40 Minute Mentor

“You’ll make mistakes but that doesn’t matter - it’s all about speed and growth, but at some point you’ll have to go and clean up the room.” 

Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Nicolas Brusson, Co-Founder & CEO of BlaBlaCar - the world’s leading community-based travel app enabling 26 million active members a year to share a ride in 21 countries.

BlaBlaCar’s environmentally and human-friendly mobility network saves 1.6M tons of CO2 and enables 120M human connections every year.

On top of leading BlaBlaCar, Nicolas is also an investor in many mission-driven brands, such as Ankorstore, Home Exchange and Dust, to name a few, so there is plenty to unpack in today's episode, including: 

➡️ Becoming a father and closing a $10 million fundraising round [4:41] 
➡️ Missed opportunities and keeping up with competition [06:42] 
➡️ Bringing entrepreneurship into schools [09:55] 
➡️ From Physics to VC and Entrepreneurship [12:32] 
➡️ Rebuilding after mass layoffs [14:55] 
➡️ The main lesson from the ups and downs of startup life [17:03]
➡️ Advert: More about Kitt [25:29] 
➡️ The origin and evolution of BlaBlaCar [26:39] 
➡️ The shift in the sharing economy and building the ‘Airbnb for cars’ [29:00] 
➡️ Recognising and surviving different phases of the business [32:35] 
➡️ The danger in doing too many things, a turning point for BlaBlaCar [34:47] 
➡️ Becoming a multi-model platform, expanding the carpool idea [36:46] 
➡️ Navigating Covid without layoffs [37:39] 
➡️ Reshaping and evolving your company culture [40:30] 
➡️ ️Questioning company values and when they’re more than just a word on a wall [42:26] 
➡️ Creating a culture of mentorship [43:50] 
➡️ Audience question: The future of BlaBlaCar [46:54]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Nicolas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasbrusson/

➡️ Find out more about BlaBlaCar: https://www.blablacar.co.uk/

➡️ More about our sponsors, Kitt: https://www.kittoffices.com/en/
 

⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️

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"I'm not surrendering to the peaks and troughs of social ways, acceptance and rejection. I'm standing firm in my core principles.”

Today's podcast episode is a special one - it's a Hidden Pages' takeover. 

In this episode, Samuel Tholley, Founder of Hidden Pages is joined by Faith Locken, Founder and CEO of We Rise In - an award-winning business network with the mission to inspire, elevate and develop the careers of black professionals. 

Tune in to discover:

➡️  We Rise In: on a mission to improve diversity at senior levels [2:46]

➡️  How frustration led to Faith’s first startup [6:09]

➡️  George Floyd and the resurgence of Black Lives Matter  [From 7:35]

➡️  Finding mentorship in different forms [9:11]

➡️  Building resilience on the lonely Founder journey [12:39]

➡️  Mental barriers and supporting families in the black community [14:47]

➡️  Backing yourself to work on your side hustle [19:20]

➡️  Being passionate and discovering your why [26:19]

➡️  Accountability and shining a light on reverse mentorship [27:11]

➡️  Scaling We Rise In [29:44]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Sam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-tholley-758135105/
➡️ Connect with Faith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-locken-710b2263/
➡️ Find out more about We Rise In: https://www.werisein.co.uk/
➡️ Find out more about Hidden Pages: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hidden-pages/ and https://www.instagram.com/_hiddenpages/?hl=en

🎧PLUS! If you want to hear more from Samuel and Hidden Pages, listen to his episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_-blY_kUQ

⭐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

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“I think we are scared of AI in the same way that we’ve been scared of many technological inventions when we’ve been on the forefront of something big.” 

Today's 40 Minute Mentor is the incredibly inspiring Raj Kaur Khaira, Co-Founder and COO of AutogenAI, a business that is leveraging large language models and text generating AI to combat the expensive business problem of writing and answering bids, tenders and proposals.

Raj is also an acclaimed author, lawyer and campaigner and Founder of the world’s first global directory of South Asian therapists. Over her career so far, she has worked for over 20 Startups, so there is loads to unpack in today’s very refreshing and candid conversation. 

Tune in to discover: 

➡️ Being an overachiever and reframing failure [05:12] 

➡️ Why fundraising is not a success signal [07:16] 

➡️ Dealing with rejections and building resilience [12:31] 

➡️ Leaving Accenture to pursue law and operations [20:27] 

➡️ The golden email template, getting CEO’s to notice you [21:54] 

➡️ The origin of AutogenAI [26:33] 

➡️ Why you shouldn’t be sceptical of the power of (ethical) AI [29:41] 

➡️ The importance of building a low ego environment in your team [33:51]

➡️ Advice for anyone wanting to join AutogenAI [37:06] 

➡️ Eradicating sexist tradition in South Asian cultures through the Pink Ladoo Project [40:21] 

➡️ Finding the balance between action and change, avoiding activist burnout [41:57]

➡️ Audience question: Ruthless prioritisation and juggling many roles [44:18]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Raj: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-khaira/

➡️ Find out more about Autogen AI: https://autogenai.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

Enjoyed this episode?

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“What the murder of George Floyd taught me is that if you don't spend time changing how the people within the system think, you'll never fundamentally change the system.”

To recognise and celebrate this year’s Black History Month, we are kicking off a special three-part series, where we once again partner up with Samuel Tholley, Founder of Hidden Pages. 

If you're a loyal 40 Minute Mentor listener, you will have come across Samuel already and there will be plenty more from him over the next three weeks. 

Before his podcast takeover next week, we wanted to revisit one of the most inspiring episodes we have recorded to date, with the brilliant Baroness Oona King. 

Oona was the second black woman elected into British Parliament, and is currently the VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Snap Inc.

Following some highlight snippets from her 40 Minute Mentor episode, you’ll also hear some reflections on what Black History Month means, facilitated by Samuel - special thanks to Karine, Michael, Gafar, Matthew and Prisca for their contributions.

Tune in today to discover:

➡️  The reality of being a black woman in parliament [02:03] 

➡️  Taking action and changing the status quo [05:29] 

➡️  Losing her seat in parliament [07:49] 

➡️  Death threats and thank you notes - the scary reality of life as an MP [09:45] 

➡️  What the murder of George Floyd taught her about changing the system [12:50] 

➡️  What you can do internally to spot equity and inequity [13:16] 

➡️  Shifting the burden of DE&I from minority to majority groups [14:48] 

➡️  Understanding and celebrating Black History Month [15:45] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Oona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oona-king-sheher-00ba8414/ 
➡️ Snap Inc.’s Diversity Annual Report 2023: https://diversity.snap.com/

➡️ Oona’s full 40 Minute Mentor episode: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/downing-street-death-threats-and-dei-with-baroness-oona-king/

⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️

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Enjoyed this episode?

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“Immigrants start businesses that add to the local economy and we are very excited to be a growth engine for that.”

Today's 40 Minute Mentor is the brilliant Nina Mohanty, Co-Founder of Bloom Money, a FinTech bringing familiar financial services to migrant communities. 

Nina created Bloom Money based on her own lived experiences, as a child of immigrants and having relocated to multiple countries herself. 

Today, we’ll discover what led her to entrepreneurship, riding the ups and downs of an early-stage startup and her very candid insights into her own fundraising experience: 

➡️ Her struggle with hustle porn and hustle culture [06:04] 

➡️ Growing up in Silicon Valley and starting her career in FinTech [08:37] 

➡️ Bloom Money’s origin story [15:50] 

➡️ Fixating on the losses and under-celebrating the wins [20:02] 

➡️ The recipe for burnout, a lesson in Founder wellbeing [22:00] 

➡️ The future of Bloom Money & reaching more communities [24:46] 

➡️ Fundraising stories and advice for fellow Founders [29:06] 

➡️ Advice for getting into FinTech & making the industry more inclusive [36:11] 

➡️ Why she has a difficult time with referrals [37:34] 

➡️ Audience question: Making financial literacy a priority for all [42:41]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Nina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninamohanty/

➡️ Find out more about Bloom Money: https://bloommoney.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

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“It doesn't matter where you come from or what school you went to, or whether you went to university. There are  Founders out there, building incredible businesses, no matter what their backgrounds.”

In celebration of International Podcast Day, (and our 200th podcast episode!) JBM Founder , James Mitra, and Head of Marketing and 40 Minute Mentor Producer, Hannah Urbanek, chat all things 40 Minute Mentor… 

From the early days of building the podcast, to shining a light on the biggest lessons along the way and how podcasting has become a fundamental part of our business. 

Tune in to unravel the ins and outs of business podcasting, including:

➡️ Breaking the traditional industry rules, why 40 Minute Mentor was born [00:52] 

➡️ Providing an ‘access all areas’ to mentorship from incredible Entrepreneurs [03:06]

➡️ Reflecting on our podcast growth [04:15]

➡️ From ad-hoc to a smooth running machine, BTS moments [06:07]

➡️ Shining a light on gender equality, diversity & underrepresented Founders [07:31]

➡️ Hannah’s biggest learnings from 200 episodes [10:28]

➡️ Podcasting as a fun, unique form of business development [13:10]

➡️ When James met his footballing hero and things didn’t go to plan… [16:51]

➡️ Milestone moments: Inspiring Founders and huge download growth [19:04]

➡️ Building the ultimate brand awareness tool, a marketing plan essential [21:53]

➡️ The challenge of capturing listeners in a saturated market & advice for aspiring podcasters [28:18]

➡️ Fancy being a podcast guest? Here’s how to stand out [31:42]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmitra-jbm/

➡️ Connect with Hannah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahurbanek/

➡️ Follow JBM: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbm-consulting-ltd/?viewAsMember=true 

 

⭐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 

Enjoyed this episode?

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“Becoming financially free but not being a Unicorn, is still success.”

Today's 40 Minute Mentor is Nick Telson, exited Founder of DesignMyNight, Co-Founder of Trumpet, Angel Investor and Podcast Host of the popular Pitch Deck show. 

With so many hats to wear, we loved diving into Nick’s story and career from starting at L’Oreal to scratching that entrepreneurial itch by building DesignMyNight to 100+ employees with minimal angel funding and finally returning to the Founder seat to disrupt B2B sales. 

There is SO much to unpack from Nick's impressive story, from his views on failures to what it really feels like to exit and start again, and so much more: 

➡️ Having ‘failure moments’ and the glorification of entrepreneurship [02:37] 

➡️ Growing up with a creative brain and unconventional paths [03:50] 

➡️ The idea of DesignMyNight from the streets of NYC [06:46] 

➡️ From side hustle to exit [10:55] 

➡️ More about JBM [18:13] 

➡️ Round 2 of Founder life: Trumpet’s origin story [19:21] 

➡️ Being VC backed and hiring principles [22:17] 

➡️ Building in public and fundraising journey [23:52] 

➡️ Fundraising advice [34:35] 

➡️ Hiring advice for securing your initial team [37:09] 

➡️ Applying to and joining Trumpet [39:50] 

➡️ Audience question: Making the startup world more inclusive [42:25] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicktelson/

➡️ Find out more about Trumpet: https://www.sendtrumpet.com/?ref=linkedin

➡️ Listen to Pitch Deck: https://www.nicktelson.com/podcast

⭐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 

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“Never underestimate the power of a rant, if you’re going to do something about it.”

In today’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by fellow podcaster and good friend of JBM, Amardeep Parmar, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of BAE HQ. 

Amardeep has been on an incredible journey - from being a Tech consultant in 2020, to setting a New Year’s resolution which made him the second fastest writer to gain 50,000 followers on Medium.com. 

Now, he’s inspiring, connecting and guiding British Asian Entrepreneurs with BAE HQ. 

Today, Amardeep shared more about his journey and the crucial lessons he has learned along the way, including: 

➡️ His traditional journey and accidental entrepreneurship [00:55] 

➡️ Questioning your identity as a Founder [04:51] 

➡️ A New Year’s resolution turned career [06:26] 

➡️ Advice for aspiring writers [08:32] 

➡️ How a rant with a friend paved the foundations for BAE HQ [10:05] 

➡️ Scaling a not-for-profit and navigating the corporate landscape [12:34] 

➡️ Connecting people for mutual success [15:26] 

➡️ The secret sauce of community building [16:28] 

➡️ A selection of stand out stories from BAE HQ [22:51]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Amardeep: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amardeepsparmar/

➡️ Find out more about BAE HQ: https://www.thebaehq.com/ 
➡️ Listen to the BAE HQ podcast: https://www.thebaehq.com/podcasts

➡️ James Mitra on BAE HQ: https://www.thebaehq.com/podcasts/episode-51-james

⭐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 

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"You can have the best idea in the world with a bad team and you get nowhere, and you can have a really good team with a bad idea and you’ll probably make it into a good idea.” 

Doctor to Startup Founder... That’s not something we get to say a lot, so buckle in for today's episode! 

This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is Dr Sonia Szamocki, Founder and CEO of 32Co, the HealthTech revolutionising access to specialised healthcare services, by connecting general clinicians with a network of specialists. 

Sonia's very impressive journey has taken her from Oxford to a career as a clinician to jumping into the Founder seat, building the future of collaborative healthcare. 

She has grown 32Co 5x since April last year, and has recently secured £2.36 million in seed funding, led by Balderton Capital.

Tune in to today's chat, to find out: 

➡️ Podcast recommendation: Black Women Working [00:13] 

➡️ Why being a Founder isn’t all that glamorous [05:02]

➡️ Growing up in the Netherlands and becoming a Doctor [06:02]

➡️ 32Co’s origin story [13:10]

➡️ From an idea during Covid to growing a marketplace [22:50]

➡️ Navigating false starts & the importance of a great team [26:18]

➡️ Hiring advice & recruiting your first exec [29:00]

➡️ The importance of getting Co-Founder matching right [36:45]

➡️ Bootstrapping vs VC funding [38:05]

➡️ Healthcare & AI [41:00]

➡️ Audience Question: Why there shouldn’t be more Doctors moving into Founder seats [44:32]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Sonia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sonia-szamocki-a01790a9/

➡️ Find out more about 32Co: https://www.32co.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 

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"When you’re aligned on vision, values and strategic direction, you can achieve anything…”

In this week’s bite-sized startup mentorship episode, we’re joined by Charlene Chen, JBM Board Advisor, COO of AZA Finance and Co-Founder of Operations Nation. 

Charlene is not only a brilliant COO, but also happens to be our very first 40 Minute Mentor guest, back when we started the podcast in 2019. 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn more about: 

➡️ Charlene’s squiggly career to COO [01:06] 

➡️ A full overview of the COO role [03:27] 

➡️ The evolution and expansion of the COO role [07:05] 

➡️ The essential skills any COO needs [09:26] 
➡️ Making the leap from Head of Ops to COO [14:04] 

➡️ Common challenges COOs face [16:16] 

➡️ Building effective relationships across the C-Suite [22:13] 

➡️ Resources any aspiring COO should check out [26:20] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Charlene: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlenechen/

➡️ Find out more about Operations Nation: https://operationsnation.com/

➡️ Check out this year’s Ops Fest: https://operationsnation.com/events/international-ops-fest ➡️ Secure your seat at the annual cONference: https://lu.ma/cONference2023 
 

⭐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 

Enjoyed this episode?

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