Immigrants Building Companies

“Most people think founders have to sacrifice themselves.”

James says that belief can make you successful, but broken.

In this episode, I sit down with James - who once lived overseas building businesses as “the only foreigner in the room”, scaled a company 40x in three years, and later scaled a family recruitment business to 88 people across five countries before selling it in 2020.

We talk about what growth really costs and why James chose a different definition of success: one built around presence, health, and a life that actually works.

In this conversation, we get into:

Why “job security” can be a dangerous illusion - and how it shaped his entire career

The brutal truth about marketplaces: “the only power sellers… are bike thieves”

The shift founders must make in the scaling phase: from “do more, go faster” to “do less, achieve more”

Why founders chase control when they’re stressed and how it quietly wrecks teams and decisions

The real value of a business coach: not advice… but a pure space to think clearly and lead better

If this episode hits home, subscribe and share it with a founder who needs to hear it.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Why James is “an anomaly” guest

00:00:27 - China at 18: choosing the uncomfortable path

00:02:02 - Language, identity, and becoming a generalist

00:03:30 - The fear of losing your edge without language

00:04:44 - How culture changes business and trust

00:05:34 - The Philippines: being young in an age-hierarchy culture

00:06:44 - Jardines’ program: training “mini CEOs”

00:09:29 - “Job security is a fallacy”

00:10:12 - Scaling obsession: fast, but sustainable

00:12:02 - Flipping the playbook: people-led to product-led

00:13:07 - The lifestyle trap: “it wasn’t owned”

00:14:35 - Generalist skills as the safest bet

00:18:32 - First startup: an online bike marketplace

00:19:28 - “You don’t know what you don’t know”

00:22:04 - Attention vs product: the painful mismatch

00:22:49 - “Power sellers”… and the dark reality

00:24:38 - The hard choice: scale it or stop it

00:26:59 - When a ‘failure’ becomes a launchpad

00:27:56 - Back to family business: scaling to 88 people

00:28:46 - Why he didn’t start again after the exit

00:30:39 - Designing life first: family, stress, and priorities

00:31:06 - Coaching: combining practical + personal

00:33:23 - The “value capture” question and why he avoided it

00:35:28 - Defining success: happy wife, happy son

00:37:19 - Why founders trust ex-founders more

00:40:45 - Why founders resist coaching (and what it really is)

00:42:30 - Coaching as “time back” and better decisions

00:44:56 - The hiring belief that changed everything

00:48:23 - “Successful but broken” - the founder sacrifice myth

00:49:03 - AI anxiety, competition, and modern founder pressure

00:51:11 - James’ 3-part framework for founders right now

00:55:45 - Final question: what he’d tell his 18 year old self

00:58:38 - Closing: “We will be talking after the pod.”

Your stress isn’t just “in your head”, it’s built into your environment.

In this episode, Karina Valencia breaks down how the spaces we live and work in quietly shape our sleep, stress, energy, and long-term health and why the “fix” isn’t more biohacking… it’s rebuilding the fundamentals.

What you’ll take from this conversation:

Why passport/visa limbo can delay your dream and how she used that time to iterate

The moment motherhood made her say: “I’ll build my own company.”

How longevity buildings work (air, water, circadian light, sleep design) - and why you “feel it” more than you see it

Practical, low-cost habits you can start today: sleep rhythm, meal timing, ventilation, and stress downshifts

If this hit home, subscribe for more conversations like this - and share it with someone who’s been running on empty.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Expectation vs reality moment

00:00:57 - Consistency is the real “hack”

00:01:44 - 11 years in the UK, 9 countries

00:04:06 - The fear of building

00:05:19 - Becoming British: identity + freedom

00:08:23 - Why London feels different

00:09:34 - “I never saw myself founding”

00:10:40 - Motherhood bias at work

00:12:26 - Why healthspan became the mission

00:14:17 - Stress, pregnancy, and the real cause

00:15:45 - Angina, stents, and stress reality

00:17:22 - What longevity spaces actually include

00:20:08 - Designing for sleep, nutrition, movement

00:21:33 - ROI: when developers say yes

00:24:22 - Who actually buys into this

00:26:49 - The 5 pillars of health

00:31:29 - Is the market growing fast?

00:33:05 - Clients come educated, globally

00:34:27 - Longevity hub vs your daily life

00:36:06 - You don’t “fix” - you reset fundamentals

00:39:58 - Could this work as a day clinic?

00:40:33 - What if you can’t afford it?

00:41:41 - Ventilation: the £20 upgrade

00:42:58 - Sleep as a ritual, not a need

00:44:17 - Meal timing and deep sleep gains

00:46:57 - Laughter, hugs, and real recovery

00:49:18 - What she’d tell her younger self

00:52:58 - The future: staying open

00:53:26 - Final takeaway + social presence

She survived a collapsing healthcare system, a rejected US visa, political turmoil, and a pandemic that nearly killed her and still built three companies from scratch.

In this extraordinary episode, Jasmine Sayyari shares her journey from medical doctor in Iran to UK tech founder, community builder, and Inspiring 50 award winner. She takes us inside the fear of working through COVID with no PPE or vaccines, the grey hair that formed in six months, and the exact moment she realised she had to rebuild her entire life elsewhere.

From fleeing political instability to starting a business from a Telegram channel, living out of a suitcase in Istanbul, getting rejected at the US Embassy, and finally building Chansey AI in London, Jasmine explains the resilience, creativity and raw survival instinct behind her success.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How crisis shaped Jasmine’s ability to build fast, lead through uncertainty, and spot opportunity

Why her first “accidental startup” became a blueprint for lean, profitable growth

The truth about immigration, fear, identity and belonging

Why she believes upskilling will define the next decade of work

How Chansey AI is rethinking employability, job matching, and internal mobility

Why Jasmine says: “Don’t hide. Build in public.”

If you’ve ever doubted your path, this conversation will shift something deep.

Subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs inspiration today.

What if being “delusional” is the only reason he made it?

In this raw and revealing episode, Tobi Oluwole shares how he built his life with intention, storytelling, and a level of delusion he believes every successful immigrant needs. From moving across continents to quitting Shopify the day after buying a house, to generating over 300 million impressions on LinkedIn, Tobi explains the mindset, strategy and frameworks that transformed his life.

We talk about designing your future through writing your own eulogy, applying delusion where the odds actually work, why immigrant founders succeed at higher rates, and how storytelling became the engine behind every opportunity in his career.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

Why Tobi believes delusion is a strategy, not a flaw

How writing his own eulogy changed every decision he made

The truth about immigrant pressure, sacrifice, and ambition

How storytelling on LinkedIn built a global business

Why fear of judgment stops 99% of people from succeeding

How to design a life you can actually live, not escape from

If you’re an immigrant, an entrepreneur, or someone trying to build a life on your own terms, this episode will shift your perspective forever.

Subscribe for more conversations that challenge how you think and inspire how you live.

Chapters

00:00:00 — The Anomaly in the Room

00:01:06 — Growing Up on Three Continents

00:02:19 — The Football Dream Meets Reality

00:03:54 — Accepting Limitations Without Losing Ambition

00:05:35 — Why Quitting Can Be a Skill

00:07:41 — The Power of Delusion (Used Correctly)

00:09:27 — The Strategy Behind His Delusion

00:11:00 — Raised by Builders: The Family Influence

00:13:00 — Laid Off, Broke, and Rebuilding

00:14:42 — Why Shopify Became His MBA

00:16:36 — Buying a House, Then Quitting the Next Day

00:18:38 — Writing a Eulogy to Design His Life

00:20:34 — The Identity That Drives Everything

00:22:30 — Living in Your Own Design, Not Society’s

00:23:40 — Does He Believe in Manifestation?

00:25:10 — Being a Seed Sower, Not a People Pleaser

00:27:14 — Harvesting Without Apology

00:28:40 — How Shopify Taught Him the Storytelling Framework

00:30:03 — The LinkedIn Post That Changed Everything

00:31:39 — Becoming a Magnet, Not a Hunter

00:33:00 — The Real Reason People Don’t Post Online

00:35:45 — Pushing Past Judgment and Execution Barriers

00:37:45 — Why Personal Branding Feels So Hard

00:39:26 — Why LinkedIn Is a Cheat Code

00:41:09 — Why He’ll Never Be a ‘Content Creator’

00:43:26 — One LinkedIn Lead vs Twenty Social Leads

00:45:32 — Building Businesses from Attention Alone

00:47:08 — The Toronto Conference: A New Chapter

00:49:38 — Immigration Is Not the Problem You Think It Is

00:52:50 — What No One Says About Immigrant Sacrifice

00:55:07 — Solving the Problem Instead of Complaining

00:57:48 — Need-trepreneurs vs Want-trepreneurs

01:00:47 — What He’d Tell His Younger Self

01:02:55 — Gratitude, Grounding, and the Long Game

She grew up in a war zone, arrived in London with nothing, and built one of the UK’s most exciting female-led creative agencies.

Tijana Tamburic, co-founder and CEO of Female Narratives, shares her extraordinary immigrant journey, from bunk beds and burnout to building campaigns for global brands like Bumble and Merell. This is a story of resilience, hustle, and redefining success on your own terms.

In this conversation:

Growing up in Serbia during war and moving to the UK

The immigrant mindset: autonomy, proving your value, and finding belonging

Building Female Narratives and creating campaigns with purpose

The hidden cost of overwork, burnout, and redefining success in your 30s

Chapters

00:00:00 – Meet Tijana: Founder of Female Narratives

00:00:38 – Born in a country that no longer exists

00:02:36 – Returning to Serbia as war breaks out

00:05:01 – Escaping Belgrade & moving back to London

00:06:14 – Growing up fast & raised for autonomy

00:08:09 – Adapting to a new culture & proving worth

00:11:22 – Class divides & being told ‘you’re not one of us’

00:12:59 – The drive to prove value through success

00:14:04 – Addicted to stress & chasing validation

00:16:01 – The immigrant safety net: bunk beds & starting a business

00:18:22 – Publishing comics & hustling early ventures

00:20:17 – Modeling, freelancing & never working for anyone else

00:25:00 – Moving to LA on an ‘extraordinary ability’ visa

00:29:49 – The kitchen floor idea: Female Narratives is born

00:32:11 – Building an all-female creative collective

00:35:31 – Riding the wave: Bumble, Nike & global campaigns

00:37:55 – Rebranding for inclusivity & brand intimacy

00:41:30 – Clients from female-led apps to heritage brands

00:43:41 – The power of events & being the host

00:50:44 – Scaling vs. staying sane: choosing balance

00:57:04 – Redefining success & setting financial goals

01:03:39 – The breaking point: burnout & physical collapse

01:08:35 – Lessons from burnout & learning boundaries

01:11:04 – What I’d tell my nine-year-old self

What if the outfits you wore once could have another life and save you money while saving the planet?

Anoli Mathur, founder and CEO of Circular Threads, shares her incredible journey from management consulting at EY to creating the UK’s fastest growing platform for pre-loved South Asian clothing. From the struggles of cultural identity growing up in London to spotting a gap in the wedding fashion market, Anoli has built a business that’s rewriting the rules of tradition, sustainability, and style.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How immigrant roots shaped her identity and entrepreneurial drive

• The painful truth about waste in South Asian fashion

• Why brides and grooms are embracing the “pre-loved” movement

• The future of sustainable weddings and circular fashion

This is a story about heritage, identity, and building a business that challenges the way we think about clothing, culture, and sustainability.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Anoli Mathur, founder of Circular Threads
00:30 – An immigrant story shaped by chance encounters
04:00 – Growing up in London & struggling with cultural identity
07:00 – Fitting in vs. celebrating heritage
10:00 – Life in consulting & the spark of entrepreneurship
12:30 – The loft discovery that sparked Circular Threads
15:00 – Why South Asian fashion is broken
19:20 – Selling vs. renting – what really works
21:00 – Menswear, bridal wear & expanding the market
23:20 – From weddings to wardrobes: new customer habits
26:00 – How long can outfits last?
28:30 – Solving the “clothes in storage” problem
34:30 – The environmental impact of South Asian weddings
36:40 – Why price and design matter more than sustainability (for now)
39:20 – Building a movement beyond fashion
42:00 – The future: partnerships, accessories & one-stop shop for weddings
44:30 – Final reflections & why sustainability must also be convenient

He never worked for anyone. And he doesn’t regret a single failure.

Harris Cheng, co-founder and CEO of Jupitrr, takes us on an inspiring journey from photographer to entrepreneur, breaking down barriers and disrupting the content creation space with AI. From his roots in Hong Kong to building companies in Toronto and London, Harris reflects on the mindset shift that led him to create a platform that’s revolutionising the way we make videos.

In this conversation, we explore:

The immigrant founder experience and navigating cultural identity

Why personal branding isn’t just about social media

How Harris built a community of 150,000 users with zero paid marketing

How Jupitrr is reshaping content creation with intelligent editing

This episode is filled with raw insight and powerful lessons for anyone navigating entrepreneurship, tech, or the immigrant journey.

👉 If you found value in this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for more powerful stories.

Chapters

00:00:00 – From Hong Kong to London

Harris’ story begins in Hong Kong and his move to London.

00:02:57 – Why He Left Canada

The decision to leave Canada and pursue bigger dreams.

00:05:25 – Being an Immigrant Founder in London

Facing challenges and building a new life as an immigrant entrepreneur.

00:07:18 – Culture Shock & Identity in the UK

How adapting to the UK culture shaped Harris’ perspective.

00:10:22 – What Hong Kong Hustle Feels Like

The fast-paced, high-energy mindset that defines Hong Kong’s work culture.

00:12:27 – Upbringing in Obedience vs. Creativity

Balancing conformity with creative expression from a young age.

00:16:52 – Why He Never Worked for Anyone

Harris reflects on his choice to never be an employee and the lessons from that.

00:18:20 – Building Freehunter & His First 100K Users

The journey of creating a platform that grew exponentially.

00:20:16 – Why Personal Brand ≠ Social Media

Breaking down the real meaning behind personal branding.

00:23:45 – The Real Power of LinkedIn & Attention

The key to using LinkedIn to grab attention and build influence.

00:28:12 – The Algorithm Is Killing Your Videos

How algorithms are impacting video content and engagement.

00:30:39 – How YouTube, TikTok & LinkedIn Compare

A comparison of video performance across platforms.

00:32:50 – Where Jupitrr Videos Perform Best

How Jupitrr helps optimize video content for maximum impact.

00:35:06 – The Secret to Getting VC Attention

Harris shares his strategy for catching the eye of venture capitalists.

00:37:04 – LinkedIn Is Betting Big on Video

Why LinkedIn is pushing video content and what it means for creators.

00:39:13 – Can AI Replicate Lara Acosta-Style Edits?

The potential of AI to replicate high-end video edits.

00:42:48 – What Jupitrr Actually Does

An in-depth look at how Jupitrr transforms video editing.

00:46:59 – Talking Heads Are the Future

Why talking-head videos are a game-changer in content creation.

00:50:50 – The New SEO: Getting Found in ChatGPT

How ChatGPT and AI are changing the way we think about SEO.

00:55:08 – How to Rank in AI Search

Practical advice on ranking content in AI-driven search engines.

01:00:23 – Jupitrr’s Vision for the Future

Harris shares his vision for the future of content creation.

01:03:07 – Why You Need to Start Now

The urgency of adopting AI in today’s fast-moving digital landscape.

01:05:13 – What He'd Tell His Younger Self

Harris offers powerful advice to his younger self on building success.

What’s the future of cybersecurity in a world where quantum tech is transforming everything?

In this episode, Wenmiao Yu takes us through her journey from Singapore to the UK, from growing up in a highly competitive education system to pioneering the use of quantum technology in cybersecurity.

Key Takeaways:

Cultural Shifts: Moving from Singapore to the UK and how it shaped her view of resilience and inclusivity.

Quantum Tech Demystified: An insider’s look at the booming field of quantum computing, sensing, and communications.

Building a Future-Proof Business: How Wemya’s company is enhancing cybersecurity with quantum random number generators.

Navigating the Quantum Space: From early challenges to raising funding, learn how the quantum industry is evolving and what’s driving its growth.

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation about the intersection of technology, security, and the future.

Chapters

00:00:00 – From Singapore to the UK: A Life of Change

00:04:05 – Cultural Shock: Moving to a New World

00:07:15 – How Early Education Shapes Our Futures

00:12:00 – The Journey into Quantum Tech

00:16:30 – Quantum Sensing, Computing, and the Future

00:22:40 – Building a Company from Scratch

00:27:00 – Navigating the Quantum Investment Space

00:32:10 – How Quantum Tech Is Changing Cybersecurity

00:38:20 – Quantum Encryption and the Future of Security

00:43:00 – The Challenge of Educating the Market

00:47:30 – Scaling Quantum: From Space to Smartphones

00:52:00 – Advice for Anyone Looking to Enter Quantum Tech

00:57:00 – A Lesson from a 10-Year-Old Moving to the UK

Bobbie King never planned to become an entrepreneur. She never even planned to move to the UK. But a cancelled project, a packed suitcase, and a leaky ceiling changed everything. In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Bobbie shares how she went from a Romanian mountain village to becoming the CEO and co-founder of SquepTech, a competency intelligence platform transforming high-risk industries.

This episode is a powerful story of resilience, perspective, and the immigrant experience woven with humour, hard truths, and hard-earned wisdom.

🔑 Key themes:

The reality of starting over in a new country

What immigrants really bring to the table

Building a company from scratch without a plan or a budget

The true cost (and power) of freedom, choice, and voice

🎧 If this moved you, subscribe and share. These are the stories that matter.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Intro: Who is Bobbie King?

00:01:12 – A marriage, a move, and no plan

00:03:50 – Life in a leaky UK flat

00:06:40 – The bus stop & the walking stick story

00:10:00 – Has the UK changed since?

00:12:30 – Accent barriers & bias in the workplace

00:17:00 – A different kind of belonging

00:22:45 – What immigrants miss—and what they gain

00:29:00 – Growing up under communism

00:32:10 – The power of voice and freedom

00:35:00 – From temp jobs to tech founder

00:38:00 – SquepTech is born (with wine & instinct)

00:43:00 – Scaling through instinct and consulting

00:50:00 – Why she added payroll (despite vowing never to)

00:56:00 – The emotional cost of building something real

01:00:30 – AI vs. competency: Why data isn’t enough

01:07:30 – The problem with "one-size-fits-all" systems

01:14:00 – All-in-one HR platforms: A comeback story

01:19:00 – The unspoken power of integration

01:25:00 – Her real vision for the next 3 years

01:28:00 – Why she’s not taking VC money

01:30:00 – It’s not about exit—it’s about people

They copied his idea. So he dressed as a burglar and went to war.

This is the extraordinary story of Giuseppe, the immigrant founder behind Gusto Snacks, a sustainable snack brand born from food waste and bootstrapped with grit. When a major UK retailer copied his product, he didn’t hire lawyers. He went guerrilla.

In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Giuseppe shares how heartbreak turned into hustle, and how one viral marketing stunt generated £60,000 in sales with just £12 and a cardboard sign.

In this episode:

How a startup founder took on a major UK supermarket and won attention worldwide

Why Giuseppe believes being underestimated is his greatest advantage

The unspoken reality of starting over in a foreign country

Why failure is your greatest asset and how it fuels true innovation

If you’ve ever felt like the odds are stacked against you… this one’s for you

👉 Subscribe for more founder stories that break the mould.

📩 Share this with someone who needs to hear it.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Meet Giuseppe: The Founder of Gusto

00:00:48 – When a Supermarket Stole My Product

00:02:45 – The Birth of a Campaign

00:05:03 – Going Viral with £12 and a Sign

00:06:39 – David vs Goliath: The Emotional Toll

00:07:53 – From Italy to the UK: Starting Over

00:09:58 – Dreams of Basketball, Reality of Landfill

00:12:18 – Why London Changed Everything

00:16:54 – Language Barriers & Mental Roadblocks

00:20:59 – Warehouse to University: My Turning Point

00:24:20 – The Moment I Became an Entrepreneur

00:26:25 – Entrepreneurship Runs in the Family

00:28:15 – The Hunger That Fuels Immigrants

00:31:50 – Luck Is Just Hard Work in Disguise

00:34:10 – London: The Underrated Silicon Valley

00:36:29 – The Truth About Social Media & Startups

00:41:25 – The MrBeast of Snacks?

00:43:04 – How Waste Inspired My Business Idea

00:49:16 – Making Fruits Great Again

00:51:05 – Door-to-Door Distribution & Early Wins

00:54:08 – What It Really Takes to Get Listed in Tesco

00:58:03 – Why Branding & Timing Matter Most

01:03:03 – International Interest After Tesco Rejection

01:05:24 – Am I Too Much of the Brand?

01:06:28 – People Buy People, Not Products

01:09:36 – Storytelling Is the Marketing Strategy

01:11:42 – The Opportunity You Already Have

01:13:35 – Where Gusto Is Headed in 3 Years

01:17:34 – Why Consistency Is the Only Strategy

01:17:58 – Advice to My Younger Self

01:20:34 – The Power of Connection and Giving Back