I built a $2bn Company By Paying Everybody The Same As Me - Nicola Kilner

In this episode, we sit down with Nicola Kilner, former CEO of The Ordinary, to dive deep into the unique story behind her journey in building a $2 billion company. Nicola shares the highs and lows of her path to success, including the challenges she faced as a leader and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. We discuss why her Co-CEO fired her and what that experience was like as well as revealing her leadership superpower and why she decided to pay everyone in C-suite the same salary as herself for a period of time. Additionally, we explore her thoughts on why women suffer the most from working from home and the impact it has on their careers. ——————— Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/?utm_source=secretleaders&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=Secret+Leaders_1H+2025&utm_content=Wise+Business Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Chris Donnelly and Dan Murray Serter, each with over 17 years in the game, share the ultimate guide to starting a business in 2025. They cover everything from identifying the best industries to enter, to building a team and scaling your idea into a thriving company. If you're wondering where the biggest opportunities lie in 2025, or how to navigate the new market landscape, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow, this is the essential roadmap you need to set yourself up for success. ——————— Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/?utm_source=secretleaders&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=Secret+Leaders_1H+2025&utm_content=Wise+Business Join Vanta and recieve $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with the entrepreneur who built the UK’s biggest company, worth an astonishing $176 billion, from an initial $50 investment. He shares the exact steps and strategies he used to scale a small startup into one of the world’s largest companies, proving that massive success can come from the smallest beginnings. He also reveals how he played a pivotal role in saving Apple, and what it was really like working with Steve Jobs during that critical time in the tech giant's history. The entrepreneur also gives his verdict on the 4 breakthrough technologies that have the power to change the world. From his firsthand experience of building a tech empire, he offers rare insights into the future of innovation and what it takes to succeed at the highest level. ——————— Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/?utm_source=secretleaders&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=Secret+Leaders_1H+2025&utm_content=Wise+Business Join Vanta and recieve $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this video, leading entrepreneurs and experts dive deep into one of the most pressing questions of our time: Is artificial intelligence going to ruin the world? With AI evolving faster than ever, concerns about its impact on jobs, society, and our future are growing. This insightful discussion covers the benefits, risks, and ethical challenges of AI, exploring whether it's a force for progress or a threat to humanity. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or simply curious about AI's future, this video offers expert insights you can't afford to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into three incredible stories that blew our minds. Lionel Barber recounts his chilling experience interviewing Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, giving us a rare insight into what it’s like to sit face-to-face with one of the world’s most powerful leaders. James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog, shares the shocking moment when he lost $50 million and Finally, Deborah Meaden takes us back to her early days, offering a fascinating glimpse into her entrepreneurial life before she became a household name on Dragons' Den. ______________________________________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/gb/business/?utm_sou... Thanks to HP our sponsor for this episode. For 10% off the HP Omnibook UltraFlip with built-in AI, use code 'HPLOVEWORK'. Valid until 31st January 2025, UK only. T&Cs apply. https://bit.ly/HPOmnibook-SLQ424 Join Vanta and recieve $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for the best books to fuel your success in 2025? In this video, we dive into the top books that have shaped our entrepreneurial journey and made a lasting impact on our lives. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned business owner, these books offer invaluable lessons on leadership, strategy, mindset, and growth. We’ll discuss how each book transformed our thinking, improved our decision-making, and helped us navigate the ups and downs of building a business. From timeless classics to the latest game-changers, these reads will inspire and equip you to take your business to the next level. ______________________________________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/gb/business/?utm_sou... Thanks to HP our sponsor for this episode. For 10% off the HP Omnibook UltraFlip with built-in AI, use code 'HPLOVEWORK'. Valid until 31st January 2025, UK only. T&Cs apply. https://bit.ly/HPOmnibook-SLQ424 Join Vanta and recieve $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every entrepreneur dreams of disrupting an industry, but few have done it as boldly as today's guest. In this episode, we dive into the story of a visionary who took on billion-dollar skincare giants like L'Oréal and Nivea—without any prior industry experience—and became the #1 men's skincare brand in France. He rejected conventional practices, bypassed traditional retail, and found success by challenging the status quo in one of the most established markets imaginable. What makes this conversation even more fascinating is how our guest spotted what the beauty behemoths overlooked: their greatest strengths had turned into their biggest weaknesses. Their size, reliance on traditional retail, and outdated strategies blinded them to how men actually want to shop for skincare products. Our guest’s innovative approach disrupted the industry and proved that sometimes, the most obvious opportunities are the ones industry leaders are too entrenched to see. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking to identify a market gap or someone ready to challenge industry giants, this episode is packed with insights on how to seize opportunities hiding in plain sight. Tune in to discover the strategies behind this ground-breaking success and learn how to apply them to your own business journey. ______________________________________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/gb/business/?utm_sou... Thanks to HP our sponsor for this episode. For 10% off the HP Omnibook UltraFlip with built-in AI, use code 'HPLOVEWORK'. Valid until 31st January 2025, UK only. T&Cs apply. https://bit.ly/HPOmnibook-SLQ424 Join Vanta and recieve $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As series 7 draws to a close, in this episode we sit down to chat about some of our favourite episodes, our personal highlights, some of our regrets and how Dan got rejected by Deborah Meaden. ____________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/gb/business/?utm_sou... Thanks to HP our sponsor for this episode. For 10% off the HP Omnibook UltraFlip with built-in AI, use code 'HPLOVEWORK'. Valid until 31st January 2025, UK only. T&Cs apply. https://bit.ly/HPOmnibook-SLQ424 Join Vanta and recieve $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Caspar Lee opens up about why he decided to leave his YouTube career behind, despite having 7 million followers, to focus on a new, exciting chapter: becoming a successful entrepreneur. Caspar reveals the challenges he faced as a content creator and how his passion shifted towards helping other YouTubers build long-term financial security. Now, he's using his experience to invest in fellow creators, helping them turn their earnings into sustainable wealth. Discover Caspar’s journey from viral sensation to investor, and how he's transforming the future for YouTubers by making their money work for them. ____________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/gb/business/?utm_sou... Thanks to HP our sponsor for this episode. For 10% off the HP Omnibook UltraFlip with built-in AI, use code 'HPLOVEWORK'. Valid until 31st January 2025, UK only. T&Cs apply. https://bit.ly/HPOmnibook-SLQ424 Join Vanta and recieve $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we discuss Dan’s embarrassing moment as the first guest on diary of a CEO, we reflect on some of our recent episodes and discuss How Lily Allen and Kate Nash are making the most of OF and we do it all in our brand new studio! ____________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/gb/business/?utm_sou... Thanks to HP our sponsor for this episode. For 10% off the HP Omnibook UltraFlip with built-in AI, use code 'HPLOVEWORK'. Valid until 31st January 2025, UK only. T&Cs apply. https://bit.ly/HPOmnibook-SLQ424 Join Vanta and recieve $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices