40 Minute Mentor

“Fundraising can be exhausting, so it’s really important to spend time with the right people who just won’t waste your time [...], pay attention and ask the right questions.” Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Avion Gray, Co-Founder and CEO of Belong, a new wealth-building platform. Avion started her career in investment banking, before working as Head of Product & Commercialisation at industry-leading POS systems and merchant service provider Clover, where she oversaw the launch and expansion of the business in the US and across Europe. Following her deep drive to do something that she could bring every aspect of her being to, Avion is now building Belong, together with Co-Founder and behavioural economist, Samantha Rosenberg. Having only recently come out of stealth, Avion and Samantha have already built incredible traction in the market, including having raised the largest pre-seed round ever raised by female Founders in Europe. We unpack all that and much more in today’s episode. Episode chapters: ➡️ Avion’s upbringing & education being the biggest equaliser [03:57] ➡️ Finding her entrepreneurial spirit [07:00] ➡️ Career foundations [09:00] ➡️ Clover’s expansion to the US and Europe [11:30] ➡️ Taking the leap into entrepreneurship [14:20] ➡️ The paradox of wealth [16:40] ➡️ More about Belong [18:32] ➡️ Nick Hungerford’s mentorship [24:18] ➡️ The sacrifice for entrepreneurship [29:07] ➡️ Raising the biggest pre-seed round in Europe [32:23] ➡️ Practical advice for wealth building [37:40] ➡️ Audience Question: How would you describe Belong’s culture? [41:42] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Avion: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviongray/?originalSubdomain=uk ➡️ Find our more about Belong: https://www.be-long.co/⭐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

“[Having bootstrapped] we get to control our destiny, we can move as quickly as we want and we can go where we want and don’t have to be accountable.” Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Gurinder Dhillon, Founder of Otto Car, London’s largest community of PCO drivers and Europe’s largest provider of electric vehicles to private-hire drivers.  Having recently partnered with Gurinder and Otto Car to deliver a very exciting search for them, it was extra special to sit down with Gurinder and find out more about his incredible journey with Otto Car - from one Toyota Prius in a West London garage to one of the fastest growing startups in Europe…all completely bootstrapped. In amongst the shared ups and downs of scaling a bootstrapped business, Gurinder shares invaluable advice for anyone thinking of starting their own entrepreneurial journey. Episode chapters: ➡️ The cost of entrepreneurship [04:18] ➡️ Gurinder’s upbringing and route into entrepreneurship [07:16] ➡️ Early startup experience [09:40] ➡️ Eternal optimism & navigating failure [13:06] ➡️ Otto Car’s origin story [14:32] ➡️ Losing 75% of revenue in one day - Otto Car’s pivot [17:44] ➡️ Advice on pivoting [19:14] ➡️ Building a business around love [23:22] ➡️ Gurinder’s vision for the future [26:00] ➡️ The benefits & reality behind bootstrapping [28:12] ➡️ Hiring advice [30:30] ➡️ Audience question: What would you do if you wouldn’t have followed the entrepreneurial route? [37:00] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Gurinder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gurinder-dhillon/ ➡️ Find our more about Otto Car: https://ottocar.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“There are days when you wake up and think ‘this is it - we’re going to be the next Google’ and then you wake up the next morning and feel like it’s all over and you’re going to fail.” Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is former VC investor turned serial entrepreneur, Greg Marsh. Following his time as an investor with Index Ventures, Greg went to build pioneering luxury accommodation marketplace, onefinestay, which became a global success with over 700 people and an exit via acquisition by Accor Hotel in 2016 - a deal worth more than $200m. But it didn’t take long for Greg to throw himself back in the Founder seat. In today’s episode, we discuss his career to date in detail, plus find out more about his latest venture, Nous - the smarter way to save on household bills. Episode chapters: ➡️ Growing up in west London and finding his call as an entrepreneur [03:08] ➡️ Becoming an Investor [04:37] ➡️ The origins of onefinestay [10:11] ➡️ Underestimating the difficulty of scaling a business [11:26] ➡️ The collaborative nature of entrepreneurship [13:43] ➡️ Building a support network around you [16:33] ➡️ The emotional rollercoaster of being a Founder [18:46] ➡️ Taking hiring seriously [21:12] ➡️ Why Greg jumped back into the Founder seat [24:59] ➡️ More about Nous [29:26] ➡️ Building traction in a difficult market [34:56] ➡️ Advantages of being a second time Founder [37:23] ➡️ Audience Question: What practical advice do you have for making your money work harder in difficult times? [42:34] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmarsh/ ➡️ Check out Nous: https://www.nous.co/ ⭐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

“Entrepreneurship feels like a process of torture sometimes because no matter how hard you try and how much you work and how many evenings or weekends that you sacrifice, you’re still only at the very bottom of the hill.” Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Deirdre O’Neill, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial & Legal Officer at women’s health startup, Hertility. With a background in corporate law and VC law, Deirdre took the leap into entrepreneurship in 2019, alongside twin sister Dr Helen O’Neill and Dr Natalie Getreu. Since then, the three Co-Founders and their team have been revolutionising the future of reproductive healthcare, by pioneering unique diagnostic testing. In this episode, we get a full behind-the-scenes look into their build so far and where the future might take them… Episode chapters: ➡️ Growing up in Cork [07:30] ➡️ Why she feels more like a lawyer now than ever before [10:33] ➡️ Hertility’s origin story [13:14] ➡️ Breaking into a heavily regulated space [18:30] ➡️ Normalising talking about fertility & women’s health [20:27] ➡️ Fundraising & why crowdfunding is a great option [23:11] ➡️ Leaning into pregnancy as a Founder [29:05] ➡️ Why the best talent is focusing on purpose [31:52] ➡️ Are you choosing a steamboat or a speedboat? [33:15] ➡️ Hertility’s team culture [35:23] ➡️ Audience Question: How do you navigate conflict with your Co-Founder and twin sister [40:13] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Deirdre: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deirdre-o-neill-a8bb6a14/ ➡️ Check out Hertility: https://hertilityhealth.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  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natasha Ratanshi-Stein, Founder of Surfboard, shares her journey from VC to CEO, importance of operational experience, and insights on being Chief of Staff at Bulb. She discusses the challenges and rewards of building Surfboard, flexible working, and future aspirations for the company.

“I think we over index on the significance of education at the cost of other important parts of the social mobility conversation.” This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is Gary Izunwa, Co-Founder and CEO of Tangent. Tangent is an employee referral platform that makes referrals accessible to everyone and NOT just the privileged few with the best networks. Prior to Tangent, Gary worked at LinkedIn and the British Council leading programmes for ‘Generation UK’, a multimillion pound campaign, committed to social mobility. Most recently, Gary has also been named in the 2024 class of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for Social Impact. In today’s episode, we’ll explore his career to date, the journey of building Tangent and the power of mentorship and social mobility… Episode chapters: ➡️ Reframing mistakes & failure [02:39] ➡️ Growing up with an entrepreneurial mind [05:24] ➡️ A successful early career at LinkedIn [07:49] ➡️ Taking a 80% salary cut to drive social mobility [13:36] ➡️ Starting Tangent - the origin [16:44] ➡️ Harsh learnings from building without your customer [23:29] ➡️ The power & gaps of recruitment referrals [29:26] ➡️ Closing social mobility gaps [32:40] ➡️ Gratitude complex of socially mobile people [37:32] ➡️ Audience question: Building your personal brand on LinkedIn [44:40] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Gary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyizunwa/ ➡️ Check out Tangent: https://www.jointangent.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“You work so hard for something you’ve dreamt of for so long and then you achieve it and it’s nothing like you imagined it would be…” This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is Lottie Whyte, Co-Founder and CEO of MyoMaster, the home of sports recovery and a brand on a mission to unlock every athlete’s greatest performance. If you’re an avid BBC Dragons Den watcher, then you’ll have seen Lottie and her Co-Founder and husband, Joe, on the most recent series, where they won an incredible £100,000 investment from Gary Neville and Sara Davies. In today’s episode we not only discuss this latest impressive milestone in Lottie’s journey, but also look back on humble beginnings at their kitchen table and Lottie’s successful career in PR and advertising. Episode chapters: ➡️ Lottie’s upbringing and early influences [02:24] ➡️ Becoming the youngest board member at M&C Saatchi [04:22] ➡️ MyoMaster’s origin story [09:01] ➡️ The power of resilience & fundraising advice [13:20] ➡️ Why VC investment isn’t for everyone [14:48] ➡️ Why Dragons Den & the behind the scenes scoop [16:39] ➡️ Winning over Gary Neville and Sara Davies [21:04] ➡️ Building on the Dragons Den momentum [22:12] ➡️ Advice for applying to Dragons Den [24:51] ➡️ Balancing wellbeing and entrepreneurship [26:13] ➡️ Audience question: How do you navigate being business partners, a married couple and parents with Joe? [31:10] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Lottie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lottie-whyte-07205918/ ➡️ Check out MyoMaster: https://myomaster.com/ ➡️ Watch MyoMaster on Dragons Den: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZsJjuo-QnU  ⭐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

“It’s never felt easy. There’s never been a single day where it’s felt easy. The winds are always hardwired for various reasons, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a lot of fun.” This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is Morgan Fowles, CEO of popular sustainable activewear and athleisure brand, TALA. If you’ve been listening to 40 Minute Mentor for a while, you would have already come across TALA, when we caught up with Founder, Grace Beverley in Season 5. In this episode, we find out more about Morgan’s career in fashion, including her exec role at Thomas Pink Shirtmaker, COO at SPOKE and how she became CEO of TALA in 2023. Episode chapters: ➡️ Growing up across the pond & Morgan’s love for fashion [04:47] ➡️ A career in fashion [06:37] ➡️ Advice for any successful COO [11:13] ➡️ Breaking into the fashion industry [16:54] ➡️ Joining TALA and progressing to CEO [19:47] ➡️ More about TALA [21:40] ➡️ Founder and CEO relationship [28:00] ➡️ Making £1m in revenue in an hour [31:00] ➡️ Hiring for TALA [37:35] ➡️ The future of sustainability in fashion [40:32] ➡️ Audience question: What would you change about the fashion industry? [43:25] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganfowles/ ➡️ Listen to Grace Beverley’s 40 Minute Mentor episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/scaling-a-purpose-driven-business-whilst-creating-balance-with-grace-beverley/ ➡️ Check out TALA: https://www.wearetala.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  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“They say all the best businesses in the world have nearly died three times. It’s an inevitable journey you go on when you're creating a high growth business.”This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is Radha Vyas, Co-Founder and CEO of adventure travel startup, Flash Pack. Flash Pack is on a mission to create 1 million friendships through connecting solo travellers in their 30s and 40s to go on adventure trips they'll never forget. Since inception, Flash Pack has been on an incredible journey - reaching £20m turnover with a team of 60. However, with Covid hitting the travel industry the hardest, and with countless refunds from their customers, Flash Pack’s revenue quickly dropped down to zero. Fast forward to today, Radha and the Flash Pack team are quickly exceeding pre-Covid goals, have raised £5m for their expansion in the US and now have a team of 70, spread across the globe. In today’s episode, we’ll dive into every part of Radha’s journey to date and the crucial lessons she’s learned from rebuilding Flash Pack. Episode Chapters: ➡️ Radha’s entrepreneurial aspirations from an early age [4:45]➡️ Starting Flash Pack off the back of a first date [10:08]➡️ From idea to early-stage startup - the lessons learned [16:15]➡️ How a selfie in Brazil became an accelerator for Flash Pack [20:43]➡️ From flying high to an abrupt stop with Covid [27:07]➡️ Navigating Founder life & being married to your Co-Founder [34:04]➡️ Rebuilding after Covid - Flash Pack 2.0 [37:21]➡️ An honest reflection on building a diverse team [39:20]➡️ Hiring for values fit vs culture fit [42:14]➡️ Audience question: Where is next on your travel list? [45:33]⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Radha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radha-vyas-flashpack/ ➡️ Book your next trip with Flash Pack: https://www.flashpack.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  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Sometimes entrepreneurship is about bending the odds of success and being willing to take on the risk even though it doesn’t make much sense. It’s about going ahead anyway and changing the odds yourself.” In our first episode of Series 11 of 40 Minute Mentor, we’re joined by Richard Robinson, Founder and CEO of Robin AI. Robin AI is a leader in legal AI and empowers legal teams and lawyers all over the world to make contract processes effortless. In today’s episode you’ll find out how Richard has built Robin AI from ideation to 100+ employees, 72+ global customers and $32 million raised to date. Episode Chapters: ➡️ From growing up in Birmingham to starting Robin AI [4:51]➡️ Becoming a debate champion [6:51]➡️ From lawyer to Founder [9:06]➡️ Building an AI legal assistant: Robin AI’s origin story [14:20]➡️ Building one of the most diverse companies in Europe [17:58]➡️ The changes in the legal sector [21:40] ➡️ The future of AI in 2024 and beyond [25:14]➡️ Securing $32 million in fundraising [27:40]➡️ Why you shouldn’t have to convince investors [29:29]➡️ The impact of picking the right investors [30:52]➡️ Hiring advice: Why you shouldn’t add that additional interview round [35:06] ➡️ Audience Question: What do you want the law industry to look like in ten years from now? [39:57] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardgrobinson/ ➡️ Find out more about RobinAI: https://www.robinai.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices