40 Minute Mentor

“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  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“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. 🏆1. Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting 2. Type in '40 Minute Mentor' 3. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"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. 🏆 1. Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting2. Type in '40 Minute Mentor' 3. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“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. 🏆 1. Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting 2. Type in '40 Minute Mentor' 3. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“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. 🏆 1. Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting2. Type in '40 Minute Mentor' 3. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“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. 🏆 1. Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting 2. Type in '40 Minute Mentor' 3. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“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. 🏆 1. Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting2. Type in '40 Minute Mentor' 3. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"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. 🏆 1. Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting 2. Type in '40 Minute Mentor' 3. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"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. 🏆1. Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting 2. Type in '40 Minute Mentor'3. 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  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices