and turned to self-harm as a way to cope. At the time, the support available wasn’t enough. She didn’t have the answers she needed. It wasn’t until decades later, after years of therapy, coaching, and innovative techniques like havening,…

You probably know about 4,000 weeks. It’s what Oliver Burkeman suggests is the average time we all have on this earth. But do you know about 90,000 hours? That’s how long many of us will spend working during our lives. And it's essentially a third of your life. Life isn’t about work, but work can profoundly shape the quality of your life. So it can feel painful to be stuck in a rut in your work or career and not know what to do next. Especially after a profound loss. Sue Deagle is a veteran c-suite executive, mother, and widow, rewriting the story of loss and vibrant living at the Luminist. She founded it after the profound personal transformation she went through following the sudden loss of her husband. Sue’s personal journey from profound personal loss to a vibrant, purpose-driven life offers inspiration and deep insights for anyone looking to redefine success, purpose, and impact—even without having experienced a life-altering loss themselves. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy…

When Laurence and Carlos started the Happy Startup School, they didn’t have a business plan. Instead, they focused on what felt important: community, creativity, and meaningful work. They followed their intuition and sensed their way forward, building connections, thinking out loud, and engaging with guides, not gurus. Many solopreneurs and freelancers think they need a clear path or a step-by-step plan to reach a defined goal. But if you’re feeling stuck and procrastinating, it’s likely because that plan is missing something. Wayfinding is about trusting your intuition and tapping into your creativity to explore possibilities. It’s not about having a fixed destination; it’s about discovering the right one, through experimentation, reflection, and bold action. Join Laurence, Lana, and Carlos as they discuss what wayfinding is and how it can help you get unstuck and take action. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

You’ve exited your business or you’ve left your job. What next? You’ve gone from being busy and feeling like you had direction to now floating around aimlessly. This is what our guest David Spinks calls the Abyss. In his Substack post, he shared his experience of stepping down from the company that he co-founded and trying to work out what’s next. In this conversation with David, you’ll hear about his experience of the abyss, what he felt, what he did, and where he's at now. He shares how he navigated the inner journey, which helped him understand how he got to where he got to and what he needs to do differently. Whether you're still floating in the middle of the ocean or have caught a glimpse of the shoreline, this episode will give you some compass headings and the courage to keep on swimming. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Michelle Grant is an alumna of our Vision 20/20 program and was part of Tribe 2 that started in September 2020. She’s the founder of The Great Full and offers coaching and community for women leaders within the realms of food systems, sustainability, and regeneration. Michelle combines her deep knowledge of sustainable systems with her passion for personal and professional development. Her leadership programs like "Be the Change" and "Lead the Change" offer a supportive community and tools to empower women changemakers to take care of their personal wellbeing, as well as that of the planet. She’s passionate about the importance of inner work to create impactful outer change, blending theory and practice, science and philosophy, and engaging the head, heart, and hands in her learning journeys. She is also a professionally certified coach with the International Coaching Federation, trained in the Enneagram, and a seasoned yoga and meditation teacher. In this episode, Carlos, Laurence, and Michelle explore…

Can you learn to be more creative, courageous, and resourceful when it comes to pivoting your professional life? On this episode, Carlos and Laurence are joined by Iesha Small, a career pivot coach and seasoned communications professional, to talk about how we can adopt an entrepreneur’s mindset when thinking about following a new professional path. Iesha shares her inspiring journey from maths teacher to career-change champion, and what she needed to do to navigate that transition. Iesha isn’t just about making bold moves; she's about making smart, strategic decisions that lead to personal freedom and fulfilment. She explains her unique approach of treating career development like an entrepreneur, focusing on experimentation and creating opportunities that offer more choice. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Are you a solo founder curious about AI? Do you want to know how it could help you be more impactful, more effective, and free up your time? Or are you a conscious business owner who worries about what AI is doing to our humanity and our creativity? If so, this conversation with Kerry Harrison, AI educator and professional copywriter, is for you. Kerry makes AI accessible. She teaches practical ways to save time while adding your brilliant human creativity to the mix. Drawing on two decades of copywriting work and five years of AI experience, she can help you create compelling, human content in less time. When it comes to productivity, AI provides a lot of potential for us to save time, whether that’s doing research, coming up with new ideas, or producing content. However, when it comes to our creative output, if we outsource all the thinking to AI, where does that leave us? We need to remember that humans buy from humans. As entrepreneurs who offer something unique (not off-the-shelf commodities), one of…

Do you take the time to design for your own wellbeing? When we’re being the change we want to see in the world, it’s easy to focus on hard metrics: more sales, more leads, more success. But what if your body suddenly says “no”? As the saying has it, our health is our truest form of wealth. But how often do we check in with ourselves and explore what we might need? On this episode, Carlos and Laurence are joined by Pelin Kazak Bagatur, a product and UX design leader who’s deeply passionate about the intersection of design and wellbeing. She shares how her perspective on health has evolved through personal experiences with yoga, mindfulness, and a deeper exploration into spirituality and wellbeing. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

You’ve decided to change. You’re driven to find a new professional path, but you’re struggling to take the next step. As an experienced professional or entrepreneur, you’ve accumulated the skills, but now you’re doing something new. And so fear kicks in. What got you here isn’t going to get you there. It’s time to go from the inside out to overcome self-doubt. Doing business differently is about more than plans and profit; it's a deep inner journey of overcoming limiting beliefs and discovering your true worth. As you follow your new venture, you’ll find that the biggest obstacles aren’t to do with your skill set but with your mindset. For this episode, Laurence and Carlos are joined by hypnotherapist and author Dipti Tait, who shares her perspective on self-doubt and limiting beliefs and how we can overcome them. Dipti is a respected clinical psychotherapist, solution-focused hypnotherapist, and mental health lecturer. She is a frequent guest on TV and radio, including on ITV’s This Morning, Good Morning…

Tribe 8 of Vision 20/20 ended their journey together. On this episode, a few of the cohort share their stories and projects that have emerged and evolved over their last few months together: The Love Shortage podcast that came out of nowhere The Human Greenhouse with a bolder mission and manifesto What if we? a series of experiential gatherings in the Netherlands An insights tool for B2B teams A regenerative business starter kit for conscious business owners These ideas aren't necessarily what people thought they'd be bringing to life. Many are as a result of serendipitous conversations or connections on the program. They might not be the big vision, but they get us started. Movement forward is key, and and action brings clarity. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Taking the entrepreneurial path requires taking risks. And the rewards we'll encounter are never certain. The choices we make create real consequences for our livelihood. And it can be hard to get over the feeling that we're imposters as we face the uncertainty over whether we've made the right ones. This episode features an enlightening story – the personal and entrepreneurial journey of Sam Conniff, author and founder of Uncertainty Experts. As someone who previously struggled with imposter syndrome, today he stands as a passionate advocate for embracing and mastering uncertainty. This episode follows Sam's journey of building a startup, learn how he studied a global need – the universal discomfort with uncertainty – and created a lucrative business out of it. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Ever felt like there was more that you could do but didn’t know what to commit to? You're not alone. When it comes to thinking about meaning, Laurence and Carlos found the book The Map of Meaning by Lani Morris and Marjolein Lips-Wiersma really helpful. They talk about working with meaning as working with the tension between being and doing, and self and others. The work is to be aware when we’re off balance and to know what to do to redress it. Understanding how to do good whilst staying happy is all part of leading a meaningful life. When it comes to doing good you might ponder What does impact actually mean to me? How much impact do I want to make? And what’s my story of impact? And when it comes to being happy: How do I want to feel when making an impact? Which needs are being met by making an impact? Where do these needs come from? On this episode, Laurence and Carlos explore their own perspectives on these questions, and through their own reflections and answers to questions from the live virtual…

While we can’t avoid the inevitable, we can still find agency. When we’re navigating a professional or personal transition, it may seem like we’re living in chaos, and there’s nothing we can do that can make things better. In his book At Work in the Ruins, Dougald Hine asks a question about the climate crisis: how did we find ourselves in this trouble? Is it simply a piece of bad luck with atmospheric chemistry, or might it be a consequence of the way we have been approaching the world? This conversation aims to create a little campfire alongside the big path of life to sit with the questions and the uncertainty together. You don’t have to go through it on your own, and not knowing how to act is ok. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

When people join the Happy Startup School’s Vision 20/20 program and talk about what they want to do, one phrase pops up again and again: “I just want to be paid for being me.” But it’s not always easy to get to this point. Sometimes it takes a circuitous route, as we get more and more used to showing up as our full selves and discovering what it is we truly want to do. One such alumnus of our program who’s taken the long way around is creativity coach Mark Steadman. As someone who’s able to do it all, from coding to design to writing, he’s become a legend in our community for his ability to “ship” - to transform ideas into reality and get them out into the world. But he’s tired of constantly cranking out new projects and hustling all of the time. He wants to take a break from constantly “doing” and allow himself to “be” more instead. He now wants to use his knowledge, experience, and skills to help other creative people unlock their own creativity. He’s realised that that's the thing that brings him the…

If you want to empower others to act and not just fill their heads with facts, Crowdcast is a platform that can help you do that. It was founded by Sai Hossain who got the idea in 2013 while at a retreat in Costa Rica. Laurence and Carlos started using Crowdcast in March 2020 which was the time the platform exploded from 500,000 users per month to 2.5 million. On this episode, you’ll hear more about how Crowdcast came about, Sai’s personal journey as a founder, and his thoughts about what it takes to build a community as well as a business. If you want to make a living sharing your knowledge and experience, or you’re curious about growing your business using live video, you’ll definitely get something from this conversation. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

John Pritchard was the founder of Pala, a brand driven by purpose. The mission was to produce high quality, long-lasting eyewear whilst making a commitment to minimise the impact on the planet and maximise positive social impact on people. Longevity of product was important to minimise resource usage, but that makes for a very different approach to business. The Pala strapline was “see the world better”, which enabled him to go into numerous directions around how to help others “see the world better”. However, after 9 years, the mission took its toll and earlier this year John had to make the decision to close down the business. He now needs to take a pause, but feels conflicted about that. His sense of purpose was strong but he also needed to pause to look after himself. He feels the tension between doing stuff and not doing stuff with conflicting stories about being of service to others but also needing to look after himself. Now that the business is winding down he’s a lot less busy and t’s something…

Professional women are under overwhelming pressure to achieve it all – career, kids and caring partner.And to do it with an effortless smile.But it isn’t that easy. It doesn’t mean that you can’t have it all, but according to Emma Draper, award-winning retail entrepreneur, property developer and mother, “we need to release ourselves of the guilt and just do the best we can”. On the outside Emma is an amazing role model for female entrepreneurs. Over 23 years she’s built a multi-million pound business, had three kids and truly loves her work. But it didn’t come easy. She had to work damned hard to make it allwork.Patience, purpose and persistence have been key. In this episode, Emma joins Carlos and Laurence to share what she’s learned about business, and more importantly, about herself over the past 23 years. They cover leadership, culture and positioning as well as more personal topics like motherhood, personal growth and finding your why. If you’re a female entrepreneur at the start of your journey or…

It’s hard to put into words what happens at Summercamp. And that was never truer than in 2023. There’s an enormous amount of love, growth and connection that happens; and the openness and vulnerability that takes place in a field near Hastings every year is astounding. In this special episode, you’ll hear from Laurence and Carlos about what the event brings them, and a little of what it requires. Plus you’ll hear from some of the attendees who experienced life-changing moments last September. Links Bag one of the last remaining tickets to Summercamp 2024 Find out more about Summercamp

In an age where meaningful leadership and authentic connection are more crucial than ever, Jerry Colonna, coach, entrepreneur, and author of the transformative books Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up and Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong. Jerry has worked with CEOs and change-makers from across the world. His company offers a complete foundation for what it means to emerge as a leader through coaching, 360-degree performance reviews, bootcamps, peer groups, internal training and organisational change management, along with plenty of rich resources for entrepreneurs, including their podcast. This two-part conversation looks at the internal barriers and personal histories we need to face to unlock our true leadership potential. And it continues into the subject matter of "Reunion", extending this journey outwards, exploring how leaders can foster a sense of belonging in a fractured society through authenticity and shared stories. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the…

Whether it's problem-solving an issue, coming up with a new product, or making a mark on the world, our personal vision of success often needs new ideas. But what if you’re stuck in a rut? What if the usual ways of “shaking the snow globe” just won’t cut it any more? What if the way forward isn't the state of our business plan but the state of our consciousness? On this episode, Carlos and Laurence welcome Dr David Luke, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Greenwich, for an enlightening conversation. He’s published over 100 academic papers, including ten books, and is also a co-founder and director of Breaking Convention: International Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness. His research includes altered states of consciousness, especially via psychedelics. Why? Because there’s an ever-increasing body of renewed research into the use of these substances to help nudge our brains out of our habitual thinking patterns. But you don't need to take drugs to access the states of mind they…

Forget thinking about business in terms of B2B or B2C – It’s time to think H2H; human to human. As much as lawyers and accountants will tell you that businesses are independent legal entities, in the end, they’re a bunch of humans working together for some reason or other. Too many solopreneurs and founders hide behind the idea of being a “big business” when in fact they are human beings wanting to serve others. They forget that people want to connect with other people, and that connection can help them sustain their businesses financially and energetically. Human beings are hardwired to connect but we have too many barriers between us including screens, cultural biases, and our own limiting beliefs. In order to work well, we need to learn how to connect more. At the Happy Startup School, we believe in building a community around your business. But to build community you also need to build connections. And you can’t really connect with others when you can’t connect to yourself. It’s a journey from the inside…

In a world that wants to keep hustling and believing that “bigger is better”, we’ve always had a different measure of success. For Laurence and Carlos, it’s about forging deep friendships and relationships, getting out in nature, making things that give people delight, and making sure that those you love get more of you. To do this can mean simplifying our lives. It can mean focusing on what matters and recognising that there’s another way to be in the world - and in the business world. The Happy Startup way of thinking has been influenced by Small is Beautiful by the economist and environmentalist EF Schumacher. But they’re not the first to be influenced by this classic text. In 1991 Satish Kumar, a former Jain monk and activist, launched the ground-breaking Schumacher College near Totnes with a short course on Gaia Theory led by James Lovelock. In this episode, Laurence and Carlos talk with him about getting off the treadmill of endless competition and consumption, as discussed in his book Elegant…

On our previous episode, Laurence and Carlos spoke with John Parkin about big ideas: what they are; where they come from and how to spot them. He shared how big ideas can create real impact with minimum effort. The idea itself does the heavy lifting. However, what happens when you’re still searching for your big idea. How do you commit to action when it’s not clear? Say hello to our new friend – the minimum loveable big idea. "Big enough to create impact, small enough to try, authentic enough to be loved." It's an idea that aligns with your hopes, dreams and intentions. It sparks curiosity and excitement, and ideally one that you're willing to commit even though it isn’t 100% clear. The feeling is strong even if the plan is patchy. Maybe you have a minimum lovable big idea waiting to be birthed? One that has the potential to make a difference, but personal enough to be close to your heart. Each guest for this episode has a story to tell about their own minimum loveable big ideas: Erin McCormack from Boston,…

John Parkin knows a good idea when he sees one. As a formed Creative Director of one of the most innovative and exciting advertising agencies of the 1990s, he knows a thing or two about coming up with ideas. He's helped create big ideas for big brands, and he's also had one big idea of his own that has transformed his world. His big idea? F**k It. It led to John leaving his job, Him and his wife Gaia running countless F**k It retreats, and more than 1 million books sold. The happy startup is Carlos and Laurence’s big idea. 10 years ago many people didn't get it or thought they were weird. But people remember it, and all around the world it seems to make sense. They’ve had people run various happy startup meetups in North and South America, Australia and New Zealand, the middle east and all over Europe. If you haven't yet hit on your big idea, this episode with John explores the power of a big idea, How you can spot one, and how to have one of your own. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the…

When Laurence started out in business, he was a company of one. For 5 years he found his own clients, did sales and marketing, managed his finances. It didn’t even occur to him to ask for help. Then one day he realised it wasn’t much fun anymore, and he could only go so far with his own skillset. Thankfully a project came in that meant he had to ask for help if he was to take it on. He could either stay solo and play it small, or start thinking bigger. As luck would have it, Carlos was looking for new opportunities having landed in the same industry not long before. The rest is history. The challenge is not everyone has the fortune to find a business partner where things click so easily. Most of the people in the Happy Startup School community are companies of one, sole founders, solopreneurs, AKA lone wolves. When you don't have a cofounder or no longer have colleagues, a community is your lifeline to connection, which is why in this episode, Carlos and Laurence explore how to find deep, lasting connections…

What if you were unapologetically you? What impact would that have on your work, life and relationships? Unfortunately, too many of us aren’t prepared to bring our whole selves to work… or even life. We either create a mask or hold back on what’s really wanting to be seen. When we’re not prepared to show our full selves, it means we may not allow others to show their full selves too. This disconnection doesn’t help in work or life. It limits what’s possible in what we do and how we act. Vanessa Belleau is an inclusion and belonging consultant, as well as executive coach. She works with individuals and organisations to create more inclusion and belonging at work. She’s both unapologetic and humble as well as serious and joyful in her approach. How can we create belonging in a world that feels more and more polarised? What does it mean to find belonging for ourselves while celebrating our differences? When Carlos first started out in business, he wasn’t sure if he belonged in the business world. He didn’t feel…

Our previous episode covered the theory along with Laurence, Carlos and Lana’s own stories of change, both small and large. On this episode, we invite some of our now 120-strong Vision 20/20 alumni – aka the Vision Tribe – to share their stories. These 3 amazing humans have been living their excite strategy by working out loud. Others have connected with their story, and helped them to reach their own goals. Ray Martin is an author, coach and explorer who just just published a book – Life Without a Tie – about this 13 year (yes thirteen) adventure around the world Beccie D'Cunha is the founder of Courage Lab, a mediator and coach who launched her Courageous Leaders group coaching program after graduating from the program Serena Savini is a beautiful soul who has turned adversity (a life changing illness) into her superpower, creating I'm Back: a podcast and community of people that have also experienced challenges going back to work after such an experience Links Join the conversation live Become a member of…

The master storyteller. One of the most valuable things we’ve learned from him is about stories of change and how stories can motivate our own action and mobilise others. Story of Self, Story of Us, Story of Now. This approach to stories is a way to activate change in the world that is aligned to who we (entrepreneurial changemakers) are and what we need. In the world of business we can spend too much time and energy talking about what we do and how we do it, and don’t give enough thought to who we really want to serve and why it’s important to us. Crafting great stories helps us refocus on what matters. And it's always best done in community. By telling our stories and hearing the stories of others we gently discover our place in this world and create connections with people who can support us. Powerful stories, well told, define purpose, inspire possibility and nurture deep relationships. They invite people to imagine and to contribute, and they offer a sense of belonging to a bigger narrative of change.…

“Everything has a time to burn because it invites new life.” During his talk at Summercamp 2022, Ben Johnson shared his thoughts on the importance of creative destruction. Whether you’re talking about corporate innovation, the eventual demise of capitalism, or the maintenance of an ecological system, old things need to die in order for new things to live. In 2015, Laurence and Carlos experienced their own phase of creative destruction. They’d been simultaneously running both the Happy Startup School and their digital agency for 3 years and in order for one of them to thrive, the other had to die. They had to stop doing things the way they’d always been doing them. And so, in June that year, after coming back from their Alptitude mountain retreat, they started to wind down the agency. T’hey had 5 staff at the time and many active clients. This made the ending challenging, but it had to be done. Since then, Laurence and Carlos have hosted six more Summercamps, over 10 international retreats and run dozens of…

At Summercamp 2020, coach David Papa gave a personal, entertaining and vulnerable talk about how to be scared. He believes that the only thing that can stop you living the life you love is not the fear, it’s believing the fear. Fear is just a thought and a sensation in the body. But when you add belief to it, then it’s energy that controls your life. In this week's episode, David shares how this has manifested throughout his own life and how our relationship to fear needs to evolve in order for us to make the impact we crave. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort Watch David’s Summercamp talk

In a complex fast paced world it’s all too easy to think that we’re unable make any impact. But this isn’t true. At Happy Startup Summercamp 2022, Liana Fricker, founder of Inspiration Space, gave an empowering talk about turning apathy into action. Liana believes that if we harness our inspiration we can inspire others and these small ripples can turn into tidal waves of change. To start we just need to ask ourselves two simple questions: What do I really care about? What can I do about it from where I am? Liana talks about the inspiration flywheel and how we can go from being activated, to elevated, to motivated and back again. We can then start with a small actions that inspire us to make bigger and bigger moves. Think big. Start small. Stay committed. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort