Earlier this year, Rutherford Cross Consultant, Fraser Burnett, hosted the seventh instalment of our Network of Tomorrow event series, this time in partnership with Steven Clarke, founder & CEO of Nuuri.
Nuuri is a UK‑based digital platform designed to modernise and simplify how parents find and enrol their children into nurseries, offering a comprehensive system that connects families with trusted childcare providers while giving nurseries the modern tools they need to operate more efficiently.
Founded by Steven Clarke after experiencing the challenges of navigating childcare himself, Nuuri aims to bring greater transparency to the process, reduce administrative burdens, and make early‑years decision‑making easier for both parents and nursery staff alike.
Fraser shares some highlights from the event and outlines plans for the Network of Tomorrow series moving forward.
Building Connections Across the Network of Tomorrow
We are now seven events into the Network of Tomorrow series, and it was another great evening with both familiar and new faces in the room, hosted at the specialty coffee cafe, BEATNIK in Edinburgh.
With the purpose of this series being to facilitate connections between the next generation of leaders in the Scottish intermediary market, it was encouraging to see meaningful relationships continuing to build.
Honest Reflections From the Founder of Nuuri
During the Q&A segment, Steven brought a refreshing level of honesty to his journey. He spoke openly about what he has learned along the way and how he leaned into difficulties to help shape where he is today.
So often with startups we hear about the success stories, milestones achieved, and polished triumphs. Hearing Steven talk about the setbacks, the doubts, and the moments when things did not go to plan was greatly appreciated by those in the room.
The Courage to Act on Ideas
Steven talked about how we all have ideas, but most of us do not act on them. It takes real bravery to take that leap of faith and see it through, especially when you have responsibilities such as a family to care for.
Steven also discussed the importance of speaking to other entrepreneurs and seeking advice, particularly in the early stages when you have an idea and do not necessarily know how to turn it into something tangible.
What Really Drives Entrepreneurial Success
Reflecting on Steven’s journey and the experiences of the other entrepreneurs I have spoken to throughout the event series, it became clear that success is rarely about having all the “right” traits. When you search online for what makes a successful entrepreneur, you will find lists filled with buzzwords such as curiosity, vision, risk taking, self-awareness, empathy, and many more.
But when I speak directly to entrepreneurs, what consistently stands out is not just hard work, but the power skills they bring to the table: influence, communication, self-belief, resilience, and the ability to keep going when things don’t go to plan. These are the skills that shape how you act on your ideas, how you navigate challenges, and how you inspire others along the way.
All of this reinforces something I see consistently: there is no exact science to becoming a successful entrepreneur. There is no guaranteed formula. Hard work alone doesn’t always result in success as it can take multiple attempts to get it right. That doesn’t mean you have failed; it means you’re learning, adapting, and building resilience.
Maybe the real question is not whether you have the right traits to be a successful entrepreneur, but whether you are willing to put in the work, apply these strengths, and persist until your ideas turn into reality.
Looking Ahead to the Next Chapter
Moving forward, we have plans to collaborate and organise a larger event for our next instalment of the Network of Tomorrow. The focus will remain the same: creating a purposeful event, bringing good people together, and building meaningful connections. I am excited to share details in due course.
If you’re interested in partnering with us or you would like to attend future events in the Network of Tomorrow series, reach out to Fraser Burnett: [email protected].
