Guest: Ray Samuels, Growth Advisor and Founder, Cer CapitalEpisode in a sentence: Ray shares how “done beats perfect,” why relationships are the real currency, and how a simple idea plus disciplined iteration can create momentum, funding, and valuation growth.What we coverFrom high-school dances to London Telecom to Direct Energy: Ray’s entrepreneurial through-lineThe 65% rule: ship, listen, iterate“Clarity beats complexity,” and getting “pedestrian” with customers to gather real feedbackG.R.O.W. mindset: Gratitude, Resilience, Optimism, WillpowerThe Equal Tank story: a simple washer-fluid dispenser, environmental impact, and national rolloutFunding growth: why sales orders are easier to fund than ideasPackaging a story investors understand and want to backDaily relationship rituals that keep your network aliveKey takeawaysShip at 65% and improve with feedbackRelationships compound if you maintain them intentionallyKeep the product and the story simple so adoption is easyGrowth needs cash, data, and proof, not perfectionMomentum creates new problems, but they are the right problemsTimestamps00:00 Meet Ray and the power of relationships02:30 Early entrepreneurship: dances, driveways, done over perfect07:10 Iteration vs. perfection and the 65% rule08:50 Clarity beats complexity and learning to listen18:20 The G.R.O.W. mindset explained23:20 Equal Tank: simple solution, big impact28:20 When and how to fund growth35:50 Packaging the story for partners and investors36:30 Wrap: relationships and iteration as operating systemsConnect with Ray LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-samuels-a20165/Like this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a founder who needs a nudge to ship.
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