Episode 9 - You Have To Learn to Listen

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.