What's your dream? – with Simon Squibb
Posted: Thu 30th Jan 2025
Simon Squibb, founder of HelpBnk.com, is all about helping people help people. Not your typical entrepreneur, he started his first business while homeless at just 15 and later sold his agency Fluid to PwC for more money than he’ll ever need.
Known for his viral move of buying a staircase in London where folks can pitch their dreams and slapping a doorbell on it, Simon is on a mission to help 10 million people kickstart their businesses.
With over seven million followers on social media, he’s spreading the word through his #GiveWithoutTake movement and inspirational street interviews, some of which he conducted at StartUp Show!
Key points from the session
Simon's background and entrepreneurial journey
Started his first business at 15 years old after leaving school.
Built 19 businesses and invested in 79 start-ups.
Believes in "waking up the entrepreneur muscle" – that everyone has the potential, but traditional education doesn't train it.
Critical of the school system, which fails to teach financial literacy and practical life skills.
His goal is to help people break free from the "selling time" mindset and move towards scalable wealth-building.
Why he wrote his book and its impact
Originally hesitated to write a book as he prefers to share his knowledge for free.
Created a free YouTube business masterclass, which became the most popular business video worldwide.
Decided to write the book to reach more people via bookshops and traditional media.
Proceeds from book sales fund people's dreams.
Main focus of the book:
Challenging limiting beliefs and self-sabotage
Debunking myths about entrepreneurship
Encouraging people to take action
Challenging the "90% of businesses fail" myth
The widely accepted stat that "90% of businesses fail in the first year" is false.
Real stats:
23% of businesses fail in the first year.
64% fail in the first three years.
Failure is part of success:
His first business failed, but the "compound learning" from it led to future success.
Learning from failure is more valuable than avoiding it.
Fixing the education system
The biggest issue is that schools train people for jobs, not for entrepreneurship.
Schools should ask students, "What problem do you want to solve?" instead of "What do you want to be?"
Traditional education suppresses creativity.
92% of children under five test as geniuses.
By age 12, only 2% still do.
The school system kills imagination and innovation.
Proposes a more personalised, AI-driven education to nurture individual talents.
Manifestation, dreams and taking action
Launched a "Dream Wall" in Shoreditch where people can write down their dreams to make them real.
Encourages people to clearly define their dream in a single sentence.
Partnership with Richard Branson:
People can pitch their dreams via a digital "dream doorbell" near Virgin Hotel in Shoreditch.
Simon and Branson review pitches and help selected ones.
The future of business: The "zero model"
Criticises traditional business models:
Charities are often ineffective due to bureaucracy.
For-profit businesses prioritise shareholder profits over real impact.
Simon's alternative:
Build highly profitable businesses but reinvest the profit into social good.
Example: Amazon provides great service, but if an alternative offered the same service while funding social impact, it would win.
Believes this model will outcompete traditional corporations.
Audience engagement and inspirational moments
Attendees shared their success stories, crediting Simon's influence.
A 20-year-old attendee has already launched two businesses after following Simon's advice.
Another won investment from Simon's "dream doorbell" and launched a therapy business.
One emotional attendee shared how she manifested meeting Simon to collaborate on helping underserved entrepreneurs.
Get advice on starting and growing a business
Visit the StartUp UK hub for resources that give you the education and inspiration to get started on your entrepreneurial journey.
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