Paul Finch’s Home Truths

Everyone, this is Paul. Why ask him for his Home Truths? Cos he founded Growth Studio, is an all-round good guy, and has helped me in life and work far more than I deserve.

1. The song to put a smile on your face…

Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C+C Music Factory ft. Freedom Williams. I’ve loved it ever since I first heard it, and it’s pushed me through ‘the wall’ whenever I hit it in marathon training. It’s just pure, high-performance, unadulterated excitement that makes you want to… Yeah, probably dance.

2. You can only watch one film for the next three months… What is it?

Magnolia. I extract a new bit from the film with every watch; the music is brilliant; and it has an eclectic and brilliant mix of characters who each deserve their own film.

3. The TV series you want everyone to watch:

Succession. As everyone else probably chose.

4. The book you most recommend to people:

God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens. I find religion and all its flaws and legacy unbelievably interesting. No one commands the English language quite like Hitchens does, and no one ever will. He’s the best orator and writer on earth, and I’ve probably given this book to about 20 people of all religious persuasions.

5. The subject you’ve put off exploring that’s now top of your to-do list 

Meditation. It’s the one daily routine I think will have the biggest impact, but I’ve never had time to do / stick to.

6. The wild card you wish more people knew about… 

The story of the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos (a medical device startup that made Elizabeth the youngest self-made female billionaire). Every aspect of her story is riveting. Her ambition, her image (manufactured on Steve Job’s), how she attracted millions of investment from America’s wealthiest and most influential families, how she ran and inevitably folded the company… Every part of the story is fascinating.

7. We’re allowed dinner parties again… What are you cooking?

Massive fat roast chicken, all trimmings, and garnished with all the friends I’ve missed in the past few weeks.

8. Everything’s back open. What’s the first coffee shop, restaurant or pub you’re visiting?

Hawksmoor Covent Garden or Borough. Not only do I love the restaurant and vibe, but the founders’ deeply personal emails about their trials and tribulations losing business, staff and clients in the crisis have made we want to support them forever more.  

P.S. What you know now, that you wish you knew then…

Most people are inherently brilliant people; they just don’t get the opportunity to be day-to-day.

C’est fini... Now what?

Read some more Home Truths from family, friends, or Founders. Not sure what’s going on here? Head to Home Truths to find out more.