Latest news with #StevenBartlett
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
How long horny Brits really want sex to last for, according to a new poll – how does your love life compare?
Plus, ten most-searched sex positions in the UK - is your favourite amongst them? SEX O'CLOCK How long horny Brits really want sex to last for, according to a new poll – how does your love life compare? A NEW poll has revealed exactly how long Brits across the country actually want sex to last for - so how does your love life stack up? Although some people are choosing not to have sex at all - which you'll be aware of if you've been tuning into Channel 4 Virgin Island in recent weeks, there are plenty of those who still enjoy getting frisky in between the sheets. Advertisement 1 A new survey has lifted the lid on Brits' sex lives - so how does yours compare? Credit: Getty Of course, everyone and every relationship is different, and it's not realistic to expect that steamy period when you first start seeing someone to last forever. A recent survey also showed that most Brits - a whopping 48 per cent - get nookie once a week. If that's the case, then you certainly don't want that one time to be disappointing for anyone involved. Fortunately, we've now got a time to work against and it seems that stamina is the name of the game - if a new poll from ASDA online doctor is anything to judge by. Advertisement They asked people from cities across the UK how long they would want sex to last, rather than expect, and the total comes in at a rather impressive 23 minutes and 45 seconds, Lad Bible reported. Given that a sex expert spilled the beans on Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO podcast that the average romp lasts just three to seven minutes, it perhaps may be a pipe dream for Scots in Glasgow who are wanting just shy of 30 minutes every time they get frisky. Meanwhile, Cardiff's demands are a little more understanding, coming in at 19 minutes and 45 seconds on average. Londoners want 23 minutes seven seconds, Manchester residents 22 minutes 13 seconds, and those in Birmingham 23 minutes 55 seconds. Advertisement The survey also asked participants to reveal what is preventing them from having more regular sex, with body insecurities and nerves about not satisfying your partner being a key issue for both men and women. The research asked men and women what the main reason they had avoided sex in the last year was, and the main hangups were weight (48 per cent) and performance anxiety (42 per cent). I'm an orgasm expert - the move you & your man need to make daily to keep desire high & SCHEDULING sex is essential too 44 per cent of women avoided sex because of anxieties about their body hair, while 34 per cent opted against it because of concerns of how their lady bits look. As for men, 36 percent of men avoided sex because they were worried about their penis size. Advertisement Amongst the most shocking findings saw that nine per cent of the participants admitted to thinking about their colleagues during sex, 12 per cent check their phone and nine percent of men have turned to AI for sex advice instead of having an open chat with their partner. The 10 most-searched sex positions in the UK The Eagle is searched for, on average, 150,730 times in the UK every month. Eagle 69 Missionary Cowgirl Reverse Cowgirl Standing Lotus Spooning Doggy Style Pretzel Dr Crystal Wyllie from Asda Online Doctor said: "Sometimes we feel the need to lie about our pleasure or sexual experience so that we don't feel judged. "But while it's a normal response, getting into the habit of being dishonest about our sexual habits can create emotional distance with a partner and make insecurities even worse. "Open communication is key for a happy, healthy sexual relationship, so being honest about how we're feeling is a great first step." Advertisement This comes after thousands of couples around the world revealed their favourite time to get nookie - and the least raunchy time. More than a third said they prefer to romp between 22:00 and 00:00, with 80 per cent agreeing that the ''sweet spot'' is specifically 22:09. The second most popular window of time for some action was between 20:00 and 22:00 (27 per cent). The least sexy time proved to be the early hours of the morning, with only a mere four per cent choosing to engage in the activity between 06:00 and 08:00.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
How long horny Brits really want sex to last for, according to a new poll – how does your love life compare?
A NEW poll has revealed exactly how long Brits across the country actually want sex to last for - so how does your love life stack up? Although some people are choosing not to have sex at all - which you'll be aware of if you've been tuning into Channel 4 Virgin Island in recent weeks, there are plenty of those who still enjoy getting frisky in between the sheets. Of course, everyone and every relationship is different, and it's not realistic to expect that steamy period when you first start seeing someone to last forever. A recent survey also showed that most Brits - a whopping 48 per cent - get nookie once a week. If that's the case, then you certainly don't want that one time to be disappointing for anyone involved. Fortunately, we've now got a time to work against and it seems that stamina is the name of the game - if a new poll from ASDA online doctor is anything to judge by. They asked people from cities across the UK how long they would want sex to last, rather than expect, and the total comes in at a rather impressive 23 minutes and 45 seconds, Lad Bible reported. Given that a sex expert spilled the beans on Steven Bartlett 's Diary of a CEO podcast that the average romp lasts just three to seven minutes, it perhaps may be a pipe dream for Scots in Glasgow who are wanting just shy of 30 minutes every time they get frisky. Meanwhile, Cardiff 's demands are a little more understanding, coming in at 19 minutes and 45 seconds on average. Londoners want 23 minutes seven seconds, Manchester residents 22 minutes 13 seconds, and those in Birmingham 23 minutes 55 seconds. The survey also asked participants to reveal what is preventing them from having more regular sex, with body insecurities and nerves about not satisfying your partner being a key issue for both men and women. The research asked men and women what the main reason they had avoided sex in the last year was, and the main hangups were weight (48 per cent) and performance anxiety (42 per cent). I'm an orgasm expert - the move you & your man need to make daily to keep desire high & SCHEDULING sex is essential too 44 per cent of women avoided sex because of anxieties about their body hair, while 34 per cent opted against it because of concerns of how their lady bits look. As for men, 36 percent of men avoided sex because they were worried about their penis size. Amongst the most shocking findings saw that nine per cent of the participants admitted to thinking about their colleagues during sex, 12 per cent check their phone and nine percent of men have turned to AI for sex advice instead of having an open chat with their partner. The 10 most-searched sex positions in the UK The Eagle is searched for, on average, 150,730 times in the UK every month. Eagle 69 Missionary Cowgirl Reverse Cowgirl Standing Lotus Spooning Doggy Style Pretzel Dr Crystal Wyllie from Asda Online Doctor said: "Sometimes we feel the need to lie about our pleasure or sexual experience so that we don't feel judged. "But while it's a normal response, getting into the habit of being dishonest about our sexual habits can create emotional distance with a partner and make insecurities even worse. "Open communication is key for a happy, healthy sexual relationship, so being honest about how we're feeling is a great first step." This comes after thousands of couples around the world revealed their favourite time to get nookie - and the least raunchy time. More than a third said they prefer to romp between 22:00 and 00:00, with 80 per cent agreeing that the ''sweet spot'' is specifically 22:09. The second most popular window of time for some action was between 20:00 and 22:00 (27 per cent). The least sexy time proved to be the early hours of the morning, with only a mere four per cent choosing to engage in the activity between 06:00 and 08:00.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Derek McGrath: Waterford must go again because they have to
'The secret in my opinion is that we sweat the small stuff more than any other team I have ever encountered. We obsess over thousands of small details that I believe most people would dismiss as crazy, trivial or a waste of time.' (Clive Woodward on Steven Bartlett's The Diary of a CEO podcast) Most inter county teams 'sweat the small stuff' - what Clive Woodward described as the critical non-essentials that make the environment a winning one. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Subscribe to access all of the Irish Examiner. Annual €120€60 Best value Monthly €10€4 / month Unlimited access. Subscriber content. Daily ePaper. Additional benefits.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Steven Bartlett Becomes Co-Owner Of Stan To Back Creator Founders
John Hu and Steven Bartlett Steven Bartlett is no stranger to backing the next wave of disruptors, but his latest move is more than an investment. The entrepreneur and host of The Diary of a CEO is joining Stan, the creator commerce platform, as a co-owner to help build what he sees as 'the future of entrepreneurship, one Creator-entrepreneur at a time.' As Stan crosses $30 million in annual recurring revenue and $300 million in gross merchandise value, Bartlett's hands-on involvement signals a growing belief that the middle-class creator is the business story of the decade. Bartlett, whose personal capital and FlightStory Fund are both behind the deal, explained that 'this is not a passive investment. I will be taking an active role in the business as a co-owner,' positioning himself not only as a strategic partner to the executive team but also as a direct contributor to the success of creators on the platform. He added that his involvement would include sharing business insights, helping shape product strategy and offering exclusive opportunities to Stan's user base. 'I am invested in Stan creators,' he said plainly. Stan has grown to more than 70,000 users in just three years, a trajectory that founder and CEO John Hu attributes to obsessive focus on creators who are building real, sustainable businesses without massive teams, investors or platforms. According to Bartlett, Stan stands out because 'it removes friction. It gives creators a streamlined way to monetise, engage their audience and scale all from a single link.' He added that most creators trying to scale spend too much time juggling disconnected tools, and that the most successful ones 'treat their brand like a business from day one,' focusing on systems, automation and leveraging their unique skills rather than spreading themselves thin. Hu agreed. 'The creators succeeding on Stan aren't just influencers. They're educators, coaches, spiritual mentors, even lawyers,' he said. 'They're building lean businesses with high-leverage digital products, courses, communities and services.' Hu added that the company's edge is cultural as much as technological. 'This isn't just a business. We're building for ourselves and our peers. The bar is higher because we care more.' For Bartlett, the appeal of Stan was not only its traction but also its mission. 'Having navigated my own journey and built businesses from the ground up, I totally get the ambition of every creator looking to work for themselves,' he said. 'Stan is the easiest and most affordable way to get started as a creator entrepreneur.' Bartlett said that his connection with Hu was grounded in shared experience. 'My relationship with John is built on a shared experience. Both being self-made entrepreneurs who rose from disadvantaged backgrounds, we are united in our commitment to paying it forward by actively championing Stan creators.' That alignment is core to the company's direction. Hu added that Stan was originally created to solve a problem he faced himself while growing a content business on TikTok and YouTube. 'There wasn't a single product that let you launch and monetize easily,' he said. 'So we built it.' Since joining the company, Bartlett has been hands-on in product strategy and team discussions, particularly around AI. 'He's been texting us constantly about AI,' said Hu. 'It's like having a board member in your group chat.' Vitalii Dodonov, Stan's co-founder and CTO, added that many of the company's current experiments with artificial intelligence emerged from conversations with Bartlett. 'A lot of the ideas sparked from Steven sharing what he's seeing across the industry,' he said. 'We're building something to help creators figure out what to launch and how, faster and more clearly.' Bartlett sees this next phase as a shift in the industry. 'The investment will be used to further enhance the Stan experience,' he said. 'We're building a platform that supports creators at every stage, especially those just getting started.' The investment also aligns with Bartlett's broader vision through FlightStory Fund, which backs growth-stage startups challenging conventional business models. 'The fund is dedicated to supporting disruptive founders with funding, guidance, and a network that fuels their growth,' he explained. 'Stan aligns perfectly with that thesis.' Bartlett emphasized that Stan is not a one-off bet on the creator space, but a central piece of a longer-term commitment to entrepreneur-first infrastructure. 'We invest in missions that challenge the status quo,' he said, adding that Stan represents 'exactly the kind of company we want to scale.' Asked how he would build a creator business today if starting from scratch, Bartlett didn't hesitate. 'I'd find a niche with a proven engaged and loyal audience. I'd post daily content to build my community and I'd use the most efficient and affordable tools to monetize as quickly as possible.' He said Stan would be part of that toolkit, especially for creators who need clarity, speed and access to mentorship. Bartlett also spoke candidly about the biggest mistakes he sees creators make. 'They try to do everything themselves, and they burn out,' he said. 'Time is the one thing you can't scale without. Stan gives them that time back.' While much of the attention in the creator economy has gone to celebrity influencers and big-name platforms, Bartlett and Hu are betting on the opposite: small, focused, independent creators building real businesses. As Hu put it, 'Stan was built on the belief that anyone should have the opportunity to make a living working for themselves.' For Dodonov, the motivation went even deeper. 'The foundational desire to be free… is the most core pursuit that I had,' he said. With Bartlett now embedded in the company's leadership and strategy, Stan is positioned as the backbone of a new class of digital entrepreneurship. This partnership brings together two builders with shared backgrounds and a common belief: that anyone with a skill or story should have the tools to work for themselves. Selected clips taken from my in-depth interview with John Hu about the investment, featured on The Business of Creators podcast.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This millennial CEO grew up with a heroin addict dad. Now he's running a multimillion-dollar agency
This millennial founder got his start working alongside Diary of a CEO's Steven Bartlett, before launching a rival multimillion-pound marketing agency of his own. But before his rise in the agency world, Sam Budd was grappling with the trauma of his brother's death, battling school expulsions, and visiting his homeless father under motorway bridges. Now he tells Gen Z they can emulate his success by making the most of every single person they meet. Money makes money. Research estimates that just 12% of CEOs come from a working-class background. And the startup world is no different: Entrepreneurs without wealth or connections face an uphill battle for funding—without the capital, connections, or safety nets their privileged peers often take for granted. Sam Budd is an outlier. He had a rough start to life—expelled from school multiple times, with a father battling heroin addiction and an alcoholic stepdad. 'My dad was a heroin addict, and my half-brother was in foster care. It was very heartbreaking to be a part of that,' he recalls to Fortune. 'As I was growing up, I had to deal with my dad being under bridges, homeless.' While Budd was silently struggling with the chaos, his brother ended up in prison for five years after a cash machine robbery turned violent. 'The day he came out, he overdosed on heroin with my dad and died in my dad's arms. Three years later, my dad got stabbed and beaten up based on a drug deal issue—he ended up dying in a gutter of pneumonia.' Then things started turning sour at home, after his mother remarried and uprooted the family to Cornwall, England. As his own anger bubbled away, Budd recalls getting increasingly out of control and even being arrested for fighting. 'If I'm honest, I felt really isolated, I felt worthless, I hated myself,' Budd explains. 'I got kicked out. I fell out with my stepdad. He ended up drinking himself to death and dying of liver failure.' 'I was systematically imploding. I couldn't deal with it.' Against all odds, the 36-year-old Budd is the high-flying CEO of his own £3.8 million-a-year ($5.1 million) marketing agency, Buddy Media Group. Founded in 2020, it's gaining some serious steam. While the top independent agencies in Britain have a 36% growth rate, Buddy Media is achieving nearly 100% year-on-year growth and attracting the attention of major clients with Apple, Spotify, and Procter & Gamble among its 26 accounts. As the adage goes: It's not what you know, it's who you know. It's why, for those from marginalised backgrounds with zero corporate connections, it can feel like they're locked out of the working world. But you don't have to be at a networking event or scrolling LinkedIn to start making connections. Budd's big break came thanks to connecting with people in the most unlikely of places: on the beach. At 18, he was working as a lifeguard in Cornwall, Britain's coastal hotspot. Although it wasn't his dream job or industry, he made it his mission to talk to as many people as possible and ask for their email address. 'But I would actually follow up with an email and say I would love to come and do five days' work experience with you,' he adds. In the end, it only takes one connection to open the right door—and that's exactly what happened to Budd. One person he connected with was hiring for Beach Break Live, a musical festival on the beach for students. And of course, given his local knowledge of the area, Budd was the perfect fit. 'I didn't just apply with a CV. I told a story, and then I highlighted what value I believed I could bring.' The role meant he had to uproot to London, but from there he saw his career take off. He impressed the co-founder, Celia Foreshew, so much that she brought him on as a founding member of her next venture Seed Marketing which was eventually acquired by another agency, Amplify, 'for several millions'. That's when he crossed paths with Diary of a CEO's Steven Bartlett. 'I couldn't afford to live in London. I took the job because I knew they would put me on a platform that would get me here,' Budd explains the snowball effect Beach Break Live had on his career. 'What did that turn into? Seed marketing agency, which sold several million and I was one of the founders. And where did that take me to? (Bartlett's marketing agency) Social Change. And where did that take me to? Launching Buddy Media. So it's like, you've just got to find a way in.' Budd's not the only person to use their first job to land a big fish. Many Gen Z grads today are successfully trying their luck with strangers to get a foot in the door of employment. Gen Z grad, Basant Shenouda, landed an internship at LinkedIn—where she still works years later—by using the networking platform to see which conferences recruiters were posting about. She then waitressed at those events, armed with a stack of résumés to hand to hiring managers. Likewise, 25-year-old, Ayala Ossowski used the 20 hours a week she was working at a pizza shop in suburban Washington to try to get poached by DC's elite. She wore a baseball cap emblazoned with her university logo on the front to every shift and launched into an elevator pitch any time a customer asked about it. After a month of pitching herself while serving pizza, Ossowski landed her first corporate job. But you don't have to hold off your networking journey until after you've landed an internship or weekend job—where you can cosy up to bosses, like-minded peers or in Budd's case, beachgoers. The world really is your oyster. Without even really realising it, Budd had already created a springboard for his career as a teenager by impressing his friends' parents. 'Maybe it's my ADHD. I feel so much, and I care so much about everything, but what it has done is I've been so desperate for a dad-like father, I went out and saw other people's parents as role models,' he says. 'Weirdly, it is the most critical part of how I achieve success.' He got close to a couple of his friends' dads, and is still in their family WhatsApp group chat today. But one in particular, Jeremy Martell, took Budd under his wing when his life was crumbling—both figuratively and literally. Budd lived with Martell for 6 months, gained work experience as his assistant and credits him for shaping his entrepreneurial mindset. It's why, he says Gen Zers struggling to launch their careers can emulate his success if they make the most of every connection they make—even if that's just a best friend's dad. 'You have all of it at your fingertips if you approach it with the right way: You seek to add value of some way, and most importantly, you ask for help,' he advises. 'How many people really have the courage to say, 'Can you help me? I would love your support. I really respect what you do and I would love to change my stars.'' Today, Martell is on Buddy Media's board. 'And he introduced me to our other board member, who's the ex-financial director of Procter and Gamble,' he explains. 'All of a sudden it all starts coming together. Now I've got people that I can call up, because I've invested time over the two decades, building relationships. Because really, life is about building relationships.' Are you a successful executive who, like Budd, had an unusual start to their career? Or maybe you're a Gen Zer who thought out of the box to land that first interview. Fortune wants to hear from you! Email: This story was originally featured on Sign in to access your portfolio
