In this episode, we dive into the gritty realities of starting a business and the challenges you might face, with James Courtney, CEO of Lux Rewards, a premium reward scheme for restaurants and retailers.

James speaks with raw honesty about the struggles in the early years of Lux Rewards, how they impacted him, and how resilience was the key to pushing past obstacles and leading the business to success.

In an ecosystem that often glosses over hardships, his story provides a blueprint for resilience, strategic pivoting, and the importance of a strong support network.

'Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but one of my strengths is resilience, and I'm able to not take the downs to heart too much. Have that self-belief and press on as well.'

What to Listen For:

00:20 - James talks about his journey

01:59 - Coming up with Lux Rewards

06:29 - The University Of Bath understands Entrepreneurship

11:48 - Struggles and challenges in the first years of business

15:50 - All the things I'd do different building a business now

22:00 - Doubting decisions and overcoming challenges

27:35 - COVID was pivotal for LUX Rewards growth

33:30 - Pivoting from Restaurants/Bars to B2B

37:09 - Bringing in Co-Founders and their impact on success

42:17 - Achieving financial security and getting 'F U Money' 

49:08 - Raising capital and finding the right partners

52:20 - Advice from 'The Lean Startup' and other tips for Founders

Join us for this unfiltered conversation, where we explore the unvarnished truths of entrepreneurship and the resilience required to succeed.

Connect with James:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcourtney17

Website: https://www.luxrewards.co.uk

Connect with Stuart:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/stuartgdale 

Website: www.stuartdale.com