The Happy Entrepreneur

Ever wondered what 500 million years of mountain wisdom could teach you about where you take your business or work from here?Laurence and Carlos explore how the French Alps create the perfect environment for profound perspective shifts.Discover why conversations beside Alpine lakes spark innovations that stuffy conference rooms never could, and how shared adventures build deeper connections than any networking event.More importantly, hear about the magic that happens when exceptional minds gather in an ego-free setting – where CEOs, founders, and changemakers explore and encourage, rather than swap business cards.LinksJoin the next Alptitude retreatJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Sharing on social media can feel like stepping into the spotlight with nowhere to hide. No wonder so many of us shrink from it.How do we show up bravely without losing ourselves? How do we share our voices in ways that build genuine connections instead of just chasing likes and follows? How can we show up without cringing inside?In this episode, Laurence and Carlos are in conversation with visibility specialist Kevan Smith, exploring how to show up online with consistency, authenticity, and courage.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

The idea of "personal branding” can be a bit exhausting. The thought of carefully curating a version of yourself that’s optimised for engagement feels like too much effort if you struggle to be anything other than yourself.Amanda Baker has been developing a framework to help people navigate their own authenticity, and Carlos will be bringing his own reflections on what it means to market yourself in a way that feels human, joyful, and not like you’re constantly performing.If you’ve ever wondered how to share your story without feeling like a product – or how to stay visible without losing yourself – this conversation is for you.

What if we reframed failure as a step toward clarity rather than away from success?In this episode, Laurence and Carlos sit down with Anne-Laure le Cunff, neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author of the book Tiny Experiments, to explore why failure isn’t failure – it’s feedback.Anne-Laure’s work is all about curiosity-driven learning; turning doubt into discovery through small, low-risk experiments. Her approach aligns deeply with how we support entrepreneurs, coaches, and creatives inside our Vision 20/20 group coaching program:Curiosity leads to clarity. What fascinates you is often pointing you toward the work you’re meant to do.Small experiments create momentum. You don’t need a master plan—just a first step.Failure is data, not a dead end. When you stop seeing failure as personal, you start seeing opportunity.Exploration before exploitation ensures alignment. Before you "scale" an idea, make sure it truly fits you.Structure + flexibility = a sustainable, fulfilling business. The key is having just enough structure to guide you, but enough freedom to adapt.If you’re navigating a career transition, designing a business that truly fits, or just wrestling with the fear of getting it wrong, this conversation is for you.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Carlos, Laurence, and Lana present the fourth and final session in their Vision Tribe Summit from February 2025.This conversation will help youReframe sharing your voice on social media from self-promotion to a tool for personal clarity and connectionOvercome perfectionism, fear of adding to the noise, and imposter syndromeBuild authentic connections by asking questions, curating content that inspires you, and championing othersLinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Carlos, Laurence, and Lana present the third session in their Vision Tribe Summit from February 2025.This conversation will help youDevelop a healthier relationship with money by understanding your personal money stories and how they affect your current attitudesCreate multiple income streams through a product pyramid approach rather than solely relying on selling your timePrice your services based on value rather than hourly rates, allowing you to better communicate the transformation you provide to clientsLinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Carlos, Laurence, and Lana present the second session in their Vision Tribe Summit from February 2025.This discussion will help youShift from traditional marketing approaches that target everyone to creating deeper impact with those who truly resonate with your valuesDiscover why vulnerability in sharing your journey can be your greatest asset in building genuine community connectionsUnderstand how stories serve as "light for others to follow," providing guidance through shared experiences of challenges and transformationSee how the principle "People like us do things like this" creates powerful cultural bonds that transcend traditional marketing approachesGain practical frameworks for using stories not just to sell products but to mobilize action, inspire change, and create safe spaces for deeper workLearn the value of crafting "future stories" that invite co-creation and collaboration, even before your vision has fully materialisedLinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Carlos, Laurence, and Lana present the first session in their Vision Tribe Summit from February 2025.In this session they explore four key dimensions of success:Finding ways to earn while doing what you love rather than chasing wealth at the expense of fulfilmentPrioritising what genuinely energises you rather than constant multitasking driven by feelings of "not-enoughness"Surrounding yourself with people who energise you and share your valuesCreating ripple effects by simply being your authentic self rather than trying to change the world through effortLinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Chip Conley is the founder of the Modern Elder Academy and author of Learning to Love Midlife: How to Embrace What’s Next. In this discussion with Laurence and Carlos, he delves into the opportunities and challenges of navigating purpose and professional transitions during this pivotal stage of life.If you’re an experienced professional or seasoned entrepreneur who’s achieved financial success but lost your sense of purpose, this conversation is for you.Perhaps you’ve experienced “purpose drift”, or feel weighed down by the armour you’ve built to protect yourself but which no longer serves you.Chip offers profound insights from his work and personal journey, showing how midlife is not a crisis but an opportunityto curate the rest of your life with intention, joy, and freedom.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Feel like you’re stuck in a loop of fear, overwhelm, and endless faffing about? You’re not alone. Making a big change, whether in life or work, can feel like staring at a blank page with no idea where to begin. But getting moving doesn’t have to be scary, boring, or complicated.In this episode, Laurence, Carlos, and Lana lift the lid on a framework that’s been a game-changer for their Vision 20/20 programme. They share what they’ve learned, what’s worked, and why this approach has helped their community turn “I’m too scared to start” into “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

What if it’s punk to pause? To quote the Nap Bishop Tricia Hersey, that “rest is a form of resistance”?Caro Turlings and Jobbe Holtes are multi-talented creatives and Vision alumni with a deep love for music, dancing, and dressing up. They join Laurence and Carlos to exploreHow to forget DIY and embrace DIT (Do it Together)Stepping out and stepping upHow creativity, rest, and discovering the rebel within can help to fuel the change you want to create in the world.If you want to make a positive impact but think the only way through is to push until you burn out, this conversation will help you find a new way to make a difference more sustainably.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Carlos and Lana dive into the concept of creating Minimum Lovable Products: products that "thingify" your thoughts and turn your ideas into tangible, helpful solutions.These MLPs help you connect with the people you want to serve, promote your mission, and build momentum for your idea.Whether you're looking to iterate your big vision or start marketing your idea, this episode is about creating connections and value.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Sarah Bayliss is the author of Do Nourish: How to Eat for Resilience. She combines expertise with lived experience, helping professionals and entrepreneurs make intentional choices about their nutrition and overall wellbeing.Her approach goes beyond just food. In this episode, they explore how Sarah’s 7 Pillars can support resilience, energy, and clarity, the impact of small, mindful choices in nutrition and habits on your ability to live and work purposefully, and how her personal transformation from burnout to balance reignited her passion for learning and helping others to thrive.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

We know that people will benefit from what we do, and one way to help others find us is through posting on social media.But what do you do when you don't have a content strategy, a target audience, and you're not yet clear on what you're going to post about?If this sounds like you, you're not alone. A question submitted by the Happy Startup School community sparked this conversation: "How do you post on social media when I'm still not clear?"Laurence, Carlos, and Lana dive into their experiences, sharing honest reflections, and discussing how they developed an ability to post what they stand for and believe in online.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

A question submitted by our community sparked this conversation: "How are your values embodied with real examples in your current business? How have your values helped – or even emerged – when things get tough or friction arises?"In this episode, Carlos, Laurence, Lana and guest Stephanie dive into their stories, sharing honest reflections, and discussing how their manifestos shaped their actions, decisions, and resilience.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

How do you change direction without a map? By reconnecting to your inner navigation system.But many of us fall shy of it, because it means engaging with the messy parts of ourselves that we don’t want to acknowledge, let alone embrace.Someone who’s walked this tough but rewarding path is Vision 2020 alumnae Beth Derry.As a successful copywriter for 25 years, Beth has written for and collaborated with clients such as Microsoft, Allianz, and Heineken to help them communicate their impact on people and the planet.But when she reached her mid-forties, she knew she could trust her instincts – instincts that told her she wanted more from life.Beth knows all too well how life's difficulties can shape us. As a teenager and young adult, she faced painful mental health challenges and turned to self-harm as a way to cope.At the time, the support available wasn’t enough. She didn’t have the answers she needed.It wasn’t until decades later, after years of therapy, coaching, and innovative techniques like havening, that Beth found her way back to herself – and began envisioning a new way of working.In 2023 she founded Lovely Messy Humans, an initiative dedicated to educating people on the science of being human, focusing on emotional resilience, regulation, and healing from trauma.She joins Laurence and Carlos to explore embracing the messiness of a new venture, turning struggle into strength, integration, wholeness, and the power of starting small.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

You probably know about 4,000 weeks. It’s what Oliver Burkeman suggests is the average time we all have on this earth. But do you know about 90,000 hours?That’s how long many of us will spend working during our lives. And it's essentially a third of your life.Life isn’t about work, but work can profoundly shape the quality of your life. So it can feel painful to be stuck in a rut in your work or career and not know what to do next. Especially after a profound loss.Sue Deagle is a veteran c-suite executive, mother, and widow, rewriting the story of loss and vibrant living at the Luminist. She founded it after the profound personal transformation she went through following the sudden loss of her husband.Sue’s personal journey from profound personal loss to a vibrant, purpose-driven life offers inspiration and deep insights for anyone looking to redefine success, purpose, and impact—even without having experienced a life-altering loss themselves.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

When Laurence and Carlos started the Happy Startup School, they didn’t have a business plan. Instead, they focused on what felt important: community, creativity, and meaningful work.They followed their intuition and sensed their way forward, building connections, thinking out loud, and engaging with guides, not gurus.Many solopreneurs and freelancers think they need a clear path or a step-by-step plan to reach a defined goal. But if you’re feeling stuck and procrastinating, it’s likely because that plan is missing something.Wayfinding is about trusting your intuition and tapping into your creativity to explore possibilities. It’s not about having a fixed destination; it’s about discovering the right one, through experimentation, reflection, and bold action.Join Laurence, Lana, and Carlos as they discuss what wayfinding is and how it can help you get unstuck and take action.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

You’ve exited your business or you’ve left your job. What next?You’ve gone from being busy and feeling like you had direction to now floating around aimlessly.This is what our guest David Spinks calls the Abyss. In his Substack post, he shared his experience of stepping down from the company that he co-founded and trying to work out what’s next.In this conversation with David, you’ll hear about his experience of the abyss, what he felt, what he did, and where he's at now. He shares how he navigated the inner journey, which helped him understand how he got to where he got to and what he needs to do differently.Whether you're still floating in the middle of the ocean or have caught a glimpse of the shoreline, this episode will give you some compass headings and the courage to keep on swimming.LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort

Michelle Grant is an alumna of our Vision 20/20 program and was part of Tribe 2 that started in September 2020.She’s the founder of The Great Full and offers coaching and community for women leaders within the realms of food systems, sustainability, and regeneration.Michelle combines her deep knowledge of sustainable systems with her passion for personal and professional development.Her leadership programs like "Be the Change" and "Lead the Change" offer a supportive community and tools to empower women changemakers to take care of their personal wellbeing, as well as that of the planet.She’s passionate about the importance of inner work to create impactful outer change, blending theory and practice, science and philosophy, and engaging the head, heart, and hands in her learning journeys.She is also a professionally certified coach with the International Coaching Federation, trained in the Enneagram, and a seasoned yoga and meditation teacher.In this episode, Carlos, Laurence, and Michelle explore questions likeHow can we develop more intuitive leaders?How can we promote more feminine energy in leadership?Why does the old style leadership need to change anyway?LinksJoin the conversation liveBecome a member of the Happy Startup SchoolJoin the next Vision 20/20 cohort