Happy MBA

Hosted by The Happy Startup School

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Episodes

173

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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About the show

If you want to be the next Elon Musk look away now. This podcast is for the new breed of entrepreneur that wants to make money, do good and be happy. An antidote to 'business as usual'. Hosted by Carlos Saba and Laurence McCahill, long-time friends and co-founders of The Happy Startup School, an alternative business school and thriving community of entrepreneurs. Back in 2012 we believed there had to be a better way than this. And so we set out on a mission to create a new story of entrepreneurship. One where happiness and purpose came before profits. Over the last decade and more we've built up a tribe of practical dreamers, creative visionaries, changemakers and wisdom workers that are committed to making a positive dent in the world. If you want to do business differently this podcast is for you. We cover some of the big questions that people like us face: - How do I find my purpose? - Am I too old to reinvent myself? - Will people care about my ideas? - How do I balance meaning with money? - How can I find more of my dream customers? - How can I grow my business (without burning out)? - How can I make my business more fun and energising? - Should I just jack it all and get a job? Tune in for insights, stories and laughs from two old school friends that became accidental entrepreneurs and built a global movement, one relationship at a time.

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60 recent

September 24, 202651 min

Who am I becoming?

Something's off. You can feel it. The work is working, but something just doesn't fit you anymore. In this episode, Carlos and Laurence are joined by fellow program coach Lana Jelenjev and five graduates of the Happy MBA (formerly Vision 2020) to explore one of the most important questions you can ask in business and in life: who am I becoming? Using the Satir Change Model as their map, they reveal how they navigated the vulnerable in-between of the person they were and their newly recovered authentic selves. In this conversation, you'll hear from: Amelia White , psychotherapist specialising in boarding school trauma, Brighton, UK Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes , embroidery artist, educator and creator of The Hands Manifesto, Perth, Australia Desiree Adkins , the Rebelliously Responsible Coach, helping people-pleasers please themselves, New Jersey, USA Jace Malz , facilitator, learning designer and team coach, founder of Inbo, Montreal, Canada Jorik Elferink , creative clarity coach and facilitator, Amsterdam, Netherlands Simon Bird , artist, writer and thinking partner for people reimagining the second half of their careers, Surrey, UK What you'll explore: What the Satir Change Model reveals about the natural arc of change and transition The feeling of being "settled but restless" and why it's actually a sign of growth How being truly met, not for what you produce but for who you are, changes everything Why becoming something new often means returning to who you always were The difference between knowing the theory and having actually lived it If you're pulled towards something new but sense the real work happens on the inside, listen to discover that you're not alone. 👉 Find out more about the Happy MBA

February 6, 202617 min

What’s stopping you from getting started?

You don’t need a better plan. You don’t need more qualifications. And you definitely don’t need to wait until you've got the perfect plan. In this episode, we unpack the real reason so many thoughtful, capable people stay stuck at the starting line: fear . Fear of getting it wrong. Fear of being judged. Fear of committing to something that might not work. Rather than trying to “overcome” fear or force confidence, we explore a quieter, more effective reframe: treating your idea like an experiment . Drawing on stories from our own journey, we talk about why mistakes and flaws aren’t signs you’re failing. They’re how learning actually happens. And why perfectionism is often less about high standards, and more about self-protection. In this conversation, you’ll explore how to: Reframe fear and mistakes as useful data, not personal failure Spot when perfectionism is keeping you safely stuck Break through analysis paralysis by doing tiny experiments Move forward without needing full clarity or certainty If you’ve been sitting on an idea for a while, waiting to feel “ready”, this episode is a gentle nudge to stop polishing and start playing. 👉 Download the Excite Strategy Starter Kit — a simple, practical guide to help you take your first aligned steps without burning everything down.

January 30, 202615 min

Am I too old to start a business?

The average age of an entrepreneur in the UK is 46, and more than a third of businesses are run by people over 50. Entrepreneurship isn’t just for the young; in fact older individuals bring valuable wisdom, experience, and networks to their ventures. Midlife entrepreneurs are often more thoughtful in their approach, focusing on meaningful work rather than just scaling for the sake of it. This conversation will help you: Understand that there is no age limit to starting a business Recognise that previous career experience isn't wasted effort but can be creatively applied to new ventures Focus on what truly matters in your next chapter by keeping what serves your purpose and discarding what doesn't

January 30, 20267 min

Welcome to Happy MBA

In this episode, we open a new chapter of the podcast. After years as The Happy Entrepreneur , we’re evolving the show into Happy MBA , a name that better reflects the work we now do and the people we serve. This conversation is about: what’s changing, why it matters, and who this podcast is really for. If you’ve ever felt a bit out of place in traditional business culture… this one’s for you. 🎧 About this episode In Episode 171 of the Happy Entrepreneur podcast, Carlos and Laurence talk candidly about: Why Happy MBA felt like the right evolution The kinds of struggles we repeatedly see in founders, freelancers, and solopreneurs Why “knowing the theory” rarely solves the real business challenges The limits of traditional MBA-style thinking Building businesses from the inside out Why energy, fun, and sustainability matter just as much as money This isn’t a rejection of business fundamentals, it’s a rebalancing. A reminder that businesses are built by humans, with lives, values, families, fears, hopes, and changing seasons. 🧠 Key themes we explore 1. Business problems are often personal problems Yes, pricing, customers, and sales matter. But what often blocks progress is confidence, isolation, fear, or having too many ideas and no clear place to start . 2. Not everyone fits the “successful entrepreneur” stereotype If the loud, ruthless, growth-at-all-costs model leaves you cold, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just building something different. 3. Why Happy MBA isn’t an MBA Traditional MBAs focus on plans, prediction, and scale. Happy MBA focuses on: Action over overthinking Learning by doing Designing a business that fits your life now Defining success on your own terms 4. Sustainable businesses need sustainable energy Burnout and “bore-out” are real. If the joy goes, the business usually follows. We talk about how to build something that’s financially and energetically viable. 5. Structure as a playground, not a cage We believe in giving people enough structure to feel safe but enough freedom to play, experiment, and reconnect with why they started in the first place. 👋 Who this podcast is for This show is for you if you’re: A solopreneur or freelancer without a big team Sitting on ideas but unsure which one to commit to Feeling like the “mad one” for wanting something different In transition from employment to self-employment, or from an old business to a new chapter Wanting to build work that makes money, does good, and feels more like you 🚶 What’s coming next Future episodes of Happy MBA will: Tackle the real questions people ask on this alternative business path Share stories, frameworks, and experiments from real humans Help you move from ideas → action → clarity Offer reassurance that you’re not doing it “wrong” We’ll also be answering listener questions, so if something’s been quietly niggling at you, we’d love to hear from you (email us on questions@happy.mba). Thanks for being here at the start of this new phase. We’re glad you’ve found us and we’re looking forward to walking this path with you. Until the next episode.

November 3, 202543 min

Unlock the magic of nature's boardroom

Ever wondered what 500 million years of mountain wisdom could teach you about where you take your business or work from here? Laurence and Carlos explore how the French Alps create the perfect environment for profound perspective shifts. Discover why conversations beside Alpine lakes spark innovations that stuffy conference rooms never could, and how shared adventures build deeper connections than any networking event. More importantly, hear about the magic that happens when exceptional minds gather in an ego-free setting – where CEOs, founders, and changemakers explore and encourage, rather than swap business cards. Links Join the next Alptitude retreat Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

October 20, 202559 min

Showing up without the cringe

Sharing on social media can feel like stepping into the spotlight with nowhere to hide. No wonder so many of us shrink from it. How do we show up bravely without losing ourselves? How do we share our voices in ways that build genuine connections instead of just chasing likes and follows? How can we show up without cringing inside? In this episode, Laurence and Carlos are in conversation with visibility specialist Kevan Smith , exploring how to show up online with consistency, authenticity, and courage. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

October 6, 202554 min

The authenticity dilemma

The idea of "personal branding” can be a bit exhausting. The thought of carefully curating a version of yourself that’s optimised for engagement feels like too much effort if you struggle to be anything other than yourself. Amanda Baker has been developing a framework to help people navigate their own authenticity, and Carlos will be bringing his own reflections on what it means to market yourself in a way that feels human, joyful, and not like you’re constantly performing. If you’ve ever wondered how to share your story without feeling like a product – or how to stay visible without losing yourself – this conversation is for you.

September 22, 202544 min

Tiny Experiments – Unlocking big possibilities

What if we reframed failure as a step toward clarity rather than away from success? In this episode, Laurence and Carlos sit down with Anne-Laure le Cunff , neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author of the book Tiny Experiments , to explore why failure isn’t failure – it’s feedback. Anne-Laure’s work is all about curiosity-driven learning; turning doubt into discovery through small, low-risk experiments. Her approach aligns deeply with how we support entrepreneurs, coaches, and creatives inside our Vision 20/20 group coaching program: Curiosity leads to clarity. What fascinates you is often pointing you toward the work you’re meant to do. Small experiments create momentum. You don’t need a master plan—just a first step. Failure is data, not a dead end. When you stop seeing failure as personal, you start seeing opportunity. Exploration before exploitation ensures alignment. Before you "scale" an idea, make sure it truly fits you. Structure + flexibility = a sustainable, fulfilling business. The key is having just enough structure to guide you, but enough freedom to adapt. If you’re navigating a career transition, designing a business that truly fits, or just wrestling with the fear of getting it wrong, this conversation is for you. Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

September 8, 202536 min

Sharing your voice – Vision Tribe Summit 2025

Carlos, Laurence, and Lana present the fourth and final session in their Vision Tribe Summit from February 2025. This conversation will help you Reframe sharing your voice on social media from self-promotion to a tool for personal clarity and connection Overcome perfectionism, fear of adding to the noise, and imposter syndrome Build authentic connections by asking questions, curating content that inspires you, and championing others Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort

August 25, 202536 min

Making happy money – Vision Tribe Summit 2025

Carlos, Laurence, and Lana present the third session in their Vision Tribe Summit from February 2025. This conversation will help you Develop a healthier relationship with money by understanding your personal money stories and how they affect your current attitudes Create multiple income streams through a product pyramid approach rather than solely relying on selling your time Price your services based on value rather than hourly rates, allowing you to better communicate the transformation you provide to clients Links Join the conversation live Become a member of the Happy Startup School Join the next Vision 20/20 cohort