Leadership Journeys [221] - James Kellett - " It makes more sense investing and then founding rather than the other way round."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast. I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name. In this episode of Choosing Leadership, Anders Jones, CEO of Facet, shares the hard-won lessons of scaling a disruptive FinTech company while navigating the challenges of modern leadership. In this episode, James Kellett, founder and CEO of Spot Ship, shares how his journey from hedge funds to entrepreneurship shaped his approach to leadership, innovation, and resilience. He reveals why investors make great founders, how AI is transforming the $500 billion maritime industry, and the leadership principles that drive his team’s success. James also opens up about the relentless, high-stakes world of startups—where being ‘unkillable’ is the key to survival. Whether you're scaling a business or navigating tough leadership decisions, this conversation offers powerful insights on strategic thinking, autonomy, and adapting to market forces. Tune in for an unfiltered look at what it takes to build a game-changing company in a rapidly evolving industry! You can find James Kellett at the below links https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameskellett/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-ship/ In the interview, James shares "Entrepreneurship is the natural next step after investing. If you know how to allocate capital, why not build something yourself?" "The best entrepreneurs make pivotal decisions with the same strategic mindset as top investors." "We set out to be the 'Bloomberg for ship brokers,' but innovation led us to a much bigger vision." "AI and data are revolutionizing the $500 billion maritime industry—those who leverage them will lead the future." "A great leadership culture grants autonomy, demands agility, and fosters transparency—this is how we operate at Spot Ship." "Startups are an adrenaline rush—relentless, stressful, but incredibly meaningful." "If you want to survive in entrepreneurship, you have to be 'unkillable'—resilient, adaptable, and driven." "Success isn’t just about the idea—it’s about the culture, execution, and the people who believe in the mission." "Leadership isn’t a position; it’s a choice. Every day, we decide whether to step up or step back." "In business and in life, the bold choices define us—choose leadership, embrace risk, and create impact."