The Entrepreneurs

By Monocle

What's The Entrepreneurs about?

Monocle Radio’s weekly tour of the most inspiring people, companies and ideas in global business, from startups to heritage brands, covering the best in hospitality, design, fashion and retail.

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The Entrepreneurs episodes:

04.24.2024
MZ Skin and Innovation Norway
We meet Maryam Zamani, world-leading oculoplastic surgeon and founder of high-performance skincare line MZ Skin. Plus: we head to Seattle to hear how Norway’s international business delegation is leveraging the country’s enviable soft-power assets to promote its brand abroad. See...
04.19.2024
Eureka 386: Lonestar Data Holdings Inc
We meet Chris Stott, the founder and CEO of Lonestar Data Holdings Inc, a groundbreaking initiative working to establish commercial data centres on the moon to store and safeguard information for future generations. The centres will also protect critical knowledge...
04.17.2024
Scott Malkin and Value Retail
Tyler Brûlé catches up with Value Retail founder and friend of the show, Scott Malkin, about his latest venture, Belmont Park Village in New York. Malkin discusses the latest addition to The Bicester Collection family of shopping-tourism destinations, which marks...
04.12.2024
Eureka 349: Framery
Monocle’s Helsinki correspondent, Petri Burtsoff, visits the factory of Framery, the world’s leading manufacturer of cutting-edge soundproof pods, to see firsthand how it has become the market leader in the industry. Plus: co-founder and CEO Samu Hällfors discusses the company’s...
04.10.2024
Blue Apple Beach
Georgina Godwin heads to the Caribbean coast of Colombia to meet Portia Hart, founder of Blue Apple Beach, a boutique hotel and beach club on the island of Tierra Bomba. Hart discusses her regenerative approach to sustainability and explains how...
04.05.2024
Eureka 348: Maxhosa Africa
We meet Laduma Ngxokolo, founder and creative director of Maxhosa Africa, a knitwear brand that’s making a splash on the global fashion scene. He discusses how the label blends culturally rooted textile styles with high-end luxury and its debut at...
04.03.2024
Druthers
We meet Adam Gianotti, co-founder and designer of Druthers, a New York-based clothing brand born from a desire to bring greater intentionality to the fashion industry. Gianotti talks about the importance of sustainable, high-quality basics and how the Big Apple...
03.29.2024
Eureka 383: Crafty Boys
Actor and Crafty Boys co-founder Charlie Hamblett discusses the origin story of the catering and craft service provider for film and TV sets, which he launched with his brother Louis. Hamblett talks about navigating the challenges posed by 2023’s Hollywood...
03.27.2024
Montalba Architects
Swiss-American architect David Montalba founded the eponymous award-winning international firm in 2004. Montalba reflects on the company’s upcoming 20th anniversary, the effect of his early experiences working with renowned practitioners and the critical importance of collaboration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
03.22.2024
Eureka 382: Arbonics
Petri Burtsoff heads to Tallinn to meet Lisette Luik, co-founder of Arbonics, an Estonian technology company that calculates the carbon removal potential of land and allows landowners to better quantity this data. With investors including Taavet Hinrikus, co-founder of Skype...
03.20.2024
Blaise Duboux and Destinate
We explore wine destinations around the world. First we head to the picturesque village of Epesses in the Lavaux winegrowing region of Switzerland, home to the largest vineyard area in the country and a Unesco World Heritage Site, to meet...
03.15.2024
Eureka 381: Oneworld
Gerhard Girkinger, vice-president of customer experience, delivery and membership at Oneworld, talks about the inspiration behind the company’s expansion into branded lounges. It recently opened two locations in Seoul Incheon and Amsterdam’s Schiphol airports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
03.13.2024
Vyn and Namuk
We meet two Swiss founders working to combat overconsumption in style. Co-founder Stefan Mathys breaks down how Vyn trainers marry craftsmanship with a deep understanding of wear patterns to craft durable kicks with added value for consumers. Franz Bittmann, CEO...
03.08.2024
Eureka 380: Big Mountain Brewing Company
Founder Jack Geldard has a thirst for adventure. Introduced to craft beer while climbing in California, Geldard was disappointed with the lack of options in Chamonix after relocating to the French Alps. That set him on the path to launch...
03.06.2024
Gabar and 27 87
We explore the world of perfume with two female entrepreneurs in the fragrance industry. Phway Su Aye discusses the philosophy behind Gabar, a fragrance brand that aims to capture the beauty and complexity of Myanmar culture with Southeast Asian botanicals....
03.01.2024
Eureka 379: Sale e Pepe
We meet the team behind Sale e Pepe, a beloved hotspot in London’s Knightsbridge, to hear about its stylish revamp that blends modernity with traditional Italian hospitality. Markus Thesleff and Santino Cicciari discuss the transformation of the restaurant ahead of...
02.28.2024
Victor and Global Citizen Solutions
We take to the skies with Toby Edwards, the co-CEO of Victor, a leading on-demand, private-jet charter company. Edwards discusses Victor’s commitment to excellent hospitality, the challenges of scaling the business while maintaining a strong working culture and the importance...
02.23.2024
Eureka 378: Estonia Piano
Monocle’s Petri Burtsoff meets Indrek Laul, CEO of Estonia Piano, a company known for blending traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to create instruments with exceptional sound. Laul discusses the brand’s commitment to excellence, as well as blending heritage with innovation...
02.21.2024
Smoothlink
Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, explores Hong Kong’s role in manufacturing with the CEO of Smoothlink, a textile and garment factory that partners with some of the world’s most innovative apparel labels – and puts branding at the heart of...
02.19.2024
Eureka 377: VisionSpring
CEO Ella Gudwin talks about VisionSpring’s mission to provide affordable eye care to low-income communities globally. Gudwin highlights the innovative approach of the organisations, which challenges traditional charitable models, and the positive effect that making clear vision accessible has on...
02.14.2024
Fromental and Leslie David Studio
We meet Tim Butcher, one half of the dynamic designer-maker couple behind luxury design brand Fromental, which specialises in handcrafted wallpapers and textiles. Butcher discusses how he and his co-founder wife, Lizzie Deshayes, navigate intertwining their personal and professional lives,...
02.09.2024
Eureka 376: In Aéras
We meet Alice Ziccheddu, founder of Sardinian skincare brand In Aéras. She reveals how the line blends botanicals from the Mediterranean island into its products to promote ‘well-ageing’ and innovative wellness’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
02.07.2024
Copenhagen International Fashion Fair special
Monocle’s Tom Webb joins the show to tell us who he met at CIFF, the longest-running fashion fair in northern Europe and a key date for industry insiders. Featuring Stine Goya, designer and founder of the eponymous womenswear label beloved...
02.02.2024
Eureka 375: Books Books Books
We head to the Swiss city of Lausanne to meet the founder and proprietor of Books Books Books, an independent English-language bookshop. Matthew Wake talks about navigating the initial challenges of setting up shop 15 years ago, when naysayers warned...
01.31.2024
Matilda’s Bloombox and Sowvital
We meet the founder of a San Francisco-based flower delivery service that sources blooms from local farmers in California. Emily Boschetto talks about the origin of the business, which started in a Bay Area garage, and how it blossomed into...
01.26.2024
Eureka 374: Precious Sound
Ursina Beerli is co-founder of the Zürich-based company that specialises in creating unique, playable records made from recycled silver, gold and platinum. Beerli talks about the manufacturing process in Bavaria, the craftsmanship of the records and Precious Sound’s first official...
01.24.2024
The Grey and Ipsum Alii
We meet the founder of The Grey, a skincare range tailored specifically for men, with sleek packaging designed for easy travel. Plus: we head to Zürich to hear how the Swiss-based Japanese skincare brand Ipsum Alii fuses ancestral healing herbs...
01.19.2024
Eureka 373: Two Robbers
Monocle’s Tomos Lewis is in Philadelphia to meet Vivek Nayar, one of the twin brothers behind Two Robbers, a beverage company that’s elevating the city’s alcohol market. Vivek talks about the brand’s line of refreshing hard seltzers and why launching...
01.17.2024
Norrsken Foundation and Round Rivers
Niklas Adalberth, co-founder of Klarna, talks about quitting the financial services company to pursue something more meaningful. He discusses launching the Norrsken Foundation, a Swedish non-profit that invests in start-ups tackling challenging global issues, the pitfalls of chasing financial success...
01.12.2024
Eureka 372: Bergos
Aurelia Rauch is creative director of the Zürich-based private bank Bergos. She explains how her background in art history and theology has influenced her vision for the bank’s branding strategy and her conviction that a bold brand vision can drive...
01.10.2024
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Francis Kurkdjian is a world-renowned “nose” and founder of his eponymous perfume-maker that has created some of the world’s most celebrated fragrances. He discusses his lifelong fascination with couture, the importance of creative collaboration and how technology is shaping the future...
01.05.2024
Eureka 371: The Priorities Method
Speaker and coach Lily Silverton talks about The Priorities Method – her unique approach to life and work centred around values-driven, purposeful and intentional decision-making – and the creation of her coaching journal designed to make her technique accessible to...
01.03.2024
Pillar Wellbeing
Harry Jameson, co-founder of Pillar Wellbeing, shares insights from his extensive career as a performance coach and explains the holistic approach to health and wellness that led to the creation of his company. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12.29.2023
Eureka 370: Ridgeview
Monocle’s Laura Kramer heads to Sussex to meet the team behind the award-winning English sparkling wine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12.27.2023
Ruskin
Alli Abdelal talks about founding her luxury bag brand in 2015 after a chance encounter with a farmer introduced her to the rare Herdwick sheep of the Lake District. Abdelal shares the importance of creating products with lasting integrity and...
12.22.2023
Eureka 369: Maison Margaux
Co-founder Julian Vogel talks about the evolution of the luxury British homeware brand, its successful pivot during the pandemic and expanding its presence in international markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12.20.2023
Festa and Gerações da Talha
Festa and Bar Douro founder Max Graham talks about the diversity and dynamism of Portugal’s wine scene and why he is so passionate about introducing people to the food and drink of his country. Plus: we head to a winery...
12.15.2023
Eureka 368: Qube
Monocle’s Paige Reynolds heads to Qube East in Canary Wharf to interview co-founders Amin Hamzianpour and Nicholas Sonuga, who discuss the expansion of their London-based, members-only studios for music producers, podcasters and video-content creators. They talk about finding a gap...
12.13.2023
Lapland UK
The Entrepreneurs Christmas special: We meet Mike and Alison Battle, the founders of the nation’s biggest Christmas wonderland, Lapland UK, who talk about their commitment to creating a magical festive experience for the whole family. Plus: we hear from the...
12.08.2023
Eureka 367: Laflor
Laura Schälchli discusses her adventures in Swiss chocolate as co-founder of Laflor, an innovative and responsible brand built on a foundation of high-quality, single-origin cacao beans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12.06.2023
Kalinko and Lind + Almond
In 2015, Sophie Garnier and her husband moved to Myanmar in search of adventure. There they found talented artisans who were crafting exquisite goods but had limited access to wider markets. This inspired Garnier to establish homeware brand Kalinko. She...
12.01.2023
Eureka 366: Never Say Die
Martha Dalton is co-founder of the award-winning bourbon brand named after the legendary racehorse. Never Say Die is a British take on a classic American whiskey, distilled in Kentucky and aged as it’s shipped across the Atlantic to finish maturing...
11.29.2023
Unfeigned and Kind Regards
Rafa Gomez founded menswear brand Unfeigned as a result of his futile pursuit to find a quality, basic T-shirt. Now it’s a thriving business and very much a family affair. Rafa and his sister, Unfeigned’s art director, Maria, join the...
11.24.2023
Eureka 365: Parachute
Founder Ariel Kaye looks back on the brand’s decade-long journey from a modest online bedding start-up to a homeware industry mainstay with 26 shops and more than 200 employees. Kaye explains how she raised the initial funding, shares her disciplined...
11.22.2023
Selahatin and Suri
Two pioneering brands changing the game in luxury dental care. Stockholm-based toothpaste and mouthwash brand Selahatin was founded by Swedish-Turkish entrepreneur Kristoffer Vural in response to a personal crisis. Now Vural is elevating the everyday experience of oral hygiene with...
11.17.2023
Eureka 364: Hutsmith
Dudley Radford is the founder and design director of the innovative cabin-making business that is on a mission to deliver small spaces with maximum design impact. Hutsmith utilises cutting-edge construction techniques while prioritising sustainability at every turn. Radford ventured into...
11.15.2023
Missoma and Knightsbridge Rocks
Marisa Hordern quit her day job 15 years ago and started the jewellery brand Missoma to create quality, fashion-forward pieces that wouldn’t break the bank. Marisa explains how the brand has grown a loyal customer base from its humble beginnings,...
11.10.2023
Eureka 363: Alight
Founder and CEO Harald Overholm talks about the potential for solar energy to revolutionise the power sector and help businesses reach sustainability goals through its cost-effectiveness, scalability, and environmental benefits. Plus: the importance of making solar beautiful. See omnystudio.com/listener for...
11.08.2023
The Deck and Walker Slater
We explore the enduring tradition of sartorial craftsmanship as we meet the founder of The Deck, a contemporary made-to-measure brand that is passionate about the power of the bespoke tailoring service experience for women. Plus: how Walker Slater became synonymous...
11.03.2023
Eureka 362: L’Afshar
Founder Lilian Afshar talks about the creation of her accessories brand, how she has changed perceptions of acrylic as a fashion-forward material and her future plans as the label celebrates its 10-year anniversary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's The Entrepreneurs about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Entrepreneurs episodes:

MZ Skin and Innovation Norway

Eureka 386: Lonestar Data Holdings Inc

Scott Malkin and Value Retail

Eureka 349: Framery

Blue Apple Beach

Eureka 348: Maxhosa Africa

Druthers

Eureka 383: Crafty Boys

Montalba Architects

Eureka 382: Arbonics

Blaise Duboux and Destinate

Eureka 381: Oneworld

Vyn and Namuk

Eureka 380: Big Mountain Brewing Company

Gabar and 27 87

Eureka 379: Sale e Pepe

Victor and Global Citizen Solutions

Eureka 378: Estonia Piano

Smoothlink

Eureka 377: VisionSpring

Fromental and Leslie David Studio

Eureka 376: In Aéras

Copenhagen International Fashion Fair special

Eureka 375: Books Books Books

Matilda’s Bloombox and Sowvital

Eureka 374: Precious Sound

The Grey and Ipsum Alii

Eureka 373: Two Robbers

Norrsken Foundation and Round Rivers

Eureka 372: Bergos

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Eureka 371: The Priorities Method

Pillar Wellbeing

Eureka 370: Ridgeview

Ruskin

Eureka 369: Maison Margaux

Festa and Gerações da Talha

Eureka 368: Qube

Lapland UK

Eureka 367: Laflor

Kalinko and Lind + Almond

Eureka 366: Never Say Die

Unfeigned and Kind Regards

Eureka 365: Parachute

Selahatin and Suri

Eureka 364: Hutsmith

Missoma and Knightsbridge Rocks

Eureka 363: Alight

The Deck and Walker Slater

Eureka 362: L’Afshar