The Entreprenora Podcast features whip-smart founders, sharing candidly about their experiences. Flood your brain with inspiration, ideas, motivation, top-tips (and sporadic doses of off-road nerdiness!).
We've got some heavy-hitters, new-beginners, and everything in between. From founders who have grown businesses to near BILLION-dollar valuations to those who are bootstrapping from their home HQ. The learnings are deep and the stories are real. Join us and become a part of the conversation.
Season One: The Early Days
In Season One of the Fireside Podcast, we focus on the early days of building a business: growth-hacking, raising funds, hiring team members, founder dynamics, and overcoming big and small hurdles, all while making time for "real life" and self-care. We talk to founders who are still living through the early days, and founders who take us back in time to recall how they first set up shop...
Season One, Episode One: with Nina Brener-Hellmund, Founder of CultMIA Join me and Nina as we talk about her journey from her early life as a "nomad" to creating a social media brand that makes retail interesting again and supports cutting-edge artisans and designers from around the world. We talk about bootstrapping, difficult conversations, being global citizens... and how not to alienate everyone by talking about our start-ups all the time!
Season One, Episode Two: with Karen Rudich, founder of "the bank of the future" In this episode, Karen Rudich talks about realizing the dream so many entrepreneurs have of starting a business, scaling it, and then selling it before embarking on the next venture. Karen shares deep insights about exiting and her passion for fintech which led her to create "the bank of the future." From dotcom troubles to preventing financial crime, Karen gives a candid look at what it takes to be a role model at home and in the business world.
Season One, Episode Three: with Marie Tors, founder of Graffiti So lucky to have caught up with Marie Tors who was getting ready for her product launch when we spoke. We had a lot of fun discussing literature (nerd alert!), saying no to investors, serendipity, and the amazing new app she is building that brings a bit of magic back into our daily lives.
Season One, Episode Four: with Hannah Feldman, founder of Kidadl In this episode, the wonderful Hannah Feldman and I talk about her high-flying corporate career to her co-founding Kidadl in 2018. She shares openly about raising funds, thinking laterally about the advisors we keep, the importance of women role models who take chances and break the mold, and having a higher purpose. Join me and Hannah on her entrepreneurial “journey of a lifetime.”
Season One, Episode Five: with Sukhi Jutla, founder of Market Orders In this conversation with Sukhi, we talk about overcoming the pressure to be a "good girl", leaving jobs that shrink our souls, and bringing transparency to traditional industries using digital processes and technology. Sukhi's interview is full of life lessons and spirit lessons that will expand your sense of the possible, so listen in and get ready to be inspired.
Season One, Episode Six: with Catherine Wines, co-founder of World Remit In this interview, I chat to the wonderful Catherine Wines and go back in time to remember the early days of her co-founding World Remit, before it reached near-unicorn status and took on global giants like Western Union. Catherine's interview is full of her unique combination of wit and grit, and her insights will have you ah-ha'ing along the way. With a guest as sharp, generous, thoughtful, and fun as Catherine, it's easy to see anything really is possible. Even unicorns.
Season One, Episode Seven: with Iris Cai, founder of Positive Speaking In this high-energy interview, Iris and I chat about her persistence in creating her own success. From taking nanny jobs to pay the bills to launching her own coaching and training company, Iris shares candidly about the effort and grit required to realize big goals. Her hard work has been rewarded with accolades from the Houses of Parliament, the Royal Mint, and the BBC. Join me and Iris as we dig deep into what it takes to be successful... and go off-piste for some surprise singing at the end!
Season One, Episode Eight: Lessons Learned in 2019 In this episode, I share my lessons learned in 2019. From working with people you like to treasuring what is most important, taking ownership over our work and getting out of the way, I cover a lot of business and personal ground. Join me as I crystalize all that 2019 has taught me, and prepare for the new decade ahead!
Season One, Episode Nine: with Sherrie Hughes Join me and the wonderful Sherrie Hughes as we talk about plotting a meaningful career, battling cancer, the secret world of government defense spending, and crafting a life on your terms. Sherrie's energy and honesty will leave you smiling, shining, and ready to take on the world.
Season One, Episode Ten: with Stacey Kehoe, founder of Brandlective Stacey and I cover some deep ground as we talk about the ups and downs of starting a business. A self-taught social media marketing expert who built a successful communications and branding company from scratch, Stacey shares honestly about hiring great people, standing by your company culture, and "firing" clients who are out of alignment with your values. Her insights and tips will leave you nodding, ah-ha'ing, and furiously taking mental notes... I know I was!
Season One, Episode Eleven: with Karolina Adamczyk, founder of Ademchic My interview with Karolina is chock full of insights about making the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship. Karolina talks about the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes with being your own boss and the reality of turning a passion into a business. We talk about democratizing good design, the importance of creating great products, finding the right team members, and thinking carefully about "who you want in your life."
Season One, Episode Twelve: with Dan Murray-Serter, founder of Heights Dan and I go full-on nerd in this interview as we talk about sleep, wellbeing, brain health, and how a long bout of insomnia turned into his next great venture (which Stephen Fry, Alain De Botton, Rangan Chatterjee, and a host of other big-brains have already gotten behind). As the "token man" in Season One, Dan has set new bars -- or should I say "Heights"? -- for future men-preneurs on this podcast. Buckle up and enjoy the brain-ride!
Season One, Episode Thirteen: with Rhea Kalogeropoulos, founder of Prettly Talking to Rhea is like a massage for the founder’s soul. From her ah-ha moment in 2013, to taking Prettly live within a year, Rhea and I talk about her path to building a mobile beauty services brand and the complex challenges inherent in a platform business. Rhea gets deep into knotty issues around market differentiation, carving a niche, and managing a business remotely, with her and her team spread between London, South East Asia, and Athens. The lessons and journey Rhea shares remind us of the positive impact we can all have on our customer’s lives, and remind us to celebrate our successes – no matter how big or small – to keep moving forward and upward.
Season One, Episode Fourteen: with Alexis Marz, founder of MMP and serial entrepreneur What a way to close out Season One! The wonderful and award-winning Alexis Marz and I talk about her around-the-world journey that finally brought her to become a co-founder and serial entrepreneur. Alexis shares great tips about systemizing (don't overcomplicate it), having good processes in place (hiring decisions shouldn't be left to chance), and making sure your business works for you, as much as you work for your business. Alexis's generosity of spirit is matched by her toughness as a triathlete, and you will definitely want to take notes during her interview!