Startup Sensations

S6 Ep1 – Scott Bok is a former CEO, investment banking trailblazer, and author of “Surviving Wall Street: A Tale of Triumph, Tragedy and Timing.” Having taken his boutique New York firm from its entrepreneurial roots all the way to a multi-billion-dollar IPO, Scott brings a wealth of experience and authentic insights from the dynamic world of financial services.

In this thought-provoking episode, Scott shares the realities of leaving a secure, prestigious career at Morgan Stanley to launch a new kind of investment bank—one that defied the era’s trend for financial "supermarkets" and instead focused on personal, client-centric advisory. 

He discusses navigating five major crises, flourishing in the face of fierce competition, and handling the unpredictable personal and emotional challenges that come with leadership. Scott and Shelley explore entrepreneurship on both sides of the Atlantic, including the contrasting attitudes towards risk and failure in the UK and US, and look ahead to key trends in fintech and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

🎙️ Key Topics:

The leap from Wall Street stability to startup uncertainty

Steering a firm through five economic crises and fierce industry competition

Building international teams and managing UK vs US cultural differences

The power of authentic leadership, humility, and team-building in scaling a business

Follow this show on your podcast app and join us on The Startup Sensations Podcast LinkedIn page. If you liked this episode, please rate us and leave a review. Watch video highlights on YouTube. We love hearing your feedback, so email us at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jesse DeCosta is a creative entrepreneur, artist, and founder of DeCosta Global, a leading branding and marketing firm working with some of the world’s biggest names, from Hollywood stars to global corporations.

In this insightful episode, Jesse shares the unvarnished truth behind his journey – from drawing caricatures at a theme park to building a multi-division business with decades-long partnerships in the entertainment industry. The conversation touches on the realities of starting up with no clear plan, the challenges of constant reinvention in the face of technological change (including the rise of AI), and the delicate balance between creativity, efficiency, and reputation management. 

Jesse also reflects on the importance of humility, resilience, and treating people with respect, offering rich lessons for founders and creatives alike.

🎙️ Key Topics:

Breaking into the entertainment industry and working with names like Will Smith, Kevin James, the Jacksons, and more

The three pillars of DeCosta Global: product development, creative services, and marketing

Crisis and reputation management for high-profile clients in the age of social media

The impact (and heartbreak) of AI on creativity, job roles, and the future of creative businesses

Follow this show on your podcast app and join us on The Startup Sensations Podcast LinkedIn page. Watch video highlights on YouTube. We love hearing your feedback, so email us at [email protected].

Jesse DeCosta - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-decosta-021557141/

DeCosta Global - https://www.decostainc.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S5 Ep11 – Ted Elvhage is a pioneering Swedish entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Expansion Aerospace Ventures, one of Europe’s largest space and defence-focused VC funds.

In this enlightening episode, Ted joins hosts Shelley Bays and Bulent Osman to unpick the accelerating world of space technology, revealing how “space” is already an essential part of our daily lives. From his own transformative journey—from Harvard Medical School to leading pan-European investment in aerospace—Ted discusses the seismic changes in rocket and satellite tech, the pivotal role of software, and the challenges unique to building and funding startups in this frontier sector. Expect candid insights into everything from pan-European collaboration to the real qualities investors seek in founders.

🎙️ Key Topics:

The evolution of Europe’s commercial space and defence sector

Cultural differences in entrepreneurship and investment across Europe and the US

The unexpected ways satellites and space tech support climate action, agriculture, and telecoms

Top mistakes founders make when pitching for investment and how to rectify them

Follow this show on your podcast app and join us on The Startup Sensations Podcast LinkedIn page. Watch video highlights on YouTube. We love hearing your feedback, so email us at [email protected]

Our thanks to this week’s episode sponsor, AppUnite - https://bit.ly/3FBaByP

Ted Elvhage - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedelvhage/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S5 Ep10 - Marta Emerson is a dynamic Spanish entrepreneur, renowned for her influential YouTube presence and her dedication to empowering solopreneurs and small business founders through online education and mentoring.

In this insightful episode, Marta shares her personal journey from humble beginnings and navigating the early Spanish startup environment, to building a thriving personal brand that now supports over 20,000 entrepreneurs worldwide. She discusses the key differences between scaling startups and building smaller, lifestyle businesses, and offers practical advice on personal branding, business modelling, and sales strategies. 

Marta also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how she generates multiple streams of passive income, the importance of authenticity on social media, and the unique challenges and opportunities within the Spanish and wider Spanish-speaking startup ecosystem.

🎙️ Key Topics:

Building a personal brand and business as a solopreneur in the Spanish-speaking market

Practical steps for creating and optimising sales funnels for consultants and small businesses

Strategies for generating passive income streams, from YouTube to affiliate marketing

The evolving entrepreneurial landscape in Spain and navigating change in a world shaped by technology and AI

FOLLOW this show on your podcast app and join us on The Startup Sensations Podcast LinkedIn page. Watch video highlights on YouTube. We love hearing your feedback, so email us at [email protected].

Our thanks to this week’s episode sponsor, AppUnite - https://bit.ly/3FBaByP

Marta Emerson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martaemerson/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S5 Ep9 – Michelle Blieberg is a seasoned HR leader, executive coach, and architect of leadership programmes, whose career spans global giants such as Charles Schwab, UBS Investment Bank, and Time Warner, as well as nimble startups.

In this practical and insightful episode, Michelle joins Shelley and Bulent from Connecticut in the US to unpack the real-world contrasts of leading HR in large versus small companies. She also discusses the evolving landscape of work post-pandemic. The discussion ranges from navigating resource constraints in startups to the enduring importance of trust and psychological safety, the nuances of leadership development, and actionable advice for founders and aspiring leaders alike. Michelle illuminates the cultural differences between the US and UK workplace environments, shares powerful anecdotes from her career, and casts a thoughtful eye over the promise and pitfalls of AI in business.

🎙️ Key Topics:

The realities of HR in startups vs. established corporations

Building workplace trust and psychological safety post-Covid

Creative approaches to leadership and talent development

The impact of AI and the critical importance of inspiring leadership

Follow this show on your podcast app and join us on The Startup Sensations Podcast LinkedIn page. Watch video highlights on YouTube. We love hearing your feedback, so email us at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S5 Ep8 -  Mike Turner, co-founder and Managing Director of Bird and Blend Tea Company, shares his journey from starting out with his ex-wife to building a thriving tea company with now 25 stores across the UK.

Mike discusses a wide range of topics, from the company's unique approach to creating innovative tea blends and spreading happiness to the challenges of growing a business amid changing economic climates. He opens up about the significance of maintaining company culture, the insights gained from the pandemic, and managing an evolving business structure. Mike also offers candid advice for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of building a lasting, impactful enterprise.

🎙️ Key Topics:

Follow this show on your podcast app and join us on The Startup Sensations Podcast LinkedIn page. Watch video highlights on YouTube. We love hearing your feedback, so email us at [email protected].

Our thanks to this week’s episode sponsor, AppUnite - https://bit.ly/3FBaByP

Mike Turner - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeajturner/

Bird & Blend Tea Co. - https://www.birdandblendtea.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S5 Ep7 - Tony Pastor, co-founder of Goalhanger, joins us to share insights from his journey in the podcast industry. Recognised as a titan in British podcasting, Tony, along with his co-founder, Gary Lineker, the former professional footballer and TV host, is behind some of the UK’s most successful podcasts like The Rest Is History.

In this engaging episode, Tony discusses the podcasting landscape in the UK versus the US, the evolution of media with on-demand content, and his personal journey from television to the world of podcasts. He also explains the intricacies of building a business without traditional marketing, the importance of community-building, and offers advice to budding entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the podcast world.

🎙️ Key Topics:

Follow the show on your podcast app and join us on The Startup Sensations Podcast LinkedIn page. Watch video highlights on YouTube. We love hearing your feedback, so email us at [email protected].

Tony Pastor - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-pastor-a910a610a/

Goalhanger  - https://www.goalhanger.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S4 Ep6 - Jeff Wallace, a prominent figure in the world of startups, is an expert in accelerating businesses with his initiatives, Silicon Valley in Your Pocket and The Batchery. Joining the conversation from New Zealand, Jeff brings valuable insights from his extensive experience across continents.

In this thought-provoking episode, Jeff Wallace shares his journey from Wall Street to Silicon Valley, detailing his seamless transition from a traditional career path to entrepreneurship. Together with hosts Bulent Osman and Shelley Bays, Jeff explores the pervasive impact of AI on startups, the unique challenges of global entrepreneurship, and the innovative ecosystem in New Zealand, providing listeners with a rare inside look at the dynamics of starting up internationally.

🎙️ Key Topics:

Follow this show on your podcast app and join us on The Startup Sensations Podcast LinkedIn page. Watch video highlights on YouTube. We love hearing your feedback, so email us at [email protected].

Jeff Wallace - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwallace913/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S5 Ep5 - Carrie Osman is the founder and CEO of Cruxy, a growth intelligence specialist company based in London. With a background from Mars and an entrepreneurial mindset nurtured from childhood, Carrie has built a dynamic business serving high-growth B2B tech sectors globally.

In this engaging episode, Carrie shares her journey from the early challenges of starting Cruxy to the successes she enjoys today. The conversation delves deep into the nuances of sales across different cultures, the importance of building strong, systematic processes, and the balance required in leadership to inspire and support a high-performing team. Her insights into the ‘Trust Equation’ in sales and her approach to motivating her team offer valuable takeaways for budding entrepreneurs.

🎙️ Key Topics:

Follow this show on your podcast app and join us on The Startup Sensations Podcast LinkedIn page. Watch video highlights on YouTube. We love hearing your feedback, so email us at [email protected].

Carrie Osman -https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-osman-7570a216/

Cruxy - https://cruxy.co.uk/

Our thanks to this week’s sponsor, Curvo.ai - https://curvo.ai/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S5 Ep4 - Tommaso Trionfi is an Italian serial entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Noro, a company revolutionising the business travel experience with life-size immersive portals.

In this engaging episode, Tommaso shares his journey from being a curious young man in Rome to becoming a pioneering force in the tech industry across multiple continents. He discusses the inception and evolution of Noro, which aims to bridge the gap between virtual and in-person meetings with innovative technology. The conversation also explores the entrepreneurial environment in the US compared to Europe, offering insights from Tommaso’s extensive international experience.

🎙️ Key Topics:

Follow this show on your podcast app and join us on The Startup Sensations Podcast LinkedIn page. Watch video highlights on YouTube. We love hearing your feedback, so email us at [email protected].

Tommaso Trionfi - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trionfi/

Noro - https://www.noro.co/

Our thanks to this week’s sponsor, Curvo.ai - https://curvo.ai/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices