Built Not Born Podcast · 26 September 2025
Ideas Fest 2025: What We Learnt - Honest Thoughts from Two Business Owners
Chris arrives at Ideas Fest convinced it is not for him. By the end of the day, honest founder stories, unexpected conversations and lessons on resilience, asking and persistence have completely changed his view.
Episode guide
About this episode
Ideas Fest was not an easy sell for Chris. Large networking events are not naturally his thing, and the festival atmosphere, packed audience and early icebreaker left him wondering why he had agreed to go at all. Helen had booked the event months earlier and was far more comfortable with the format, while Chris preferred smaller, more meaningful conversations.
Their day changed gradually. After arriving rushed and feeling slightly lost, they listened to more talks, spent time around the different stages and started hearing founders speak with a level of honesty that cut through the usual polished business story. A panel featuring experienced entrepreneurs became a turning point for Chris because the discussion focused on the reality behind success, including difficult periods, mistakes and the long road involved in building something worthwhile.
That honesty becomes one of the strongest themes in the episode. Chris and Helen talk about how easy it is to look at people who have built or sold large businesses and assume they operate in a completely different world. Ideas Fest challenged that assumption. The people on stage had faced problems, uncertainty and failure too. The difference, in many cases, was that they had kept going for longer.
Tenacity also runs through the stories they remember from the day. Simon Squibb's example of a paper aeroplane carrying a business pitch becomes a simple reminder that opportunities often start with asking. Chris connects that idea with stories about Richard Branson continuing to look for a way to start Virgin Atlantic, founders who kept approaching investors after repeated rejection and speakers who described building again after major setbacks.
The event also prompts a wider discussion about personal branding and confidence. Helen reflects on hearing the same message from several people: it is difficult to build something publicly if every decision is filtered through what friends, acquaintances or strangers might think. Their takeaway is not to ignore useful criticism, but to keep moving when the only thing holding an idea back is fear of looking foolish.
By the end of the day, Chris's view of Ideas Fest has shifted completely. The event he had been trying to mentally escape at lunchtime is now something he wants to return to, this time for both days and with a much stronger intention to speak to people. The biggest lesson is simple: do not decide too early that something is not for you. Stay long enough to understand it, ask the question, start the conversation and see where it leads.
Key takeaways
What you'll learn
- First impressions can be misleading. Chris spends the early part of the day feeling out of place, but later panels and conversations completely change his view of the event.
- Successful founders still talk openly about setbacks, wrong turns and difficult periods. Hearing that honesty helps make business growth feel less distant and more human.
- Tenacity comes up repeatedly. The episode returns to examples of people hearing no many times before finding a way forward.
- Asking creates opportunities. From the paper aeroplane story shared on stage to Helen approaching speakers afterwards, the lesson is to make the conversation rather than wait for it.
- Personal branding becomes easier when the fear of other people's opinions has less influence. Chris and Helen reflect on the importance of continuing to talk about the work they are building.
- Face-to-face business communities still matter. The strongest value they found was not simply the talks, but the chance to meet people, start genuine conversations and build relationships.
Questions from this episode
Frequently asked questions
What is Ideas Fest?
Chris and Helen describe Ideas Fest as a business festival for entrepreneurs, founders and people interested in starting or growing a business. The event combines talks, panels, networking and a more relaxed festival atmosphere.
What changed Chris's opinion of Ideas Fest 2025?
Chris initially felt uncomfortable with the large crowd, networking format and festival-style atmosphere. His view changed after hearing more candid talks and panels from experienced business owners and after seeing how open they were about setbacks, resilience and the reality behind success.
What business lessons did Chris and Helen take from the event?
Their main lessons were to avoid judging an opportunity too quickly, keep going after rejection, ask for what you want, care less about unhelpful opinions and make the most of face-to-face conversations with people who are further along in business.
Why do Chris and Helen think in-person business events still matter?
They felt the value came from being present with people, hearing honest stories directly and starting conversations that might never happen online. The episode argues that real communities and relationships remain important even as AI, systems and online platforms become more common.