From Adversity to Exit: Leadership Lessons on Resilience, Reinvention, and Scaling

Duane Jackson is a serial entrepreneur and tech founder ofB2B SaaS businesses, including Sodium, Staffology and KashFlow. In this candid conversation, Duane shares his remarkablejourney with John, from challenging beginnings in children’s homes and overcoming adversity, including time spent in prison, to building and selling successful technology businesses. He reflects on the pivotal role of support from the Prince’s Trust in turning his life around, and how resilience, innovation, and generosity have shaped his entrepreneurial path.Listeners will gain practical insights into how entrepreneurial motivation evolves, the realities of scaling businesses, andwhy the team that gets you started may not be the team that takes you forward. Duane also explores the importance of self-awareness, prioritisation, and seeking external advice, alongside how AI can be leveraged as a powerful toolfor growth and innovation. Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or aspiring leader, this episode offers honest reflections and actionable wisdom on building sustainable, adaptable businesses in a rapidly changing technology landscape.