Our guest in this episode is James Isilay, the CEO and Founder of Cognism, a B2B sales enablement platform which helps companies find new markets.

With background in software development, James tells us how he started Cognism, and when, how, and why they expanded to the US. He shares key things that helped his company open an office in New York and acquire new clients.

From building systems and company culture, to having the right advisors and being visible to foreign investors, James outlines the path that brought success to Cognism in America. He also cautions against expanding before a company nails its home market.

"Sales people in general just want to get rich, so as long as you give them a great product, and they are hitting their numbers, they are happy." - James Isilay

01:30 - James' background and how he founded Cognism

03:30 - What benefits clients have from using the Cognism system

05:20 - How Cognism collects all the real-time

07:00 - When the company was founded and where their offices are

08:21 - How they expanded to the US by being visible to foreign investors

10:15 - Why it's so important to have the right advisors

13:00 - How investors discovered and approached Cognism 16:50 - How to transplant the company culture into a new country

20:36 - The typical hiring mistake that companies make when expand abroad

24:32 - Why they chose New York as the location for the American office

27:25 - What are the reactions of customers and employees

31:10 - How they segment the market in America

35:56 - Planning is key if you want to expand

38:10 - What James learnt about systems and processes from living in Switzerland

39:30 - Do's and don'ts for expanding to the US: bring your culture, plan in detail, don't move unless you have a good reason to do it

Send us questions you want answered to info@mtbonnell.com

Cognism

Mount Bonnell Advisors

Connect with James Isilay: LinkedIn

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far: LinkedIn

Today our guest is Alex Klein, the co-founder and CEO of Kano Computing.

He invented a computer for kids to assemble when he was challenged by a 6 year old cousin who wanted to make his own computer, but to be as simple and fun as Lego. Although the idea appeals to kids, it’s not the exclusive target of their products. The spirit of the design process is the beginner’s mind.

The goal of Kano is to tell a story that could be comprehensible to any culture, language, and geography. However, the products are particularly caught on in the US. 

Alex caught the opportunity and expanded business in the US, from London where the company was set up. Although that was a very successful move for him, he has a lot of advice on how to be careful when deciding to make that kind of move. 

“If you see an opportunity to do any business in the US, the one that could even be 20-25% of your annual run rate, then take it, because it may expand well beyond that, as it did for us.” - Alex Klein

1:30 What Kano does
3:10 Where the idea came from and how it developed further
5:40 Why they set up in London
9:00 How conquered the US market
10:20 What type of a person their product should appeal to
11:23 When is the right moment to go to the US with the business and why do it
15:57 How they chose the person for running the US office
18:15 Why the product is more popular in the US than in Europe
18:55 How they funded the expansion
19:47 What kind of state you should be in when you want to raise money
20:25 What are the do’s and dont’s if you want your company to expand
23:30 How the US customer is different from the rest of the world
25:10 How things in London were done after the expansion

Send us questions you want answered to info@mtbonnell.com

Kano Computing
Mount Bonnell Advisors

Episode Transcript

Connect with Alex Klein:
LinkedIn profile

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far:
LinkedIn

We caught up for a few glasses of gin and a chat with Eoin Bara, the Founder of Mór Irish Gin, at a pub in Dublin.

Mór Irish Gin is one of Ireland’s fastest growing gins. They started in 2015 at a distillery in Tullamore, continuing the legacy that stretches back to the 1930s when Eoin's grandfather was a master distiller of world renowned Irish whiskey.

They have expanded into the U.S. in 2019, and won some prestigious awards like Double Gold at The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, and Double Gold at San Francisco Spirit World Competition for packaging.

As gin is not the first that comes to mind when we think of American drinks, we wanted to know how you get Americans drinking gin, and how they got that gorgeously designed bottle of Mór across the U.S.

While we taste Wild Berry Gin, Eoin shares his experience of expanding to U.S. spirits market one state at the time, the legal context for selling spirits in different states, and how they got distributors and bartenders on board with Mór.

Whatever you think it's going to cost, it's going to cost more. If you go for New York first, you're going to bleed money.  - Eoin Bara 

3:00 - What makes Mór Irish Gin unique and the story of Tullamore
5:30 - The products of Mór Irish Gin and why packaging is equally important as the gin
7:15 - The secret of ingredients and flavours and tasting of Wild Berry Gin
9:59 - Why they wanted to conquer American market and which states they started from
11:25 - The laws in different U.S. states related to selling alcohol - open, closed and controlled states
12:25 - What was the setup and research process in order to expand to the U.S.
16:29 - The stereotypes that Americans have about gin and what is American drinking culture like
18:15 - Why they opted for the strategy of conquering U.S. market state by state, despite having a license for over 40 states
20:30 - How Mór Irish Gin carries out their marketing and PR strategy in the States
22:50 - What is the best and the worst state to set up business at in the U.S, according to Eoin
24:30 - Eoin's advice for small distilleries that are considering expanding to U.S.
26:50 - Why going for New York is the biggest mistake that companies make when they start expanding to U.S.
28:50 - How was the reception in the U.S, and what is Mór's business infrastructure there
34:00 - Mór Irish Gin’s training and sales strategy for distributors and bartenders
38:57 - What were the biggest surprises when they expanded to U.S.
42:00 - Whom would Eoin caution against expanding to U.S.

Mór Irish Gin
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Episode Transcript

Connect with Eoin Bara – LinkedIn

Email us at – Info@mtbonnell.com

Twitter – @mtbonnell

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far:
LinkedIn

Today we travel to a WeWork workspace to meet with Vishal Marria, the CEO and Founder of Quantexa.

Quantexa uses powerful AI technology to help businesses analyse and interpret their data and has offices in both Europe and America. 

Originally an English company, they expanded their offices to America in 2016. In these years Vishal has learned a lot about what it takes to be successful, and the different challenges that come up when operating in such a different culture. 

He shares with us everything he’s learnt along the way, from how he has to run his American teams differently to his European ones, to the importance of funding when first making the move across the pond. 

Many thanks to Vishal for taking the time to talk to us, and sharing his knowledge of moving his business to the United States. 

”It’s always about the people.” - Vishal Marria

01:42 - Who Quantexa are and how their data analysis works.
03:52 - Quantexa’s expansion into America and why they decided to move there.
04:55 - How American clients came to hear of Quantexa.
08:38 - What the issues and challenges of financial crime are.
10:28 - How the reception of new tech differs between countries.
12:55 - How culture affects a business and how this differs across countries.
15:14 - How to build trust with clients in the UK and America.
16:45 - The difference in operating a business in America, and the importance Americans place on being in a team.
19:31 - How perceptions of risk are different in America.
21:05 - When you need to get a visa, how long it takes, and how much it costs.
26:20 - The way America has influenced Vishal and his background in business.
29:20 - The risks involved with being an entrepreneur.
32:02 - How colleagues reacted to hearing that Vishal was starting his own business.
35:02 - The early stages of setting up outside the UK and the importance of funding.
37:45 - Advice Vishal would give to his past self before making the move.
40:58 - The necessity for a company to have a main base.
43:01 - Quick tips for someone thinking of expanding their business to America. 

www.mtbonnell.com
www.quantexa.com
www.wework.com
Prelinger Archives

Episode Transcript

Connect with Vishal Marria: LinkedIn

Email us at - Info@mtbonnell.com

Twitter - @mtbonnell

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far: LinkedIn

To start off the season we meet up with Róisín Callaghan, Co-founder and CEO at Cogs & Marvel, a brand experience and creative event agency. 

Having moved her business to San Francisco in 2016, she’s learnt a lot over the past 3 years about the dos and don'ts involved with moving a business across the pond. 

From finding her first contracts and building up her companies reputation, to the struggles she faced and expectations she had to overcome, she shares with us all she’s learnt...

”It’s hard work in setting it up and getting established, but there are networks and organisations to help you with that, so use them. Americans are really good at networking and they really want to help you.” - Róisín Callaghan

02:19 - Working in events and event management.
04:06 - When Cogs and Marvel started.
05:11 - Working with Google and gaining their first contracts.
08:47 - What makes their events special and stand out from others.
10:44 - What inspired Roisin to move her business to San Francisco.
15:12 - Good reasons and bad reasons for wanting to expand your business to the US.
16:06 - The types of businesses that might struggle more in the US compared to the UK.
17:40 - The logistics involved with moving to America, and the qualities that helped Roisin be successful.
22:09 - The differences involved with setting up the company in America compared to Ireland.
23:42 - Advice for people who are just starting with their move to America.
25:50 - The existing communities that are available to help entrepreneurs with moving their businesses abroad.
30:53 - The different challenges that come up when running an event in America compared to Europe.
38:02 - The process of proving themselves when first arriving in America.
42:11 - The expectations that come with being an Irish company in America.
44:00 - Advice for those thinking of moving their business to San Francisco.

www.mtbonnell.com
www.cogsandmarvel.com
www.enterprise-ireland.com

Episode Transcript

Connect with Róisín Callaghan: LinkedIn

Email us at - Info@mtbonnell.com

Twitter - @mtbonnell

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far: LinkedIn

The wait is over and Season 2 of Move Your Business to The United States is finally here. 

This season will be hosted and led by Nastaran Tavakoli-Far, a Journalist and Business reporter for the BBC, who also studied at graduate school in the US. 

In Season 1 we went around London talking to lawyers, bankers, and accounts, and talked about the general mechanisms involved with moving your business to the United States. 

This season is a bit different.

We’re going to be meeting people who have actually done it. Successful entrepreneurs who have made the move. They’ll share with us what helped them to succeed, as well as the difficulties they came across along the way. 

Stay tuned...

00:38 - What we have coming up in Season 2. 

01:36 - Nas’s background and previous experience. 

03:18 - The kinds of questions that frequently come up as instability looms. 

www.mtbonnell.com

Episode Transcript

Email us with your questions at - Info@mtbonnell.com

Twitter - @mtbonnell

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far: LinkedIn

On their return from SXSW, Sebastian and Emmett are back in Europe in their Dublin office to reflect on the first ‘Move Your Business to the United States Podcast’ season. They marvel that it has been almost a year since they embarked on this podcasting venture, recapping some memorable moments and featuring some of the highlights of this chart-topping series, as well as discussing the next season.  Among some of their past podcast interviewees featured are Dan Dilliard, a passionate Austinite who established Founding Austin; Andy Jones, partner at Marvelous Events, as well as Andris Macs from GECKO Governance.

Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Kevin Turley: Website

 Emmett Glynn: Email

 Founding Austin Magazine

Masters and founders podcast

Dan Dillard: LinkedIn

 Andy Jones: LinkedIn

 Andris Macs: LinkedIn

It’s day 4 at SXSW and the Mount Bonnell team visit the Enterprise Ireland Stand, which dwarfs its British neighbour in size. There Kevin encounters Andris Macs from Gecko Governance who talks about his 1st time at the event. Next up, Kevin chats to Paul from Enterprise Ireland who is an old hand now being there for the 7th year. Then Kevin meets Christine who represents Service Bot, specialising in conversational AI. Another company at the Krib aka Enterprise Ireland stand is System-Link, represented by Sophie Madigan. Then finally, Kevin talks to Mark Russell from HyperSciences.

Episode Transcript

Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Kevin Turley: Website

Andris Macs: LinkedIn

Sophie Madigan: LinkedIn 

Mark Russell: LinkedIn

The Mount Bonnell team catch up with Ray Salter, CEO of WLG X, to talk about his impressions of South by South West. He summed up this year’s SXSW in one word, ‘buzz’.

Then Ray reveals how inspired by global festivals such as SXSW, WLG X will be a blend of tech, design, film, music and gaming, albeit with a uniquely New Zealand touch and to reflect the smaller local feel of Wellington, kicked off on the first evening with an Irish inspired pub craw to sample some of the finest craft beers to get a real feel for this friendly city.

Episode Transcript

Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Kevin Turley: Website

Ray Salter: LinkedIn

WLG X: Website

It’s our second day at South by Southwest, Austin’s international festival of media and tech.

While enjoying the free food and drink, we meet up with Stefan and Kerry, who both work for Berlin Partner, a company that offers business and technology support for investors and entrepreneurs in Berlin.

They talk to us about the ins and outs of everything that’s going on in this cultural capital. We talk about the growth of startups, and why Berlin’s becoming so popular for entrepreneurs.

Discussing how it compares with Austin, we sure learned a lot and had another very interesting and very successful day at the festival.

 ”Berlin is like New York in the 80s, and that was a great time.” - Stefan

4:30 - What the Berlin Saloon is and why we’re here.

7:33 - Why Berlin is such a hotspot for entrepreneurs.

8:59 - The mix of work and play in Berlin.

10:58 - How Berlin Partner and the German government encourages entrepreneurs to come to Berlin.

12:42 - The open mindset of those in Berlin.

13:52 - The range of entrepreneurship within Berlin and the main sectors within it.

15:49 - How reporters respond to Berlin Partner and what they do.

17:14 - The way that Berlin is seen as a hub of business by many Americans.

23:42 - Whether it’s easier to raise money in Austin or Berlin.

24:33 - What makes Austin attractive for entrepreneurs.

26:44 - The culture shock when moving to America.

Transcript

Berlin Partner

Connect with Kevin Turley: Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Connect with Stefan Franzke: LinkedIn

Connect with Kerry Quintiliani: LinkedIn

Today we travel to South by Southwest, Austin’s international festival of media and tech, to talk to filmmakers, musicians, and entrepreneurs. There’s so much going on we decide to split up so we can meet, and interview, as many people as possible.

Emmet Glynn, our sound producer, takes the lead in this episode interviewing Sharon Schweitzer, founder of Access to Culture and best-selling author of Access to Asia. She talks with Emmet about her company, and how important it is for entrepreneurs to understand cultural differences when moving a business abroad.

Meanwhile, me and Sebastian are listening to Malcolm Gladwell talk about driverless cars, how they’re an inevitable part of our future and the risks that are involved with them.

 ”You can really increase revenue and your bottom line by understanding cultural differences.”- Sharon Schweitzer

0:55 - Why we’re going to South by Southwest and what we’re looking forward to there.

4:33 - Arriving at South by Southwest.

6:12 - What Access to Culture is and how they help people.

7:02 - What the biggest challenge people face is when moving their business to another culture.

8:52 - How crucial understanding cultural differences is.

10:31 - Who Sharon's book is aimed at and what types of clients she gets.

11:50 - The social faux pas in America and the strong unique beliefs Americans have.

14:45 - Sebastian's thoughts on Malcolm Gladwell’s talk on the future of driverless cars.

16:00 - An example of a German company that came to Austin.

17:41 - The fast growth of Austin and where it’s going to be in the future.

18:28 - How Sharon became a successful entrepreneur.

21:35 - How to find and contact Sharon.

22:38 - How Sharon helped a client overcome cultural boundaries in a difficult situation.

Transcript

Access to Culture

Access to Asia

Connect with Kevin Turley: Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Connect with Sharon Schweitzer: Website - LinkedIn - Twitter

Connect with Malcolm Gladwell: Twitter

Today we are in South by Southwest, Austin’s international festival of media and tech. There we meet Ethan Mayers, CEO of TILT innovations and successful serial entrepreneur.

Ethan’s been a mentor to high-potential entrepreneurs for years, and in that time he’s learned a thing or two.

He talks with us about how he became a serial entrepreneur and how he helps other entrepreneurs in moving to the US. He’s very open about how the move isn’t for everyone, that there are risks involved, and that people need to look out for a few things.

We also talk about the worst mistakes entrepreneurs can make, the importance of being open to change, and how crucial it is to nail your storytelling when running a company.

”The single biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is to fall in love with their idea. Fall in love with your process and fall in love with your team.”

- Ethan Mayers

1:49 - How Ethan became the serial entrepreneur that he is today.

4:54 - Where Ethan gained confidence in his role as an entrepreneur.

8:10 - Different mentalities, how they affect you, and how they change from family to family and country to country.

10:37 - The entrepreneurial journey, it’s highs and lows, and whether it’s for you.

13:45 - The fashionability of entrepreneurship and how it’s not for everyone.

15:28 - Advice for entrepreneurs in Europe who are thinking of moving their business to America.

19:34 - The different markets and niches within America and how each needs to be treated differently.

24:09 - The characteristics that the best entrepreneurs share, and whether they need a certain personality to succeed.

29:04 - Ethan’s 3 pillar approach when working out what to do next.

31:01 - Advice for a European that’s looking at America as a lifestyle choice

Transcript

TILT innovations

Connect with Kevin Turley: Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Connect with Ethan Mayers: LinkedIn - Twitter

Today we are joined by the founder of the PopUp Business School, Alan Donegan.

Running a nomadic business across numerous different countries, he’s got a lot to share about how to start a successful business, and how to expand and operate in different countries and cultures once you do. 

Alan is a strong believer in the idea that you don’t need a lot of money to start a business. All you need is a good idea and the right direction. 

He tells us everything he does to help starting businesses, as well as what his own journey has looked like starting the PopUp Business School. 

"We go through five different ways to start a business without debt. Because one of the most common beliefs is it takes money to make money, and that’s just not true." - Alan Donegan

00:11 - What PopUp Business School is and why Alan started the company.
01:20 - How it works and where the money comes from.
02:47 - How long the course is and how many people are involved. 
03:55 - What kind of businesses have started with the course.
05:30 - How to get involved with PopUp Business School, and what the curriculum looks like.
09:09 - Where the business runs its courses. 
13:36 - Where Alan’s team is.
15:26 - What it’s like running a company nomadically.
21:22 - The types of businesses that can be successfully ran nomadically.
26:45 - How Alan’s friends and family reacted to his idea to run a business nomadically.
29:42 - The risk involved with starting a business from debt.
32:49 - Expanding the business outside of the UK.
35:27 - How sponsorship changes across countries.  
44:29 - The importance of focusing on the sales.
45:15 - How Alan has found the opportunities to expand into other countries.
48:31 - How to deal with different cultures as you operate in different countries.
50:48 - How people's reasons to start a business change across different cultures.
52:51 - Things to avoid when you’re starting a business.
56:13 - The amount of time it takes to build a business.
58:04 - Dos and don’ts for starting a company nomadically.

Send us questions you want answered to info@mtbonnell.com

PopUp Business School
Mount Bonnell Advisors

Connect with Alan Donegan:
Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far:
LinkedIn

Today we are back in Austin, Texas, and what a lovely day it is to be back. We head to a local law firm to meet Joe Fulwiler, a Texan lawyer who specializes in small business law.

He gives us a quick beginners guide to American law and how it affects someone who’s moving their business over to the states.

From minimum wage increases to litigation and intellectual property rights, he gives us a great rundown on the crucial legal matters that you need to know.

”People are sometimes surprised at how complex the legal system is.” - Joe Fulwiler

1:41 - What you need from a lawyer when moving a business to America.

3:15 - The differences between state and federal law

5:19 - Benefits that running a business in Texas has compared to other states.

8:25 - The possibility of the minimum wage rising in Austin.

9:30 - The differences in setting up a business in Delaware compared to Austin.

11:03 - How litigious America really is and the possibility of getting sued.

15:33 - How it works if you’re sued by someone in another state.

16:40 - How large legal firms are set up in America.

17:27 - The type of law that Joe specializes in.

19:43 - The advantages Joe has from his experience of being a CPA.

20:40 - The most common legal form to use in America.

22:27 - The intellectual property rights and laws within Texas.

24:20 - What taxes businesses need to pay in the States.

25:37 - The first legal issues you need to consider when moving your business to America.

Transcript

Rivada networks

Connect with Kevin Turley: Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Connect with Joe Fulwiler: Website - Twitter

We are back in London and back in the Mt. Bonnell Baker Street offices, and in true Sherlock Holmes fashion, there’s a knock at the door…

It’s Declan Ganley, a successful businessman and enterprising entrepreneur who runs his business in both Europe and America.

He came to talk to us about making it big on the other side of the pond and how his childhood experiences have helped him to become successful.

He talks us through some of the difficulties that come with moving a business to America, and how to overcome them, and also shares some other tips that he’s learned over the years about how to make the move successfully.

“Americans still have an appetite for risk like no one else. And that’s what you need to get your foot in the door.”

- Declan Ganley

2:11 - Who Declan is and what he does as an entrepreneur.

3:29 - How Declan entered the US market and the opportunities that he found there.

8:44 - Rivada’s involvement in 5G technology.

10:41 - Advice for someone with a successful European business who wants to move it to America.

16:14 - The key qualities that an entrepreneur needs to be successful.

21:58 - How the entrepreneurial mindset helps when emigrating.

28:18 - What the most challenging aspect is for a European moving a business to America.

32:34 - How America has changed over the past ten years.

Transcript

Rivada networks

Connect with Kevin Turley: Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Connect with Declan Ganley: Twitter

Today we meet with London legend, Andy Jones, who after 14 years of living in Austin, Texas, has become a bit of a legend over there too.

Another English entrepreneur who’s living and thriving in Austin, he is involved in business development with COO travel, and helps businesses save travel costs across the world.

Not only is he well connected but he’s also keen to connect you to the Austin networks that you need to succeed.

Unfiltered and not holding back, he shares with us how he ended up in Texas, what made him fall in love with the city, and what it’s like being an entrepreneur there. He also shares some of the problems that can come up when making the move across to America, and how to avoid them.

 “If you’ve got an idea, go for it.” - Andy Jones

1:55 - How Andy ended up staying in America for over 14 years.

3:50 - Why Andy chose Austin and what made him fall in love with it.

7:36 - How long it took for Austin to start to really feel like home for Andy.

10:58 - The effects of marrying a Texan and how there are always options.

12:50 - How Andy moved from being a salesperson to an entrepreneur.

18:52 - The effects of having a European accent and how it helps in social interactions.

21:15 - Notes of caution to consider before making the move to America.

25:01 - How the schools can change from area to area and the importance of looking at the local schools before moving.

26:45 - The housing situation in Austin, Texas.

32:31 - How to contact Andy and how he and Capital Factory can help you.

Transcript

Capital Factory

Connect with Kevin Turley: Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn: Website

Connect with Andy Jones: By Email 

When you move your business to the States you’re going to need people to help you run it. So we tracked down Michael Molony, a high-level recruiter based in Austin, who works with the recruitment agency GQR.

Michael is originally from London but has made it big in the States and is absolutely loving it there. Me and Sebastian headed to his office, which looks out over Downtown Austin, to find out all about recruitment, work, and play in Texas!

He tells us how businesses are run differently in America compared to Europe, and how the way that they view failure is completely different too. Talking about change, we find out how the people can change, how his hobbies have changed, and most of all how his lifestyle has changed.

Telling us everything that makes Austin great, he also shares with us the downsides of the city, although to be honest, there’s really not that many...

“In America, the salaries are higher than in Europe, inherently through that, we see a higher reward from our endeavors.”

- Mike Molony

1:48 - What Michaels company does and how long it’s been running for.

2:43 - The reason that Michael moved to Texas.

5:23 - The difference in businesses in America compared to Europe.

8:22 - What the best lessons are that can be learned when doing business in America.

10:38 - How the definition of excellence is different in Texas compared to London.

13:00 - What it’s like dealing with American clients.

14:55 - The reality of failure, when if you fail you have no option but to go home.

17:54 - How well business in America pays.

19:16 - What the worst things are about living in Austin.

21:18 - How much the city is expanding and what this means for entrepreneurs.

23:01 - The new pastimes and hobbies that you can find in America.

26:06 - The everyday views from Mikes office.

27:47 - The best restaurant in Austin to go for a business lunch.

28:45 - If Mike sees a long term future for himself in Texas.

Transcript

GQR global markets

Connect with Kevin Turley:
Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Mike Molony:

LinkedIn

Dan is an entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas, and the founder of Founding Austin Magazine, a magazine that shares different stories from entrepreneurs that live in Austin. Dan doesn’t just call Austin his home, he loves the city and is the perfect example of what makes the people who live there so great.

Having interviewed over 150 different entrepreneurs for his magazine, Dan has a huge wealth of knowledge and is happy to share what he knows to inspire others to follow their dreams and passions.

Sebastian and Kevin meet with Dan at a rooftop hotel bar just as the sun begins to set over the Texan skyline. Dan doesn’t only talk about the business side of Austin, he also shares his belief in how one’s life is transformed by saying ‘yes’, and the importance that the community has for entrepreneurs.

“The purpose of life is creation, we’re here to create.”

- Dan Dillard

“We’re going to accept you, and appreciate you for who you are and the value that you bring to this earth.”

- Dan Dillard

Time Stamps:
1:02 - How fear works and the way to overcome it.

2:21 - Who Dan Dillard is and what he does.

3:19 - What Founding Austin magazine is and where it originated from.

6:40 - Dan’s inspiration and why he wants to share his entrepreneurial knowledge.

8:49 - How the magazine is distributed and where to find it.

11:32 - The serious message that’s behind the magazine.

12:41 - Dan’s podcasts and how he shares even more Austin locals stories through that medium.

16:03 - The grittiness needed to become an entrepreneur.

17:06 - The entrepreneurial path and the importance of learning from others.

19:04 - The community of Austin and the culture of giving.

21:40 - The need for connection and how fear can prevent abundance.

23:55 - The transformative effect moving to Austin has on people.

26:21 - How accepting people in Austin tend to be, no matter who you are.

27:36 - The nurturing side of Austin and how people are there to help.

28:55 - The spirit of Austin and the focus it has on the community.

Resources:
Transcript

Founding Austin Magazine

Masters and founders podcast

Connect with Kevin Turley:
Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Dan Dillard:

LinkedIn

Now you can't go to Texas and not buy a cowboy hat. So Sebastian took me to a local store that was brimful of anything a cowboy or cowgirl could ever want...

After leaving the shop, and with a cowboy hat on my head, we walked tall on the streets of Georgetown. We went to find out what Georgetown is really like, the different influences that have shaped it, and how it has affected the lifestyle there.

Texas is full of surprises and the biggest surprise was discovering the State's German heritage. Sebastian took me to a beer Keller in downtown Austin, where we ate Bratwurst, drank German beer, and talked about how evident the German influence still was in Georgetown.

“It makes many Europeans feel at home because there’s a rich European heritage.”

-Kevin Turley

Time Stamps:
0:47 - Visiting a classic Texan shop that sells everything from cowboy hats to boats.

1:49 - The amount of holiday that workers in America receive and how it makes them live for the weekend.

7:12 - The correct etiquette when wearing a cowboy hat.

8:53 - Georgetown, what it’s like and the quality of life there.

10:08 - A look inside an American church.

13:19 - How safe Texas is and the German influence that’s there.

15:54 - Going to a beer Keller and seeing the German heritage that’s still evident in Texas.

Resources:
Transcript

Connect with Kevin Turley:
Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Kevin’s first day in Texas is hot and sunny, not like what he’s used to, living in notoriously rainy London. The hotel staff, however, seem to take it for granted. But this is unsurprising when you consider that it’s hot and sunny over 200 days a year here. Soon Kevin is being driven to Georgetown, a suburb north of Austin. Here Sebastian introduces Kevin to Amy, a realtor, who explains to him everything she knows about renting and buying condominiums, apartments, ranches, and houses.

They talk about the differences in each type of property and how easy they are to find on the market. Amy explains the importance of working out what your budget is beforehand and how, as a foreigner, securing a mortgage can prove to be somewhat difficult.

With so many different options to choose from, depending on the lifestyle you’re after and the budget that you have, it begins to become obvious why Texas is such an attractive place to move to.

“Sometimes, the other spouse's expectations are very different from what the husband or wife expects.”

-Amy Edwards

Time Stamps:
1:08 - What a realtor is and how they give a higher quality of service than real estate agents do.

2:42 - How real estate works differently in Texas compared to Europe.

5:11 - How realistic it is to buy a ranch with livestock and the amount of space that there is in Texas.

6:26 - The process you need to go through when looking for property in Texas.

7:20 - The cost of buying property in Texas and the kind of budget you’ll need.

9:00 - The difference in lifestyle when making the move over the pond.

11:52 - The importance of talking to the whole family about what kind of property you’re looking for.

15:15 - How many properties you can see in a day when visiting America.

16:25 - What the next stage is after you’ve found the property that you want.

18:40 - What the barriers of entry are when coming from Europe to buy a property in the US.

Resources:
Transcript

Connect with Kevin Turley:
Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Amy Edwards:

Website

Email

By Phone

Finally, the day of Kevin's trip to Austin, Texas has arrived. His flight departs in the morning from London Gatwick and around ten hours later they touch down in Texas.

Sebastian, having arrived a few days earlier, awaits his friend at the airport. After checking in to their hotel, they hit the streets and Sebastian shows Kevin around. Kevin quickly realizes that although we think we know everything about America, in reality, we know nothing. But will the Austin experience hold up to the massive expectations built over the previous weeks in London? Or was it just much ado about nothing and Kevin will be left unimpressed?

Reminding us to think big, and dream even bigger, Kevin is shown all around the city and finds out the real truth about what Austin is really like.

“When making a life choice it’s very important to go and see something for how it is, rather than just listening to what other people tell you about it.”

-Kevin Turley

Time Stamps:

4:09 - Landing in Austin and the differences in dress and weather.

5:50 - The differences in the landscape between Texas and the U.K.

7:37 - The different seasons Texas has and how the weather can change.

8:53 - The first time Sebastian went to Texas and how he found it.

10:48 - Downtown Texas and how entrepreneurs have changed the landscape.

12:36 - Food trucks and the opportunities that they offer.

14:28 - The truth about Austin told by an Uber driver who’s lived there all his life.

17:12 - What it’s like to live in Austin and how it’s changing.

Resources:
Transcript

Connect with Kevin Turley:
Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Selecting and applying for the right U.S. visa can be a daunting and confusing process. In this episode, Kevin and Sebastian talk to Orlando Ortega, a U.S. immigration attorney who’s based in London. Orlando Ortega-Medina and his firm offer a full range of legal representation to corporate HR departments, foreign investors, and high net-worth individuals seeking to establish a business foothold in the United States or to secure visas for key employees or new foreign workers.

He talks us through the process you have to go through to obtain a business visa to the United States and why having a lawyer help you along the way is so crucial.

With such a wide assortment of different visas to choose from it’s easy to make a mistake if you don’t have a lawyer there to help you. For example, the B1 Visa is known as a business visa, but it is not a visa that allows you to conduct business, it is one that allows you to visit America for business purposes, and this is a big difference.

Reminding us to start the process sooner rather than later, Orlando talks about the necessity of giving yourself enough time to get your visa and shares the vast knowledge that he has surrounding the subject.

“The visa applications that Orlando prepared for me previously had 500 pages, it contained everything from business plans to bank statements, it’s a very laborious process.”
-Sebastian Sauerborn

Time Stamps:

2:53 - Who Orlando is and what he does.

5:01 - Why you need a lawyer when moving to the United States and how they help with visas.

6:58 - Why using a local, English based lawyer is better than using one based in the United States.

7:34 - What are common blocks and mistakes people come across when moving to the United States

9:49 - The importance of getting the correct visa when building a business in the United States.

14:00 - The steps you have to go through when purchasing a business in the United States.

15:00 - The decision making power embassies have.

18:58 - How long the visa process takes.

21:22 - The plans you can create to make the process go smoothly and how it often takes much longer than 90 days to get your visa.

23:15 - How the excitement of the visa process can be infectious.

Resources:
Transcript

Connect with Kevin Turley:
Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Orlando Ortega:

Website

The adventure begins at Baker Street, London. This is a street famous around the world for mysteries. For everyone knows who Baker Street’s most famous resident was – if only in the pages of detective fiction – none other than Mr. Sherlock Holmes. So here is as good a place as any to start out on an adventure, in this case, the adventure of moving one’s business from Europe to the US.

On this episode of Move Your Business To The United States, Kevin talks to Sebastian about helping entrepreneurs move to the US, and what his own experience living there for the last 10 years has been like.

Moving a business to the United States is a really major move. But is easily doable with help. Sebastian explains the importance of creating a presence with your business and building your client basis before you move over there yourself.

It takes true grit to move to the United States but with ongoing liaisons that help you along the entire process, it is very achievable.

“The US is a massive market, it’s one country, one currency, one language. We don’t have that in Europe, in the United States it’s a lot easier to scale a business than it is in Europe.”
-Sebastian Sauerborn

Time Stamps:

2:16 - About Sebastian and how he and his firm helps businesses expand to America.

3:46 - The kinds of businesses that Sebastian works with.

4:45 - The turnkey solutions that help entrepreneurs move to the US within 4 weeks.

7:57 - The use of trusted partners.

9:23 - The biggest lifestyle shock of moving from Europe to the United States.

11:05 - What’s the biggest shock working and trading in the United States.

12:09 - The different mindset they have in America.

13:30 - What is the move across doesn’t work?

15:30 - How many businesses Sebastian has helped move across to the US.

17:47 - The qualities you need to make it in the United States.

20:08 - The first step to moving to America.

Resources:
Transcript

Connect with Kevin Turley:
Website

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

On today’s episode we are joined by Maeve Kneafsey, owner of CloudKPI. Running a company that has teams in both Dublin and America, she knows a lot about what it’s like to be moving your business. 

From the very start of CloudKPI’s conception Maeve decided to focus on the American market and have a base set up in the States. 

She had a lot of people help her make the transition from Ireland to America, and now she’s looking to help others who want to do a similar move. 

We talk about her whole experience moving across, from the different ways she’s treated for being a foreigner and a woman, to how America changes depending on where you are within it. 

“Don’t go out there, trying to spend any money on lawyers or advisors.” - Maeve Kneafsey

00:41 - Who Cloud KPI are, and what they do.
3:02 - Why they decided to focus on the American market.
4:42 - The logistics involved with moving their company to the US.
8:42 - What kind of product they had when going into the market.
9:11 - The network of people that helped them, and why they moved to Connecticut.
11:25 - Where their team is based.
12:31 - The logistics involved with moving your operations to America.
15:25 - The importance of having a physical presence where your market is.
17:09 - The differences with running a business in America compared to Ireland.
18:15 - The differences between the East and West Coast in America.
19:59 - Tips for companies that are looking to make the move across the pond.
21:50 - How you’re treated differently as a foreigner in America.
23:09 - The different things that helped them get into the market and understand the culture.
24:19 - Unexpected reactions she got being a female tech founder.
27:22 - Do’s and don'ts for startups moving to the US.
29:54 - The usefulness of having a base, and the hardships of running a business remotely.
31:55 - When you need to meet people face to face and when virtual meet-ups are adequate.
33:00 - What makes Enterprise Ireland uniquely useful.
34:46 - The main pieces of advice for someone wanting to move their business to America.
36:43 - How to contact CloudKPI.

Send us questions you want answered to info@mtbonnell.com

Cloud KPI
Connecticut Innovations 
Enterprise Ireland
www.mtbonnell.com

Episode Transcript

Connect with Maeve Kneafsey:
Email
LinkedIn

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far:
LinkedIn

In this episode, we are joined by Murali Akella, who has helped TransferWise partner with banks across the globe.

TransferWise has been a revolutionary form of transferring money overseas at the lowest possible cost. Started in 2011 in the UK, it quickly became popular and now has over 6 million people who use their service.

Unsurprisingly, to get to this stage they needed to expand. They opened up offices across the globe, including America.

Murali shares with us what this experience has been like, why it was necessary, and the differences in the American market compared to the United Kingdom.

“This job is not a job, it’s a revolution.” - Murali Akella

00:17 - How TransferWise started.
02:34 - The bank accounts that TransferWise offers.
05:23 - The number of clients TransferWise have and who they are.
06:32 - How banks use TransferWise and how it works.
09:43 - How sending money overseas actually works.
12:11 - What the average fee is for sending money overseas.
13:06 - The different exchange rates you’ll get using banks or TransferWise.
15:41 - The benefits of TransferWise.
18:33 - How TransferWise has expanded and where their offices are now.
20:46 - The reasons for expanding to America and the surprising underdevelopment there.
22:35 - What motivations American banks have for using TransferWise.
25:18 - The high demand for easy money transfers in America.
26:49 - How the American market is different from the UK's.
30:33 - Where in America TransferWise has offices and why Tampa was an attractive city.
33:15 - The get togethers TransferWise have for its global force, and how culture can exceed borders.
35:35 - How to operate within different regulations across different countries.
37:51 - How running offices in the US is surprisingly similar to running offices elsewhere.
39:53 - Different expectations American clients have compared to European clients.
41:06 - Advice for those considering a move to the US market.
42:42 - TransferWise’s aim to keep their service homogenous for all their customers around the world.
44:33 - What the biggest challenge is when expanding to the US.

Send us questions you want answered to info@mtbonnell.com

Transferwise
Swift
Slack
Hangouts
Zoom
www.mtbonnell.com

Episode Transcript

Connect with Murali Akella:
LinkedIn

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far:
LinkedIn

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

On today’s episode we meet with Husayn Kassai, the CEO of the identity standard testing company Onfido.

Founded in 2012, Onfido quickly expanded its offices outside of London, to include San Francisco, New York, Lisbon, Paris, New Delhi and Singapore. Husayn shares with us everything he’s learnt on his journey of expansion, and things he wished he knew before making the move across the pond.

Having offices on both sides of America gives Husayn two very different perspectives of running a business in the United States. He talks with us about the different benefits both spots have, and the importance of picking the right spot for your business's headquarters.

From getting investors in America, to the importance of adapting to American culture, Husayn tells it all.

“Frequent client feedback matters, and when you can’t deliver something let it be known straight away.” - Husayn Kassai

 01:22 - What Onfido does.
02:44 - Who their clients are.
03:32 - How the software at Onfido works.
06:43 - How money laundering regulations change across the globe.
08:36 - How the business started.
09:17 - Why Husayn wanted to open an office in the US.
11:51 - The importance of doing business in the US.
12:44 - How operating in America is different to operating in the UK.
15:22 - The importance of having a trustworthy brand.
16:45 - How to build trust and the importance of being honest.
19:12 - The kind of clients Onfido was focusing on.
21:11 - The importance of being blunt and to the point.
24:06 - The prevalence of suing in America.
27:15 - Opening up an office in New York, and how it’s different to San Francisco.
29:57 - The importance of picking the right location for your headquarters in America.
31:01 - Advice for companies that are looking for the right place in America to set up in.
33:57 - Getting seed investors in America.
37:30 - The key mistakes UK startups make when expanding to the US.
38:40 - Tips for dealing with American culture, and using your Britishness to your advantage.
41:05 - The importance of knowing local sports teams.

Send us questions you want answered to info@mtbonnell.com

https://onfido.com
www.mtbonnell.com

Episode Transcript

Connect with Husayn Kassai:
Twitter

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far:
LinkedIn

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Today we meet with Joe Blake, CEO of Artomatix, an Irish based tech company that helps studios create 3D content quicker than ever.

He has always had his eye on the US market and expanded there very early on. However, although they have staff on the ground in America, they do not have a main office there and Joe explains why this is.

He emphasises the importance of knowing your target audience and being able to visit your clients. He explains the high costs involved with opening an office in America, and how often if you have money to invest in your business it can be spent better elsewhere.

We are now in a world where business is global, and through technology and the internet you can still build a solid relationship with many clients without having a physical office where they are.

Finally, Joe talks about the importance of conferences, how they can add an immense amount of value to your business, and provide you with quality time to build relationships with your customers.

”It’s less about the logistics of opening an office, and more about the resources, and the people.” - Joe Blake

01:52 - Who Artomatix are and what they do.
02:53 - How 3D modelling is moving into other markets other than gaming.
05:22 - Automating 3D modelling and its benefits.
06:08 - The history of Artomatix.
08:43 - The importance of the US market, and how it is Artomatix’s target market.
10:36 - Opening up offices in America.
12:57 - Focusing research on the West Coast.
13:47 - Raising funding and finding investors.
14:25 - Which staff they have based in the US and why.
16:46 - Taking their product to market.
18:15 - The IRS and the importance of doing your taxes properly.
21:27 - Whether you really need an office in the US.
24:35 - The importance of focusing on your target audience.
28:32 - Where sales people aren’t necessarily who you should be using to make sales.
30:05 - How time difference can make offering support more difficult.
32:17 - Questions you should ask yourself when thinking of moving to the US market.
36:14 - How conferences can add an immense amount of value to your business.

https://artomatix.com
Nvidia
www.mtbonnell.com

Episode Transcript

Connect with Joe Blake:
LinkedIn
Info@artomatix.com

Email us at - Info@mtbonnell.com

Twitter - @mtbonnell

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far:
LinkedIn 

In this episode we met with Ashleigh Hinde, founder and CEO of Waldo contact lenses. Waldo was created to give contact lense wearers more control over their purchasing while also reducing the cost.

It’s a great company, run fantastically, and after a successful first year in England, Ashleigh expanded the company to America, opening up an office in New York, and even moving there herself.

She talks us through how her business works, and explains what her experience was like moving Waldo to America.

"You need to make sure you have the capital and the plan in place to launch in the US.” - Ashleigh Hinde

01:13 - Who Waldo are and what they do.
01:41 - Why Ashleigh started the business.
02:58 - What makes using Waldo different.
04:30 - How much people spend on contact lenses.
05:21 - How Waldo makes sure customers are getting the right lenses.
05:48 - Launching the business in the UK and expanding to the US.
07:06 - Why Ashleigh decided to expand to the US.
08:29 - Opening an office in New York.
09:02 - What makes New York an attractive city to have a business in.
09:55 - The reason for having a presence in America.
10:44 - Where the contacts lenses are made and stored.
11:43 - How marketing stays similar in both England and America.
12:57 - Why customers choose to use Waldo.
14:04 - The importance of being flexible.
14:56 - The logistics involved in setting a business up in the US.
16:18 - How having previous experience of the city made the move easier.
17:08 - Why Ashleigh moved herself to New York.
20:12 - The network of founders and how they help.
21:14 - Common challenges that come up.
23:40 - The male dominance within industries.
25:46 - Finding investors in the US compared to the UK.
29:10 - The different regulations in America and England.
32:12 - Tips for companies looking to expand to America.
33:33 - What Ashleigh would do differently looking back.
35:04 - Expanding into Europe.

Foundr
www.hiwaldo.com
www.mtbonnell.com

Episode Transcript

Connect with Ashleigh Hinde:
LinkedIn

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far:
LinkedIn

Email us at – Info@mtbonnell.com

Twitter – @mtbonnell

In this episode we are joined by Aneesh Varma, founder and CEO of the forward thinking credit assessment service Aire.

He shares Aire’s mission of moving data collection away from the limiting aspect of only looking at the past, to also taking into account a person's present and probable future. By doing this, lenders can make smarter decisions, and borrowers get fairer access to credit.

He tells us why he set up Aire, how it works, and what the experience has been like expanding to America.

Different countries have different cultures and attitudes towards credit, and Aneesh talks about how he came to terms with these differences in the US.

“Trying to chase the international market can kill your domestic business.” - Aneesh Varma

02:06 - Who Aire are.
02:48 - Why Aneesh started Aire.
03:58 - How Aire helps banks make better decisions.
04:50 - The problem with the data that banks normally use.
06:16 - Who Aire’s consumers are.
07:01 - What happens when a bank refers a consumer to Aneesh.
08:45 - The generic profile of Aneesh’s ‘future prime’ consumers.
11:30 - What it’s like starting a financial business in the UK.
15:13 - The different approaches in consumer finance and credit across nations.
16:53 - The reasons for expansion and what that process was like.
19:01 - Having headquarters in New York, and the importance of taking things slow.
21:16 - How regulations change across the US.
24:23 - How lenders in the US react to Aire, and the access to credit in America.
31:18 - The kind of consumer that approaches Aneesh for a credit score.
35:30 - The importance of doing the right kind of market research.
37:53 - The difficulties in operating in an area as large as the US.
40:49 - Advice for businesses that are moving to the United States. 

https://aire.io/
www.mtbonnell.com

Episode Transcript

Connect with Aneesh Varma:
LinkedIn

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website

Connect with Nastaran Tavakoli-Far:
LinkedIn

Email us at – Info@mtbonnell.com

Twitter – @mtbonnell

Today we meet with Luke Pearce, the co-founder of Radical Tea Towel, a company that makes political and social statements for the home. He talks with us about how his company came into fruition and how it operates now.

Keeping the manufacturing process in England, keeping quality control high and being part of a niche market made the company very successful. And after having tea towel success in England, Luke decided to bring the company across to do business in America too.

With a different continent come different challenges, and Luke was surprised to find out he even had to explain what a tea towel was to a lot of Americans. But each problem he overcame and here, he tells us exactly how.

He also shares some solid advice for anyone who’s thinking of making the move across the pond...

”Other people’s problems represent great business solutions. This is where business can step in and help people out.” - Luke Pearce

00:32 - What Radical Tea Towels are.
01:19 - Where the idea for Radical Tea Towels came from.
03:18 - The importance of having a niche product.
04:18 - How successful Radical Tea Towels are.
04:56 - Local manufacturing and importing materials.
06:24 - Why Luke moved to America, and what made it both easy and hard.
10:32 - How the logistics change when selling products in America.
12:34 - The beliefs behind Lukes company and the different politics in America.
16:25 - Where Luke sells (and doesn’t sell) his product and why.
19:58 - Who Luke’s customer demographic is.
22:06 - Lukes advice for people thinking of moving their business to America.
23:45 - How to not get overwhelmed by America’s different complex policies.
24:46 - The benefits of operating in Philadelphia.
25:58 - Networking in the US.
27:18 - The initial feedback Luke received about his tea towels.

https://radicalteatowel.co.uk
www.mtbonnell.com

Podcast Transcript

Connect with Luke Pearce:
LinkedIn

Email us at - Info@mtbonnell.com

Twitter - @mtbonnell

Connect with Sebastian Sauerborn:
Website