40 Minute Mentor

“It doesn't matter where you come from or what school you went to, or whether you went to university. There are  Founders out there, building incredible businesses, no matter what their backgrounds.”In celebration of International Podcast Day, (and our 200th podcast episode!) JBM Founder , James Mitra, and Head of Marketing and 40 Minute Mentor Producer, Hannah Urbanek, chat all things 40 Minute Mentor… From the early days of building the podcast, to shining a light on the biggest lessons along the way and how podcasting has become a fundamental part of our business. Tune in to unravel the ins and outs of business podcasting, including:➡️ Breaking the traditional industry rules, why 40 Minute Mentor was born [00:52] ➡️ Providing an ‘access all areas’ to mentorship from incredible Entrepreneurs [03:06]➡️ Reflecting on our podcast growth [04:15]➡️ From ad-hoc to a smooth running machine, BTS moments [06:07]➡️ Shining a light on gender equality, diversity & underrepresented Founders [07:31]➡️ Hannah’s biggest learnings from 200 episodes [10:28]➡️ Podcasting as a fun, unique form of business development [13:10]➡️ When James met his footballing hero and things didn’t go to plan… [16:51]➡️ Milestone moments: Inspiring Founders and huge download growth [19:04]➡️ Building the ultimate brand awareness tool, a marketing plan essential [21:53]➡️ The challenge of capturing listeners in a saturated market & advice for aspiring podcasters [28:18]➡️ Fancy being a podcast guest? Here’s how to stand out [31:42] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmitra-jbm/➡️ Connect with Hannah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahurbanek/➡️ Follow JBM: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbm-consulting-ltd/?viewAsMember=true  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Becoming financially free but not being a Unicorn, is still success.”Today's 40 Minute Mentor is Nick Telson, exited Founder of DesignMyNight, Co-Founder of Trumpet, Angel Investor and Podcast Host of the popular Pitch Deck show. With so many hats to wear, we loved diving into Nick’s story and career from starting at L’Oreal to scratching that entrepreneurial itch by building DesignMyNight to 100+ employees with minimal angel funding and finally returning to the Founder seat to disrupt B2B sales. There is SO much to unpack from Nick's impressive story, from his views on failures to what it really feels like to exit and start again, and so much more: ➡️ Having ‘failure moments’ and the glorification of entrepreneurship [02:37] ➡️ Growing up with a creative brain and unconventional paths [03:50] ➡️ The idea of DesignMyNight from the streets of NYC [06:46] ➡️ From side hustle to exit [10:55] ➡️ More about JBM [18:13] ➡️ Round 2 of Founder life: Trumpet’s origin story [19:21] ➡️ Being VC backed and hiring principles [22:17] ➡️ Building in public and fundraising journey [23:52] ➡️ Fundraising advice [34:35] ➡️ Hiring advice for securing your initial team [37:09] ➡️ Applying to and joining Trumpet [39:50] ➡️ Audience question: Making the startup world more inclusive [42:25]  ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicktelson/➡️ Find out more about Trumpet: https://www.sendtrumpet.com/?ref=linkedin➡️ Listen to Pitch Deck: https://www.nicktelson.com/podcast⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Never underestimate the power of a rant, if you’re going to do something about it.”In today’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by fellow podcaster and good friend of JBM, Amardeep Parmar, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of BAE HQ. Amardeep has been on an incredible journey - from being a Tech consultant in 2020, to setting a New Year’s resolution which made him the second fastest writer to gain 50,000 followers on Medium.com. Now, he’s inspiring, connecting and guiding British Asian Entrepreneurs with BAE HQ. Today, Amardeep shared more about his journey and the crucial lessons he has learned along the way, including: ➡️ His traditional journey and accidental entrepreneurship [00:55] ➡️ Questioning your identity as a Founder [04:51] ➡️ A New Year’s resolution turned career [06:26] ➡️ Advice for aspiring writers [08:32] ➡️ How a rant with a friend paved the foundations for BAE HQ [10:05] ➡️ Scaling a not-for-profit and navigating the corporate landscape [12:34] ➡️ Connecting people for mutual success [15:26] ➡️ The secret sauce of community building [16:28] ➡️ A selection of stand out stories from BAE HQ [22:51] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Amardeep: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amardeepsparmar/➡️ Find out more about BAE HQ: https://www.thebaehq.com/ ➡️ Listen to the BAE HQ podcast: https://www.thebaehq.com/podcasts➡️ James Mitra on BAE HQ: https://www.thebaehq.com/podcasts/episode-51-james⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"You can have the best idea in the world with a bad team and you get nowhere, and you can have a really good team with a bad idea and you’ll probably make it into a good idea.” Doctor to Startup Founder... That’s not something we get to say a lot, so buckle in for today's episode! This week’s 40 Minute Mentor is Dr Sonia Szamocki, Founder and CEO of 32Co, the HealthTech revolutionising access to specialised healthcare services, by connecting general clinicians with a network of specialists. Sonia's very impressive journey has taken her from Oxford to a career as a clinician to jumping into the Founder seat, building the future of collaborative healthcare. She has grown 32Co 5x since April last year, and has recently secured £2.36 million in seed funding, led by Balderton Capital.Tune in to today's chat, to find out: ➡️ Podcast recommendation: Black Women Working [00:13] ➡️ Why being a Founder isn’t all that glamorous [05:02]➡️ Growing up in the Netherlands and becoming a Doctor [06:02]➡️ 32Co’s origin story [13:10]➡️ From an idea during Covid to growing a marketplace [22:50]➡️ Navigating false starts & the importance of a great team [26:18]➡️ Hiring advice & recruiting your first exec [29:00]➡️ The importance of getting Co-Founder matching right [36:45]➡️ Bootstrapping vs VC funding [38:05]➡️ Healthcare & AI [41:00]➡️ Audience Question: Why there shouldn’t be more Doctors moving into Founder seats [44:32] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Sonia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sonia-szamocki-a01790a9/➡️ Find out more about 32Co: https://www.32co.com  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"When you’re aligned on vision, values and strategic direction, you can achieve anything…”In this week’s bite-sized startup mentorship episode, we’re joined by Charlene Chen, JBM Board Advisor, COO of AZA Finance and Co-Founder of Operations Nation. Charlene is not only a brilliant COO, but also happens to be our very first 40 Minute Mentor guest, back when we started the podcast in 2019. In today’s episode, you’ll learn more about: ➡️ Charlene’s squiggly career to COO [01:06] ➡️ A full overview of the COO role [03:27] ➡️ The evolution and expansion of the COO role [07:05] ➡️ The essential skills any COO needs [09:26] ➡️ Making the leap from Head of Ops to COO [14:04] ➡️ Common challenges COOs face [16:16] ➡️ Building effective relationships across the C-Suite [22:13] ➡️ Resources any aspiring COO should check out [26:20]  ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Charlene: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlenechen/➡️ Find out more about Operations Nation: https://operationsnation.com/➡️ Check out this year’s Ops Fest: https://operationsnation.com/events/international-ops-fest ➡️ Secure your seat at the annual cONference: https://lu.ma/cONference2023  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"There's some horrible sacrifices in the first few years to get it to a place where it's got to survive..."Today's 40 Minute Mentor epitomises what it means to be Tech for Good. We’re joined by Sanjay Lobo MBE, the Founder & CEO of OnHand - the all-in-one tool to engage your team in volunteering and environmental action. Dubbed the ‘Uber of volunteering’, OnHand lets employees learn and take action on the issues that matter. You may even recognise Sanjay from his recent appearance on BBC's Dragons’ Den, where he successfully secured investment from FOUR dragons. Here’s what we talk about in today’s episode:➡️ Finding his path to entrepreneurship [04:02]➡️ Moving from law into tech [06:58]➡️ How Parkinson's disease became Chapter 1 of the OnHand story [11:05]➡️ Engaging employees in volunteering and environmental action [13:45]➡️ The significance of a great team in a scaling business [15:08]➡️ Managing stress and pressures as a Founder [16:38]➡️ Business benefits of company-wide volunteering opportunities [22:08]➡️ Advert: More about JBM [25:36] ➡️ A Behind the Scenes look at Dragons’ Den [27:10]➡️ Working with the Dragons after the show [29:31]➡️ Advice for other Founders looking to get on Dragons’ Den [31:13] ➡️ Dealing with increased media attention [32:29] ➡️ Applying to OnHand [35:10] ➡️ Audience Question: Advice for anyone starting their volunteering journey [38:51]⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Sanjay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaylobo/➡️ Find out more about OnHand: https://www.beonhand.co.uk/ ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains topics of mental health and suicide attempts, that may be harmful or traumatising to some audiences. If you’re affected by any of the topics discussed, please make sure you reach out to the helplines listed below. ⚠️ Suicide is a major public health problem, with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. According to the World Health Organisation, there are currently more than 700,000 suicides per year worldwide. Following yesterday’s World Suicide Prevention Day and to play our part in breaking the perceived taboo of speaking about suicide, we’re releasing this special episode with clips from our conversation with Clarke Carlisle. Clarke is a former professional footballer, mental health advocate and ambassador for the mental health charity Mind. He has had an illustrious football career, having played for a number of top clubs, including Leeds United, Watford and Burnley, and winning three caps for England under 21s. Alongside all of this success, however, Clarke also had to deal with plenty of hardship, including serious injuries, his battle with depression and attempted suicide.  In today’s episode, Clarke shares more about his own experience with depression and suicide and his advice for anyone struggling with their mental health.  ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Tune into the full episode with Clarke here: https://jbmc.co.uk/insights/40-minute-mentor/from-the-premier-league-to-mental-health-advocate-with-clarke-carlisle/➡️ More about the work Clarke and Carrie are doing: https://www.clarkeandcarrie.com/ ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Everything I have done has centred around teams and individuals, and how do you get the most out of them…” Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is the brilliant Catherine Lenson, Angel Investor, Founder, Venture Partner at LocalGlobe and CEO of Andante Advisory. Catherine has had a hugely successful career, having spent her formative years at UBS and becoming the first female Managing Partner at SoftBank. Today, Catherine is the Founder and CEO of Andante Advisory, a boutique consultancy firm which operates as a trusted partner to senior executives and leading organisations on Culture, People and Purpose. She is also a Venture Partner at LocalGlobe, an angel investor in early-stage tech companies across the UK, US and Israel, and is the UK’s first Fair Play facilitator. Tune in to today’s episode to discover: ➡️ Reliving her days when a rogue trader almost brought down UBS [03:32] ➡️ The privilege of entrepreneurship [05:29] ➡️ From her love for music to Cambridge and ending up in London [06:39] ➡️ Scaling from 20 to 500 people in four years [10:04] ➡️ Becoming the first female Managing Partner at SoftBank [13:34] ➡️ Building a portfolio career [16:49] ➡️ Angel Investing and joining LocalGlobe [24:39] ➡️ Common culture mistakes [32:32] ➡️ Fair Play and creating more equality in the household [36:47]  ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Catherine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-lenson/➡️ Find out more about her work: https://www.catherinelenson.com/➡️ Find out more about LocalGlobe: https://localglobe.vc/ ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The most impactful piece of advice I got early on in my career was - You need to grow where you're planted.” In today’s bite-sized 40 Minute Mentor episode, we take a deep dive into a core component of any successful startup - the Go-To-Market (GTM) Strategy.To guide us through the essential components of building and executing a GTM strategy, we’re joined by Tarun Gidoomal. Tarun has led some of Europe’s most notable tech Scaleups, including Next Jump, where he led its international expansion to reach £3bn GMV, and more recently, at Ankorstore, where as UK GM he established its footprint in the UK as it became one of Europe’s fastest growing tech unicorns.  Today, Tarun shares more about: ➡️ His upbringing and career to date [01:30] ➡️ The fundamentals of a GTM Strategy [03:40] ➡️ Examples of successful GTM Strategies and mistakes made [06:38] ➡️ Getting buy-in across the team [10:31] ➡️ Questions to ask to assess your team culture [12:53] ➡️ The most impactful career advice he’s received [14:37] ➡️ Startup life and dealing with burnout [17:11]  ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Tarun: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarungidoomal/   🤫 P.S - It’s your FINAL chance to vote for us in this year’s Great British Podcast People’s Choice Awards. 🏆1. Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting 2. Type in '40 Minute Mentor' 3. Job done ✅ Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙 ENTRIES CLOSE 5th SEPTEMBER ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Founders are made to look like superheroes. They get up at 4am, meditate, take ice baths, work 100 hours a week… I think it's a super unhealthy culture."Today's 40 Minute Mentor shines a light on the realities of Founder life, and his passion for reframing how the world sees and perceives credit. We are excited to welcome Tim Chong, Co-Founder and CEO of Yonder, to the podcast. Yonder is on a mission to build a credit experience that empowers young people to live their best lives and build responsible spending habits, at the same time. Tune in to today’s episode to discover: ➡️ The unhealthy culture surrounding Founder life [03:53] ➡️ Growing up around computers and the influence on his tech journey [05:25] ➡️ Exploring the world and creating high impact as a consultant [07:33] ➡️ Pivoting from consultant to Founder [10:17] ➡️ How a revolutionised economy in Kenya started the story of Yonder [15:02] ➡️ How Yonder is supporting young people and their social lives via credit spend [21:35] ➡️ Tuning in to Founder interviews to scope out early stage challenges [26:50] ➡️ How to keep going during an economic downturn [29:57] ➡️ Selling the long-term thesis to win over investors [35:40] ➡️ The significant impact of early hires and Yonder’s culture [39:58] ⛳ Helpful links:➡️ Connect with Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-chong/➡️ Find out more about Yonder: https://www.yondercard.com/ 🤫 P.S Has our podcast ever made you feel something? Like properly made you stop and FEEL the feels... Maybe it has opened your eyes to a new industry? Maybe it has inspired you to start your own venture? Or maybe it has you nodding along as you relate to so many of the challenges that our Founders have faced.... 🤝 Connecting, human to human, with our audience is absolutely paramount to our work behind the scenes at 40 Minute Mentor, which is why we would (shamelessly) love to have your vote in this year's Great British Podcast People's Choice awards. 🏆 1. Click here: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting2. Type in '40 Minute Mentor' 3. Job done ✅ Your nomination would mean the world to us, so thank you in advance! 💙(VOTES CLOSE 5th SEPT) ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices