EPISODE 485: John Caudwell
The British Billionaire Who Turned £20k into £2.4 Billion
EPISODE SUMMARY
John Caudwell is a British entrepreneur and one of the most successful people in the world. After 10 years he built a mobile phone empire and then started to invest in other businesses. By 2018, he's worth £2.4 billion.
In this episode, I talk to John about how he turned his £20,000 into £2.4 billion. John's story is inspirational and shows how anyone can be successful if they put their mind to it. From a teenage apprentice washing cars for a living at 16, he turned himself into a visionary entrepreneur with a vision as big as his ambition. However, it was not easy. It was one of the most challenging journeys of his life. John had to battle against not only the scepticism of his peers, but against himself as well. He had to push through every single day and scrap for everything he ever got. But in the end, he won and became an iconic figure with a place on Forbes' list of richest people in the world - the top 1%.
John Caudwell is an inspiration. I hope this episode inspires you to start thinking bigger and break out of your comfort zone.
KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED
From Humble Beginnings to Billionaire: John Caudwell shares his journey from a teenage apprentice washing cars to becoming one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs. He discusses how he turned a modest £20,000 investment into a £2.4 billion mobile phone empire, highlighting the challenges and key decisions along the way.
Overcoming Adversity and Self-Doubt: John delves into the personal and professional obstacles he faced, including skepticism from peers and self-doubt. He talks about the relentless drive and determination required to push through daily challenges and achieve extraordinary success.
Vision and Ambition: The episode explores John's visionary approach to business and how his ambition fueled his success. He emphasizes the importance of thinking big, breaking out of comfort zones, and constantly striving for more, offering valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.
CONNECT WITH JOHN CAUDWELL
LinkedIn: John Caudwell
Instagram: @johncaudwell
Website: www.johncaudwell.com
ABOUT THE GUEST
Self-made billionaire John Caudwell grew up in Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England, and discovered his commercial and creative streak at a young age. It was in the mid-1980s, when operating a successful car dealership in his hometown, that he turned a communications problem into a business opportunity.
John founded Caudwell Group, the pioneering telecommunications company which included Phones 4U, the UK’s largest independent mobile phone retailer with over 600 stores across the country. When he sold Caudwell Group in 2006, the business was selling 26 phones a minute.
“Nothing gives me the same feeling as helping people”
While John remains active in the business world, he now devotes most of his time to his lifelong philanthropic ambitions. As a signatory to the Giving Pledge, John is committed to giving at least 70 percent of his wealth to charitable causes during and after his lifetime.
John gives significantly to and raises the profiles of causes which struggle to receive the attention, funding and assistance they so desperately deserve. Through his charities, Caudwell Children and Caudwell LymeCo, John’s focus is on improving the lives of those with disabilities and Lyme disease.
