40 Minute Mentor

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Tamara Lohan MBE, Co-Founder and CEO of boutique hotel travel specialists Mr & Mrs Smith. 

Tamara founded Mr & Mrs Smith together with her husband James in 2002. 

Since then, the pair have been on an incredible journey, including scaling the business to over 1.5 million members worldwide, growing their distributed team, being awarded with an MBE for their services to the British travel industry, getting B Corp certified and being acquired by Hyatt in 2023. 

In today’s episode, you’ll find out what it takes to build such an iconic brand and lots of actionable mentorship on how Tamara transitioned from CTO to COO and CEO. 

📚 Episode Chapters: 

➡️ Childhood influences and early aspirations [05:20] 

➡️ The idea that sparked Mr & Mrs Smith [08:00] 

➡️ Challenges in the early days [13:00] 

➡️ Transitioning from CTO to COO [19:30] 

➡️ Transforming Leadership & navigating Covid [20:00] 

➡️ Learn more about today’s sponsors [24:00] 

➡️ Building an iconic brand [28:00] 

➡️ Hiring lessons [32:00] 

➡️ Building a remote culture [35:00] 

➡️ The resilience of the travel industry [38:00] 

🔍 Find out more: 

✨ Connect with Tamara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaralohan 

✨ More about Mr & Mrs Smith: https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/ 

📣Learn more about today’s sponsor: 

Today’s episode is sponsored by Foundation Partners, an Amplified People Group company. 

Foundation Partners is reinventing how ambitious, early-stage companies access People & Talent support. They offer a fully flexible, fractional People & Talent team with specialist skillsets and hands-on delivery that starts driving impact in just 2 weeks. 

As a 40 Minute Mentor listener, you can book a FREE 1-hour advisory call with a Managing Partner. Just head to www.foundationpartners.co.uk/contact and reference 40 Minute Mentor. 

⭐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 at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 

🎧 You may also enjoy: 

Simon Franks: The truth behind exiting to Amazon and investing in hyper growth Startups with Redbus Ventures

Radha Vyas: From £20m revenues to bankruptcy & rebuilding Flash Pack 2.0

Ben Stephenson: Building A Remote-First Startup Disrupting Travel

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.

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Simon Franks, multi-exited entrepreneur, Managing Partner of early-stage firm, Redbus Ventures and the Founder of Franks Family Foundation, the UK-based charitable organisation. 

Simon’s career has been filled with building and scaling some of the most successful businesses in Europe, including as a Founder and now Investor. 

Today, he doesn’t just back brilliant businesses like Perkbox and Cleo, but his main focus has been his philanthropic pursuits, through Franks Family Foundation, initiating and developing projects in South East Asia. 

Tune in to today’s episode to hear Simon’s first-hand experience of building and scaling high-performing teams and hugely successful businesses, plus hear tons of advice on what sets great Founders apart. 

📚 Episode Chapters: 

➡️ Early career reflections [06:30] 

➡️ Building the European Netflix with Lovefilm [09:45] 

➡️ The true feelings behind the exit to Amazon [15:20] 

➡️ More about today’s sponsors [17:10] 

➡️ Transitioning into VC [20:00] 

➡️ The pitfalls of generic business advice [24:00] 

➡️ Why you need to fail fast [27:00] 

➡️ Patterns in successful Founders [29:30] 

➡️ Making a real impact [34:50] 

🔍 Find out more: 

✨ Connect with Simon: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/frankssimon 

✨ More about Redbus Ventures: https://redbus.uk/ 

✨ More about Franks Family Foundation: https://www.thefff.org/ 

📣Learn more about today’s sponsor: 

Today’s episode is sponsored by Foundation Partners, an Amplified People Group company. 

Foundation Partners is reinventing how ambitious, early-stage companies access People & Talent support. They offer a fully flexible, fractional People & Talent team with specialist skillsets and hands-on delivery that starts driving impact in just 2 weeks. 

As a 40 Minute Mentor listener, you can book a FREE 1-hour advisory call with a Managing Partner.

Just head to www.foundationpartners.co.uk/contact and reference 40 Minute Mentor. 

⭐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 at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 

🎧 You may also enjoy: 

Nicky Goulimis & Nico Barawid: The serial entrepreneurs stopping scams & building Tunic Pay differently

Lessons Of Resilience: Scaling Love Koffee To Exit and Living Through Made.com’s Collapse with Dimple Patel, CEO of Trouva

Greg Marsh: A $200m+ exit with onefinestay to helping you save on household bills with Nous

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.

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Nicky Goulimis and Nico Barawid, the Founders of early-stage FinTech Tunic Pay, the only fraud vendor designed specifically for scams.

Prior to building Tunic Pay, Nicky scaled Nova Credit, the credit infrastructure and analytics company that enables businesses to grow responsibly by harnessing alternative credit data. And Nico built Casai, which was Latin America's largest short-term rental operator. 

With so much experience in building successful FinTech ventures, this episode is a great listen for anyone thinking about starting a FinTech, or for anyone currently in the thick of scaling. 

📚 Episode Chapters: 

➡️ Entrepreneurial traits from an early age [12:00]

➡️ Why FinTech [16:20] 

➡️ Key lessons from early ventures [18:30]  

➡️ More about today’s sponsors [23:20] 

➡️ Building teams without the vanity metrics [26:00] 

➡️ Flipping the script on ‘failing’ [29:00] 

➡️ The future of Tunic Pay [32:30] 

➡️ Taking the time to find investors [34:40]  

➡️ Using AI in startups [39:00] 

🔍 Find out more: 

✨ Connect with Nicky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickygoulimis?originalSubdomain=uk 

✨ Connect with Nico: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicobarawid?originalSubdomain=uk 

✨ More about Tunic Pay: https://www.tunicpay.com/ 

📣Learn more about today’s sponsor: 

Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses. 

Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business. 

If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more. 

⭐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 at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 

🎧 You may also enjoy: 

Sho Sugihara: Financial Inclusion & Finding Your Purpose As A Founder

Avion Gray: Raising the largest pre-seed round as a female Founder in Europe
Dr Ben Maruthappu: Saving the UK Government £1 million every day by building Cera – the UK’s largest HealthTech

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.

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Dr Ben Maruthappu, Founder and CEO of Cera - the UK’s largest HealthTech and one of the fastest-growing startups in Europe. 

We’ve all come across the headline of increasing pressures on the NHS and especially hospitals. 

Cera is revolutionising Healthcare, using technology and AI to shift care from hospitalisation to patients’ homes, creating a more sustainable model for an ageing population. 

In today’s episode, you’ll hear all about Cera’s origin story, how they have implemented AI so early on and why they’re still just scratching the surface of what’s possible within Healthcare. 

📚 Episode Chapters: 

➡️ From Medicine to Entrepreneur [04:45]

➡️ Innovation within the NHS & common misconceptions [08:30] 

➡️ The personal origin story behind Cera [12:30] 

➡️ Early challenges [17:00]  

➡️ More about today’s sponsors [21:50] 

➡️ Leveraging AI in Healthcare [23:15] 

➡️ Getting more people interested in a career in care [28:30] 

➡️ The importance of getting hiring right [33:00]

🔍 Find out more: 

✨ Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahibenmaruthappu?originalSubdomain=uk 

✨ More about Cera: https://ceracare.co.uk/ 

📣Learn more about today’s sponsor: 

Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses. 

Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business. 

If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more. 

⭐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 at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 

🎧 You may also enjoy: 

Dr Sonia Szamocki: The Future of Collaborative Healthcare with 32Co

James Collier: How modern diets are failing us and Huel’s incredible growth journey

Where Are They Now: A Lesson in Resilience & Pivoting with James Lo, Co-Founder of Ethos

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.

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by James Collier, a registered Nutritionist, Co-Founder of Huel and author of his brand new book, ‘Well Fed: How modern diets are failing us (and what we can do about it)’’.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear about Huel’s growth journey, James’ new book and plenty of simple nutrition advice for you to implement in your day-to-day, no matter how busy you are. 

📚 Episode Chapters: 

➡️ From bodybuilding to nutrition [03:30]

➡️ Starting & growing Huel [09:00] 

➡️ Health challenges & bouncing back [18:00] 

➡️ More about today’s sponsors [24:20] 

➡️ Five pillars of nutrition & the benefits of eating together [25:00] 

➡️ Debunking diet myths [34:00] 

🔍 Find out more: 

✨ Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescollierrnutr/?originalSubdomain=uk 

✨ More about Huel: https://huel.com/ 

✨ Grab your copy of ‘Well Fed’: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/well-fed-how-modern-diets-are-failing-us-and-what-we-can-do-about-it-james-collier?variant=53486729855355 

📣Learn more about today’s sponsor: 

Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses. 

Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business. 

If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more. 

⭐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 at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 

🎧 You may also enjoy: 

Rhiannon Lambert: The truth about diets & nutrition advice for busy execs 

Dr Rupy Aujla: The accidental business that helps millions of people eat healthier every day

Vivien Wong: Building Little Moons from a family business to a viral global brand

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.

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor bonus episode, we’re introducing our brand new partnership with Ethos, the next-generation expert network using AI to match industry leaders with earning opportunities. 

Tune in to find out why we decided to partner with Ethos and more about what James Lo is building, who it is for and why this is such an exciting opportunity for experts. 

Plus, there’s a special offer up for grabs for you, so you really don’t want to miss it! 

🔍 Find out more: 

✨ More about Ethos: https://app.askethos.com/refer/s0k23bl401cb

✨ Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yfjameslo?originalSubdomain=uk 

🎧 You may also enjoy: 

James Lo: From protesting on the streets of Hong Kong to raising £1.5m pre-seed for Mana 

Vivien Wong: Building Little Moons from a family business to a viral global brand

Zeynep Yavuz: Investing in FinTech, Crypto & Emerging Markets with General Catalyst

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.

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Vivien Wong, Co-Founder of Little Moons, the popular mochi ice cream brand. 

Vivien started her career in banking before spotting an opportunity in 2010 to bring mochi ice cream to Europe with her brother Howard. 

Fast-forward to today: Little Moons is a viral brand which launched in big retail brands in the UK and internationally, and has a team of over 200. 

Tune into this episode to learn about Vivien’s journey from the early days of building Little Moons at the family kitchen table to the global brand it has become today. 

📚 Episode Chapters: 

➡️ The origin of Little Moons [08:00]

➡️ Launching into retail [15:00] 

➡️ Tips for entering international markets [19:40] 

➡️ Find out more about today’s sponsor [21:00] 

➡️ Going viral on TikTok [22:00] 

➡️ The biggest leadership lessons [28:30] 

➡️ Hiring advice [32:00] 

🔍 Find out more: 

✨ Connect with Vivien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivien-wong-07804123?originalSubdomain=uk 

✨ More about Little Moons: https://littlemoons.com/ 

📣Learn more about today’s sponsor: 

Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses. 

Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business. 

If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more. 

⭐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 at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 

🎧 You may also enjoy: 

Adrienne Adhami: How to make decisions in a world of endless choice

Simmy Dhillon: From Google to building the fastest growing healthy meal subscription business with Simmer

Deirdre O’Neill: Breaking taboos and transforming women’s health with Hertility

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.

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Rafel Jorda Siquier, Founder and CEO of Open Cosmos, the UK-based satellite company on a mission to monitor and combat climate change. 

Founded in 2015, Open Cosmos delivered its first satellite in record time with a team of just five people. Since then, the business has scaled to over €100 million in satellite contracts, a team of over 130 employees in Spain, Portugal, Greece and the UK, and $50 million in Series B funding from leading Investors. 

In today’s episode, you’ll find out more about Rafel’s journey into entrepreneurship, lessons from scaling such a successful business and the important role of satellites in combatting climate change. 

📚 Episode Chapters: 

➡️ A surprising route into aerospace engineering [03:15] 

➡️ The origin story of Open Cosmos [07:30] 

➡️ The huge impact of data [11:30] 

➡️ The decision not to fundraise straight away [14:15] 

➡️ More about today’s episode sponsors [18:30] 

➡️ Scaling the team & attracting high-performers [23:40]  

➡️ Spotting great talent & Rafel’s secret weapon [31:30] 

➡️ Using data to tackle climate change [39:50] 

🔍 Find out more: 

✨ Connect with Rafel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaeljorda?originalSubdomain=uk 

✨ More about Open Cosmos: https://www.open-cosmos.com/ 

📣Learn more about today’s sponsor: 

Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses. 

Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business. 

If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more. 

⭐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 at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 

🎧 You may also enjoy: 

Steve Etherton: Building the NASA of the Ocean with DEEP

Pierre Paslier: Making Packaging Disappear with Earthshot Prize Winners Nopla

Adrienne Adhami: How to make decisions in a world of endless choice

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.

To kick off 40 Minute Mentor’s Season 13, we’re joined by Adrienne Adhami, leading wellbeing coach, podcast host and author. 

Listed as one of the ‘Top 25 Black Entrepreneurs to watch’ by HSBC and UKBBS, Adrienne is a trailblazer inspiring individuals and organisations to reach their full potential. 

In today’s episode, we won’t just explore Adrienne’s incredible career to date but also discuss her latest book ‘Decision That Matter’ in detail. 

📚 Episode Chapters: 

➡️ The power of storytelling [04:50] 

➡️ Career milestones and pivots [12:00] 

➡️ Her new book: Decisions That Matter [21:20] 

➡️ Find out more about today’s sponsor [24:40] 

➡️ Understanding & unblocking analysis paralysis [25:40]  

➡️ Intentional decision making [27:30] 

➡️ Overcoming procrastination [34:15] 

➡️ Redefining success for every season [41:20] 

🔍 Find out more: 

✨ More about Adrienne: https://adrienneadhami.com/ 

✨ Get a copy of “Decisions That Matter”: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460246/decisions-that-matter-by-adhami-adrienne/9781529925494 

📣Learn more about today’s sponsor: 

Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses. 

Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business. 

If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more. 

⭐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 at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 

🎧 You may also enjoy: 

Raj Kaur Khaira: How ethical AI will change the world 

Helen Tupper: Building a squiggly career

Elizabeth Uviebinené: Building the Headspace for Journaling

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.

Ahead of launching Season 13 of 40 Minute Mentor next week, we thought we'd give you a preview of some of the pocket-sized mentorship you have to look forward to.

Haven't subscribed yet? Make sure you do so now to be the first to hear about our next episode launching!

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.