FounderMetrics: Simon Squibb

To wrap up the second season of FounderMetrics, we have a very special guest with a very special episode - two episodes, in fact!

Our founder and CEO, Ifty Nasir interviews Simon Squibb, an entrepreneur who started his first business while homeless at just 15 and has since gone from success to success.

In this conversation with Ifty, Simon speaks of the tragedy he faced when he was only a teenager - and how he turned his life around. He talks of the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned along the way, and how he seeks to help others achieve their potential.

You can read the highlights below - or click here and here to listen to both episodes in full!

From homeless teen to entrepreneur

When I was 15 years old, my father suddenly died of a heart attack - right in front of me. It was shocking, and at first, I thought he was joking. But within nine minutes, he was gone. That moment changed my life forever.

Our household became an emotional storm with my mother and three brothers all struggling to cope. Not long after, my mum and I had a heated argument, and she told me to leave. I took her literally, walked out, and never went back.

For about eight weeks, I was homeless. I tried desperately to get a job, but without an address or a National Insurance number, no one would hire me.

As weeks passed, my appearance deteriorated, making it even harder to find work. I reached a breaking point.

One day, I walked past a big house with a messy garden. Suddenly, an idea struck me: perhaps the owners would pay me to clean it up. I knocked on the door, introduced myself as a gardener, and offered my services for £200 a month.

To my astonishment, they agreed. Using their equipment, I completed the job and realised I had stumbled onto something. That moment marked the birth of my first business - literally made from scratch.

Success overseas

At 23, I found myself at a crossroads. For the first time in my life, I had made a bit of money and received some tax advice that opened my eyes: leaving the UK for a while would save me a substantial amount in taxes.

Around the same time, a friend offered me a place to stay, and I received a consultancy opportunity abroad. I decided to take the leap, sold everything I owned, and moved to Hong Kong - a place I had never visited.

Initially, I didn’t like it. The culture was vastly different from what I was used to, and I found it overwhelming. Six months in, I moved to Thailand to travel and reflect.

After two years of exploring, I came to appreciate Hong Kong’s uniqueness. With a fresh perspective, I returned determined to make my mark.

That journey taught me resilience, cultural adaptability, and the importance of understanding diverse markets.

I founded a creative agency called Fluid. Over the course of 15 years, it became the largest of its kind in Asia. Eventually, I went on to sell the business to PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Doorbell dreams

For the past four years, I have focused on giving back. Through social media, I’ve been sharing knowledge for free, offering courses, and helping people gain skills that schools often neglect.

My aim is to empower individuals to have more than one option when they leave education: to either secure a fulfilling job or start a business of their own. 

Even for those who prefer employment, I advocate negotiating for equity to ensure a stake in the success they help create.

This drive led to the creation of HelpBnk, a platform to help people achieve their dreams.

The idea started serendipitously. I heard about a disused staircase in London, bought it, and transformed it into a space where anyone with an idea could pitch their dreams. People recorded their pitches on a doorbell camera at the base of the staircase. Thus, HelpBnk was born.

We expanded the concept with pop-ups, turning the staircase into temporary spaces for aspiring entrepreneurs. Later, we installed “dream doorbells” in New York City’s Times Square, and we’re about to launch in Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Over the next 18 months, we plan to have 50 such doorbells worldwide, creating spaces where people can turn their dreams into reality.

The metrics that matter

Success in business is often measured by financial metrics, but for me, two additional factors come into play.

Some people will bring up happiness, but I think the word ‘happy’ is a bit destructive because it's impossible to be happy all the time. If you don't have downs, you can’t truly have highs. You kind of need a low and a high.

I think that the 'I want to be happy at work' thing comes from, in my opinion, the purpose of the business - achieving that thing - so you better make sure that thing matters to you.

What I ask myself is, am I enjoying what I’m doing? Fun and fulfilment are underrated in business.

Whenever a venture stops being enjoyable, I take it as a signal to make a change.

Second, am I replaceable? Realising that a business can thrive without you is liberating and ensures you’re involved because you want to be, not because you have to be.

One of my biggest mistakes in the past was believing I was indispensable.

The ultimate satisfaction comes from aligning work with purpose. In my earlier ventures, purpose felt like an afterthought. Now, I prioritise it from the start.

When hiring, I focus on finding people who align with the mission. Skills can be taught, but motivation and passion are intrinsic. I tell people: don’t manage employees - manage the purpose.

The gaps in UK education

Much of what I do aims to address a broader problem: the gaps in our education system. Schools often limit young minds by asking, “What will you do when you grow up?” This question boxes people into conventional careers.

Instead, we should ask, “What problem will you solve?” or “How will you contribute to humanity?”

My goal is to create a cultural shift. I want people to realise their potential and understand that they’re capable of extraordinary things.

By fostering belief in themselves and providing tools to achieve their goals, I hope to leave a legacy that inspires future generations to dream big and act boldly.

Listen now

You'll find Simon’s episode and more on all popular podcast platforms. Or watch the interview in full on YouTube - both parts of it. Don't forget to like and subscribe!