She grew up in a war zone, arrived in London with nothing, and built one of the UK’s most exciting female-led creative agencies.
Tijana Tamburic, co-founder and CEO of Female Narratives, shares her extraordinary immigrant journey, from bunk beds and burnout to building campaigns for global brands like Bumble and Merell. This is a story of resilience, hustle, and redefining success on your own terms.
In this conversation:
Growing up in Serbia during war and moving to the UK
The immigrant mindset: autonomy, proving your value, and finding belonging
Building Female Narratives and creating campaigns with purpose
The hidden cost of overwork, burnout, and redefining success in your 30s
Chapters
00:00:00 – Meet Tijana: Founder of Female Narratives
00:00:38 – Born in a country that no longer exists
00:02:36 – Returning to Serbia as war breaks out
00:05:01 – Escaping Belgrade & moving back to London
00:06:14 – Growing up fast & raised for autonomy
00:08:09 – Adapting to a new culture & proving worth
00:11:22 – Class divides & being told ‘you’re not one of us’
00:12:59 – The drive to prove value through success
00:14:04 – Addicted to stress & chasing validation
00:16:01 – The immigrant safety net: bunk beds & starting a business
00:18:22 – Publishing comics & hustling early ventures
00:20:17 – Modeling, freelancing & never working for anyone else
00:25:00 – Moving to LA on an ‘extraordinary ability’ visa
00:29:49 – The kitchen floor idea: Female Narratives is born
00:32:11 – Building an all-female creative collective
00:35:31 – Riding the wave: Bumble, Nike & global campaigns
00:37:55 – Rebranding for inclusivity & brand intimacy
00:41:30 – Clients from female-led apps to heritage brands
00:43:41 – The power of events & being the host
00:50:44 – Scaling vs. staying sane: choosing balance
00:57:04 – Redefining success & setting financial goals
01:03:39 – The breaking point: burnout & physical collapse
01:08:35 – Lessons from burnout & learning boundaries
01:11:04 – What I’d tell my nine-year-old self
What if the outfits you wore once could have another life and save you money while saving the planet?
Anoli Mathur, founder and CEO of Circular Threads, shares her incredible journey from management consulting at EY to creating the UK’s fastest growing platform for pre-loved South Asian clothing. From the struggles of cultural identity growing up in London to spotting a gap in the wedding fashion market, Anoli has built a business that’s rewriting the rules of tradition, sustainability, and style.
In this conversation, we explore:
How immigrant roots shaped her identity and entrepreneurial drive
The painful truth about waste in South Asian fashion
Why brides and grooms are embracing the “pre-loved” movement
The future of sustainable weddings and circular fashion
This is a story about heritage, identity, and building a business that challenges the way we think about clothing, culture, and sustainability.
Chapters
00:00 – Meet Anoli Mathur, founder of Circular Threads
00:30 – An immigrant story shaped by chance encounters
04:00 – Growing up in London & struggling with cultural identity
07:00 – Fitting in vs. celebrating heritage
10:00 – Life in consulting & the spark of entrepreneurship
12:30 – The loft discovery that sparked Circular Threads
15:00 – Why South Asian fashion is broken
19:20 – Selling vs. renting – what really works
21:00 – Menswear, bridal wear & expanding the market
23:20 – From weddings to wardrobes: new customer habits
26:00 – How long can outfits last?
28:30 – Solving the “clothes in storage” problem
34:30 – The environmental impact of South Asian weddings
36:40 – Why price and design matter more than sustainability (for now)
39:20 – Building a movement beyond fashion
42:00 – The future: partnerships, accessories & one-stop shop for weddings
44:30 – Final reflections & why sustainability must also be convenient
He never worked for anyone. And he doesn’t regret a single failure.
Harris Cheng, co-founder and CEO of Jupitrr, takes us on an inspiring journey from photographer to entrepreneur, breaking down barriers and disrupting the content creation space with AI. From his roots in Hong Kong to building companies in Toronto and London, Harris reflects on the mindset shift that led him to create a platform that’s revolutionising the way we make videos.
In this conversation, we explore:
The immigrant founder experience and navigating cultural identity
Why personal branding isn’t just about social media
How Harris built a community of 150,000 users with zero paid marketing
How Jupitrr is reshaping content creation with intelligent editing
This episode is filled with raw insight and powerful lessons for anyone navigating entrepreneurship, tech, or the immigrant journey.
👉 If you found value in this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for more powerful stories.
Chapters
00:00:00 – From Hong Kong to London
Harris’ story begins in Hong Kong and his move to London.
00:02:57 – Why He Left Canada
The decision to leave Canada and pursue bigger dreams.
00:05:25 – Being an Immigrant Founder in London
Facing challenges and building a new life as an immigrant entrepreneur.
00:07:18 – Culture Shock & Identity in the UK
How adapting to the UK culture shaped Harris’ perspective.
00:10:22 – What Hong Kong Hustle Feels Like
The fast-paced, high-energy mindset that defines Hong Kong’s work culture.
00:12:27 – Upbringing in Obedience vs. Creativity
Balancing conformity with creative expression from a young age.
00:16:52 – Why He Never Worked for Anyone
Harris reflects on his choice to never be an employee and the lessons from that.
00:18:20 – Building Freehunter & His First 100K Users
The journey of creating a platform that grew exponentially.
00:20:16 – Why Personal Brand ≠ Social Media
Breaking down the real meaning behind personal branding.
00:23:45 – The Real Power of LinkedIn & Attention
The key to using LinkedIn to grab attention and build influence.
00:28:12 – The Algorithm Is Killing Your Videos
How algorithms are impacting video content and engagement.
00:30:39 – How YouTube, TikTok & LinkedIn Compare
A comparison of video performance across platforms.
00:32:50 – Where Jupitrr Videos Perform Best
How Jupitrr helps optimize video content for maximum impact.
00:35:06 – The Secret to Getting VC Attention
Harris shares his strategy for catching the eye of venture capitalists.
00:37:04 – LinkedIn Is Betting Big on Video
Why LinkedIn is pushing video content and what it means for creators.
00:39:13 – Can AI Replicate Lara Acosta-Style Edits?
The potential of AI to replicate high-end video edits.
00:42:48 – What Jupitrr Actually Does
An in-depth look at how Jupitrr transforms video editing.
00:46:59 – Talking Heads Are the Future
Why talking-head videos are a game-changer in content creation.
00:50:50 – The New SEO: Getting Found in ChatGPT
How ChatGPT and AI are changing the way we think about SEO.
00:55:08 – How to Rank in AI Search
Practical advice on ranking content in AI-driven search engines.
01:00:23 – Jupitrr’s Vision for the Future
Harris shares his vision for the future of content creation.
01:03:07 – Why You Need to Start Now
The urgency of adopting AI in today’s fast-moving digital landscape.
01:05:13 – What He'd Tell His Younger Self
Harris offers powerful advice to his younger self on building success.
What’s the future of cybersecurity in a world where quantum tech is transforming everything?
In this episode, Wenmiao Yu takes us through her journey from Singapore to the UK, from growing up in a highly competitive education system to pioneering the use of quantum technology in cybersecurity.
Key Takeaways:
Cultural Shifts: Moving from Singapore to the UK and how it shaped her view of resilience and inclusivity.
Quantum Tech Demystified: An insider’s look at the booming field of quantum computing, sensing, and communications.
Building a Future-Proof Business: How Wemya’s company is enhancing cybersecurity with quantum random number generators.
Navigating the Quantum Space: From early challenges to raising funding, learn how the quantum industry is evolving and what’s driving its growth.
Don’t miss this fascinating conversation about the intersection of technology, security, and the future.
Chapters
00:00:00 – From Singapore to the UK: A Life of Change
00:04:05 – Cultural Shock: Moving to a New World
00:07:15 – How Early Education Shapes Our Futures
00:12:00 – The Journey into Quantum Tech
00:16:30 – Quantum Sensing, Computing, and the Future
00:22:40 – Building a Company from Scratch
00:27:00 – Navigating the Quantum Investment Space
00:32:10 – How Quantum Tech Is Changing Cybersecurity
00:38:20 – Quantum Encryption and the Future of Security
00:43:00 – The Challenge of Educating the Market
00:47:30 – Scaling Quantum: From Space to Smartphones
00:52:00 – Advice for Anyone Looking to Enter Quantum Tech
00:57:00 – A Lesson from a 10-Year-Old Moving to the UK
Bobbie King never planned to become an entrepreneur. She never even planned to move to the UK. But a cancelled project, a packed suitcase, and a leaky ceiling changed everything. In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Bobbie shares how she went from a Romanian mountain village to becoming the CEO and co-founder of SquepTech, a competency intelligence platform transforming high-risk industries.
This episode is a powerful story of resilience, perspective, and the immigrant experience woven with humour, hard truths, and hard-earned wisdom.
🔑 Key themes:
The reality of starting over in a new country
What immigrants really bring to the table
Building a company from scratch without a plan or a budget
The true cost (and power) of freedom, choice, and voice
🎧 If this moved you, subscribe and share. These are the stories that matter.
Chapters
00:00:00 – Intro: Who is Bobbie King?
00:01:12 – A marriage, a move, and no plan
00:03:50 – Life in a leaky UK flat
00:06:40 – The bus stop & the walking stick story
00:10:00 – Has the UK changed since?
00:12:30 – Accent barriers & bias in the workplace
00:17:00 – A different kind of belonging
00:22:45 – What immigrants miss—and what they gain
00:29:00 – Growing up under communism
00:32:10 – The power of voice and freedom
00:35:00 – From temp jobs to tech founder
00:38:00 – SquepTech is born (with wine & instinct)
00:43:00 – Scaling through instinct and consulting
00:50:00 – Why she added payroll (despite vowing never to)
00:56:00 – The emotional cost of building something real
01:00:30 – AI vs. competency: Why data isn’t enough
01:07:30 – The problem with "one-size-fits-all" systems
01:14:00 – All-in-one HR platforms: A comeback story
01:19:00 – The unspoken power of integration
01:25:00 – Her real vision for the next 3 years
01:28:00 – Why she’s not taking VC money
01:30:00 – It’s not about exit—it’s about people
They copied his idea. So he dressed as a burglar and went to war.
This is the extraordinary story of Giuseppe, the immigrant founder behind Gusto Snacks, a sustainable snack brand born from food waste and bootstrapped with grit. When a major UK retailer copied his product, he didn’t hire lawyers. He went guerrilla.
In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Giuseppe shares how heartbreak turned into hustle, and how one viral marketing stunt generated £60,000 in sales with just £12 and a cardboard sign.
In this episode:
How a startup founder took on a major UK supermarket and won attention worldwide
Why Giuseppe believes being underestimated is his greatest advantage
The unspoken reality of starting over in a foreign country
Why failure is your greatest asset and how it fuels true innovation
If you’ve ever felt like the odds are stacked against you… this one’s for you
👉 Subscribe for more founder stories that break the mould.
📩 Share this with someone who needs to hear it.
Chapters
00:00:00 – Meet Giuseppe: The Founder of Gusto
00:00:48 – When a Supermarket Stole My Product
00:02:45 – The Birth of a Campaign
00:05:03 – Going Viral with £12 and a Sign
00:06:39 – David vs Goliath: The Emotional Toll
00:07:53 – From Italy to the UK: Starting Over
00:09:58 – Dreams of Basketball, Reality of Landfill
00:12:18 – Why London Changed Everything
00:16:54 – Language Barriers & Mental Roadblocks
00:20:59 – Warehouse to University: My Turning Point
00:24:20 – The Moment I Became an Entrepreneur
00:26:25 – Entrepreneurship Runs in the Family
00:28:15 – The Hunger That Fuels Immigrants
00:31:50 – Luck Is Just Hard Work in Disguise
00:34:10 – London: The Underrated Silicon Valley
00:36:29 – The Truth About Social Media & Startups
00:41:25 – The MrBeast of Snacks?
00:43:04 – How Waste Inspired My Business Idea
00:49:16 – Making Fruits Great Again
00:51:05 – Door-to-Door Distribution & Early Wins
00:54:08 – What It Really Takes to Get Listed in Tesco
00:58:03 – Why Branding & Timing Matter Most
01:03:03 – International Interest After Tesco Rejection
01:05:24 – Am I Too Much of the Brand?
01:06:28 – People Buy People, Not Products
01:09:36 – Storytelling Is the Marketing Strategy
01:11:42 – The Opportunity You Already Have
01:13:35 – Where Gusto Is Headed in 3 Years
01:17:34 – Why Consistency Is the Only Strategy
01:17:58 – Advice to My Younger Self
01:20:34 – The Power of Connection and Giving Back
She quit her job. Got divorced. Started again with nothing. And built something extraordinary.
In this episode, we sit down with Cien Solon, immigrant founder, ex-product lead in fintech, and now CEO of Launch Lemonade, a no-code AI agent marketplace empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs. Her journey spans continents, heartbreaks, reinventions, and ultimately, impact.
Cien opens up about:
Her deeply personal immigrant journey from the Philippines to the UK
Walking away from a “perfect” life to start over from scratch
The emotional cost and radical freedom of reinvention
How she’s making the future of work accessible through AI
This is a conversation about finding purpose in chaos, the power of second chances, and why the future belongs to those bold enough to build it.
👉 Subscribe, share, and comment if this episode resonated with you.
Chapters:
00:00:00 – Why She Almost Didn't Make It Here
00:00:53 – From GPT-Host to Launch Lemonade
00:02:14 – Fruit Names and Founding Stories
00:03:45 – Growing Up in the Philippines
00:05:09 – From China to the UK
00:08:10 – Culture Shock and Reality Checks
00:10:56 – Career Restart and Volunteering
00:12:17 – Managing Engineers Before ChatGPT
00:13:53 – Divorce and Reinvention
00:16:49 – Hackathons and the First MVP
00:18:46 – Why AI Literacy Became Her Mission
00:21:57 – What Launch Lemonade Does
00:24:41 – The Problem With AI Education
00:27:50 – Marketing Will Beat Product
00:32:55 – Why Launch Lemonade Isn’t ChatGPT
00:35:03 – The App Store for AI Agents
00:36:19 – What AI Agents Can Actually Do
00:40:26 – Will AI Really Replace Us?
00:46:15 – Two Things Everyone Should Do Now
00:48:57 – Survivor’s Guilt and Strategic Thinking
00:50:36 – What the Next 5 Years Look Like
00:53:27 – What She’d Tell Her Younger Self
He lost all his revenue overnight. What he did next changed everything.
Juan, a Venezuelan-born entrepreneur, joins us to share an unfiltered, deeply human journey through immigration, identity, failure, and reinvention. From sleeping in small towns to falling in love with London’s chaos and possibility, Juan reveals the emotional cost of building and rebuilding in the middle of uncertainty.
In this conversation, we explore:
The emotional toll of feeling like an outsider and the moment Juan finally felt he belonged
How his startup went from zero revenue in lockdown to £1M+ using just a paywall and a dream
What AI means for the future of work and how founders must evolve or be left behind
Why purpose, not a business plan, is what truly guides success
This episode is a wake-up call for any builder navigating fear, reinvention, and the overwhelming pace of change.
👉 If you found value in this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for more powerful stories.
Chapters
00:00:00 – He Felt Like He Finally Belonged
00:04:15 – The Magic of London’s Possibility
00:07:50 – How Multiculturalism Changes Everything
00:11:00 – When You Stop Trying to Blend In
00:14:20 – The Moment You Realise No One Cares
00:17:45 – Why London Is the Best Place to Build
00:21:10 – He Was the Worst Cook. Then Everything Changed
00:25:00 – They Lost All Revenue Overnight
00:29:00 – The Weekend That Saved Their Business
00:33:30 – The Hard Truth About Burnout & Vanity Metrics
00:35:50 – AI Has Changed Everything — Forever
00:41:10 – The Developer Role Is Being Rewritten
00:44:30 – Founders Must Adapt or Be Replaced
00:49:20 – How He’s Training His Team for the Future
00:53:10 – Why He Doesn’t Call It an Agency
00:56:00 – From Zero to One: The Real Work
00:59:30 – The Vision… And Why It’s Okay Not to Have One
01:02:00 – The One Thing He’d Tell His 13-Year-Old Self
You’re not losing deals because your product sucks. You’re losing because you’re too slow, too manual and your buyer moved on.
In today’s episode, I sat down with Erdem Gelal, the CEO and co-founder of Flowla, a company quietly transforming how sales teams operate after the discovery call. From building sexy music startups to selling an unsexy B2B marketplace, Erdem's journey is anything but ordinary. Now, he's tackling one of the most frustrating bottlenecks in B2B sales: the post-call black hole.
We go deep into:
The silent killers of sales performance (and how Flowla automates them)
Why founder-led sales is still undefeated but dangerous to scale
What scalable distribution really looks like in the age of AI
The VC vs bootstrap debate: hard truths from someone raising right now
This one’s for the founders, operators, and revenue leaders ready to unlock speed and clarity in their sales motion.
Subscribe for more founder stories, startup truths, and strategies that cut through the noise
Chapters
00:00:00 – Meet Erdem Gedel: 3x founder, now tackling sales chaos
00:01:45 – From digital sales rooms to AI orchestration
00:03:20 – His first startup hit 500k users… then collapsed
00:05:00 – The unsexy marketplace that changed everything
00:07:10 – Why London? And how he moved fast
00:09:40 – Building Flowla: the true origin story
00:11:30 – Automating the post-discovery black hole
00:13:30 – The viral LinkedIn post that changed everything
00:16:00 – Winning in a noisy world: product vs attention
00:18:10 – Building distribution: content, virality, and trust
00:20:15 – Self-serve vs handholding: which scales faster?
00:23:00 – Why he's still doing manual outreach
00:25:15 – Their sweet spot: 50–500 employee companies
00:27:50 – Pain points: awareness, connection, culture
00:30:45 – Remote vs office: the hybrid evolution
00:32:00 – Raising vs bootstrapping: his honest take
00:36:15 – Fundraising as a skill and growth lever
00:38:25 – Why your first investors matter more than you think
00:41:20 – Going big in the US: how Flowla unlocked it
00:45:00 – SOC2, Salesforce, and scaling US trust
00:47:30 – The advisory board that changed the game
00:49:50 – Don’t have traction? Do this instead
00:52:00 – The 3 trust boxes you must tick
00:54:00 – Founders: Stop falling in love with the solution
00:57:00 – How to actually validate your idea
01:00:00 – What he’d tell his 13-year-old self
01:03:45 – A chilled, grounded end to a tactical masterclass
In this powerful episode of Immigrants Building Companies, Asim sits down with Sonakshi, co-founder of YourCue, a groundbreaking healthtech startup reshaping how we monitor patient vitals and respond to emergencies across the UK and developing nations like India.
From her journey as a first-time international student in Manchester to founding a medical-grade device company targeting cardiac arrest detection, Sonakshi opens up about overcoming cultural expectations, startup challenges, and building tech that saves lives.
The episode also explores:
The difference between proactive and reactive healthcare
Why AI is accelerating healthtech innovation
Navigating startup fundraising as a female immigrant founder
Building modular medical devices for global markets
How trauma, personal loss, and lived experience fuel impact-led entrepreneurship
If you're passionate about startups, healthtech, or immigrant founder stories, this one’s a must-listen.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: In-person podcast energy
01:10 – Sonakshi’s journey from India to UK
03:45 – Navigating university life & support for international students
06:00 – How her startup began post-graduation
09:30 – Breaking cultural expectations to build something meaningful
11:45 – COVID and the urgent need for better healthcare tech
15:20 – Vision for automated vital signs monitoring
20:00 – From ward alert to heart alert: building modular devices
24:45 – Tackling cardiac arrests with AI and wearable sensors
27:50 – Why developing countries are a strategic first market
34:30 – Revenue plans, hospital partnerships & productisation
38:00 – AI’s impact on development speed
45:10 – Sonakshi’s 3-year vision: universal, quality healthcare access
50:00 – Reconnecting with her family and personal reflections
53:20 – Advice to young dreamers: take the first step
In this episode, South-African-born Chris shares how a lifetime of competitive sport and four international moves, shaped his mission to improve employee wellbeing worldwide.
Raised in Cape Town, Chris left home at 18 on a golf scholarship in rural Arkansas, trained with Ironman pros in Boulder, and finally relocated to London in 2021, navigating red-list travel bans, an ancestry visa and a 10-day quarantine via Montenegro along the way.
He explains why time-zones, diaspora networks and access to capital made the UK the right launch-pad, and how he now manages teams in Cape Town, Johannesburg, London and beyond.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chris and His Athletic Journey
06:02 Navigating Life During COVID-19
08:50 The Move to London: Personal and Professional Motivations
12:05 Building a Business Across Borders
15:06 The Importance of Time Zones in Global Business
18:05 Strategic Market Focus: UK vs. US
21:01 The Growth of the South African Tech Scene
22:27 Exploring Biotech and Work Opportunities
24:01 Connecting with Teams and Locations
25:09 The Importance of Focus in Business
26:34 From Accounting to Entrepreneurship
27:53 Addressing the Funding Gap for SMEs
30:19 Building a Marketplace for Working Capital
31:43 Transitioning to Health and Well-being Tech
34:09 Developing a Comprehensive Health Platform
37:02 Targeting Corporate and Insurance Markets
39:07 The Role of Purpose in Entrepreneurship
41:46 Navigating the Challenges of Founding a Company
44:54 Finding Purpose and Enjoying the Journey
46:35 The Importance of Intent and Community
49:00 Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit
51:52 Excitement in the Tech Space
53:00 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations
53:02 Transforming Mental Health Perspectives
56:40 The Agility of Startups in Competitive Markets
01:00:25 Leveraging AI for Enhanced Employee Well-Being
01:03:11 Demonstrating Value in Corporate Health Solutions
01:08:44 Engagement Strategies for Health Platforms
01:15:30 Future Aspirations and Impact on Health
In this powerful episode of Immigrants Building Companies, we sit down with Arnold, co-founder of Unbound – a preventative health startup with a mission to help people live longer, healthier lives.
Arnold shares his deeply personal journey: from growing up across multiple African countries as a Third Culture Kid, to navigating the corporate world at Goldman Sachs, and ultimately finding his calling in healthcare. We explore themes of identity, resilience, purpose, and the stark realities of preventative care in today's world.
What you'll learn:
The immigrant mindset and long-term strategic planning
Personal experiences with racism and identity formation
Transitioning from a high-flying banking career to building a meaningful startup
The shocking stats around preventable cardiac disease
How Unbound is tackling behaviour change and community-led health
This conversation is raw, insightful, and genuinely moving, a testament to how lived experience can fuel innovation with soul.
Subscribe for more stories that celebrate resilience, entrepreneurship, and the power of diversity.
Chapters
00:00 The Journey Begins: A Life of Change
05:07 Cultural Identity and the Third Culture Kid Experience
10:08 Navigating Race and Identity in South Africa
14:59 The Importance of Perspective and Duty
19:46 London: A Melting Pot of Cultures
24:59 Intentionality in Life Choices and Opportunities
30:57 Mindset and Opportunity in South Africa
32:32 Navigating Corporate Success and Personal Fulfillment
34:39 The Journey from Corporate to Startup
40:48 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Entrepreneurship
49:20 Embracing Discomfort and Growth
53:21 Building a Health-Focused Startup
01:00:33 Challenges and Reflections on Health and Purpose
01:01:33 Personal Health Journey and Cardiac Events
01:04:50 The Growing Concern of Cardiovascular Health in Younger Generations
01:06:45 The Role of the NHS and Proactive Health Management
01:10:08 Business Models in Preventative Healthcare
01:13:40 Funding and Strategic Partnerships for Health Startups
01:18:38 Vision for a Healthier Future and Impact on Lives
01:26:34 Reflections and Advice for the Younger Generation
What happens when you've built success, earned accolades, and led a thriving business only to move countries and have to start from scratch?
In this episode, Sydney Scott-Sam, founder and CEO of Workspace Global, shares a deeply raw and human story of identity, rejection, resilience, and reinvention.
He unpacks the struggle of being an outsider, the reality of racial and cultural navigation, and why building a global tech company from nothing has tested everything, his marriage, his purpose, and his sense of self.
From navigating fatherhood and startup life in a pressure cooker, to solving the global creative outsourcing crisis, Sydney delivers the truth many entrepreneurs won’t say out loud.
This isn’t just a founder story. It’s a masterclass in grit, purpose, and what it means to keep building when the world doesn’t see you.
Chapters
00:00 Navigating Identity and Credibility in a New Land
05:51 The Immigrant Experience: Challenges and Adaptations
10:24 Entrepreneurship: From Ghana to the UK
19:03 The Growth Mindset: Embracing Discomfort and Change
25:15 Workspace Global: Revolutionizing Creative Outsourcing
31:10 Affordable Talent Access for Entrepreneurs
34:12 The Freelance Landscape and Community Challenges
36:12 Innovative Agency Model and AI Integration
40:02 Subscription Model and Market Disruption
43:48 Customer Psychology and Pricing Strategy
51:16 Go-To-Market Strategy and Free Trials
59:54 AI's Role in Business Evolution
01:01:07 Building a Customer-Centric AI Infrastructure
01:03:42 The Human Element in Creative Outsourcing
01:05:30 Navigating Venture Capital and Ethical Business Practices
01:10:21 Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital: Finding Your Path
01:15:05 The Importance of Accountability in Business Leadership
01:20:19 Lessons from the Journey: Enjoying the Process
01:25:25 Future Aspirations: Uplifting Communities through Business
How do you carve out a sense of belonging when you’ve never really had one place to call home?
In this episode, we sit down with Imii founder Jane Fisher, a self-described “forever immigrant” who grew up in Japan with Russian parents, found home in multicultural London, and is now building a tech platform that helps newcomers integrate faster and thrive.
We dive into:
- What it means to be a third-culture kid and why identity crises are common
- The six-month “phoenix” period every immigrant faces in London
- Leaving a national TV career, taking a calculated gamble on health-tech, and winning a UK Global Talent visa
- The aha-moment (during a 7 a.m. regression-therapy call!) that sparked IMI – a digital relocation companion now eyeing NHS and government partners
- How purpose, not pedigree, guides her decisions – plus frank talk about burnout, therapy and staying mission-driven
Whether you’re relocating, hiring global talent, or chasing a mission-led startup dream, this conversation is packed with raw honesty and practical insights.
Chapters
00:00 The Immigrant Journey: A Personal Narrative
03:03 Understanding Third Culture Kids
06:13 Cultural Identity and Belonging
08:59 The Shift to London: A New Beginning
12:12 Navigating Challenges in a New City
15:08 The Phoenix Metaphor: Transformation in London
18:06 Finding Purpose in Career Choices
20:58 The Role of Community and Support
23:58 From Journalism to Tech: A Career Transition
27:12 Calculated Risks in Career Decisions
33:20 Calculated Risks and Career Growth
36:14 The Journey to IMII: A New Venture
43:35 The Birth of IMII: Purpose and Vision
50:42 Navigating the B2B and B2G Landscape
01:01:22 Aligning Purpose with Business Goals
What happens when one impulsive decision changes the course of generations?
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Laura Notaro, founder of Synergy Immigration Solutions, to explore how personal upheaval, cultural identity, and entrepreneurial grit led her to become a powerful force in UK immigration.
From quitting her job and falling in love just days before a major trip, to launching a business during COVID, Laura opens up about the highs and lows of building something meaningful in uncertain times.
You’ll hear about:
Why immigration is deeply personal, not just paperwork
How changing rules are reshaping the founder visa journey
The emotional stories behind spousal and family reunification cases
How Synergy Immigration supported companies like Plumm from day one
If you’re thinking of starting a life or business in the UK, this episode is essential listening.
Chapters
00:00 Navigating Life Changes and New Beginnings
01:02 Challenges in UK Immigration
02:53 Personal Journeys and Family Backgrounds
05:51 Cultural Identity and Community
09:05 The Magic of London
11:48 Career Path and Entrepreneurial Spirit
20:06 The Journey to Entrepreneurship
23:46 Reigniting Passion for Immigration
26:57 The Impact of Immigration on Lives
30:15 Building Relationships in Immigration
32:24 Navigating the Immigration Landscape
36:09 Challenges in Starting a Business in the UK
42:03 Navigating the UK Immigration Landscape
45:09 Challenges of Starting a Business in the UK
48:10 The Importance of Legal Guidance
50:56 Adapting to Changes in Immigration Policies
54:11 The Shift in Business Dynamics Post-COVID
57:05 Future Aspirations and Growth Strategies
59:59 Advice for Prospective Immigrants and Entrepreneurs
Twelve years ago, Elisabetta arrived in London with a one-way ticket, barely speaking English, armed only with courage and a desire to build something meaningful.
Today, she’s the founder of Mint and Lemon, a fast-growing agency helping founders turn their personal brands into powerful business tools.
In this deeply personal conversation, Asim reconnects with the very first guest of his podcast, now the first to return. Elisabetta shares how language struggles once shattered her confidence, how one MD told her she'd never make it, and how she turned that pain into fuel.
From breaking up with her partner and leaving everything behind, to becoming a thought leader with over 100,000 LinkedIn followers, her story is one of grit, growth, and going against the grain.
We talk about:
The realities of starting a business as an immigrant
Navigating the startup rollercoasterHer pivot from recruitment to personal branding
What makes LinkedIn such a powerful platform (and how to actually use it)
Advice for anyone starting their brand or business journey
This episode is a masterclass in betting on yourself especially when the odds are stacked against you.
Chapters
00:00 A Journey of Change and Opportunity
05:51 The Immigrant Experience: Finding Home in the UK
11:56 Embracing Cultural Diversity and Personal Identity
16:40 Building Confidence in Sales and Language
22:04 Overcoming Language Barriers and Criticism28:10 The Transition to Entrepreneurship
30:56 Lessons from Startup Experiences
33:15 Navigating the Chaos of Business Management
34:14 The Realities of Entrepreneurship: Is It for You?
35:21 Inspiration and the Journey to Starting a Business
36:19 The Impact of Role Models on Entrepreneurial Aspirations
37:13 Taking Smart Risks in Business Ventures
38:18 The Evolution of Personal Branding on LinkedIn
39:13 From Recruitment to Marketing: A Business Pivot
40:11 Building a Personal Brand: The Power of Authenticity
41:18 The Journey of Immigrant Entrepreneurs
42:14 Overcoming Language Barriers in Business
43:19 The Importance of Community and Support Networks
44:19 Success Stories: The Hard Work Behind the Journey
45:03 The Art of Writing: Finding Your Voice on LinkedIn
46:27 The Challenge of Creating Engaging Content
47:25 Learning from Mistakes: The Path to Improvement
48:17 Building Relationships Through Authentic Engagement
49:15 The Balance of Strategy and Authenticity in Social Media
50:15 Navigating the Changing Landscape of Social Media
51:41 The Power of Personal Branding on LinkedIn
56:55 Building a Personal Brand: Strategies for Success
01:01:13 The Importance of Community and Connection
01:06:17 Reflecting on Growth and Future Aspirations
What happens when failure isn’t an option?In this episode, we sit down with Deepak Ravindran, co-founder and former CEO of Oddbox, the trailblazing UK startup transforming the way we think about food waste, sustainability, and the meaning of success.From investment banking in Canary Wharf to becoming the face of one of the UK’s most loved D2C brands, Deepak shares how fear of failure, immigrant grit, and a relentless purpose led to the creation of Oddbox a company that delivers wonky but delicious fruits and veggies while shifting consumer mindsets and saving tonnes of food from landfill.What you’ll hear in this episode:- How burnout and disconnection led him to walk away from the company he co-founded- The emotional toll and identity struggles of scaling a purpose-led business- Why Deepak believes fear can be both a driver and a trap- The raw truth about D2C logistics, working with UK farmers, and the reality behind Instagram-perfect produce- His powerful reflections on mental health, mentorship, and redefining success- Why now, he’s helping other founders scale themselves not just their businessesWhether you're a startup founder, sustainability advocate, or someone navigating your own career crossroads, Deepak’s story is a must-watch.Subscribe to catch future episodes featuring changemakers and visionary entrepreneurs.Chapters00:00 The Fear of Failure and Its Impact05:02 Cultural Transition: From India to the UK09:52 Navigating the Banking World15:04 The Journey to Entrepreneurship20:04 Redefining Success and Failure25:05 The Role of Fear in Growth29:56 Finding Fulfillment Beyond Banking36:07 The Journey Begins: From Personal Trainer to Entrepreneur37:32 Discovering Wonky Veg: A Catalyst for Change39:09 Building a Brand: The Power of Storytelling41:16 Connecting with Growers: The Heart of Odd Box43:34 Navigating Challenges: The Complexity of Business46:43 Sustainability and Resourcefulness: A Brand Philosophy49:04 Team Dynamics: Building a Supportive Culture51:05 The Painful Journey of Entrepreneurship53:05 Focus and Execution: The Key to Success56:21 Market Positioning: Growth and Future Plans58:29 Stepping Down: A Personal Reflection01:06:29 Finding Balance: Mental Health and Identity01:11:38 Looking Ahead: New Ventures and Coaching
In this raw and powerful conversation, Zaahirah Adam, founder of Hati, the dating app challenging swipe culture opens up about the experiences that shaped her: childhood trauma, immigrant identity, and the loneliness that followed. She shares how surviving adversity led her to build a platform that prioritises genuine human connection over mindless matching. From being one move away from homelessness to bootstrapping a tech company with viral reach, this episode is an honest look at resilience, vulnerability, and redefining what love (and leadership) really mean.
Chapters
00:00 – The Pain Behind the Persona
03:12 – Redefining Relationships
06:45 – Shared Pain, Shared Healing
11:10 – Conditional Love & Family
15:33 – Therapy, Drinking, and Self-Worth
19:28 – Work, Purpose & Immigrant Grit
23:40 – The Why Behind Hati
27:01 – The Broken Dating Ecosystem
31:22 – Matchmakers & Dating Disasters
35:14 – Fixing the Funnel
38:59 – Beyond Dating
42:26 – From Deck to Dev
46:05 – Fundraising Real Talk
50:12 – Viral Growth on a Budget
53:55 – Redefining Success
Raj grew up as one of the only Sri-Lankan Tamil kids in a small English town—caught between curry at home and fish-and-chips at school, always questioning where he fit. That outsider lens never left; it simply sharpened into a founder’s advantage.
Fast-forward: he’s the co-founder of Hytro, the first wearable blood-flow-restriction (BFR) technology trusted by England Rugby, NFL franchises, and (yes) SpaceX astronauts. In this episode of Immigrant Founders, Raj shares how swapping a safe 16-year career in Big Four consulting for a moon-shot hardware startup rewired his sense of purpose and why he wouldn’t have leapt without first feeling like an economic “nomad” himself.
We dive into:
The immigrant calculus: balancing filial duty, cultural expectations, and the hunger to build something your parents never dreamed existed.
Funding hardware when VCs hate hardware: turning 200 elite athletes into angel investors—and using pro-sports credibility as a beachhead before tackling direct-to-consumer.
Stress management for founders with families: payroll panic, twin toddlers, and the self-talk that reframes anxiety as privilege.
BFR beyond the locker room: from staving off sarcopenia in grandparents to keeping muscle mass in zero-G.
If you’re an immigrant builder wondering when to trade stability for significance, Raj’s story is a roadmap and a reality check.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy
02:59 Immigrant Journey and Cultural Identity
06:09 Parenting and Cultural Perspectives
08:55 Entrepreneurial Journey and Risk Management
12:08 Finding Purpose in Entrepreneurship
14:56 Coping with Stress and Legacy
38:22 The Weight of Leadership: Embracing Stress as a CEO
41:32 Transformative Experiences: Finding Perspective in Adversity
43:30 The Birth of Pay Plum: Addressing Mental Health Challenges
45:47 Hydro: Innovating Recovery for Athletes and Beyond
49:15 From Earth to Space: The Journey of Hydro's Technology
54:52 Building a Billion-Dollar Brand: The Strategy Behind Hydro
01:01:16 Future Vision: Scaling Hydro and Expanding Horizons
In this deeply personal and candid episode, Shoaib takes us through the emotional and inspiring journey that transformed his relationship with self-expression, culture, and career. From initial anxiety about sharing his voice publicly on LinkedIn to finding confidence, joy, and a sense of purpose, Shoaib reveals how embracing vulnerability reshaped his perspective.He opens up about his family's immigration story, offering a heartfelt exploration of cultural identity and the complexities of navigating race and belonging as a child in Britain. Shoaib shares poignant memories of encountering racism, reflecting on the deep impact these experiences had on his development and highlighting the critical importance of representation and role models in shaping his aspirations.Shoaib also recounts his professional journey, from early days gaining hands-on experience at a small marketing startup to bravely navigating the uncertain job market during the COVID-19 pandemic. He discusses pivotal career risks and the evolution of his writing skills, ultimately leading him towards freelancing and the courageous leap into solopreneurship.Reflecting on the chaotic nature of hustle culture, Shoaib shares candid insights into how relentless pursuit of growth took a toll on his mental health and happiness. He reveals how prioritising his well-being and passion over profit transformed his approach to entrepreneurship, bringing greater fulfilment and clarity to his work.Finally, Shoaib delves into valuable lessons learned around personal branding, setting effective pricing strategies, and truly understanding client value. Offering powerful advice to the next generation, he encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace risks, remain authentic, and boldly carve their own paths.Chapters00:00 The Anxiety of Posting on LinkedIn06:10 Navigating Race and Belonging in Childhood11:56 The Importance of Representation and Role Models17:16 Hands-On Experience in Marketing21:08 Navigating the Job Market During COVID24:42 Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn28:44 The Launch of a Business30:36 Building Confidence Through Challenges33:51 The Shift to Solopreneurship35:38 The Chaos of Hustle Culture36:38 Recognizing the Need for Change37:54 Stripping Back to Move Forward39:27 The Reality of Growth vs. Perception40:26 Prioritizing Mental Health and Well-being41:41 Navigating Client Relationships43:03 Finding Joy in Solopreneurship44:32 The Power of Passion Over Profit45:25 Managing Teams and Individual Growth46:16 Starting on LinkedIn: A Guide50:11 Building Confidence and Authority52:28 Delivering Value and Building Trust54:52 The Balance of Value and Pricing55:13 Navigating Pricing Strategies58:06 Understanding Customer Value and ROI01:00:34 Setting Realistic Expectations for Growth01:02:01 The Importance of Personal Branding01:06:50 Embracing Individual Journeys and Self-Work01:08:10 Future Aspirations and Industry Impact01:10:15 Advice for the Next Generation
