The Cashflow Show: Entrepreneurship Insights for Founders, CEOs and Business Leaders

Episode Summary
From feeling like an outsider in fashion to founding Black Girls in Design London (now 570+ members across UK & Ghana), Sandra Adu reveals how lockdown workshops turned into flagship programmes with Canva, BrainStation and Akaya Foundation. Discover the raw truth about self-funding, getting rejected 3× for grants, and the mentorship + accountability strategies that finally unlocked multi-year funding to empower 300+ Black girls in design.

Chapters
[00:00] Intro & Powerbook 2025 Recognition
[00:51] Sandra’s Journey: Fashion → Graphic Design → Agency Art Director (Rolls-Royce, HSBC, Adobe)
[01:48] Lockdown Pivot → Lecturer at UAL & Royal College of Art → PhD
[02:15] Founding Black Girls in Design (2022) – The Community She Wished She Had
[02:44] Flagship Programmes: Design Her Skills (Canva), Design Her Futures (Ghana-UK), Mastering Your Skills (BrainStation)
[03:41] Self-Funding Reality: Building Everything Herself + Spending Thousands While Full-Time Employed
[05:01] Rejected 3× → Won Multi-Year Funding: The Power of Storytelling & Community Support
[06:30] Accountability Strategy: Mentorship Circles That Actually Work
[09:25] How Corporates & Investors Can Find & Fund Black-Led Impact Businesses
[11:50] Advice to Aspiring Founders: Purpose Over Profit, Start Small, Trade Skills for Access Key 

Discussion Points 

• 3 flagship programmes reaching UK + Ghana 
• Turned 3 lockdown workshops into partnerships with Canva, BrainStation & Akaya Foundation 
• Rejected 3 times for funding → finally won by leading with personal story & measurable impact 
• Built a 570+ strong global community in just 3 years 
• 79% of Black business owners feel unsupported — here’s how to change that

Key Takeaways 

• Your personal “why” and story are your strongest funding assets 
• Mentorship + accountability circles > life coaches 
• Write the vision, share it publicly, let the community hold you to it 
• Start where you are: Sandra traded logos for event tickets when she couldn’t afford entry

Notable Quotes 

• “Your story is what lands the funding.” – Sandra Adu 
• “I never wanted the next generation of Black girls to feel as isolated as I once did.” – Sandra Adu 
• “Profit-first founders give up in year one. Think purpose first.” – Sandra Adu 

Actionable Insights for Businesses & Investors 

• Corporates: Partner with visible community organisations (e.g., Black Girls in Design, Foundervine) instead of building your own pipelines 
• Recruiters: Tap into ready-made talent pools of Black creatives instead of asking “where are they?” 
• Founders: Write your goals publicly → join a mentorship circle → get rejected → refine → win 
• Trade skills for access when cash is tight (Sandra’s logo-for-ticket hack still works in 2025)

Resources 

Episode Summary
81% of Black & ethnic-minority founders find raising startup capital difficult — vs 56% of white founders. Cecil Adjalo (COO, Foundervine) reveals the hidden structural barriers, the power of community economics, and why Black founders who reach the same milestone have already proven 10× resilience. Discover the free programmes, corporate partnerships, and mindset shifts closing the multi-billion funding gap.

Chapters
[00:00] Intro & Cecil’s Role at Foundervine
[00:56] Wray Forward: Supporting 4,000+ Black Founders Since 2021
[02:19] The Shocking 81% vs 56% Funding Gap
[02:48] Structural Barriers: Networks, Wealth, Bias & Bank Lending
[04:16] Power Book 2025 – 25 Stand-Out Black UK Founders
[06:09] Doing More With Less: Beard Surgeon Hits £1.7M Sales
[07:34] The Power of Buying Black & Circulating the Pound
[09:54] Closing the Knowledge Gap (Free Programmes vs “10× Courses”)
[14:06] Confidence Crisis: Why Black Men Ask for Money Less
[16:32] Banks Reject Ethnic-Minority Firms Nearly 2× More (49% vs 32%)
[18:54] Corporate Partnerships That Actually Work
[20:23] The One Thing Lenders Must Understand About Black Resilience
[21:50] Resources & Close

Key Discussion Points 

• Black UK household wealth is up to 9× lower → less friends & family funding 
• Ethnic-minority firms 49% loan rejection rate vs 32% overall (British Business Bank) 
• Black founders operate ultra-lean, turning £100–£300 into million-pound businesses 
• Wray Forward (Foundervine + Wray & Nephew) has supported 4,000+ founders for free 
• Confidence gap: 53% of Black founders held back by fear of asking

Key Takeaways 

• Resilience is the hidden superpower: Black founders who reach the same point have jumped higher hurdles 
• Community economics works — keep the pound circulating inside before it leaves 
• Free, high-quality programmes beat paid “guru” courses every time 
• Corporates get better ROI by funding community-led organisations, not running their own schemes

Notable Quotes 

Episode Summary
90% of business leaders say they’re committed to inclusion — yet only half know how to support neuro-divergent staff. Dr Louise Morpeth reveals shocking research: 43% of neuro-divergent employees are ready to quit, but with the right adjustments businesses can unlock a 45% productivity boost, 24% higher retention, and £21,000 per person in savings. Discover the practical, low-cost steps that turn good intentions into profit.

Chapters
[00:00] Intro & Brain in Hand Overview
[00:29] 90% of Leaders Want Inclusion – But Only 50% Know How
[00:55] What Is Neuro-divergence? (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia + More)
[01:49] The Employee-Employer Disconnect
[02:16] 77% of HR Leaders Worried About Insufficient Support
[02:44] Creating Psychological Safety & Spotting Hidden Struggles
[03:44] 45% Productivity Boost + £21K Savings Per Person
[04:37] Simple Cultural Changes That Work for Everyone
[06:00] 43% Considering Leaving – How to Retain Neuro-Diverse Talent
[07:20] Cost-Effective Strategies (Start with Manager Training)
[08:18] First Steps to Build a Neuro-Inclusive Culture Tomorrow
[09:39] How Brain in Hand’s “Coach-in-Your-Pocket” Works
[11:05] Why Media Portrayals of Neuro-divergence Miss the Mark
[12:04] Resources & Close 

Key Discussion Points 

• 43% of neuro-divergent employees plan to leave in the next 12 months 
• Only 1 in 5 feel safe disclosing their condition to managers 
• Inclusive workplaces deliver 45% higher productivity, 24% better retention, 11 fewer sick days 
• Average financial saving: £21,000 per neuro-divergent employee per year 
• Simple fixes: “Work With Me” profiles, clear schedules, unambiguous communication 
• Manager confidence is the #1 barrier – and the biggest opportunity

Key Takeaways 

• Neuro-inclusion isn’t charity — it’s a proven profit driver 
• Start with psychological safety and manager training (biggest ROI) 
• Small adjustments (e.g., sending week-1 schedules early) reduce anxiety and boost performance 
• 3 in 4 employers admit they’re missing untapped potential

Notable Quotes 

• “45% increase in productivity, 24% increase in retention, and £21,000 saved per person.” – Dr Louise Morpeth 
• “Only 1 in 5 neuro-divergent employees feel confident disclosing to their manager.” – Dr Louise Morpeth 
• “We need nuance — neuro-divergence is neither tragedy nor superpower, it’s individual.” – Dr Louise Morpeth 

Actionable Insights for Businesses 

• Add a “Work With Me” section in onboarding for every employee (not just neuro-divergent) 
• Train managers on clear, unambiguous communication and reasonable adjustments 
• Join the Disability Confident scheme and signal adjustments in job ads 
• Run an anonymous staff survey to understand your neuro-diversity profile 
• Pilot Brain in Hand or similar digital + human coaching support

Resources 

Episode Summary

Host Clayton M. Coke interviews Craig Carson, Managing Director of Barratt London, on how London’s housing crunch is stalling Gen Z life goals and what developers are doing to help. From 40% delaying marriage/kids to deposit matches and new-build perks, discover Barratt’s “Step on the Ladder” campaign and practical paths to ownership. Ideal for first-time buyers, renters, and property professionals.

Chapters
[00:00] Intro & Barratt London Overview
[00:29] 40+ Years, 50K Homes, TfL Partnerships
[00:57] 36% Young Adults Held Back by No Home
[01:26] Gen Z Delays & “Step on the Ladder” Campaign
[02:21] London Land Squeeze & Lifestyle Shifts
[03:45] 29% Don’t Know How to Start Buying
[04:37] Cutting Through Negative Property Press
[05:05] Key Worker Deposits, Deposit Unlock, 5% Match
[06:50] Shared Ownership & Lifetime ISA (£1K Bonus)
[08:17] New-Build vs. Fixer-Upper Advantages
[10:10] Stamp Duty Explained & Broker Advice
[12:02] Tapping Buyer Excitement
[13:26] Government 1.5M Homes Target
[14:48] Entrepreneur Advice: Stay in the Market
[15:44] Resources & Close 

Key Discussion Points 

• Barratt London: 40+ years, 50,000 homes delivered, 2,000/year goal via TfL brownfield sites. 
• Gen Z Crisis: 40% delay milestones; 36% feel held back; 29% clueless on process. 
• Market Dynamics: Land scarcity, Elizabeth Line, hybrid work, 50% affordable homes. 
• Solutions: Mortgage brokers, Deposit Unlock (95% LTV), 5% deposit match, key worker schemes. 
• Shared Ownership (via partners), Lifetime ISA (£1,000 bonus on £4,000 saved). 
• New-Build Perks: Move-in ready, energy-efficient, 10-year NHBC warranty. 
• Stamp Duty/Mortgages: Hidden costs; brokers simplify. 
• Policy: 1.5M homes target; ambitious collaboration needed.

Key Takeaways 

• Mortgage often cheaper than rising rent—deposit access is key. 
• Lifetime ISA adds £1,000 free per £4,000 saved annually. 
• New homes = lower bills, no reno hassle, prime transport links. 
• Start with a broker to avoid surprises like stamp duty. 
• Optimism drives sales—focus on dream, not hard-sell.

Notable Quotes 

• “40% of Gen Z are putting off marriage, children, or travel because of the housing ladder.” – Craig Carson 
• “The difference between mortgage and rent is marginal—accessing deposit is key.” – Craig Carson 
• “Buying new: move in, put furniture down, start living—day one.” – Craig Carson 
• “Better being in the market than not in the market.” – Craig Carson

Actionable Insights for Businesses 

• Launch beginner guides like “Step on the Ladder” to build trust. 
• Offer deposit boosts (5% match, 95% LTV) to close rent-vs-buy gap. 
• Market new-build energy savings and 10-year warranties. 
• Partner with housing associations for shared ownership pipelines. 
• Train teams on empathy—guide buyers through nerves to excitement.

Resources 

Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode of The Cashflow Show, hosted by Clayton M. Coke, Consumer finance and savings expert Sarah Pennells joins to discuss the findings of Royal London’s recent research on savings and ISAs. The episode dives into why millions of UK Entrepreneurs are missing out on financial opportunities due to confusion, risk aversion, and myths about investing. Sarah shares actionable insights on overcoming barriers to savings, understanding ISAs, and empowering diverse groups, including women, to invest confidently. Perfect for anyone looking to make their money work harder!

Key Discussion Points 

• Role of a Consumer Finance Expert: Sarah explains her work at Royal London, including webinars, research on financial resilience, and creating guides to demystify pensions and ISAs. 
• Royal London’s ISA Research: A survey of 4,000 UK adults revealed insights into savings habits, ISA usage, and barriers to investing, such as risk aversion and lack of understanding. 
• Risk Aversion in the UK: British savers tend to be cautious, often sticking to cash savings despite inflation risks, with myths about needing large sums to invest. 
• Stocks and Shares ISAs: 60% of cash ISA holders are open to moving funds to stocks and shares ISAs for better returns, but barriers like jargon and lack of confidence persist. 
• Gender Gap in Confidence: Women report lower confidence in understanding ISA rules, highlighting the need for jargon-free communication. 
• Financial Mindset Shift: Sarah emphasizes small, consistent investments and the power of compound interest for long-term wealth building.

Key Takeaways 

• Many UK adults have significant cash savings (average £15,000) but avoid investing due to myths about needing wealth to start. 
• Stocks and shares ISAs are accessible, starting at £50/month, and offer tax-free growth, ideal for long-term goals like retirement. 
• Inflation erodes cash savings over time, making investing a smarter choice for funds not needed for 5+ years. 
• Women face unique barriers in finance due to jargon; clear, simple communication can bridge this gap. 
• Compounding is a powerful tool for wealth creation, even with small, regular investments.

Notable Quotes 

• “Personal finance, savings, and investing can still be absolutely baffling to some people, even those making demanding decisions daily.” – Sarah Pennells 
• “You don’t invest to make yourself rich; you don’t need to be a millionaire to start investing.” – Sarah Pennells 
• “It’s about what that money will let you do… small shifts today, through the magic of time and compounding, can mean a different place in 10, 15, 20 years.” – Sarah Pennells 
• “Be fearful when everyone’s greedy, and greedy when everyone’s fearful.” – Sarah Pennells, quoting Warren Buffett

Actionable Insights for Businesses 

• Simplify Financial Communication: Use clear, jargon-free language to make investment products like ISAs accessible, especially for women and first-time investors. 
• Educate on Risk and Reward: Address risk aversion by highlighting long-term benefits of investing and the impact of inflation on cash savings. 
• Promote Accessible Entry Points: Market low-entry investment options (e.g., £50/month for ISAs) to dispel myths about needing large sums. 
• Leverage Digital Resources: Offer guides and webinars, like Royal London’s, to educate clients on financial tools and build trust. 
• Target Long-Term Goals: Position investments as solutions for future aspirations (e.g., retirement, dream holidays) to shift consumer mindsets.

Resources