The Founder's Mental Health Journey: Hector Hughes of Unplugged on Therapy, Business Growth and Digital Wellness - Part One

What does founder-friendly VC look like in practice? In Part 2 of our conversation with Kealan Doyle and Michael Theodosiou from Symvan Capital, we explore how they scale their portfolio without sacrificing personal support — and why their long-term, lifecycle approach to venture capital is built for both performance and relationships.We dig into exit strategy, failure rates, the broken early-stage funding landscape, and why hands-on VCs are rare but essential.Plus:💬 Why most founders fail at sales (and what to do about it)🔁 How to avoid hiring the wrong first salesperson🏗️ The startup-to-film analogy that will reframe how you think about building💸 How Symvan plans to scale without becoming just another big fund📉 And why 80% failure rates at some funds are not just bad luckIf you're raising at pre-seed or seed, managing an early-stage fund, or just trying to make sense of today’s VC market — this episode is a must-watch.📍 CHAPTERS00:00 Intro – What’s next for Symvan Capital?01:10 Growing their fund without losing quality02:20 Plans for a new conventional (non-tax efficient) Series A fund03:35 Exit strategies and tracking performance over hype05:15 Why failure ≠ exit, and exits ≠ cash windfalls06:45 Symvan’s lifecycle flywheel – proving the model works08:10 Limiting portfolio failure through hands-on VC09:45 Why most pre-seed and seed money is wasted11:00 How they’ll scale while keeping support personalised12:30 The real reason Symvan avoids big AUM models13:45 Incentive misalignment in VC fee structures15:15 The long game – why reputation and founder experience matter16:30 How predatory term sheets and cold relationships harm early-stage founders18:00 Founders talk – and bad actors get exposed19:10 The “bubble years” and inflated valuations: lessons from the inside20:25 Encouraging new portfolio companies to call existing ones21:45 The dangers of raising at too high a valuation too early23:10 What it really takes to work in VC today25:00 Why “diversity of thought” beats traditional finance pedigrees26:15 What VC analysts should really be learning28:00 Final thoughts on founder support, pivoting, and resilience------------------------------------------------------🔗 Follow Kealan Doyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kealandoyle/🔗 Follow Michael Theodosiou on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-theodosiou-4a9280a3/🚀 Check out Symvan Capital:https://www.symvancapital.com/💬 Book a free 1-hour commercial advisory session with host Greg McCallum:https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

What does hands-on VC actually look like? In this episode of Founders Unplugged, Greg sits down with Kealan Doyle and Michael Theodosiou from Symvan Capital, one of the UK’s most disciplined early-stage venture capital firms.Kealan and Michael share what really goes into building a successful VC firm — from avoiding “spray and pray” investing to supporting founders through the toughest stages of growth.They talk founder-led sales, the broken pre-seed market, the myth of the ‘gut feel’ VC, and why too many funds look the part but don’t do the work. If you're raising capital, running a startup, or building a fund, this episode is full of hard-earned insight you won’t get from the highlight reel.New episodes every week. Subscribe and hit the bell to stay plugged in.📍 CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome and intros01:30 Michael’s route from barrister to venture capital03:35 How Kealan and Nick started Symvan Capital05:05 The EIS market and why Symvan bet on high-risk, high-return07:50 What drew Michael to startups and why VC felt like the perfect fit09:55 How Symvan supports pre-revenue founders12:00 Transitioning from investment banking to startups13:30 Why most VCs aren't really “venture” capitalists15:00 Rigour vs gut feel — the myth of the instinct-led investor18:00 Is due diligence killing early-stage innovation?21:45 Why Symvan’s DD process focuses more on founders than forecasts23:00 Founders as evangelists — why most early salespeople fail26:35 The case for hard skills in early-stage investing29:00 Why technical founders often can’t sell — and how to fix it32:45 Building a startup is more like making a film than you think35:10 Sales MVPs and the myth of the perfect pitch37:50 Can founders grow with their startup — or do they need to be replaced?40:05 Why most first hires fail and how founders can avoid it42:00 Communication, clarity, and the founder’s real job--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------🔗 Follow Kealan Doyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kealandoyle/🔗 Follow Michael Theodosiou on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-theodosiou-4a9280a3/🚀 Check out Symvan Capital:https://www.symvancapital.com/💬 Book a free 1-hour commercial advisory session with host Greg McCallum:https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don’t do it without them.🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJThe Truth About Startup Hiring: What Founders Get Wrong w/ Alper Yurder – Part TwoHow do startups get hiring so wrong—so often?In Part Two of this brutally honest conversation, Alper Yurder (founder of Forte, ex-Flowla) returns to explore why early-stage hiring fails, when AI hurts more than it helps, and what founders can do to build real sales leadership—without burning bridges.🎧 In this episode:Why AI can't replace human nuance in sales coachingHow over-automating demotivates repsWhat early-stage founders get wrong about hiringThe danger of outsourcing core problems too soonBuilding GTM teams around learning, not just equityPro bono work, fractional leaders & sustainable scalingThe human cost of broken promises in startup cultureThis is a must-listen for any founder building a GTM engine, hiring their first sales lead, or trying to balance AI tools with real leadership.🔗 Follow Alper YurderLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/alper-yurder/🌐 Forte → https://www.fortegrowth.co/💬 Book a free 1-hour commercial advisory session with host Greg McCallum:https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=8d3797e4-e8fe-4037-9277-c941aa56a5caSpotify SEO Keywords:Alper Yurder, startup hiring mistakes, AI in sales coaching, early-stage sales teams, GTM leadership, fractional sales leader, sales playbooks, startup compensation, founder-led sales, outbound sales, startup culture challenges, Founders Unplugged podcast

Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don’t do it without them.🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJHow to Build Sales Systems That Actually Work w/ Alper Yurder – Part OneWhat makes a sales system actually work for startups?In this episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Alper Yurder, co-founder of Flowland and go-to-market advisor, to unpack the mindset and mechanics behind successful early-stage sales. From the power of messaging to the common mistakes founders make in their first sales hires, Alper shares real, tactical advice from helping 100+ startups grow.🎧 In this episode:The traits great salespeople and great founders shareHow to handle rejection and build resilience in salesWhy founders must sell before building a sales teamOutbound vs inbound: how they should work togetherWhat most startups misunderstand about bootstrapping vs fundingThe key role of feedback in both product and salesHow to turn weekly learnings into a repeatable sales playbookWhether you're still founder-led or building your first team, this episode is packed with insights that will change how you approach growth.🔗 Follow Alper YurderLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/alper-yurder/🌐 Forte → https://www.fortegrowth.co/💬 Book a free 1-hour commercial advisory session with host Greg McCallum:https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=8d3797e4-e8fe-4037-9277-c941aa56a5caSpotify SEO Keywords:Alper Yurder, startup sales systems, early-stage sales strategy, founder-led sales, sales playbook, outbound sales, inbound sales, go-to-market advisor, sales messaging, sales resilience, bootstrapping vs VC, Flowland platform, Founders Unplugged podcast

Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don’t do it without them.🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJMaking the Difficult Decision to Shut Down Your Business w/ Daniya Stewart – Part TwoWhat does it really feel like to walk away from a business you built from scratch?In this powerful Part Two episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Daniya Stewart to unpack the emotional, strategic, and financial layers behind closing her food startup, PHOMO. From pitching at Selfridges to managing product recalls, Daniya shares an unfiltered look at the pressure to scale, the packaging challenges that became insurmountable, and why shutting down was ultimately the bravest—and most difficult—decision.🎧 In this episode:Navigating the realities of retail, margins, and growthWhy omnichannel and PR strategies only go so farHow a perfect storm of challenges forced a tough callThe emotional weight of letting go of your businessHow to talk about failure without shameWhat Daniya would (and wouldn’t) do againIf you're in the thick of building—or deciding whether to stop—this is a must-listen.🔗 Follow Daniya StewartLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniyastewart/💬 Book a free 1-hour advisory session with host Greg McCallum:https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=8d3797e4-e8fe-4037-9277-c941aa56a5caSpotify SEO Keywords:Daniya Stewart interview, shutting down a business, food startup journey, packaging failures, ambient product development, omnichannel strategy, founder honesty, emotional resilience, crowdfunding follow-up, PHOMO business story, Founders Unplugged podcast

Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don’t do it without them.🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJFrom Banking to Food Startup: The Early Journey of a Founder w/ Daniya Stewart – Part OneWhat happens when a corporate career collides with a deep craving for Vietnamese food?In this episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Daniya Stewart, founder of the food startup PHOMO, to explore her journey from banking and project finance to building a Vietnamese food brand from scratch. From selling out in 90 minutes at a farmer’s market to navigating Seedrs crowdfunding and family life, Daniya shares a real, grounded view of what it takes to become a founder.🎧 In this conversation:Launching a food startup with no prior experienceHow customer feedback shaped PHOMO’s early successThe reality of crowdfunding and the investment journeyJuggling parenting teenagers with entrepreneurial chaosThe power of communication skills—in business and in familyLessons from closing the business and what came nextThis is an honest, inspiring conversation for founders, parents, and anyone navigating the unpredictable road of entrepreneurship.🔗 Follow Daniya StewartLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniyastewart/💬 Book a free 1-hour commercial advisory session with host Greg McCallum:https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=8d3797e4-e8fe-4037-9277-c941aa56a5caSpotify SEO Keywords:food startup journey, Daniya Stewart interview, Vietnamese food business, parenting and entrepreneurship, crowdfunding on Seedrs, women in entrepreneurship, startup investment, founder life, mental load of business, Phomo food brand, Founders Unplugged podcast

Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don’t do it without them.🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJScaling a Wellness Brand in an AI-Dominated World w/ Hector Hughes of Unplugged – Part TwoIn this episode, Greg McCallum and Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged, explore what it means to protect our mental health, creativity, and sense of connection in a world increasingly shaped by AI and always-on technology.They discuss Hector’s plan to double Unplugged’s off-grid cabin network, the growing demand for digital detox, and how AI may soon reshape everything from education to communication to how we define being human.🎧 In this conversation:The operational challenges and wins of scaling UnpluggedWhy digital detoxing is gaining cultural relevanceThe future of AI and its impact on human interactionHow AI could revolutionise education and communicationThe importance of relationships and compassion in modern lifeWhy perception, nuance, and depth still matterWhether you're a founder, creator, or someone simply trying to stay grounded, this episode offers both practical wisdom and deep reflection.🔗 Follow Hector HughesLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-hughes-10082195/🌐 Explore Unplugged → https://unplugged.rest/💬 Book a free 1-hour commercial advisory session with host Greg McCallum:https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=8d3797e4-e8fe-4037-9277-c941aa56a5caSpotify SEO Keywords:digital detox, unplugged cabins, AI and mental health, wellness startups, startup growth, mental health for founders, Hector Hughes interview, technology and humanity, scaling wellness brands, Founders Unplugged podcast

Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don't do it without them.🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJBuilding a Business That Encourages Digital Detox w/ Hector Hughes of Unplugged – Part OneWhat if the key to building a successful brand… was encouraging people to do nothing?In this episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged, to unpack the story behind their fast-growing digital detox company—offering 3-day, off-grid cabin breaks without phones, Wi-Fi, or inboxes.But this is more than a startup story.They explore founder identity, mental health, the role of trauma in ambition, and why downtime might be the most underrated growth strategy for both founders and businesses.🎧 In this conversation:How Unplugged scaled from idea to 62 cabinsThe role of consistent messaging in brand growthWhy doing less leads to better decision-makingFounders and emotional suppression: a quiet crisisPain, therapy, and ambition—how they connectThe hidden power of data-driven marketing and external expertiseIf you're building a mission-led brand or navigating your own founder burnout, this one is for you.🔗 Follow Hector HughesLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-hughes-10082195/🌐 Explore Unplugged → https://unplugged.rest/💬 Book a free 1-hour advisory session with host Greg McCallum:https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=8d3797e4-e8fe-4037-9277-c941aa56a5ca

Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don't do it without them.🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJIn Part Two of this conversation, Greg McCallum and Vasilis Stoidis, founder of 7L International, go beyond business tactics to explore the philosophy and responsibility of entrepreneurship.From reframing legacy as responsibility to unpacking how startups should approach market targeting and feedback, this is a thoughtful and practical guide to building a business that matters—without losing your edge.🎧 In this conversation:The balance between self-care and societal contributionWhy focusing on value always beats chasing vanityThe pitfalls of vague messaging and spray-and-pray marketingHow to use early sales conversations to define your ICPWhy specificity is the growth hack no one talks aboutThe symbiotic relationship between sales, marketing, and productHow to create honest messaging without being off-puttingIf you're navigating the messy middle of startup building, this one will help you reset and refocus.🔗 Follow Vasilis StoidisLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stoidis/🌐 Learn more about 7L International → https://7linternational.com/💬 Book a free 1-hour advisory session with host Greg McCallum:https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don't do it without them.🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJIn this episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Vasilis Stoidis, serial tech founder and CEO of 7L International, to break down what separates real innovation from noise.From navigating generational shifts to staying relevant in the age of AI, Vasilis brings a clear-eyed, first-principles view to building products that actually solve problems—at scale.🎧 In this conversation:Why your solution must be 10X better, not just differentHow to build long-term value in fast-changing marketsWhy creativity can derail focus if left uncheckedThe real reason free speech and pluralism matter in businessEthics, space tech, and the psychology behind enduring companiesHow complacency, not competition, kills most startupsWhether you’re building, scaling, or just trying to avoid the same traps as others—this one hits deep.🔗 Follow Vasilis StoidisLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stoidis/🌐 Learn more about 7L International → https://7linternational.com/💬 Book a free 1-hour advisory session with host Greg McCallum:https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd