Join Samuel Ajala as he interviews Greg Donnelly, co-founder of SoSquared, a pioneering influencer marketing platform, on 'Finance for Founders.'. Greg shares his journey from launching Portugal's first supermarket comparison site to building a thriving influencer marketplace with over 3,500 influencers and partnerships with major companies like Meta and TikTok. The discussion covers essential topics such as startup funding, scaling challenges, remote work dynamics, and key strategies for effective cash flow management. Insights include creating an MVP, securing seed funding, leveraging networking, scaling operations, and utilising advanced analytics and API integrations. Learn about the upcoming SaaS platform aimed at democratising influencer marketing for small and medium businesses, featuring a freemium model and educational elements. Greg emphasises persistence, user feedback, and the importance of networking, offering a comprehensive look at building and scaling a successful startup.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:32 Quick Fire Questions with Greg Donnelly
14:05 Deep Dive into SoulSquared
17:13 The SaaS Model and Future Plans
19:58 Founding Story and Early Challenges
28:43 Securing Funding and Investor Relations
34:48 Resource Allocation Strategies
38:15 First Big Client Acquisition
39:30 Cashflow and Operational Challenges
44:54 Remote vs. In-Office Work
48:57 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
54:04 Future Plans and Expansion
01:00:05 Competitors and Market Position
01:04:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

SoSquared Website:
https://sosquared.com/

Greg Donnelly Linkedin Page:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdonnelly/

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nwQIIGnFbcFxwMOqNQS6m?si=LTHNLJYKSOmJxcM457BRZg

Apple podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/finance-for-founders-with-samuel-ajala/id1754190164?i=1000674423955

YouTube:
https://youtu.be/w2Aek_cNcOg?si=wwkFWalzIhRHlP7b

Join Samuel Ajala in a captivating episode of Finance for Founders as he introduces Helen Vines, a seasoned Chartered Tax Advisor specialising in capital allowances and remediation of contaminated land claims. Helen discusses her 20-year career in taxation, sharing insights into how businesses can maximise tax reliefs on capital expenditures. From helping hoteliers save 500K in tax to advising on the remediation of contaminated lands, Helen’s expertise can significantly benefit business owners. Tune in to learn about overlooked tax incentives and actionable strategies for reinvesting tax savings back into business growth. This episode is packed with valuable information for entrepreneurs and business professionals aiming to optimise their tax strategies.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:16 Helen Vines' Professional Journey
02:36 The Fascination with Taxation
03:52 Mentors and Influences in Taxation
05:20 Green and Sustainable Tax Incentives
07:11 Client Success Stories and Examples
08:57 Understanding Contaminated Land Tax Relief
14:43 Misconceptions and Challenges in Tax Claims
32:39 Satisfaction in the Construction Industry
33:47 Common Industries Missing Out on Claims
35:07 Capital Allowances in the Startup Industry
37:01 Remediation and Contaminated Land Claims
41:17 Case Studies and Client Success Stories
46:14 Future of Tax Savings and Sustainability
52:39 Career Advice and Personal Insights
01:01:01 Community Involvement and Final Thoughts

Helen Vine Profile:
Helen is the director of Vines Capital Allowances Limited who specialise with Capital allowances and Remediation of Contaminated Land advisory.

Experience, Expertise, Excellence

She can help with tax relief claims for businesses engaged in buying/selling, constructing, fitting out or refurbishing properties. Give her a call on our enquiry line 07726 860 618.

She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (“CIOT”). The CIOT is the leading professional body in the UK for advisers dealing with all aspects of taxation. CIOT members, “Chartered Tax Advisers”, have to meet high professional standards which include:
• keeping up to date with new developments in tax and related areas,
• holding Professional Indemnity Insurance,
• being registered for AML supervision; and
• complying with a robust code of ethics.

In this episode of Finance for Founders, host Samuel Ajala welcomes Artie Varia, an expert in R&D tax incentives with over 17 years of experience. They delve into the intricacies of R&D tax credits, particularly for tech startups and SMEs. Artie shares her journey from audit to specialising in R&D tax, explains the recent changes in R&D tax legislation, and provides actionable advice for businesses looking to claim these benefits. Whether you're new to R&D tax credits or have been claiming for years, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you maximise your claims.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:15 Guest Background and Career Journey

08:37 Understanding R&D Tax Incentives

13:45 Case Studies and Success Stories

21:36 Common Misconceptions and Myths

25:03 Advice for New Claimants

30:33 Common Mistakes in R&D Claims

31:11 Tips for DIY R&D Claims

32:52 Biggest Mistakes and Penalties

36:06 Fraud and Mismanagement in R&D Claims

40:27 Future of R&D Tax Legislation

44:30 Impact of Grant Funding on R&D Claims

48:24 Misconceptions and Missed Opportunities for Startups

54:14 How R&D Tax Relief Works

58:14 Final Thoughts and Advice


You can listen to the full episode on:

🍏 ApplePodcast: https://shorturl.at/H9V6V

🎧 Spotify: https://shorturl.at/Ao5p1

📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/DMcYFBEjWbs



Contact Aarti Varia:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarti-variardtaxspecialist/

Website: https://www.itaxadvisors.co.uk/about-itax-advisors/senior-management/


In this podcast episode, host Samuel Ajala welcomes Artie Varia to discuss R&D (Research and Development) tax credits, especially important for tech startups. Artie, a qualified accountant with over 20 years of experience and specialisation in R&D tax incentives over the last 17 years, shares insights into R&D tax claims, common misconceptions, and the financial benefits for businesses, including startups. She provides practical advice, real-world examples, and explains the impact of recent legislative changes on R&D claims. The episode underscores the importance of appropriately claiming R&D tax credits to leverage financial resources for innovation and business growth.