XL18: LEE HACKETT - The Challenge is the Reward

Lee Hackett is CEO of BluprintX. Like any young boy growing up in Liverpool, Lee dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. He realised his dream at 16, signing for Wigan Athletic before later deciding to pursue a career path outside of sport. Many professional sportspeople struggle with life after sport. According to one survey, 40% of footballers go bankrupt in 5 years. Lee, however, thrived, even though he had no formal education. In this episode, Graham and Lee discuss his first major business success, selling the enterprise he scaled with his brother and the love of challenge. They also discuss how many entrepreneurs, like themselves, get a start in sales, the importance of sales as a training ground for entrepreneurship and the role of good mentors in guiding their journey.