The Mentor Files

In this inspiring episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with entrepreneur Manuela Zoninsein, founder and CEO of Kadeya.  Manuela delves into the challenges and rewards of motherhood, her experiences living abroad, the importance of building a supportive network as a parent and business owner and her vision to visionary entrepreneur determined to eliminate single-use beverage containers with her innovative company, Kadeya.

The sisters-in-law discuss:

• Manuela discusses the mission behind her company Kadeya, which aims to revolutionize the way we hydrate by eliminating single-use beverage containers with a low-waste vending machine system.

• Manuela shares the path that led her to become the entrepreneur she is today and the lessons learned along the way.

•  Manuela and Monica discuss the complexities of being a parent and a CEO, the importance of self-forgiveness, and how to celebrate small wins in both domains.

•  Manuela emphasizes the importance of trust and autonomy in her team, and how a culture that respects personal time and responsibilities can lead to a more productive and satisfied workforce.

• Manuela offers insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, including the need to be good rather than perfect and the power of compounding small, consistent efforts.

Join Monica and Manuela in this heartfelt and enlightening conversation about entrepreneurship, environmental innovation, and the balancing act of motherhood on this episode of The Mentor Files.

Resources:
- Follow Manuela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuelasweb/
- Kadeya: A sustainable hydration solution aiming to eliminate single-use waste. https://www.kadeya.com/
- Monica + Andy: https://monicaandandy.com/

And be sure to subscribe and follow our YouTube channel.

In this deeply impactful episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Navyn Salem, the founder of Edesia Nutrition, a non-profit organization on a mission to end malnutrition globally. Navyn shares her journey from being a mom of four to spearheading a global initiative that produces life-saving food products for malnourished children. Tune in to hear Navyn's story of resilience, innovation, and her vision of a world where every child has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.

In this episode:

• Navyn Salem shares her inspiration for starting Edesia Nutrition along with the challenges of juggling motherhood, the origins of Edesia and the initial steps she took to address malnutrition on a global scale.
• Navyn shares the profound impact of malnutrition and her perspective on problem-solving in global health.
• Monica recalls her first encounter with Navyn and the powerful story that stopped her in her tracks.
• Navyn explains the difference between hunger and malnutrition and the critical importance of addressing both.
• Navyn explains the development and significance of Plumpy'Nut -- its life-saving capabilities in the way how malnourished children are fed, as well as the challenges and logistics of scaling up production to meet the increasing global need.
• Navyn shares complexities of delivering these essential nutrition packets to children in crisis zones and the strategies and determination required to overcome logistical challenges.
• Navyn shares personal insights into her life as a mother and entrepreneur, and the sacrifices made to balance both worlds, and reflects  on the emotional weight of her work and the responsibility to deliver without excuses.
• Monica and Navyn discuss the emotional challenges of parenting while addressing a global crisis, and Navyn delivers a message of hope and the continuous effort to find solutions for malnutrition.

Resources:
Edesia Nutrition: https://www.edesianutrition.org/
World Food Programme: https://www.wfp.org/
UNICEF: https://www.unicefusa.org/
Monica + Andy: https://monicaandandy.com/

If you're inspired by Navyn's story and want to learn more about Edesia Nutrition or support their cause, visit their website and consider making a donation. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children around the world.

Join host Monica Royer as she sits down with Brian Bloom, her co-founder of Monica + Andy, to discuss the evolution of their business partnership, the behind-the-scenes of building a brand, and the personal growth they've experienced along the way. From starting as a bachelor with no ties to baby clothes to becoming a father and an integral part of a thriving company, Brian shares his unique perspective on entrepreneurship, parenthood, and the value of a strong business partnership.  

The business partners discuss:

• The Genesis of Monica + Andy: Brian reflects on his initial decision to join Monica in building a baby brand, despite being a bachelor at the time. The serendipitous meeting with Monica's cousin, Sabina, led to the partnership that would become Monica + Andy.
• The Evolution of a Business Partnership: Monica and Brian delve into how their relationship has grown from co-founders to becoming like family. They emphasize the importance of shared values in a business partnership, akin to a marriage, and how it has helped them navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
• Parenthood and Business: Brian talks about how becoming a father has changed his connection to the brand, making him an end-user of the products and giving him a deeper understanding of the company's community and mission.
• The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Monica and Brian candidly discuss the constant presence of work in their lives, the necessity to manage stress, and the importance of supporting each other through personal and professional challenges.
• Job Evolution: Brian shares how his role at Monica + Andy has changed over the years, from being hands-on with every aspect of the business to learning to delegate and trust in the growing team of specialized talent.
• The Importance of Honest Feedback: Both Monica and Brian stress the value of having advisors and investors who are willing to offer hard truths. They discuss how this has helped them grow personally and professionally, and how it's crucial for propelling the business forward.

Recommended Resources:

• Monica + Andy

Andy Dunn co-founded Bonobos, a revolutionary menswear e-commerce brand. But, behind the scenes, he was struggling with bipolar disorder. “Here’s the real story of what was going on, which I think was a heckuva lot more interesting than selling pants on the internet,” he tells host Monica Royer—who also happens to be his sister.   In this episode of The Mentor Files, Monica Royer sits down with her brother, Andy Dunn, to discuss how his journey with mental health influenced his entrepreneurial experience. 

The siblings discuss:

• Andy discusses his experience with bipolar disorder and how it both helped and hindered his entrepreneurial journey. He shares the statistics of mental health conditions among entrepreneurs and highlights the importance of being open about mental health struggles.
• Monica and Andy reflect on their childhood and how their shared family history shaped their relationship. They discuss the challenges they faced as a biracial family and how they navigated through these experiences together.
•  Andy shares the story behind his decision to turn down multiple financial job offers after graduating from business school to start selling men's pants online, which eventually led to the creation of Bonobos.
• The siblings discuss the importance of therapy and mental health professionals in managing mental health conditions. Andy emphasizes the need for an external support system, especially during a crisis.
• Monica talks about the difficulty of accepting Andy's diagnosis and the denial they experienced as a family. They discuss the importance of accepting mental health conditions and understanding that there can be a positive side to it.
• Andy shares the concept of the Stockdale Paradox and how it applies to dealing with mental health conditions. He emphasizes the importance of facing reality while maintaining hope.
• They discuss the potential of turning Andy's book, Burn Rate, into a TV show and the importance of treating mental health issues with levity.
•  Andy shares his experience with writing the book and the support he received from his family. He encourages others to share their mental health struggles and assures them that there is nothing to be ashamed of.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about Andy's journey with bipolar disorder and how it has shaped his life and career.

Resources:

• Dunn’s memoir, Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind, is out now. Find it on Amazon.com, or a bookstore near you.
• Monica + Andy

I'm thrilled to announce that The Mentor Files is back for a new season and we're digging deeper than ever before into the story behind the story.  As the founder of Monica and Andy, I'm always eager to connect our community with sources of all kinds of inspiration.  Join me this season as we hear from entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and experts who are all changing the game.

Join Monica as she interviews her brother, and founder of Bonobos, Andy Dunn in episode 1.  The Mentor Files returns November 7th, 2023.

Learn how Nona Lim started her restaurant-quality food brand, what she brought from her fencing career, and why a great team needs full transparency.

"I've always had a passion for food, even if I'm not professionally trained." - Nona Lim.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/89

Listen in to learn how to create a powerful partnership with your investors, and what Sarah Woelfel wants to see in successful CEOs and her own clients.

"We specifically designed CULT Capital to be differentiated in the VC growth equity space, and we're really set on creating a new and different investor paradigm." - Sarah Woelfel.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/88

Listen in to learn how Annie Lawless started her lifelong love of health and wellness, and why she doesn't hesitate when opportunity knocks.

"I've always just been so fascinated with nutrition, ingredients, and the correlation between what we consume and how we look and feel." - Annie Lawless.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/87

Learn how David Heath and his team innovated on a clothing staple, the unfair advantages he had as an entrepreneur, and how he built his team at Bombas.

"You should never lose the humility that it can all turn around in a moment." - David Heath.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/76

Listen in to learn how Miyoko went from nothing to an in-demand business in less than 6 months, and how she has transformed through her business career.

"I don't do all this market research and figure out how to do it right, I just start doing things, and that's how I've done everything in my life." - Miyoko Schinner.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/78