The Pool Podcast

Payl8r Co-founder and COO Samantha Fogerty discusses building a profitable, regulated UK fintech that expands ethical access to credit.

She explains how adopting open banking early enabled underwriting underserved demographics, the role of AI and machine learning in decisioning and fraud mitigation, and why compliance and risk discipline drive sustainable growth.

Samantha also covers team structure across the UK and South Africa, strategic bank partnerships, industry trends like open finance, and practical advice for founders on focus, profitability, and hiring.Key topics:- Founding journey and operating in regulated retail finance (UK-only)- Using open banking to underwrite thin-file and younger customers- AI and machine learning for credit decisioning and risk management- Fraud reduction through open banking and KYC improvements- Compliance focus and the impact on innovation- Team scaling, overseas hiring in South Africa, and operational efficiency- Awards: Best Retail Finance Provider (2019, 2024)- Future strategy: second-line lending and partnerships with banks- Industry outlook: open banking to open finance- Founder advice: MOAT framework, profitability first, disciplined hiring

Connect with Samantha Fogertyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/directorpayl8r/

https://www.payl8r.com/

Join Christian in the latest episode of The Pool Podcast featuring Nawal Roy, an entrepreneur and investor, as we delve into crucial topics like mental health, entrepreneurship, and the transformative power of data in healthcare. Discover how Nawal’s venture, Holmusk, is pioneering data-driven solutions for mental health and learn about the unique challenges and opportunities in this field. They also discuss entrepreneurship, the role of education, and the exciting developments in Marbella 2.0. Follow Nawal Roy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawalroy/https://www.holmusk.com/

In this episode of The Pool Podcast, host Elizabeth welcomes Iris Arbel of Saboris.

Iris shares her remarkable journey from a strategic consultant in Israel to a CEO of a water investment company in China, and now a culinary entrepreneur in Marbella.

Discover her insights on integrating into diverse cultures, her passion for healthy living, and the importance of community-building through food.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation about career evolution, education, and the art of balancing professional challenges with personal passions.

In this episode of The Pool Podcast, host Elizabeth welcomed Paula Benedi, Founder & CEO of Synergised, as she shares her inspiring journey from law school to becoming a leader in functional and integrative medicine. Paula opens up about her personal health struggles, the transformative power of nutrition and holistic health, and how she built a successful wellness brand. Discover the importance of finding root causes in medicine, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and how passion and perseverance can lead to positive change in the health industry. https://www.instagram.com/paulabenedi/https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-benedi-38629a17a/https://synergised.uk/https://www.instagram.com/synergiseduk/

n this episode of The Pool Podcast, Elizabeth sits down with Dakota Flaget, a student ambassador at Marbella International University Centre (MIUC), to explore her unique journey from the United States to studying in Marbella, Spain. Dakota shares her experiences of choosing an overseas education, the benefits of studying at a UK-accredited program in Spain, and the international community at MIUC. Dakota's move to Marbella—that glamorous coastal city on Spain's Costa del Sol—wasn't just about trading textbooks for beach days. This Mediterranean hotspot, famous for its luxury resorts and yacht-filled marinas, surprised her with something unexpected: genuine educational opportunities that didn't break the bank.The quality of education she discovered in Marbella, paired with a cost of living that made her student budget stretch further than it would in London or Paris, became the real reasons she decided to call this Spanish coastal gem home. Her story reveals how Marbella is quietly transforming from just a playground for the wealthy into a legitimate destination for international students.If you've been considering studying abroad or wondering what lies beyond the traditional academic capitals, Dakota's experience in this sun-soaked corner of Andalucia might just change how you think about your educational options.

Join Christian Rasmusson on The Pool podcast as he dives into the inspiring journey of Adriana Rojas. From her entrepreneurial beginnings in Colombia to becoming a pivotal leader in the tech industry, Adriana shares her experiences of scaling businesses, embracing automation, and navigating challenges in male-dominated sectors. Learn about her passion for innovation, her role in launching a Women in Business forum, and how technology is shaping the future of work. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, Adriana’s story offers insights and inspiration for anyone looking to make a mark in their field. Tune in to hear her thoughts on balancing personal life with professional growth, the future of AI in business, and the importance of passion in achieving success.https://www.thepool.es/

Join Christian Rasmusson in this episode of The Pool Podcast as we welcome Kari Suleman, a key figure in the development of The Pool community. Alongside Fredrik Bäge, co-founder of The Pool Marbella, Kari shares her journey from Canada to the vibrant creative hub of Marbella, discussing her involvement in tech ventures like Elevate. Discover her insights on fostering creativity and innovation among youth through Launch Academy and her latest venture, Killer Party.Kari reflects on her experiences in San Francisco during the early days of tech giants like Uber and Etsy and shares her vision for the future of Marbella as a business and cultural hub. Listen in as we explore the challenges and successes of building community-driven initiatives and the importance of sustainable growth in evolving cities.Whether you're an entrepreneur, tech enthusiast, or just curious about the dynamic world of startups, this episode offers valuable perspectives on innovation, collaboration, and the power of community.https://www.thepool.es/

In this episode of The Pool Podcast, Christian welcomes Nawal Roy, Founder and CEO of Holmusk, who shares his remarkable journey from the world of finance to pioneering advancements in mental health data.Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Holmusk, Nawal discusses his transition from a successful career in finance to building a leading data company focused on mental health. He delves into the challenges and successes of creating a scientific-grade, industrial-scale data platform for mental health, and his vision for the future. Join us as we explore Nawal's insights on entrepreneurship, the importance of building impactful solutions, and his aspirations for future ventures. Discover how Nawal's unique approach is shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

Step into the world of cross-cultural finance as we explore Alex Villaverde's remarkable career trajectory. With Spanish and Dutch heritage, Villaverde brings a unique global perspective shaped by his upbringing in Spain and educational pursuits across the UK and United States. Now based in the sun-drenched shores of Marbella, he plays a pivotal role in a prestigious Dutch family office.Villaverde's professional evolution – from driving marketing strategies at Yahoo to spearheading private equity investments – offers fascinating insights into the intersection of technology and wealth management. His current mission focuses on modernizing family office operations while building a diverse investment portfolio spanning real estate, emerging technologies, and private equity ventures.In this episode, Villaverde shares candid perspectives on navigating cultural nuances in international finance, transforming traditional family offices for the modern era, and identifying opportunities in an ever-shifting investment ecosystem..