Unlock the Entrepreneurial Mindset with Graeme Barlow: Tune into the Irrepressibles Podcast

In this episode of Irrepressibles, we’re thrilled to feature Graeme Barlow, a seasoned entrepreneur with a wealth of experience and insights to share. As the founder of Iversoft, a company that empowers businesses to leverage AI tools and navigate the next phase of their growth, Graeme has spent his career building successful ventures—and now he’s dedicated to guiding the next generation of founders.

For much of his life, Graeme has served as a mentor to countless entrepreneurs. But recently, he’s transitioned into formal coaching, focusing on helping ambitious founders develop their businesses with purpose and clarity. His journey from mentorship to coaching was a natural progression, but it hasn’t been without its frustrations—especially when he sees young founders investing in coaching services from people who haven’t actually built anything themselves.

From Setbacks to Success: Graeme’s Entrepreneurial Journey

In this candid conversation, Graeme takes us back to his early days of entrepreneurship, reflecting on how initial setbacks shaped his resilience and mindset. “Me, 25 years ago, I had a lot of delusion, a lot of ego, and a lot of undeserved confidence,” Graeme admits. His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of naivety and risk tolerance in the early stages of building a business—and how, over time, experience, resources, and community help shape a more seasoned, strategic entrepreneur.

At the beginning of his career, Graeme’s identity was deeply tied to the success of his company. When things went wrong, it felt like a personal failure. But through perseverance, he learned to separate his identity from his business and rebuild his sense of self.

As Graeme explains, being an entrepreneur means others have placed their trust in you—and when things don’t go as planned, you don’t have the luxury of walking away. “People have bet on you, and you’ve asked a lot of people to trust you. When things go wrong, you have to keep going.”

The Power of Community: Founders Supporting Founders

With this in mind, Graeme has created Founders’ Dinners, an initiative designed to connect entrepreneurs with one another. The premise is simple: foster a sense of community among founders, because there is something uniquely heavy about the entrepreneurial journey—something that family and friends may struggle to understand. For Graeme, the idea behind Founders’ Dinners is to build a network where entrepreneurs can truly connect, share experiences, and support each other.

Surrounding yourself with other early-stage founders is crucial for growth. Graeme explains that it’s easy to plateau when you’re not challenged by those around you. “You don’t want to be the biggest or richest person in your circle, because you’ll have no one to look to for the next step.”

To keep evolving, it’s essential to deliberately put yourself in situations where others are challenging you. By auditing and adjusting your community, you ensure you continue to grow and push your limits.

Mindset, Goals, and Execution: The Keys to Success

As Graeme sees it, mindset is everything. Once you’ve tasted the freedom of owning your destiny, it’s hard to go back. But achieving success isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about setting goals that push you out of your comfort zone. “Be very specific about what your goals are—and make sure they scare you a little,” he advises. “The more you put your goals out into the world, the more people will open doors for you. Your energy will attract others who want to see you succeed.”

Graeme also emphasizes that the true secret to building a successful business lies not in the idea itself, but in the execution—the drive, conviction, and ambition to keep going even when everyone around you thinks you’re crazy.

If you're an aspiring founder or someone who’s already on the entrepreneurial path, this episode is a must-listen. Graeme’s journey and wisdom are a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and bold action.

Listen to the full episode of the Irrepressibles podcast with Graeme Barlow and get ready to take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level.