Five questions for: Samuel Leach

What does your business do?

Samuel & Co Trading is a training programme for aspiring foreign-exchange and algorithm traders worldwide. We have in-house and online courses that seek to provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to learn and become successful at trading the financial markets. So far, we have taught more than 1,500 people from 64 countries.

What's been your company's greatest achievement so far?

Undoubtedly, building the team we have created. We started out as a tiny trio in my mum's living room in 2014, and now, just four years later, we have more than 60 staff in Watford and Madrid. What's more, in 2018 we are projected to double the record £1m turnover we achieved last year.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Knowing when to take financial risks. Since I have entirely self-funded Samuel & Co, I have occasionally been left in a slightly more precarious situation than I would have liked, and I did worry about how this could affect my staff. Moving into our office in Watford is a prime example of what was, at the time, quite a financial risk. However, it's my belief that you need to take risks if you want to succeed.

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What are your plans for hitting your targets?

I'll be looking to get new trainees on board, from more countries, with a particular focus on growing our Madrid team, so we can try to make a difference to the unemployment there.

What's the one piece of advice you'd give fellow entrepreneurs?

Live by Dr Abraham Twerski's lobster analogy. Lobsters only grow when under huge amounts of pressure and, likewise, business leaders should grow by embracing uncomfortable situations and use them to propel themselves forward.