Everyone told him not to do it. He did it anyway.
After 28 years building Ink, Simon Leslie found himself at a crossroads.
Having steered the business through COVID, he realised something had changed. The passion that had driven him for nearly three decades was no longer there.
He didn't have a detailed plan for what came next.
But he did have a boyhood dream.
He wanted to buy a football club.
So he started telling people. Making connections. Putting his ambition out into the world.
Eventually, that journey led him to Eastbourne Borough Football Club.
The response from almost everyone around him?
Don't do it.
They told him it would be a waste of money, time and energy.
But Simon wanted to create something special. Something that could leave a legacy.
In this Founder Classic episode of Screw It Just DO It, Simon joins Alex Chisnall to discuss what happens when you walk away from the business that has defined you, trust your instincts and pursue a dream that others don't understand.
In this conversation:
● Why Simon walked away after 28 years building Ink
● Recognising when you've lost your passion
● How telling people about his dream opened unexpected doors
● Why everyone advised against buying Eastbourne Borough
● Creating a legacy through football and community
● Separating your identity from your business
● Staying committed when things don't go to plan
● The importance of being present and letting go of unnecessary worries
Sometimes the biggest risk isn't taking the leap.
It's spending the rest of your life wondering what might have happened if you had.
Subscribe to Screw It Just DO It for more conversations with founders and entrepreneurs who stopped waiting and took action.
🎟️ Ready to take your next big step? Join us at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on 3–4 November at the NEC Birmingham. Connect with ambitious founders, learn from successful entrepreneurs and discover new opportunities to grow your business.
👉 Find out more: https://www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk/
