40 Minute Mentor

“It’s really important to sell your business when there’s still a lot of growth left. You really shouldn’t be looking to sell it at its absolute peak.” 

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Mary Bonsor, Founder of Flex Legal, a bespoke online platform created to connect law students with law firms and in-house legal teams on a flexible on-demand basis. 

Mary has been on an incredible journey from Lawyer to LegalTech Entrepreneur, driving diversity and social mobility with Flex Legal. 

Alongside her successful build of Flex Legal to exit, Mary has been named Management Today’s 35 under 35, won Entrepreneur of the Year at the Women in Law Awards and was also an Entrepreneurship category winner at the European Women of Legal Tech Awards. 

In today’s episode, we’ll dive into her journey of building Flex Legal, all the lessons she learned along the way and her step away from the CEO role through her exit, 7 years into the journey. 

Episode Chapters:

➡️ Becoming a lawyer & the initial idea for Flex Legal [07:00] 

➡️ Entrepreneurship - a behaviour or a skill you can learn? [09:00] 

➡️ From concept to business - the evolution of Flex Legal [14:00] 

➡️ Find out more about Leadership Unleashed [15:00] 

➡️ Transitioning from Lawyer to Tech Founder [17:15] 

➡️ Finding Product-Market-Fit & navigating pivots [20:15] 

➡️ Hiring lessons [28:15] 

➡️ Navigating Covid & the route to exit [33:00] 

➡️ Transitioning out of the CEO role [35:30] 

➡️ Social Mobility in the Legal space [38:15] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Mary on LinkedIn

➡️ Find out more about Flex Legal

🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors 

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Leadership Unleashed Open Cohorts. 

Leadership Unleashed Open Cohort is your chance to join a diverse cohort of leaders from different organisations, industries, and parts of the world to build the most critical behaviours and transform into a high performer. 

Split into seven remote workshops, the Open Cohort follows a coaching-led approach where you’ll be actively involved and turn your learnings into habits in your day-to-day. 

To find out more about the programme and how you can sign up for the next cohort starting in January, get in touch with Logan and Anouk at [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 at 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.

“Feedback is the only way you will develop as a Leader. It is the only way people develop, full stop.” 

If you’ve been following JBM’s journey or been listening to 40 Minute Mentor for a while now, you will know that we’ve recently joined forces with Amplified People Group - the people services supergroup, supporting tech companies from inception to IPO. 

That’s what makes today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode so special. 

In this episode, we are joined by Andrew Richardson, Amplified People Group’s Co-Founder and Director. 

Not only will you find out the ins and outs of JBM’s acquisition and what the future holds for the Group, but we also cover Andrew’s impressive career journey, why VC simply wasn’t for him and where his passion and love for Sales really comes from. 

Episode Chapters:

➡️ Upbringing in an entrepreneurial environment [04:00] 

➡️ Foundation in recruitment & joining La Fosse [10:30] 

➡️ The power of mentorship in Andrew’s early career [12:20] 

➡️ Growing a passion for Sales & why it’s such a good grounding for anyone’s career [15:20] 

➡️ More about today’s sponsor [20:00] 

➡️ Moving from Recruitment into VC [21:00] 

➡️ The challenges of building a new fund [23:15] 

➡️ The beginning of Foundation Partners & the evolution to Amplified Group[28:00] 

➡️ Fractional support for early-stage Founders [33:50] 

➡️ The hallmark of success [38:00] 

➡️ Building a high-performance business & attracting the right talent [40:50] 

➡️ Why feedback is so important [46:00] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-richardson-34404b33 

➡️ Find out more about Amplified People Group: https://www.amplifiedgroup.com/ 

🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors 

Unleashed, an Amplified Group business, is the people and culture expert for leaders who do business differently. 

Trusted by the most progressive businesses, the Leadership Institute-accredited Unleashed Development Programmes harness the power of community learning, helping leaders develop the skills, behaviours and relationships they need to cultivate high performance across organisations.

Find out more about Unleashed here or get in touch at [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 at 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.

“People think VC is about chasing the next big thing…but actually, it’s not about making quick money. It’s about the long game and deep relationships.” 

We often talk to Investors on 40 Minute Mentor, but today we’re taking a deep dive into an increasingly important role within VC, the Platform role. 

To help us explore what a Platform role can look like, why it’s so important and how you can get into the role, we’re joined by Leah Sutton, Chief Portfolio Talent Officer at Balderton and Charlotte Van Reyk, VP of Platform at Lightspeed. 

On top of taking a deep dive into Platform, we also discuss Charlotte and Leah’s incredible careers before VC and their predictions for 2025. 

Episode Chapters:

➡️ From Google to VC [08:30] 

➡️ Act like an owner and think like an entrepreneur [12:00] 

➡️ Building businesses through People roles [13:20] 

➡️ Lessons from scaling high-growth businesses & navigating Covid [18:40] 

➡️ More about today’s sponsors [21:45] 

➡️ Learning resilience from parenthood [23:30] 

➡️ Squiggly routes into VC [26:30] 

➡️ Biggest misconceptions about VC [31:30]  

➡️ Relationships vs Networks [34:30] 

➡️ Day-to-Day of a Platform Leader [36:40] 

➡️ Advice for moving into VC and Platform roles [41:20] 

➡️ Trends & predictions for 2025 [51:00] 

➡️ A podcast recommendation [56:30] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Charlotte: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-van-reyk-8a4481b5 

➡️ Connect with Leah: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/leahsutton 

➡️ Find out more about Lightspeed: https://lsvp.com/ 

➡️ Find out more about Balderton Capital: https://www.balderton.com/ 

🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors 

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

Growing technology companies don’t have the financial resources, capacity or experience to tackle the challenges of scaling a business and driving performance. 

A world-class People, Culture & HR operation is instrumental for this. Foundation Partners have built a blended service, so companies get the experience and support - both strategically and day-to-day - they need to build an exceptional business. 

Find out more: https://www.foundationpartners.co.uk/ 

⭐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 

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 have more than 70% of equity in the business. Unfortunately, female Founders are actually encouraged to give up more equity in the early stages, which I would have never agreed with…” 

The fashion industry is the third most polluting industry in the world. 

Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is on a mission to change that. 

We are joined by Eshita Kabra, Forbes 30 Under 30 and Founder and CEO of By Rotation. 

Often dubbed as the Instagram for fashion rental, By Rotation has achieved amazing milestones to date, including building a community of over half a million like-minded Rotators, saving over 100k meters of textile waste from going to landfill in 2023, and raising £2.55 million in seed funding. 

We cover all the highs and lows along the way and Eshita’s exciting plans for the future. 

Episode Chapters:

➡️ Growing up as a third culture kid [03:40] 

➡️ Why the leap into entrepreneurship [09:00] 

➡️ Finding the right people & navigating Covid [12:45] 

➡️ More about how By Rotation works [18:00] 

➡️ Learn more about today’s sponsor [20:00] 

➡️ Purpose vs Profit & By Rotation’s environmental impact [21:30] 

➡️ Prioritising equity over huge fundraises [22:55] 

➡️ Fundraising advice [28:00] 

➡️ Landing big partnerships & famous ambassadors [33:00] 

➡️ Hiring traps to avoid [35:45] 

➡️ Expanding into the US market [38:20] 

➡️ A podcast recommendation [41:45] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Eshita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshitakabra 

➡️ Find out more about By Rotation: https://byrotation.com/ 

🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors 

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

Growing technology companies don’t have the financial resources, capacity or experience to tackle the challenges of scaling a business and driving performance. 

A world-class People, Culture & HR operation is instrumental for this. Foundation Partners have built a blended service, so companies get the experience and support - both strategically and day-to-day - they need to build an exceptional business. 

Find out more: https://www.foundationpartners.co.uk/ 

⭐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

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.

“Something that’s often quite misunderstood in mission-driven companies is that you don’t change the world between 9 and 5.” 

Today’s 40-Minute Mentor is Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen, a Sunday Times Best-Selling Author, the first Nordic woman named a Forbes 30 Under 30, and Co-Founder of Female Invest. 

Female Invest is a global edTech platform on a mission to close the financial gender gap and smash glass ceilings. 

To date, Female Invest has raised $23m in funding and is serving over 450,000 paying members in over 120 countries. 

The Co-Founders also acquired Nordic FinTech company Gaia Investments and have written a global bestseller in ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Funds’. 

We dive into all of these milestones in today’s episode, plus so much more… 

Episode Chapters:

➡️ Failing to prioritise health [03:00] 

➡️ Growing up in Denmark and developing an interest in finance [04:20] 

➡️ From a social group at University to Female Invest [06:30] 

➡️ Scrappy beginnings & facing bankruptcy [11:15] 

➡️ Facing doubters and negative comments online [15:50] 

➡️ More about today’s sponsors, Unleashed [19:00] 

➡️ Anna’s hiring approach [20:15] 

➡️ Plans for the future [23:15] 

➡️ Fundraising experience & advice for Founders [24:45] 

➡️ VC vs crowdfunding [29:15] 

➡️ The financial gender gap & Anna’s Call To Action [31:30] 

➡️ Getting started with investing [35:45] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Anna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-sophie-hartvigsen-46352611a/ 

➡️ Find out more about Female Invest: https://www.femaleinvest.com/ 

🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors 

Unleashed, an Amplified Group business, is the people and culture expert for leaders who do business differently. 

Trusted by the most progressive businesses, the Leadership Institute-accredited Unleashed Development Programmes harness the power of community learning, helping leaders develop the skills, behaviours and relationships they need to cultivate high performance across organisations.

Find out more about Unleashed here or get in touch at [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 at 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.

“There are so many limitations put on women in this industry and you have to adopt a mindset where you’re going to challenge that as you move forward.” 

Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is the brilliant Mary Bekhait, Group CEO of YMU. 

YMU is a global talent agency representing some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry and beyond, including Fearne Cotton, Clare Balding, Davina McCall, Graham Norton and Simon Cowell, to name a few. 

Mary has had an amazing career and has risen through the ranks at YMU, since joining in 2012. 

Since taking over as Group CEO in January 2021, Mary has overseen a radical rebrand of YMU, transforming the agency into a progressive business, spearheaded by women. 

In this episode, we dig into Mary’s career to date, what it’s been like to rise through the ranks in a male-dominated industry and what it’s really like to work with some of the biggest names in entertainment. 

Episode Chapters:

➡️ Growing up in central London and nurturing a creative mind [06:00] 

➡️ Learnings from her first jobs [07:30] 

➡️ Why talent management & how to get into the industry [09:40] 

➡️ Being the only woman in the room & not becoming complacent [11:50]  

➡️ Leadership inspiration [16:40] 

➡️ More about today’s sponsor [20:50]

➡️ Rising through the ranks in talent management [22:00] 

➡️ Focusing on Diversity in Hiring [27:00] 

➡️ What it’s like to work with the most famous names in the industry [33:00] 

➡️ Mary’s vision of the future of the industry [38:30] 

➡️ A podcast recommendation from James [43:25] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Mary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-bekhait-35524512/ 

➡️ Find out more about YMU: https://www.ymugroup.com/ 

🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors 

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

Growing technology companies don’t have the financial resources, capacity or experience to tackle the challenges of scaling a business and driving performance. 

A world-class People, Culture & HR operation is instrumental for this. Foundation Partners have built a blended service, so companies get the experience and support - both strategically and day-to-day - they need to build an exceptional business. 

Find out more: https://www.foundationpartners.co.uk/ 

⭐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

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.

“It’s easy to look from the outside in and think ‘wow, what an adventure’ and it is an adventure, but if you’re thinking about going on a startup joinery you need to ask yourself: am I okay if this fails?” 

For episode 1 in our brand new 40 Minute Mentor season, we’re joined by Clare Jones, ex CCO of what3words and CEO of Polarsteps. 

Clare has had an impressive career so far, including joining what3words in its very early days as a startup and helping them scale to post-Series C in 8 years. 

Earlier in the summer, Clare joined Polarsteps, a rapidly growing team building the essential tool for modern day explorers - before, during and after their trips. 

In today’s episode we discuss the leadership skills that helped her through her tenure as CCO and now CEO, what makes a successful CCO and what it’s been like to join as the first CEO hire, as a succession hire from the Founders. 

Episode Chapters:

➡️ Her upbringing in an activist household [04:30] 

➡️ Early NGO experiences & transferable skills [06:15] 

➡️ Joining what3words as a scrappy startup [09:50] 

➡️ Lessons from scaling the what3words team [13:45] 

➡️ More about today’s sponsors [20:55] 

➡️ Becoming comfortable with failure [22:00] 

➡️ Deep dive into the CCO role [26:15] 

➡️ Why the move to Polarsteps & the origin story [28:30] 

➡️ When it’s time for Founders to step back [31:55] 

➡️ Making Founder succession work [43:00] 

➡️ Learning to be patient [47:25]  

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Clare: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-jones-/ 

➡️ Find out more about Polarsteps: https://www.polarsteps.com/ 

🔔 Find out more about today’s sponsors 

Today’s episode was sponsored by Amplified Group - the People services group that supports technology companies from inception to IPO. 

Together, the Group combines the leading brands in the People, Talent, Culture and HR space to provide the services Founders and Leadership teams need to build high-performing teams and businesses. 

Find out more at www.amplifiedgroup.com or drop the team a note 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.

We’re officially DAYS away from launching Season 12 of our 40 Minute Mentor podcast. 

And this might be one of our best seasons yet. 

We have an amazing line-up of 40 Minute Mentors sharing the highs and lows of their entrepreneurial journey - all the way from that initial idea to launching and breaking world records along the way. 

For a preview of some of the amazing pocket-sized mentorship that will land in a set of headphones near you starting this Wednesday, check out our season trailer. 

If you like what you’re hearing, make sure you hit subscribe or set a reminder to check back this Wednesday morning for a fresh dose of pocket-sized mentorship. 

🤔 Know someone who will enjoy this? Share the trailer with them today! 

💡Ideas on how we can make the trailer even better? Leave us a review or drop us a note 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 most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

“Everyone needs different things, but if we’re going to spend so much time going to work, at least do something where you feel that you matter and that you make a difference here.” 

As we’re approaching this year’s Sifted Summit in London, we thought we’d use our final Replay episode as a throwback to our live podcast recording at the Summit two years ago. 

In this episode, we’re joined by Nikki Wicks (The Body Coach), Emma Steele (Ascension) and Amali De Alwis (ex Subak), to discuss putting purpose over profit and accelerating impact. 

Gone are the days in which top talent are looking to go into Banking, Consulting or Investing. 

Now the best of the best are on a mission to find companies and Founders with a strong purpose, to really make a difference in the world… 

Episode chapters:

➡️ What is purpose and why does it matter [03:00] 

➡️ Measuring impact [08:40] 

➡️ Accidentally building a purpose driven business [10:45] 

➡️ When you should and shouldn’t raise from VCs [16:50] 

➡️ Profit vs Purpose - defining what matters [22:00] 

➡️ Turning down million pound partnerships [24:55] 

➡️ Purpose & Talent attraction [31:20] 

➡️ Sacrificing big salaries for purpose [33:20] 

➡️ Hiring challenges [37:30] 

➡️ Purpose driven investment thesis & fundraising advice [40:00] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Watch the full recording at Sifted Summit: https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/live-at-sifted-summit-purpose-v-profit-with-nikki-wicks-the-body-coach-emma-steele-ascension-amali-de-alwis-subak/ 

➡️ Connect with Nikki Wicks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-wicks-15065661/ 

➡️ Connect with Emma Steele: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-steele-b7a98832/ 

➡️ Connect with Amali De Alwis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amali/ 

⭐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.

“Being a mum is my superpower. If a company doesn’t want my superpower, then I don’t want to be in that company.” 

Whether you’re an aspiring GM, leader in Tech or are navigating the workplace after becoming a parent - you won’t want to miss today’s 40 Minute Mentor. 

In today’s Replay episode, we’re revisiting our conversation with the brilliant Claire Valoti, prolific angel investor and Founding Partner of Haylo Ventures. 

When we had Claire on the podcast, she was VP at Snapchat, where she grew Snap’s EMEA region to over 1 billion in revenue with 20x headcount growth and a 5x productivity boost. 

In today’s episode, you’ll hear more about… 

Episode chapters:

➡️ Claire’s brilliant career from media and advertising into Tech [01:25] 

➡️ The lessons she learned from her parents owning a Hotel [03:50] 

➡️ The importance of public speaking in any career [08:55] 

➡️ What an early career in agency land taught her [11:00] 

➡️ Progression does not mean leaving the company you’re with [15:40] 

➡️ Highlights from working at Facebook [18:00] 

➡️ Moving to Snapchat & being hired while pregnant [19:50] 

➡️ Advice for aspiring GM’s [22:00] 

➡️ A typical day at Snapchat [25:50] 

➡️ Challenges of scaling a team [28:15] 

➡️ Collaborating across different countries and timezones [31:25] 

➡️ Driving DE&I from the top down [35:15] 

➡️ What Claire looks for when assessing talent [39:30] 

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Follow Claire on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairevaloti/?originalSubdomain=uk 

⭐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.