Entrepreneur Stories

From pregnancy to peri-menopause, the innumerous physical, mental and emotional demands endured by women have been largely ignored through history, trivialised even by medical professionals as an inevitability that they just have to “get on with”. Enter Beth Wright, a functional medicine health coach, nutritionist and strength trainer who is on a mission to ensure every woman has the education and support she needs to thrive both personally and professionally.

Revered by clients as a “godsend”, “life changer” and “pocket rocket of knowledge and positivity”, Beth left her position as a corporate lawyer to found her company B-Fit The Wright Way. In this frank and open conversation with Rasheed, they discuss a wide range of topics including; the importance of understanding health and hormones; leadership awareness and workplace support, tacking hormonal changes and menopause symptoms; practical strategies for body transformation; and much more! This is a must-listen conversation for every woman, as well as every husband, partner and colleague.

Tim Blake is a revolutionary. He is the co-founder of CROSSIP, a unique alcohol-free spirit that, unlike other 0% offerings, doesn’t try to mimic an existing alcoholic spirit, such as gin, rum or whisky. Instead, it offers an intense hit of bold spices and botanicals that bring an elevated and mature depth to the simplest of mixers. Created during lockdown in the UK, the past five years have seen it launch in 17 different countries, including Hong Kong.

In this expansive and revealing conversation with Rasheed, Tim shares the story behind the brand and the “naïve, arrogant, stupid” passion that drives him forward. From the critical importance of honest feedback and continual learning, to not being afraid to bring in business partners with different strengths, Tim’s inspiring journey shows how confidence in a unique product can bring business success in the most challenging situations.

Stay connected with the speaker:

• Tim Blake

and with us!

• ⁠Banyan Workspace⁠
• ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• ⁠Instagram

Join Ria Parikh (marketing and branding expert) and Youssef el Kaddioui (lead generation and scaling expert) as they lift the lid on one of the entrepreneur’s most powerful tools - LinkedIn! Listen in to this invaluable conversation for a deeper understanding of how to leverage the platform to achieve maximum impact, with immediately actionable tips and strategies.

Youssef and Ria share their experiences and insights on how to effectively utilise LinkedIn for lead generation, building a personal brand, and the importance of both personal and company pages. They also discuss the nuances of engagement on the platform, including algorithm insights and the role of authenticity in content creation. The conversation delves into the nuances of using LinkedIn for personal branding and sales, discussing the impact of LinkedIn Premium and Sales Navigator on engagement and outreach, the importance of crafting meaningful cold emails, and the strategies for effective content planning.

Stay connected with the speakers:

• Ria Parikh
• Youssef El Kaddioui Co-founder of The Scalelab

and with us!

• Banyan Workspace
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to LinkedIn's Impact on Business

06:07 The Role of Company Pages vs Personal Pages

12:00 Engagement Strategies and Algorithm Insights

17:00 The Impact of LinkedIn Premium on Engagement

22:57 The Role of Cold Emails in Sales

28:08 Crafting Meaningful Outreach

34:57 Authenticity vs. Expertise on LinkedIn

39:12 Cross-Platform Strategies

41:45 Trends in LinkedIn Engagement

44:40 The Importance of Hooks

48:23 Leveraging AI in Content Creation

49:45 Engagement and Community Building

51:15 Consistency in Posting

52:32 Creating Unique Content for Company Pages

53:46 Building a Network Through Content

54:12 Choosing the Right Platform for B2B Outreach

56:22 Challenges with Company Pages on LinkedIn

58:10 Strategies for Effective Tagging and Hashtags

01:01:12 The Importance of Authenticity on LinkedIn

01:04:22 Scaling LinkedIn Strategies Despite Constraints

01:05:52 Scaling Content Creation: Building a Team

01:07:03 Navigating Fear in Authentic Communication

01:09:08 The Role of Accountability on LinkedIn

01:11:19 Dealing with Online Hate and Criticism

01:12:11 The Necessity of Content Creation

01:14:14 Leveraging Personal Branding for Sales

01:15:04 Understanding LinkedIn's Content Landscape

01:16:25 Using LinkedIn for B2B Marketing

01:20:24 The Unpredictability of Viral Content

This segment of our discussion with Mathilde Poirieux is being released as a mini-episode, providing an opportunity to listen to Mathilde conduct a live coaching session with our host Rasheed Shroff. The mini-episode provides a 'live experience' of what a first coaching session might look like for anyone considering working with an Executive Coach. This live coaching session was unscripted and unfiltered to provide full visibility and transparency and to allow listeners to form their own opinions on whether to further explore opportunities for personal and professional improvement through working with an Executive Coach.

This discussion was recorded at Banyan Workspace with the production help of @MUNDAY_STUDIOS

To contact - Mathilde Poirieux

To contact - Rasheed Shroff

This episode of Entrepreneur Stories, with ICF accredited Executive Coach, Mathilde Poirieux, explores what Executive Coaching is and what it can offer Entrepreneurs and Business Professionals. The session then flows into a 'Live Coaching Session' where Rasheed takes on the role of coachee, opening up on areas he is personally working on to be a better leader for his team by responding to Mathilde's questions and prompts in what was an unscripted and unfiltered discussion. The aim of this 'Live Coaching Session' is to provide insights into what an executive coaching session could look like for anyone thinking about engaging a coach or curious about what a coach can offer.

Mathilde Poirieux is an ICF Professional Certified Coach & Coaching Supervisor with over 15 years of coaching experience. Prior to her career in coaching Mathilde worked in Learning & Development as well as Leadership Development and Talent Management at EY for over a decade.

Mathilde helps us understand and shares her thoughts on:

- Why Entrepreneurs and Business Professionals can benefit from coaching

- What being a Professionally Certified Coach means- What her clients are typically looking for from their sessions 

- Common misconceptions about coaching 

- Advice for anyone considering working with an Executive Coach

- How progress on an individuals coaching journey can be measured

- Success stories from her coaching experience

We then flow straight into a 'Live Coaching Session' where Mathilde takes on the role of Rasheed's coach, with Rasheed taking on the role of coach and opening up on areas he knows he has to work on and exploring how he can make the improvements he believes would to make him a better leader for his team.

This discussion was recorded at Banyan Workspace with the production help of @MUNDAY_STUDIOS

To contact - Mathilde Poirieux

To contact - Rasheed Shroff

In this episode, Chef Olivier Elzer, a culinary legend with an astounding 27 Michelin stars to his name, shares his inspiring journey from the kitchens of France to becoming an iconic figure in Hong Kong's vibrant dining scene.
In this conversation, Rasheed explores Chef Olivier’s passion for food and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. He reflects on the challenges he faced and the lessons learned along the way. With insights into achieving Michelin star status and guiding L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Hong Kong to three stars, Chef Olivier offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in the culinary arts and entrepreneurship.
This episode is a must-listen for food lovers, aspiring chefs, and entrepreneurs alike. Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of the industry’s most celebrated talents and discover what drives his remarkable success!

In this episode, Cathryn Wills, founder and creative director of Sans Beast, shares her inspiring journey from a senior corporate role in the fashion industry to launching a pioneering vegan handbag brand focused on ethical practices and sustainability.

She discusses the push and pull factors that led her to leave her corporate career, highlighting the misalignment between her values and corporate expectations. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges she faced and the lessons learned during her transition to entrepreneurship.

Cathryn emphasizes the importance of strong foundations in presenting a brand that feels larger than its size. She also addresses the complexities of sourcing vegan materials and Sans Beast's commitment to transparency and community engagement.

Listen to this enlightening conversation that offers valuable inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to align their business practices with their values.

This episode of Entrepreneur Stories delves into the incredible journey of Igor Duc, founder and CEO of Native Union, a globally recognised brand of tech accessories. Recorded live at Banyan Workspace, Igor shares his inspiring story, from his early days designing furniture in China to creating the iconic tech accessories brand found today in Apple retail locations worldwide and in luxury brand boutiques across the globe.

This episode is packed with insights, including:

• Igor's unconventional path: Hear how a furniture design background led to the creation of Native Union and its iconic Pop Retro handset.
• The challenges of hyper-growth: Learn from Igor's experience of explosive growth, the pitfalls of rapid scaling, and how he navigated counterfeiting that nearly bankrupted his company.
• Building a global brand: Discover how Native Union transitioned from a viral product to a sustainable, internationally recognised brand.
• Securing Apple as a client: Igor reveals the behind-the-scenes story of his daring, unconventional approach to securing a partnership with Apple, including a legendary cross-country Uber ride!
• The importance of passion and risk-taking: Igor emphasises the crucial role of passion and calculated risk-taking in entrepreneurial success.
• Navigating the complexities of global manufacturing: Gain insights into the challenges and rewards of managing a complex supply chain across multiple countries.

This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur looking for inspiration, practical advice, and a glimpse into the realities of building a successful global business.

This discussion was recorded live in front of an audience at Banyan Workspace in Hong Kong.

This episode of Entrepreneur Stories features Liz Bradford and David Markham, two entrepreneurs based in Hong Kong, as they discuss their journeys from burnout to achieving peak performance.

Liz, a recovering banker with 21 years in finance, shares her experience of burnout and how it led her to establish Transform Perform and Maia, two businesses focused on high-performance coaching and organisational resilience. David, a former professional rugby player turned health and fitness coach, recounts his transition into entrepreneurship and the opening of his own facility, The Clubhouse Hong Kong, with its unique 360-degree approach to health and fitness.

Liz and David delve into the signs of burnout, the importance of self-awareness, and the strategies they employ to help themselves and their clients achieve a healthier work-life balance.

Highlights:

• Practical strategies for identifying and addressing burnout symptoms.
• The importance of self-care, sleep, nutrition, and stress management.
• Building boundaries and creating structure in Hong Kong's demanding work environment.
• The role of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership.
• Creating a supportive and engaging community within a fitness setting.
• How aligning work and personal values can lead to greater success and fulfilment.

This insightful conversation explores practical strategies for preventing and overcoming burnout, building resilience, and creating a sustainable path to peak performance, both personally and professionally.

** This discussion was recorded in front of a live audience in the library at ⁠⁠Banyan Workspace⁠⁠ in Hong Kong and includes audience Q&A

The journey from a stable job to being an entrepreneur - This episode features an open conversation between Colin Symmonds and Rasheed Shroff, who both transitioned from long-established corporate careers to launch their own successful ventures.

Colin, founder of Joint Dynamics, Hong Kong's leading multidisciplinary treatment and performance clinic (established in 2013), and Rasheed Shroff, founder of Dragonfly Asia-Pacific and ⁠Banyan Workspace⁠⁠, share their experience, their successes and failures, and their approach to running their businesses and empowering their teams.

This wide-ranging discussion explores the synergies and differences in their leadership styles and approaches to risk and business finances. The conversation includes fascinating anecdotes and real-world examples that shaped their respective businesses.

Highlights:
•⁠  ⁠Colin’s early years and training in physiotherapy
•⁠  ⁠His motivation for establishing Joint Dynamics in a competitive market
•⁠  ⁠Comparing an "accidental entrepreneur" journey with a deliberate decision to leave corporate life after two decades
•⁠  ⁠The challenges of leaving a stable job to start a business
•⁠  ⁠The critical role of team culture in startup success
•⁠  ⁠Prioritising their teams
•⁠  ⁠How encouraging employee passions contributed to business growth
•⁠  ⁠The value of partnerships and acknowledging strengths and weaknesses
•⁠  ⁠The evolution of their appetite for risk
•⁠  ⁠The importance of and different approaches to business finances

Meet Colin and Rasheed:
Colin Symmonds embarked on a transformative entrepreneurial journey after more than two decades in the corporate sector. In 2013, he founded Joint Dynamics, Hong Kong's pioneering multidisciplinary treatment and performance clinic.

Rasheed Shroff, with extensive experience building brands and businesses across the Asia-Pacific region, took a similar leap into entrepreneurship, establishing Dragonfly Asia-Pacific and Banyan Workspace after more than twenty years working for a major multi-national company.

** This discussion was recorded in front of a live audience in the library at ⁠Banyan Workspace⁠ in Hong Kong and includes audience Q&A. Thank you to our beverage sponsor, ⁠Spiritu HK⁠, for providing pre- and post-event drinks, allowing for a fun and productive networking opportunity!