Anatomy of a Leader with Maria Hvorostovsky

When you’re a founder, when is it the right time to sell your business? In this short clip, I speak to Aaron Chatterley, the co-founder of FeelUnique - the largest online retailer of beauty products in Europe - about his experience with exiting the business. He tells me about deciding to sell to Sephora, and whether it was the right decision to sell to private equity. Additionally, Aaron provides valuable advice for founders planning their own exit. If you’re a founder planning your exit, or thinking about whether to sell to private equity then this episode may be for you. Since exiting FeelUnique, Aaron has started a new brand - Indu - a teenage skincare brand, created with teens, for teens. Check it out! If you enjoyed this short clip, check out the full episode with Aaron Chatterley, which you can find here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EEWXFBWDizF1OyaCbKIWN Aaron Chatterley: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-chatterley IG: https://www.instagram.com/aaronchatterley Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.com/ Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – https://www.hvosearch.com/ LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

Pre-loved fashion used to be a shameful secret you didn’t want your friends to know about. Now, it’s a global business which is showing no signs of stopping. As the owner of a pre-loved marketplace business, how do you navigate the delicate balance between sustainability and profitability? If you’re interested in what it takes to run a pre-loved fashion business, then this episode might be just for you. Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer and Introduction 04:31 - Antonia's Journey into Sustainable Luxury 06:04 - Acquiring Sign of the Times and Merging Businesses 08:07 - How to Outshine your Competitors 10:28 - How to Balance Profitability and Sustainability 10:35 - Strategies for Educating Customers on Sustainable Choices 12:05 - How the Perception of Resale Products has Changed 13:39 - Behind the Scenes: How do you Ensure Authenticity of your Products? 15:22 - What are the Fashion Items that get Bought the Most? 17:01 - Does the Value of Luxury Handbags Increase over Time 17:59 - Handbag Trends: Tips and Tricks 18:56 - What Fashion Items Stand the Test of Time? 19:38 - Top Tips for Shopping Pre-Owned Fashion Items 22:17 - Why did you Want to Start a Business in the Pre-Loved Market? 23:05 - Starting a Business was Easier than Going for a Job Interview 24:47 - Making Mistakes and Growing from Failure 25:57 - Factoring Failure into your Business 27:26 - The Game-Changing Impact of Social Media 28:41 - Embracing the Unpredictable 30:53 - Antonia’s Perspective on Leadership 31:18 - Not Seeing Yourself as a Leader 33:11 - Business Tips: How to Build a Good Business 43:50 - The Importance of Reflection and Disconnecting 49:46 - Challenges Faced as a Founder: Covid and Fundraising Meet this week’s guest, Antonia Johnstone, the Founder and CEO of Sign of the Times (SOTT) - a luxury pre-owned marketplace pioneering the authentication and valuation of designer goods. In 1976, Sign of the Times began as a store for selling celebrities' clothes. Antonia, a devoted fan, joined the store in 2008. Inspired to democratise luxury fashion and reduce over-consumption in the fashion industry, she founded her own store, Timpany's, in 2009. In 2019, Antonia acquired SOTT, transforming it into what it is today. Antonia Johnstone: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/antonia-johnstone-b6759b72 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sign_ofthetimes/ Website: https://www.wearesott.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.com/ Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – https://www.hvosearch.com/ LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

Are you a female founder with an amazing business, but struggling to raise capital? Or are you an investor who is serious about investing in female founders? For all the incredible female founders out there seeking to secure investment, elevate your networking skills, and make your business shine, this episode is a must-watch! Timestamps: 0:00 - Trailer and Introduction 01:13 - Why do Female Founders Receive Less in Venture Funding? 07:13 - How to Empower Yourself with Skills for Raising Investment 12:09 - Why There’s a Low Success Rate for Funding 16:53 - How to Find the Right Investors 19:01 - How to Network 19:36 - Are Women Bad at Networking? 21:31 - How to Approach Conversations with Potential Investors 24:50 - What Should Investors be Thinking About When it Comes to Funding Female Founders? 25:19 - How Can We Speed up the Process of Achieving Diversity in Investment Firms? 29:07 - How Can Female Founders Assert their Power when Pitching to Investment Firms? 33:03 - The Importance of Gender Balance in Business 35:20 - Supporting the Underdog: Julia’s Personal Experience as a Female Founder 37:26 - How Julia Started Upper Street 38:08 - Taking Inspiration from Bespoke Shoe-making in Hong Kong 42:28 - Funding Challenges in the Footwear Industry 45:36 - What Makes Founders Investable? 01:07:25 - Building a Sustainable Business and the Role of Co-founders ​​Introducing Julia Elliott Brown, a serial entrepreneur with a passion for empowering female founders. She's behind successful ventures like Upper Street, UpMyStreet.com, and is currently the CEO and Founder of Enter The Arena, which helps female founders fly through offering investment expertise and business coaching. Julia is not only a business expert but also a compelling keynote speaker and host of the "Fundraising Stories with Female Founders" podcast. Her book, "RAISE: The Female Founders Guide To Securing Investment," is making waves with a 2023 Business Book Awards nomination. Julia Elliott Brown: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/juliaelliottbrown X: https://twitter.com/juliaelliottb?lang=en Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0o2pNa2BqPaxowewAjSBOF Website: enterthearena.co.uk Books: Eldest Daughter Effect: How First Born Women like Oprah Winfrey, Sheryl Sandberg, JK Rowling and Beyoncé Harness their Strengths - Lisette Schuitemaker and Wies Enthoven https://amzn.to/3Qwr3lJ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.com/ Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – ⁠http://www.hirewithmaria.com⁠ LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

Do you dream of becoming a CEO, or want to be a better one? Well, if you don't enjoy the pressure, don't become a CEO, warns my guest, Philip Mountford. Phil is a CEO, Chairman, and NED, who has led fashion retail giants like Hunkemoller, Moss Bros and Versace. He fell into the fashion industry after a motorbike accident put a stop to his dreams of going to the Olympics - and soon enough, he discovered where his talents lay. Phil tells me about: 1. Rebranding Hunkemoller 2. Out-strategizing Victoria’s Secret 3. Making Hunkemoller profitable 4. Failing as a CEO If you’re interested in taking a peek behind the executive curtain, or are an aspiring CEO looking for tips, then tune in! Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer and Introduction 00:43 - Unpacking Leadership: Definition and Purpose 04:00 - Being a Chameleon Leader 13:56 - Leaving a Lasting Legacy 18:58 - Retail Landscape and Strategies for Inclusivity 30:49 - Dealing with Public Scrutiny 38:57 - An Unexpected Love Affair: Career Transition 48:01 - Evolving CEO Roles: Leading with Vision 52:33 - Advice for Aspiring CEOs 56:03 - The Art of Decision-Making Philip Mountford: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/philipmountford Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philip.mountford/ X: https://twitter.com/P_Mountford Website: https://www.hunkemoller.co.uk/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.com/ Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – https://www.hvosearch.com/ Give us a Review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Expectations of the office have changed. That typical dreary, depressing office block with uniform cubicles - who wants to go there? No one. So who’s out there, trying to change that? My guest is Gaby Hersham, the co-founder of Huckletree, a network of community-driven and design-led workspaces which aims to challenge the typical workspace model. She believes that a well-designed workspace can profoundly impact your work and mindset for the better. Gaby tells me about conceptualising Huckletree, leading a physical office business through COVID-19, and the future of flexible spaces. We discuss why working from the office is beneficial in helping with innovation, creativity and productivity, and she shares her thoughts on why your colleagues shouldn’t be like family, as well as balancing work and family life, and overcoming “mum guilt”. Gaby also sheds light on the unique struggles women entrepreneurs face, and the power of asking for what you want, whether in business or life. Tune in if you’re interested in hearing about the potential of flexible workspaces, want to reimagine your approach to work and productivity, or just want to hear a badass woman entrepreneur’s story. Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer and Introduction 01:08 - Being a “Passionately Curious” Leader 09:22 - Conceptualising Huckletree: Creating a Home for Innovation 12:31 - Working Smarter, Not Harder 14:25 - COVID-19: Shifting Mindsets for the Better? 18:36 - The Future of Flexible Spaces 24:24 - Designing Workspaces for Innovation 28:56 - Work and Team: Different Roles for Different Spaces 29:56 - Work, Family Life, and Mum Guilt 44:12 - Being a Woman Entrepreneur: People-Pleasing, Gender Bias and Imposter Syndrome 54:25 - Don’t Ask, Don’t Get 59:54 - Business Lessons Gaby Hersham: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gabriela-hersham-26b12565 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielahersham/ X: https://twitter.com/gabrielahersham Website: https://www.huckletree.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.com/ Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – https://www.hvosearch.com/ Give us a Review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Why are you obsessed with money? Do the rich have an obligation to right some wrongs? Is interviewing Andrew Tate commendable? And are you a misogynist if you don’t believe in the gender pay gap? These were the ‘small’ questions I asked Rob Moore, a property developer, multi-millionaire, money expert, and host of the Disruptors podcast. We dive into the topic of money - having it, not having it, and understanding it, as well as Rob’s opinions on whether the rich have an obligation to distribute wealth downwards. There’s no denying that Rob likes to stir the pot, but does he do it for clickbait or because he’s truly misogynistic, amoral, and avaricious? We debate on whether it’s moral to give a platform to people like Andrew Tate, and whether denying the existence of the gender pay gap is misogynistic. If you want to see a heated discussion on Money, Power, and Feminism, then tune in. What do you think? I want to hear from you too. This episode is sponsored by HVO Search:https://www.hvosearch.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer and Introduction 07:05 - Why is Rob Obsessed with Money? 14:40 - What Does Money Mean to You? 19:26 - Money and Happiness 34:19 - Money Matters and Wealth Distribution 40:44 - Clickbait Content: How Far is Too Far? 48:27 - Elephant in the Room: Interview with Andrew Tate 55:28 - Taking Accountability on Public Platforms 01:03:22 - The Gender Pay Gap 01:12:53 - Influence of Jordan Peterson & Andrew Tate 01:23:24 - “Male Energy”: What Defines Masculinity? 01:28:10 - Feminism: Equity vs. Equality Rob Moore: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robmoore1979Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robmooreprogressive/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/robprogressive?lang=en Website: https://robmoore.com/ Progressive Property: https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk/ Maria Hvorostovsky:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvoTwitter: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT AND GIVE IT THE THUMBS UP

My prayers are with everyone affected. Here are links to charities that you can support: American Friends of Magen David Adom (Red Star of David) https://afmda.org/ Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALMEP) https://www.allmep.org/ CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) https://www.care.org/ Doctors without Borders https://rb.gy/2j26r Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) https://www.pcrf.net/ United Hatzalah https://israelrescue.org/ UNRWA https://www.unrwa.org/

What does it take to build a thriving community-driven business? I speak with Rollo Millership, a visionary entrepreneur, community advocate, and the founder of Nourished Communities, a business committed to transforming ordinary local shopping into extraordinary community-led experiences. Rollo tells me about his mission to build strong communities around local producers, promote sustainable food systems, and make wholesome food accessible to all. We'll delve into Rollo’s thoughts on leadership, from the power of saying no, and forcing people (and yourself) off the clock. Rollo’s business is all about fostering meaningful connections, sustainability, and getting people to love food again, so if that’s something you’re interested in, this episode is a must watch. Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer and Introduction 11:23 - Leading from a Young Age 19:30 - Focusing on Business Processes 23:28 - Building Local Supply Chains 27:52 - Lessons Learned and Embracing Mistakes 34:15 - Building the Right Team 37:58 - Leadership Qualities and Learning Paths 39:00 - Finding Balance Through Time Off 43:29 - Future Plans: Nourishing Communities 45:15 - Curated Hampers and Local Sourcing 46:42 - Online Growth Strategy Rollo Millership: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rollo-millership Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourishedcommunities/ Website: https://www.nourishedcommunities.com/ Email: rollo@nourishedcommunities.com Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

Are you struggling with a toxic boss? Or have you realised you might be one? Kate Waterfall Hill is a leadership coach and TikTok creator of Linda the toxic boss having started her career at a marketing agency, becoming an MD at the tender age of 29. Pivoting from working with ‘big fish’ companies such as Ford, Virgin, and Vodafone to becoming a coach helping leaders of SMEs become great leaders through an intuitive, personalised, and empathetic approach. We talk about how to spot and deal with toxic bosses and how not to become one yourself. Kate shares her tips about how to define your values, how to foster a good company culture, and how to create an “evidence pack” to boost your confidence. If you’re a boss who thinks your leadership style could do with some improvement, or a team member who wants to respectfully address concerns with your boss about how you work together, then tune in. Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer and Introduction 01:19 - Inspiration Behind Linda the Toxic Boss 10:58 - Spotting and Dealing with a Toxic Boss 14:55 - Understanding Your Core Values 24:58 - Changing Expectations of Leaders 40:40 - Building Confidence through Self-Reflection Kate Waterfall Hill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-waterfall-hill/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katewaterfallhill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katewaterfallhill/ Website: https://www.waterfallhill.co.uk/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.comBooks: The Intentional Leader by Tim Hebert - https://amzn.to/3LG6kdE The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier - https://amzn.to/3rmMBsM Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith - https://amzn.to/46tQyKZ Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

Take the quiz - https://stan.store/mariahvo Are you feeling trapped in your current job, but not quite ready to throw in the towel? In a world where quitting often bears a negative stigma, it's crucial to understand what you're persevering for. This week’s video will introduce you to the Five C’s quiz I’ve created for you - Clarity, Challenge, Control, Career Growth, Culture - which will help you to understand your professional motivations better. I hope this video will help you to get out of career limbo, and discover whether your job is worth the grit, whether it's a stepping stone to your dreams, or a roadblock to your potential. If you're at a professional crossroads and unsure whether to seize that new role or stick with your current position, this video is for you! Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:30 - Rethinking Quitting: What Are We Gritting For? 02:49 - The Five C’s 06:34 - Staying or Going: How Do You Decide? Want 1:1 coaching? Email me on advice@hvosearch.com Links to books: Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away By Annie Duke - https://amzn.to/3EIMFWJ Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth - https://amzn.to/48dUm4H Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal - https://amzn.to/3sRgYYx Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life by Nir Eyal - https://amzn.to/3PiqdZl 8 Rules of Love: How to Find it, Keep it, and Let it Go by Jay Shetty - https://amzn.to/3PG0FH5 Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.com Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.