Founder in the Chair

From running around her parents’ factory as a child to helping lead the second generation of her family business, Joti Reehal’s story has come full circle. What started with a career in IT — cut short by arthritis and chronic pain — became the spark that led her back to fabrics, furnishings, and the world she grew up in.

For the last 22 years, Joti has worked in her family’s manufacturing business while building her own brand, Asraana, where she brings bespoke soft furnishings to homes, commercial spaces, and interior design projects. Her journey is one of resilience, creativity, and balancing family legacy with personal passion.

In this episode, Joti shares:

• Lessons from running a factory at just 14 years old
• How illness reshaped her career path and identity
• The creation of Asraana and her love for soft furnishings
• Building collaborations with interior designers and creative communities
• Finding pride in carrying her parents’ knowledge forward into the future

Connect with Joti:
🌐 Website: https://www.asraana.co.uk
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asraana.uk
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joti-reehal-70571722

If you have a story to share, to inspire, or to encourage someone to take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, then please get in touch, the world needs to hear more stories, it's not always an easy ride, by sharing we may just help someone to take the first step or to grow in their business journey.  

Instagram @founderinthechair

YouTube - Founder in the Chair

https://youtu.be/37Mhkf_A3gU

Email me if you would like to be a Founder in the Chair at [email protected]

Growing up in 1970s Britain, Thushara Collins and her family faced racism and even physical attacks simply for being different. Those challenges built her resilience and independence — qualities that would carry her through motherhood, study, and a remarkable legal career.

From taking her law exams just six weeks after a C-section, to building an award-winning law firm while navigating an abusive marriage, Thushara’s journey is one of grit, perseverance, and transformation. After 22 years, she found the courage to leave, remarried for love, and continued to champion access to justice, mentorship, and community.

In this episode, she shares:

• The resilience shaped by growing up in 1970s Britain
• Her path to becoming a solicitor while raising two children
• Building T.G. Collins Solicitors from debt to expansion
• Leaving an abusive marriage and finding strength in new beginnings
• How “the Glad Game” became her daily practice for hope and positivity

Connect with Thushara & T.G. Collins Solicitors:
 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tgcollins_law/
📘 Facebook (Chelmsford): https://www.facebook.com/tgcollinschelmsford/
📘 Facebook (Benfleet): https://www.facebook.com/tgcollinsbenfleet/
🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/TGCollinsLaw
💼 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/t-g-collins-solicitors
🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/tgcollins

If you have a story to share, to inspire, or to encourage someone to take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, then please get in touch, the world needs to hear more stories, it's not always an easy ride, by sharing we may just help someone to take the first step or to grow in their business journey.  

Instagram @founderinthechair

YouTube - Founder in the Chair

https://youtu.be/37Mhkf_A3gU

Email me if you would like to be a Founder in the Chair at [email protected]

✨ What if the struggles you face today aren’t random — but patterns carried from past lives?

In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena sits down with Gautami, an astrologer, numerologist, and past life regression therapist, to explore how karma, energy, and soul lessons shape our life path.

From Bollywood beginnings to guiding people through their karmic cycles, Gautami’s story is one of deep transformation. She explains how past life regression reveals root causes, why every soul chooses its lessons, and how true remedies lie in mindfulness and awareness — not just rituals.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The truth about karma and how it really works
• How past life regression uncovers repeating patterns
• Why the soul chooses its parents, life path, and lessons
• The link between astrology, numerology, and soul purpose
• How mindfulness is the most powerful remedy

📲 Connect with Gautami on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhrigupredict

Hosted by Veena Nayyar | Founder in the Chair

If you have a story to share, to inspire, or to encourage someone to take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, then please get in touch, the world needs to hear more stories, it's not always an easy ride, by sharing we may just help someone to take the first step or to grow in their business journey.  

Instagram @founderinthechair

YouTube - Founder in the Chair

https://youtu.be/37Mhkf_A3gU

Email me if you would like to be a Founder in the Chair at [email protected]

From just two sarees to a thriving fashion and community brand — this is the inspiring story of Sana, the founder of Mona Lisa Sarees and the force behind the Mona Lisa Pop-Up Shops.

At just 19, Sana moved to the UK with no business experience. What started as a search for the perfect outfit for her daughter’s first birthday has grown into a legacy brand redefining South Asian fashion and creating a supportive platform for hundreds of small businesses.

In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Sana shares:

• How her mother’s boutique in Gujarat inspired her entrepreneurial journey
• The story of starting Mona Lisa Sarees with just two sarees
• Building Mona Lisa Pop-Up Shops with 20–45 vendors at each event
• The challenges of balancing business, events, and motherhood
• Why community and collaboration are at the heart of her success
• Her advice for new entrepreneurs: don’t wait for the perfect moment, just start

Sana’s journey is about resilience, legacy, and creating something bigger than yourself.

Follow Mona Lisa Sarees & Mona Lisa Pop-Up:
Website: https://www.monalisasarees.com

Website: https://www.monalisapopupshop.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monalisasarees

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monalisapopupshop

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@monalisasarees

Hosted by Veena Nayyar | Founder in the Chair

If you have a story to share, to inspire, or to encourage someone to take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, then please get in touch, the world needs to hear more stories, it's not always an easy ride, by sharing we may just help someone to take the first step or to grow in their business journey.  

Instagram @founderinthechair

YouTube - Founder in the Chair

https://youtu.be/37Mhkf_A3gU

Email me if you would like to be a Founder in the Chair at [email protected]

From redundancy to resilience, Kaneez Nabijee’s story is one of transformation and purpose.

After leaving a 13-year career in finance, Kaneez took a leap into the unknown — building Dr. Expat, a medical recruitment and licensing consultancy that’s now a trusted name across the UAE and GCC.

In this conversation with host Veena Nayyar, Kaneez opens up about:

• How her brother’s struggle with Dubai’s medical licensing inspired Dr. Expat
• The challenges of running a business in the UAE’s ever-changing regulatory landscape
• Why adding a personal touch makes all the difference in recruitment
• Balancing motherhood with the demands of building a company abroad
• Her vision for the future — from new platforms to Saudi expansion

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a business in Dubai, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🌐 Guest Links:
 🌍 Website: https://www.drexpat.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorexpat

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drexpat1

💼 LinkedIn (Kaneez): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaneez-nabijee-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%8A-%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%B2-7a4b443a/

💼 LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/3263406/

If you have a story to share, to inspire, or to encourage someone to take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, then please get in touch, the world needs to hear more stories, it's not always an easy ride, by sharing we may just help someone to take the first step or to grow in their business journey.  

Instagram @founderinthechair

YouTube - Founder in the Chair

https://youtu.be/37Mhkf_A3gU

Email me if you would like to be a Founder in the Chair at [email protected]

From childhood trauma and a life-changing firework accident to battling depression and rejection in Bollywood, Nina’s journey is one of resilience, passion, and self-belief.

In this episode of Founder in the Chair, she shares how dance became her healing outlet, the challenges she faced building a business in a new country, and the single act of support that brought 15 new students through her door.

We talk about:

• How Nina turned pain into purpose through dance 💃
• Overcoming physical scars and societal labels
• The realities of starting from scratch in a new place
• Why one person’s encouragement can change everything

📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/N0FTSNvm460

📌 Follow Nina’s Choreography:
 🌐 Website: https://ninaschoreography.co.uk/
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninaschoreography
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ninaschoreography8
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninaschoreography-choreographer-and-zumba-instructor-31119517a/

#makeupbyveena #londonmedialounge #uxbridge #founderpodcast #ninaschoreography #danceheals #inspiringstories

If you have a story to share, to inspire, or to encourage someone to take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, then please get in touch, the world needs to hear more stories, it's not always an easy ride, by sharing we may just help someone to take the first step or to grow in their business journey.  

Instagram @founderinthechair

YouTube - Founder in the Chair

https://youtu.be/37Mhkf_A3gU

Email me if you would like to be a Founder in the Chair at [email protected]

At just 16 years old, Sukhvinder Kaur thought she was going to the library the next day with her friends.
 Instead, she came home from school to find her family preparing for her wedding.

In this powerful episode of Founder in the Chair, Sukhvinder opens up about:

• Growing up in a traditional South Asian household in the 1980s
• Being forced into marriage at a young age
• Surviving domestic abuse and the emotional toll of loneliness
• Breaking cultural taboos by speaking out
• How she turned 10 years of personal research into a self-help book
• Why she put her personal contact details in that book to help strangers

Now a qualified counsellor, author, and award-winning volunteer, Sukhvinder dedicates her life to helping others manage their emotions, build self-awareness, and overcome isolation.

💛 All proceeds from her book go to mental health charities.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eVMpByzr9Ao

👇 CONNECT WITH SUKHVINDER:
📘 Buy the book: https://amzn.eu/d/egmBrI2
🌐 Website: https://sukhvinderkaurauthor.wixsite.com/home
📩 Email: [email protected]
📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ArRt9Wmxq/
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sukikaur02/

If you have a story to share, to inspire, or to encourage someone to take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, then please get in touch, the world needs to hear more stories, it's not always an easy ride, by sharing we may just help someone to take the first step or to grow in their business journey.

Instagram @founderinthechair

YouTube - Founder in the Chair

https://youtu.be/37Mhkf_A3gU

Email me if you would like to be a Founder in the Chair at [email protected]

What happens when you hit burnout and realise you’ve been living on autopilot?

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Mandeep Bains — financial advisor, father, and truth-seeker — to talk about the moment he lost himself… and how he found purpose again. We explore masculinity, identity, faith, and what it really takes to leave a legacy that lasts.

💬 From the personal to the practical, Mandeep also breaks down how to protect your wealth, reduce tax, and make sure what you’ve built goes to your loved ones — not the government.

This one is raw, real, and full of insight. Listen now.

👇 Connect with Mandeep:
 🌐 Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jkb-wealth-management/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkbwealthmanagement?igsh=YnVxeXV6aWZocWls
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandeep-bains-6a7a7881/

🎙️ Hosted by Veena Nayyar
 📍 Watch the full video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4SpTLeS0AxY
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/founderinthechair
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veenanayyar
📸 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@founder.in.the.ch

#FounderInTheChair #MandeepBains #LegacyPlanning #BurnoutRecovery #InheritanceTax #FinancialFreedom #WealthProtection #SouthAsianVoices #MoreHeartLessHustle #YouTubePodcast #makeupbyveena #londonmedialounge #uxbridge #founderpodcast

If you have a story to share, to inspire, or to encourage someone to take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, then please get in touch, the world needs to hear more stories, it's not always an easy ride, by sharing we may just help someone to take the first step or to grow in their business journey.  

Instagram @founderinthechair

YouTube - Founder in the Chair

https://youtu.be/37Mhkf_A3gU

Email me if you would like to be a Founder in the Chair at [email protected]

Dayalan Mahesan is an entrepreneur, speaker, coach, connector and soon-to-be first-time author. He thrives on helping people on their property journeys as well as encouraging and connecting business owners to help their businesses grow.

You can find me here:

Website: www.dmkw.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayalanmahesan_property?igsh=MTdvcWIxdXZrYnpo&utm_source=qr

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075033860855

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dayalanmahesan-kw?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Email: [email protected]

If you have a story to share, to inspire, or to encourage someone to take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, then please get in touch, the world needs to hear more stories, it's not always an easy ride, by sharing we may just help someone to take the first step or to grow in their business journey.  

Instagram @founderinthechair

YouTube - Founder in the Chair

https://youtu.be/37Mhkf_A3gU

Email me if you would like to be a Founder in the Chair at [email protected]

At ESQUE, Aisha doesn’t  just create perfumes; she crafts an experience. An experience that speaks to the heart, the mind, and the soul. Every scent she created tells a story—stories of inspiration, memories, and emotions that transcend time and place.

Instagram
https://instagram.com/esqueparfum?igshid=24c8daa4nu4q

Website
https://esqueparfum.com/

Email
[email protected]

TikTok 
https://www.tiktok.com/@esqueparfum?_t=ZN-8y36Ys0j3mI&_r=1

If you have a story to share, to inspire, or to encourage someone to take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, then please get in touch, the world needs to hear more stories, it's not always an easy ride, by sharing we may just help someone to take the first step or to grow in their business journey.  

Instagram @founderinthechair

YouTube - Founder in the Chair

https://youtu.be/37Mhkf_A3gU

Email me if you would like to be a Founder in the Chair at [email protected]