When you stand for something, you’ll be tested. In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, Imran Savas, founder of Tape UK, shares how he built one of the UK’s most values-driven business platforms — without investors, without shortcuts, and without compromising on purpose. From growing up on free school meals to becoming Entrepreneur of the Year 2024, Imran’s journey is a story of faith, resilience, and leadership built on integrity. He opens up about turning down corporate offers, lead...
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When you stand for something, you’ll be tested. In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, Imran Savas, founder of Tape UK, shares how he built one of the UK’s most values-driven business platforms — without investors, without shortcuts, and without compromising on purpose. From growing up on free school meals to becoming Entrepreneur of the Year 2024, Imran’s journey is a story of faith, resilience, and leadership built on integrity. He opens up about turning down corporate offers, lead...
When you stand for something, you’ll be tested. In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, Imran Savas, founder of Tape UK, shares how he built one of the UK’s most values-driven business platforms — without investors, without shortcuts, and without compromising on purpose. From growing up on free school meals to becoming Entrepreneur of the Year 2024, Imran’s journey is a story of faith, resilience, and leadership built on integrity. He opens up about turning down corporate offers, lead...
When a parent heals, an entire generation transforms. In this deeply honest and heartfelt conversation, Aman Kaur shares how heartbreak led her to discover her purpose — helping parents heal their own wounds so their children can thrive. Through her work as The Mindful Parenting Coach, Aman guides families to move beyond reaction and toward connection, showing that the most powerful parenting starts with inner awareness. ✨ In this episode: How Aman turned divorce and trauma into a journey of ...
After years of pushing herself to do it all, Deepa Bhatti hit burnout — physically, mentally, and emotionally. What followed was a journey of rediscovery that led her to build Alpha Camp UK, a space for women to reconnect with their bodies, rebuild confidence, and find strength through community. In this episode, Deepa opens up about the turning point that forced her to slow down, the lessons learned through recovery, and why she now champions balance over burnout. Her story is one of honesty...
Born in Uganda and raised in the UK, Sonal Dave has lived a life defined by resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Diagnosed at birth with congenital hip dysplasia and living with hidden disabilities and chronic pain, she faced barriers at every stage — but refused to let them define her. After a successful career in the civil service, rising to Deputy Director, Sonal reinvented herself at the age of 50, becoming one of the UK’s few Asian female celebrants and toastmasters, as well as a sought...
From running around her parents’ factory as a child to helping lead the second generation of her family business, Joti Reehal’s story has come full circle. What started with a career in IT — cut short by arthritis and chronic pain — became the spark that led her back to fabrics, furnishings, and the world she grew up in. For the last 22 years, Joti has worked in her family’s manufacturing business while building her own brand, Asraana, where she brings bespoke soft furnishings to homes, comme...
Growing up in 1970s Britain, Thushara Collins and her family faced racism and even physical attacks simply for being different. Those challenges built her resilience and independence — qualities that would carry her through motherhood, study, and a remarkable legal career. From taking her law exams just six weeks after a C-section, to building an award-winning law firm while navigating an abusive marriage, Thushara’s journey is one of grit, perseverance, and transformation. After 22 years, sh...
✨ What if the struggles you face today aren’t random — but patterns carried from past lives? In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena sits down with Gautami, an astrologer, numerologist, and past life regression therapist, to explore how karma, energy, and soul lessons shape our life path. From Bollywood beginnings to guiding people through their karmic cycles, Gautami’s story is one of deep transformation. She explains how past life regression reveals root causes, why every soul choose...
From redundancy to resilience, Kaneez Nabijee’s story is one of transformation and purpose. After leaving a 13-year career in finance, Kaneez took a leap into the unknown — building Dr. Expat, a medical recruitment and licensing consultancy that’s now a trusted name across the UAE and GCC. In this conversation with host Veena Nayyar, Kaneez opens up about: How her brother’s struggle with Dubai’s medical licensing inspired Dr. ExpatThe challenges of running a business in the UAE’s ever-changin...
From just two sarees to a thriving fashion and community brand — this is the inspiring story of Sana, the founder of Mona Lisa Sarees and the force behind the Mona Lisa Pop-Up Shops. At just 19, Sana moved to the UK with no business experience. What started as a search for the perfect outfit for her daughter’s first birthday has grown into a legacy brand redefining South Asian fashion and creating a supportive platform for hundreds of small businesses. In this episode of Founder in the Chair,...
From childhood trauma and a life-changing firework accident to battling depression and rejection in Bollywood, Nina’s journey is one of resilience, passion, and self-belief. In this episode of Founder in the Chair, she shares how dance became her healing outlet, the challenges she faced building a business in a new country, and the single act of support that brought 15 new students through her door. We talk about: How Nina turned pain into purpose through dance 💃Overcoming physical scars and ...
What happens when you hit burnout and realise you’ve been living on autopilot? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Mandeep Bains — financial advisor, father, and truth-seeker — to talk about the moment he lost himself… and how he found purpose again. We explore masculinity, identity, faith, and what it really takes to leave a legacy that lasts. 💬 From the personal to the practical, Mandeep also breaks down how to protect your wealth, reduce tax, and make sure what you’ve built goes to y...
Dayalan Mahesan is an entrepreneur, speaker, coach, connector and soon-to-be first-time author. He thrives on helping people on their property journeys as well as encouraging and connecting business owners to help their businesses grow. You can find me here: Website: www.dmkw.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayalanmahesan_property?igsh=MTdvcWIxdXZrYnpo&utm_source=qr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075033860855 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/day...
Mandeep Kaur Gandham is a mindset coach, master manifestor and founder of The Positive Mindset Company, a movement helping people maintain a happy, aligned balance in their lives, while avoiding burnout. Known for blending soulful spirituality with practical mindset tools, her work is rooted in mindfulness, the Law of Attraction and intentional living. In this episode, Mandeep shares practical mindset techniques to fit into even the busiest of schedules. Website: https://www.thepositivemind...
Anita Stone is the designer and founder of Peony & Lotus, an Indian fusion wear brand built around the idea of refreshing your wardrobe with versatile separates. In this interview, Anita shares her personal journey—her challenges, achievements, and the inspiration behind launching a fully online, mix-and-match brand offering next-day delivery. Peony & Lotus champions a sustainable, affordable approach to fashion with unique, contemporary and timeless designs that help women create the...
At ESQUE, Aisha doesn’t just create perfumes; she crafts an experience. An experience that speaks to the heart, the mind, and the soul. Every scent she created tells a story—stories of inspiration, memories, and emotions that transcend time and place. Instagram https://instagram.com/esqueparfum?igshid=24c8daa4nu4q Website https://esqueparfum.com/ Email info@esqueparfum.com TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@esqueparfum?_t=ZN-8y36Ys0j3mI&_r=1 If you have a story to share, to ...
Minakumari – a certified body confidence coach, colour consultant, and stylist. I help women and men feel empowered in their bodies and personal style. I also host the Real Talk with Minakumari podcast and run a YouTube channel filled with tips on confidence, colour, and self-expression. Website http://Minakumari.com instagram https://www.instagram.com/minakumari_bodyconfidencecoach/ https://www.instagram.com/realtalkwithminakumari/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@MinaKumari-uk Facebook htt...
Shaz Ahmed - aka - Where's Shaz is a property finance specialist who has helped countless people get funding for their investment projects. Through his social media content, podcast appearances as well as press (including BBC) features he has made it his mission to add value and most importantly stop you making expensive mistakes when it comes to funding. Shaz has grown his personal brand organically over the past 5 years to become one of the most well known and go-to figures in his industry....
Tandy Virdee – Entrepreneur, Digital & Social Media Consultant , Creative Director & Mentor With over 34 years of experience in branding, design, and marketing, Tandy Virdee began his career as a designer and worked his way up to Creative Director before founding and leading his own design agency. For the past 18 years, he has worked as a consultant, specialising in digital, influencer, and social media marketing. Tandy has collaborated with some of the world’s leading Advertising and...
From One Food Truck to a UK Street Food Empire – The Gully UK Story | Founder in the Chair Podcast In this episode, I sit down with the incredible father-son duo Sudhir and Avi Sethi, the founders of @gully.uk, the UK’s leading Indian street food caterer. What began as one truck, two people, and a love for authentic Indian flavours has grown into a nationwide sensation. From BBC Radio London and Saturday Kitchen Live to serving corporate giants like Amazon, Netflix, and Disney, Gully has be...
Amit and Jaspreet Kalley are the husband and wife co-Founders of Mixala, a new and unique chai that is blended with adventurous flavours. With their British, Indian and Tanzanian background, they are using their global heritage to disrupt the chai market. Whilst running Mixala together, they are also parents to three young children, including their daughter who was born with three holes in her heart. Together, they share their story about managing the chaos of children with growing a b...
When you stand for something, you’ll be tested. In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, Imran Savas, founder of Tape UK, shares how he built one of the UK’s most values-driven business platforms — without investors, without shortcuts, and without compromising on purpose. From growing up on free school meals to becoming Entrepreneur of the Year 2024, Imran’s journey is a story of faith, resilience, and leadership built on integrity. He opens up about turning down corporate offers, lead...
