40 Minute Mentor: Recent Episodes
JBM, James Mitra
40 Minute Mentor is a podcast on a mission to make business mentorship accessible to everyone.
Whether you’re just beginning your career, are a Startup Founder or are just in need of some career inspiration, our show is designed to cover everything from the ground up in 40 minutes.
In this 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Sujata Bhatia, former COO of Monzo and Executive in Residence at Index Ventures, for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to step into a business at its toughest moment and rebuild it from the inside.
Sujata joined Monzo in 2020, when the company was burning £10 million a month, had seen its founder step back, and hadn't shipped a new product in nearly a year. Over five years, she helped take it from a loss-making challenger bank with 3 million customers to a profitable business with over 11 million.
In this episode, we dive into the real story of refounding Monzo, the momentum killers that quietly slow scaling companies down, why she believes going back into founder mode is increasingly relevant for any business navigating AI, and why setting out to hire a COO is almost always the wrong starting point.
Episode Chapters:
➡️ Sujata’s career story & why she joined Monzo [01:50]
➡️ Defining what ‘winning’ looks like [03:00]
➡️ Going back into Founder mode [08:00]
➡️ Hiring, raising the bar and knowing when to move on [18:40]
➡️ The COO role & what makes it actually work [27:30]
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In this 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Joe McDonald, Co-Founder and CEO of tem., and Adam Chirkowski, Partner at Albion VC, to hear the unfiltered story of building one of Europe's fastest-growing energy companies and what it really takes to back, build and scale a mission-driven startup.
Joe has spent over a decade in the energy industry and has seen first-hand how broken the infrastructure underpinning it all really is. After selling his previous startup in 2019, he’s back in the Founder seat building the fix through an AI-native energy transaction infrastructure built for the way modern businesses actually operate - from Premier League clubs and Formula 1 circuits to local cafes and independent retailers.
Adam was one of the earliest believers, spotting Joe at an online demo day and backing the team before almost anyone else would. Although ultimately a generalist investor, he has a particular focus on EnergyTech and has invested, advised, and sat on the board of companies across a broad range of sectors, including raising and deploying over £150m of funds into Renewable Energy.
Together, they share a candid and honest account of the inception moment that launched tem., the early mistakes that nearly derailed it, the philosophy behind closing a $75 million Series B in two weeks, and why Joe spends 70% of his time on culture.
Whether you're a founder, operator or investor, this episode is full of hard-won lessons on hiring, fundraising, mission, and what it actually looks like to build a generational company.
Episode Chapters:
➡️ The origin story [05:45]
➡️ Early mistakes and what Adam saw in Joe and the team [09:15]
➡️ Fundraising lessons [17:50]
➡️ Building a people-first company [23:00]
➡️ What the modern company stack actually looks like [26:20]
Enjoyed this episode?
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In this 40 Minute Mentor episode, James is joined by two leading voices in the talent ecosystem to unpack one of the biggest make-or-break factors in startup success: building high-performing teams in the AI era.
Between them, Sandra Schwarzer from Index Ventures and Charles Guillemet from Lovable have worked with some of the most ambitious Founders and fastest-scaling businesses in the world.
Together, they share a candid and practical look at what hiring and team-building really looks like in 2026: How the best Founders attract exceptional talent, why speed matters more than ever, what companies get wrong when scaling, and how AI is changing the way high-performing organisations hire, operate and grow.
Whether you’re a Founder, Operator, Investor or Talent Leader, this episode is packed with actionable insight on hiring, culture, performance and leadership in a fast-changing market.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ 03:50 - Lessons from Elon Musk and what exceptional Founders look for in talent
➡️ 09:30 - Building AI-native teams and why speed is now a competitive advantage
➡️ 18:15 - How to avoid expensive hiring mistakes
➡️ 31:15 - Predictions for 2026: AI, talent strategy and the future of high-performing teams
🤝A big thank you to our episode sponsors:
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Enjoyed this episode?
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Season 14 of 40 Minute Mentor has been one of our most special seasons yet, and in this short wrap-up episode, James reflects on the pocket-sized mentorship moments throughout this season and over the last 14 seasons.
In this season alone, we’ve had some incredible guests joining us, and we covered everything from Co-Founder dynamics, High Performance, the realities of hyper-growth, AI and the importance of diversity in leadership.
If you haven’t caught up on Season 14 yet, or you’re new to the podcast, make sure you dig through the archives of over 310 episodes.
In today’s episode, you’ll also find out more about what’s next for 40 Minute Mentor and how you can get even more involved and benefit from our pocket-sized mentorship in 2026….
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Subscribe to our 40 Minute Mentor emails
✨ Follow JBM on LinkedIn
✨ Subscribe to the 40 Minute Mentor YouTube channel
🎧 You may also like:
Alex Depledge MBE on taking a Founder’s Mind into the Government & why the UK is a great place to scale
Shimona Mehta on scaling Shopify Plus to $1B & transitioning into the CEO role at F11
Murvah Iqbal on scaling one of Europe’s fastest-growing startups and disruption a billion dollar industry with Hived
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
What does it really take to build and scale Startups in the UK, even when the odds feel stacked against you?
Find out from today’s 40 Minute Mentor, Alex Depledge MBE, serial entrepreneur, Co-Founder and CEO of Resi, and Entrepreneurship Advisor to the Chancellor of the Exchequer - the first time an entrepreneur has ever sat at the heart of the UK Treasury.
After co-founding Hassle.com and scaling it to £8m in revenue across four countries in just two years, Alex sold it for €32m and not long after decided to jump straight back into the Founder seat. This time with Resi, the UK’s largest residential architectural firm, using technology to help solve the country’s housing challenges through extensions and renovations.
In today’s episode, Alex shares her journey from growing to building category-defining companies, why resilience and stoicism have shaped her leadership style, and why she believes the UK is brilliant at starting businesses, and we’re just about to see the next wave of change with doubling down on Scaleups.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ Building resilience early on [05:20]
➡️ Choosing yourself & changing the narrative [08:20]
➡️ Why the UK is a great place for Startups [14:40]
➡️ Going again and building Resi [16:50]
➡️ Inside the Treasury [24:10]
➡️ The biggest blockers for UK Scaleups [28:30]
➡️ What changed in the Budget & why it matters for Founders [30:50]
➡️ The emotional cost of entrepreneurship [39:30]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Alex
✨ Find out more about Resi
⭐ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also like:
Talent Predictions for 2026: How to attract and hire the best talent in the year ahead with Amplified People Group’s Sophie Graci, Zach Rose, James Adams and Lisa Crane
Behind The Doors Of Number 10 Downing Street with Sam Gyimah
Downing Street, Death Threats and DE&I with Baroness Oona King
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
What does the hiring landscape really look like for 2026, and how can founders attract and retain exceptional talent in a market that’s evolving faster than ever?
Continuing on from Wednesday’s episode on People Predictions for 2026, James Mitra is joined by more Amplified People Group team members, Sophie Graci and Zach Rose from JBM, James Adams and Lisa Crane from Foundation Partners, to unpack the biggest shifts shaping the talent market heading into 2026.
From the rise of player-coach leaders, to the renewed importance of human connection in an AI-enabled world, the team share their front-line insights on how founders can scale smarter, avoid costly hiring mistakes, and stand out to top candidates.
They also dive deep into the growing role of fractional talent, why alignment and clarity are still the most underrated parts of hiring, and how candidates can differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.
If you're hiring in 2026, or gearing up for your next role, this conversation is full of practical and actionable advice.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ The biggest shifts in hiring throughout 2025 [03:20]
➡️ The most common hiring mistakes [07:30]
➡️ Employer brand & attracting the best talent [12:30]
➡️ Fractional hiring - and when it doesn’t work [17:20]
➡️ Scaling in 2026: Advice for founders preparing to grow [34:00]
➡️ How candidates can stand out in a competitive market [37:00]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Find out more about Foundation Partners
✨ Find out more about JBM
⭐ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also like:
People Predictions for 2026: The Future of Leadership and High-Performing Teams with Amplified Group’s Sophie Matthews, Nat Falconer, Mikael Nilsson and Logan Black
Alan Cairns on hiring in hyper-growth & a guide to culture and performance
Neda Sahebelm & Carla Hoppe: How to make fractional hiring & careers work
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
What does the year ahead really hold for leaders, founders and people teams?
In this special 40 Minute Mentor roundtable, James Mitra is joined by Amplified Group’s people experts, Sophie Matthews, Nat Falconer and Mikael Nilsson from Foundation Partners, and Logan Black from Unleashed, to explore the biggest people and talent trends shaping 2026.
From leaner organisations and the rise of fractional talent, to more focus on high-performing cultures, the team unpack what high performance will actually look like next year, and why middle managers may become the most influential layer in your organisation.
If you’re looking to scale your team, embed new technology or simply want no-BS guidance on hiring and retaining top talent, then this episode is for you.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ The rise of leaner and more efficient teams [05:10]
➡️ AI hype vs reality [12:00]
➡️ Defining high performance [25:45]
➡️ The biggest people challenges heading into 2026 [31:00]
➡️ What top candidates are really looking for [35:00]
➡️ Bold people predictions for the year ahead [40:00]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Find out more about Foundation Partners
✨ Find out more about Unleashed
⭐Enjoyed this episode? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also like:
Murvah Iqbal on scaling one of Europe’s fastest-growing startups and disruption a billion dollar industry with Hived
Tamara Lohan MBE on scaling the iconic Mr & Mrs Smith travel brand from idea to exit
Andrew Richardson on building high-performing businesses & leadership teams with Amplified Group
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
What does it take to build one of Europe’s fastest-growing startups in a legacy industry?
Find out from today’s 40 Minute Mentor, Murvah Iqbal, Co-Founder and CEO of Hived, the UK’s first customer-centric, all-electric, tech-enabled parcel delivery company designed for modern e-commerce.
Long before raising a $42 million Series B and rolling out an 100% electric fleet across eight UK cities, Murvah was captaining Manchester City’s women’s youth team, running marketing for her family’s fast-food chain, and hustling entrepreneurial ideas.
Today, she leads a team transforming parcel delivery through world-class technology, operational excellence and a relentless belief that there had to be a better way.
This episode is a masterclass in leadership grit, co-founder dynamics, building high-performing teams, and scaling a moonshot idea from two founders on bikes to millions of parcels delivered for some of the UK’s biggest brands.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ Transferrable skills from football to entrepreneurship [06:05]
➡️ The Silicon Valley spark that led to building Hived [08:00]
➡️ Co-Founder dynamics & complementary strengths [13:00]
➡️ From bikes to millions of parcels delivered [15:00]
➡️ Fundraising realities [24:00]
➡️ Scaling hiring and culture [30:00]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Murvah
✨ Find out more about Hived
⭐Enjoyed this episode? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
What does it really take to build an inclusive, high-performance culture in a fast-growing scaleup?
Today’s 40 Minute Minute Mentor is Alan Cairns, serial Chief People Officer and most recently CPO at GoCardless, the FinTech helping over 100,000 businesses get paid on time through bank payments and open banking.
With 30+ years across operations, people and talent, Alan has led some of the UK’s most recognisable brands through intense growth and change, from Chapter 11 restructuring and mass redundancies to category creation and hyper-growth.
In today’s episode, he shares candid lessons from his journey from mechanical engineering to CPO and COO, and unpacks what high performance actually looks like in practice.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ From mechanical engineering to People & Talent [01:20]
➡️ The power of delegating and letting go [05:00]
➡️ What great Founders have in common [10:40]
➡️ CPO skills & building trust in the C-Suite [14:00]
➡️ Moving from CPO to COO [20:00]
➡️ What high performance really means [32:00]
➡️ What makes or breaks culture in hypergrowth [39:00]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Alan
⭐ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also like:
Shimona Mehta on scaling Shopify Plus to $1B & transitioning into the CEO role at F11
Jevan Soo Lenox on building AI-first cultures & high-performing teams at fast-growth Unicorn WRITER
Dinika Mahtani on going from Operator at Uber to backing early-stage startups at Cherry Ventures
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Shimona Mehta, CEO at F11 - the one-stop platform for digital advertising.
Prior to joining F11, Shimona spent 6 years at Shopify, working across the Revenue function and becoming Managing Director of EMEA, where she built the rocketship commercial offering Shopify Plus from 0 to $1 billion.
It doesn’t take a lot of digging through Shimona’s CV or many conversations with her to see that the underlying drive to the great career she’s built is her passion for building high-performing teams.
In this candid live recording, we discuss the powerful lessons Shimona learned on scaling sustainably, and why humility, clarity and trust are the true accelerators of growth.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ Scaling Shopify Plus to $1B [04:10]
➡️ The biggest challenges of hyper-scale growth [07:00]
➡️ How Shimona progressed so quickly at Shopify [13:20]
➡️ Why choosing the right people opens every door [14:00]
➡️ Why F11 and the art of taking over as CEO [19:10]
➡️ A playbook for high-performing teams [32:00]
➡️ Why diverse leadership teams win [37:30]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Shimona
✨ More about F11
⭐ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Duncan Clark, Head of EMEA at Canva, the world-leading visual-communication platform on a mission to empower the world to design.
Before joining Canva, Duncan co-founded Flourish, the data-storytelling platform used by newsrooms and organisations worldwide to bring data to life.
Duncan’s journey from data journalist at The Guardian to first-time founder, selling to Canva, and now leading EMEA, is packed with lessons on building sustainably, scaling with trust, and staying true to your mission.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ Duncan’s path into journalism [01:35]
➡️ First-time Founder lessons [10:00]
➡️ Scaling lean & staying profitable [17:10]
➡️ Selling to Canva & building Canva EMEA from scratch [18:45]
➡️ Culture & Leadership at scale [29:30]
➡️ Hiring for impact [35:00]
⭐ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Today’s 40 Minute Mentor isAsi Sharabi, Co-Founder and CEO of Wonderbly, the world’s leading personalised publishing company.
Founded in 2012, Wonderbly is on a mission to inspire boundless self-belief in children through clever and sophisticated personalisation.
Over the last decade, Asi and the team have gone from strength to strength, raising money from some of the biggest investors in the industry, winning multiple awards, growing the team and shipping over 10 million books.
In this episode, Asi opens up about the reality behind this fast-growth journey, from raising capital to taking back ownership and scaling the team while keeping a strong culture at the core.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ The moment it all started [02:00]
➡️ Hypergrowth & fundraising lessons [10:00]
➡️ Building a high-performing culture without burning people out [13:30]
➡️ Why proximity still matters in a remote world [23:20]
➡️ Selling to Penguin Random House [26:30]
➡️ The hard side of being a Founder [32:20]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Asi
✨ More about Wonderbly
✨ Asi’s book recommendation
⭐ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Thomas Plantenga, the CEO of Vinted - Europe’s largest secondhand marketplace and Lithuania’s first-ever unicorn.
What started as a small Lithuanian startup in 2008 has evolved into a fast-growth business with millions of users, 2,000+ employees and a €5 billion valuation.
In today’s conversation, Thomas shares the ins and outs of his journey with Vinted, how it became such a global success, the biggest leadership lessons he learnt along the way and what’s next for the business with the launch of Vinted Ventures.
If you’re a founder or operator navigating scaleup challenges, this episode is a masterclass in turnaround strategy, culture building and leading with humility.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ Early years & the call that changed everything [07:30]
➡️ Realising Vinted was in trouble [16:00]
➡️ Spotting the first signs of growth [20:00]
➡️ The hardest leadership lessons [23:00]
➡️ The art of hiring at scale & psychological safety [27:00]
➡️ Launching Vinted Ventures [36:40]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-p-19651414/?originalSubdomain=lt
✨ More about Vinted: https://www.vinted.co.uk/
⭐ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform.
And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Jevan Soo Lenox, the Chief People Officer at WRITER, a leader in agentic AI for the enterprise.
Founded in 2020, WRITER helps businesses launch products faster, run deeper financial research and clinical trials. The high-growth startup is backed by some of the best investors, including Balderton, Radical Ventures, ICONIQ Growth, Salesforce Ventures, Adobe Ventures, and many more.
Before joining WRITER, Jevan already held multiple CPO roles in hyper-growth businesses, including Blue Bottle Coffee, Stitch Fix and inistro.
In today’s conversation, Jevan shares a masterclass on the modern people function - from building AI-first cultures and scaling people teams globally, to hiring with self-awareness and building high-performing cultures.
If you’re a Founder, Operator or People leader building a hypergrowth culture or looking for ways to embed more AI into your teams, this episode is packed with valuable insights for you.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ From McKinsey to AI - Jevan’s career path [03:00]
➡️ Finding a calling in People & Culture leadership [04:00]
➡️ What makes a truly great Chief People Officer [09:30]
➡️ How technology and AI are transforming the People function [16:45]
➡️ Inside WRITER: culture, values and what “AI-first” really means [18:40]
➡️ When to hire your first CPO [23:00]
➡️ How to hire exceptional leaders [34:40]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Jevan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jevansoolenox
✨ More about WRITER: https://writer.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Welcome back to Season 14 of 40 Minute Mentor!
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Claire Davenport, a seasoned tech operator whose career spans investment banking at Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, Chief of Staff at Skype, CEO roles at VoucherCodes, HelloFresh UK and Not On The High Street, as well as board and angel investing.
Today, Claire is a prominent figure in the Tech world as a NED, COO at Multiverse and Angel Investor. She is also a staunch advocate for women leaders, having founded WITSEND, a fast-growing network for C-Suite women in tech.
In this conversation, Claire shares candid lessons on leading in a crisis, making the leap to CEO, landing your first non-exec role, retaining top talent, and the real state of gender balance in executive leadership.
📚Episode Chapters:
➡️ From banking to ops - Claire’s pivots & biggest lessons [08:12]
➡️ The hardest chapter [13:00]
➡️ Becoming a CEO [16:00]
➡️ How headhunters can help your career advancement [18:00]
➡️ What great C-level leadership looks like [22:00]
➡️ How to land your first board seat [24:13]
➡️ Attracting & retaining top talent [29:30]
➡️ The power of peer mentorship & community [33:00]
➡️ Women in leadership roles - the progress & gaps [35:30]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Claire: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/claire-davenport-online/en
✨ More about Multiverse: https://www.multiverse.io/en-GB
✨More about WITSEND: https://www.witsend.online/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also like:
- Where Are They Now: Sophie Adelman On Building A Community For The Curious
- Levelling The Playing Field: A Social Mobility Special
- From TopGun to Boardroom with Chris Severson
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Welcome back to Season 14 of 40 Minute Mentor!
We’re so excited to kick off the season this Wednesday, and with that, the launch of episode 300!
Before we get into this new season, here is a short preview of the brilliant conversations we’ve got lined up for the coming 10 weeks.
If you’re new to 40 Minute Mentor, don’t forget to hit subscribe so you’re the first to hear about new episodes.
And don’t forget to dive into our archives of nearly 300 episodes of pocket-sized mentorship.
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In this 40 Minute Mentor bonus episode, you'll hear directly from your Host, James Mitra, as he recaps another brilliant 10 weeks of mentorship.
James shares some of his own highlights from this season and shares more about our upcoming plans.
If you haven't caught up on this season yet, make sure you scroll back through Season 13...and our 250+ episodes in the archives.
📣 Don't forget to check out our season sponsors:
✨ Capsule - the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.
Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.
If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.
✨Foundation Partners - an Amplified People Group business, reinventing how ambitious, early-stage companies access People & Talent support.
They offer a fully flexible, fractional People & Talent team with specialist skillsets and hands-on delivery that starts driving impact in just 2 weeks.
As a 40 Minute Mentor listener, you can book a FREE 1-hour advisory call with a Managing Partner. Just head to www.foundationpartners.co.uk/contact and reference 40 Minute Mentor.
⭐ Enjoyed this season? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Adriana Restrepo, Co-Founder of crypto FinTech, Deblock.
Before building Deblock, Adriana spent 3 years at Revolut, overseeing People Operations and holding the COO role.
While she never expected to step into a Founder role, today, Adriana is building the world’s safest account for seamless management and exchange of crypto and cash, ensuring users truly own their money.
In this episode, you’ll hear more about the significant lessons she learned during her time at Revolut, the secret sauce that’s helping her build and scale Deblock, their impressive funding to date and what the future holds for Deblock and the Web3 space.
Episode Chapters:
➡️ From Corporate life to fast-paced Revolut [04:30]
➡️ Fundamental lessons from Revolut [11:30]
➡️ Taking the leap into entrepreneurship [14:00]
➡️ Building Deblock [17:00]
➡️ More about today’s sponsor [20:00]
➡️ Co-Founder dynamics & building a team [22:00]
➡️ Celebrating wins [23:30]
➡️ Fundraising & growing a diverse team [26:20]
➡️ The impact of a great COO [35:00]
➡️ The future of Deblock & Crypto [40:30]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Adriana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianarestrepo
✨ More about Deblock: https://deblock.com/en-FR
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Foundation Partners, an Amplified People Group company.
Foundation Partners is reinventing how ambitious, early-stage companies access People & Talent support. They offer a fully flexible, fractional People & Talent team with specialist skillsets and hands-on delivery that starts driving impact in just 2 weeks.
As a 40 Minute Mentor listener, you can book a FREE 1-hour advisory call with a Managing Partner. Just head to www.foundationpartners.co.uk/contact and reference 40 Minute Mentor.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Zeynep Yavuz: Investing In Fintech, Crypto & Emerging Markets with General Catalyst
Simone Maini: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & The Future Of Crypto with Elliptic
Scaling Teams & Building a High Performing Culture – A Roundtable Discussion with Amplified Group’s Dr Andy Meikle, Anouk Agussol & Andrew Richardson
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the leadership team of Amplified People Group - Dr Andy Meikle, Anouk Agussol and Andrew Richardson.
Together, they answer some of the burning questions leaders ask them: from navigating the messy world of people, talent and culture to early-stage blind spots, the UK’s employment landscape and practical tips on embedding AI in your teams.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ Common oversights when building culture [05:00]
➡️ The importance of values and expectations [11:00]
➡️ Building a transparent culture [12:30]
➡️ Authenticity in leadership [16:40]
➡️ More about today’s sponsors [18:00]
➡️ Navigating employment law challenges [19:20]
➡️ The difficulties of letting people go [22:00]
➡️ Building high-performing cultures [29:00]
➡️ Embedding AI [30:00]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ More about Amplified Group: https://www.amplifiedgroup.com/
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Foundation Partners, an Amplified People Group company.
Foundation Partners is reinventing how ambitious, early-stage companies access People & Talent support. They offer a fully flexible, fractional People & Talent team with specialist skillsets and hands-on delivery that starts driving impact in just 2 weeks.
As a 40 Minute Mentor listener, you can book a FREE 1-hour advisory call with a Managing Partner. Just head to www.foundationpartners.co.uk/contact and reference 40 Minute Mentor.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Andrew Richardson: Building high-performing businesses & leadership teams with Amplified Group
Anouk Agussol: Why HR is dead
Tamara Lohan MBE: From idea to exit – the scaling story of the iconic Mr & Mrs Smith travel brand
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Tamara Lohan MBE, Co-Founder and CEO of boutique hotel travel specialists Mr & Mrs Smith.
Tamara founded Mr & Mrs Smith together with her husband James in 2002.
Since then, the pair have been on an incredible journey, including scaling the business to over 1.5 million members worldwide, growing their distributed team, being awarded with an MBE for their services to the British travel industry, getting B Corp certified and being acquired by Hyatt in 2023.
In today’s episode, you’ll find out what it takes to build such an iconic brand and lots of actionable mentorship on how Tamara transitioned from CTO to COO and CEO.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ Childhood influences and early aspirations [05:20]
➡️ The idea that sparked Mr & Mrs Smith [08:00]
➡️ Challenges in the early days [13:00]
➡️ Transitioning from CTO to COO [19:30]
➡️ Transforming Leadership & navigating Covid [20:00]
➡️ Learn more about today’s sponsors [24:00]
➡️ Building an iconic brand [28:00]
➡️ Hiring lessons [32:00]
➡️ Building a remote culture [35:00]
➡️ The resilience of the travel industry [38:00]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Tamara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaralohan
✨ More about Mr & Mrs Smith: https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Foundation Partners, an Amplified People Group company.
Foundation Partners is reinventing how ambitious, early-stage companies access People & Talent support. They offer a fully flexible, fractional People & Talent team with specialist skillsets and hands-on delivery that starts driving impact in just 2 weeks.
As a 40 Minute Mentor listener, you can book a FREE 1-hour advisory call with a Managing Partner. Just head to www.foundationpartners.co.uk/contact and reference 40 Minute Mentor.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Simon Franks: The truth behind exiting to Amazon and investing in hyper growth Startups with Redbus Ventures
Radha Vyas: From £20m revenues to bankruptcy & rebuilding Flash Pack 2.0
Ben Stephenson: Building A Remote-First Startup Disrupting Travel
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Simon Franks, multi-exited entrepreneur, Managing Partner of early-stage firm, Redbus Ventures and the Founder of Franks Family Foundation, the UK-based charitable organisation.
Simon’s career has been filled with building and scaling some of the most successful businesses in Europe, including as a Founder and now Investor.
Today, he doesn’t just back brilliant businesses like Perkbox and Cleo, but his main focus has been his philanthropic pursuits, through Franks Family Foundation, initiating and developing projects in South East Asia.
Tune in to today’s episode to hear Simon’s first-hand experience of building and scaling high-performing teams and hugely successful businesses, plus hear tons of advice on what sets great Founders apart.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ Early career reflections [06:30]
➡️ Building the European Netflix with Lovefilm [09:45]
➡️ The true feelings behind the exit to Amazon [15:20]
➡️ More about today’s sponsors [17:10]
➡️ Transitioning into VC [20:00]
➡️ The pitfalls of generic business advice [24:00]
➡️ Why you need to fail fast [27:00]
➡️ Patterns in successful Founders [29:30]
➡️ Making a real impact [34:50]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Simon: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/frankssimon
✨ More about Redbus Ventures: https://redbus.uk/
✨ More about Franks Family Foundation: https://www.thefff.org/
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Foundation Partners, an Amplified People Group company.
Foundation Partners is reinventing how ambitious, early-stage companies access People & Talent support. They offer a fully flexible, fractional People & Talent team with specialist skillsets and hands-on delivery that starts driving impact in just 2 weeks.
As a 40 Minute Mentor listener, you can book a FREE 1-hour advisory call with a Managing Partner.
Just head to www.foundationpartners.co.uk/contact and reference 40 Minute Mentor.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Nicky Goulimis & Nico Barawid: The serial entrepreneurs stopping scams & building Tunic Pay differently
Lessons Of Resilience: Scaling Love Koffee To Exit and Living Through Made.com’s Collapse with Dimple Patel, CEO of Trouva
Greg Marsh: A $200m+ exit with onefinestay to helping you save on household bills with Nous
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Nicky Goulimis and Nico Barawid, the Founders of early-stage FinTech Tunic Pay, the only fraud vendor designed specifically for scams.
Prior to building Tunic Pay, Nicky scaled Nova Credit, the credit infrastructure and analytics company that enables businesses to grow responsibly by harnessing alternative credit data. And Nico built Casai, which was Latin America's largest short-term rental operator.
With so much experience in building successful FinTech ventures, this episode is a great listen for anyone thinking about starting a FinTech, or for anyone currently in the thick of scaling.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ Entrepreneurial traits from an early age [12:00]
➡️ Why FinTech [16:20]
➡️ Key lessons from early ventures [18:30]
➡️ More about today’s sponsors [23:20]
➡️ Building teams without the vanity metrics [26:00]
➡️ Flipping the script on ‘failing’ [29:00]
➡️ The future of Tunic Pay [32:30]
➡️ Taking the time to find investors [34:40]
➡️ Using AI in startups [39:00]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Nicky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickygoulimis?originalSubdomain=uk
✨ Connect with Nico: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicobarawid?originalSubdomain=uk
✨ More about Tunic Pay: https://www.tunicpay.com/
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.
Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.
If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Sho Sugihara: Financial Inclusion & Finding Your Purpose As A Founder
Avion Gray: Raising the largest pre-seed round as a female Founder in Europe
Dr Ben Maruthappu: Saving the UK Government £1 million every day by building Cera – the UK’s largest HealthTech
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Dr Ben Maruthappu, Founder and CEO of Cera - the UK’s largest HealthTech and one of the fastest-growing startups in Europe.
We’ve all come across the headline of increasing pressures on the NHS and especially hospitals.
Cera is revolutionising Healthcare, using technology and AI to shift care from hospitalisation to patients’ homes, creating a more sustainable model for an ageing population.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear all about Cera’s origin story, how they have implemented AI so early on and why they’re still just scratching the surface of what’s possible within Healthcare.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ From Medicine to Entrepreneur [04:45]
➡️ Innovation within the NHS & common misconceptions [08:30]
➡️ The personal origin story behind Cera [12:30]
➡️ Early challenges [17:00]
➡️ More about today’s sponsors [21:50]
➡️ Leveraging AI in Healthcare [23:15]
➡️ Getting more people interested in a career in care [28:30]
➡️ The importance of getting hiring right [33:00]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahibenmaruthappu?originalSubdomain=uk
✨ More about Cera: https://ceracare.co.uk/
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.
Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.
If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Dr Sonia Szamocki: The Future of Collaborative Healthcare with 32Co
James Collier: How modern diets are failing us and Huel’s incredible growth journey
Where Are They Now: A Lesson in Resilience & Pivoting with James Lo, Co-Founder of Ethos
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by James Collier, a registered Nutritionist, Co-Founder of Huel and author of his brand new book, ‘Well Fed: How modern diets are failing us (and what we can do about it)’’.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear about Huel’s growth journey, James’ new book and plenty of simple nutrition advice for you to implement in your day-to-day, no matter how busy you are.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ From bodybuilding to nutrition [03:30]
➡️ Starting & growing Huel [09:00]
➡️ Health challenges & bouncing back [18:00]
➡️ More about today’s sponsors [24:20]
➡️ Five pillars of nutrition & the benefits of eating together [25:00]
➡️ Debunking diet myths [34:00]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescollierrnutr/?originalSubdomain=uk
✨ More about Huel: https://huel.com/
✨ Grab your copy of ‘Well Fed’: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/well-fed-how-modern-diets-are-failing-us-and-what-we-can-do-about-it-james-collier?variant=53486729855355
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.
Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.
If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Rhiannon Lambert: The truth about diets & nutrition advice for busy execs
Dr Rupy Aujla: The accidental business that helps millions of people eat healthier every day
Vivien Wong: Building Little Moons from a family business to a viral global brand
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor bonus episode, we’re introducing our brand new partnership with Ethos, the next-generation expert network using AI to match industry leaders with earning opportunities.
Tune in to find out why we decided to partner with Ethos and more about what James Lo is building, who it is for and why this is such an exciting opportunity for experts.
Plus, there’s a special offer up for grabs for you, so you really don’t want to miss it!
🔍 Find out more:
✨ More about Ethos: https://app.askethos.com/refer/s0k23bl401cb
✨ Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yfjameslo?originalSubdomain=uk
🎧 You may also enjoy:
James Lo: From protesting on the streets of Hong Kong to raising £1.5m pre-seed for Mana
Vivien Wong: Building Little Moons from a family business to a viral global brand
Zeynep Yavuz: Investing in FinTech, Crypto & Emerging Markets with General Catalyst
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Vivien Wong, Co-Founder of Little Moons, the popular mochi ice cream brand.
Vivien started her career in banking before spotting an opportunity in 2010 to bring mochi ice cream to Europe with her brother Howard.
Fast-forward to today: Little Moons is a viral brand which launched in big retail brands in the UK and internationally, and has a team of over 200.
Tune into this episode to learn about Vivien’s journey from the early days of building Little Moons at the family kitchen table to the global brand it has become today.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ The origin of Little Moons [08:00]
➡️ Launching into retail [15:00]
➡️ Tips for entering international markets [19:40]
➡️ Find out more about today’s sponsor [21:00]
➡️ Going viral on TikTok [22:00]
➡️ The biggest leadership lessons [28:30]
➡️ Hiring advice [32:00]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Vivien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivien-wong-07804123?originalSubdomain=uk
✨ More about Little Moons: https://littlemoons.com/
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.
Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.
If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Adrienne Adhami: How to make decisions in a world of endless choice
Simmy Dhillon: From Google to building the fastest growing healthy meal subscription business with Simmer
Deirdre O’Neill: Breaking taboos and transforming women’s health with Hertility
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Rafel Jorda Siquier, Founder and CEO of Open Cosmos, the UK-based satellite company on a mission to monitor and combat climate change.
Founded in 2015, Open Cosmos delivered its first satellite in record time with a team of just five people. Since then, the business has scaled to over €100 million in satellite contracts, a team of over 130 employees in Spain, Portugal, Greece and the UK, and $50 million in Series B funding from leading Investors.
In today’s episode, you’ll find out more about Rafel’s journey into entrepreneurship, lessons from scaling such a successful business and the important role of satellites in combatting climate change.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ A surprising route into aerospace engineering [03:15]
➡️ The origin story of Open Cosmos [07:30]
➡️ The huge impact of data [11:30]
➡️ The decision not to fundraise straight away [14:15]
➡️ More about today’s episode sponsors [18:30]
➡️ Scaling the team & attracting high-performers [23:40]
➡️ Spotting great talent & Rafel’s secret weapon [31:30]
➡️ Using data to tackle climate change [39:50]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ Connect with Rafel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaeljorda?originalSubdomain=uk
✨ More about Open Cosmos: https://www.open-cosmos.com/
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.
Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.
If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Steve Etherton: Building the NASA of the Ocean with DEEP
Pierre Paslier: Making Packaging Disappear with Earthshot Prize Winners Nopla
Adrienne Adhami: How to make decisions in a world of endless choice
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
To kick off 40 Minute Mentor’s Season 13, we’re joined by Adrienne Adhami, leading wellbeing coach, podcast host and author.
Listed as one of the ‘Top 25 Black Entrepreneurs to watch’ by HSBC and UKBBS, Adrienne is a trailblazer inspiring individuals and organisations to reach their full potential.
In today’s episode, we won’t just explore Adrienne’s incredible career to date but also discuss her latest book ‘Decision That Matter’ in detail.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ The power of storytelling [04:50]
➡️ Career milestones and pivots [12:00]
➡️ Her new book: Decisions That Matter [21:20]
➡️ Find out more about today’s sponsor [24:40]
➡️ Understanding & unblocking analysis paralysis [25:40]
➡️ Intentional decision making [27:30]
➡️ Overcoming procrastination [34:15]
➡️ Redefining success for every season [41:20]
🔍 Find out more:
✨ More about Adrienne: https://adrienneadhami.com/
✨ Get a copy of “Decisions That Matter”: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460246/decisions-that-matter-by-adhami-adrienne/9781529925494
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.
Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.
If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Raj Kaur Khaira: How ethical AI will change the world
Helen Tupper: Building a squiggly career
Elizabeth Uviebinené: Building the Headspace for Journaling
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Ahead of launching Season 13 of 40 Minute Mentor next week, we thought we'd give you a preview of some of the pocket-sized mentorship you have to look forward to.
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In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, our final episode of our VC feature series, we’re joined by Pooja Sikka, General Partner at KHP Ventures.
KHP Ventures is a collaboration between King’s College London, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The fund offers equity investments with Healthcare expertise for groundbreaking MedTech and digital startups.
In today’s episode, you’ll find out more about Pooja’s squiggly career into Venture, and KHP’s brand new mental health immersion programme.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ A career in Healthcare [04:00]
➡️ Pooja’s squiggly journey into Venture [08:30]
➡️ Opportunities in Healthcare [14:35]
➡️ Building strong relationships with Founders [20:00]
➡️ The crucial skill of spotting talent [25:00]
➡️ Launching a new Mental Health fund [30:00]
➡️ Advice for Mental Health startup Founders [38:00]
➡️ The importance of authenticity in pitching [44:00]
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Vegard Medbø: Building a portfolio valued at $4.8B with Antler
George Robson: Becoming a Partner at Sequoia at the age of 25
Molly Alter: Starting early in VC & building a transatlantic focus in vertical AI with Northzone
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Vegard Medbø, Co-Founder and COO at Antler, the global early-stage fund helping entrepreneurs go from zero to one.
Before founding Antler, Vegard spent his early career in the Coastal Ranger Command of the Norwegian Armed Forces and at McKinsey, where he worked with the world’s top energy companies, helping them apply machine learning to renewable and non-renewable energy.
Since founding Antler, the team have invested in over 1,000 companies addressing meaningful challenges and opportunities across six continents.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ Lessons from the Military [04:00]
➡️ The beginnings of Antler [09:00]
➡️ More about Antler’s successful portfolio [12:00]
➡️ Lessons from the beginning of Antler that still hold true today [15:00]
➡️ The perfect Founder for Antler [18:00]
➡️ International expansions [20:00]
➡️ Why you need optimism as a Founder [25:00]
➡️ Predictions for the next decade in Tech [31:30]
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Bonus: Corinne Thompson on preparing for your fundraise
George Robson: Becoming a Partner at Sequoia at the age of 25
Molly Alter: Starting early in VC & building a transatlantic focus in vertical AI with Northzone
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In this final 40 Minute Mentor VC bonus episode, we’re joined by Corinne Thompson, Founder of Ecap Financial.
Today’s episode follows a slightly different format, with Corinne sharing a quick-fire checklist for you next fundraise.
From the key metrics and data points investors really care about, to the biggest red flags and crucial questions Founders should ask their potential investor - this episode will equip you with everything you need to keep in mind as you’re raising your next round.
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by ECAP Financial, your trusted partner for fractional CFO services for companies looking to fundraise or go through an M&A process.
Whether you’re a Founder looking to raise investment, planning for an exit, or navigating financial challenges, ECAP Financial, led by the brilliant Corinne Thompson, helps scaleups secure the right funding at the right time.
💡 Check out their latest fundraising course here: https://fundraising-academy2.teachable.com/p/fundraising-academy
💡 Don’t forget to follow them on YouTube for even more advice: https://www.youtube.com/@ecapfinancial/videos
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Bonus: Corinne Thompson on preparing for your fundraise
George Robson: Becoming a Partner at Sequoia at the age of 25
Molly Alter: Starting early in VC & building a transatlantic focus in vertical AI with Northzone
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by George Robson, Partner at Sequoia, the fund helping daring Founders build legendary companies from idea to IPO and beyond.
From Investment Banking to Revolut and becoming a Partner at Sequoia at the age of 25, George’s CV is nothing but impressive and minutes into today’s episode, you’ll understand where his incredible drive and entrepreneurialism comes from.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ The impact of education [03:30]
➡️ Foundations in Investment Banking [08:30]
➡️ Joining Revolut & lessons learned [16:00]
➡️ Navigating cultural fit [18:00]
➡️ More about our sponsors [20:20]
➡️ Joining Sequoia & investment approach [21:45]
➡️ What makes a great Founder [28:30]
➡️ Common mistakes during pitches [31:30]
➡️ Sequoia’s Arc Program [33:45]
➡️ The future of VC & the European ecosystem [36:00]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with George here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgerobson/
➡️ Learn more about Sequoia: https://www.sequoiacap.com/
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by ECAP Financial, your trusted partner for fractional CFO services for companies looking to fundraise or go through an M&A process.
Whether you’re a Founder looking to raise investment, planning for an exit, or navigating financial challenges, ECAP Financial, led by the brilliant Corinne Thompson, helps scaleups secure the right funding at the right time.
💡 Check out their latest fundraising course here: https://fundraising-academy2.teachable.com/p/fundraising-academy
💡 Don’t forget to follow them on YouTube for even more advice: https://www.youtube.com/@ecapfinancial/videos
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Molly Alter: Starting early in VC & building a transatlantic focus in vertical AI with Northzone
Dinika Mahtani: From Operator at Uber to backing early-stage startups at Cherry Ventures
Corinne Thompson: Preparing for your fundraise
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
This 40 Minute Mentor VC feature season, we’re bringing you a special three-part bonus feature, brought to you by Ecap Financial and their Founder, Corinne Thompson.
In today’s episode, Corinne shares helpful advice for setting up your company and team for an exit.
We’ll discuss:
✅ What it actually means to “set up for an exit” as a Founder
✅ When you should start thinking about preparing for an exit
✅ The do’s and don’ts of navigating the transition
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by ECAP Financial, your trusted partner for fractional CFO services for companies looking to fundraise or go through an M&A process.
Whether you’re a Founder looking to raise investment, planning for an exit, or navigating financial challenges, ECAP Financial, led by the brilliant Corinne Thompson, helps scaleups secure the right funding at the right time.
💡 Check out their latest fundraising course here: https://fundraising-academy2.teachable.com/p/fundraising-academy
💡 Don’t forget to follow them on YouTube for even more advice: https://www.youtube.com/@ecapfinancial/videos
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Bonus: Corinne Thompson on preparing for your fundraise
Molly Alter: Starting early in VC & building a transatlantic focus in vertical AI with Northzone
Dinika Mahtani: From Operator at Uber to backing early-stage startups at Cherry Ventures
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Molly Alter, Partner at Northzone, the multi-stage fund partnering with Founders from Seed to Growth, across Europe and the US.
Molly started her career in VC in 2016, straight out of Harvard University. Since then, Molly has worked with some of the biggest funds in the industry, including Insight Partners and Index Ventures.
Now, at Northzone and back in New York, Molly focuses on vertical SaaS and AI, across early and growth stages.
In today’s episode, we dive into her career in VC and her transatlantic focus.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ A foundation in theatre & first entrepreneurial ventures [04:00]
➡️ Joining VC early on [09:00]
➡️ Characteristics needed in VC [14:45]
➡️ Advice for getting into VC [20:00]
➡️ Why Northzone [21:30]
➡️ Focusing on SaaS & AI [24:00]
➡️ Advice for Founders currently fundraising [28:30]
➡️ US vs European market [32:00]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Molly here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-alter-3ab1159a/
➡️ Learn more about Northzone: https://northzone.com/
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by ECAP Financial, your trusted partner for fractional CFO services for companies looking to fundraise or go through an M&A process.
Whether you’re a Founder looking to raise investment, planning for an exit, or navigating financial challenges, ECAP Financial, led by the brilliant Corinne Thompson, helps scaleups secure the right funding at the right time.
💡 Check out their latest fundraising course here: https://fundraising-academy2.teachable.com/p/fundraising-academy
💡 Don’t forget to follow them on YouTube for even more advice: https://www.youtube.com/@ecapfinancial/videos
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Dinika Mahtani: From Operator at Uber to backing early-stage startups at Cherry Ventures
Nicolas d’Audiffret: How To Build A $2 Billion Unicorn In Under 3 Years
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
This 40 Minute Mentor VC feature season, we’re bringing you a special 3-part bonus feature, brought to you by Ecap Financial and their Founder, Corinne Thompson.
In today’s episode, Corinne helps us take it all the way back to the beginning of the fundraising journey.
We’ll discuss:
✅ The key steps you need to follow before your investor meeting
✅ Figuring out when the time is right to start fundraising
✅ What to keep in mind when choosing between VCs, angels or alternative funding routes
✅ How to mentally prepare for the fundraising journey ahead
📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by ECAP Financial, your trusted partner for fractional CFO services for companies looking to fundraise or go through an M&A process.
Whether you’re a Founder looking to raise investment, planning for an exit, or navigating financial challenges, ECAP Financial, led by the brilliant Corinne Thompson, helps scaleups secure the right funding at the right time.
💡 Check out their latest fundraising course here: https://fundraising-academy2.teachable.com/p/fundraising-academy
💡 Don’t forget to follow them on YouTube for even more advice: https://www.youtube.com/@ecapfinancial/videos
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Dinika Mahtani: From Operator at Uber to backing early-stage startups at Cherry Ventures
From Operator To VC – Busting Industry Myths with Rosie Barnett, Principal at Delin Ventures
Catherine Lenson: From Being The First Female Managing Partner at SoftBank to Building a Portfolio Career
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Dinika Mahtani, Partner at Cherry Ventures, the early-stage VC firm led by a team of entrepreneurs with experience building fast-scaling companies, such as Zalando and Spotify.
Prior to her move into VC, Dinika was an Operator, working across Banking, UberEats EMEA and Uber’s JUMP e-bike product in the UK. She also served as Director of Finance and Operations at ClimateTech startup, Kaluza.
Today, we take a trip back down memory lane, discussing those fundamental years as an Operator and how she made the move into VC.
It’s a conversation filled with mentorship for Founders and anyone considering the VC route as their next career step.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ From Banking to Uber [06:30]
➡️ Key lessons from her time at Uber [11:30]
➡️ Moving into VC [15:30]
➡️ More about today’s sponsor [23:30]
➡️ Looking for raw ambition [24:30]
➡️ Going from Principal to Partner [27:30]
➡️ Promoting and hiring more diverse talent [30:00]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Dinika here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinika-mahtani-0a2494158/
➡️ Learn more about Cherry Ventures: https://cherry.vc/
📣 Learn more about today’s sponsor:
Today’s episode is sponsored by ECAP Financial, your trusted partner for fractional CFO services for companies looking to fundraise or go through an M&A process.
Whether you’re a Founder looking to raise investment, planning for an exit, or navigating financial challenges, ECAP Financial, led by the brilliant Corinne Thompson, helps scaleups secure the right funding at the right time.
💡 Check out their latest fundraising course here: https://fundraising-academy2.teachable.com/p/fundraising-academy
💡 Don’t forget to follow them on YouTube for even more advice: https://www.youtube.com/@ecapfinancial/videos
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Masha Bucher: Harnessing the power of storytelling in VC with Day One Ventures
From Operator To VC – Busting Industry Myths with Rosie Barnett, Principal at Delin Ventures
VC & Fundraising Advice – Series 6 Best Bits
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re revisiting our popular episode with Ian Hogarth, Co-Founder and former CEO of Songkick, Partner at Plural Platform and Chair of the UK AI Safety Institute.
In this episode, we talk about his rollercoaster ride with Songkick and how mentorship got him through the worst days, and what led him to building Plural, an early-stage platform dedicated to investing in Europe’s next-generation of tech companies with global ambitions.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ Lessons from being a first-time CEO [11:00]
➡️ Why some hires can completely change your business [14:30]
➡️ Grief & stepping away from Songkick [19:15]
➡️ Jumping back into the Founder seat with Plural [24:40]
➡️ Why Plural isn’t following the traditional VC model [28:15]
➡️ What it takes to be an incredible Founder [32:50]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Ian here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianhogarth/
➡️ Learn more about Plural: https://pluralplatform.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Michelle You: From Exiting Songkick to tackling the climate crisis
Sophie Adelman: Creating access to opportunities for everyone
Eleanor Kaye: Making VC more accessible
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re revisiting our popular episode with the brilliant Alice Bentinck MBE, Co-Founder of Entrepreneur First and author of “How to be a Founder”.
Frustrated by a business landscape that found latent talent shackled by predetermined career paths, Alice set out to challenge cultural norms when she co-founded Entrepreneur First in 2011 – an accelerator that celebrates and invests in talented, ambitious individuals and looks to match-make Co-Founders to launch successful businesses.
In this episode, Alice shares everything from her early career to challenging the norms of entrepreneurship and backing diverse talent.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ The Birth of Entrepreneur First - [04:50]
➡️ Overcoming early challenges & building for growth [07:50]
➡️ Investing in Talent [17:00]
➡️ The Co-Founder dynamic [25:00]
➡️ Diversity & Inclusion in Tech [28:45]
➡️ Building Diverse Teams [32:30]
➡️ The importance of mentorship [42:00]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Alice here: LinkedIn
➡️ Learn more about Entrepreneur First: https://www.joinef.com/
➡️ Get a copy of Alice’s book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/how-to-be-a-founder-9781399411608/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Amali de Alwis: Embracing a non-linear career
Gary Izunwa: Driving Social Mobility through Referrals with Tangent
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon: Changing the face of STEM
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
The hiring market has seen some major shifts over the past few years, and as businesses continue to navigate economic changes, evolving workplace trends, and shifting candidate expectations, staying ahead of these trends has never been more important, than in 2025.
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re diving deep into the key hiring and talent trends for the year ahead.
You’ll hear from some of the JBM and the wider Amplified People Group teams who share their insights on how the Hiring and Talent market is shaping up for the year.
We’ll be answering questions like:
➡️ How is the hiring market shaping up compared to 2024?
➡️ What new trends are we seeing, and what are candidates and clients asking more about?
➡️ What are our top predictions for hiring in 2025?
Whether you're a Founder planning your next big hire, a talent leader navigating an evolving workforce, or a job seeker looking to understand the market, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay ahead.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
How to successfully build a fractional career with Ben Sanders
From layoffs to lemonade with Abadesi Osunsade
The future of flexible work with Molly Johnson-Jones
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along?
Research shows that most of us drop our New Year’s resolutions by the second Friday in January.
As we’re approaching the end of January, we’re resharing some of the best wellbeing and healthy habits advice we’ve received on the podcast from subject matter experts:
- Dr Rupy Aujla, Founder of The Doctor’s Kitchen
- Rhiannon Lambert, leading Nutritionist and best-selling author
- Nikki Wicks, CEO of global fitness brand, The Body Coach
- Lottie Whyte, Founder of Myomaster, a pioneer in recovery and wellness solutions.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ Building better habits through nutrition [02:00]
➡️ What a well-balanced diet actually looks like [10:40]
➡️ Balancing a busy lifestyle & exercising [16:30]
➡️ Building simple habits first [19:15]
➡️ Nurturing a healthy relationship with food [22:15]
➡️ The truth behind diets [24:30]
➡️ Costs of eating healthier [34:45]
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
The accidental business that helps millions of people eat healthier every day
From the kitchen table to £100k investment on Dragons Den with MyoMaster
The Truth About Diets & Nutrition Advice For Busy Execs
Building An Accidental Global Fitness Brand
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
James Lo, one of our most popular 40 Minute Mentors and Co-Founder of Ethos, joins us for today’s 40 Minute Mentor, Where Are They Now feature.
A lot has happened since the last time James came on the podcast.
In today’s episode, we dive into every twist and turn in his journey since building and eventually exiting education platform, Mana, all the way through his latest venture - Ethos, the opportunity engine for humanity, currently in stealth.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ Pivoting & exiting Mana [02:00]
➡️ Digging deep for resilience during challenging times [06:00]
➡️ Jumping back into the Founder seat & building Ethos [10:00]
➡️ Learning from previous mistakes [18:00]
➡️ Fundraising advice [23:00]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Listen back to James’ original episode: 40 Minute Mentor
➡️ Connect with James here: LinkedIn
➡️ Learn more about Ethos: Ethos
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Catherine Lenson: From Being The First Female Managing Partner at SoftBank to Building a Portfolio Career
Zeynep Yavuz: Investing In Fintech, Crypto & Emerging Markets
Gary Izunwa: Driving Social Mobility through Referrals with Tangent
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Tom Elvidge, Co-Founder of UK-focused solar energy company, Synth Solar, joins us for today’s 40 Minute Mentor, Where Are They Now feature.
In today’s episode, Tom shares the ins and outs of his transition from being an Operator to founding Synth Solar, and all the key lessons he’s learned on that journey.
Plus, Tom gives us an exclusive sneak peek into what’s to come and why now is a great time to get into the energy sector.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ Transitioning from Operator to Founder [01:25]
➡️ Advice for Operators making the transition [07:50]
➡️ Aspirations for the future [11:00]
➡️ Hiring plans & why solar energy [15:15]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Listen back to Tom’s original episode: 40 Minute Mentor
➡️ Connect with Tom here: LinkedIn
➡️ Learn more about Synth Solar: Synth Solar
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🎧 You may also enjoy:
Cleo Sham: From Operator to VC
Where Are They Now: Anouk Agussol
Marta Krupinska: Saving the planet through carbon removal
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Anouk Agussol, Founder of Unleashed, an Amplified People Group business, joins us on today’s 40 Minute Mentor Where Are They Now series.
Following her initial appearance on the show, in Season 9, Anouk joins us today to share how Unleashed has evolved since almost going into administration and being acquired by Amplified People Group.
Plus, she shares actionable advice on building high-performing teams in 2025, and beyond.
📚 Episode Chapters:
➡️ The Evolution of Unleashed - [01:50]
➡️ Joining Amplified People Group - [05:10]
➡️ Growing as a Leader - [15:20]
➡️ Building high-performing teams - [22:10]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Listen back to Anouk’s original episode: 40 Minute Mentor
➡️ Learn more about Unleashed & the upcoming open cohort: Unleashed
➡️ Learn more about Amplified People Group: Amplified People Group
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
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Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Happy New Year and welcome back to 40 Minute Mentor!
For our first episode of 2025 we’re taking one last chance to look back on the fantastic year of pocket-sized mentorship we’ve had.
At the end of last year, we asked YOU to vote for your favourite 40 Minute Mentor of 2024. 🌟
For the first time ever, we collected votes across three categories:
🏆 Top VC of the year
🏆 Best topic covered
🏆 Best 40 Minute Mentor of the year
Tune in to find out who the big winners are for each of the categories.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Listen through 260+ episodes in our archives: https://jbmc.co.uk/40-minute-mentor/
➡️ Follow JBM on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbm-consulting-ltd/
➡️ Find out more about Amplified People Group: https://www.amplifiedgroup.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
Before the 40 Minute Mentor team heads into hibernation until 2025, your Host, James Mitra shares a short festive message with you.
Tune in to hear some of James’s favourite moments on the podcast this year and some of the biggest milestones the JBM team have achieved this year.
🥂 Happy Holidays from all of us at 40 Minute Mentor, JBM, and Amplified People Group! 🥂
See you for more pocket-sized mentorship in the New Year!
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Listen through 260+ episodes in our archives: https://jbmc.co.uk/40-minute-mentor/
➡️ Follow JBM on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbm-consulting-ltd/
➡️ Find out more about Amplified People Group: https://www.amplifiedgroup.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
For the final episode of Season 12 of 40 Minute Mentor, we are looking back on the last 10 weeks of pocket-sized mentorship and revisiting some of James’s favourite moments.
If you haven’t fully caught up on this season yet, or you’re a brand new listener, make sure you check out each of the episodes after this roundup episode and our 40 Minute Mentor archives of 260+ episodes.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Listen back to all of Season 12: https://jbmc.co.uk/40-minute-mentor/
➡️ Follow JBM on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbm-consulting-ltd/
🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors
Today’s episode is brought to you by the Leadership Unleashed Open Cohorts.
Leadership Unleashed Open Cohort is your chance to join a diverse cohort of leaders from different organisations, industries, and parts of the world to build the most critical behaviours and transform into a high performer.
Split into seven remote workshops, the Open Cohort follows a coaching-led approach where you’ll be actively involved and turn your learnings into habits in your day-to-day.
To find out more about the programme and how you can sign up for the next cohort starting in January, get in touch with Logan and Anouk at sayhello@unleashed.company
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
“[We’re] actually using TikTok in a positive way. The whole reason we exist is to combat misinformation, which there is a lot of on TikTok, but it can be used positively.”
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Jas Schembri-Stothart, Co-Founder of luna, the world’s first digital health companion for teenage girls.
Working with leading health and education institutions, Jas and her Co-Founder Jo Goodall are building a digital companion enabling teenage girls to have a healthier and happier teenhood.
To date, the app has over 100k members in over 100+ countries, was featured as app of the day across app stores and has seen them raise £1.2 million from Octopus Ventures, Syndicate Room and prolific Angel Investors.
In today’s episode, we uncover all the highs and lows along the way so far…
Episode Chapters:
➡️ Foundation in consulting [05:50]
➡️ Deciding whether to get your MBA [08:30]
➡️ The Origin story behind luna [11:30]
➡️ Growing through community [19:30]
➡️ More about Leadership Unleashed [21:20]
➡️ Spending to grow & hiring mistakes [23:00]
➡️ VC vs Angel Investment [27:20]
➡️ Getting to know Gen Z & Generation Alpha [33:20]
➡️ Embracing Founder Communities [41:30]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Jas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasschembri/
➡️ Find out more about luna: https://weareluna.app/
🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors
Today’s episode is brought to you by the Leadership Unleashed Open Cohorts.
Leadership Unleashed Open Cohort is your chance to join a diverse cohort of leaders from different organisations, industries, and parts of the world to build the most critical behaviours and transform into a high performer.
Split into seven remote workshops, the Open Cohort follows a coaching-led approach where you’ll be actively involved and turn your learnings into habits in your day-to-day.
To find out more about the programme and how you can sign up for the next cohort starting in January, get in touch with Logan and Anouk at sayhello@unleashed.company
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
“If you’re not learning something new every day, even if it’s the smallest thing, you can start to almost become stationary. Find ways to push yourself out of the limits of what you feel comfortable with.”
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Dr Dupe Burgess, Founder & CEO of Bloomful.
Launched in 2021, Bloomful is a HealthTech on a mission to close the gender health gap and improve access to gynae care for women, globally.
Dupe and her team have been on an incredibly successful journey so far, having reached over 4,000 women with their first triage tool in just a few weeks and receiving equity-free funding from both, Google and KPMG.
With a background in medicine, working at some of the busiest NHS hospitals in the UK and strategy consulting at BCG, Dupe brings a wealth of first-hand knowledge and experience to tackle the problem Bloomful is solving today.
Find out more in today’s episode…
Episode Chapters:
➡️ Upbringing and landing in a medical career [04:15]
➡️ Spending eight years in the NHS [08:15]
➡️ Transitioning from being a Doctor to a Big 4 strategy consultant [12:15]
➡️ Bloomful’s origin story [18:20]
➡️ More about Leadership Unleashed [21:30]
➡️ Closing the gender health gap [23:00]
➡️ Securing investment early on [28:00]
➡️ The importance of storytelling in fundraising [31:15]
➡️ Hiring for the sake of hiring & other lessons learned [33:50]
➡️ Advice for growing your personal brand on LinkedIn [38:00]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Dupe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dupeburgess/
➡️ Find out more about Bloomful: https://www.bloomful.io/
🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors
Today’s episode is brought to you by the Leadership Unleashed Open Cohorts.
Leadership Unleashed Open Cohort is your chance to join a diverse cohort of leaders from different organisations, industries, and parts of the world to build the most critical behaviours and transform into a high performer.
Split into seven remote workshops, the Open Cohort follows a coaching-led approach where you’ll be actively involved and turn your learnings into habits in your day-to-day.
To find out more about the programme and how you can sign up for the next cohort starting in January, get in touch with Logan and Anouk at sayhello@unleashed.company
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
“It’s really important to sell your business when there’s still a lot of growth left. You really shouldn’t be looking to sell it at its absolute peak.”
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Mary Bonsor, Founder of Flex Legal, a bespoke online platform created to connect law students with law firms and in-house legal teams on a flexible on-demand basis.
Mary has been on an incredible journey from Lawyer to LegalTech Entrepreneur, driving diversity and social mobility with Flex Legal.
Alongside her successful build of Flex Legal to exit, Mary has been named Management Today’s 35 under 35, won Entrepreneur of the Year at the Women in Law Awards and was also an Entrepreneurship category winner at the European Women of Legal Tech Awards.
In today’s episode, we’ll dive into her journey of building Flex Legal, all the lessons she learned along the way and her step away from the CEO role through her exit, 7 years into the journey.
Episode Chapters:
➡️ Becoming a lawyer & the initial idea for Flex Legal [07:00]
➡️ Entrepreneurship - a behaviour or a skill you can learn? [09:00]
➡️ From concept to business - the evolution of Flex Legal [14:00]
➡️ Find out more about Leadership Unleashed [15:00]
➡️ Transitioning from Lawyer to Tech Founder [17:15]
➡️ Finding Product-Market-Fit & navigating pivots [20:15]
➡️ Hiring lessons [28:15]
➡️ Navigating Covid & the route to exit [33:00]
➡️ Transitioning out of the CEO role [35:30]
➡️ Social Mobility in the Legal space [38:15]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Mary on LinkedIn
➡️ Find out more about Flex Legal
🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors
Today’s episode is brought to you by the Leadership Unleashed Open Cohorts.
Leadership Unleashed Open Cohort is your chance to join a diverse cohort of leaders from different organisations, industries, and parts of the world to build the most critical behaviours and transform into a high performer.
Split into seven remote workshops, the Open Cohort follows a coaching-led approach where you’ll be actively involved and turn your learnings into habits in your day-to-day.
To find out more about the programme and how you can sign up for the next cohort starting in January, get in touch with Logan and Anouk at sayhello@unleashed.company
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review athttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Enjoyed this episode?
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.
"There's some horrible sacrifices in the first few years to get it to a place where it's got to survive..."
Today's 40 Minute Mentor epitomises what it means to be Tech for Good.
We’re joined by Sanjay Lobo MBE, the Founder & CEO of OnHand - the all-in-one tool to engage your team in volunteering and environmental action.
Dubbed the ‘Uber of volunteering’, OnHand lets employees learn and take action on the issues that matter.
You may even recognise Sanjay from his recent appearance on BBC's Dragons’ Den, where he successfully secured investment from FOUR dragons.
Here’s what we talk about in today’s episode:
➡️ Finding his path to entrepreneurship [04:02]
➡️ Moving from law into tech [06:58]
➡️ How Parkinson's disease became Chapter 1 of the OnHand story [11:05]
➡️ Engaging employees in volunteering and environmental action [13:45]
➡️ The significance of a great team in a scaling business [15:08]
➡️ Managing stress and pressures as a Founder [16:38]
➡️ Business benefits of company-wide volunteering opportunities [22:08]
➡️ Advert: More about JBM [25:36]
➡️ A Behind the Scenes look at Dragons’ Den [27:10]
➡️ Working with the Dragons after the show [29:31]
➡️ Advice for other Founders looking to get on Dragons’ Den [31:13]
➡️ Dealing with increased media attention [32:29]
➡️ Applying to OnHand [35:10]
➡️ Audience Question: Advice for anyone starting their volunteering journey [38:51]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Sanjay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaylobo/
➡️ Find out more about OnHand: https://www.beonhand.co.uk/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains topics of mental health and suicide attempts, that may be harmful or traumatising to some audiences. If you’re affected by any of the topics discussed, please make sure you reach out to the helplines listed below. ⚠️
Suicide is a major public health problem, with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. According to the World Health Organisation, there are currently more than 700,000 suicides per year worldwide.
Following yesterday’s World Suicide Prevention Day and to play our part in breaking the perceived taboo of speaking about suicide, we’re releasing this special episode with clips from our conversation with Clarke Carlisle.
Clarke is a former professional footballer, mental health advocate and ambassador for the mental health charity Mind.
He has had an illustrious football career, having played for a number of top clubs, including Leeds United, Watford and Burnley, and winning three caps for England under 21s.
Alongside all of this success, however, Clarke also had to deal with plenty of hardship, including serious injuries, his battle with depression and attempted suicide.
In today’s episode, Clarke shares more about his own experience with depression and suicide and his advice for anyone struggling with their mental health.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Tune into the full episode with Clarke here: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/from-the-premier-league-to-mental-health-advocate-with-clarke-carlisle/
➡️ More about the work Clarke and Carrie are doing: https://www.clarkeandcarrie.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Everything I have done has centred around teams and individuals, and how do you get the most out of them…”
Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is the brilliant Catherine Lenson, Angel Investor, Founder, Venture Partner at LocalGlobe and CEO of Andante Advisory.
Catherine has had a hugely successful career, having spent her formative years at UBS and becoming the first female Managing Partner at SoftBank.
Today, Catherine is the Founder and CEO of Andante Advisory, a boutique consultancy firm which operates as a trusted partner to senior executives and leading organisations on Culture, People and Purpose.
She is also a Venture Partner at LocalGlobe, an angel investor in early-stage tech companies across the UK, US and Israel, and is the UK’s first Fair Play facilitator.
Tune in to today’s episode to discover:
➡️ Reliving her days when a rogue trader almost brought down UBS [03:32]
➡️ The privilege of entrepreneurship [05:29]
➡️ From her love for music to Cambridge and ending up in London [06:39]
➡️ Scaling from 20 to 500 people in four years [10:04]
➡️ Becoming the first female Managing Partner at SoftBank [13:34]
➡️ Building a portfolio career [16:49]
➡️ Angel Investing and joining LocalGlobe [24:39]
➡️ Common culture mistakes [32:32]
➡️ Fair Play and creating more equality in the household [36:47]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Catherine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-lenson/
➡️ Find out more about her work: https://www.catherinelenson.com/
➡️ Find out more about LocalGlobe: https://localglobe.vc/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“The most impactful piece of advice I got early on in my career was - You need to grow where you're planted.”
In today’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we take a deep dive into a core component of any successful startup - the Go-To-Market (GTM) Strategy.
To guide us through the essential components of building and executing a GTM strategy, we’re joined by Tarun Gidoomal.
Tarun has led some of Europe’s most notable tech Scaleups, including Next Jump, where he led its international expansion to reach £3bn GMV, and more recently, at Ankorstore, where as UK GM he established its footprint in the UK as it became one of Europe’s fastest growing tech unicorns.
Today, Tarun shares more about:
➡️ His upbringing and career to date [01:30]
➡️ The fundamentals of a GTM Strategy [03:40]
➡️ Examples of successful GTM Strategies and mistakes made [06:38]
➡️ Getting buy-in across the team [10:31]
➡️ Questions to ask to assess your team culture [12:53]
➡️ The most impactful career advice he’s received [14:37]
➡️ Startup life and dealing with burnout [17:11]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Tarun: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarungidoomal/
🤫 P.S - It’s your FINAL chance to vote for us in this year’s Great British Podcast People’s Choice Awards. 🏆
- Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
- Type in '40 Minute Mentor'
- Job done ✅
Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙
ENTRIES CLOSE 5th SEPTEMBER
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
"Founders are made to look like superheroes. They get up at 4am, meditate, take ice baths, work 100 hours a week… I think it's a super unhealthy culture."
Today's 40 Minute Mentor shines a light on the realities of Founder life, and his passion for reframing how the world sees and perceives credit. We are excited to welcome Tim Chong, Co-Founder and CEO of Yonder, to the podcast.
Yonder is on a mission to build a credit experience that empowers young people to live their best lives and build responsible spending habits, at the same time.
Tune in to today’s episode to discover:
➡️ The unhealthy culture surrounding Founder life [03:53]
➡️ Growing up around computers and the influence on his tech journey [05:25]
➡️ Exploring the world and creating high impact as a consultant [07:33]
➡️ Pivoting from consultant to Founder [10:17]
➡️ How a revolutionised economy in Kenya started the story of Yonder [15:02]
➡️ How Yonder is supporting young people and their social lives via credit spend [21:35]
➡️ Tuning in to Founder interviews to scope out early stage challenges [26:50]
➡️ How to keep going during an economic downturn [29:57]
➡️ Selling the long-term thesis to win over investors [35:40]
➡️ The significant impact of early hires and Yonder’s culture [39:58]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-chong/
➡️ Find out more about Yonder: https://www.yondercard.com/
🤫 P.S Has our podcast ever made you feel something?
Like properly made you stop and FEEL the feels...
Maybe it has opened your eyes to a new industry? Maybe it has inspired you to start your own venture? Or maybe it has you nodding along as you relate to so many of the challenges that our Founders have faced....
🤝 Connecting, human to human, with our audience is absolutely paramount to our work behind the scenes at 40 Minute Mentor, which is why we would (shamelessly) love to have your vote in this year's Great British Podcast People's Choice awards. 🏆
- Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
- Type in '40 Minute Mentor'
- Job done ✅
Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙(VOTES CLOSE 5th SEPT)
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“The traditional definition (of a Generalist) has been a ‘Jack of all trades’, which often comes with a negative connotation.”
In today’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Milly Tamati to explore the rise of the Generalist.
Milly is not only a Generalist, but a Community builder and Founder of Generalist World.
Before leaning into all things Generalist, Milly built businesses all over the world, including co-owning a hostel in Thailand, a wine tour in Australia and an illustration agency in the UK.
Today, we explore:
➡️ The making of her Generalist skill set [01:33]
➡️ Defining what a Generalist really is [03:53]
➡️ Specialists vs Generalists [05:34]
➡️ Ending the “Jack of all trades” narrative [08:15]
➡️ Framing your Generalist career to employers [09:47]
➡️ The Generalist World community [13:05]
➡️ Quality over quantity in community building [15:43]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Milly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-tamati/
➡️ Check out Generalist World: https://www.generalist.world/
🤫 P.S Has our podcast ever made you feel something?
Like properly made you stop and FEEL the feels...
Maybe it has opened your eyes to a new industry? Maybe it has inspired you to start your own venture? Or maybe it has you nodding along as you relate to so many of the challenges that our Founders have faced....
🤝 Connecting, human to human, with our audience is absolutely paramount to our work behind the scenes at 40 Minute Mentor, which is why we would (shamelessly) love to have your vote in this year's Great British Podcast People's Choice awards. 🏆
- Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
- Type in '40 Minute Mentor'
- Job done ✅
Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙
ENTRIES CLOSE 5th SEPTEMBER.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“We had one month to refinance the business, or lose our home….”
Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Dimple Patel, exited Founder, Advisor and CEO of Trouva - the leading global marketplace for independent boutiques.
With roots at Goldman Sachs, Dimple’s story is one of endless resilience, having navigated recessions, a major re-brand that almost cost her her home, a global pandemic and multiple acquisitions, including Made.com’s collapse.
In today’s episode, we dive into all of the above, plus:
➡️ Growing up on a Council Estate [05:00]
➡️ Joining Goldman Sachs during a recession and amid mass layoffs [07:12]
➡️ Exploring entrepreneurship as a first-time Founder in a recession [09:38]
➡️ Going from side hustle to full-time Founder [11:47]
➡️ Spotting burnout and the importance of routine rest [14:01]
➡️ Freedom vs Security as a first-time Founder [15:00]
➡️ The decision that almost led to the loss of her house [17:19]
➡️ Exiting her business and navigating what’s next [20:00]
➡️ Making the shift from COO to CEO of Trouva [27:48]
➡️ The collapse of Made.com and leading with kindness [30:24]
➡️ Roulette question: Working as a Venture Partner and the Founders she backs [40:13]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Dimple: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimple-patel-uk/
➡️ Find out more about Trouva: https://www.trouva.com/
🤫 P.S Has our podcast ever made you feel something?
Like properly made you stop and FEEL the feels...
Maybe it has opened your eyes to a new industry? Maybe it has inspired you to start your own venture? Or maybe it has you nodding along as you relate to so many of the challenges that our Founders have faced....
🤝 Connecting, human to human, with our audience is absolutely paramount to our work behind the scenes at 40 Minute Mentor, which is why we would (shamelessly) love to have your vote in this year's Great British Podcast People's Choice awards. 🏆
- Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
- Type in '40 Minute Mentor'
- Job done ✅
Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙(You have until 5th Sept!)
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“If you don't work well with other teams, everyone else's problem will become a product problem.”
In today's episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of Product…
To do so, we’re joined by Product legend, James Routledge, VP of Product at Converge.
James has tons of experience, including helping a NASDAQ business go from 100 million to $250 million revenues and working with 400 person Series B businesses.
The role of the CPO has evolved significantly over the last few years, so we loved getting a first-hand account of the past, present and future of Product roles, including:
➡️ His own impressive career in Product [01:08]
➡️ The top 3 skills great Product people need [02:59]
➡️ Scope and responsibilities in your product journey [05:42]
➡️ The power of mentorship in Product roles [08:54]
➡️ The evolution of the CPO and putting customers first [12:28]
➡️ Working cross-functionally as a CPO [17:18]
➡️ UK vs USA Product roles [25:49]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesroutledge/
➡️ Find out more about Converge: https://www.converge.io/
🤫 P.S Has our podcast ever made you feel something?
Like properly made you stop and FEEL the feels...
Maybe it has opened your eyes to a new industry? Maybe it has inspired you to start your own venture? Or maybe it has you nodding along as you relate to so many of the challenges that our Founders have faced....
🤝 Connecting, human to human, with our audience is absolutely paramount to our work behind the scenes at 40 Minute Mentor, which is why we would (shamelessly) love to have your vote in this year's Great British Podcast People's Choice awards. 🏆
- Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
- Type in '40 Minute Mentor'
- Job done ✅
Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙
ENTRIES CLOSE 5th SEPTEMBER.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“So many people are suffering from a lack of knowing who they are and what their worth is, so they downplay and restrict it to a job role.”
Welcome back to 40 Minute Mentor, and a brand new series…
Kicking off Series 10, we’re joined by one of the most requested guests on the podcast - the brilliant Andy Ayim, MBE.
You may have come across Andy through his DE&I work in tech, or his angel investing training programs at the Angel Investing School, which empowered over 350 new angels.
Andy has also invested in over 17 Startups himself, including some of which have been featured on this podcast, such as Patch and Unplugged.
In today’s episode, we unpack his own journey to entrepreneurship and demystify angel investing once and for all:
➡️ Shaking off imposter syndrome and backing yourself [04:09]
➡️ How growing up in a multicultural melting pot shaped his path [06:34]
➡️ His path to starting the Angel Investing School [10:24]
➡️ Making angel investing more accessible [14:09]
➡️ Who the Angel Investing School is for [16:37]
➡️ The biggest driver of wealth creation and beginning your journey in investing [20:02]
➡️ Andy’s biggest investment mistake [21:39]
➡️ Angel syndicates and investing with as little as 1k [24:30]
➡️ Assessing pitches and controlling your risk [28:31]
➡️ Choosing between Angel or VC investment as a Founder [33:24]
➡️ Receiving an MBE and driving DE&I in the industry [38:07]
➡️ Fundraising advice and common Founder mistakes [41:41]
➡️ Audience Questions: Untapped opportunities and emerging trends [44:06]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyayim/
➡️ Sign up to the Angel Investing School: https://angelinvestingschool.com/
🤫 P.S Has our podcast ever made you feel something?
Like properly made you stop and FEEL the feels...
Maybe it has opened your eyes to a new industry? Maybe it has inspired you to start your own venture? Or maybe it has you nodding along as you relate to so many of the challenges that our Founders have faced....
🤝 Connecting, human to human, with our audience is absolutely paramount to our work behind the scenes at 40 Minute Mentor, which is why we would (shamelessly) love to have your vote in this year's Great British Podcast People's Choice awards. 🏆
- Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
- Type in '40 Minute Mentor'
- Job done ✅
Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙(You have until 5th Sept!)
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
"One doesn't leave the best job in the world for anything less than an opportunity that can genuinely, if we're lucky, save the planet."
As we’re kicking off Series 10, we’re also introducing our Monday Startup spotlight series.
In our first instalment, we’re joined by a familiar face - Marta Krupinska, Co-Founder and CEO of carbon removal startup, CUR8.
Marta has previously come on the podcast, in Series 7, when we talked about her Founder journey and her role with Google for Startups - find a link to the episode below.
Since then, Marta has jumped back into the Founder seat and chats to us about:
➡️ The opportunity of a lifetime that made her step down from Google for Startups [01:07]
➡️ Returning to the world of entrepreneurship and the privilege it holds [05:40]
➡️ Building with the scientific community [07:45]
➡️ Fundraising as an experienced entrepreneur [10:21]
➡️ Building the future of carbon removals [13:29]
➡️ Joining the CUR8 mission [15:28]
➡️ What we can all do to save the planet [18:26]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Marta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martakrupinska/
➡️ Find out more about CUR8: https://cur8.earth/
➡️ Listen to Marta’s previous 40 Minute Mentor episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/scaling-lessons-with-google-for-startups-uks-marta-krupinska/
🤫 P.S Has our podcast ever made you feel something?
Like properly made you stop and FEEL the feels...
Maybe it has opened your eyes to a new industry? Maybe it has inspired you to start your own venture? Or maybe it has you nodding along as you relate to so many of the challenges that our Founders have faced....
🤝 Connecting, human to human, with our audience is absolutely paramount to our work behind the scenes at 40 Minute Mentor, which is why we would (shamelessly) love to have your vote in this year's Great British Podcast People's Choice awards. 🏆
- Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
- Type in '40 Minute Mentor'
- Job done ✅
Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙
ENTRIES CLOSE 5th SEPTEMBER
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Successes, mistakes and lessons learned…
We cover all of the above and more in our BRAND NEW series of 40 Minute Mentor…coming to a set of headphones near you, next week!
Inspiring conversations with category-defining Founders, CxOs and Investors, who have been through it all…the good, the bad and the in between, along the way.
Resilience. Angel Investing. Burnout. Saving the planet. Plus, SO much more....
Get a little taster of what's to come this series, in today's trailer.
Series 10, we are ready.....are you?
🌟 Make sure you hit the 'subscribe' button, to be the first to know about Episode 1 launching next week!
"She comes to the table with no judgement and all curiosity and allows me to explore in a way that I do my best thinking because I feel safe to do it.”
This week is the final episode in our mentorship feature series, and what a four weeks it has been!
In this series finale, James and Hannah are joined by the dynamic duo of Tess Cosad and Chloé HC.
Tess is the Co-Founder and CEO of Béa Fertility, the ambitious FertilityTech startup, focused on democratising access to safe, affordable fertility treatment.
Chloé is an accomplished product leader and coach with over 10 years experience working directly with CEOs and founding teams to shape vision, drive strategy and deliver day to day execution from Seed to Series B.
Tess and Chloé have been friends for many years after meeting at University, and although their careers went in different directions, they stay connected with their friendship ultimately evolving into one of mentorship.
We can’t wait for you to hear all about their highs and lows, and feel their energy throughout, where we discover:
➡️ From uni friendship to tackling loneliness as a Startup Founder [04:07]
➡️ Hopping between the friend zone and mentor zone [05:36]
➡️ Setting topic boundaries for a smoother mentorship process [08:08]
➡️ The beauty of working in different backgrounds and having different perspectives [10:39]
➡️ Unlocking business decisions as a mentor, from a bench in New York [14:11]
➡️ Putting your ego aside to navigate disagreements [18:15]
➡️ A no-judgement, all-curiosity approach to mentorship [22:11]
➡️ Finding a connection and being challenged in a safe space [29:56]
➡️ How to positively un-couple and move on [34:36]
➡️ Helping you find your voice, without being over-mentored as a female Founder [35:51]
➡️ Assessing the power dynamic and nature of relationship with a prospective mentor [39:20]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Tess: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-isabelle-cosad/
➡️ Connect with Chloe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chlo%C3%A9-hajnal-corob-97a3407b/
➡️ More about Béa Fertility: https://beafertility.com/
➡️ More about Resonate coaching: https://resonatecoaching.co/about
🤫 P.S Has our podcast ever made you feel something?
Like properly made you stop and FEEL the feels...
Maybe it has opened your eyes to a new industry? Maybe it has inspired you to start your own venture? Or maybe it has you nodding along as you relate to so many of the challenges that our Founders have faced....
🤝 Connecting, human to human, with our audience is absolutely paramount to our work behind the scenes at 40 Minute Mentor, which is why we would (shamelessly) love to have your vote in this year's Great British Podcast People's Choice awards. 🏆
-
Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
-
Type in '40 Minute Mentor'
-
Job done ✅
Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
"What I try to do is listen to the problem, understand how it fits stuff I've seen before, then relate how I think it'll play out…”
In this week's 40 Minute Mentor episode, we're joined by a mentorship duo connected by their love and passion for the startup world.
Peter Nixey - serial entrepreneur and OG of the UK Startup scene, joins us together with his mentee, AJ, who has been the CEO of the invite-only community, Foundrs.
Peter founded Clcikpass.com which raised investment from YC and several angels, before selling the company to Yola.com. His most recent ventures include Copyin, a platform for progressional communities built entirely in email and Intentional.io - a day planner that focuses you on managing your time, rather than your tasks.
AJ has been the CEO of Foundrs for the past two years and is soon moving on to start his own company that will support others looking to build communities like Foundrs.
From structuring sessions with pre-set agendas, to open conversations around personal life challenges, this episode explores the real ins and outs of a solid mentorship relationship, including:
➡️ Evolving from community check-ins to full-scale mentorship [04:25]
➡️ The importance of agendas and time management [06:13]
➡️ The power of pushing back AND being open to feedback, as a mentee [09:06]
➡️ Using previous problems to tackle current challenges [12:50]
➡️ Overlapping topics and progression to propel the mentor relationship [14:39]
➡️ Allowing space for emotionally charged conversations [20:48]
➡️ Opinions vs shared experiences from a serial entrepreneur [23:54]
➡️ From PhD dropout to a mentorship awakening [28:57]
➡️ The significance of community in the Startup world [32:02]
➡️ Providing value from both sides of the mentor relationship [35:09]
➡️ Being a cheerleader and staying inquisitive on your mentorship journey [36:38]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with AJ: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-foundrs/
➡️ Connect with Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternixey/
➡️ More about Foundrs: https://www.foundrs.co/
➡️ More about Intentional.io: https://intentional.io/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🤫 P.S Has our podcast ever made you feel something?
Like properly made you stop and FEEL the feels...
Maybe it has opened your eyes to a new industry? Maybe it has inspired you to start your own venture? Or maybe it has you nodding along as you relate to so many of the challenges that our Founders have faced....
🤝 Connecting, human to human, with our audience is absolutely paramount to our work behind the scenes at 40 Minute Mentor, which is why we would (shamelessly) love to have your vote in this year's Great British Podcast People's Choice awards. 🏆
- Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
- Type in '40 Minute Mentor'
- Job done ✅
Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙
“You want someone who's lived that same experience, and hopefully they can pass on what worked for them, but also what didn't work for them.”
The golden mentorship moments keep on coming as we head into episode two of our new mentorship feature series.
This week, James and Hannah are joined by Ashleigh Tennent, Founder of the coaching platform, More Happi and Lisa Rodwell, the CEO of Daye, the company bridging the gender gap in medical research and innovation.
Together, the four discuss how to find your perfect match in a mentor and a coach and how to nurture those relationships, including:
➡️ Blossoming from colleagues to mentorship and friendship [04:54]
➡️ The value of trust in building a mentor relationship [07:17]
➡️ The art of not wasting time [09:11]
➡️ Balancing a range of roles, as a mentor [10:38]
➡️ Finding common ground to rocket your relationship [13:47]
➡️ Paying it forward and the benefits of ‘reverse’ mentorship [15:26]
➡️ Respecting busy lifestyles and managing expectations [19:00]
➡️ Navigating conflict and misunderstanding [22:11]
➡️ Using missions or problems to hook in a prospective mentor [27:48]
➡️ Mentor vs Coach, what’s the difference? [29:27]
➡️ Reflections and advice for aspiring mentees and mentors [33:23]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Ashleigh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleightennent/
➡️ Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisarodwell/
➡️ More about More Happi: https://morehappi.com/
➡️ More about Daye: https://www.yourdaye.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“Do it because you care. Find out who you are, where you can be most useful, and how you want to go about it, but only do it if you care.”
Mentorship can truly change people’s careers and lives.
We’re big believers in the power of mentorship, it’s why we started this podcast!
In this brand new feature series, we’ll take a deep dive into the different forms and shapes of mentorship and answer some of your most common questions, e.g. How do you approach a mentor? How do you manage the day to day? When do you know it’s time to part ways?
And to change things up even more this series, we’re also not just have one but two hosts.
For the first time ever, James, JBM Founder and resident 40 Minute Mentor host, will be joined by our Head of Marketing and Podcast Producer, Hannah Urbanek.
In our first episode, we’re joined by Varun Vassanth and his mentor, former 40 Minute Mentor and Founder of Patch, Freddie Fforde.
We dig deep into their mentorship relationship and uncover:
➡️ Naturally falling into the mentor-mentee relationship [03:54]
➡️ The impact of an informal approach to mentorship [06:12]
➡️ What mentorship can mean to different people [09:09]
➡️ Crafting a virtual board of stellar advisors [12:35]
➡️ Separating mentorship from management and respecting boundaries [14:55]
➡️ Building mutual respect for effective mentorship [17:52]
➡️ Instilling mentorship to drive your company culture [21:50]
➡️ Parting ways [28:53]
➡️ The do’s and don’ts of mentorship [31:40]
➡️ Being selective about the advice you’re giving as a mentor [36:06]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Freddie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freddiefforde/
➡️ Connect with Varun: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varunvassanth/
➡️ More about Patch: https://www.patch.work/
➡️ Check out Freddie’s previous episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/feature-series-freddie-fforde/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“If you can be very clear in articulating what you are trying to do, why the world needs it and why you are the best person to work on it, the money will follow.”
And just like that, we come to the end of our 40 Minute Mentor VC feature series.
BUT, before we kick off our next series, we have one more VC mentorship packed episode in store for you….
Today, we’re joined by Yvonne Bajela, Partner at LocalGlobe and Latitude, and Venture Partner at Impact X Capital.
Yvonne talks about her journey from Goldman Sachs to VC, her first investment and the formative influence her father had on her career.
Having invested over £200m across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Yvonne has backed some of the most category-defining Founders, including the teams behind Unicorn InsurTech, Marshmallow and OG FinTech Unicorn, Wise.
Tune in to discover:
➡️ The influence her late father had on her career [03:28]
➡️ The success story of her investment in Marshmallow [09:04]
➡️ Local Globe’s investment thesis [13:07]
➡️ Building a founder-investor relationship for the long-haul [14:07]
➡️ Characteristics she looks for in Founders she invests in [16:18]
➡️ Common mistakes she sees Founders make [18:21]
➡️ Closing the funding gap for under-represented Founders [20:58]
➡️ Navigating the current fundraising climate [22:45]
➡️ Building a successful board of advisors [24:57]
➡️ Motherhood and returning to VC [27:28]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Yvonne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonnebajela/
➡️ More about LocalGlobe: https://localglobe.vc/
➡️ More about Latitude: https://latitudeventures.vc/
➡️ More about Impact X Capital: https://www.impactxcapital.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“It’s a really great time if you want to learn how to be a disciplined Investor and to really be able to hunt down the best Founders and best opportunities.”
In the final part of our bite-sized VC feature series, Rosie Barnett, Principal at Delin Ventures, talks to us about navigating the current landscape and shares tangible advice for any Founders, looking to fundraise.
This episode is jam packed with advice - no matter, if you’re a Founder looking for investment or an aspiring VC, looking to get a foot in the door.
Have your notebooks ready and if you haven’t already, make sure you catch up on the previous 3 parts of this feature series.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Rosie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-barnett-672329134/
➡️ Check out Delin Ventures: https://www.delinventures.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“If you think there’s something that needs to be changed in the world, I think that starting a company is the best and easiest way to achieve that change.”
For our penultimate episode in this VC feature, we’re joined by Suranga Chandratillake OBE, former engineer and entrepreneur, now General Partner at Balderton Capital, one of Europe's leading early stage technology venture capital firms.
Before joining the world of VC, Suranga founded blinkx, an intelligent video search engine, which he took public and reached a peak market cap of $1bn.
Now mainly investing at Series A, Suranga has backed some huge names in the industry, including Tessian, Wayve and Beauty Pie.
Tune in to this week’s episode to find out more about:
➡️ How Bill Gates sparked his curiosity for entrepreneurship [05:23]
➡️ His Silicon Valley inspired business, bllinkx [07:40]
➡️ Building a business from 0-$200m a year [10:06]
➡️ Overcoming common Founder challenges [13:12]
➡️ Transitioning from Founder to Investor [16:47]
➡️ Why empathy is so important [20:26]
➡️ Helping Founders change the world at Balderton Capital [23:21]
➡️ Red flags when assessing Founders [27:10]
➡️ Advice for Founders on building healthy habits, while spinning many plates [32:23]
➡️ Championing diversity in the VC ecosystem [37:27]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Suranga: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suranga-chandratillake-6a839363/
➡️ More about Balderton Capital: https://www.balderton.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“Spend some time with the team to shadow and see what they actually do day to day, before you join. It’s invaluable because it gives you an opportunity to try before you buy.”
In part 3 of our bite-sized ‘Operator to VC’ feature, Rosie Barnett, Principal at Delin Ventures, talks to us about making the transition to VC.
We hear the criteria Rosie looked at when deciding which VC to join and the crucial steps she took to adapt to the new industry.
She also shares some of the great communities she’s a part of and why immersing herself ahead of becoming a VC has been so helpful.
For even more resources to check out, make sure you tune into episode 2, which has a full list of podcasts, newsletters and reading materials for you to check out: https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/11fd722f-4096-45f5-bd6e-62327f8088ce/shows/6ef8fc38-9e69-482e-bf6c-3c1489829886/episodes/62416790-27dd-4dee-a7d3-b4ad50f74f70/
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Rosie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-barnett-672329134/
➡️ Check out Delin Ventures: https://www.delinventures.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“If you have the passion to solve a problem, you will find a way to solve it, no matter what comes in your way.”
Next up in our VC feature series, we’re joined by Zeynep Yavus, Partner at General Catalyst.
General Catalyst is a top-tier VC that invests from early stage through to growth equity stages, having backed some of the world's biggest tech companies, including Airbnb, Warby Parker and Stripe.
Having grown up in Turkey with entrepreneur parents, Zeynep saw first-hand that a more mature VC ecosystem in the country could have been really transformational for Founders in the area.
To be a part of that change, she now focuses on FinTech and Crypto investments on a global scale, and particularly with a focus on emerging markets.
In today’s episode, we dive more into Zeynep’s journey, her advice for Founders and the future of VC, including:
➡️ VCs unlocking ambitious risks [04:41]
➡️ Building products from 0-1 as an Operator [07:52]
➡️ The importance of diversity of thought in VC [09:26]
➡️ Why venture should be recession proof [11:30]
➡️ Advice on getting into VC [13:42]
➡️ How to stand out when interviewing with General Catalyst [16:03]
➡️ Why emerging markets [17:18]
➡️ Why Founders need to know and convey their ‘Why’ in pitches [19:59]
➡️ Investment process at GC [21:15]
➡️ Changes in the market [22:24]
➡️ Common mistakes Founders are making [24:49]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Zeynep: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeynep-yavuz-72362379/
➡️ More about General Catalyst: https://www.generalcatalyst.com/
➡️ The Finstack Newsletter: https://finstack.substack.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“Founders want to work with investors who can understand what they are going through.”
Welcome back to week two of our popular VC feature, where we’re joined by the biggest movers and shakers in the industry, with stellar mentorship for anyone looking to get into VC and guidance for any Founders currently fundraising.
We’re back today with another bite-sized episode with Rosie Barnett, Principal at Delin Ventures.
In today’s episode, we’re focusing on practical advice for Operators transitioning into VC. Not only does Rosie share the benefits of making the move, but she also shares the skillset needed to make it work and tons of resources that will help along the way - some of which we've linked to in the section below.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Rosie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-barnett-672329134/
➡️ Check out Delin Ventures: https://www.delinventures.com/
➡️ Acquired podcast: https://www.acquired.fm/
➡️ Big Picture Medicine podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5707RPmWOJkVZyUHNRSUfS
➡️ Invest Like The Best podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/22fi0RqfoBACCuQDv97wFO
➡️ This Week In Startups podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-week-in-startups/id315114957
➡️ Pietro Invernizzi’s blog: https://pinver.medium.com/
➡️ Out-Of-Pocket newsletter: https://www.outofpocket.health/
➡️ Exec Sum newsletter: https://www.execsum.co/
➡️ Wall Street Prep: https://www.wallstreetprep.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“The most successful companies are the ones that went against what is considered the status quo.”
In our inaugural episode of our latest VC feature series, we’re joined by someone who is inspired by Founders that don't see limits in what could be achieved with the help of technology…
Today, we’re joined by Sasha Vidiborskiy, a quantum physicist turned VC Partner at Atomico.
Atomico is a $5bn+ AUM VC fund, investing in ambitious tech Founders at Series A and beyond, with a particular focus on Europe.
Founded in 2006, Niklas Zennstrom, former CEO and Co-Founder of Skype, Atomico has partnered with over 100 ambitious teams, including those at Klarna, Supercell, MessageBird, Pipedrive, Hinge Health, Ben, and many more.
In today’s episode, we dig into Sasha’s background, his move into VC and tons of advice for aspiring investors, including:
➡️ The effects of sending out rejections [05:36]
➡️ An overlooked area in VC [07:43]
➡️ From electrical engineering and quantum physics to VC [09:13]
➡️ A taster of Founder life & lessons for investors [14:54]
➡️ Why Atomico & how Sasha works with Founders [19:09]
➡️ The Partner role explained [26:10]
➡️ Pitching advice for Founders [29:01]
➡️ Purposeful investments that get a good return [33:24]
➡️ Advice for aspiring Investors [37:47]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Sasha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidiborskiy/
➡️ More about Atomico: https://atomico.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“You can still have an incredibly successful business, without it being a triple decker Unicorn.”
This week we’re launching another series of our popular VC feature, where we’re joined by the biggest movers and shakers in the industry, sharing exclusive market insights, mentorship for anyone looking to get into VC and guidance for any Founders currently fundraising.
Alongside our Wednesday episodes, we are also launching four bite-sized episodes on Monday, taking a deep dive into one of the biggest trends we’ve seen in VC - Operators becoming Investors.
To bring this to life, we’re joined by Rosie Barnett, Principal at Delin Ventures.
In today’s episode, we dive into Rosie’s background as a Physician, why she decided to move into VC and she busts some very common industry myths.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Rosie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-barnett-672329134/
➡️ Check out Delin Ventures: https://www.delinventures.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
"Community for me has always been - What is our purpose? Why do we exist? What's it all for? Why does it even matter?”
There are two popular topics that come up time and time again when we interview our 40 Minute Mentors and when we speak to JBM clients and candidates. These topics are: Building communities and sticking to your purpose.
In this week’s episode, we’ve rounded up some of the best advice from our most recent Series, including:
➡️ Vanity metrics vs Impact - Nikki Wicks, CEO of The Body Coach [00:41]
➡️ Meaningful exchanges over numbers - Abadesi Osunsade, Founder of Hustle Crew [03:28]
➡️ Staying true to yourself throughout the journey - Simmy Dhillon, Founder of Simmer [05:23]
➡️ The dark side of social media - Sue Fennessy, Founder of WeAre8 [06:13]
➡️ Fixing problems with purpose-driven solutions - Nader AlSalim, Founder of Gaia [07:29]
➡️ Bringing change-makers into your network - Pierre Paslier, Co-Founder of Notpla [09:13]
➡️ Tapping into what your community wants - Alice Pelton, Founder of The Lowdown [10:46]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ For the full Series 9 episodes, check out our 40 Minute Mentor archives: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/category/40-minute-mentor/
➡️ And for more mentorship, make sure you follow JBM on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbm-consulting-ltd/
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with 40k+ loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
TW: This episode includes conversations around eating disorders and extreme quick fixes that are not recommended or endorsed. If you are struggling with the topics covered, please seek professional help.
"A Mediterranean style diet can be more effective than anti-depressants."
The nation's health is arguably the worst it's been in generations, and that predominantly comes down to our relationship with food….
What if everyone knew the truth about fad diets? Are calories actually to blame? Is plant-based the way to go?
In today's final episode of our wellbeing feature, we're joined by Rhiannon Lambert, one of the UK’s leading nutritionists, a Sunday Times bestselling author and chart-topping podcast host.
We chat about Rhiannon's career defining pivot and realistic, tangible nutrition advice for the busiest Execs, including:
➡️ Pursuing a Music career at the age of 17 [03:04]
➡️ The toxicity of body image in the limelight [07:08]
➡️ Her pivot into nutrition and becoming a Founder [11:16]
➡️ Opening her Harley Street clinic [14:45]
➡️ The making of her 'Food For Thought' podcast [22:48]
➡️ Tangible nutrition advice for the busiest professionals [28:57]
➡️ How parents can help tackle childhood obesity [32:57]
➡️ Making healthy and affordable choices in a cost of living crisis [35:30]
AND spoiler alert, you CAN have chocolate after breakfast....
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Rhiannon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhitrition/
➡️ Check out Rhitrition: https://www.rhitrition.com/
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Most people listening need to understand that the government is not coming to save us. There is not going to be a huge pension when we retire. What you have is what you will have.”
With interest rates on the rise, and the cost of living higher than ever, all of us are feeling the strain of financial stress…
To help us get money smart and enhance our financial wellbeing, we’re joined by Vivi Friedgut, the Founder of Blackbullion - a financial wellbeing platform that equips young people with financial skills for life and improves access to funds.
Blackbullion is currently available to over 1 million students at almost 50 partner universities and colleges across the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The platform includes resources covering spending habits, loan calculators and shines a light on schemes, such as buy now pay later.
At a time where the world has never needed to be more money smart, Vivi brings her infectious energy to this week's episode, where we dive into:
➡️ Being raised financially savvy and the idea behind Blackbullion [03:46]
➡️ What to expect from the Blackbullion platform [07:40]
➡️ Navigating a slow sector in a fast moving world [13:23]
➡️ The relentless early days as a Founder [16:03]
➡️ The hurdles and advantages of female Founders [22:48]
➡️ Making your money work for you & other actions to take [25:14]
➡️ Financial wellbeing advice for students [27:01]
➡️ Closing the financial literacy gap [29:05]
➡️ Simple but effective money tips to utilise right now [36:22]
➡️ Running a 11-month fundraise and dealing with 78 rejections [37:52]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Vivi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivifriedgut/
➡️ Check out Blackbullion: https://www.blackbullion.com/
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Everybody has something, everybody is travelling through this thing called life, and life is not all sunshine and rainbows.”
Did you know, around 12 billion working days globally, are lost every year to depression and anxiety?
These staggering stats find us amidst a mental health crisis, and a huge demand for increased support for employee wellbeing…
What gives you energy? And what takes it away? What boundaries do you set?
Figuring this out is at the heart of wellbeing for this week’s 40 Minute Mentor, Sançar Sahin, Co-Founder of Oliva, a platform that provides proper mental health care for employees.
How is Oliva different? They provide on demand therapy, coaching, classes and content to help your people show up feeling their best AND doing their best work… all in one platform. After all, what is a successful company without healthy employees?
Our mental health, much like Founder life, is full of ups and downs, and we are continuing the conversation around wellbeing in today’s episode, where you’ll uncover:
➡️ The journey from marketing to disruptive Founder [05:14]
➡️ Building more than a SaaS solution [11:22]
➡️ Digging deeper to reveal employee struggles [15:24]
➡️ Combining technology and people [17:23]
➡️ How Oliva can enhance your employees wellbeing [22:09]
➡️ Pivotal moments of realising you’re burnt out [26:55]
➡️ Looking after your mental health as a Founder and looking after your team [33:16]
➡️ Wellbeing benefits that actually make a difference [36:25]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Sançar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sancarsahin/
➡️ Check out Oliva: https://www.oliva.health/
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“When people and companies are on the verge of burnout, then it’s just this busyness epidemic.”
You’re in a cabin, in the middle of no-where, for 3 nights. And your phone has been locked away, until you leave.
It’s just you, nature, and your mind.
This is not the start of a horror movie script. Although being without our phones can be a super scary thought…
Today, we’re kicking off our new wellbeing feature series with Hector Hughes, the Co-Founder of Unplugged.
Unplugged are solving the busy, burnout, can't-put-my-phone-down problem, one cosy cabin at a time.
Did you check your phone as soon as you woke up this morning? Are you a sucker for checking work emails when on a wholesome escape in the sun?
…Then today’s episode is perfect for you, as we discuss:
➡️ Celebrating failure as a Founder [08:50]
➡️ What to expect from your Unplugged stay [10:20]
➡️ Small steps to take to unplug in everyday life [14:58]
➡️ Offering Unplugged to your team [16:36]
➡️ The broad lens of burnout and recovery [19:25]
➡️ Building better relationships with technology [27:18]
We hope this episode will inspire you to switch off and tune back in next week for another episode in our wellbeing feature.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Hector: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-hughes-10082195/
➡️ Book your Unplugged stay here: https://unplugged.rest/
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
As we approach 1 million downloads and wrap up Series 9 of our 40 Minute Mentor podcast, we wanted to reflect on the brilliant career mentorship we received over the last 12 weeks.
From building a bootstrapped global fitness brand, to the end of HR, a CBD drink phenomenon to mental health and football, we really covered a spectrum of golden nuggets in the world of startups and scaleups. Not to mention some candid life lessons along the way.
In today’s episode, we hear the very best moments from this series, with some spectacular insights into all things Founder life and beyond, including:
➡️ Why you should stop searching for happiness [03:47]
➡️ How playing poker is like being a Founder [04:21]
➡️ Diversity & privilege in politics [05:10]
➡️ Layoffs are not personal, don’t be ashamed [07:15]
➡️ Overdose & mental health stigma [08:10]
➡️ Get a tech career on your own terms [09:14]
But that’s not goodbye for now, as we are back next week with our special series, on all things mental health and wellbeing.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about JBM on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbm-consulting-ltd/
➡️ Check us out online: https://jbmc.co.uk/
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“When I was googling my symptoms, it was either Cosmopolitan articles on how to give good blow jobs, or the NHS website.”
Did you know a third of women in the UK do not have easy access to contraception?
And 80% of those who are using contraception have reported side effects…
Following her own experience of having devastating side effects of being put on the wrong contraception, today’s 40 Minute Mentor, Alice Pelton, decided to take matters into her own hands.
That’s why she started The Lowdown - the UK’s leading sexual and reproductive health platform, used by over 2 million women. Featured in the likes of Grazia and The Times, The Lowdown is a contraception review, advice and prescriptions platform, on a mission to change women’s health.
In today’s episode, Alice shares candid insights into her own contraception journey and being a female Founder, including:
➡️ Her 10-year journey to find the right contraception [05:00]
➡️ The historical ‘un-sexy’ part of medicine and building the Lowdown [08:59]
➡️ Challenges of being a solo female Founder [10:30]
➡️ What nobody teaches you about fundraising [11:48]
➡️ Working with Angels vs VCs [16:18]
➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [18:10]
➡️ Misconceptions about investors [19:20]
➡️ Building communities [22:11]
➡️ Learnings from hiring mistakes [25:23]
➡️ What she looks for when hiring for The Lowdown [27:53]
➡️ Navigating the ‘chat’ around contraception with children [32:33]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Alice: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-pelton/
➡️ Check out The Lowdown: https://thelowdown.com/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
There won’t be many Founders out there who weren’t affected by the roller coaster weekend of the SVB collapse.
Even if you weren’t banking with SVB yourself, the chances are high that your clients, investors or suppliers were. Although we all got to breathe a sigh of relief with HSBC acquiring SVB, many questions remain:
Why did SVB collapse?
How did we get to this outcome and who was behind it all?
What happened behind the scenes during this weekend?
To answer all of this and more, we’re joined by the person who was front and centre, Dom Hallas, the Executive Director of UK tech lobby group, The Coalition for a Digital Economy - Coadec.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Dom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dom-hallas/
➡️ Find out more about Coadec: https://coadec.com/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Poker teaches you resilience, because it’s a complete rollercoaster. It is very humbling, it’s a bit like running a startup. Experience outweighs theory, just like being a Founder.”
From wanting to be an entrepreneur since the school yard days, to a self-set mission of building two billion pound brands in his 30’s, today’s guest is no stranger to the rollercoaster life of startups. And he’s never had a job.
This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is James Mishreki, Founder of popular skincare brand Skin + Me and sustainable consumer goods startup, Life Supplies.
James shares so much advice from his professional poker playing days to navigating the collapse of SVB.
We chat about:
➡️ His wish for entrepreneurship to be taught in schools [02:33]
➡️ How poker can prepare you for Founder life [05:27]
➡️ Lessons from launching his first Startup [09:36]
➡️ Falling into the beauty industry [11:41]
➡️ The challenges going from software to D2C [15:36]
➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [20:05]
➡️ Educating the planet on re-fillable products [20:38]
➡️ Being born to create, and chasing big goals [24:53]
➡️ The rollercoaster ride following the collapse of SVB [32:55]
➡️ The power of collaborations [35:03]
➡️ The motivational video that kicked him into gear [39:48]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmishreki/
➡️ Check out Skin + Me: https://www.skinandme.com/
➡️ Check out Life Supplies: https://lifesupplies.com/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
No matter whether you’re negotiating your salary, promotion, a new project or a deal with a client or investor - today’s episode will help you get it across the line.
For this 40 Minute Mentor bite-sized episode, we’re joined by Selena Rezvani, award-winning journalist, coach, speaker and author of ‘Quick Confidence’.
Ahead of her book launching on May, 9th 2023, Selena shares with us some easy to follow mentorship on:
➡️ The fundamental pillars of building your confidence
➡️ What makes someone a great negotiator
➡️ The GPS framework which will help you navigate your next negotiation
➡️ How to deal with difficult negotiations
➡️ Plus, what to do when you don’t get the outcome you wanted
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Selena: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenarezvani/
➡️ Get a copy of her book ‘Quick Confidence’ out on May 9th: https://www.selenarezvani.com/books
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains topics of mental health and suicide attempts, that may be harmful or traumatising to some audiences. If you’re affected by any of the topics discussed, please make sure you reach out to the helplines listed below. ⚠️
“Nothing prepared me for that loss of identity that I had without football.”
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a professional footballer in England?
And what life looks like once you decide to retire from your career in sport?
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Clarke Carlisle, former professional footballer, mental health advocate and ambassador for the mental health charity Mind.
Clarke has had an illustrious football career, having played for a number of top clubs, including Leeds United, Watford and Burnley, and winning three caps for England under 21s.
Alongside all the successes, Clarke also had to deal with plenty of hardship, including serious injuries, his battle with depression and attempted suicide.
Clarke has been refreshingly open about his professional and mental health journey, and shared with us:
➡️ The misconceptions that come with being a professional footballer [03:17]
➡️ His biggest failure and biggest success all wrapped up into one [07:21]
➡️ Why football needs to be treated more like a workplace [09:45]
➡️ Signing his first professional football contract [14:23]
➡️ Winning his England U21 caps [17:29]
➡️ More about our sponsor, Alchemist [22:10]
➡️ Bouncing back from a setback [23:22]
➡️ Why you need to stop searching for happiness [29:14]
➡️ Retirement from professional football [31:42]
➡️ Attempting suicide and ongoing mental health battles [36:26]
➡️ Advice on opening up about your mental health [45:29]
➡️ Improving mental health at work [48:29]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Clarke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarke-carlisle-and-carrie-carlisle-765aa749/
➡️ Check out the work Clarke & Carrie are doing: https://www.clarkeandcarrie.com/
➡️ Mind Charity: https://www.mind.org.uk/
➡️ Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
➡️ The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123
➡️ And for local help and support, call the Mind Infoline at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
If there’s one thing that became obvious during the pandemic and the various different lockdowns, it’s the importance of human connection.
But what happens to us when we get disconnected from our peers?
How do we build actually lasting connections?
And what are the best ways for team leaders to facilitate and create opportunities for human connection in an increasingly hybrid world?
To answer all of these questions, we’re joined by Simone Heng, a human connection specialist and author of ‘Secret Pandemic: The Search for Connection in a Lonely World.’
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Simone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-heng-speaker/
➡️ Get a copy of her book ‘Secret Pandemic - the search for connection in a lonely world’: https://simoneheng.com/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“You need to recognise that your mental health is a muscle and it’s not a case of doing a 30 day cleanse and mediations and you’re all good. That’s not how it works.”
What started off as a new way to eliminate the daily stresses of life in the city, turned into the UK’s favourite soft drinks brand.
This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is Olivia Ferdi, the Co-Founder of popular CBD brand, TRIP.
Coming from a law background, there were plenty of early stage challenges Olivia and her Co-Founder and husband, Dan, faced together and we loved learning more about their journey in today’s episode.
Olivia shares with us:
➡️ The glamorisation of startup life [03:37]
➡️ Resilience and building a Founder mindset [05:23]
➡️ Her law career and transitioning to a startup [08:54]
➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [16:30]
➡️ The inspiration behind TRIP [17:27]
➡️ Her stand-out milestones from her journey with TRIP [26:07]
➡️ How her law background has helped and sometimes hindered along the way [29:25]
➡️ Building a wellbeing routine that lasts [36:30]
➡️ TRIP’s exciting plans for the year ahead [40:40]
➡️ Why a “no” is never a “no” [43:37]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Olivia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-ferdi/
➡️ Check out TRIP: https://drink-trip.com/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Public speaking - an instrumental skill to perfect for any Founder and executive.
It’s also one of the most dreaded aspects of being a business leader.
To help make your next presentation a less stressful experience, we’re joined by Alex Merry, former COO, turned public speaking coach.
Alex doesn’t only help leaders deliver high-stakes presentations at work and globally recognised conferences, through his coaching and online speaking club, MicDrop, but he’s also published his advice in his book, ‘Make It Count’.
In this bite-sized episode, we’re looking at:
➡️ What makes a good public speaker
➡️ How to manage your nerves
➡️ The one thing you should never finish your presentation on
➡️ How to handle difficult questions
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexmerry/
➡️ Join MicDrop: https://alexmerry.com/micdrop-web/
➡️ Get your copy of ‘Make it count’: https://alexmerry.com/get-the-book/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“I don’t want Gaia to be seen as a women’s health business. 50% of the cases that we see are male factor infertility. This is a family building problem that affects men and women equally.”
1 in 6 couples are affected by fertility issues, but with aspiring parents spending over £14k on average on their treatment, only 1 in 7 people in the UK who require IVF, end up accessing it.
One Founder on a mission to change that and make fertility treatment more accessible is today’s 40 Minute Mentor, Nader AlSalim, the Founder and CEO of the world’s first IVF insurance, Gaia.
In today’s episode we find out:
➡️ How Nader’s exceptional work ethic gave him control over this career [06:09]
➡️ His own fertility journey and the beginnings of Gaia [10:43]
➡️ Why this is his first and last startup [12:18]
➡️ The evolution of his leadership style [15:15]
➡️ More about Gaia’s offering [18:41]
➡️ Making the topic of fertility less taboo [19:37]
➡️ More about our sponsor’s Alchemist [22:08]
➡️ His personal legacy [23:02]
➡️ Fundraising advice [25:07]
➡️ The evolution of Gaia’s team and the culture [29:34]
➡️ Keeping your team to high standards [33:52]
➡️ Changes needed in the fertility industry & Gaia’s plans for 2023 [37:01]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Nader: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nader-alsalim-45146674/
➡️ Check out Gaia: https://gaiafamily.com/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
One of the biggest trends we’ve seen in hiring over the last year has been the rise of fractional careers.
It doesn’t just give talent more flexibility and freedom, but also gives Founders the opportunity to hire highly experienced operators at a fraction of the cost, and even try before they buy.
To discuss how you actually build a fractional career, the benefits to both talent and employers, plus the downfalls you might want to consider before pursuing a portfolio career, we’ve invited JBM board advisor and Fractional Managing Director, Ben Sanders to share his own experience with us.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-sanders-b280716/
➡️ More about JBM SOS: https://jbmc.co.uk/sos-candidates/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“If I’m doing exactly the same things this year, in exactly the same ways that I did last year, then I’m failing.”
It’s been a turbulent year for the energy sector and many of us have seen the aftermath in our energy bills.
To get first-hand insights into the energy crisis and the movement towards greener and more sustainable energy sources, we’re joined by Zoisa North-Bond, the CEO of Octopus Energy Generation and Octopus Energy for Business.
In today’s episode, Zoisa shares with us:
➡️ Her alternative route to CEO [07:29]
➡️ Why she joined Octopus Energy [10:18]
➡️ The challenges of being in a dual CEO role [12:55]
➡️ The number one skill any successful CEO needs [15:33]
➡️ More about our sponsor, Alchemist [17:20]
➡️ Octopus’s focus on community [18:29]
➡️ The push to greener and more sustainable energy [25:48]
➡️ Navigating the energy crisis on the other side of the fence [28:03]
➡️ The number one thing you can do to reduce your energy bills [30:17]
➡️ The future of the energy sector [30:55]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Connect with Zoisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoisa-north-bond-33143a4/
➡️ More about Octopus Energy: https://octopus.energy/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
For this week’s bit-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Amir Nooriala, the Managing Partner of Aurias.
Amir has previously joined us on the podcast, sharing his experience as COO of Callsign and OakNorth Bank.
This time, he’s telling us more about his new venture, Aurias, offering business owners a retirement pathway that ensures the legacy of their company and employees.
In today’s episode, you’ll find out:
➡️ Amir’s career journey to COO and angel investor
➡️ How this experience sparked the idea for Aurias
➡️ The benefits of entrepreneurship by acquisition and what that looks like for Founders
➡️ Why there are so many impressive bootstrapped Tech businesses that deserve more attention
➡️ Advice for anyone looking to get into entrepreneurship
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Amir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirnooriala/
➡️ Check out Aurias: https://www.aurias.co.uk/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Plastic has its use cases. In the medical industry, it saves lives every day. But for takeaway uses, where it’s used for a short amount of time, that’s where it’s a real issue.”
For today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Pierre Paslier, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Notpla, a sustainable packaging startup.
To this day, Notpla have partnered with the likes of Lucozade, to replace single use plastic cups and bottles at the London Marathon, and JustEat, to launch a food container coated with seaweed - a revolutionary move for the takeaway industry.
Following this huge progress in the industry, to help ease the damage made to the environment, the Notpla team have recently been awarded with Prince William’s prestigious, 1 million pound Earthshot prize.
Today, Pierre shares tons of insights with us, including:
➡️ How he became a Founder, following years at L’Oreal [03:57]
➡️ The experiences at L’Oreal that led to the creation of Notpla [05:23]
➡️ Notpla’s mission and how their packaging works [07:33]
➡️ Seeing Notpla’s packaging being used at the Women’s Euros [11:16]
➡️ Winning the Earthshot Prize [13:16]
➡️ Meeting Prince William at the Earthshot retreat [15:53]
➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [18:11]
➡️ Dealing with increasing media attention and keeping an eye on your mission [19:28]
➡️ Building the Notpla team [22:03]
➡️ Advice for moving into sustainability [28:28]
➡️ The part we can all play in reducing plastic packaging [31:03]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Pierre: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrepaslier/
➡️ Check out Notpla: https://www.notpla.com/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Following on from our pledge last year to continue shining a light on History’s influential black voices, beyond Black History Month, we welcome back Samuel Tholley, the Founder of Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
Today, and in continuation of celebrating International Women’s Day, beyond March 8th, Samuel shares two stories of female trailblazers with us, who have significantly shaped the world we live in today.
First we’ll be learning more about Baroness Doreen Lawrence and her battle to reform the police service, following the murder of her son, Stephen Lawrence in 1993.
Then, Samuel will catapult as further back in history and share the incredible story of Mary Jane Seacole, the British-Jamaican nurse and business woman who set up the “British Hotel” behind the lines during the Crimean War.
🤝 To learn more about Hidden Pages and the importance of normalising black history, check out our previous 40 Minute Mentor episode with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“The only way that the world will see women and diversity differently, is when we create something that is so big and transformational that people will never underestimate women again.”
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, and to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, we’re joined by Sue Fennessy, the Founder & CEO of WeAre8.
WeAre8 is a hate-free community that is built upon the idea that collective change and daily actions can make the world a better place.
The team have been on an incredible journey and you may have seen their ads on TV or across London’s billboards.
In today’s episode, we don’t just get a front row seat to WeAre8’s evolution, but also get an insight into Sue’s incredible career. Plus, she, of course, shares tons of great mentorship with us.
You can expect to hear more about:
➡️ A podcast recommendation from us [00:19]
➡️ The dark side of social media [03:32]
➡️ Why VCs have become predictable and how that’s holding diverse Founders back [06:29]
➡️ What drives her mission to make the world a better place [08:49]
➡️ The benefits of starting to see your work as a hobby [12:14]
➡️ How entrepreneurship chose her and more about her early career [15:22]
➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [21:40]
➡️ The importance of storytelling [22:44]
➡️ More about WeAre8 and why it’s so different compared to other social media platforms [28:46]
➡️ Rio Ferdinand’s involvement in WeAre8 [37:44]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Sue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-fennessy/
➡️ Check out WeAre8: https://www.weare8.com/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Recruitment and Tech are both not industries with the best reputation when it comes to Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity.
That’s why JBM and 40 Minute Mentor are on a mission to change that. With our podcast specifically, we’re always looking to feature unique and inspiring stories, especially giving underrepresented voices a platform to share theirs.
We’re very much still a work in progress and are always looking to improve series on series and year on year.
With that in mind, we have had the great pleasure of welcoming industry trailblazers and leading voices and DE&I over the years.
In today’s bite-sized episode, we’re looking back on some of our favourite moments, featuring DE&I advice from:
➡️ Claire Valoti, VP for EMEA at Snap Inc
➡️ Check Warner, Partner at ADA Ventures
➡️ Sharmadean Reid, Founder of The Stack World
➡️ Marta Krupinska, former Head of Google for Startups UK and Co-Founder of CUR8
➡️ Grace Beverley, Founder and CEO of TALA and SHREDDY
➡️ Baroness Oona King, VP of DE&I at Snap Inc
➡️ Alice Bentinck, Co-Founder of Entrepreneur First
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“The best way of treating people is not as if they're a resource, but by working with them to create something amazing.”
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Anouk Agussol, the Founder and CEO of Unleashed.
Unleashed are on a mission to gear up early stage and scaling companies for speedy and sustainable success, through people and culture. They help create thriving businesses and great places to work, through leadership programmes, coaching, bespoke people projects and embedded partnerships.
JBM have loved collaborating with Anouk and the wider Unleashed team over the years and we loved finding out more about Anouk’s journey and her advice for any Founders and leaders, in today’s episode.
We chat about:
➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [00:16]
➡️ Overcoming imposter syndrome [3:19]
➡️ The juggling act of being a parent and a Founder [04:37]
➡️ Anouk’s career journey and why she chose the People function [09:08]
➡️ Why the People function is becoming increasingly more popular [11:13]
➡️ Her transition from Chief People Officer to starting her own business [14:17]
➡️ More about Unleashed [18:28]
➡️ Why HR is dead [21:55]
➡️ A podcast recommendation from us [23:16]
➡️ What a difference Unleashed has made to teams over the years [24:31]
➡️ Why your culture won’t evolve organically [28:00]
➡️ When is the right time to hire a People person for your startup [32:01]
➡️ The key steps to evolving your culture [34:51]
➡️ How to attract and retain great talent [39:04]
➡️ The evolution of the People function in 2023 and beyond [42:05]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Anouk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anoukagussol/
➡️ Check out Unleashed: https://www.unleashed.company/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
In today’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re taking a look back on some of our most popular 40 Minute Mentor author episodes.
Just in time for World Book Day, later this week, we’re going to hear about the journeys our 40 Minute Mentor authors have been on and how they’ve taken their best-selling books from ideation to launch, and all the ups and downs in between.
Whether you’re thinking about writing your own book yourself, or you’re simply looking for some new books packed with mentorship, to add to you ‘to be read’ list, you won’t want to miss this episode.
📚 All books mentioned in this episode:
➡️ The Green Startup by Juliet Davenport
➡️ How to be a Founder by Alice Bentinck
➡️ World Class by Will Greenwood
➡️ How to Win by Sir Clive Woodward
➡️ Squiggly Careers by Helen Tupper & Sarah Ellis
➡️ Slay In Your Lane by Elizabeth Uviebinene
➡️ She’s In CTRL by Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon
➡️ Solve For Happy by Mo Gawdat
➡️ Solo: How to work alone by Rebecca Seal
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“I was finally getting all of these jobs that I always wanted, but I was always more passionate about my own business and would keep working on it outside of my normal hours.”
Landing a role at Google as a graduate will make most people put thoughts about their next moves on hold. Not for today’s 40 Minute Mentor.
We’re joined by the brilliant Simmy Dhillon, Founder of Simmer, the meal subscription service on a mission to nourish and delight through food by making eating well everyday easy and delicious.
What started out with cooking jerk chicken in his university dorm room, turned into one of the fastest-growing meal subscription services in the UK.
In today’s episode, we get a front row seat to their incredible journey and hear about:
➡️ What celebrating diversity should actually look like [05:40]
➡️ Simmy’s upbringing and where his entrepreneurial spirit comes from [07:47]
➡️ Where the idea for Simmer came from and the humble beginnings of the business [10:24]
➡️ How Rice & Spice evolved into Simmer [13:31]
➡️ Why he couldn’t stop thinking about his side hustle, even after joining Google [16:20]
➡️ The compromises you have to make when going all in on your side hustle [19:35]
➡️ The difficulties of hiring in a bootstrapped business [21:57]
➡️ Bootstrapping vs raising investment [22:54]
➡️ The power of podcasts for early stage Founders [25:58]
➡️ Working with celebrities [31:58]
➡️ Why you should try Simmer and a special Birthday offer for you [34:48]
➡️ Building a business with your family [38:35]
➡️ Why you need to stay authentic when building your personal brand [40:39]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Simmy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simmydhillon/
➡️ Check out Simmer: https://simmereats.com/
➡️ Redeem your offer to get 50% off your first order, plus 25% off your first month following this link https://simmereats.com/?code=jbm50 or by using “JBM50” during check out
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
In this week’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re looking at a role which has gained increasing popularity within the Startup and Scaleup world over the last 12 months - the Chief of Staff role.
To help us explore more of the day to day and the skills any aspiring CoS needs, we’re joined by:
📌 Emily Good, Chief of Staff at Lantum.
📌 Libby Dangoor, Chief of Staff at Multiverse.
📌 Simon Rodrigues, former Chief of Staff at Curio, now Founder & CEO at Saber Works.
They share tons of advice in this episode, including:
➡️ How Libby, Emily and Simon became a Chief of Staff [01:25]
➡️ How varied the day to day as a CoS is [07:02]
➡️ The skills any aspiring Chief of Staff should work on [12:48]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Check out our Chief of Staff Secrets series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9Z5v0dwtFJAVcQRHc3mW2I5db-g84xxc
➡️ Download the Chief of Staff Guide: https://mailchi.mp/jbmc/the-chief-of-staff-role-uncovered
➡️ More about Emily Good: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-good1/
➡️ More about Libby Dangoor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libby-dangoor-73b042a/
➡️ More about Simon Rodrigues: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simondejesusrodrigues/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“It’s sad when you go into something with the idea of building a legacy and then that gets cut off. You have to realise, this is happening because you take risks, and that’s a good thing.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Abadesi Osunsade, DE&I leader and Founder & CEO of Hustle Crew, a inclusion education provider on a mission to create a world in which businesses are centred on inclusion, belonging and redistributing power.
Before building Hustle Crew, Abadesi followed a hugely successful career path in Tech - from roles at Product Hunt, Elpha, Amazon, HotelTonight and Groupon, where she was promoted after her first 8 months and helped scale her department 5X leading up to their record breaking IPO.
Amongst all the success, Abadesi was also laid off twice in her career and is refreshingly honest about her experience, in today’s episode.
We chat about:
➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [00:23]
➡️ The obsession with raising funding and capital [05:05]
➡️ Abadesi’s hugely successful career in Tech [07:45]
➡️ Being the only black employee at HotelTonight and how that led to Hustle Crew [11:45]
➡️ Getting stuck in the DE&I Founder echo chamber [13:00]
➡️ Her experience of being made redundant, twice [16:22]
➡️ How to bounce back from layoffs and figure out what’s next [26:54]
➡️ A podcast recommendation from us [30:30]
➡️ Navigating layoffs as a Founder [31:44]
➡️ The evolution of Hustle Crew [34:58]
➡️ Why community building isn’t about size and not everyone needs to have one [40:12]
➡️ Advice on getting into Tech [45:31]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Abadesi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abadesi/
➡️ Check out Hustle Crew: https://www.hustlecrew.co/
➡️ Get your copy of ‘Dream Big, Hustle Hard: https://www.hustlecrew.co/dream-big-hustle-hard
➡️ Read ‘Do Things That Don’t Scale’ by Paul Graham: http://paulgraham.com/ds.html
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Following International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re looking back on two 40 Minute Mentor episodes with two absolute trailblazers - Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon and Amali de Alwis.
Anne-Marie is the Co-Founder and CEO of Stemettes, an award-winning social enterprise working to inspire and support girls, young women and non-binary people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths careers. You may also know Anne-Marie from the popular Channel 4 show Countdown, or have come across her new book, ‘She’s In CTRL’.
Amali is the CEO of Subak, the world’s first not-for-profit accelerator that scales climate impact through data policy and behaviour change. Prior to joining Subak, she was CEO of Code First: Girls - the largest provider of free coding courses for women in the UK.
Anne-Marie and Amali shared so much great mentorship in their 40 Minute Mentor episodes. In today’s STEM career feature, we’ll focus on:
➡️ Why a societal change is needed to make Tech more inclusive [01:54]
➡️ How the industry itself is a barrier [04:21]
➡️ The importance of just getting started and finding a community [08:01]
➡️ Advice for more inclusive hiring practices [10:30]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Anne-Marie’s full 40 Minute Mentor episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/changing-the-face-of-stem-with-dr-anne-marie-imafidon-mbe/
➡️ Amali’s full 40 Minute Mentor episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-amali-de-alwis-subak/
➡️ More about ‘She’s In CTRL’: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/444767/shes-in-ctrl-by-imafidon-anne-marie/9781787635029
➡️ More about Stemettes: https://stemettes.org/
➡️ More about Subak: https://subak.org/
➡️ More about Code First: Girls: https://codefirstgirls.com/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“A lot of people expected me and Joe to go off the rails. We almost had permission because of our childhood. Because of that, there was always a part of me that wanted to prove people wrong.”
In this inaugural episode of 40 Minute Mentor’s 9th Series, we’re joined by Nikki Wicks, the CEO of the legendary global fitness brand, The Body Coach.
There won’t be a lot of you who haven’t heard of Joe Wicks and The Body Coach, but today, we get a real inside scoop into how the brand grew to what it is today and the often unspoken challenges they faced along the way.
We find out:
➡️ Why Nikki doesn’t consider himself to be entrepreneurial [05:09]
➡️ The difficult balancing act of running a business and raising children [06:33]
➡️ Joe and Nikki’s turbulent childhood and upbringing [09:06]
➡️ How their upbringing has shaped Joe and Nikki’s relationship with each other [10:56]
➡️ Nikki’s publishing career and why he became CEO [17:00]
➡️ The realities of being a first-time CEO [22:15]
➡️ More about our sponsor’s Alchemist [23:51]
➡️ How The Body Coach went from 15 second Instagram videos to a book deal and a global brand [25:49]
➡️ Building and scaling a team and why TBC had to restructure earlier this year [32:03]
➡️ Keeping the purpose at the core of the brand [39:17]
➡️ How Nikki and Joe work with each other [43:04]
➡️ How to stick to your new year’s resolutions and form healthy habits [45:43]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Nikki Wicks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-wicks-15065661/
➡️ Check out The Body Coach: https://www.thebodycoach.com/
➡️ Listen back to our Sifted Summit episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/live-at-sifted-summit-purpose-v-profit-with-nikki-wicks-the-body-coach-emma-steele-ascension-amali-de-alwis-subak/
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
To commemorate this year’s World Cancer Day, we’re looking back on one of our all-time favourite episodes, featuring the late Catherine Wines.
Catherine was the Co-Founder of WorldRemit, one of the fastest growing FinTechs in the UK, allowing people to send money to friends and family living abroad.
Catherine was one of the most high-profile female leaders in FinTech and it came as a real shock to the industry when she lost her battle to stage 3 pancreatic cancer in 2020.
We have benefited first-hand from Catherine’s ongoing mentorship and support, and couldn’t think of a better way to raise awareness of and commemorate World Cancer Day, by re-sharing some of our favourite moments from our conversation with her.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear:
➡️ How WorldRemit was born [01:44]
➡️ Her advice for anyone wanting to break into the industry [04:25]
➡️ How she dealt with her cancer diagnosis and how employers can support [06:08]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Catherine’s full-length 40 Minute Mentor episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/living-life-to-the-fullest-without-regret-with-catherine-wines/
➡️ More about WorldRemit: https://www.worldremit.com/
➡️ More about World Cancer Day and how you can get involved:
https://www.worldcancerday.org/
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Your pocket-sized career mentor is back with a brand new Series.
40 Minute Mentor was created to make business mentorship more accessible and raise aspirations. We do this, by interviewing the most brilliant leaders who are building exceptional, category-defining businesses.
Our guests have ranged from Tech CEO’s to Sustainability Entrepreneurs and from Investors to Olympic Gold Medallists.
And this Series will be no different.
For a little preview of what’s to come, check out our brand new Series 9 trailer.
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🏆 Want to partner with us?
Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?
Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on hannah@jbmc.co.uk
🤝 Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Why is there a need to prove ourselves? Why are we in a situation where we’re not being treated equally as smart as any other ethnicity, especially when we’ve done all this great stuff throughout history?”
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor feature episode, we’re joined by Samuel Tholley, a History Teacher and Founder of Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
In today’s episode, we find out:
➡️ Why Samuel set up Hidden Pages [00:54]
➡️ How his upbringing shaped Hidden Pages and his perception of Black History [03:57]
➡️ Why these untold stories are so important [07:31]
➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [10:41]
➡️ 5 brilliant historic figures we can all learn from [22:08]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Samuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-tholley-758135105/
➡️ More about Hidden Pages: https://www.instagram.com/_hiddenpages/?hl=en
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“The key is to be niche on an audience, but fairly liberal in what’s the best way for you to interact with them. And particularly with how to monetise that audience.”
In this week’s ‘Where Are They Now’ feature episode, we’re joined by James McClure - experienced C-level Tech Exec, Angel Investor, Advisor and Executive Coach.
James has grown big names, like Airbnb and Google, internationally and scaled up VC-backed businesses, like SeatGeek and Adzuna, running the commercial operations in regional and global roles.
Since the last time he’s come on 40 Minute Mentor, James has made the move down under, officially turned his coaching, investing and advisory side hustle into a business and launched x2 online courses for busy tech execs.
In today’s episode, we find out:
➡️ Why James decided to move to Australia [02:03]
➡️ The importance of being active on social media, especially as a Solopreneur [05:22]
➡️ Defining where you get your energy from and finding your audience [08:03]
➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [10:59]
➡️ What to expect from James’s online courses [12:06]
➡️ The biggest lessons he’s learned as an angel investor [15:52]
➡️ How Founders benefit from angel investors [19:02]
➡️ More about his plans for 2023 [21:23]
➡️ How you can partner with JBM/40 Minute Mentor [22:42]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmcclure/
➡️ Sign up to “How To Angel Invest For Busy Tech Execs”: https://maven.com/reload-ventures/how-to-angel-invest
➡️ Sign up to “Scale Your Impact Beyond Your Authority”: https://coleap.cc/s4m
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“This idea of a lone genius that has all the answers does not solve anything, it only makes things worse.”
We’re back with a fresh episode of our ‘Where Are They Now’ feature Series, where we invite some of our most popular 40 Minute Mentors back on the podcast to discuss their latest news and insights.
This time, we’re joined by Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, Co-Founder and CEO of Stemettes, Author, Podcast Host and Arithmetician on the popular Channel 4 show, Countdown.
In this episode, we find out:
➡️ The story behind Anne-Marie’s new book, ‘She’s In CTRL’ [01:53]
➡️ What becoming an author was like for her and her advice for any aspiring writers [03:24]
➡️ An insight into some of the fantastic stories featured in her book [06:50]
➡️ More about our Sponsors, Alchemist [09:35]
➡️ The main message to take away from ‘She’s In CTRL’ [10:40]
➡️ How she found this experience compared to writing a children’s book [12:06]
➡️ What it’s really like to be on Countdown and the response she’s seen from it [13:40]
➡️ Big plans for 2023 and what we can all look forward to seeing more of [16:05]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Anne-Marie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimafidon/
➡️ Get your copy of ‘She’s In CTRL’: https://aimafidon.com/books/
➡️ Check out Stemettes: https://stemettes.org/
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“The recession period felt awful, but actually during that time, even as a small business, we got to be the UK market leader, and all that with only five people working for us, at the time.”
To kick off 2023, we’re looking back on the latest Series of 40 Minute Mentor and hand pick some of the great advice our mentors shared with us, this time focused on the economic downturn and fundraising.
There’s still a lot of uncertainty and instability in the world and it’s hard to predict what 2023 will look like for most Tech Founders.
However, this isn’t the first recession for many Startup Founders out there, so we thought we’d share some of the brilliant advice from our latest Series, including:
➡️ How Photobox became the UK market leader during a recession [01:55]
➡️ Why you can still fundraise in this climate [03:41]
➡️ The metrics to focus on when fundraising as a mission-driven Startup [04:37]
➡️ Why cold emails work in fundraising [06:12]
➡️ How money alone won’t help you through the recession [07:09]
➡️ Fundraising do’s and don’ts in this climate [07:28]
➡️ Who to listen to when it comes to advice [09:56]
For the full 40 Minute Mentor episodes mentioned in this episode, head over to:
🎧 Graham Hobson: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-graham-hobson-photobox/
🎧 Sho Sugihara: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-sho-sugihara-pave/
🎧 Amali de Alwis: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-amali-de-alwis-subak/
🎧 Ian Hogarth: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-ian-hogarth-plural-platform/
🎧 James Lo: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-james-lo-mana/
🎧 Molly Johnson-Jones: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-molly-johnson-jones-flexa/
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
As 2022 is coming to an end, we take the chance to look back and reflect on the last 12 months of 40 Minute Mentor.
We did this, by asking some of the JBM team, our series sponsors and 40 Minute Mentor ambassadors for their favourite episodes of the year.
To listen back to the episodes mentioned in today’s episode, click through the list below:
🎧 Amali de Alwis:
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-amali-de-alwis-subak/
🎧 Dan Garrett:
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/destigmatising-death-with-farewills-dan-garrett/
🎧 Molly Johnson-Jones:
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-molly-johnson-jones-flexa/
🎧 Rachael Twumasi-Corson:
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/feature-series-rachael-twumasi-corson-afrocenchix/
🎧 James Lo:
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-james-lo-mana/
🎧 Sifted Summit Live Recording:
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/live-at-sifted-summit-purpose-v-profit-with-nikki-wicks-the-body-coach-emma-steele-ascension-amali-de-alwis-subak/
🎧 Job van der Voort:
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-job-van-der-voort-remote/
🎧 Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson:
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/series-8-baroness-tanni-grey-thompson/
🎧 Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill:
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/from-olympic-gold-to-femtech-founder-with-dame-jessica-ennis-hill/
Thank you so much for all your support over this year and we can’t wait to see you again in the new year!
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Where it does become an issue for you, the people around you, your team and your family, is when you are burning out, getting stressed and ill, because you’re not finding any balance at all.”
In this second part of our new 40 Minute Mentor mini-series, we learn more about the lessons our Founder, CEO and host of this podcast, James Mitra, learned over the last 10 years of building and scaling JBM.
If you haven’t caught up with the first part of the series, yet, make sure you check it out here: https://40-minute-mentor.simplecast.com/episodes/part-1-10-lessons-from-10-years-of-scaling-jbm-with-james-mitra-founder-ceo-of-jb-VKWGjvCD
Today, we learn about:
➡️ The importance of long-term partnerships [01:08]
➡️ The impossible task of finding balance as a Founder [05:16]
➡️ Why you need to listen to your gut more [10:18]
➡️ Learn more about our Series Sponsors, Alchemist [14:52]
➡️ Why hiring is incredibly difficult, even when recruitment is your day job [15:34]
➡️ The importance of letting your hires leave on good terms, when it doesn’t work out [19:23]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about James Mitra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmitra-jbm/
➡️ More about JBM: https://jbmc.co.uk/
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“I’m ashamed to say I was a bit embarrassed at times when I went to dinner parties and told people what I did for a living. There was always this reputation of sharky, dishonest recruiters.”
This week, we’re launching the first of a special two-part Series on 40 Minute Mentor.
JBM turned 10 years old this year and we’re officially turning the microphone and sharing our own Startup story.
In today’s episode, our Founder, CEO and Host of this podcast, James Mitra, will share how JBM was started and the ups and downs along the way, including:
➡️ The importance of building relationships [2:08]
➡️ JBM’s mission and how this drives us as a team [04:00]
➡️ The mistakes James made along the way and how he overcame them [06:12]
➡️ Learn more about our Series sponsors, Alchemist [11:26]
➡️ The power of mentorship and why that’s always been the foundation of JBM [12:08]
➡️ How personal branding has made all the difference over the years [14:07]
For more startup lessons, tune back in next week for part 2 of this mini-series.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about James Mitra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmitra-jbm/
➡️ More about JBM: https://jbmc.co.uk/
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“I realised that for the first time in my career, I reported to a board and investors, but the decisions were on me. It was all on me.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Stuart Packham, CEO of our Series Sponsor’s Alchemist, JBM board advisor and longtime mentor and friend of team JBM.
Our host, James Mitra, and Stu have known each other for years, dating back to their days at Michael Page, so it was extra special to have Alchemist as our Series sponsor and Stu joining us on the podcast today.
We chat about:
➡️ Stu’s journey through recruitment and into learning and development [02:05]
➡️ Why recruitment is such a great foundation to your career [04:36]
➡️ His transition from recruitment to learning and development [07:58]
➡️ Why becoming a CEO was a much bigger shift than expected [10:47]
➡️ How he puts being people-centric first [14:00]
➡️ The imposter syndrome that comes with being CEO [15:42]
➡️ Realities of merging two businesses into one [18:43]
➡️ How Alchemist approaches L&D differently [22:51]
➡️ Transitioning from 98% face to face L&D sessions to digital and virtual sessions [25:56]
➡️ The benefits of bringing on external partners to help with hiring [29:42]
➡️ Why now is the time to put together a risk plan and not ignore the downturn [33:47]
➡️ What the future holds for Alchemist [35:59]
➡️ The advantages of being a board advisor [38:02]
➡️ Why Alchemist partnered with JBM and the results they’ve seen so far [40:06]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Stu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartpackham/
➡️ More about Alchemist: https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Series 8 of 40 Minute Mentor has officially come to a close.
It’s been 12 weeks of brilliant mentorship from some of the best in the industry, including:
➡️ Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Britain's greatest Paralympian and Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords
➡️ Graham Hobson, Founder of Photobox
➡️ Molly Johnson-Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Flexa
➡️ Sho Sugihara, Founder and CEO of Pave
➡️ Amali de Alwis, CEO of Subak
➡️ Ian Hogarth, Co-Founder of Plural Platform
➡️ Emma Steele, Partner at Ascension
➡️ Nikki Wicks, CEO of The Body Coach
➡️ Job van der Voort, Co-Founder and CEO of Remote
➡️ Simone Maini, CEO of Elliptic
➡️ James Lo, Co-Founder and CEO of Mana
➡️ Elizabeth Uviebinené, Award-winning author and Founder of Storia
➡️ Joe Robinson, CEO of Improbable Defence
➡️ Eleanor Kaye, Executive Director at Newton Venture Program
➡️ Ellie Mckay, property entrepreneur and host of the 'On a Mission' Podcast
Thanks so much to all of you for your support throughout this Series. If you’re not all caught up yet, make sure you have a look through the archives and stay tuned for some special feature episodes dropping soon.
And if you have any recommendations or feedback for Series 9 launching next year, please feel free to contact our producer Hannah at hannah@jbmc.co.uk
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“When people say that money doesn't make you happy, they've often not experienced both extremes."
For our final 40 Minute Mentor episode of this Series, we’re joined by Ellie McKay, property entrepreneur and host of the popular ‘On A Mission’ Podcast.
Not long ago, Ellie’s life was barely recognisable - raising three children under the age of five, battling postnatal depression and facing redundancy.
Fast forward to today, Ellie is a serial entrepreneur, building a multi-million-pound property portfolio.
How she got here and the main lessons learned throughout her journey, she shares with us in today’s episode.
We talk about:
➡️ Watching her parent’s business and marriage dissolve [05:56]
➡️ How those childhood experiences shaped her [08:50]
➡️ The failure of her first property investment [11:50]
➡️ Becoming a career advisors in prisons [13:00]
➡️ Advice for those looking for work after having been to prison [16:47]
➡️ Facing redundancy with three children under the age of five [20:31]
➡️ The moment when she knew she had to turn her life around [23:04]
➡️ Advice for anyone facing redundancy [25:35]
➡️ James’ podcast recommendation [28:34]
➡️ Getting back into the property business [29:57]
➡️ Advice for other wanting to get into property [32:53]
➡️ Building a business with her husband and navigating conflict [35:15]
➡️ More about her ‘On A Mission’ Podcast [40:16]
➡️ Her most memorable interviews [43:08]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Ellie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-mckay/
➡️ Listen to On A Mission: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/on-a-mission-podcast/id1547571458
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Don't think because you perhaps don't have a typical background for VC, that you're not welcomed. That's actually far from the truth.”
In our penultimate episode of this 40 Minute Mentor series, we’re joined by Eleanor Kaye, Executive Director at Newton Venture Program.
Newton is a joint venture between London Business School and Local Globe VC, on a mission to ensure the next generation of VCs represents the world we all live in, by running programmes for people from overlooked or under-estimated backgrounds who want to break into VC or accelerate their career in the sector.
As social mobility and diversity are topics very close to our heart at JBM, we’re huge fans of the work Eleanor and the Newton Venture team are doing.
In today’s episode, we find out:
➡️ The difficulties of returning to work after being on parental leave [05:22]
➡️ Her unconventional path into VC [06:43]
➡️ How she overcame her initial imposter syndrome [11:01]
➡️ The day to day of an Executive Director at Newton [12:44]
➡️ Advantages of an operational background [14:44]
➡️ A note from our sponsors, Alchemist [20:45]
➡️ The joint venture between London Business School and Local Globe VC [21:38]
➡️ How to apply to Newton Venture Program [27:26]
➡️ Leveling the playing field in VC [30:31]
➡️ Retaining diverse talent [32:08]
➡️ Advice for diverse Founders fundraising [35:15]
➡️ Europe’s VC landscape and why you should consider a career in VC [36:30]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Eleanor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanorkaye/
➡️ More about Newton Ventures Program: https://newtonprogram.vc/
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“It’s okay not to know. It’s not okay not to learn.”
The Metaverse often makes headlines, but what does it really mean?
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Joe Robinson, the CEO of Improbable Defence.
Improbable is a British Metaverse technology Scaleup and Unicorn, that partners with video game developers, entertainment companies and defence institutions to help them bring to life rich, powerful, virtual worlds of unprecedented size, scale, ambition and usefulness.
We’ve had the huge pleasure of working with Joe and the Improbable team, and we’re so excited to share a bit more about their incredible journey and Joe’s impressive career journey to date.
In today’s episode, we chat about:
➡️ Why leadership doesn’t have to have all the answers [04:38]
➡️ The importance of mental resilience and resetting priorities [05:44]
➡️ Joe’s 10 years at the Ministry of Defence [07:06]
➡️ What the military has taught him about team dynamic [08:34]
➡️ How you build resilience and why empathy is the key to it [11:43]
➡️ What Improbable does and how it works in Defence [15:27]
➡️ Why the CEO role is the worst defined job of all [20:12]
➡️ Lack of sleep, accountability and making decisions as CEO [23:20]
➡️ Joe’s definition of the Metaverse [25:37]
➡️ How you put company values into day to day practice [30:59]
➡️ Making your values part of your company’s DNA [35:28]
➡️ Why you can’t lose track of the ultimate value you’re building [39:42]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-robinson-20b2664b/
➡️ More about Improbable: https://www.improbable.io/
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
🤝Explore Hidden Pages:
For this year’s Black History Month, we’ve had the great pleasure of partnering with Samuel Tholley and Hidden Pages - a zine discovering hidden Melanated history & lists of sources exploring the Melanated/"Black" experience.
We talked about his motivation behind Hidden Pages, why it's so important to normalise black history and he shares some amazing historic figures we can all learn from.
This is only the beginning of this partnership, so make sure you check out our initial conversation with Samuel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“We don’t just recruit for mission alignment, but for mission obsession. You can spot a mission obsessed person from a mile away - they almost can’t contain it within them.”
In this week’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we talk about all things hiring - the importance of getting hiring right and how hiring for values can help with that.
In almost every conversation we have with Founders, hiring is referenced as a real pain point and something that’s difficult to get right but can be detrimental for a Startup when you get it wrong.
Throughout today’s episode we’ll hear the best hiring advice from some of our previous 40 Minute Mentors, including:
➡️ Wing Chan, Co-Founder & CEO of Sourceful
➡️ Tessa Clarke, Co-Founder & CEO of OLIO
➡️ Margot de Broglie, Co-Founder of Your Juno
➡️ Rachael Twumasi-Corson, the Founder & CEO of Afrocenchix
➡️ Dan Garrett, Co-Founder & CEO of Farewill
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at hannah@jbmc.co.uk
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
“Write what you know. Two black girls from South London wrote a book that resonates with 1000s of people around the world.”
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Elizabeth Uviebinené, the multi-award-winning author, columnist at The Financial Times, and Founder of Storia.
After starting her career in marketing, Elizabeth went on to publish five books, including her debut Bestseller ‘Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible’ which won many awards and was critically acclaimed.
Now, Elizabeth has stepped into the Founder world, with her new exciting Startup, Storia - the first app dedicated to guided mindful writing to help you develop new perspectives, gain clarity and understand yourself better.
In today’s episode, we chat about:
➡️ Why sometimes it’s not your job to convince other people of your work [04:26]
➡️ How growing up without her mum shaped her [08:01]
➡️ Why she started out in a corporate marketing job [09:57]
➡️ The ways in which she was treated differently at work and how that turned into ‘Slay In Your Lane’ [12:21]
➡️ Becoming an author and what she’s most proud of [16:37]
➡️ Why inclusion & equality needs to be championed by leadership teams [21:03]
➡️ The inspiration behind ‘The Reset’ and easy steps to look after your wellbeing [23:56]
➡️ Why aspiring authors should focus on writing what they know [34:31]
➡️ Why she’s building Storia and what her experience as a first-time Founder has taught her so far [38:21]
➡️ What to expect from Storia [42:46]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Elizabeth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-uviebinene/
➡️ Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/38202269-slay-in-your-lane
➡️ The Reset: Ideas To Change How We Work: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57094682-the-reset?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=JZzmmgH23r&rank=1
➡️ More about Storia: https://storia-app.webflow.io/
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“The beauty of a portfolio career is that it gives you lots of flexibility and variety. And that’s been the number one reason a lot of people are choosing this path.”
In this bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we discuss a topic which has increasingly become more popular amongst our candidates - portfolio careers.
You’ll find out:
➡️ Why this has become such an interesting option for high-performing talent and an attractive solution for clients alike
➡️ The factors to keep in mind before you start building your portfolio career
➡️ Why it might not be the right career for you
➡️ How JBM SOS is connecting fractional talent with more flexible opportunities
Plus, we talk about our exciting new partnership with Career Paths, a mentorship platform, on a mission to make mentorship more accessible and provide an easy way for industry leaders to pay it forward.
Find out more about Career Paths here: https://careerpaths.io/
⭐ Enjoyed this episode? ⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at hannah@jbmc.co.uk
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
“I’ve been rejected by every ideal university I imagined I wanted to go to, at least 50 jobs I interviewed for and by 130 VC funds in fundraising so far.”
In this 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by James Lo, Co-Founder and CEO of Mana - the app designed to help everyone make a living by sharing their passion.
James started his entrepreneurial journey early, founding an educational social enterprise at the age of 16, before following a more traditional Founder path of consulting at McKinsey and time at the VC SoftBank Vision Fund.
His latest venture, Mana, have been on an incredible journey, including an impressive £1.5 million pre-seed funding round, led by Flash Ventures and Global Founders Capital.
Today, we find out more about James’s journey with Mana and beyond, including:
➡️ His upbringing in Hong Kong and the inspiration for his first social enterprise [05:09]
➡️ The importance of a sustainable business model [09:07]
➡️ Why he turned down his university offers and went protesting instead [12:49]
➡️ The crucial skills he learned at McKinsey [17:46]
➡️ His window into WeWork through his time at SoftBank Vision Found [21:44]
➡️ The story behind Mana [25:17]
➡️ Why the initial concept of Mana failed and what he learned from it [30:33]
➡️ The key components for getting a pivot right [35:42]
➡️ How to responsibly let people go [40:20]
➡️ Mana’s culture and what James looks for when hiring [44:53]
➡️ His funding experience [48:44]
➡️ Why VC is in need of some fundamental changes [51:38]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yfjameslo/
➡️ More about Mana: https://mana.live/qr?shortlink=1asclcd4&is_retargeting=true&pid=QR_code
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on
https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Within 24 hours, we said goodbye to all our corporate partners and set off on a new path.”
In this week’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we chat more about the pivot that turned JBM into the search firm it is today.
James Mitra, Founder of JBM and Host of 40 Minute Mentor, talks us through why he decided to pivot the business, the drastic decision he had to make and why transparency, empathy and mentorship were so crucial to the success of the pivot.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at hannah@jbmc.co.uk
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
“Even CEOs have those moments of doubt and vulnerability. I continually have to work on making sure that I'm balancing the journey with enjoying the journey.”
This week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode features Simone Maini, CEO of Elliptic, a FinTech helping businesses make the crypto economy a safe place to transact and invest by managing financial crime in crypto.
Having had the pleasure of working with Elliptic and Simone on some key senior hires into their growing team, we’ve seen firsthand what a great culture they’re building.
Today, we’ll find out:
➡️ The doubt and vulnerability that comes with being a CEO [03:25]
➡️ Her squiggly path to becoming CEO [05:05]
➡️ The skills needed to transition from COO to CEO [08:21]
➡️ Why Elliptic’s mission was so compelling and how she adapted to the complex nature of the industry [12:53]
➡️ How she managed to overcome her imposter syndrome after not having had any industry experience before joining Elliptic [16:28]
➡️ What makes Elliptic’s culture so special [19:28]
➡️ Simone’s candid advice for any aspiring and first time CEOs [24:18]
➡️ Why it doesn’t have to be lonely at the top [28:13]
➡️ Her highlights from Elliptic’s hypergrowth journey and what their next chapter looks like [36:50]
➡️ What needs to happen to level the playing field in the industry and the steps Elliptic are taking to attract more diverse talent [42:00]
➡️ What the future of crypto looks like [44:52]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Simone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-maini/
➡️ More about Elliptic: https://www.elliptic.co/
➡️ More advice for COOs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9Z5v0dwtFJBgzci-62Z40woc6yp1-7A6
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“There is nothing wrong with doubting yourself. Having a bit of self doubt is good, because it means you’re constantly trying to improve, grow and evolve.”
In this week’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we tackle a topic that is often discussed amongst Founders and leaders - imposter syndrome.
Having experienced imposter syndrome on many occasions over the last 10 years of leading JBM, our host James Mitra shares some of the advice that has helped him to push through self doubt.
Plus, we hear again from two previous 40 Minute Mentors - Michelle You of Supercritical and Amelia Sordell of Klowt, and their own experience with imposter syndrome.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at hannah@jbmc.co.uk
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ Michelle You’s 40 Minute Mentor episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/from-exiting-songkick-to-tackling-the-climate-crisis-with-supercriticals-michelle-you/
➡️ Amelia Sordell’s 40 Minute Mentor episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/the-power-of-personal-branding-with-amelia-sordell-founder-of-klowt/
“If you're not in a situation where you can safely take a year or two to start your own business, you probably shouldn't do it.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Job van der Voort, Co-Founder and CEO of Remote, the FinTech empowering companies of all sizes to pay and manage workers in 50+ countries all over the world.
Having always had a desire to start his own business, Job joined GitLab early on in their journey and spent 5 years with them growing the business, before setting up Remote.
And what an incredible journey Job and his Co-Founder, Marcelo Lebre have been on - having scaled from 2 to 800 employees in just 3 years, all of course, entirely remotely.
Job gave us a real insight into his journey as a Founder, with all the ups and downs that came with it, in today’s episode.
We chat about:
➡️ What it was like to scale GitLab, before remote working was considered as a viable option in many industries [04:50]
➡️ The challenges of being up against a much bigger and better funded competitor [07:13]
➡️ Where the inspiration for Remote came from [09:47]
➡️ Job’s advice for anyone thinking about starting their own business and how you can easily test your business idea, even today [13:07]
➡️ How Remote evolved over the years and what some of the biggest challenges were along the way [17:08]
➡️ Remote’s fundraising experience and Job’s advice for any Founders looking to raise investment [20:09]
➡️ The lessons from scaling the team from 2 to 800 and why everyone in the room needs to understand how to interview effectively [24:57]
➡️ How to build an effective and inclusive onboarding process [31:03]
➡️ Why kindness sits at the core of Remote’s team culture [34:29]
➡️ How remote work is really about the freedom to choose an alternative and what the future of work may look like [37:47]
➡️ Why Job avoids meetings as much as he can [41:41]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Job: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jobvo/
➡️ More about Remote: https://remote.com/
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“When your values are so set and embedded in what you do, then anything that doesn’t line up with them, is a ‘No’.”
This 40 Minute Mentor episode, is the live recording we were honoured to host at this year’s Sifted Summit in London.
Our panel discussion was all about putting purpose over profit and accelerating impact - a topic that has gained a lot of traction over the last years.
Gone are the days in which top talent are looking to go into Banking, Consulting or Investing. Now the best of the best are on a mission to find companies and Founders with a strong purpose, to really make a difference in the world.
And there are so many truly purpose driven Founders out there, many of which we’ve had the great pleasure of featuring on 40 Minute Mentor, including today’s panel, for which we were joined by:
➡️ Emma Steele, Partner at Ascension, an early-stage VC built by exited entrepreneurs to back the next generation of tech and impact Founders.
➡️ Amali de Alwis, CEO of Subak, the world’s first not-for-profit accelerator that scales climate impact through data, policy and behaviour change.
➡️ Nikki Wicks, CEO of The Body Coach, the popular fitness brand behind Joe Wicks, on a mission to get people moving and live a healthier life.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at hannah@jbmc.co.uk
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
“There's a very long list of these iconic companies that actually weren't started by first time Founders.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Ian Hogarth, a hugely accomplished Entrepreneur, Angel Investor and Co-Founder of Plural Platform, an exciting new early-stage platform dedicated to investing in Europe’s next generation of tech companies with global ambitions.
If you’ve been listening to 40 Minute Mentor for a while, you may recognise Ian’s name from a previous episode, in which we were joined by one of his former Songkick Co-Founders, Michelle You.
Ian served as Songkick’s CEO for 8 years, scaling the business to $100m in sales and 120 employees, before eventually exiting to Warner Music Group.
It was such a privilege to have Ian join us on the podcast and share so much great mentorship, including:
➡️ How he found his passion for creating something new [05:09]
➡️ How this passion led him to create Songkick [08:16]
➡️ The many lessons he learned as a first time CEO and why external mentorship was such a crucial part of his journey [11:09]
➡️ Why you shouldn’t hire people who can’t be replaced and why some hires can completely change your business [14:29]
➡️ How his experience with loss influenced his decision to step away from Songkick and the important lessons this has taught him [19:13]
➡️ Why he jumped back in the Founder seat and the mission behind Plural [24:42]
➡️ Why Plural isn’t following a VC model and what changes it’ll drive in Europe [28:16]
➡️ What it really takes to be an incredible Founder [32:52]
➡️ The types of businesses he’s personally looking to invest in [36:44]
➡️ His advice for any diverse Founders looking for investment and the importance of mapping out the investors you’re going to approach [38:48]
➡️ Plural’s north star and the plan to get there [40:58]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Ian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianhogarth/
➡️ More about Plural Platform: https://pluralplatform.com/
➡️ Songkick Co-Founder, Michelle You’s episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/from-exiting-songkick-to-tackling-the-climate-crisis-with-supercriticals-michelle-you/
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“The more we talk about mental health, the more we normalise it and hopefully help save lives.”
This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is ‘making mental health and wellbeing a global priority for all’ - something we’ve spoken about a lot on 40 Minute Mentor over the years.
Whether it’s our mental health panel discussions, the day to day lived experience of mental health of the Founders we chat to, or purpose-driven Founders like James Routlegde, who is empowering people to connect with themselves and the world around them through coaching and community with Sanctus - making mental health a topic that is more openly talked about, has always been a core driver for our podcast.
Today’s bite-sized episode gets a bit more personal.
Our host and JBM Founder, James Mitra talks more about his own journey with his mental health as a Founder and shares some of the valuable advice he’s received over the years.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at hannah@jbmc.co.uk
For more mental health resources:
➡️ Mental Health Foundation – https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
➡️ The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123
➡️ And for local help and support, call the Mind Infoline at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
➡️ Our 40 Minute Mentor Mental Health Roundtable conversation: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/encouraging-conversations-about-mental-health/
➡️ 40 Minute Mentor James Routledge from Sanctus: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/putting-the-first-mental-health-gym-on-the-high-street-with-james-routledge/
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to
https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
“If we’re trying to say that the only way to find answers and the only way to fund climate issues is through equity based investment, it’s just not going to work. It doesn’t suit every type of business.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Amali de Alwis, CEO of Subak, the world’s first not-for-profit accelerator that scales climate impact through data, policy and behaviour change.
Prior to joining the team at Subak, Amali was Managing Director of Microsoft for Startups UK and CEO of Code First: Girls.
Amali is a woman of many talents who wears many hats, including being a Board member at Ada National College for Digital Skills and the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
It was a great honour to have Amali join us on the podcast and she shares some really insightful mentorship, including:
➡️ What her nonlinear career has taught her and why changing careers frequently can have positive effects on your trajectory [05:46]
➡️ How she landed her first CEO role [12:39]
➡️ Amali’s journey with Code First: Girls and the milestones she’s most proud of [16:22]
➡️ What the tech industry needs to do to level the playing field and make it more accessible for women and especially women from underrepresented backgrounds [20:41]
➡️ Why you just need to get started if you’re looking to get into tech [26:06]
➡️ Subak’s incredible mission and why Amali got involved [28:19]
➡️ What Founders can expect from the accelerator [32:16]
➡️ Why equity based investment can simply not be the only solution to tackle climate challenges [34:42]
➡️ Why we all need to start understanding the data behind climate change [36:32]
➡️ The importance of having a strong board of advisors [39:17]
➡️ How Amali juggles her many responsibilities and why being a board advisor makes her a better CEO [41:51]
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
📅 Join us at the Sifted Summit!
We’ll be recording a 40 Minute Mentor panel discussion at this year’s Sifted Summit in London, on Thursday, October 6th.
To join us at the event and a chance to ask your questions during our live recording, claim one of our 40 FREE tickets, by redeeming the code: 40MMFREE for your Startup ticket on www.summit.sifted.eu
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Sometimes you can use difficult times to come up with incredible new ideas. It’s a great opportunity to get your team to think creatively and empower them to come to you with suggestions and try new things. It's probably going to be pretty scrappy, but you never know, it might just be the making of your business.”
In this week’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we talk about navigating challenging times, as a Founder and business leader.
James reflects on the pandemic and shares some of the best advice he’s received over the years and some insights into how he’s applied the advice during difficult times for JBM, including:
➡️ Increasing your transparency and communication with the team [1:43]
➡️ Leila Zegna’s advice on reminding yourself of what you can and can’t control [3:20]
➡️ The importance of having a great board of advisors and mentors [5:18]
➡️ And why this could be a great time for you to innovate and come up with new ideas for your business [6:27]
📅 Join us at The Sifted Summit!
We’ll be recording a 40 Minute Mentor panel discussion at this year’s Sifted Summit in London, on Thursday, October 6th.
To join us at the event and a chance to ask your questions during our live recording, claim one of our 40 FREE tickets, by redeeming the code: 40MMFREE for your General Admissions ticket on https://sifted-summit-2022.reg.buzz/splash
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“It's really demotivating in the early days to keep building, keep building but nothing seems to happen. You need tenacity and planning skills to get you through that.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Sho Sugihara, Founder and CEO of Pave, the FinTech-for-good helping customers improve their credit score and history with bill monitoring and credit building.
Sho started his career working with NGOs around the world, driven by the desire to build a world free of financial inequality which led him to start Pave, out of Entrepreneur First in 2017.
In this episode, we learn more about his brilliant journey with Pave alongside his candid advice and mentorship for any aspiring Founders, including:
➡️ How his education has shaped him into the leader he is today [04:50]
➡️ Where Sho got his entrepreneurial spirit from and why he went into consulting before starting Pave [07:05]
➡️ The most difficult part of switching from a consulting mindset to a Founder mindset [13:48]
➡️ How becoming a Deliveroo driver shaped the early days of Pave [16:05]
➡️ How the business has evolved since and why it’s so important to evolve your product with the market climate [19:58]
➡️ How Pave have shifted from a pure B2C product to a B2B offering [25:27]
➡️ The importance of getting the hiring of your leadership team right [28:09]
➡️ Why tenacity and conviction will set you apart as a Founder in tougher economic times [30:44]
➡️ Small but meaningful things we can all do to improve our financial health [32:25]
➡️ Why Founders need to think about their bigger purpose before starting a business [34:32]
➡️ How Sho’s own leadership style has evolved over the years and his own battles with imposter syndrome [38:09]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Sho: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoalexander/
➡️ More about Pave: https://www.paveapp.com/
➡️More about the Unrest Accelerator: https://www.unrest.world/
📅 Join us at the Sifted Summit!
We’ll be recording a 40 Minute Mentor panel discussion at this year’s Sifted Summit in London, on Thursday, October 6th.
To join us at the event and a chance to ask your questions during our live recording, claim one of our 40 FREE tickets, by redeeming the code: 40MMFREE for your General Administration ticket on https://sifted-summit-2022.reg.buzz/splash
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
40 Minute Mentor LIVE and in person!
We’re attending Sifted Summit on Thursday, October 6th, to record a live panel discussion with some of the most inspiring purpose-driven Founders and Investors.
If you haven’t heard of Sifted Summit before, it’s the Startup event of the year, bringing startup Europe under one roof with new perspectives, new opportunities and new chances to collaborate.
Our 40 Minute Mentor session at 2pm on the Thursday will be all about ‘Purpose Over Profit’ and will feature an amazing panel, including:
➡️ Amali de Alwis, CEO of Subak
➡️ Dr. Anna Hushlak, Co-founder and CSO of Ferly
➡️ Emma Steele, Partner at Ascension
➡️ Nikki Wicks, CEO of The Body Coach
Listen to today’s episode to learn a bit more about why this is such a relevant topic, who has already championed purpose-driven businesses on the podcast and why more and more candidates are looking to join purpose-driven businesses.
📅 Secure your free ticket!
To join us at the event and a chance to ask your questions during our live recording, claim one of our 40 FREE tickets, by redeeming the code: 40MMFREE for a General Attendee ticket on https://sifted-summit-2022.reg.buzz/splash
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at
hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“The biggest shift in the candidate market is that people care just as much about how they work as what they do.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Molly Johnson-Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Flexa.
Flexa is a global directory of verified flexible companies that lists companies by vacancies and flexibility percentage scores, benchmarked against thousands of data points.
We’re proud partners of Flexa and were ‘flexified’ earlier in 2022. That’s why we were so excited to catch up with Molly on the podcast, share her story and the incredible journey Flexa have been on.
Molly shares some truly candid insights into her own journey and the future of flexible working, including:
➡️Her unfair dismissal from investment banking and how she bounced back after [06:43]
➡️Why she started Flexa and how it works for candidates and employers [14:36]
➡️ The hardest parts of being a first-time Founder [18:33]
➡️ Why investing in your mental health is so important [20:00]
➡️ Her advice for any aspiring Founders [22:23]
➡️ What it’s like to found a business with your partner and why it held them back when raising funding [24:31]
➡️ Why flexibility means choice and how employers can embrace flexible working [31:33]
➡️ The cases in which stripping back flexibility can be beneficial [33:48]
➡️ How employers can attract more talent in a very competitive market [36:31]
➡️ What do the next 5 to 10 years of flexible working look like [40:53]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Molly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-johnson-jones/
➡️ More about Flexa: https://flexa.careers/
➡️ JBM on Flexa: https://flexa.careers/companies/jbm
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
📅 Join us at the Sifted Summit!
We’ll be recording a 40 Minute Mentor panel discussion at this year’s Sifted Summit in London, on Thursday, October 6th.
To join us at the event and a chance to ask your questions during our live recording, claim one of our 40 FREE tickets, by redeeming the code: 40MMFREE for a Startup ticket on on www.summit.sifted.eu
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“We’ve really found that added flexibility has been an amazing way to attract talent, retain talent, and give everybody a chance to work in a way they want to work.”
In this week’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we talk about all things flexible working and the way in which we’ve implemented more flexible ways of working here at JBM.
We touch on the various benefits we introduced to the JBM team over the past 12 months, what’s been working the best and the lessons we learned along the way.
Whether you’d like to find out more about how you can benefit as an employer or you’d just like some candid insights into what is working and what isn’t when it comes to flexible working at JBM - there’s something for everyone in this bite-sized episode.
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at
hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“Entrepreneurship is a process of natural selection. You can't ever guarantee that the playbook you're going to follow is going to guarantee success.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Graham Hobson, the Founder of Photobox, a photo printing company that acquired Moonpig and was later sold for a reported £400 million.
Today, Graham is an angel investor, mentor and advisor, working to support climate change initiatives, fairer tax and social impact.
In this episode, Graham shares candid insights into the brilliant journey he’s taken Photobox on and the chapter that followed, including:
➡️ How Graham’s upbringing and natural inclination to not follow a traditional path has brought him to entrepreneurship [07:54]
➡️ Why social mobility played a huge part into the leader he is today [09:37]
➡️ How Photobox was created on Graham’s commute to and from work and what the early years were like [11:58]
➡️ How Graham and his Co-Founder Mark navigated the bumpy growth journey Photobox was on [18:38]
➡️ Graham’s candid advice for anyone looking to merge businesses [23:37]
➡️ How he transitioned from CEO to CTO and the challenges that came with that [26:56]
➡️ Why Photobox acquired Moonpig and what exiting the business was like for him [30:11]
➡️ Why it didn’t take a long time for Graham to get back into work after exiting Photobox and his advice for any Founders preparing for their exit [34:12]
➡️ Graham’s involvement in driving for higher taxes for the Wealthy and why this is a topic so close to his heart [40:58]
➡️ What Founders should keep in mind as they navigate the economic downturn and impending recession [47:52]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Graham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamhobson
➡️ More about Photobox: https://www.photobox.co.uk/
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
Pacaso - a co-ownership platform for luxury homes. Picasso curates stunning holiday homes in top vacation destinations around the world. Find out more over on https://www.pacaso.com/
📅 Join us at the Sifted Summit!
We’ll be recording a 40 Minute Mentor panel discussion at this year’s Sifted Summit in London, on Thursday, October 6th.
To join us at the event and a chance to ask your questions during our live recording, claim one of our 40 FREE tickets, by redeeming the code: 40MMFREEE on on www.summit.sifted.eu
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“There are so many opportunities out there for Founders. If you decide to step away, I can promise you there will be lots of people that will want to hire you.”
This week’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, is all about knowing when to stay as a Founder and when to exit - something we talk a lot about with Founders, including in our upcoming episode with Graham Hobson.
Over the next 4 minutes, James shares his insights on what Founders need to think about when deciding whether to transition to CEO or stepping away to pastures new and the many opportunities that lie ahead for exited Founders.
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
📅Join us at the Sifted Summit!
We’ll be recording a 40 Minute Mentor panel discussion at this year’s Sifted Summit in London, on Thursday, October 6th.
To join us at the event and a chance to ask your questions during our live recording, claim one of our 40 FREE tickets, by redeeming the code: 40MMFREEE on on www.summit.sifted.eu
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at
hannah@jbmc.co.uk
“In the whole of my career, I lost more races than I won. I think people like to look at the medals, but don’t necessarily look at the other side of it.”
40 Minute Mentor is officially back for Series 8!
We’re kicking off this new series with the amazing Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Britain’s greatest Paralympic athlete, who has won 11 Gold medals and broke 30 world records throughout her career.
Following her competing years, Tanni was created a life peer and is a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords.
In today’s episode, we get a really candid insight into Tanni’s life and career, including:
➡️ Why setbacks have been so important to her success as a Paralympian [03:10]
➡️ Her upbringing and why her parents fought to keep her in a mainstream school [04:09]
➡️ What made her fall in love with wheelchair racing and what it was like to make the British squad at age 17 [07:27]
➡️ Her experience of her first Paralympics and the journey to Seoul [09:39]
➡️ How you consistently push yourself and build the resilience to keep going [13:52]
➡️ Why she never saw anything as a sacrifice [15:57]
➡️ Why breaking the 400 meter world record stands out from all her successes [20:50]
➡️ How she decided to retire and her advice for anyone transitioning careers [22:30]
➡️ How she transitioned to a career in Politics and the issues closest to her heart [27:41]
➡️ Why getting into sports is such a great opportunity and how people can get motivated [31:32]
➡️ And why it’s so important to open up and talk to people when the going gets tough [33:04]
⛳ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Tanni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanni-grey-thompson-9a6b84a6/
➡️ For mental health support, we recommend:
- Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
- The Samaritans can be reached on 116 12
- And for local help and support, call the Mind Infoline at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“If you feel that you can be your vulnerable self, and you can bring your true self to work, you’re going to push yourself outside your comfort zone and achieve more.”
In addition to our usual 40 Minute Mentor episode on Wednesdays, we’re launching a brand new bite-sized mentorship format.
Starting today, every Monday, you can tune in and spend 4 minutes with JBM Founder and 40 Minute Mentor host, James Mitra.
We’ll be covering some of the most popular topics we get asked about, share first-hand experiences and mentorship; and you’ll get a chance to submit your questions at the end of every episode.
Today’s episode is all about resilience.
James shares his own experience of building resilience, within himself and the JBM team, why he almost threw in the towel 5 years ago and what 3 things helped him stick with it and turn JBM into what it is today.
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
Plus, if you have any questions you’d like us to answer in our bite-sized Monday episodes, please get in touch with Hannah at hannah@jbmc.co.uk
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
40 Minute Mentor, your pocket-sized career mentor, is back with a brand new series!
From purpose-led Founders to Olympic champions; learn first-hand from today’s successful leaders on what it takes to be brilliant, all in just 40 minutes.
To get a little preview of what's coming your way over the coming months, hit play on our Series 8 trailer.
⭐Enjoying 40 Minute Mentor?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Alchemist- an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.
To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/ to find out more.
“Every single problem that you’re experiencing in your business today, there’s somebody out there that has solved it.”
To round off our 40 Minute Mentor ‘Early Stage Founders’ Feature Series, we’re joined by Nathan Chan, Founder and CEO of global media and education company, Foundr.
Foundr provide training from the world’s greatest entrepreneurs through magazines, podcasts, videos, articles and online courses, to inspire their worldwide community of entrepreneurs.
As a seasoned 40 Minute Mentor listener, you’ll see the obvious synergy between Foundr and our podcast, so we were really excited to include Nathan in this feature series, sharing his own ups and downs of being a Founder and the lessons he has learnt from interviewing some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.
Some of these lessons include:
- How becoming a Founder sparked his ambition and drive [05:15]
- What helped him through the early stage knock-backs [07:25]
- How he’s pivoted Foundr from a magazine to an education and media business [11:47]
- The lessons he’s learned from hiring mistakes and an early doors lawsuit [16:50]
- What he’s learned from interviewing some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs [18:49]
- How he landed those big names to begin with and his advice for landing big name clients [24:06]
- How he measures impact from the community Foundr is building [26:43]
- Why Justin Bieber’s Manager has left the biggest impression on him [28:27]
- The traits that most successful Founders have in common [31:31]
- Plus, the biggest advice he can give to any aspiring Founders [33:44]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Nathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/
➡️ More about Foundr: https://foundr.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“This is an industry where 78% of products that are targeted to black women contain horrible toxic ingredients. There was a paper that came out that linked parabens in black hair care products to breast cancer growth in black women. Nothing you use to groom yourself should be making you sick.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor ‘Early Stage Founder’ feature series episode, we’re joined by Rachael Twumasi-Corson, the Founder and CEO of black-owned haircare business, Afrocenchix.
Afrocenchix are on a mission to put health first in haircare, and people and planet before profit. They do this by using environmentally friendly preservatives, ethically sourced, organic and vegan certified ingredients.
Their brilliant work has been recognised by multiple awards, a thriving community of loyal customers in more than 54 countries and world-class investors backing their mission, including Google’s Black Founders Fund.
However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for Rachael and in today’s episode we hear very candid stories, including the successes and the setbacks that led to them, including:
- Why interviews don’t always give you the full picture of a potential hire [03:03]
- How having children has changed her as a Founder and business leader [06:01]
- How her upbringing fuelled her entrepreneurial spirit [11:07]
- What her University experience was like and how a kitchen lab in her student house saw the beginnings of Afrocenchix [16:49]
- Why touching someone’s hair is an invasion of space and a microaggression which needs to stop [25:45]
- What makes Afrocenchix such a special D2C business [31:01]
- How D2C Founders can prepare for the recession [33:45]
- The do’s and don’ts of building a community [39:17]
- Rachael’s experience of fundraising and her advice for any Founders embarking on that journey [43:56]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Rachael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaeltwumasi/
➡️ More about Afrocenchix: https://afrocenchix.com/
➡️Rachael’s Medium article on fundraising: https://rachaeltwumasicorson.medium.com/10-tips-for-raising-investment-how-afrocenchix-secured-google-funding-in-1-2m-seed-round-ae29f18ed3a2
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
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“There are a lot of cases where I think raising capital can actually ruin a perfectly good business model.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor 'Early Stage Founders' Feature Series episode, we’re joined by Hannah Russell, the Co-Founder of multi-award-winning podcasting company, Mags Creative.
Mags Creative aren’t just the brilliant team behind our 40 Minute Mentor podcast, but are also the brains and creative power behind some of the best podcasts in the industry. The team helps brands and individuals tell their stories from concepts and planning to production and promotion.
In today’s episode, we hear about the incredible journey Hannah and her sister, Faith have been on with Mags Creative and learn more about what got them to where they are today, including:
- The importance of celebrating success as a Founder [04:37]
- What led Hannah to entrepreneurship and what her first business was all about [09:27]
- Why the tumbleweed was the biggest surprise for her as a first-time Founder [13:32]
- The biggest lessons she learnt from building Layer Home [16:01]
- How she ended up selling the business to one of her competitors [18:37]
- Why she decided to jump back in the Founders seat and why podcasting [23:47]
- How what she’s building at Mags Creative is so different to her first business [27:26]
- Why Mags is a bootstrapped business and her advice for anyone trying to decide whether to raise capital [29:50]
- Why you should start a podcast and what to keep in mind before you do it [36:17]
- Why comparison is so dangerous for Founders [42:00]
- How becoming a mother has changed her as a leader [44:33]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Hannah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahruss/
➡️ More about Mags Creative: https://www.magscreative.co.uk/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“What matters to me about the people in our cap table is that they’re people who really care about what we’re trying to achieve and our values, and fundamentally believe and support me as the Founder.”
To kick off our brand new 40 Minute Mentor ‘Early Stage Founders’ feature series, we’re joined by the brilliant Freddie Fforde, Founder of Patch.
Patch creates dynamic work clubs and community venues for local highstreets. Open and available to everyone, Patch are looking to redefine what the future of work looks like and create spaces designed to celebrate businesses and talent close to home.
In today’s episode, we learn more about Patch’s journey so far, their aspirations for the future and Freddie shares some candid insights into his journey as a Founder, including:
- The biggest challenges and failures he faced as a Founder [03:14]
- The importance of the people around him and how they’ve helped him become the Founder he is today [07:32]
- Why he became a Founder in the first place [10:24]
- Where the inspiration for Patch came from and why it all started during Covid [17:06]
- What the future of work will look like and how employers can embrace it [22:58]
- Freddie’s approach to raising investment for Patch and why it’s so important to base your cap table on skillset [26:33]
- His first-hand advice for any aspiring Founders listening [29:57]
- Some of the most common Founder life myths and what the reality of being a Founder actually looks like [39:42]
- The valuable experience he got from being a fractional leader ahead of starting Patch [41:52]
- And why balancing all aspect of his life has become one of Patch’s company values [45:41]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Freddie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freddiefforde/
➡️ More about Patch: https://www.patch.work/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“VC should be a great career for people from diverse backgrounds, because it’s really a role where you’re judged on your output. At the end of a fund cycle, it’s pretty clear to see whether you’re a good investor or not.”
In our final 40 Minute Mentor VC Feature series episode, we’re joined by Hannah Seal, Partner at one of the most prestigious VCs in the world and one of JBM’s favourite clients, Index Ventures.
Index Ventures is an international multi-stage venture capital firm, investing in technology-enabled industry disrupters. Their portfolio includes multiple 40 Minute Mentors, such as Unicorns Ankorstore and Multiverse and category defining companies like Bloom & Wild and Sourceful. As well as household names such as Deliveroo, Revolut, Glossier, and many others.
In today’s episode, Hannah shares some brilliant insights into how Index work and what they look for when assessing Founders, as well as some great mentorship for anyone looking to get into VC, including:
- Why she decided to pivot from Operator to VC [06:23]
- What skills Hannah relied on when making the transition [07:22]
- Hannah’s advice for any Operators thinking of moving into VC [10:02]
- What differentiates Index Ventures from other VCs [11:22]
- How Index Ventures works with Founders [13:10]
- What Hannah looks for when assessing companies and their Founders [14:52]
- The trends Index Ventures are seeing at the moment and some of the sectors Hannah’s getting excited about [16:28]
- How the economic downturn doesn’t necessarily mean doom and gloom for Founders [18:58]
- What changes Hannah has seen in the European VC landscape, compared to the US [20:22]
- And why VC is actually a great career option for diverse talent [22:17]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Hannah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-seal-78938a22/
➡️ More about Index Ventures: https://www.indexventures.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“One of the biggest misconceptions in VC is that it’s an easy way to be successful, or a quick shortcut to something - that’s absolutely wrong. It’s a really long journey.”
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor VC Feature series episode, we’re joined by Antoine Nussenbaum, the Co-Founder of Felix Capital.
Felix is a venture capital firm for the creative class, at the intersection of technology and creativity, focusing on opportunities in digital lifestyle.
They’re on a mission to support ambitious Founders with big ideas, capturing new behaviours and cultural shifts. Their portfolio includes the likes of Farfetch, Deliveroo, Unmind, Papier, amongst many other high-growth brands.
In this episode, Antoine shares some incredible insights into the market and buckets of brilliant mentorship for Founders and aspiring VCs, including:
- What led Antoine to start Felix Capital [06:36]
- Why he chose the digital lifestyle niche and what makes Felix so different from other VCs [08:50]
- The potential opportunities the economic downturn can present to Founders, no matter whether they’re in B2B or B2C [11:27]
- What common traits some of the most successful Founders share and how you can stand out when fundraising [17:02]
- The difficulties of separating work and life as a Founder and how it can sometimes be beneficial to let the two intertwine [21:55]
- What makes Felix’s culture so special and how Antoine tests for high conviction in interviews [25:01]
- What Antoine looks for when he assesses Founders and their businesses [29:12]
- The most common mistakes he sees Founders make during pitches [31:09]
- Why working in VC isn’t about finding a shortcut to success [32:51]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Antoine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinenussenbaum/
➡️ More about Felix Capital: https://www.felixcap.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Create an anxiety balance sheet with the things you have control over and the things you don’t have control over. Put the things that give you anxiety into these credits and debits and you’ll realise that actually there’s a lot more that’s in your control than you think.”
Kicking off our VC feature series, we’re joined by Leila Zegna, the Founding General Partner of Kindred Capital.
Kindred are building a new model for Venture Capital where every Founder they back becomes a co-owner of the fund. Launched in 2015, Leila and her Co-Founders are on a mission to create the venture firm they would have wanted to work with when they were running Startups themselves.
Leila tells us more about their Equitable Venture model in today’s episode, along with some candid mentorship, including:
- How she made the transition from Operator to VC [10:55]
- Why more Operators should work in VC [19:18]
- What European VCs can learn from their US counterparts [22:22]
- How Kindred’s Equitable Venture model works [25:27]
- What advice Founders should keep in mind as they face the economic downturn [29:00]
- What Leila and the Kindred team are looking for when assessing businesses and their Founders [32:25]
- How Leila does everything she does all while having three kids under the age of 6 [37:21]
- And why she wants Kindred to be the best of its kind and not the biggest [41:36]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ More about Leila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilazegna/
➡️ More about Kindred Capital: https://kindredcapital.vc/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“The moment you start seeing yourself as a black Founder, you end up almost acting with all the facts that impact black Founders. So, you end up going into conversations with investors expecting not to raise money, or you don’t even approach VCs because you think they won’t give you money, etc.”
In this final episode of our 40 Minute Mentor ‘Where Are They Now’ feature series, we’re joined by the brilliant Timothy Armoo, Forbes 30 Under 30, Co-Founder and exited CEO of the recently acquired influencer marketing agency, Fanbytes.
Fanbytes have been on an incredible journey, going from strength to strength over the years, working with leading global brands, including Nike, Samsung, Deliveroo and even the UK Government.
The pinnacle of their incredible journey, however, was reached earlier in 2022, when they were acquired by global digital media agency, Brainlabs.
That’s why we thought a catch up with Timothy was well overdue. He shared endless insights and candid mentorship with us in today’s episode, including:
- The story behind Fanbytes and how it came to exist [02:04]
- How they landed such big name clients, even in the early days of Fanbytes [03:19]
- The behind the scenes of their deal with Brainlabs and what this means for Fanbytes and Timothy personally [05:54]
- How influencer marketing has changed and the opportunities for brands today [10:26]
- Why Timothy sees himself as a Founder first and as a black Founder second [14:04]
- Plus, he shares some of his upcoming plans and what he’s looking forward to the most following his exit [18:12]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ The full 40 Minute Mentor episode with Timothy Armoo: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/building-a-multi-million-pound-agency-for-gen-z-with-timothy-armoo/
➡️ More about Timothy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyarmoo/
➡️ More about Fanbytes: https://fanbytes.co.uk/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“If we were to see truly representative investment committees and truly diverse representation amongst the gatekeepers of power and capital, then we would solve this problem pretty much overnight.”
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor instalment of our ‘Where Are They Now’ feature series, we’re joined by Tessa Clarke, Co-Founder and CEO of OLIO.
OLIO is the number one sharing app, connecting neighbours with each other and local businesses, so surplus food can be shared, not thrown away.
Over 6 million people have joined OLIO so far and they’re on an incredible mission to help create a world in which nothing of value goes to waste, and every single person has enough to eat - all without destroying our planet in the process.
In today’s episode, Tessa shares some behind the scenes insights into OLIO’s scaling journey and some brilliant mentorship for any fellow Founders, including:
- Why OLIO exists [01:51]
- Tessa’s biggest learnings from scaling the business [03:54]
- What makes OLIO’s culture so special and what Tessa looks for when hiring [06:19]
- Why it’s so important to take a step back from the day to day as a Founder [10:43]
- Tessa’s advice for any diverse Founders looking for investment [12:54]
- What she looks for when assessing businesses and their Founders [17:41]
- And what the rest of 2022 holds for her and the OLIO team [19:43]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ The full 40 Minute Mentor episode with Tessa Clarke: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/tackling-the-food-waste-crisis-with-tessa-clarke/
➡️ More about Tessa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tecook/
➡️ More about Olio: https://olioex.com/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“When you’re 60 and you look back on your career, you’re never going to look back and think - I wish I worked for the two months more, I didn’t spend with my daughter.”
In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor, ‘Where Are They Now’ feature, we welcome back one of our very first guests on the podcast and JBM Board Advisor, the incredible Fred Jones, VP and Regional Manager of Northern Europe at TIER Mobility.
TIER is Europe’s leading shared micro-mobility provider. Their international team of serial entrepreneurs and highly skilled operators from around the world are all united by one shared mission - to change mobility for good.
Founded in 2018, TIER operates in 200+ cities across 21 countries in Europe and the Middle East, with a focus on providing the safest, most equitable and most sustainable mobility solution.
Fred shares so many insights into the mobility sector with us in today’s episode, including:
- Why Fred decided to move from Uber to TIER Mobility [02:43]
- What the day to day as TIER’s VP and Regional Manager for Northern Europe looks like [06:29]
- The most challenging part of his scaleup journey so far [08:31]
- Why TIER is such an amazing place to work at and why now is a really exciting time to join [10:21]
- What the future of mobility looks like [14:09]
- Why Fred decided to take 2 months of parental leave and why he urges everyone to do the same [16:26]
- And what the rest of 2022 holds for him and TIER [21:45]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ The full 40 Minute Mentor episode with Fred Jones: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/leadership-lessons-from-building-uber-in-the-uk-with-fred-jones/
➡️ More about Fred: https://www.linkedin.com/in/f-jones/
➡️ More about TIER Mobility: https://www.tier.app/en/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
ℹ️ You can listen to all 40 Minute Mentor episodes on:
- Apple Podcast
- Spotify
- Stitcher
- TuneIn
“Don’t be trapped by your job title. You can do more things. And by doing more things, by exploring all the sides of your identity and hidden talents, you’ll discover a completely different future than you can see right now.”
Up next in our 40 Minute Mentor, ‘Where Are They Now’ feature series, we’re joined by the Co-Founder of BAFTA-winning gaming studio, Bossa Studios, and multi-creative entrepreneur, the incredible Roberta Lucca.
Having transitioned from Co-Founder and CMO to Non-Executive Director at Bossa Studios, Roberta shares some brilliant insights into building her portfolio career and exclusive mentorship for any multi-entrepreneurs out there, including:
- Why Bossa Studios was founded and how Roberta’s embracing being a multi-entrepreneur herself [02:20]
- How she transitioned from being a Founder to a portfolio career and her advice for anyone looking to do the same [05:29]
- What the future of work will look like and why business leaders need to nurture their intrapreneurs [11:17]
- Roberta’s experience of being a judge on the BBC hit show, The Apprentice [13:56]
- And what she looks for when assessing Founders and their businesses as an angel investor [16:49]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ The full 40 Minute Mentor episode with Roberta Lucca: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/building-a-multimillion-dollar-games-empire-with-roberta-lucca/
➡️ More about Roberta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertalucca/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
ℹ️ You can listen to all 40 Minute Mentor episodes on:
- Apple Podcast
- Spotify
- Stitcher
- TuneIn
“Just a single conversation can actually change the direction of someone’s life.”
To kick off Series 2 of our popular 40 Minute Mentor, ‘Where Are They Now’ mini-series, we’re joined by Alex Stephany, Co-Founder and CEO of Beam - the world’s first crowdfunding platform for homeless people.
When Alex last joined us in Series 2 of 40 Minute Mentor, we talked about the early days of Beam, the inspiring story behind why the business exists and some brilliant actionable mentorship on providing a long-term solution to the homelessness problem, and how we can all play our part in it.
In today’s episode, we hear how Beam has scaled since and Alex shares some more incredible mentorship, including:
- Why Beam exists and why they’ve only just scratched the surface of social problems they're solving. [02:21]
- How the pandemic has helped Beam scale from an in-person service to an online platform. [07:05]
- Why now is such an exciting time to join Beam and what the future holds for the team. [09:55]
- Alex’s candid advice on how candidates can prepare for an interview at Beam and examples of how you can go the extra mile. [12:42]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ The full 40 Minute Mentor episode with Alex Stephany: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/long-term-solutions-for-homelessness-with-alex-stephany/
➡️ More about Alex Stephany: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexstephany/
➡️ More about Beam and their incredible mission: https://beam.org/
➡️ Current roles at Beam: https://beam.org/careers
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“One of the biggest challenges that we’re facing is that we have a category defining product and nothing like it has existed before, so we have to do a lot of consumer education.”
To celebrate the completion of 40 Minute Mentor Series 7, we’ve put together a fascinating roundup episode spotlighting industry disrupting business leaders.
We hear from category defining businesses, including Dan Garrett from Farewill, Margot & Alexia de Broglie from Your Juno, Nicolas d’Audiffret from Ankorstore and Wing Chan from Sourceful.
These Founders share some brilliant mentorship with us, including:
- How Farewill came to exist and what mistakes Dan has learned from over the years [2:16]
- The fine line Your Juno have to balance while educating their consumers on what and why they’re building [17:02]
- What it takes to scale Ankorstore, the fastest growing Unicorn in Europe, all while taking on big retail players like Amazon [23:30]
- And how Sourceful are helping businesses make more sustainable choices when it comes to sourcing [32:19]
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ The full 40 Minute Mentor episode with Dan Garrett: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/destigmatising-death-with-farewills-dan-garrett/
➡️ The full 40 Minute Mentor episode with Margow & Alexia de Broglie: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/closing-the-financial-literacy-gap-with-your-juno-founders-margot-alexia-de-broglie/
➡️ The full 40 Minute Mentor episode with Nicolas d’Audiffret: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/how-to-build-a-2-billion-unicorn-in-under-3-years-with-ankorstores-nicolas-daudiffret/
➡️ The full 40 Minute Mentor episode with Wing Chan: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/making-business-more-sustainable-and-developing-talent-with-wing-chan-co-founder-ceo-of-sourceful/
⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
For the end of Series 7, we have a special roundup episode in store for you, in which our Host James Mitra sits down with 40 Minute Mentor Producer and JBM Head of Marketing & Partnerships, Hannah Urbanek.
Together, they reflect on their favourite moments of Series 7 and tell us a bit more about the upcoming episodes, including the comeback of a very popular mini series.
➡️ If you’re not all caught up on Series 7 yet, make sure you have a look through the episode archives at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/40-minute-mentor/id1459665761?uo=4&ct=ratethispodcast&mt=2&ls=1
⭐ If you enjoyed Series 7 and can’t wait for more, please do make sure you hit the subscribe button and leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
💌 For any ideas and recommendations for the next Series, please get in touch at info@jbmc.co.uk
“A healthier brain leads to a happier life. If you have more healthy habits than bad ones, you will ultimately be healthier and happier. But having healthy habits is hard….”
For our final episode of our Mental Health mini-series, we look back on our conversation with the brilliant Dan Murray-Serter, serial entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Heights and host of the popular Secret Leaders podcast.
In today’s episode, Dan shares some candid insights into Heights, including:
- How struggling with Insomnia led him down the path to start Heights [00:52]
- Why supplements are such an important part of a healthy body and mind [03:50]
- Why Heights can help build healthier habits [07:49]
If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure you check out the full 40 minutes at: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/the-ups-and-downs-in-the-life-of-an-entrepreneur-with-dan-murray-serter/
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ Find out more about Dan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmurrayserter/
➡️ Check out Heights - https://www.yourheights.com/
➡️ Listen to Secret Leaders - https://www.secretleaders.com/
And for helpful mental health resources, head to:
➡️ Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
➡️ The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123
➡️ And for local help and support, call the Mind Infoline at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
⭐️Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“I really think now is the time for business leaders to step up, act boldly and put in some of the changes that have been needed for a while.”
In today’s Mental Health feature episode, we look back on our episode with Reeva Misra, the Founder and CEO of Walking on Earth - a holistic health platform on a mission to elevate human happiness.
Reeva shares her candid insights from blending technology and holistic health, including:
- How she’s scaling Walking on Earth while still prioritising her own wellbeing and mental health [01:33]
- Why the pandemic has forced her to re-evaluate her priorities and what we can all learn from this time of uncertainty [06:09]
- Reeva’s advice for any leaders looking to support their team’s wellbeing more [08:20]
If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure you check out the full 40 minutes at: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/revolutionising-holistic-health-with-reeva-misra/
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ Find out more about Reeva - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reeva-misra/
➡️ Check out Walking on Earth - https://www.walkingonearth.com/
And for helpful mental health resources, head to:
➡️ Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
➡️ The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123
➡️ And for local help and support, call the Mind Infoline at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
⭐️Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Getting out of bed was hard. Every day felt like a chore - it felt like the grind. And one night in bed, I just thought to myself, if I feel the same way again tomorrow morning, I honestly don’t want to wake up…”
Continuing our Mental Health mini-series, we look back on our discussion with James Routledge, Founder and former CEO of Sanctus - a purpose-driven mental health organisation focused on providing support in the workplace.
In today’s episode we hear about James’s mental health journey and how it led to starting Sanctus, including:
- Why none of the existing mental health services felt like the right choice for James [00:54]
- The most difficult steps he had to take in his own mental health journey [07:49]
- James’s advice on how you can find balance as a Founder [10:59]
If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure you check out the full episode at https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/putting-the-first-mental-health-gym-on-the-high-street-with-james-routledge/
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ Find out more about James - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdroutledge1/?originalSubdomain=uk
➡️ Check out Sanctus - https://sanctus.io/
And for helpful mental health resources, head to:
➡️ Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
➡️ The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123
➡️ And for local help and support, call the Mind Infoline at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
⭐️Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“Silence is the oxygen [this illness] needs, it thrives on it. So the more insular that we become, the more we don’t talk, the more illogical and irrational our belief system gets.”
In episode 2 of our Mental Health Spotlight mini-series, we cover segments from our roundtable discussion featuring Psychotherapist and Wellness Expert, Sophie Scott, HR Director and Mind Ambassador, Rohan Kallicharan and mental health campaigner and author, Carrie Carlisle.
This inspiring panel of guests brings many different perspectives and personal experiences to the topic of mental health, including:
- Stories about suicide and suicidal thoughts [01:49]
- What signs to look out for when it comes to deteriorating mental health [06:08]
- And why it’s okay to have a bad day [08:10]
If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure you check out the full roundtable episode at https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/encouraging-conversations-about-mental-health/
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ Find out more about Sophie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-scott/
➡️ Find out more about Rohan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakallicharan/
➡️ Find out more about Carrie - https://www.clarkeandcarrie.com/
And for helpful mental health resources, head to:
➡️ Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
➡️ The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123
➡️ And for local help and support, call the Mind Infoline at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
“If you imagine that life is just about now, then the purpose of cleaning the dishes is to do it as best as you can and enjoy yourself. You can find micro purpose and joy in everything you do.”
To continue shining the light on the importance of mental health, we’re launching a special feature mini-series this week. Every day of this week we’ll be taking a look back on some of our mental health conversations from our 40 Minute Mentor archives.
To kick off the series, we take a look back on some of our favourite moments from our conversation with the brilliant Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X, author of Solve for Happy and Founder of One Billion Happy.
In today’s episode snippets, you’ll discover:
- How the tragic loss of his son, completely changed Mo’s career path [01:23]
- Why he sees life like a video game [4:00]
- Mo’s advice on finding your purpose and why we need to shift our focus to micro purposes [09:26]
If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure you check out Mo’s full 40 Minute Mentor episode at https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/cultivating-happiness-in-your-career-with-mo-gawdat/
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ Find out more about Mo and his career - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mogawdat/
➡️ Check out his book ‘Solve for Happy’ - https://www.solveforhappy.com/
➡️ Learn more about One Billion Happy - https://www.onebillionhappy.org
And for helpful mental health resources, head to:
➡️ Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
➡️ The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123
➡️ And for local help and support, call the Mind Infoline at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
⭐️Enjoyed this episode?⭐️
Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
“When I lost my seat in parliament, as devastating as it was, I genuinely felt relieved that I got out with my life.”
We’ve officially reached our final episode of Series 7, but we’re definitely finishing on a high with today’s 40 Minute Mentor - it’s none other than Baroness Oona King.
Oona has worn many hats throughout her career - from becoming the second black woman elected into British Parliament, becoming a Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister on Equalities, to ultimately pivoting into tech working within Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Channel 4, YouTube, Google and currently Snap Inc.
Based on our own commitment to help build more diverse and inclusive companies, we couldn’t think of a better person to finish off this Series of 40 Minute Mentor with.
In this episode, Oona shares some incredibly candid mentorship and advice, including:
- What her path to the House of Commons looked like and how her mum ultimately inspired her to go into politics [07:15]
- What it was like for a black woman in British Politics and the lessons she learned from that environment [10:10]
- How she lost her seat in front of millions of people watching and why there’s a part of her that’s really glad it happened when it did [16:32]
- Why she pivoted into Tech and her advice for anyone else looking to pivot careers [21:54]
- What a typical day in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion looks like [27:51]
- Oona’s advice for any business leaders looking to improve their DE&I efforts and how you can measure impact [31:55]
- What the murder of Georg Floyd has taught her [36:18]
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team have been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡ ️The ACT Report - https://newsroom.snap.com/en-GB/introducing-catalyze-tech/
➡ ️More about DE&I at Snap Inc - https://citizen.snap.com/diversity
➡ More about Baroness Oona King - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oona-king-sheher-00ba8414/
➡ Find out more about our sponsors and their rocket ship journey -
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
“If the product is good enough, ultimately the business will succeed.”
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Nick Jenkins, Founder of Moonpig, former Dragon on BBC hit show Dragons' Den and angel investor.
Due to its incredible success story, greeting card business Moonpig probably doesn’t need much of an introduction, but we don’t often hear about the challenges it took to overcome to eventually sell Moonpig for £120 million to Photobox Group in 2011.
In today’s episode, Nick shares buckets of candid insights and mentorship, including:
- Nick’s career before Moonpig and why he received a death threat [06:23]
- What inspired him to start Moonpig and how he turned the business around before it went bust [08:35]
- The story behind the iconic Moonpig jingle [15:10]
- What made Moonpig so successful and Nick’s biggest learnings from scaling the business [20:01]
- His advice on hiring for the right fit and how to nurture a great team culture [23:17]
- How he approached figuring out what to do after he sold Moonpig and how he landed in the charity sector [29:11]
- What it was like to become CEO of someone else’s business after selling his own [31:12]
- His involvement with the charity sector today and advice for anyone looking to give back [33:06]
- What it was really like on Dragons' Den and some of the scenes you might have not seen on TV [38:31]
- His advice for any Founders looking to raise angel investment [43:01]
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team have been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡ ️To order your next Moonpig card, head to: https://www.moonpig.com/uk/
➡ Find out more about our sponsors and their rocketship journey at - https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
“Before you scale, you need to make sure you are solving big pains with a great value proposition.”
It’s not every day you get to speak to someone who turned their Startup into a Double-Unicorn with over 500 employees in just 3 years.
Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Nicolas d'Audiffret, one of the Co-Founders of Ankorstore - the marketplace taking on e-Commerce giants like Amazon. Ankorstore was founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs and is a partner to more than 200,000 retailers, florists, coffee shops and other concept-stores across 23 countries in Europe.
Ankorstore have been on an incredible journey and reached their $2 billion valuation after just two years of launching their wholesale marketplace, and are backed by world-class VCs like Bond, Tiger Global and Index Ventures, to name a few.
JBM have had a front row seat to their incredible Scaleup journey over the last years and we’re so excited to have Nicolas on the podcast to share some candid Founder insights and mentorship, including:
- How Nicolas pivoted from being a consultant to an entrepreneur [06:15]
- The story behind his first Startup, A Little Market, and how he ended up selling it to Etsy [10:08]
- Why, even though the sale to Etsy looked like a huge success, Nicolas didn’t only see it as such [11:45]
- How Ankorstore was born and more about their brilliant mission [13:23]
- What the dynamic between the four Co-Founders looks like and Nicolas’s advice for any fellow Co-Founders listening [17:10]
- Why the pandemic was such a great opportunity of growth for Ankorstore and how they got to their $2 Billion evaluation in such a short amount of time [18:38]
- The crucial attributes Ankorstore look for when interviewing talent [22:40]
- His advice on building a truly authentic community [26:05]
- What the future of retail will look like and Nicolas’s advice for anyone looking to break into the industry [28:32]
💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team have been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡ ️To find out more about Ankorstore, head to: https://www.ankorstore.com/
➡ ️To learn more about Nicolas, check out his LinkedIn profile at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasdaudiffret/
➡ ️Our episode with Chipper Cash’s Founder & CEO, Ham Serunjogi - https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
“Even if we electrify everything and switch to renewables and decarbonise - we still need to remove billions of tonnes of carbon from the sky because we have polluted so much.”
Ahead of World Earth Day this week, we’re really excited to welcome Michelle You, Co-Founder of Songkick and Co-Founder and CEO of Supercritical, to 40 Minute Mentor.
You might have heard of the popular concert ticket app Songkick before, which Michelle and her Co-Founders built to one of the most popular apps on the market. After a turbulent time navigating a lawsuit including winning an antitrust settlement from Ticketmaster, Michelle exited to Warner Music and reassessed her purpose and identity outside of Songkick.
This journey led her to starting Supercritical - a software enabling businesses to measure, reduce and offset their climate impact in weeks, without the need for a sustainability team.
We absolutely loved having Michelle on the podcast and can’t wait for you to listen to the incredible mentorship she shares in today’s episode, including:
- How she transitioned from studying Humanities to working in Tech [05:40]
- Why she started Songkick and how working in the industry has affected her relationship with music [07:56]
- The key lessons she learned from growing Songkick and the challenges she faced throughout [12:17]
- How she dealt with the grief and emotional exit from Songkick and how she found her passion to go again with Supercritical [15:17]
- The mission behind Supercritical and how Michelle and her team work with businesses to tackle the climate crisis [20:06]
- Michelle’s advice on what we can all do to offset our climate impact [31:28]
- What Supercritical are looking for when hiring talent [33:42]
- How Michelle managed to build a 50/50 cap table and her advice for anyone looking for more diverse investors [35:07]
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team have been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡ ️To find out more about Supercritical, head to: https://gosupercritical.com/
➡ ️To learn more about Michelle, check out her LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleyou/
➡ ️Our episode with Chipper Cash’s Founder & CEO, Ham Serunjogi - https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
“There’s a general recognition that doing good is good for business - and that applies at all levels of business.”
This week we have the pleasure of welcoming not one, but two amazing mentors to 40 Minute Mentor - Natalie Graeme, Co-Founder of Uncommon Creative and Orr Vinegold, Co-Founder of Unrest.
Uncommon Creative is an award-winning creative studio building brands that matter, make a difference and brands that people in the real world actually wish existed. And Unrest is an accelerator programme fuelling the fire of entrepreneurs challenging the status quo.
With decades of marketing and brand building experience, Orr and Natalie share some great advice and mentorship in this episode, including:
- The key lessons they learned when starting out in their career, including working with both big corporates and Startups [12:07]
- Why Natalie decided to leave big agency names to start Uncommon with her Co-Founders [16:06]
- Why Orr and his Co-Founder, Pan, started Unrest and how it’s different to other Startup accelerators out there [21:46]
- How Unrest and Uncommon are working together to build purpose-led brands of the future [27:18]
- How brands have evolved over the last years [31:13]
- What fundamentals you need to embed early on to help you build a purpose-led brand [35:53]
- What we can all learn from industry leaders, like Patagonia [39:37]
- How you can embed purpose in your culture from day one [45:31]
- And why it’s so important that you, as a Founder, prioritise your mental health and Orr and Natalie’s top advice for doing so [50:50]
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team have been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡ ️To find out more about Uncommon Creative, head to: https://uncommon.london/
➡ ️To find out more about Unrest, head to: https://www.unrest.world
➡ ️To learn more about Natalie, check out her LinkedIn profile at:https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-graeme-93608b4/
➡ ️To learn more about Orr, check out his LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orr-vinegold/
➡ ️Our episode with Chipper Cash’s Founder & CEO, Ham Serunjogi - https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
“I thought burnout was just the equivalent of meaning you hadn’t got it - you couldn’t keep going. Then one day at work, I came out of a meeting and collapsed in the streets.”
In this 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by industry-disrupter Dan Garrett, Co-Founder and CEO of Farewill - the multi-award-winning wills, probate and funerals company on a mission to change the way the world deals with death.
In today’s episode, Dan shares thought-provoking mentorship, including:
- His candid take on burnout and how collapsing after a meeting has changed his outlook and the way he deals with stress [07:53]
- How his upbringing and engineering and design background have turned him into the entrepreneur he is today [11:22]
- What inspired him to take on the biggest untouched consumer industry with Farewill [14:15]
- How him and the Farewill team are changing the attitudes towards death [19:53]
- The mistakes he made while building Farewill to a team of over 90 and raising their 30 million Series B funding [22:43]
- Exclusive outtakes from some of the most heart-warming messages people have left in their will [32:10]
- How Farewill have embedded their customer-centric approach in everything they do - from hiring to day to day customer care [36:07]
- And Farewill’s brilliant approach to hiring and why they’re looking for ‘BLOBs’ [41:37]
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team have been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡ ️To find out more about Farewill, head over to: https://farewill.com/
➡ ️To learn more about Dan, check out his LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangarrett-ceo-farewill/
➡ ️Our episode with Chipper Cash’s Founder & CEO, Ham Serunjogi -
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
“When people say that you can’t do something, it’s really because they can’t do it. Don’t stop doing what you want to do because someone told you you can’t, because you can.”
To ring in the halfway point of Series 7, we had the pleasure of interviewing an absolute icon in personal branding: Amelia Sordell, the Founder of Klowt.
Klowt is THE personal branding agency on a mission to build entirely authentic personal brands that drive real results - something we’ve had the pleasure of experiencing first-hand here at JBM.
In today’s episode, Amelia shares some brilliant mentorship, including:
- The lessons she learned from her first business failing [08:40]
- How she dealt with the heartbreak and feelings of grief after her first business and how she decided the time was right to start another business [17:30]
- Her mission with Klowt and what inspired Amelia to start Klowt in the first place [21:36]
- Why personal branding is such a critical aspect of any successful business [28:10]
- Amelia’s step by step advice on how you can get started with your own personal branding [34:30]
- Her advice on how to deal with negative comments - online as well as offline [40:45]
- How you can tackle imposter syndrome and why it’s okay to doubt yourself [46:00]
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team have been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡ ️To find out more about Klowt, head over to: https://klowt.io
➡ ️To learn more about Amelia, check out her LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameliasordell/
➡ ️Our episode with Chipper Cash’s Founder & CEO, Ham Serunjogi - https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
In this episode we’re joined by sisters, Margot and Alexia de Broglie, Co-Founders of Your Juno - an app widely referred to as ‘the Duolingo of Finance’ and on a mission to empower women and non-binary people through financial education.
The de Broglie sisters give us an exclusive insight into Your Juno’s amazing journey from conception to over 10k downloads and raising £1.6 million.
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team has been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ To find out more about Margot, head to https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-de-broglie/
➡️ To find out more about Alexia, head to https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexia-de-broglie/
➡️ To learn more about Your Juno, check out https://www.yourjuno.co/
➡️ Our episode with Chipper Cash’s Founder & CEO, Ham Serunjogi - https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
In this episode, we had the pleasure of welcoming Wing Chan, the Co-Founder and CEO of Sourceful - the Index Ventures backed all-in-one platform bringing together tools, data and products companies need to make their supply chains more sustainable.
In today’s episode, Wing recounts his experiences of quickly climbing the ranks at The Hut Group to become CMO at 25 and CTO at 28, what has led him to start Sourceful and he shares some excellent mentorship on the importance of seeing the potential in emerging talent and how executives need to lead by example.
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team has been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ To find out more about Wing, head to https://www.linkedin.com/in/wingyungchan/
➡️ To learn more about Sourceful, check out https://www.sourceful.com/
➡️ Our episode with Chipper Cash’s Founder & CEO, Ham Serunjogi - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham/id1459665761?i=1000536950880
In this 40 Minute Mentor episode, we speak to one of Britain’s most decorated Olympians and Founder of FemTech Startup, Jennis, the incredible Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Jess shares the ups and downs of her athletics career, including how setbacks early on in her sporting career turned her into the successful athlete she became and how she dealt with the pressures of Super Saturday. We also hear more about her FemTech business, Jennis, which is on a mission to change women’s lives by helping them gain a better understanding of their bodies.
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team have been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ To find out more about Jess’s incredible career, head to https://www.jessicaennis.net/
➡️ To learn more about Jennis and download the app, head over to https://www.jennis.com/
➡️ Our episode with Chipper Cash’s Founder & CEO, Ham Serunjogi - https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
In this 40 Minute Mentor episode, we chat to the inspiring Marta Krupinska, serial entrepreneur and Head of Google for Startups UK - a programme run to support thriving, diverse and inclusive Startup communities around the world.
Marta shares some brilliant mentorship in this episode, including the lessons learned from her first Startup, her candid take on the progress made in DE&I in the Tech sector and the crucial skills Founders should really be focusing on.
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team have been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ To find out more about Google for Startups, head to:
https://startup.google.com/
➡️ Tune into Marta’s ‘Scale ups & downs’ podcast here:
https://www.scaleupsanddowns.com/
➡️ And to find out more about Marta, check out her LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/martakrupinska
➡️ Our episode with Chipper Cash’s Founder & CEO, Ham Serunjogi - https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
➡️ And for charitable organisations to get involved with to help Ukraine, take a look at: The Ukrainian Red Cross, United Help Ukraine, Doctors Without Borders, Nova Ukraine
To kick off Series 7, we had the pleasure of welcoming a real rising star in the UK Tech scene, Christian Facey, the Co-Founder and CEO of AudioMob.
AudioMob allows brands to connect with gamers without interrupting their gaming experience, using in-game audio ads. In today’s episode, Christian gives us an exclusive insight into AudioMob’s fascinating journey to date and shares some great mentorship for any fellow Founders and aspiring entrepreneurs - including his advice following their impressive $14 million Series A funding round.
💙A big thank you to our Sponsors:
Chipper Cash - an African cross-border payments company trusted by over 4 million users. The team have been on an incredible expansion journey and is hiring for some exciting roles. If you want to be part of their mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa, one transaction at a time, head over to https://bit.ly/40mmsponsor to find out more.
⛳️ Helpful links:
➡️ To find out more about AudioMob, head over to: https://audiomob.com/
➡️ To learn more about Christian, check out his LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-facey/
➡️And for our episode with Chipper Cash’s Founder & CEO, Ham Serunjogi, head to: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/unlocking-global-opportunities-with-chipper-cashs-ham-serunjogi/
40 Minute Mentor is back with a brand new series, filled with mentorship from Founders of some of the world’s fastest growing businesses and future unicorns as well as a number of world class leaders from other industries.
To get a little preview of what's coming your way, hit play on our trailer.
And if you've enjoyed the past 6 series, please leave us a review over on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm - we absolutely love hearing your feedback and really appreciate all the support we get from our listeners.
Today’s ‘Where Are They Now’ episode is our last one before we launch Series 7 - and we’re definitely finishing on a high, as we catch up with the amazing Ezechi Britton MBE, Co-Founder of Code Untapped and Founding Member and Principal at Impact X.
2 years after his appearance on our 40 Minute Mentor social mobility special, Ez tells us about what it felt like to find out he received an MBE at the start of 2022 and we talk about the progress he’s seen in social mobility in Tech and VC, and what else needs to happen to level the playing field.
Helpful links:
For Ezechi’s feature in our Social Mobility feature episode, head to -
https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/levelling-the-playing-field-a-social-mobility-special/
To find out more about Ezechi, check out his profile on - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezechi-britton-mbe-452a893/
And for more info on Code Untapped and Impact X, head to - https://codeuntapped.com/ and https://www.impactxcapital.com/
In this ‘Where Are They Now’ feature mini episode, we catch up with the brilliant Juliet Davenport OBE, Founder and former CEO of Good Energy Group.
A year after coming onto 40 Minute Mentor, Juliet chats to us about her decision to step down as CEO of Good Energy, what she wishes she had known before her switch to a portfolio career, and she tells us what she’s been up to since. Plus, Juliet shares some candid insights into the changing energy market and how we can all play our part in moving to net-zero emissions.
Helpful links:
For Juliet’s full 40 Minute Mentor episode on building the UK’s first 100% renewable electricity company, head over to - https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/building-the-uks-first-100-renewable-electricity-company-with-juliet-davenport/
And to find out more about Juliet, check out her LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-davenport-643564/
Plus, listen to her ‘Great Green Questions’ podcast over on https://great-green-questions.simplecast.com/
In this ‘Where Are They Now’ feature mini episode, we catch up with the brilliant Sophie Adelman, Co-Founder and CEO of The Garden and Co-Founder and former President of Multiverse.
2 years after coming onto 40 Minute Mentor, we chat to Sophie about her decision to leave hypergrowth EdTech Scaleup, Multiverse and we find out more about her exciting new venture, The Garden. Plus, Sophie shares some brilliant advice for anyone looking to make a career pivot or start their own business.
Helpful links:
For Sophie's full 40 Minute Mentor episode on her journey with Multiverse, head to - https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/creating-access-to-opportunities-for-everyone-with-sophie-adelman/
To find out more about Sophie, check out - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sophie-adelman1
And to sign up to The Garden, head to-https://onegarden.com/
In this special ‘Where Are They Now’ feature mini episode, we catch up with one of our very first 40 Minute Mentors we welcomed onto the podcast, the brilliant Kresse Wesling CBE. We talk about her journey with Kresse & Elvis since 2019, why they’re building a one-of-a-kind regenerative farm in Kent, and why now is the time for all of us to be environmentally focused and help reduce waste.
Helpful links:
For Kresse’s full 40 Minute Mentor episode on building an award-winning business from waste, head to https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/building-an-award-winning-business-from-waste-with-kresse-wesling/
To find out more about Kresse & Elvis, check out https://www.elvisandkresse.com/
Series 6 of 40 Minute Mentor might have come to a close earlier this month, but with another Series filled to the brim with advice and Scaleup insights, we thought we’d add a little something to your pre-Holiday playlist.
In this special roundup episode, we focus on a topic we often get asked about here at JBM - VC and Fundraising. Whether you’re wondering how to get into the industry or you’re a fellow Founder about to embark on your next fundraising journey, this episode features some of the movers and shakers in VC as well as first-hand insights from industry leaders and their fundraising journeys, including:
• Cleo Sham, a JBM SOS Board Advisor and Partner at Stride.VC
• Dominic McGregor, Founder and Former COO of Social Chain and Founding Partner of Fearless Adventures
• Daisy Onubogu, widely regarded as the Queen of Community, Head of Network & Community at BACKED VC and COO of Diversity VC
• Tom Foster-Carter, Former COO of Monzo and Founder and CEO of Lollipop
• Ben Stephenson, Founder and CEO of travel platform Impala
• And Ham Serunjogi, the Co-Founder and CEO of Chipper Cash, our brilliant sponsors of Series 6.
We can’t thank all of our guests and listeners enough for another amazing Series. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure you check out the full 40 minutes with each of today’s featured guests, as well as our remaining amazing guests across Series 6 and beyond.
Enjoyed this episode?
We are always keen to hear your thought and ideas for 40 Minute Mentor, so whether you have feedback on any of the existing episodes or ideas for our next Series, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
In this final 40 Minute Mentor episode of Series 6, we’re joined by the Founder and former COO of Social Chain, and now a Founding Partner of Fearless Adventures, the brilliant Dominic McGregor.
A lot of you will be familiar with the incredible journey Social Chain and their team have been on. At a very young age, both Dominic and his Co-Founder Steven Bartlett, have built a unique company culture, based on the drive to make it work for their team, even if that meant ripping up the corporate rule book and setting new standards within the industry.
Although not an easy journey, they saw some great success over the years having grown Social Chain to over 750 employees across 24 offices worldwide, and ultimately taking it to IPO.
We loved having Dominic on the podcast – he spoke with such humility and honesty, and we managed to dig deeper into some really interesting topics, including:
- Social Chain’s journey to IPO including some of the hardest challenges they had to overcome alongside their growth journey.
- Dominic’s candid advice for any fellow COOs and his personal insights into making the relationship between Co-Founders work.
- And his personal struggles along the way, including his battle with his alcohol addiction.
Whether you’re a Founder or an aspiring COO looking to join a high-performing business, we know you’ll take so much great advice from this episode with Dominic.
And a special thank you to our sponsors for this Series – Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa’s most valuable Startup. To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
Enjoyed this episode?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Dominic, take a look at his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpjmcgregor/
If you want to find out more about Fearless Adventures, head over to - https://fearlessadventures.co.uk/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by former COO of Monzo and Founder and CEO of Lollipop, Tom Foster-Carter.
Tom started his career in consulting before embarking on his Operations journey - first as Founder of both Osper and Curve, and then as Monzo’s COO where he scaled the business to 4 million customers and the team from 30 to 1,000, in just 2 years.
In May 2020, Tom decided to take yet another entrepreneurial leap and launched his latest venture Lollipop – a grocery Startup widely known as “the Monzo of supermarkets”.
With his wealth of experience in launching and scaling rocketships, Tom was a great 40 Minute Mentor, and shares some really interesting insights in this episode, including:
- The highs and lows from his journey as a three-time Founder and how he’s applying the lessons learned to his latest venture, Lollipop.
-How he scaled the Monzo team from 30 to 1,000 and his advice for any aspiring COOs wanting to embark on a similar journey.
-And the importance of not defaulting to always putting work first and his own experience of learning to strike a better balance.
Whether you’re a Founder yourself, an aspiring COO or a seasoned COO about to make the switch to CEO – Tom shares some incredible useful advice for your next chapter ahead.
And a special thank you to our sponsors for this Series – Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa’s most valuable Startup. To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Tom, take a look at his LinkedIn profile –
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomfostercarter/
And to find out more about Lollipop and sign up, simply head to - https://www.lollipopai.com/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Team GB hockey legends and Olympic Gold Medallists Kate & Helen Richardson-Walsh.
Kate and Helen have been on an incredible journey, playing Hockey when it wasn’t really a viable career choice and continuing to represent Team GB at the Olympics, resulting in winning Gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016. While being teammates, Kate and Helen’s win on the Olympic podium also represented a big step in sporting history, as they became the first same sex married couple to share the Olympic podium.
In the years since, they’ve become inspirational ambassadors and speakers, and have published their book, Winning Together: An Olympic-Winning Approach to Building Better Teams.
In today’s episode, Kate and Helen share some really invaluable insights, including:
- The highs and lows of their road to the Olympics – discussing the setbacks they faced and how they continued pushing forward to succeed.
- How to deal with the often scary emptiness after a big win, such as the Olympics, and how to figure out what to do next.
- And what needs to happen for sport to really break down barriers and become accessible for all, no matter your gender, race, sexuality, or ability.
We absolutely loved having Helen and Kate on our podcast and we know you’ll take so much great advice from this episode. Whether you’re a big sport fan, you’re about to make a big career change or you’re building a high-performing team, you won’t want to miss this episode.
And a special thank you to our sponsors for this Series – Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa’s most valuable Startup. To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
Enjoyed this episode?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Kate and Helen, take a look at their LinkedIn profiles –
Kate - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katewalsh11
Helen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenrichardson-walsh
And make sure you buy their book “Winning Together: An Olympic-Winning Approach to Building Better Teams” in your local bookstore or over at - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winning-Together-Olympic-Lessons-Difference/dp/1529316146/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by our very own JBM SOS Board Advisor, Partner at Stride.VC and former Director of Operations at Uber, Cleo Sham.
Cleo has had an incredible career, spanning from building Uber’s Guangzhou city business and team from the ground up to becoming Uber’s largest city business globally and the first city to reach 1 million weekly trips, to leading the sales, operations, strategy and marketing functions as Spotahome’s COO, and transitioning into VC as a Partner at Stride.VC.
Speaking to Cleo was an absolute joy and she shares so much great advice in this episode, including:
- The importance of not focusing on having the right or wrong answers as a COO but being decisive, and other crucial skills, any aspiring COOs should be adding to their toolbelt.
- How you can make the transition from being an Operator to VC – and how the skills gained in a high-growth Ops career can be very useful when assessing businesses to invest in.
- And what needs to be done, specifically in VC, including efforts from investors and Founders alike, to level the DE&I playing field.
Whether you’re an Operator looking to become an Investor, an aspiring COO, or a Founder looking for your next round of investment – you won’t want to miss the crucial advice Cleo shares in this episode.
And a special thank you to our sponsors for this Series – Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa’s most valuable Startup. To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
Enjoyed this episode?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
And if you want to find out more about Cleo, take a look at her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleosham/
If you want to find out more about Stride.VC, head over to – https://stride.vc/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Co-Founder and CEO of Amazing If, Co-Author of best-seller ‘The Squiggly Career’, and Co-Host of the popular Squiggly Careers podcast (a JBM favourite!), Helen Tupper.
Helen has enjoyed a hugely successful career at some of the biggest companies in the world – Virgin, Microsoft, BP and Capital One, to name a few – but decided to take the leap into the world of entrepreneurship together with her friend Sarah Ellis and start Amazing If – an award-winning training consultancy.
At a time when so many of us are reassessing our post-pandemic careers, finding happiness and fulfilment at work has never felt more important. And that’s where Helen and Sarah come in with their incredible coaching skills and resources.
Speaking to Helen in today’s episode was an absolute joy. She shares so many great insights and speaks with so much passion and enthusiasm about making work better for everyone.
We cover a lot of ground in this episode, covering topics including:
- Why the traditional linear career ladder isn’t a realistic “one size fits all” career development strategy anymore and what companies need to do to support their teams’ development better.
- What a squiggly career actually looks like and how it will help with employee retention, when supported in the right way.
- And what it’s really like to build a successful business with a friend, without compromising your friendship.
No matter what stage you’re at in your career and whether you’re in a big corporate or a Founder yourself, we know you’ll take so much great advice from this episode with Helen.
And a special thank you to our sponsors for this Series – Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa’s most valuable Startup. To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
Enjoyed this episode?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Helen, take a look at her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/helentupper/
If you want to find out more about Amazing If, head over to – https://www.amazingif.com/
For the Squiggly Career podcast, simply head to - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/squiggly-careers/id1202842065
And to pre-order their new book ‘You Coach You’, ask in your local bookshop or head over to - https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Coach-Overcome-Challenges-Control/dp/024150273X
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Ben Stephenson, the Founder and CEO of the ground-breaking travel platform Impala.
Ben has raised millions in funding for Impala over the last five years from some of the best VCs out there, including Lakestar which previously invested in Airbnb. He’s seen his staff mushroom to over 100 people, and he made the company remote-first way back in 2017, when having remote teams wasn’t something people looked too favourably upon.
A true problem-solver in every way - whether the problem is how to rebuild travel-booking infrastructure from the ground up, to how to create exactly the right culture at work – Ben has made it his mission to improve the industry.
Speaking to Ben was truly inspiring and we cover some really interesting topics, including:
- How Impala has grown to a team of over 100 people and raised millions in funding in just five years.
- The secrets behind Impala’s outstanding culture DNA, including Ben’s advice for anyone looking to build a remote-first team.
- And why the best Founders are the ones who don’t try to do everything themselves but hire talent that compliments their skills.
If you’re a Founder yourself looking to support your remote or hybrid teams, or you’re looking to get into the travel industry – this episode is packed with great advice and honest anecdotes from Impala’s inspiring growth journey.
A special thank you to our sponsors for this Series – Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa’s most valuable Startup.
To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
Enjoyed this episode?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Ben, take a look at his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-stephenson-13032b33/
If you want to find out more about Impala, head over to - https://impala.travel/en-gb
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by journalist, broadcaster, TV presenter, Podcast host of ‘The Solo Collective’ and author, Rebecca Seal.
Rebecca’s had a hugely varied career so far, including working as a journalist at The Observer, featuring as a Food and Drink expert on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, writing and publishing multiple books, including her latest best seller: “Solo: How to Work Alone(and Not Lose Your Mind)” and working as a Freelance journalist and author for over 10 years.
We absolutely loved having Rebecca as a 40 Minute Mentor and know you’ll learn so much from her advice in this episode, including:
- What it takes to have a successful career in broadcasting and what to expect from your initial years in the industry.
- What solo working actually does to the human mind and how you can combat loneliness with a simple change in environment.
- And Rebecca’s approach to juggling many competing priorities, without falling into the traps of over-working.
So, whether you’re a Freelancer yourself or you’re navigating a hybrid or fully remote work model, we know you’ll find this episode hugely valuable.
A special thank you to our sponsors for this Series – Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa’s most valuable Start up. To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
Enjoyed this episode?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratehthispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Rebecca, take a look at her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccaseal/
If you want to buy a copy of her book Solo: How to Work Alone (and Not Lose Your Mind), head over to – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Solo-Work-Alone-Lose-Your/dp/1788164857
In this 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by a real-life child prodigy, Co-Founder and CEO of Stemettes, and Host of the Evening Standard’s Women Tech Charge podcast, Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE.
Anne-Marie was one of the youngest to pass two GCEs in two different subjects while in primary school and completed her master’s degree from the University of Oxford by the age of 20.
Since those days, she’s been knocking down walls and inspiring the next generation of women in STEM, through her work with Stemettes – a social enterprise promoting women in STEM careers. And if you haven’t heard of Stemettes or listened to the Women Tech Charge podcast, you might have seen Anne-Marie on Channel 4’s Countdown ‘Black To Front’ initiative earlier this year, where she filled in for no other than the queen of numbers, Rachel Riley.
Anne-Marie speaks with such humility and honesty – we could have talked for hours. In today’s episode, you’ll learn more about:
-How Stemettes has developed from a side-hustle to the success it is today, opening doors to careers in STEM for girls all over the UK
-What businesses in the Tech sector need to do to attract and retain more diverse talent
-And how listening to understand, rather than to answer questions is an often neglected skill by leaders.
Whether you work in Tech or are simply looking for some mid-week inspiration, we know you’ll learn so much from Anne-Marie in this episode.
And a special thank you to our sponsors for this Series - Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa's most valuable Startup. To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
Enjoyed this episode?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Anne-Marie, take a look at her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimafidon/
If you want to find out more about Stemettes, head over to – https://stemettes.org/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Founder and CEO of Walking on Earth, Reeva Misra.
Reeva has made it her mission to tackle the epidemic of stress in the modern world – with Walking on Earth taking a holistic approach to health, focusing on the interaction between mind, body, and the environment to elevate happiness, particularly at work.
It’s certainly been a fascinating journey for the business so far, not least because it was launched just two months before the global pandemic. Reeva quickly pivoted the business, launching a series of Zoom sessions with practitioners at a time when stress levels nationwide were going through the roof.
We absolutely loved having Reeva as our 40 Minute Mentor for this episode and cover some fascinating topics, including:
- How Reeva and her team navigated the global pandemic and secured high calibre angel investors along the way.
- Why it’s so important for business leaders to model mindful behaviour and counter-act the perceived understanding that stress and burnout are unavoidable by-products of success.
- And how we can all leverage hybrid work models without falling into the “living at work vs working from home” trap.
Reeva shares so many great insights in this episode, so if you’re a Founder or someone building high-performing teams, you won’t want to miss this episode.
And a special thank you to our sponsors for this Series - Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa's most valuable Startup. To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
Enjoyed this episode?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Reeva, take a look at her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/reeva-misra/
If you want to find out more about Walking on Earth, head over to – https://www.walkingonearth.com/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Co-founder and CEO of Chipper Cash, Ham Serunjogi.
Chipper Cash aren’t just our Sponsors for this 40 Minute Mentor Series but are also widely considered to be Africa’s most valuable Startup. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far, with many more coming soon.
Ham’s success is testament to the power of taking the road less travelled and despite the amazing success of Chipper Cash, he remains incredibly humble and focused on their ultimate mission to unlock global opportunities and connect Africa – one transaction at a time.
We loved having Ham on the podcast and discuss some fascinating topics with him, including:
- The tricky side of scaling a mission-driven Rocketship, from making the right hires, to learning how to delegate effectively.
- A behind the scenes look on the successful fundraising journey Chipper Cash have been on and how they secured backing from Amazon's Jeff Bezos.
- And why perseverance is the real key to success.
If you’re a Founder looking to scale your business, you’ll get priceless insights from Ham in this episode.
Enjoyed this episode?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Ham, take a look at his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamserunjogi/
And if you want to find out more about Chipper Cash, head over to – https://chippercash.com/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the Head of Network & Community at BACKED VC, and the recently appointed COO of Diversity VC, the brilliant Daisy Onubogu.
So much of Daisy’s career has been driven by a clear fascination with human behaviour, figuring out what makes us tick individually, and how to match that personal ambition with making the world a better place. In recent years, she’s also been at the forefront of driving change in DE&I, recognising that it’s less a time for discourse and more a time for action.
We loved chatting with Daisy, she always talks with such clarity, honesty, and passion. It’s impossible not to be inspired by her. During our conversation in this episode, we cover some fascinating topics, including:
- The importance of creating the right kind of environment to inspire human interaction and true connections.
- How the sign of having built a successful community is if it functions in the same way without you being part of it anymore.
- And how DE&I is just at the starting point, and in need of big systemic change, which we can all be a part of.
Whether you’re a Founder, an investor or someone passionate about DE&I – we know you’ll gain so much valuable insights from this episode.
And a special thank you to our sponsors for this Series - Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa's most valuable Startup. To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm or get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk.
If you want to find out more about Daisy, take a look at her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisyonubogu/
If you want to find out more about BACKED VC, head over to – https://www.backed.vc/
And if you want to find out more about Diversity VC, listen to our episode with their Founder Check Warner at https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/supporting-underrepresented-founders-with-check-warner/ or head over to https://www.diversity.vc/
To kick off Series 6 of our 40 Minute Mentor podcast, we’re joined by serial entrepreneur and Founder of The Stack World, Sharmadean Reid MBE.
From WAH London – a nail salon that mushroomed into a global mecca for aspiring entrepreneurs – to her latest venture, The Stack World, which combines leading editorial and beauty content with a marketplace for mission-driven women, Sharmadean has always placed female empowerment at the forefront of her work.
In today’s episode, Sharmadean speaks candidly about taking her first steps into entrepreneurialism at a time when there wasn’t a well-trodden path guiding digital Startups, and the many lessons she learned along the way, including:
- The importance of having a definite plan when you launch a business, and not falling into the trap of saying yes to everything.
- Why it’s so crucial to remove your ego from your work and focus on your business’ success.
- And how, despite the shift in the right direction, we’re still a long way off from achieving gender equality in business and beyond.
It’s not every day you get the opportunity to speak to someone so humble and honest about the reality of launching your own business. That’s why we can’t wait for you to listen to this episode.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone driven to move the equality lever, we know you’ll get so much valuable insights from Sharmadean in this episode.
And a special thank you to our sponsors for this Series - Chipper Cash. The team have been on an incredible journey, having launched their borderless way to send money across Africa and beyond, in 8 countries so far and are widely considered to be Africa's most valuable Startup. To find out more, head over to their website, or tune into our 40 Minute Mentor episode with their Co-Founder and CEO, Ham Serunjogi.
Enjoyed this episode?
We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode, so please feel free to get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk or leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm
If you want to find out more about Sharmadean, take a look at her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmadeanreid/
If you want to find out more about The Stack World, head over to – https://www.thestack.world/
40 Minute Mentor is back with a brand new series, filled with exclusive insights from CEOs, world class investors, purpose driven entrepreneurs and Olympic gold medallists.
To get a little preview of what's coming your way over the coming weeks, have a listen to this trailer.
And if you've enjoyed the past 5 series, please leave us a review on whichever podcast platform you listen to 40 Minute Mentor on or over at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm - we absolutely love hearing your feedback and really appreciate all the support we get from our listeners.
Ahead of launching Series 6 of the 40 Minute Mentor in September, we take another look back on some of our favourite episodes across all series so far.
If you’ve been listening to 40 Minute Mentor for a while, you’ll notice that we like to wrap up each episode with a couple of questions focused on mentorship – why it’s important and who some of our successful guests lean to when they’re looking for advice.
The answers are always beyond inspiring, so we’ve compiled our favourite ones in today’s roundup episode. You’ll hear from a range of our incredible guests over the last 5 series, including:
• Will Greenwood MBE – England Rugby legend and broadcaster
• Fred Jones – JBM Board Advisor, ex GM of Uber and VP & Regional GM of TIER Mobility
• Pippa Lamb – Partner at Sweet Capital
• James Routledge – Founder of Sanctus
• Caroline Murphree – CEO Europe of Wealthsimple
• Timothy Armoo – Co-Founder and CEO of Fanbytes
• Check Warner – Co-Founder of Diversity VC and Ada Ventures
• Ben Sanders – JBM SOS Board Advisor and ex MD for Europe at Pollen
• Zoe Jervier-Hewitt – Talent Director Europe at Sequoia Capital
• David M. Brear – CEO of 11:FS
• The late Catherine Wines – Co-Founder of WorldRemit
• Chris Severson – Head of People and Culture at PMI
• Sam Gyimah - Former UK Minister for Science, Technology, Universities and Innovation
• Shefali Roy – Former COO and CCO of TrueLayer
• And Tara Lajumoke – Managing Director of FT Strategies
As firm believers in the power of mentorship, finding out who has inspired our guests is always so interesting to hear. This episode will also give you some ideas of who you can turn to and how to reach out to new mentors, which is a question we often get asked.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
Since we started the 40 Minute Mentor podcast, we had the honour of speaking to so many mission-driven founders who have shown that business can be a force for good.
They’ve been full of insights and inspiration, which is why we’re excited to bring you this compilation of our favourite moments from our conversations.
You’ll hear from 11 amazing people who are all making a positive difference in a variety of ways:
- Alex Stephany, on what inspired him to start Beam, the world’s first online platform that crowdfunds employment training for homeless people.
- Jenny Costa, who discusses how her company, Rubies in the Rubble, creates condiments with a conscience from unwanted fruit and veg.
- Tessa Clarke on how she scaled up her free food sharing app Olio with no budget into a global success story.
- Kresse Wesling CBE, and how her mission to stop the nation’s landfills overflowing has become an award-winning business creating luxury goods from reclaimed material.
- Mo Gawdat on the tragedy that shaped his mission to spread joy through the One Billion Happy movement.
- Rachael Crook who was inspired to create a better caregiving system both for carers and those providing care, through her Lifted platform.
- Sophie Adelman Co-Founder of White Hat, now Multiverse, on how they’re helping to unleash potential by providing apprenticeship programmes.
- Henry Faber and Walter Kerr on the thinking behind Oppidan and the transformative power of a platform that pairs pupils with mentors.
- Juliet Davenport, the brains behind green energy supplier Good Energy, on the small changes we can all make to have a big impact.
- Dan Murray-Serter, Founder of supplement provider Heights, who gives the low down on the nutrients your brain needs to stay healthy.
- And Martin Morales on how his success in the music business, as a restauranteur and setting up social enterprises, has been influenced by his life experiences.
Whether you run your own social enterprise or are thinking of starting one, you won’t want to miss this compilation of inspiring stories in this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
Offer for our listeners:
The fantastic team at The Portfolio Collective are offering all our listeners a Pioneer membership for free for one month. Simply use the code 'TPC-JBM' to become a Pioneer today.
In the second part of our 40 Minute Mentor Series Five compilation, we delve a little deeper into the inner workings of some of the most successful businesses.
In this episode we hear from Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X and Founder of One Billion Happy, Andy Davis, Founder of 10x10, Roberta Lucca, Co-Founder of Bossa Studios, Grace Beverley, CEO of SHREDDY and TALA, Brett Wigdortz, Founder of Teach First and Co-Founder and CEO of Tiney, Juliet Davenport CEO of Good Energy and Gary Stewart, CEO of FounderTribes.
We look at the importance of nurturing a positive team culture, with an emphasis on diversity from the boardroom down. We find out how you can make your business environmentally friendly in a bid to counter climate change and with a growing shift towards purpose-driven careers, we look at how you can find personal fulfillment through your work.
It was such a pleasure doing these interviews and if you enjoyed this special two-part roundup, make sure you check out the full episodes in series 5.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
Our 40 Minute Mentor Series 5 was packed to the brim with candid advice and insights from some of the most inspirational leaders across industries. To relieve some of our favourite parts, we’ve decided to release a special 2-part ‘best bits’ compilation episode.
In part one you’ll hear from:
- Sir Clive Woodward and the importance of creating an environment where your whole team feel comfortable enough to speak up and disagree
- Andy Davis, Co-Founder of 10x10 and his journey to becoming an entrepreneur.
- Alice Bentinck MBE, Co-Founder of Entrepreneur First on the characteristics and traits she looks out for when choosing Founders to invest in.
- Gary Stewart, CEO of FounderTribes on why businesses should be looking to hire proven entrepreneurs.
- Juliet Davenport, CEO of Good Energy and the importance of getting exactly the right people in place to build a successful business.
- Grace Beverley, Founder of SHREDDY and TALA on her entrepreneurial journey and her experience of being such a young CEO.
- Rachel Carrell, Founder of Koru Kids, shares how Koru Kids adapted to the pandemic.
* And Mo Gawdat, Founder of One Billion Happy and Host of the Slo Mo podcast, shares why mentorship is so important.
It was such a please to sit down with these inspirational 40 Minute Mentors, so if you enjoy today’s compilation episode, make sure you listen back to their full episode in series 5.
Thanks to our sponsors
A big thank you also to this episode’s sponsors – Treedom. Treedom is a B-Corp delivering social, economic and environmental benefits by working in partnership with local NGOs and smallholder farmers, enabling people and companies to plant trees remotely.
They’ve generously given us a 20% discount code* for all of our listeners. Simply enter ‘40MINUTEMENTOR’ at checkout over on the Treedom website to redeem the offer.
*This offer can be used once per person and it expires at the end of 2021.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the World Cup winning England Rugby coach and former Director of Sport for the London 2012 Olympics, Sir Clive Woodward.
After spending his childhood with big dreams of becoming a professional footballer, it was playing rugby at his local club as a kid that started Sir Clive down the path to becoming the first England Coach to lift the Rugby World Cup in 2003.
What people don’t always know is that rugby only went professional in the late 90s. And while Sir Clive was playing for England and the British Lions in the 1980s, he was also doing his ‘day job’, running his own Finance & Leasing company. As you’ll hear in this episode, he has since applied much of what he learned in the boardroom to his sterling work on the pitch.
During our conversation, we cover some really fascinating topics, including:
- How running a successful business is fundamentally the same as coaching a winning Rugby team.
- Why you need to become comfortable with pressure if you want to be able to handle it effectively.
- And the importance of creating a culture where everyone feels comfortable enough to contribute, no matter how controversial their ideas might be.
Sir Clive has achieved so much over the years and it was an absolute honor to speak to him for this podcast.
No matter whether you’re an avid Rugby fan or you’re simply hungry to succeed in your career, we know you’ll benefit to much from Sir Clive’s advice and insights throughout this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Sir Clive, take a look at his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirclivewoodward
If you want to find out more about Sir Clive’s Apex2100 Ski Academy, head over to – https://apex2100.org/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Co-founder of Bossa Studios and Host of the Hyper Curious Podcast, Roberta Lucca.
As her podcast title suggests, Roberta has built a career on her curiosity and it’s paid off in spades. Bossa Studios is a huge multimillion-dollar Games business, which won a BAFTA in 2012, and resulted in Roberta being named on the Forbes Top 50 Women in Tech in 2018.
Roberta’s success is testament to her drive and commitment, but as every entrepreneur will be able to relate to, it hasn’t come without its struggles.
She talks with refreshing honesty about being a high achiever dealing with a tricky inner critic and battling burnout at various times during her career.
During our conversation, we cover some really interesting topics, including:
- The importance of luck in business and how you can adjust your sail, but you can’t control the wind.
- The benefits of being strict with the time you allocate to different projects and the importance of being a person first and an entrepreneur second.
- And how we should all challenge companies on their initiatives to drive diversity and create an inclusive culture.
It was such a pleasure to have Roberta on the podcast. She talks so passionately about her work, and about the emphasis she puts on being a good role model and a good person.
If you’re a founder or an aspiring entrepreneur yourself, we know you’ll get a lot of great insights and advice from this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Roberta, take a look at her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertalucca/
If you want to find out more about Bossa Studios, head over to – https://www.bossastudios.com/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the CEO and Founder of Good Energy, Juliet Davenport OBE.
From childhood dreams of being a racing driver, to becoming one of the leading voices in tackling climate change, Juliet’s been on an incredible journey and we’re so excited for her to share it with us in today’s episode.
Juliet launched Good Energy in 2002, and almost 20 years later, Good Energy now supports over 73,000 homes, businesses and communities, which has led to Juliet being rewarded with an OBE for services to renewables.
We cover some really fascinating topics in this episode, including:
- The lessons Juliet and the team have learned while building a successful mission-driven business and how they’ve adapted their growth plans in the face of the global pandemic.
- The importance of getting hiring new talent right and making sure the whole team (old and new) share a similar mindset and ultimately get behind the mission of the business.
- And how you can make changes in your own life, focusing on where you live, what you eat, and how you get around, to help move towards net-zero emissions.
Juliet is so passionate about Good Energy’s mission and making sure everyone enjoys the journey that they’re on. She talks with refreshing honesty about the hurdles she’s faced, and the tricky decisions she’s had to make over the years, which we know many founders will resonate with.
If you’re thinking of building a mission-driven business yourself, you definitely won’t want to miss this episode and Juliet’s crucial insights from her own journey with Good Energy.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Juliet, take a look at her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-davenport-643564/
If you want to find out more about Good Energy, head over to – https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Angel Investor and Co-Founder of 10x10, Andy Davis.
From early employment as a presenter on Nickelodeon to being named one of Business Insider’s 100 People Transforming Business, Andy’s career is a truly inspirational one, which has found him enjoying success as both a founder and an investor.
Interestingly, Andy doesn’t see himself as an entrepreneur, but as a “problem solver” – whether that be in the form of his own startups or in helping first-time black founders find investment through 10x10.
In 2020, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement Andy also released the Black Report, which examines the landscape facing black founders in the UK. While much of it makes for grim, but unfortunately unsurprising, reading, it also points to a brighter future for D&I, with black founders more likely to build refreshingly diverse teams.
We cover some really eye-opening areas in our conversation, including:
- How vanity won’t help your business, but honesty will.
- How the word “and” can sound the death knell for a startup, with too many add-ons overshadowing the real point of interest.
- And why Andy looks for obsession in his founders – the willingness to run through walls to get the end result.
If you’re thinking about launching a startup, particularly as a black founder looking for investment opportunities, you won’t want to miss this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Andy, take a look at his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrandydavis/
If you want to find out more about 10x10, head over to – https://10x10.fund/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Grace Beverley, the CEO and Founder of sports tech brand, SHREDDY and TALA, a clothing brand specializing in sustainable sports fashion.
At just 24, Grace has achieved so much already, from founding her two massively successful businesses to writing her book “Working Hard, Hardly Working”, which was subject of a nine-way auction with publishers champing at the bit to get their hands on it.
And it’s easy to see why. Grace is the epitome of the modern entrepreneur – she understands the new business landscape and how you need to think quickly to adapt to it, and to be unafraid of making big changes to move your brand forward.
We cover some really interesting topics in our conversation, including:
- The importance of modern brands being purpose-driven.
- How collaboration is the key to running a successful business, as well as knowing precisely where your own strengths lie.
- And why it is important that you invest well in the hiring process, and making sure to find the right people to join your business.
We loved talking to Grace. She has found the path that is right for her, and her passion for her work really shines through in today’s conversation.
If you’re thinking about launching your own business, or are looking to join a purpose-driven business, you won’t want to miss this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Grace, take a look at her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-beverley-574a10102/
If you want to find out more about SHREDDY and TALA, head over to – https://www.shreddy.com/ and https://www.wearetala.com/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the Co-Founder of Entrepreneur First and Code First: Girls, Alice Bentinck MBE.
Frustrated by a business landscape that found latent talent shackled by predetermined career paths, Alice set out to challenge cultural norms when she co-founded Entrepreneur First in 2011 – an accelerator that celebrates and invests in talented, ambitious individuals, and looks to match-make Co-Founders to launch successful businesses.
Almost 10 years later, Entrepreneur First has launched over 300 companies with a value of well over £2billion, which is testament not only to their passion for the work they do, but also to their tenacity in the face of adversity in those early years.
During our conversation we cover some really interesting and insightful areas, including:
- The most important traits to look for when you’re investing in talent and how to shift culturally pre-determined career paths.
- The many benefits of having a Co-Founder with a different skill set to you and how you can make the most of this relationship.
- And the importance of diversity in the workplace, and what businesses need to do to get through to diverse candidates.
It was such a pleasure talking to Alice. She talks so openly about the importance of learning from your mistakes and always moving forward.
If you’re thinking about launching a startup from scratch or are looking to attract a more diverse talent pool, you won’t want to give this episode a miss.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Alice, take a look at his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicebentinck/
If you want to find out more about Entrepreneur First, head over to – https://www.joinef.com/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the founder of Teach First, and co-founder and CEO of Tiney, Brett Wigdortz OBE.
Driven by a sense of fairness, and a belief that all children should have access to the best education possible, Brett launched Teach First in 2002, convinced that it would ultimately become one of the biggest graduate recruiters and charities in the UK. His instincts were right.
After 15 hugely successful years, he stepped down as CEO in 2017 and went on to set up Tiney, a digital startup aimed at positioning small nurseries in homes all around the country.
As Brett explains in today’s episode, he saw an early years’ educational system that was completely broken, and made it his mission to fix it.
During our conversation we cover some really interesting areas, including:
- Why resilience and self-belief are key when you’re starting a new business.
- The importance of getting a full picture of potential hires by talking to as many references as possible.
- And how to seek out the right mentors and use their knowledge and guidance in a way that suits you.
Brett talks with great honesty about the lessons he has learned along the way, and how he might have done things differently – which is so inspiring and insightful from such a successful entrepreneur.
If you’re thinking about launching a startup yourself, there are few people better placed to give you a full view of the business landscape – you won’t want to miss this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Brett, take a look at his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-wigdortz-obe-5ba64b
If you want to find out more about Tiney, head over to – https://www.tiney.co/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the founder and CEO of FounderTribes, Gary Stewart.
Gary has had such a varied life and career. Born in Jamaica, raised in the Bronx, educated at Yale. He started his career in law, before moving to the UK to pursue his passion for startups.
Through his work at Wayra UK he helped to launch 185 start-ups, and he has since launched FounderTribes, an app designed to democratise entrepreneurship by providing founders with the right advice, networks and ultimately capital, no matter what their background, nor where they sit on the socio-economic spectrum.
Gary is such an inspiration, and we cover some really important and hard-hitting topics in today’s episode, including:
- The importance of not letting other people define you by your race, gender, or sexuality – particularly in business.
- How the challenges of starting a business will always be the same, no matter what your social strata.
- Plus, what companies need to do to level the playing field, and why adding Diversity and Inclusion ‘window dressing’ isn’t going to change anything.
Gary is so inspiring and passionate about the mission he’s on and it was fantastic to speak to a leader who is so driven to challenge and change the assumptions people have about race and gender in the workplace.
If you’re thinking about launching your own startup or are looking for ways to play your part in pushing D&I forward in your sector, you’ll definitely want to listen to today’s episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Gary, take a look at his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/garystew/
If you want to find out more about FounderTribes, head over to - https://foundertribes.com/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the Founder and CEO of Koru Kids, Rachel Carrell.
After a successful career in strategy and innovation, including working at McKinsey and growing the healthcare company DrThom to 1.3 million paying users in 3 countries, Rachel took the leap and launched her own business, Koru Kids.
The idea for Koru Kids was born out of her own frustration with the lack of affordable childcare options for working parents and is now London’s fastest growing childcare brand.
Not only has the business survived the multiple lockdowns of the past 12 months, but it’s thrived. Navigating the restrictions and changing its business model at pace.
Speaking to Rachel was truly inspiring and we cover some really interesting topics in our conversation, including:
- The importance of getting the other areas of your life on track, both financially and emotionally, before launching a startup.
- The power of creating a positive working environment, and why you want to focus on ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
- And the self-talk that’s helped Rachel through the tough times over the last year, her advice to others and why we all need to find our own “Sasha Fierce”.
Rachel is so passionate and shares so many insights on how to ensure that everyone around her, from her clients to her employees, feel positively about the business.
If you’re thinking about launching a startup, or if you’re looking to build a positive work culture around you, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Rachel, take a look at her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachcarrell/
If you want to find out more about Koru Kids, head over to – https://www.korukids.co.uk/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the infectiously optimistic and inspiring former Chief Business Officer of Google X, author of Solve for Happy and Founder of One Billion Happy, Mo Gawdat.
There’s no doubting Mo’s pedigree when you look at his career in tech – he made giant leaps up the ladder at IBM, BAT, Microsoft, and Google – but his real passion lies in spreading happiness around the world and promoting purpose-driven careers.
Following the tragic death of his son Ali in 2014, Mo wrote his book Solve for Happy, applying his skills as an engineer to understanding human emotion. Today he continues to share Ali’s legacy of joy and fulfilment in all areas of life.
Speaking to Mo was an absolute joy. He has such wisdom and clarity about what it takes to make sure you have as rewarding a career as possible and that you don’t find yourself unhappy at work just for the sake of climbing the ladder.
We cover some really fascinating topics in our conversation, including:
- The importance of making sure you savour and enjoy the work you are doing while you’re doing it.
- Recognising the aspects of your job that don’t resonate with you even if you don’t know exactly what your purpose is yet.
- And the importance of being selfless in the workplace.
Mo is someone who has achieved so much in his career, but who talks with such refreshing humility.
No matter what stage of your career you’re in, listening to Mo will inspire you to make positive changes to your life and find what you’re truly passionate about.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Mo, check out his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mogawdat/
If you want to find out more about One Billion Happy, head over to - https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-billion-happy/
If you haven’t read Mo’s book ‘Solve for Happy’ yet, make sure you check it out at - https://www.solveforhappy.com/
JBM SOS and Spring Partners are proud to be launching this bonus feature of the 40 Minute Mentor podcast.
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, including the way we work and how we collaborate with our teams.
To help us answer some of the most burning questions about improving WFH set ups, managing global teams remotely and what the future of offices will look like, we’re joined by an incredible panel in today’s episode, including Nicki Lynch and Joanne Thompson, Founding Partners at Spring Partners and Roger Hassan, COO at TIER Mobility.
We cover some great topics in today’s episode, including:
- Whether or not employers and employees have benefited or suffered from the switch to remote working.
- How organisations can maintain their pre-pandemic culture and offer inspiration to leaders, like you, on how you can recreate the office experience at home.
- And what the future of work will actually look like and how business leaders can prepare for the changes ahead.
This is the perfect resource for anyone looking to plan towards the future and to work beyond a post-Covid world. We are excited to share our insights with you – so please enjoy my conversation with Nicki, Joanne and Roger!
If you want to find out more about today’s panellists, check out their LinkedIn profile at –
Nicki Lynch - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicki-lynch-46907423/
Joanne Thompson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jthompson23/
Roger Hassan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-hassan/
If you want to find out more about Spring Partners you can have a look at their website – https://wearespringpartners.com/
And if you want to find out more about TIER Mobility, have a look at -
https://www.tier.app/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we're joined by the incredible Aron Gelbard, founder of the rocket ship flower delivery Scale Up, Bloom & Wild.
Founded in 2013 Bloom & Wild has reinvented the flower delivery and gifting industry – using cutting edge technology and predictive analytics, innovative design (their flowers fit through a letterbox!) and guaranteeing the best quality and value for money as their flowers are sourced directly from growers.
Their success has led to them recently securing a $100m Series D funding round from top VC’s which will help then hire more talent, expand their international foot print and launch new propositions and partnerships.
A big part of Bloom & Wild’s success is down to Aron’s entrepreneurial spirit; he spotted a gap in the market, took the lessons he’d learned from his work as a consultant in Silicon Valley and he applied them to the floristry industry.
Talking to Aron about building a disruptive business from the ground up was a real treat. He’s not afraid to share the important lessons he’s learned from his own mistakes, and his ethos of building a business fuelled by kindness is truly inspiring.
We cover some great topics in today’s episode, including:
- The importance of being able to communicate clearly and effectively when you’re pitching to investors and also engaging with customers.
- How listening to feedback, both good and bad, is so crucial to building a successful business.
- And we discuss Bloom & Wild’s Thoughtful Marketing movement – a marketing campaign with the sensitivity of its customers at the core.
Whether you’re a customer keen to hear about how Bloom & Wild’s growth story, an entrepreneur just starting out, or looking at how you can take your business to the next level like Aron has, this episode is packed full of inspiring advice and insights!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Aron, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/aron-gelbard-a075a11/
If you want to find out more about Bloom & Wild you can have a look at their website – https://www.bloomandwild.com/
It takes a certain type of person to trade being in a plush skyscraper in the middle of Manhattan for a trading estate on the outskirts of Leeds.
But that’s exactly what today’s 40 Minute Mentor, Tom Elvidge, did when he moved from Goldman Sachs to Uber at the time when it was a little-known new entrant to the UK market.
Tom played a fundamental role in taking it from a 3 person operation in a windowless room, to becoming one of the most recognisable companies in the UK.
There were a few high-profile bumps along the way, as with every scaleup journey, but that’s what is so great about Tom – he’s not afraid to admit it and in this episode he openly share the lessons he’s learned from both his Uber experience as UK GM and also his subsequent role as EMEA COO at WeWork.
We also got to discuss Tom’s new role as CEO of Arrival Mobility – a tech Unicorn that has set out to revitalise public transportation with cutting-edge, zero-emission electric vehicles .
We cover some great topics in today’s episode, including:
- What Tom learnt from his early consulting career, and the lesson he learnt early on about taking your work seriously, but not yourself.
- How being open-minded about the roles that have come his way has been so crucial to his career.
- And how being a good leader often means trusting others and giving them the space to make mistakes
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Tom for a number of years so I loved talking to Tom about his scale-up career. He’s always so honest and never afraid to attribute his success to the people around him.
This episode is full of priceless golden nuggets of advice. So, whether you’re in consulting or in a high growth scaleup, I’m sure you’ll learn a lot from his experience and brilliant advice.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Tom, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-elvidge-0b2b1514/
If you want to find out more about Arrival Mobility you can have a look at their website – https://arrival.com/
In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by the incredibly inspiring CEO of Lifted, Rachael Crook.
From early internships working to improve conditions for sex workers in Bangladeshi brothels and campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights in Uganda, to her job advising the Prime Minister on youth unemployment, Rachael has spent her career striving to help people who really need it.
In 2019 following her mother’s dementia diagnosis, Rachael was inspired to co-found Lifted – a company looking to revolutionise home care by using cutting edge tech to improve not just the lives of those in need of care, but their families, and the carers themselves. Something that is more relevant than ever given the impact the pandemic has had on the care industry.
We loved speaking to Rachael about her mission-driven career. She’s one of those enviable entrepreneurs who is always looking to fix meaningful problems, make things better and tackle the big issues in society. We cover some really fascinating topics in our conversation, including:
- Rachael’s career shift from Government to Consulting and the importance of getting the right skills to structure a rewarding career
- The benefits of having a Co-Founder and building a start up focused on an industry that she is personally connected to
- And the importance of being kind to yourself as a start up Founder and to remember to let the ‘fun outweigh the fear’ when you’re scaling.
Rachael’s intrinsic drive and passion is so infectious and inspiring, as you’ll hear for yourself today.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to take your business to the next level or you’re thinking of joining a mission-driven business and want to know how to find the right one for you, we know you’ll take so much from Rachael’s experience and advice in this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Rachael, check out her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-crook-4723373b/
If you want to find out more about Lifted you can have a look at their website – https://www.liftedcare.com/
Happy New Year everyone! We're very excited to be starting 2021 with a brand-new episode of the 40 Minute Mentor. With the recent announcement of Lockdown 3.0 in England, we can all do with some extra inspiration and motivation and that’s exactly what today’s 40 Minute Mentor is here to do.
Just over a decade ago, today’s guest, James Hind, took his passion for cars and turned it into a business that has since grown into one of the Europe’s most popular car buying and reviewing platforms, Carwow. You’ve probably heard of it, or quite possibly used it yourself!
Today, Carwow boasts a team of more than 200 people across London, Munich, and Madrid, and raised over $100m in funding since it launched. It can also lay claim to the world’s most popular YouTube car channel with over 5 million subscribers.
Having jumped straight from university into running his own business, James has some fascinating insights into the life of a tech founder and what it takes to get a new venture off the ground without a ‘big brand’ CV behind him. In this episode he tells all and shares so much great advice including:
- How to raise money from VC’s and angel investors when you have no experience and no contacts.
- The growth story of Carwow and how his approach to hiring world class talent has evolved over time
- And the challenges of expanding into new territories and the importance of culture and communication when scaling
It was such a privilege to speak to James who we’ve got to know well in recent years and respect hugely.
It was great to hear his candid perspectives on some of the top issues that so many entrepreneurs struggle with. In the current climate, it was great to hear his optimism and some of the big positives he thinks have come out of the pandemic.
So whether you’re thinking about starting your own business, are getting ready for your first round of funding or are looking to scale in 2021, this episode is an absolute must-listen.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about James, take a look at his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameshind
If you want to find out more about Carwow, have a look at its website and YouTube channel – https://www.carwow.co.uk/
– https://www.youtube.com/c/carwow
As we’re heading into a very different holiday season this year, today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode on mental health couldn’t be timelier, and we're so pleased to have gathered such an inspiring panel to discuss a topic that touches so many lives.
Although so much progress has been made over the last years, mental health is still a topic that comes with many stigmas, misconceptions, and a discomfort to openly talk about. That’s why it’s so important to actively encourage dialogue, which is something today’s panellists are very passionate about.
Our guests in today’s episode are three people who have all experienced and overcome mental health problems, in different ways. They are: wellness expert, psychotherapist and Balance Media founder Sophie Scott, Benevolent AI HR director and Mind ambassador Rohan Kallicharan and author, presenter, mental health campaigner and James Mitra's former drama teacher Carrie Carlisle.
In today’s discussion we touch on a lot of points I’m sure many of you will be able to relate to and will appreciate insights and advice on, including:
- Why silence is so dangerous and why the first step to finding a way forward is by talking to someone you trust
- Practical advice on how to maintain your wellbeing and what to do if you feel that you need professional support
- And how you can help a loved one who is suffering from a mental health condition, while also protecting your own wellbeing
We may have been talking about a heavy subject, but we left our conversation feeling optimistic that no matter how low you may currently feel it is possible to turn it around and start feeling better again. We hope anyone listening who may be struggling, feels that way too.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Sophie, Rohan and Carrie check out their LinkedIn profiles:
Sophie Scott - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-scott/
Rohan Kallicharan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakallicharan/
Carrie Carlisle - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-and-clarke-carlisle-765aa749/
And take a look at the organisations they’re part of:
Balance Media - https://balance.media/
Benevolent AI - https://www.benevolent.com/
Clarke and Carrie’s Place - https://www.clarkeandcarriesplace.com/
Your Mentor for the next 40 Minutes has had probably the most diverse and interesting career journeys of anyone we’ve ever met.
He’s gone from launching some of the most successful bands in the world like the Jonas Brothers in his early music career, to working with Steve Jobs as part of the team that launched iTunes in Europe taking it from revenues of zero to £500m in three years and in more recent times he is best know as a world renown chef and restaurateur, responsible for Cerviche - a business built on his passion for Peruvian food and culture, which at one point was the fastest growing restaurant group in the UK with a turnover of more than £10m.
Martin shared some truly inspiring stories with me in today’s episode - from having a hugely successful corporate career to the ups and downs from his start up experience, which including scaling, restructuring and eventually exiting Cerviche. He shared some candid advice, including:
- How to build a loyal team working towards the same goal, whether that’s launching a singer-songwriter or a central London restaurant
- The importance of diplomacy when you are driving change in a big organisation and working with tough, uncompromising characters
- And what it takes to turn your passion into a viable business that can attract investors and, most importantly, customers.
Despite his successes Martin is such a humble and lovely man who we’ve had the privilege to get to know a bit in recent times through our respective roles as board advisors at the new for good accelerator Unrest.
Martin’s upbringing saw his family flee civil unrest in Peru when he was 11 and has a big part to play in why he has always remained so grounded. It’s also a background that fuels his passion for sustainability, the circular economy and social enterprise something we discuss further in our chat.
So if you want to know what it takes to reach the top in a variety of competitive industries while sticking to your principles, you won’t want to miss Martin’s advice in this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Martin, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinmoraleslondon
If you want to find out more about Cerviche, have a look at their website – https://www.cevichefamily.com/
Your 40 Minute Mentor today is the fantastic, Jeff Lynn, co-founder of the hugely successful crowdfunding platform Seedrs.
Since recording this episode it was also announced that Seedrs will be merging with their biggest competitor Crowdcube to create the worlds largest PE marketplace – an incredibly exciting proposition!
Jeff started his career as a lawyer but while doing his MBA at Said Business School he got the entrepreneurial bug and with his co-founder Carlos Silva, created Seedrs
11 years on have helped fund almost over 1200 businesses with more than £1bn has been invested on the platform including funding well known scale ups Revolut, Allplants, Perkbox and FreeAgent amongst many others!
Jeff has such an insightful perspective on the start-up world, both from his own journey as a Founder and as the owner of a platform that supports other entrepreneurs following a similar path.
In today’s episode, we delve into Jeff’s career and hear some incredible career advice, including:
- How to approach doing an MBA if your goal is to become an entrepreneur rather than climb the corporate ladder
- Why a Founder isn’t always the best person to run a start up in the long term, and how he came to the decision to replace himself as CEO of Seedrs in 2017
- And we discuss the power of crowd funding and hear which have been some of his favourite startups to come through the Seedrs platform over the years.
It was fascinating to hear Jeff’s story and learn more about the incredible startups that Seedrs supports - from those just starting out to established household names.
So, whether you’re thinking of starting your own business or are interested in finding out more about crowdfunding, I know you’ll take a lot from this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Jeff, take a look at his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefflynn/
If you want to find out more about Seedrs, check out their website
– https://www.seedrs.com/
Your mentor for the next 40 minutes is the incredible Check Warner, Co-Founder of non-profit organisation Diversity VC and Ada Ventures, a venture capital firm, committed to investing in overlooked founders and markets.
It took around 18 months, 67 flights and 300 pitches to raise their first fund and Check shares her learnings through this process in today’s episode.
She also shares brilliant insights into what it takes to succeed in the VC sector, including:
- How her graduate job in advertising gave her experience across a variety of industries and some core skills that helped her as she transitioned into VC
- Why she is passionate about supporting underrepresented founders and her tips for breaking into VC
- And how having the right mentor can help you overcome imposter syndrome, recover from knockbacks and keep you focused on your goals
D&I and social mobility are topics very close to our hearts, so it was an absolute pleasure to speak to Check about her career and the incredible work she is doing in the VC and tech world to drive much needed change.
She’s made us feel much more optimistic about the future of the industry, so whether you’re a Founder fundraising or you’re desperate to break into VC, this episode is packed full of tangible advice that we're sure will be of great benefit.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Check, take a look at her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescawarner/
If you want to find out more about Ada Ventures, have a look at their website – https://www.adaventures.com/
If you want to find out more about Ada Ventures, have a look at their website – https://www.diversity.vc/
Your 40 Minute Mentor today is Tessa Clarke Co-Founder and CEO of the food-sharing app Olio.
We throw away around one third of the food we buy, while 800 million people go to bed hungry every night. That’s 1 in 9 people on the planet who are starving or malnourished. Every one of them could be sufficiently fed on less than a quarter of the food that is wasted in the USA, UK and Europe each year. Tessa is on a mission to to change this.
In just 5 years Olio has built up almost 2.5 million users in 54 countries and 50,000 ambassadors, who are all cutting waste in their communities by sharing their spare food with their neighbours.
Tessa’s success as a founder is built on a high-flying career that’s taken her from consulting to publishing and included four years as MD of eCommerce at Dyson, where she worked directly with founder James Dyson.
It was a pleasure to chat to Tessa and learn more about her career journey and what it takes to found and grow a successful social enterprise, like Olio. She shared so many interesting insights in this episode, including:
- The leadership lessons she learnt from James Dyson, and how she has scaled Olio into the successful business it is today.
- How Olio’s clear and simple mission and purpose is key for recruiting and retaining a high-performing team.
- And how investors are short-changing the world by not backing diverse founders; and what we can do to change that.
Tessa is a fantastic leader who is so passionate about Olio’s mission, which is incredibly inspiring.
So if you’re looking for easy to implement ways to decrease your own food waste or perhaps you’re thinking about joining or starting your own mission-driven business, you’ll definitely want to listen to the great advice Tessa shares in today’s episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Tessa, check out her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tecook/
If you want to find out more about Olio, have a look at their website and download the app – https://olioex.com/
It’s not every day you get to chat to a former COO of Google, but Ben Legg, your 40 Minute Mentor today, is exactly that!
Ben spent the first 10 years of his career in the British Army building bomb-proof structures and, occasionally, arm-wrestling members of the French Foreign Legion….
He successfully transitioned into business, working for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Coca Cola and Google as well as the high growth mobility Scale Up Ola and Adknowledge which he grew into one of the largest adtech companies in the US.
Since then, Ben has built a portfolio career for himself and has recently founded The Portfolio Collective, a community for portfolio professionals.
In this episode we explore the many sides of Ben’s career to date and what he’s learned along the way, including:
- The skills that he was able to leverage from the military into business, such as the ability to bring order to chaos and stay calm under pressure
- How he transitioned from a commercial role at Coca Cola to becoming a COO for Google and what it was like to work alongside the Google Founders
- And the key things you need to consider when you’re recruiting a high performing team in any organisation
It was fascinating talking to Ben who is one of the most impressive and productive leaders we’ve had the pleasure of interviewing. He is a real force of nature, with so much knowledge and experience to share.
So, if you’re looking to switch sectors, want to start a business of your own or are considering becoming a portfolio professional, we know you’ll get so much from Ben’s insights and fantastic career advice.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Ben, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlegg/
If you want to find out more about the Portfolio Collective, have a look at their website – https://portfolio-collective.com/
Today’s guest and your mentor for the next 40 minutes is Dan Ziv, CEO at TouchNote, the world’s most popular postcard sending app.
Since joining the company in 2016 as Chief Product Officer, they’ve gone from strength to strength and Dan quickly climbed the ladder to CEO.
But Dan’s career hasn’t always been plain sailing. A previous tech start up he founded with a friend failed to take off, but with his infectious optimism, he saw the shortcomings as a good way to learn and move forward with his next venture, the last minute table booking app Uncover, which was a huge success. In just over two years Dan and his cofounders proved there was a market for the app, attracted £1m in seed funding and sold it to a competitor.
Together, we discuss the ups and downs throughout his career and how they’ve shaped him as an entrepreneur and business leader, including:
- How taking command of 132 soldiers as a 21-year-old in the Israeli army gave him a crash course in leadership and built his resilience
- The importance of choosing who you work with carefully and how the complementary skills of his cofounders at Uncover contributed to its success
- And why he has pivoted TouchNote from eCommerce to communications by focusing on a subscriptions business model.
Dan is such an upbeat person with some brilliant insights into how to create a positive culture within an organisation. It was a pleasure talking to him and discovering more about the values that drive him and the wider team at TouchNote.
If you’re considering starting your own business or are about to step into your first leadership role, this episode is an absolute must-listen.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Dan, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danziv/
If you want to find out more about TouchNote, have a look at their website – https://touchnote.com/
Social mobility is a subject that’s very close to our heart which is why we're so excited to bring you this extra special roundtable episode of the 40 Minute Mentor.
In today’s episode you’ll hear from an expert panel, who are all committed to advancing social mobility
They are: Mandy Nyarko, Co-founder of Startup Discovery School; Lucy McCarthy-Christofides, Head of Proposition and Range at Tails.com; Ezechi Britton, Co-Founder of digital skills academy Code Untapped and Founding Member and Principal at Impact X Capital; Ruth Penfold, People Practice Lead at BP Launchpad and Euan Blair, Co-founder and CEO at WhiteHat.
Every single person on this panel is incredibly passionate about levelling the playing field and providing more opportunities to those from underrepresented communities.
It was so interesting to dive deeper into this important topic and we covered a lot of ground, including:
- The numerous barriers people from underprivileged backgrounds must overcome as they attempt to build a career and we explored what steps business leaders can take to help level the playing field.
- Why a degree isn’t the be all and end all, and how apprenticeships can play a key role in boosting social mobility.
- The cultural shift many companies still need to make when it comes to recruiting people from different backgrounds, specifically people who have been on less traditional educational journeys.
- Plus, why Black Founders are far less likely to gain venture capital funding and what can be done to rebalance this.
As you’ll hear, there was so much to discuss and we could easily have gone on for another hour, so we hope that there will be an opportunity for a round 2 soon!
Our panel shared personal stories, frustrations, many thought-provoking opinions and provided inspirational advice and ideas on how we can tangibly make a difference.
So if you are keen to do more to support those who are underrepresented in your industry or society at large, then this podcast will give you an insight into what can be done right now and what you can do to start making a difference.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Mandy, Lucy, Ezechi, Ruth and Euan check out their LinkedIn profiles:
Mandy Nyarko - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-nyarko
Lucy McCarthy-Christofides - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarthytails
Ezechi Britton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezechi-britton-452a893/
Ruth Penfold - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthpenfold/
Euan Blair - https://www.linkedin.com/in/euan-blair-54a11925/
And take a look at the organisations they’re part of:
Startup Discovery School - https://startupdiscoveryschool.com/
Tails.com - https://tails.com/gb/
Code Untapped - https://codeuntapped.com/
BP Launchpad - https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/what-we-do/technology-at-bp/bp-launchpad.html
WhiteHat - https://whitehat.org.uk/
Today’s inspiring guest and your mentor for the next 40 minutes is Adrian Blair, CEO of the digital bookkeeping platform Receipt Bank.
Receipt Bank helps make accounting easier for over 400,000 small businesses around the world and recently raised $75 million Series C funding for the next chapter in their growth journey.
Before joining Receipt Bank, Adrian led the development of the eCommerce partnership strategy at Google and helped grow Just Eat from a small scale start up to the FTSE 100 company we now know it as now.
In today’s episode, we talk about the lessons Adrian has learned on his amazing career journey so far, including:
- The leadership lessons from working alongside Google Co-Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and how they still influence his approach to this day.
- The highs and lows from his journey with Just Eat and how this experience has shaped how he’s steering Receipt Bank on their rapid growth journey.
- And, what to think about when planning your career and why you should be considering more than just money and experience when planning your next move.
It was fascinating to learn more about Adrian’s early days at Google, the motivations behind his big career moves since, and what the future holds for Receipt Bank.
If you’re thinking about making your next career move or want to know what it’s really like on the inside of an incredible growth journey like Just Eat, you’ll definitely want to listen to Adrian’s invaluable advice in this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you’d like to find out more about Adrian, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianblair
To see what Receipt Bank are all about, take a look at their website - https://www.receipt-bank.com/uk/
And if you want to see some of the brilliant things Circl are doing, take a look at their website – https://www.circl.org/
People are at the heart of every startup’s success and nobody knows the importance of recruiting the right talent more than today’s 40 Minute Mentor, Zoe Jervier Hewitt, Operating Partner for Talent at venture capitalists EQT Ventures.
Zoe’s career started in HR and Talent at Apple before transitioning into Tech at the high growth Start Up Mind Candy. She then became one of the first employees at Entrepreneur First, where she built a global, talent acquisition and assessment function from scratch. After 4 very successful years at EF, Zoe joined the leading VC EQT Ventures as an Operating Partner where she acts as both an in-house Talent Advisor to the investment team and EQT’s portfolio.
In today’s episode, we talk more about Zoe’s unusual route into the sector, having done a degree in History of Art at Oxford University, and we take a deeper look into her biggest learnings from her career so far, including:
- How growing up in a mixed race, working class family helped to instil in her a strong work ethic that has aided her throughout her career
- The importance of brand building and proactively searching for talent when you are a small start up
- Why a structured recruitment process is key to preventing biases creeping into your decision making
- Plus, her advice for those from underrepresented communities looking to raise investment from VC’s like EQT
Zoe’s passion for developing talent really shines through in this episode and it was fascinating to get her perspective on recruitment in the Tech sector from someone who is a bona fide expert. We really enjoyed chatting to her about a topic we are particularly passionate about.
So, if you’ve recently founded your own start up and are looking to expand your team, or you’re looking for advice on how to raise from a top VC like EQT, or perhaps you’re weighing up the benefits of a career in talent – whatever your situation, we're sure you will benefit from Zoe’s insightful advice.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you’d like to find out more about Zoe, check out her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoejervier/
And if you want to get to know EQT Ventures a little better take a look at their website – https://eqtventures.com/
It’s not every day you close a $13m Series A funding round, but to do it in a global pandemic is really quite an achievement.
That’s what today's 40 Minute Mentor Stefano Vaccino successfully did with his FinTech Yapily. A feat that is even more impressive, given the fact that he also contracted Covid-19 during the raise – he is truly made of tough stuff.
Stefano has an impressive and diverse career, pivoting from academia to Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs, then into product leadership roles in start ups, before he took the plunge and set up Yapily in 2017.
Yapily’s mission is to transform the Financial services sector by harnessing the power of open banking and it was an absolute pleasure to hear more about their incredible growth journey over the last 3 years.
In today’s episode we talk about the future of Financial Services and dig deeper into various aspects of Stefano’s entrepreneurial journey, including:
- The lessons he learnt from raising a $13 million Series A round this year and his advice for anyone looking to fundraise
- Why building a diverse team and a positive company culture is so important and why you need to build a team that embraces learning and innovation
- Plus, his candid insights into the day-to-day life as a CEO of a fast growing, well-funded, start up.
Stefano was a fantastic guest and it is not difficult to see how he has achieved so much in such a short amount of time with Yapily.
He shares some wonderful advice that is applicable to anyone working in or looking to move into the start up world – from CEO’s looking to fundraise, to frustrated bankers looking to break into Fintech; Stefano provides fantastic mentorship throughout this episode.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you’d like to find out more about Stefano, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanovaccino/
And if you want to get to know Yapily a little better take a look at their website – https://www.yapily.com/
After eight successful years at Google, James joined what was at the time a little known travel tech firm called Airbnb to lead their business in the UK and Northern Europe. Over 3.5 years he had significant successes, as well as having to overcome a fair few challenges, before he moved to another US Headquartered Scale Up SeatGeek as their International GM
Never shying away from a challenge, James joined the job search engine Adzuna, as their CCO, right at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic…!
In this episode, we talk though James' career highlights and lessons learned including:
- How he built a successful career at Google and the lessons he’s taken forward into all his roles since
- His experience of working for US headquartered businesses like Google and Airbnb and how you can ensure you stand out, even if you’re on the other side of the world
- Plus, how he’s dealt with starting a new exec role in the middle of a global pandemic and how he’s helped the team adapt to the “new normal”
We had a brilliant time talking to James who has had such an impressive career to date.
Despite holding senior roles for some of the most aspirational Tech Scale Ups that have ever existed, he has remained incredibly down to earth and we really enjoyed hearing about his varied experiences.
James provides a fascinating window into the workings of Tech Scale Ups and shares some great advice for anyone looking to follow in his footsteps.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you’d like to find out more about James McClure, check out his LinkedIn profile –https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mcclure-5b6a364/
And if you want to get to know Adzuna a little better take a look at their website – https://www.adzuna.co.uk/
Our 40 Minute Mentor in this episode is the brilliant Tara Lajumoke, Managing Director of FT Strategies’, the Financial Times consulting arm.
After starting her career at Goldman Sachs, Tara moved in to consulting at McKinsey where she progressed to Junior Partner before taking the bold and entrepreneurial move in March 2020 to move to FTS.
As you’d probably expect, it’s been a roller coaster few months for Tara, walking into a new senior role right at the beginning of a global pandemic and having to juggle this with having a young family, which is something we dive in to in this episode.
Outside of work Tara uses the skills she’s learnt from Consulting to help develop the female leaders of tomorrow, working as a Business Mentor at the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs.
In this episode, we dive into Tara’s story and explore how she’s been able to achieve the things she has, both from a personal and professional perspective, including:
- Why Tara decided to leave McKinsey for what many would see as a riskier move and what it’s been like leading FT Strategies through a global pandemic.
- The importance of education, why it’s such a big factor in Tara’s life and why it’s a huge focus for the way she’s bringing up her own children.
- And we also discuss the Black Lives Matter movement and what companies and individuals can do to make a tangible difference to the cause
We have had the pleasure of working with Tara for a little while and we were so excited to get her on our podcast as she is such a positive and down to earth role model.
Needless to say, we loved hearing more about her career journey and how she’s managed to achieve so much in her career to date.
So whether you work in consulting or you’re just in need of some inspiration from a brilliant leader, this episode is packed full of gems for you to learn from and apply to your own life and career.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Tara, check out her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-lajumoke-40aa29/
And if you’d like to find out more about FT Strategies, you can have a look at their website here - https://www.ftstrategies.com/
Today’s guest and your Mentor for the next 40 minutes is an England Rugby legend, a hugely popular broadcaster and journalist and a successful business owner – Will Greenwood MBE.
If you’re a Rugby fan Will needs no introduction, but for those of you who may not follow the sport, Will is one of the greatest English rugby players of all time, playing 55 times for his country, representing the British and Irish Lions on multiple tours and most famously, playing a fundamental role in England’s 2003’s Rugby World Cup winning team.
Today, Will is a popular rugby commentator and analyst for The Telegraph and Sky Sports, as well as hosting his own Rugby union podcast. Will is also a fellow entrepreneur, and started his own hospitality business in 2011, Legend Holidays and Events, where he runs family holiday experiences, corporate events and sports festivals.
It was a genuine honour to sit down with Will and hear more about his life and career, including:
- Will’s upbringing and the influence his Dad (who was also a Rugby international and coach) had on his career
- What it was like to be a part of World Cup winning team in 2003 and what made their culture so fundamental to their success
- Plus, Will’s tips for anyone thinking of making a bold or difficult career change and his advice from his own experience of transitioning from Rugby into a career in media.
Will has achieved so much in his career and his passion truly shines through in our conversation as well as his dedication to inspire and help others. He is a brilliant 40 Minute Mentor and whether you’re Rugby fan or not, we're sure you will be just as inspired as we were, hearing his career story.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Will, check out his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willgreenwood
If you’d like to find out more about Legend Holiday and Events, you can have a look at their website - https://www.ourlegend.com/
Today’s guest and your Mentor for the next 40 minutes is the incredible Claire Valoti from Snapchat.
Having completed a degree in politics, Claire quickly realised that this wasn’t going to be the career for her and pivoted into marketing and advertising, spending a number of years at Mindshare before making the move into Tech with Facebook. In 2016 she was headhunted to become the GM responsible for launching and growing Snapchat in Europe and she has since progressed to VP of International.
It was an absolute pleasure hearing about Claire’s career, which has seen her recognised as one of Business Insider’s Most Powerful Women.
In today’s conversation we discuss a whole range of topics, including:
- How Claire’s upbringing helped shape her career and how her parents instilled certain qualities and values that have helped her become the leader she is today
- How she managed to secure leadership roles at two social media giants, one including Snapchat where she received an offer while pregnant and joined 2 weeks before the birth of her 2nd child
- Plus, Claire’s first-hand experience of climbing the ranks in the largely male-dominated tech industry and what tech businesses can do to help promote diversity and inclusion
Claire is one of the most inspiring and high profile female leaders in Tech and was an absolute joy to interview. She gave a truly honest and candid insight into her career and shared so many insightful pieces of advice – so whether you’re a job seeker, an aspiring GM or a leader in Tech, there is something for everyone in this episode.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Claire, check out her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairevaloti/
If you’d like to find out more about Snapchat, you can have a look at their website - https://www.snap.com/en-GB/
In today’s episode of the 40 Minute Mentor, we had the pleasure of interviewing fellow podcast host and serial-entrepreneur, Dan Murray-Serter.
Dan is Co-Founder of Heights, the holistic brand for the brain, and Co-Founder and Host of the UK’s number 1 business podcasts, Secret Leaders – one of my personal favourites.
Despite initially wanting to be a Football coach, he started his career in the world of advertising before co-founding his first business at the age of 24. Since then, Dan has been running his own businesses for the last 7 years, which has led to him winning multiple awards, including being named Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015 off the back of his success with his previous start up Grabble.
Over the course of our chat we covered a number of topics:
- Dan’s candid insights into the life of an entrepreneur
- How the idea for Heights was born and how the team leveraged high-profile expert opinions from the likes of Stephen Fry to help rapidly grow their community
- Plus, he reveals who the most inspiring person is, that he’s had on Secret Leaders.
It was a real pleasure interviewing a podcast legend like Dan, who is such a honest and gregarious entrepreneur. We really enjoyed hearing Dan’s candid reflections on the ups and downs he’s faced as an entrepreneur and more about his ambitious plans for Heights.
So if you’re currently thinking about taking the leap and starting out on your own, or if you’re a Secret Leaders fan keen to learn more about the man behind the mic, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode!
We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview, just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Dan, you can check out his LinkedIn profile here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmurrayserter/
If you want to find out more about Heights, you can have a look at their website following – https://www.yourheights.com/
And if you haven’t listened to the Secrets Leaders podcast, you’ll want to head over to - https://www.secretleaders.com/
In today’s episode of the 40 Minute Mentor, we get the privilege of speaking to not one, but two inspiring mentors – Ina Kjaer and Maggie Brereton from EOS Deal Advisory.
Following successful careers as senior Partners within KPMG’s deal advisory business, Ina and Maggie took the bold decision to leave with a determination to shake up an industry known for it’s macho culture, long hours and a shocking gender pay gap.
To do this they launched EOS Deal Advisory– a diverse, tech driven deal advisory consultancy that has already grown to a team of over 15 and has an enviable client list.
It’s not every day that we get to talk to such impressive leaders who have reached the top of the Big 4 and then taken the bold leap of starting a business from scratch!
It was fascinating to hear Ina and Maggie’s stories and learn more about their experience and how they’re striving to do things differently at EOS.
Having started the business less than 12 months ago, today’s conversation focuses on the highs and lows of launching your own business, including:
- The initial challenges they faced in the early months of EOS and how they were able to overcome them.
- Why they decided to start EOS together, as equal partners, and how this has influenced the way they work and the way they’re building the business.
- And the importance of culture and diversity and how EOS are actively trying to create a business that’s distinct from the ‘macho culture’ often found in bigger consultancies.
Ina and Maggie were fantastic 40 Minute Mentors and it was an absolute pleasure to dive into their careers and the vision they have for EOS.
So whether you’re currently working in a consultancy and want to understand how you can progress your career, or perhaps you’re contemplating starting your own professional services business – this episode is packed with great career advice and life lessons from two trail blazers, who are truly disrupting the industry.
We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Ina, you can check out her LinkedIn profile here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ina-kj%C3%A6r-065540/
If you want to find out more about Maggie, you can check out her LinkedIn profile here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-brereton-99339814/
If you want to find out more about EOS Deal Advisory, you can check out their website following - https://www.eos-dealadvisory.co.uk/
I have always found the world of politics intriguing, so I was especially excited when Sam Gyimah, the Former UK Minister for Science, Technology, Universities, and Innovation, agreed to be on the 40 Minute Mentor.
Sam was born in the UK but raised in Ghana before returning to study PPE at Oxford University, where he was elected the first Black British President of the Oxford Union Society - one of the world’s most prestigious debating societies.
After starting out in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, Sam successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship, working in both Fintech and then a Logistic Training business which he scaled to £10m turnover and 70 staff in a 4 year period. His endeavours saw him voted the CBI Entrepreneur of the Future in 2005.
Following his entrepreneurial success, he was appointed as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister at the time, David Cameron, which was the start of an impressive and high profile political career.
In today’s conversation, Sam shares a wealth of valuable insights from his incredible journey from a comprehensive school education to Number 10 Downing Street.
During our fascinating chat we discuss:
• How Sam’s experience at Oxford University set him on the path for a career in business and politics, despite initially being attracted to a career in law
• What you need to know about working for a high-profile person and how to overcome the challenges of being in the public eye
• Why working in politics is like being in a constant asteroid shower and the core skills you need to develop to survive and thrive in that kind of environment
• Plus we also touch upon his take on how his former colleagues are coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sam was a great guest - open and honest, he shared some fascinating insights into the inner workings of parliament and what a career in government really entails.
So whether you’re plotting to enter the world of politics yourself, or simply want to know how Sam came to be known as one of the most influential people in the country, I’m sure you’ll gain a lot of insights from hearing his story.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Sam, check out his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-gyimah/?originalSubdomain=uk.
In recent weeks we have been having lots of conversations with candidates who are concerned about the impact the current economic climate will have had on their careers. If this has been on your mind too, then today’s episode is perfect for you.
That’s because our 40 Minute Mentor today is Amir Nooriala, whose story will both inspire and reassure you.
He has proved through his career that no matter what the circumstances are, there are always opportunities, if you’re willing to put in the work.
Amir is the Chief Commercial Officer at Callsign, a leading fraud detection, authorisation & authentication company.
Although he now is a highly respected FinTech executive, he started his tech career in Silicon Valley at a very challenging time - just as the dot com bubble burst.
Since then, Amir’s journey took him back to the UK and has seen him work in consulting and Banking, before pivoting into in the fast-paced world of FinTech at the Unicorn Oaknorth.
Alongside his impressive CV, something that we really admire about Amir is the fact that he is also incredibly passionate about promoting social mobility. Alongside his full-time job, Amir is a trustee of Making the Leap and the UK Social Mobility Awards.
Alongside that, we take a trip back through Amir’s colourful career to date, where he shares some fantastic insights, including:
- His top career tips for navigating through uncertain economic times, and his personal lessons from bouncing back from both redundancy and a demotion.
- How you can tailor your CV and identify your transferable skills to break into the competitive FinTech sector, even if you have no direct experience and a limited network.
- Plus, Amir’s entrepreneurial and productivity secrets and how he has successfully balanced all of his commitments over the years which have included full-on executive roles, advisory work, side hustles and 3 kids!
Amir is a fantastic person as well as a super impressive leader and this conversation couldn’t have come at a better time given everything that is going on in the world.
His journey has so much to teach us all about resilience, perseverance and staying positive when times are tough. No matter what stage of your career you’re in, we know you’ll get a lot of value and confidence from listening to Amir’s life lessons.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Amir, check out his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirnooriala/
If you’d like to find out more about Callsign, you can have a look at their website - https://www.callsign.com/
Today’s episode features the incredible Shefali Roy, COO and CCO at TrueLayer.
Shefali started her career in financial services, working across the Australasian market, before moving to London to get her Master’s degree in Economic History at LSE.
Shefali decided to stay in London and joined Goldman Sachs before moving out of Financial Services and into the world of Tech.
Since then she’s gone on to work for a whole range of leading Tech companies including global tech giant Apple, FinTech trailblazer Stripe and most recently, the leading tech company TrueLayer.
In this conversation, Shefali shares some really interesting insights from her experience of building a successful tech career in the Compliance and Risk space, including:
- What initially got her into compliance, and why this underrated sector could offer you a great opportunity to build a fantastic tech career.
- What she learned from working across regions and across industries. Including her move into Tech and what it was really like to work at Apple.
- And what a typical day as the COO and CCO at TrueLayer looks like and how the team have adapted and changed in the face of COVID-19.
Shefali shares so many great insights in this episode and goes into detail on how she tackled those big and important career decisions over the years to help you, if you’re considering a career change.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Shefali, check out her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shefaliroy/
Moving on to a different career path will always be a daunting prospect and it can be difficult to know how best to approach it. We regularly hear from candidates who are looking to make the shift and aren’t always sure where to start. And equally, from clients, unsure about taking a risk on someone with a different or out of the ordinary background.
If you’re in this position, then you’re going to love today’s episode as our guest tells you all about his remarkable career change.
Chris Severson has never been one to shy away from risk. Having started his career in the US Marine Corps as a TOPGUN fighter pilot, he took his adventurous approach into his post military career, successfully making the switch into leadership roles in the corporate and start up worlds. Chris has held senior positions across Barclays, Atlas Mara, Digicel and most recently at PMI, and has lived in the USA, the Middle East, Switzerland and the Caribbean.
As Chris explains in today’s episode, making a career change is going to be hard work, no matter your background, but building a great network is the key to success.
During our conversation we elaborate further on the power of networking and dig deeper into how leveraging your innate capabilities can help you as a leader. Some of the topics we discussed, include:
- His experience of transitioning from a high pressure and disciplined military career into the private sector. Plus, how his background as a Marine taught him to be an enthusiastic leader and communicator.
- The importance of networking when changing careers and how best to ‘find your tribe’ and build good relationships online and offline.
- And his advice for building a high performing team. From hiring people smarter than himself, to his favourite interview question - it’s certainly one that might catch you off guard!
Chris has been a candidate, client and friend of JBM, as well as a personal inspiration to James throughout his career. He is an amazing and charismatic leader, so it was fascinating to dig deeper into his diverse and exciting career journey. We're sure you’re all going to really enjoy this one – especially any of you who are fans of the movie Top Gun!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Chris, check out his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisseverson1/
When it comes to careers, there’s so many more options out there than there used to be even 5 years ago. Speaking to clients and candidates day in and out, we hear so many different stories of how people have got to where they are, the route they took and the different paths that people follow. The days of getting a university degree, joining a graduate scheme and staying with one company for 10-15 years are long gone. With rising university fees and increasing opportunity we’re seeing many companies starting to offer apprenticeships to enable talented young people to follow an alternative path to reach the career they want.
At the forefront of this major shift across education and employment is today’s 40 Minute Mentor – the amazing Sophie Adelman, Co-Founder and president of WhiteHat.
While Sophie has a very successful academic background herself, she saw her acceptance into Cambridge as a lucky break and in some ways an unfair advantage over all the equally talented people who for whatever reason didn’t get the same opportunity.
As Sophie explains in today’s episode, this helped her shape her mission in life to create access to opportunities for everyone, no matter the background, social status or upbringing.
That’s where the idea for WhiteHat came from. Sophie and her co-founder Euan launched WhiteHat – a tech start-up building an outstanding alternative to the traditional university route – to level the playing field and open opportunities to work with great companies to more people, rather than a small selected pool of talent from well-known universities.
Sophie’s passion for creating equal opportunities, changing the way the university system works and topics, such as social mobility is truly inspiring. In today’s conversation, we dig deeper into a whole host of topics, including:
The problems Sophie sees with the university sector and how her own experience has shaped her vision to change it.
Why she founded WhiteHat and her experience of starting and growing her mission-driven business from just herself and Euan to a team of 140 people.
And her experience of raising $16m Series A funding in 2019 and her advice for others looking to emulate her success.
If you’re interested in working for a mission-driven start-up like WhiteHat, or you're a leader looking at diversifying your talent pool, or you're considering whether to go to university - you’re going to love this conversation.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Sophie, check out his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-adelman1/
If you want to find out more about WhiteHat, you can have a look at their website - https://whitehat.org.uk/
We're really excited to bring you this special bonus episode of the 40 Minute Mentor with one of the most well-known figures in FinTech – the awesome David M. Brear, CEO of 11:FS.
11:FS are made up of some of the greatest minds in FinTech who are working to build and launch next-generation digital propositions for some of the biggest financial institutions in the world.
In just 4 years they have achieved some incredible results as a challenger consultancy, whilst also launching one of the top business podcasts in the UK. Their strapline alone – Digital banking is only 1% finished – gives you a flavour of their drive to challenge the status quo and disrupt the industry.
As a fellow podcast host and passionate sports fan, David and James had a lot to talk about!
We have admired 11:FS for a long time so it was a real honour to sit down with David to find out more about his own career path and hear first-hand the incredible journey that 11:FS have been on.
Meeting him in person didn’t disappoint and, in the episode, we cover some really exciting topics, including:
- How David’s initial plans to become a professional Basketballer were curtailed by injury and how he ended working up in Banking during the Financial Crisis
- His incredible journey with 11:FS and how they’ve carved their own path, creating a multi-faceted business full of incredible talent and amazing clients – all without any external funding
- And what company culture means to him and how his love for sports has shaped the way 11:FS have grown their own high-performing team
David is such a down to earth and refreshingly honest leader, who was so easy to talk to. This episode is filled to the brim with great advice, particularly for those of you working in consulting or Fintech.
Whether you’re a junior consultant looking to advance your career or a founder yourself – David goes into detail on the secrets that have helped him succeed and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about David M Brear, check out his LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbrear/
If you want to find out more about 11:FS you can have a look at their website – https://11fs.com/
The word ‘inspiring’ gets thrown around a lot when discussing entrepreneurs and business owners. However, with today’s guest, we can’t think of a more accurate or deserving description.
Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is the incredible Catherine Wines, co-founder of WorldRemit. WorldRemit is a mission-driven online money transfer service that allows people to send money to friends and family living abroad.
WorldRemit is one of the most successful and fastest growing Fintechs in the UK, with a worth of almost $1bn, employing over 700 people and serving 4 million customers across 150 countries.
Catherine is one of the most high profile female leaders in Fintech so it came as a real shock to the industry when she was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer in 2018. Despite the shock of this and the ensuing treatment she has had to go through, she has remained incredibly positive and active throughout.
She continues to support WorldRemit’s as a Non-Exec Director whilst also mentoring and advising a number of other start up founders (including fellow 40 Minute Mentor guest, Alex Stephany of Beam).
Since her diagnosis, she’s paved the way for firms to improve the way they support employees living and working with cancer. We go into detail on this in today’s show and Catherine shares some great advice for anyone out there either living with, or supporting a loved one or colleague with, cancer.
In today’s conversation you’ll hear about a number of interesting topics, including:
• Why Catherine set up WorldRemit and how she has grown the business from a small start up to a team of over 700 employees across 6 continents.
• Her philosophy on living with cancer and how she is happy to talk about it in order to raise awareness and change perceptions about it
• Plus, her thoughts on the importance of mentorship, championing women in tech and why she got involved with Beam, the tech for good start up that helps homeless people get back in to work and off the street.
It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Catherine about her many achievements and hearing her unique and uplifting approach to life. She truly is an inspiration and is certainly a great reminder to live life to the fullest, and without regret.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk
If you want to find out more about Catherine, check out her LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-wines-8060b26/
If you want to find out more about WorldRemit you can have a look at their website – https://www.worldremit.com/
Today’s guest and our first 40 Minute Mentor of 2020 is the brilliant Ben Sanders, who is the MD for Europe at the Tech Scale Up Pollen.
Pollen, formerly known as Verve, is one of the top 10 fastest growing UK scale-ups and a global leader in word-of-mouth sales in the live entertainment and travel industries.
As MD for Europe, Ben leads a team of over 100 people, and he has played a key role in the growth of their marketplace, which has been turbo charged by a recent £70m Series C Funding round.
Ben started his career in Consulting at Bain & Company where he spent just under 5 years before pivoting into Fintech in 2014 with Worldpay. He was subsequently headhunted by the UK Digital Bank Pockit as COO in 2016, despite having no previous COO experience, and in that time achieved significant successes – scaling the team to over 70 people and winning multiple awards.
Ben has achieved some very impressive feats during his career, and it was great to get a chance to talk to him about his diverse experience so far (which has also included spending time as a Nightclub promoter) and share his advice for others who want to do the same.
Some of the highlights from our chat include:
• Why Ben made the move from Consulting into Fintech and how he was able to adapt so quickly and achieve so much in a such a short time frame
• How Ben successfully made the jump into being a COO, and the lessons he learned from his time at Pockit, as well as his advice for others looking to make a step change in their own careers
• And finally, Ben’s guidance for building and leading high performing teams and his thoughts on the importance of getting culture right
Having talked to a lot of candidates who want to make the move from Consulting into Fintech, it was fascinating to hear Ben’s experience and get his candid advice for people looking to make the same move that he did.
Ben is one of the nicest and most impressive people I know in Tech. He was open and honest during our conversation and he shared some fantastic insights that I’m delighted to be able to share with you in this episode. I hope you’ll get as much out of it as I did.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk.
If you want to find out more about Ben check out his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-sanders-b280716/
If you want to find out more about Pollen you can have a look at their website - https://pollen.co/uk/
In today’s episode I get to talk to a guest who has been described as “one of the UK’s most hotly-tipped young entrepreneurs”: co-founder and CEO of Fanbytes, Timothy Armoo.
Timothy started his first ever business at the tender age of 14 and sold his second business at just 17. In 2017 Timothy and his co-founder, Ambrose, started the ‘Gen Z’ focused advertising agency, Fanbytes.
Fanbytes specialises in helping brands reach the ‘Gen Z’ audience through popular social media channels like Snapchat and TikTok. Using their specially developed algorithm they search out the future stars of social media and connect them with global brands to create impactful campaigns.
Their unique approach has drawn a high-profile client base and they’ve already worked with some of the world’s biggest brand names such as Apple Music, Warner Brothers, Deliveroo and Universal.
Since launching the business they’ve grown rapidly, and Timothy and Ambrose now lead an award-winning team of 30. Helping their clients make an impact with Gen Z buyers.
In today’s interview we cover some really interesting topics; going all the way from Timothy’s teenage years starting his first business through to how he’s growing and scaling a team working with global brands.
During our conversation you’ll hear about:
How Timothy began Fanbytes while still studying at University and how he balanced his studies with launching the business.
The challenges he faced convincing brands to work with Fanbytes in the early days and his advice for other entrepreneurs looking to carve their way in a new niche.
And his thoughts on the importance of culture and how he’s managed to maintain and develop Fanbytes unique culture while rapidly scaling the business.
I really enjoyed speaking to Timothy and it was so inspiring to hear how much he’s accomplished as such a young age. He is clearly incredibly passionate about what he does and is a truly inspiring individual to talk to.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode, so please do get in touch at james@jbmc.co.uk.
If you want to find out more about Timothy check out his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyarmoo/
If you want to find out more about Fanbytes you can have a look at their website - https://fanbytes.co.uk/
Today’s guest and your Mentor for the next 40 minutes is the ever so inspiring author of “The Business of Sharing” and Founder and CEO of Beam – Alex Stephany.
Having started his career as a lawyer, living and working all over the world, Alex decided to join the tech startup JustPark as their COO in 2011. Alex was promoted to CEO at the end of 2012 and let the business to close the largest start up equity crowdfunding raise in history.
Following his success with JustPark, where he remains a board advisor to this day, Alex ventured out on his own and started Beam - the world’s first crowdfunding platform that helps homeless people to train up and get back into work.
Beam’s growing community of supporters have made a total of 17,000 donations, helping over 50 people find stable employment in a position that will provide a living wage. Beam hasn’t grown unnoticed, winning lots of plaudits in the press and it has won many awards, including being named by The Guardian as one of the most important social tech innovations of 2018.
I loved finding out more about Beam and Alex’s diverse experiences. In our conversation, we talked about many different aspects of his career, including:
- The skills that helped Alex switch from working as a lawyer to a high-growth tech startup and the challenges he faced in the early days of JustPark
- How he became a thought leader on the sharing economy and how this led him to write and publish his book, “The Business of Sharing” (which involved him interviewing some very high profile people, which we discuss during our chat)
- And also his ideas on how everyone can get involved in the sharing economy and how we can find long-term solutions for the homelessness problem, including ways to get involved with his amazing business Beam
Alex’s passion for using technology to connect people who want to help, with people who need help, is both inspiring and contagious.
I am so glad I get to share our conversation with you and I hope you’ll be as inspired as I was after hearing Alex’s story.
If you want to find out more about Alex you can check out her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexstephany/
If you want to find out more about Beam you can have a look at their website - https://beam.org/
We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview, just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
Today’s episode of the 40 Minute Mentor is another bonus episode which was recorded live at our JBM drinks event in September.
We run these events every quarter, to bring together clients and candidates who have helped us spread the word about JBM and to thank them for all their help and support. These events are always great fun and give our network a chance to get to know some of the great business leaders that we get to work with.
Our special guest on the night and your 40 Minute Mentor today is the brilliant Pippa Lamb, Partner at Sweet Capital.
Pippa has had a fascinating career so far. After graduating from the University of Oxford, she joined the Global Equity Strategy Team at J.P. Morgan where she spent 5 years before leaving to pursue her MBA at Harvard Business School as a Fulbright scholar. Following her MBA experience, she decided to take a different course and moved into the VC world, joining Sweet Capital – the investment fund established by the founders of King.com. She climbed quickly and earlier this year was promoted to Partner across their London and LA offices.
I really enjoyed my interview with Pippa and there’s some great advice in here for anyone considering a bold career move. Be it pursing an MBA, moving into venture capital or taking a step out to do something else. We cover a whole range of topics in this one, including:
- How Pippa landed the role at Sweet Capital and her advice for anyone looking to move into the world of VC
- Why Pippa left banking to undertake her MBA and the key questions that she would recommend asking yourself when deciding whether an MBA is the right choice for you
- And her advice to start ups, and what she looks for in founders and companies that are pitching to her in her role at Sweet Capital
It was great to sit down with Pippa and hear her advice on some of the hot topics that we regularly get asked about by our candidates. If you’re thinking about doing an MBA, looking to move into VC or want to learn how your business can secure its next round of investment, you’re going to love this conversation!
If you want to find out more about Pippa you can check out her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pippalamb/
If you want to find out more about Sweet Capital you can have a look at their website - https://sweetcapital.com/
We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview, just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this episode are our guest's own opinion and do not represent any entity with which they've been, are now, or will be affiliated in the future.
In today’s episode of the 40 Minute Mentor, I’m joined by the former Bulgarian football international and Aston Villa captain, Stiliyan Petrov.
Having started his professional football career in Bulgaria, Stiliyan joined Celtic, in 1999, where he went on to win ten trophies, including four Scottish Premier League titles. Following his success with Celtic, he moved to Aston Villa, ultimately becoming the club’s captain in 2009, leading the team to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the final of the League Cup in his first season.
With his career going from strength to strength, everything changed for Stiliyan in March 2012 when after going for some routine medical tests after a game, he was diagnosed with Leukaemia.
He tackled this challenging part of his life with an incredible bravery and positivity and ultimately successfully beat the cancer, although the road to recovery took its toll and despite getting back to being fit and healthy, he ultimately had to retire from the professional game in May 2013.
Stiliyan is extremely honest and open about the struggles he went through and it was amazing to sit down with him to learn more about his incredible career story and what he’s taken from both the highs and the lows so far.
In this interview we talk about so many interesting and important topics including:
- Stiliyan’s early years and how he went from playing Sunday league in Bulgaria to professional football in the UK, when he didn’t speak the language!
- His take on what makes a great leader, how he adapted to the role of captain and his advice for others looking to get the best from their team.
- And his battle with cancer and post football career, how he overcame the mental and physical challenges that he faced and what the future holds for him now.
As an avid Aston Villa football fan, I’ve followed Stiliyan’s journey throughout his career and it was a true honour to sit down with him and learn more about his life on and off the pitch.
What he’s achieved is truly inspiring and it’s incredible to see how he’s managed to come back from such adversity to continue pursuing a career and life around the game he loves.
Meeting Stiliyan dispelled a lot of the stereotypes I had about footballers. He is warm and very down to earth, honest and generous with his time and ultimately a very loyal, family man with strong values and a genuine desire to help others.
I hope you enjoy listening to this very special episode and take some inspiration from Stiliyan’s amazing story and his wise mentorship.
If you want to find out more about the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation and how you can help its mission to revolutionise the way leukaemia and cancer are treated, check out the Foundation's website following - http://www.thestiliyanpetrovfoundation.com/phone/index.html
We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
In today’s episode of the 40 Minute Mentor, I’m joined by founder and CEO of Rubies in the Rubble, Jenny Costa.
Having started her career in finance, Jenny soon realised there was a bigger cause she felt passionate about.
After reading that one third of all food produced globally is wasted, she knew she had to see it with her own eyes. So, one morning she decided to visit the New Covent Garden wholesale fruit and veg market. Her visit ended with her cycling back with baskets full of perfectly good and yet unsold produce. Produce that would have otherwise gone to landfill.
That’s how Rubies in the Rubble, the UK’s leading ‘anti food waste’ brand, was founded. In 2011 Jenny started making and selling chutneys, made of produce saved from the rubbish heap. Having started with a single stall on Borough Market, Rubies in the Rubble now stocks their delicious jams, relishes, chutneys, ketchups and other condiments at major retailers, such as Waitrose, Ocado, Whole Foods and a large number of independent stores.
In my conversation with Jenny, we cover some really interesting topics including:
- How Jenny took the leap from a lucrative career in investment management to selling home-made chutneys on Borough Market.
- Jenny’s key learnings as she’s taken Rubies from a single market stall to a rapidly growing business with products on the shelves of supermarkets up and down the country.
- And Jenny’s advice to fellow entrepreneurs on growing a team, building a successful culture and her approach to work life balance.
I loved chatting to Jenny about Rubies in the Rubble and hearing how her team are disrupting the food industry with their amazing products.
It was fascinating to hear her advice on how we can all help do our part to tackling the problem of food waste and how her team are setting the tone for it. It has certainly changed my view on the importance I place on the appearance of the fresh produce I buy, and hopefully my conversation with Jenny will inspire you to follow in her footsteps and reduce your own food waste too.
If you want to find out more about Jenny you can check out her LinkedIn profile here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-costa-685b474a/
If you want to find out more about Rubies in the Rubble you can check out their website following - https://rubiesintherubble.com/
We’re always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
In today’s episode of the 40 Minute Mentor, I’m joined by my first guest from a tech Unicorn, as I speak with Fred Jones, Board Director and Head of New Mobility for Uber UK and Ireland.
Uber need no introduction, they’re one of the world’s biggest tech businesses and have grown from a small scale start up in 2009 to one of the world’s most valuable companies, with a market cap of over $56 billion.
Having started his career on Consulting, Fred joined Uber in 2015 and climbed rapidly through the company, to where he is today. For those of you who are considering making this move yourselves, Fred’s journey from Consulting into tech is a really interesting one and something we discuss in detail in today’s show.
In addition to his role at Uber, Fred advises a number of start-up and scale up businesses, including ourselves here at JBM, where he provides invaluable advice to myself and the team as part of our advisory board.
We cover some really interesting topics in this interview including:
- How Fred made the move from Consulting into tech and his advice to others thinking of doing the same.
- What it’s like to work at one of the world’s biggest tech unicorns and why feedback is such an important part of Uber’s culture.
- And Fred’s advice to aspiring leaders in tech and why he sees optimism is a key characteristic that all aspiring leaders should foster.
If you want to find out more about Fred you can check out his LinkedIn profile here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-jones-2b25875/?originalSubdomain=uk
If you want to find out more about Uber you can check out their website - https://www.uber.com
We're always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
In today’s episode you get to hear from not one, but two brilliant guests as I chat with Henry Faber and Walter Kerr, founders of Oppidan.
Frustrated by shortcomings that they saw in the tuition sector, Henry and Walter set up Oppidan to tackle the pressurised, anxiety-driven education market in the U.K.
Their goal was to disrupt the tuition sector by focusing on mentoring children - not simply teaching them fact. Their services help children develop critical life skills like empathy and emotional intelligence and not just how to pass their 11+.
Since founding the business in 2016 they have grown rapidly and in 2017 expanded from tutoring in to summer camps with their unique, Oppidan Camps. Taking the US summer camp experience and bringing them to the U.K for children aged 7-14.
We discuss so many fascinating topics during this interview and go deep in to the state of education today including:
- The impact that mentoring can have on children,
- Why it’s important for children to learn these life skills at a young age and
- What we can do to help level the playing field when it comes to social class and educational achievement
We also dig into the business side of Oppidan and Henry and Walter share their insights in to what it’s like launching a start up in a completely new niche and the challenges they’ve had to overcome along the way.
I loved chatting to Henry and Walter who are truly passionate about their business and it’s great to see them making a real difference.
I took so much away from this interview and it really got me thinking about how I’ll approach some of these critical decisions for my own 3 year old daughter, Sienna, as she grows up.
So if you’re currently working in the education sector, you’re a parent wanting to know how to give your child the best possible start in life or you simply want to hear how two inspiring entrepreneurs are carving a brand new niche in one of the UK’s most traditional industries, I know you’re going to love this one.
If you want to find out more about Walter and Henry you can check out their LinkedIn profiles:
Henry Faber - https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-faber-7989b5109/
Walter Kerr - https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-kerr-145308119/
If you want to find out more about Oppidan you can check out their website - https://www.oppidaneducation.com/
We're always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
Today’s episode is a special bonus episode which was recorded live at our JBM drinks event last month.
We run these events for a mix of clients and candidates who have helped us spread the word about JBM over the years, and without whom we wouldn’t be where we are today.
The goal for these evenings is to bring together a mix of talented people from diverse backgrounds to get to know each other better, make new connections and to learn from some of the best and most inspiring mentors in our network.
Our special guest and your 40 Minute Mentor at this latest event was the brilliant former McKinsey Consultant Caroline Murphree, who is now the UK Director of Growth & Operations at Wealthsimple.
Wealthsimple is an online investment manager that combines user-friendly digital tools and personal investment advice to make smart, automated investing available to everyone. They have over 100,000 clients globally, £2bn in assets under management and have raised over $250m Canadian Dollars to fund their impressive growth.
I am pleased to say that I am one of those 100,000 clients having recently set up a Junior Isa for my daughter, Sienna and I am a big fan.
Two of the questions that I get asked most often by candidates are “how do I move in to Consulting” and “how do I move in to Tech”. Having moved from Silicon Valley into Consulting and then from Consulting back to Tech, Caroline has experienced this first-hand and she shares her advice on exactly these questions in today’s interview.
This conversation isn’t just focused on Caroline’s career advice though, we talk about the challenges that come with growing a rapidly scaling start up, the importance of culture and her advice for others looking to expand their business into international markets. We also touch upon her views on diversity in tech and what the industry can do to promote it as well as the key role that mentorship has helped play throughout Caroline’s career.
Those who were there on the evening, the JBM team and I got a huge amount from this interview with Caroline. It was great to get the chance to speak with her and I’m really pleased to be able to share our conversation with you.
As this was a live event our interview was followed by some questions from the live audience. Some of whom where a little further from the microphones than others so please excuse the fact that some of the questions at the end of this episode are a little quiet.
I hope you will all really enjoy this extra special episode and learn lots from the great insights that Caroline shares!
If you want to find out more about Caroline you can check out her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-murphree-73247112/
If you want to find out more about Wealthsimple you can check out their website - https://www.wealthsimple.com
We're always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
Today’s guest is the brilliant Ruth Penfold, People VP at Onfido.
Onfido uses machine learning to help companies verify the identity of their users online.
Founded in 2012 the business has gone from strength to strength and earlier this year raised $50 million in a funding round led by SoftBank Investments and Salesforce ventures.
Ruth is a phenomenal leader in the people and talent space and as People VP and part of the executive team at Onfido she is responsible for all aspects of their people strategy. Helping their ever-growing team to manage the people and recruitment challenges that come with a rapidly growing tech business. As Ruth says, her role is to create the right environment for the people of tomorrow, whilst retaining the people for today.
Prior to joining Onfido Ruth was the head of talent acquisition at Shazam, responsible for managing their global recruitment as they went from start up, to scale up, to a household name.
In this conversation we go into detail on Ruth’s journey with both Shazam and Onfido and discuss her experience of helping to scale two disruptive tech firms, how she is focused on creating cultures that enable individuals to bring their true self to work and how she has tackled the challenges that come with scale up life.
In addition to her high-flying tech career Ruth is also a practicing yoga instructor and writes a regular blog. Her approach to balancing the different aspects of her life and ensuring she makes time for the things she enjoys is really unique and Ruth shares some great advice on how she does this in today’s show.
If you’re looking to understand how to grow your own tech business, explore ways to make your firm more inclusive, or just looking for some inspirational mentorship from one of the most engaging and honest leaders that I’ve met - this conversation is a must listen!
If you want to find out more about Ruth you can check out her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthpenfold/
If you want to find out more about Onfido you can check out their website - https://onfido.com/
We're always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
Today’s guest is James Routledge, Founder of Sanctus.
Sanctus is a mental wellness start up that is on a mission to inspire people to work on their mental health just like we do our physical health.
They have a bold vision to put the world’s first mental health gym on the high street, and I for one hope that they can achieve this.
James’s passion to help others improve their mental health came from his own experience having suffered mental health issues, following the failure of his first business Match Chat, something we discuss in detail in today’s show.
The idea for Sanctus actually came about when he shared this struggle in a heart-felt and honest blog where he openly talked about the journey that he and his co-founder George had been through. This blog received 100s of responses and from this initial post the idea for Sanctus was born.
Since then Sanctus has grown into a large team with over 40 businesses including Aviva, Secret Escapes, Tansferwise, RedBull amongst others, to help them reframe the conversation around mental health. Their amazing work has been featured in publications including the Times, The metro, and now the 40 Minute Mentor!
I have close friends and family that have had struggled with their mental health over the years so when I heard about the work Sanctus was doing and saw the refreshing honesty and humour with which James talks about it, I was really keen to get James on the podcast to have a chat.
This episode was recorded shortly after mental health week here in the UK and we go into some really important topics in this interview around mental health, the challenges we all face and what you can think about to look after yours.
James’s experience of launching and growing a VC funded start up and then dealing with and overcoming its failure to get to where he is today is truly inspiring. It’s a little longer than previous episodes but I know you’re going to get so much from what he shares in this interview.
If you want to find out more about James you can check out his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdroutledge1?originalSubdomain=uk
If you want to find out more about Sanctus you can check out their website - https://sanctus.io/
We're always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
Today’s guest is the environmental entrepreneur, Kresse Wesling MBE, who is quite simply, one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met.
Kresse is the co-founder of the award-winning business Elvis and Kresse, who turn industrial waste into innovative, luxury products and return 50% of their profits to charities related to the waste that they use.
It was a chance meeting with the London Fire Brigade in 2005 that gave Kresse the idea that ultimately become the business she runs today.
At the time, the London Fire Brigade sent all of their decommissioned fire hose to landfill and Kresse thought that there had be a better way to reuse and recycle it. This led Kresse and her partner Elvis – hence the brand name – to launch Elvis & Kresse.
Since founding the business Elvis and Kresse has gone from strength to strength. From their origins using reclaimed firehose they now work with 12 different waste streams, have several charitable partnerships and are involved with collaborations across industries. This includes a unique partnership with the Burberry Foundation to turn Burberry’s off cut leather into stunning bags and accessories.
In recognition of the incredible work she has done, she was awarded an MBE and was named Cartier’s Women in Business Laureate in 2011. She has advised global brands, governments and recently sat on a judging panel with Will I Am from the Black Eyed Peas!
In this episode we cover a range of fascinating topics including:
``` Kresse’s childhood and why she decided to leave home at 16 to attend collage half way around the world in Hong Kong. How Elvis and Kresse started the business and the challenges that they had to overcome in their early years. Kresse’s philosophy on building a team and her approach to hiring great people. And the importance of the circular economy and why it is critical to your business’s long term success.
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It was a lucky encounter with her partner Elvis on a train back after a rugby match many years ago that led to me getting to know Kresse and hearing about their inspiring story and unique mission, played a big role in me setting up JBM almost 7 years ago. She was also the first person I asked to join our board of advisors and has been a brilliant confidante and mentor to me over the years.
So if you’re thinking about launching your own business or want to know how you and your firm can achieve profitable growth that also helps the environment then you’re going to love this interview.
If you want to find out more about Kresse you can check out her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kresse-wesling-mbe-0933646/
If you want to find out more about Elvis and Kresse you can check out their website - https://www.elvisandkresse.com/
We're always keen to get feedback so if you have any thoughts once you’ve listened to this interview just drop me an email at james@jbmc.co.uk
Today’s guest is Iain Martin, former Managing Director of Moonpig and the recently announced, new CEO of Mahabis.
I was introduced to Iain by a client who thought we’d really get on and he was completely right. Iain’s a great guy and was kind enough to come and talk at one of our recent JBM Ambassador networking events which is where this interview was recorded.
Now, Most of you will have used Moonpig at some point in your life but for those who haven’t heard of them, Moonpig are the UK’s largest online card retailer with over 15 million cards sent through their online platform in 2017 alone.
Iain was one of the early members of the Moonpig team and during his time as Managing Director, he grew the business from a team of just 8 people to a team of over 160, turning over £60m a year. This phenomenal growth led to Moonpig being acquired by Photobox for £120m in 2011.
Iain’s story of how he became the MD of Moonpig and his take on what’s important when growing a tech business were fascinating and he shares so many great insights during this conversation. Including how they came up with the Moonpig jingle!
Those who were there on the night really benefited from his insights and advice, and I hope that you will to.
If you want to find out more about Moonpig you can check out their website - https://www.moonpig.com/uk/
If you want to find out more about Mahabis you can check out their website - https://mahabis.com/
If you want to find out more about Iain you can check out his LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/iainscv/
Today’s guest and our first mentor is Charlene Chen, COO at BitPesa.
BitPesa is an online payment platform that leverages Blockchain technology to significantly lower the cost and increase the speed of business payments to, from and within sub-Saharan Africa.
I sat next to Charlene at an Innovate Finance dinner a couple of years ago and we instantly hit it off, sharing very similar views on the importance of people, culture and mentorship. She had a fantastic energy and I found her passion for BitPesa infectious.
Charlene’s story is a really interesting and inspiring one that shows what you can achieve if you chose to follow the path less well travelled.
Having started her career in Consulting she decided to take some time out to complete an MBA which led to her moving to Ghana for 3 months to work with the Tech Start up, Busy Internet.
This trip opened her eyes to the opportunities that existed in Africa and after completing her MBA she went back to work with companies across Kenya and Tanzania for the best part of the last decade before moving to London to launch BitPesa.
We cover some really interesting topics in today’s conversation and I hope you’re going to get a lot from what Charlene has to say.
Whether you’re thinking about launching your own start up, considering an MBA or thinking of going to work in a different country or continent, there’s something in here for everyone.
If you want to find out more about BitPesa you can check out their website - https://www.bitpesa.co
If you want to find out more about Charlene you can check out her LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlenechen