Think raising $6M guarantees startup success?

Think again!

In this raw, no-BS conversation, J.Y. Delmot, co-founder of BuddiesHR and ex-Y Combinator alum reveals the real lessons behind the flashy headlines. From building a SaaS that hit $60K MRR on the side, to losing it all when Instagram shut them down, to raising millions and learning the hard way… this is a masterclass in founder reality.What you'll learn:Why VC money often kills more startups than it savesThe 3 rules that changed his life at Y CombinatorHow to build a startup before writing a single line of codeWhy most founders burn out — and how to avoid itHow J.Y. scaled BuddiesHR from scratch with just a Slack appIf you’re building, funding, or fumbling through startup life, this is the playbook you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode of the Business Alchemist Podcast, Phil Akilade speaks with James Mays, founder of Rodeo and asks,

What drives someone to build a new startup after selling their last one, and surviving a brain tumour diagnosis?

They explore the importance of community and events in today's polarised world.

They discuss the evolution of event technology, the significance of in-person connections, and the mission behind Rodeo to create a new platform that supports community organisers.

James shares his personal journey, including health challenges and the drive to build a customer-centric community.

The conversation emphasises the need for discovery in event planning and the potential for monetising community data to sustain and grow these initiatives.

In this conversation, James discusses the journey of developing a platform aimed at enhancing community engagement through events.

He shares insights on the importance of user feedback, and the evolving nature of technology in event organisation.

The discussion also touches on societal issues like loneliness and the resurgence of in-person events post-COVID, emphasising the role of technology in facilitating genuine human connections.

James outlines the competitive landscape, barriers to adoption, and the future growth plans for the platform, Rodeo.

In this episode of the Business Alchemist podcast, Phil Akilade speaks with Nick Sales, a fractional CTO with 35 years of experience in AI.

They explore the reality of AI, discussing whether it is genuine innovation or merely hype.

Nick shares his mixed feelings about the current AI landscape, emphasising the importance of data in AI applications and the need for businesses to navigate the hype cycle carefully.

They also delve into the practical applications of AI in business, highlighting the potential for productivity gains while cautioning against unrealistic expectations.

In this conversation, Nick Sales and Phil Akilade delve into the evolving landscape of AI, discussing its implications for productivity, job dynamics, and ethical considerations.

They explore a structured approach for business leaders to adopt AI, emphasising the importance of understanding data and technology.

The discussion also highlights the current applications of AI in manufacturing, the rise of no-code development, and the critical need for security in AI-generated code.

Ultimately, they stress the importance of human collaboration in the future of AI.

In this conversation, Phil and Nick delve into the complexities of AI in software development, the practical applications of technology in business, and the mindset required for leaders to embrace these changes.

They discuss the limitations of AI, the importance of understanding technology, and the challenges businesses face in implementing new solutions.

Nick shares his journey from philosophy to technology, emphasising the need for a balanced approach to technology adoption and the importance of human insight in the process.

What if the next great sales breakthrough isn’t artificial intelligence but actual warm introductions?

In this episode of the Business Alchemist Podcast, Phil Akilade sits down with Mike Adams, founder of Start-Up IntroStars and self-proclaimed King of Networking, to expose the inconvenient truth about cold outreach, AI-driven spam, and what really works in B2B sales today.

Mike shares his powerful journey from a struggling sales rep relying on cold emails, to building a £5M pipeline using zero cold outreach with just human connections.

Now, he’s launched a SaaS platform to scale the one strategy that never fails: warm referrals.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why cold outreach is dying, even if it’s “personalised” by AI

• How AI spam bots and AI spam filters are cancelling each other out

• The real reason buyers don’t respond to automated messages

• Why trust and reputation still dominate high-ticket B2B deals

• How Mike built IntroStars to help businesses incentivise referrals, legally and at scale

• Advice for introverts: how to network and build influence without ever leaving your screen

• The surprising reason AI still has a role but only if used properly

Whether you're a founder tired of cold outreach, a sales leader looking for high-value leads, or an introvert who’s always hated networking, this episode will shift your thinking about Lead Gen on its head.

In this episode of the Business Alchemist podcast, Phil Akilade speaks with Ken West, a managing partner at Valenta, about the practical applications of AI in the Supply Chain.

They discuss the divide in perceptions of AI, its potential to assist rather than replace jobs, and the importance of data quality in AI implementation.

Ken shares insights on how AI can improve employee engagement, the challenges of change management, and the current state of AI in the supply chain industry.

He emphasises the need for businesses to understand AI's capabilities and to find the right partners for successful implementation.

In this episode of the Business Alchemist podcast, Phil Akilade interviews Ian Randolph, the Chief Product Officer of Nume, discussing the transformative impact of AI on finance and entrepreneurship.

Ian emphasises the reality of AI as an exponential technology that is reshaping the business landscape, particularly for founders who often struggle with financial management.

He explains how AI tools can empower entrepreneurs, allowing them to focus on creativity and innovation rather than traditional finance tasks.

The conversation explores the future of work, the collaboration between humans and AI, and the potential for a new wave of founders tackling meaningful problems with the help of advanced technology.

In this conversation, Ian Randolph discusses the transformative impact of AI on personal creativity and finance, emphasising the capabilities of tools like Nume in automating complex tasks.

He shares insights on the evolution of AI, the journey of Nume from concept to market, and the challenges faced in building AI solutions.

The discussion highlights the importance of onboarding processes and the empowerment of founders in leveraging AI to achieve their visions.

In this episode of the Business Alchemist podcast, Phil Akilade interviews Trevor Gunn, a medical biochemist and alternative health practitioner.

They discuss the challenges faced by alternative health practitioners in understanding and treating modern illnesses, the limitations of orthodox medicine, and the importance of recognising the body's intelligent responses to disease.

Trevor emphasises the need for a paradigm shift in how practitioners view illness, advocating for a more holistic approach that considers the root causes rather than just symptoms.

The conversation also touches on the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and the role of alternative health in addressing these issues.

Trevor then shares his journey from studying and practising biochemistry to exploring alternative medicine, particularly homeopathy.

Trevor highlights the need for a transformation in health practices, bridging orthodox and holistic approaches.

He also addresses the emotional aspects of being a successful therapist.

Finally he explores the mind-body connection and the role of diagnostics in holistic health, encouraging practitioners to resist treating their patients from an orthodox medical mindset.

In this episode of the Business Alchemists Podcast, Phil Akilade interviews Cindy Ashton, an expert in authentic leadership communication.

They discuss the importance of the skill of speaking for leaders who have to make every deal count.

Cindy shares her insights on how to connect with audiences on a deeper emotional level, the impact of stress on communication, and practical techniques to enhance speaking skills.

Through client success stories, Cindy illustrates the transformative power of authenticity in leadership and sales.

The conversation emphasises the need for trust and emotional intelligence in today's fast-paced world, providing listeners with actionable strategies to improve their communication and influence.