Your Story Deserves To Be Told...Every week, we sit down with founders who are doing something extraordinary. Not because they're chasing crazy valuations or building the next big thing that'll make tech headlines. But because they're solving real problems with conviction, grit, and a vision that keeps them going when everything else says stop.
That's what our Founder Stories series is all about.
Why We Do This
Here's the thing about being a founder: it's lonely. You're making decisions that keep you up at 3am. You're pivoting when your first idea doesn't work. You're learning to trust again after setbacks that would make most people quit. And too often, these stories stay hidden behind LinkedIn updates and polished pitch decks.
We started Founder Stories because we believe these journeys matter. Not just the wins, but the messy middle. The moments of doubt. The pivots that saved everything. The personal reasons that keep you building when logic says to walk away.
Take George Kinder, for instance. After 30 years as a financial planner, he moved to the UK with a mission that goes far beyond balance sheets. His vision? Teaching businesses to build trust again through his "Fiduciary In All Things" movement. When we sat down with him, George didn't just talk about financial planning methodologies. He talked about freedom, mindfulness, and how truly listening to people can transform entire organisations.
Or Irfan, who built GLCRI as a global trust engine in the insurance industry. His story isn't just about technology; it's about creating systems that help people make better decisions in moments that matter.
Then there's the founder who looked at climate change and said, "The answer lies in the dirt." Literally. We're talking about carbon sequestration through regenerative agriculture, turning one of humanity's biggest challenges into an opportunity that sits right beneath our feet.
Who These Stories Are For
These aren't puff pieces. They're honest conversations about what it really takes to build something meaningful.
Our Founder Stories are for anyone who:
Needs to know they're not alone. Other founders have faced the same doubts, made similar mistakes, and found ways through. Reading about Mary's journey creating a sweatshirt that's changing motherhood or Camila transforming language learning through BeLingual reminds us that innovation comes from lived experience, not just market research.
Wants to learn from real experiences. Business school teaches frameworks. Founder Stories teach you what actually happens when those frameworks meet reality. How do you maintain trust when everything's uncertain? What does it look like to pivot without losing your core mission?
Is considering their own entrepreneurial journey. Maybe you're working a corporate job and wondering if that idea you've been sitting on has legs. Maybe you've got your Innovator Founder Visa and you're navigating what it means to build in a new country. These stories show you what's possible.
Believes in the power of community. We're building something special at Innovator Pulse, a community of international entrepreneurs who support each other. Every Founder Story adds another thread to that tapestry, showing the incredible diversity of innovation happening right now.
The Stories That Stay With You
Some moments from our Founder Stories stick with you long after you've finished reading.
There's the founder who went from a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis to revolutionising youth sports. That kind of perspective changes how you think about obstacles.
There's the photographer who picked up a camera and never looked back, building a business around capturing moments that matter while navigating life as an international entrepreneur.
There's the team making tax education fun (yes, really). MojiTax proves that even the most traditionally boring subjects can be transformed when you bring genuine creativity and understanding of your audience's pain points.
And our own co-founder Richard's winding road to success, which shows that sometimes the most valuable lessons come from the detours, not the straight path.
These aren't carefully curated success stories. They're real conversations with real people who are in the trenches, figuring it out as they go.
How It Works
When Harriet, our Comms and Socials Lead, sits down with a founder, she's not looking for rehearsed elevator pitches. She wants to understand what drives you. What problem keeps you obsessed? What moment made you realise this was your path?
The conversations are relaxed but focused. We dig into many things - the origin story: What sparked this idea? The reality check: What's been harder than you expected? The breakthrough moment: When did things click? The vision: Where are you taking this? And of course the wisdom: What do you wish you'd known earlier?
Then we craft these conversations into stories that feel like you're sitting across the table from another founder, hearing the real truth about what this journey really looks like.
Get Your Story Written
Want to share your founder journey with our community? It's simple.
If you're on a journey with Innovator International, reach out to Harriet, our Comms and Socials Lead, who writes all our Founder Stories. She'll schedule a conversation, ask thoughtful questions, and work with you to craft a story that captures your authentic voice and vision.
Get in touch with Harriet directly now via email
You don't need to have "made it" yet. You don't need to have raised millions or hit massive revenue milestones. You just need to be building something meaningful and be willing to share honestly about the journey.
Some of our most powerful stories come from founders who are still figuring things out, still learning, still growing. That's where the real insight lives anyway.
Because at the end of the day, that's what Innovator Pulse is about: international entrepreneurs helping each other thrive in the UK. One story at a time.
Want to read more Founder Stories? Browse our full collection at innovatorpulse.com/tag/founder-stories and discover the inspiring journeys of international entrepreneurs building the future, right now.
Harriet Fuller
