40 Minute Mentor

There won’t be many Founders out there who weren’t affected by the roller coaster weekend of the SVB collapse.

Even if you weren’t banking with SVB yourself, the chances are high that your clients, investors or suppliers were. Although we all got to breathe a sigh of relief with HSBC acquiring SVB, many questions remain:

Why did SVB collapse?

How did we get to this outcome and who was behind it all?

What happened behind the scenes during this weekend?

To answer all of this and more, we’re joined by the person who was front and centre, Dom Hallas, the Executive Director of UK tech lobby group, The Coalition for a Digital Economy - Coadec.

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Dom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dom-hallas/

➡️ Find out more about Coadec: https://coadec.com/

💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:

Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.

To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/  to find out more.

🏆 Want to partner with us?

Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?

Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on [email protected]

⭐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?

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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

“Poker teaches you resilience, because it’s a complete rollercoaster. It is very humbling, it’s a bit like running a startup. Experience outweighs theory, just like being a Founder.” 

From wanting to be an entrepreneur since the school yard days, to a self-set mission of building two billion pound brands in his 30’s, today’s guest is no stranger to the rollercoaster life of startups. And he’s never had a job.

This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is James Mishreki, Founder of popular skincare brand Skin + Me and sustainable consumer goods startup, Life Supplies. 

James shares so much advice from his professional poker playing days to navigating the collapse of SVB. 

We chat about: 

➡️ His wish for entrepreneurship to be taught in schools [02:33] 

➡️ How poker can prepare you for Founder life [05:27] 

➡️ Lessons from launching his first Startup [09:36] 

➡️ Falling into the beauty industry [11:41] 

➡️ The challenges going from software to D2C [15:36] 

➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [20:05] 

➡️ Educating the planet on re-fillable products [20:38] 

➡️ Being born to create, and chasing big goals [24:53] 

➡️ The rollercoaster ride following the collapse of SVB [32:55] 

➡️ The power of collaborations [35:03] 

➡️ The motivational video that kicked him into gear [39:48]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ More about James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmishreki/

➡️ Check out Skin + Me: https://www.skinandme.com/

➡️ Check out Life Supplies: https://lifesupplies.com/  

💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:

Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.

To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/  to find out more. 

🏆 Want to partner with us? 

Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene? 

Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on [email protected]

⭐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?

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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

No matter whether you’re negotiating your salary, promotion, a new project or a deal with a client or investor - today’s episode will help you get it across the line. 

For this 40 Minute Mentor bite-sized episode, we’re joined by Selena Rezvani, award-winning journalist, coach, speaker and author of ‘Quick Confidence’. 

Ahead of her book launching on May, 9th 2023, Selena shares with us some easy to follow mentorship on: 

➡️ The fundamental pillars of building your confidence 

➡️ What makes someone a great negotiator 

➡️ The GPS framework which will help you navigate your next negotiation 

➡️ How to deal with difficult negotiations 

➡️ Plus, what to do when you don’t get the outcome you wanted 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Selena: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenarezvani/

➡️ Get a copy of her book ‘Quick Confidence’ out on May 9th: https://www.selenarezvani.com/books

💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:

Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.

To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/  to find out more. 

🏆 Want to partner with us? 

Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene? 

Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on [email protected]

⭐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?

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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains topics of mental health and suicide attempts, that may be harmful or traumatising to some audiences. If you’re affected by any of the topics discussed, please make sure you reach out to the helplines listed below. ⚠️ 

“Nothing prepared me for that loss of identity that I had without football.” 

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a professional footballer in England? 

And what life looks like once you decide to retire from your career in sport? 

In this week’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Clarke Carlisle, former professional footballer, mental health advocate and ambassador for the mental health charity Mind. 

Clarke has had an illustrious football career, having played for a number of top clubs, including Leeds United, Watford and Burnley, and winning three caps for England under 21s. 

Alongside all the successes, Clarke also had to deal with plenty of hardship, including serious injuries, his battle with depression and attempted suicide. 

Clarke has been refreshingly open about his professional and mental health journey, and shared with us: 

➡️ The misconceptions that come with being a professional footballer [03:17] 

➡️ His biggest failure and biggest success all wrapped up into one [07:21] 

➡️ Why football needs to be treated more like a workplace [09:45] 

➡️ Signing his first professional football contract [14:23] 

➡️ Winning his England U21 caps [17:29] 

➡️ More about our sponsor, Alchemist [22:10] 

➡️ Bouncing back from a setback [23:22] 

➡️ Why you need to stop searching for happiness [29:14] 

➡️ Retirement from professional football [31:42] 

➡️ Attempting suicide and ongoing mental health battles [36:26] 

➡️ Advice on opening up about your mental health [45:29] 

➡️ Improving mental health at work [48:29] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ More about Clarke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarke-carlisle-and-carrie-carlisle-765aa749/

➡️ Check out the work Clarke & Carrie are doing: https://www.clarkeandcarrie.com/

➡️ Mind Charity: https://www.mind.org.uk/

➡️ Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

➡️ The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123 

➡️ And for local help and support, call the Mind Infoline at 0300 123 3393 or text 86463

💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:

Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.

To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/  to find out more. 

🏆 Want to partner with us? 

Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene? 

Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on [email protected]

⭐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?

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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

If there’s one thing that became obvious during the pandemic and the various different lockdowns, it’s the importance of human connection. 

But what happens to us when we get disconnected from our peers? 

How do we build actually lasting connections? 

And what are the best ways for team leaders to facilitate and create opportunities for human connection in an increasingly hybrid world? 

To answer all of these questions, we’re joined by Simone Heng, a human connection specialist and author of ‘Secret Pandemic: The Search for Connection in a Lonely World.’ 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Simone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-heng-speaker/

➡️ Get a copy of her book ‘Secret Pandemic - the search for connection in a lonely world’: https://simoneheng.com/

💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:

Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.

To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/  to find out more. 

🏆 Want to partner with us? 

Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene? 

Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on [email protected]

⭐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?

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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

“You need to recognise that your mental health is a muscle and it’s not a case of doing a 30 day cleanse and mediations and you’re all good. That’s not how it works.” 

What started off as a new way to eliminate the daily stresses of life in the city, turned into the UK’s favourite soft drinks brand. 

This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is Olivia Ferdi, the Co-Founder of popular CBD brand, TRIP. 

Coming from a law background, there were plenty of early stage challenges Olivia and her Co-Founder and husband, Dan, faced together and we loved learning more about their journey in today’s episode. 

Olivia shares with us: 

➡️ The glamorisation of startup life [03:37] 

➡️ Resilience and building a Founder mindset [05:23] 

➡️ Her law career and transitioning to a startup [08:54] 

➡️ More about our sponsors, Alchemist [16:30] 

➡️ The inspiration behind TRIP [17:27] 

➡️ Her stand-out milestones from her journey with TRIP [26:07] 

➡️ How her law background has helped and sometimes hindered along the way [29:25] 

➡️ Building a wellbeing routine that lasts [36:30] 

➡️ TRIP’s exciting plans for the year ahead [40:40] 

➡️ Why a “no” is never a “no” [43:37] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ More about Olivia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-ferdi/

➡️ Check out TRIP: https://drink-trip.com/

💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:

Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.

To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/  to find out more. 

🏆 Want to partner with us? 

Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene? 

Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on [email protected]

⭐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?

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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

Public speaking - an instrumental skill to perfect for any Founder and executive. 

It’s also one of the most dreaded aspects of being a business leader. 

To help make your next presentation a less stressful experience, we’re joined by Alex Merry,  former COO, turned public speaking coach.  

Alex doesn’t only help leaders deliver high-stakes presentations at work and globally recognised conferences, through his coaching and online speaking club, MicDrop, but he’s also published his advice in his book, ‘Make It Count’. 

In this bite-sized episode, we’re looking at: 

➡️ What makes a good public speaker 

➡️ How to manage your nerves 

➡️ The one thing you should never finish your presentation on 

➡️ How to handle difficult questions 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexmerry/

➡️ Join MicDrop: https://alexmerry.com/micdrop-web/

➡️ Get your copy of ‘Make it count’: https://alexmerry.com/get-the-book/

💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:

Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.

To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/  to find out more. 

🏆 Want to partner with us? 

Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene? 

Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on [email protected]

⭐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?

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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

“I don’t want Gaia to be seen as a women’s health business. 50% of the cases that we see are male factor infertility. This is a family building problem that affects men and women equally.” 

1 in 6 couples are affected by fertility issues, but with aspiring parents spending over £14k on average on their treatment, only 1 in 7 people in the UK who require IVF, end up accessing it. 

One Founder on a mission to change that and make fertility treatment more accessible is today’s 40 Minute Mentor, Nader AlSalim, the Founder and CEO of the world’s first IVF insurance, Gaia. 

In today’s episode we find out: 

➡️ How Nader’s exceptional work ethic gave him control over this career [06:09] 

➡️ His own fertility journey and the beginnings of Gaia [10:43] 

➡️ Why this is his first and last startup [12:18] 

➡️ The evolution of his leadership style [15:15] 

➡️ More about Gaia’s offering [18:41] 

➡️ Making the topic of fertility less taboo [19:37] 

➡️ More about our sponsor’s Alchemist [22:08] 

➡️ His personal legacy [23:02] 

➡️ Fundraising advice [25:07] 

➡️ The evolution of Gaia’s team and the culture [29:34] 

➡️ Keeping your team to high standards [33:52] 

➡️ Changes needed in the fertility industry & Gaia’s plans for 2023 [37:01] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ More about Nader: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nader-alsalim-45146674/

➡️ Check out Gaia: https://gaiafamily.com/

💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:

Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.

To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/  to find out more. 

🏆 Want to partner with us? 

Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene? 

Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on [email protected]

⭐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?

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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

One of the biggest trends we’ve seen in hiring over the last year has been the rise of fractional careers. 

It doesn’t just give talent more flexibility and freedom, but also gives Founders the opportunity to hire highly experienced operators at a fraction of the cost, and even try before they buy. 

To discuss how you actually build a fractional career, the benefits to both talent and employers, plus the downfalls you might want to consider before pursuing a portfolio career, we’ve invited JBM board advisor and Fractional Managing Director, Ben Sanders to share his own experience with us. 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-sanders-b280716/

➡️ More about JBM SOS: https://jbmc.co.uk/sos-candidates/

💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:

Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.

To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/  to find out more. 

🏆 Want to partner with us? 

Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene? 

Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on [email protected]

⭐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?

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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

“If I’m doing exactly the same things this year, in exactly the same ways that I did last year, then I’m failing.”

It’s been a turbulent year for the energy sector and many of us have seen the aftermath in our energy bills.

To get first-hand insights into the energy crisis and the movement towards greener and more sustainable energy sources, we’re joined by Zoisa North-Bond, the CEO of Octopus Energy Generation and Octopus Energy for Business.

In today’s episode, Zoisa shares with us:

➡️ Her alternative route to CEO [07:29]

➡️ Why she joined Octopus Energy [10:18]

➡️ The challenges of being in a dual CEO role [12:55]

➡️ The number one skill any successful CEO needs [15:33]

➡️ More about our sponsor, Alchemist [17:20]

➡️ Octopus’s focus on community [18:29]

➡️ The push to greener and more sustainable energy [25:48]

➡️ Navigating the energy crisis on the other side of the fence [28:03]

➡️ The number one thing you can do to reduce your energy bills [30:17]

➡️ The future of the energy sector [30:55]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Zoisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoisa-north-bond-33143a4/

➡️ More about Octopus Energy: https://octopus.energy/

💙 A big thank you to our Sponsors:

Alchemist - an industry leading learning and development company, whose learning journeys and experiences help organisations who want to grow, change or transform by putting the learner first to optimise organisational performance.

To learn more about Alchemist and see how they work with some of the most innovative companies in the world, head over to https://thisisalchemist.com/40minutementor/  to find out more.

🏆 Want to partner with us?

Do you want to get your brand in front of leading Startup Founders, Investors and C-Suite decision-makers, and attract some of the sharpest talent in the Startup/Scaleup scene?

Get in touch with our Head of Marketing and Producer, Hannah to find out more about how we can co-produce content that will help you stand out and engage with over 40,000 loyal monthly listeners. You can reach her on [email protected]

⭐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?

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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.