
The Entrepreneurs
Monocle Radio’s weekly tour of the most inspiring people, companies and ideas in global business, from startups to heritage brands, covering the best in hospitality, design, fashion and retail.
Latest episodes

May 14, 2025 • 33min
Smith & Willis and Four Seasons’ residences
Lifelong friends and business partners, Johnny Smith and Daniel Willis, talk about their Michelin-starred restaurant, Luca, and their latest venture, Smith & Willis, a new hospitality group that builds on their partnership restaurants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 9, 2025 • 7min
Eureka 439: Mad about mycelium
We meet Marta Agueda Carlero, co-founder of Material Alternative Design (MAD), a design company fuelled by fungi. She discusses how MAD uses mycelium in its manufacturing to create sustainable climbing gear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 8, 2025 • 21min
Pullman Voices: Dumi Oburota
Monocle’s Tom Edwards is joined by serial entrepreneur Dumi Oburota to discuss the power of being present and of meaningful exchange. From his experiences in the music industry, nurturing the career of acclaimed British rapper Tinie Tempah to closing deals on his newly founded drinks brand Severan, Oburota tells us why he’s a firm believer in the magic of human connection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 7, 2025 • 32min
Beyond the Vines and Yondr
Monocle’s editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, talks about the business opportunities in Indonesia. Plus: we hear from the co-founder of a design studio in Singapore and contemplate the virtues of phone-free spaces.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 2, 2025 • 11min
Eureka 438: beVisioneers
We meet Mariah Levin, executive director of beVisioneers, a global fellowship backed by Mercedes-Benz that equips young innovators with the tools, funding and network to build scalable ventures tackling environmental challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 30, 2025 • 35min
Berberè and Bar 45
An ode to Italian hospitality. Two brothers from Bologna discuss the global expansion of their pizza chain, Berberè. Then: we raise a glass with the long-time friends from Cosenza leading London’s Bar 45.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 30, 2025 • 24min
Pullman Voices: Pallavi Dean
In the first episode of Monocle’s collaboration with Pullman Hotels, Monocle’s Tom Edwards is in Dubai to meet the architect and founder of design practice Roar, Pallavi Dean. A seasoned globe-trotter, Dean is no stranger to new geographies and beginnings. We ask her how activating change can help to breed the resilience and agility needed to grow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 25, 2025 • 9min
Eureka 437: The Matisse Collection by East Fork Pottery
East Fork Pottery founder and CEO Alex Matisse shares the story behind launching his Asheville-based pottery company and its new collection, a collaboration with Les Héritiers Matisse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 23, 2025 • 28min
Fit for a monarch
We discuss the crowning achievements of two leaders behind brands with royal seals of approval: the president of a 500-year-old Japanese confectionery company and the CEO of a Swedish haircare brand beloved by the country’s royal family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 18, 2025 • 9min
Eureka 436: The world’s first autonomous tennis assistant
We meet the founder of Tennibot, an Auburn-based company making autonomous robots for racket sports. Haitham Eletrabi talks about the global demand for their products and the company’s latest launch: Partner, a smart ball machine that mimics human shots and moves around the court, creating a realistic playing experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.