🎙 From opera stages to startup exits — Julian Issa’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode of Founders’ Voice, Julian shares how he went from choirboy at Westminster Cathedral to business journalist, then co-founder of Feather — a platform tackling loneliness through tech, acquired just two years in.

We unpack the power of reinvention, what makes a real founder, and why building community isn’t just a startup cliché — it’s the job. Julian also opens up about people-pleasing, impostor syndrome, and why he believes suffering is a privilege.

Whether you’re mid-pivot or just scribbling ideas after work, this one’s for you.

Topics:

• From music scholarships to founding an AI startup

• Building Feather to fight loneliness — and selling it

• Why solo founding is a red flag (unless your partner’s “an idiot”)

• How to set real metrics before quitting your job

• Storytelling, authenticity, and finding your voice

• Beyond Tomorrow: Julian’s new podcast on health, AI, and the future

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Founders’ Voice

Hosted by Dan Mellins from AraGeek, Founders’ Voice brings you raw, honest conversations with the entrepreneurs and dreamers reshaping the MENA region. From bootstrapping in tough times to building businesses that make a real impact — these are stories of grit, hope, and community. No jargon. No fluff. Just real voices making it happen.

Listen Now:

• Website: https://en.arageek.com

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• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/475543d2-24b4-4de1-b247-27ceb584436c/founders’-voice-from-arageek-com

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