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Two mates met on a rugby pitch, became accountant and client, then bought an office building in the middle of lockdown, when no one else was buying.

In this episode, Ollie speaks to Rhys Jones (The Online Accountant) and Olly Ladbrooke (Moose Studios), business partners behind the Bristol Office Hub, about going from corporate life to running multiple businesses side by side.

They get honest about the mindset shift from employee to serial entrepreneur, the brutal moment a down-valuation left them scraping to fund a leaking roof, why complementary skills beat codified roles, and how community and referrals (not contrived networking) quietly built everything. Plus, we explore AI in accountancy and marketing, and why "just show up and take action" still wins.

Whether you're a solo founder feeling the isolation or weighing up a big risk, this one's for you.

LISTENER TAKEAWAYS

1. Resilience isn't a trait; it's a position. Their first building ran "like a dream", which is exactly what gave them the confidence and cushion to survive a brutal down-valuation on the second.

2. Cash buys you calm. Build six to twelve months of runway in the first two years, keep it lean, and you stop pouring energy into chasing bills instead of growing.

3. Action beats overthinking. No scaremongering about AI, these business partners just show up, make the call, and move forward. 90% of success is being there and taking the next step.

GUESTS

Rhys Jones, accountant and co-founder of The Online Accountant and The Property Accountant. Left corporate life to go solo, took on Olly as client number one, now runs a six-person practice.

Olly Ladbrooke, chartered surveyor (ex-BNP Paribas) and founder of Moose Studios, a marketing agency with offices in Bristol and London. Together they own and run the Bristol Office Hub.

Bristol Office Hub — bristolofficehub.co.uk (195–197 Whiteladies Road, Bristol)

Moose Studios - moosestudios.co.uk

The Online Accountant - theonlineaccountant.com

Have questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our website

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Is software dead, or just being rebuilt? Ollie spent two weeks obsessing over Claude Cowork and turned 100 episodes of Founded & Grounded into a content engine. Becky spoke alongside the legendary Steve Blank.

We break down agentic AI, SaaS valuations, customer development, pricing as conversation, and why human connection is the moat that AI cannot copy. This will leave you wanting to experiment right now.

Key takeaways

- Agentic AI is not a tool you add. It's the sand between your existing software stack, doing the connective work while you sleep, so you stop running the business by hand.

- Pricing is a conversation, not a number. Steve Blank's lesson is simple. Ask the customer the question, listen to the answer, then build the proposal. Skip that step, and you're guessing with someone else's money.

- AI raises the floor on output. It does nothing for trust. The founders who win the next cycle are the ones in rooms without laptops, building relationships that agents cannot fake.

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How do founders navigate a business landscape shaped by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity?

In this live conversation, we speak with Matt Wilde from SWIG Finance about the funding gaps many businesses still face and what it really takes to grow in an unstable global environment. From working capital and supply chains to the role of trusted advisors and stronger ecosystem support, Matt shares what founders need to get right when the pressure is on.

Key takeaways:

• Businesses that want to thrive in uncertain times need strong foundations, especially around working capital and effective supply chain management.
• Social impact lenders like SWIG Finance play an important role in supporting a wide range of businesses with tailored financial solutions that help them grow and sustain operations.
• AI can free up time for more valuable human-centred work, but businesses need to balance efficiency with sound judgement and human values.

We also explore the role of SWIG Finance as a social enterprise lender, supporting businesses with finance options that help founders start, sustain and scale. The conversation looks at the importance of good advisors, access to capital and stronger ecosystem connectivity, and how these factors shape a founder’s ability to build a resilient business.

Alongside this, we discuss the growing influence of AI on the way businesses operate. While technology can create efficiencies, Matt makes the case for keeping human judgment at the centre of decision-making.

The episode closes with real examples, reflections on smarter financial decisions and a broader look at what founders need to succeed in a VUCA world.

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