Strategy & Tragedy: CEO Stories with Steph Melodia

stephaniemelodia

Strategy & Tragedy: CEO Stories with Steph Melodia is the fresh business podcast for today’s entrepreneur. Hosted by UK Top 20 Female Founder, Stephanie Melodia, Strategy & Tragedy spotlights the most interesting founder stories - featuring the good, the bad, and the ugly of building a business. With the purpose to inspire and educate entrepreneurs, guests also include subject matter experts such as top business strategists or investors to help arm founders with the knowledge to succeed in business. read less
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Episodes

EP28: Unlock NEXT-LEVEL confidence through visualisation | Maya Raichoora, Remap
Today
EP28: Unlock NEXT-LEVEL confidence through visualisation | Maya Raichoora, Remap
Access special perks on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   Maya Raichoora, the CEO and Co-Founder of Remap Mental Fitness, who envisions a world where mental fitness is as common as physical fitness. She helps CEOs, athletes & performers become the top 1% in their field through the power of visualisation.   Tune in for an interactive visualisation exercise and all of the below...   🧠 MAYA'S STORY: ✨ From being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis to being the most healthy and confident she’s ever been ✨ Self-confidence as a young brown woman without formal qualifications ✨ Her philosophy around 'compassionate discipline'   🧠 SCIENCE: ✨ The neuroscience behind visualisation ✨ Study examples in sport   🧠 RISKS: ✨ The difference between 'being confident' and 'having confidence' ✨ Avoid breaking promises to yourself at all costs! ✨ The trap of falling into victimhood   🧠 PRACTICAL TIPS: ✨ How to make space to practise visualisation ✨ How *detachment* to your current state can help achieve your desired identity ✨ Physical behaviours: look people in the eye, pause before you speak, stand a little taller ✨ Treat your time as valuable currency   Discover more here: https://www.remapmentalfitness.com/   -   Want more?   Follow Steph: 🀍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/ 🀍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/   🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos   πŸ™πŸΌ Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend!
EP26: "Our house BURNT DOWN - and not a *single* order went out late!" | Charlotte Ayoub, TLC Sport
May 1 2024
EP26: "Our house BURNT DOWN - and not a *single* order went out late!" | Charlotte Ayoub, TLC Sport
Access special perks on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   From 1984 in Cairo to 2024 in London, Stephanie Melodia interviews Charlotte Ayoub of TLC Sport, the inclusive sportswear brand featured in the likes of Cosmopolitan, The Times, Marie Claire, The Independent, The Guardian, and more.   In this episode Steph and Charlotte discuss:   πŸ§˜πŸ½β€β™€οΈ Building a body positive brand that connects with women’s empowerment πŸ§˜πŸ½β€β™€οΈ The importance of product development in line with customer needs πŸ§˜πŸ½β€β™€οΈ Marketing an anti-trend product in a trend-led industry πŸ§˜πŸ½β€β™€οΈ Retailer partnerships including lessons from fashion buyer c*ck-ups  πŸ§˜πŸ½β€β™€οΈ No (wo)man is an island - the importance of a good team πŸ§˜πŸ½β€β™€οΈ Learning that 'perfect' is the enemy of 'good' - thanks to Black Friday catastrophe!   Discover more about TLC Sport: https://tlcsport.co.uk/   -   Want more?   Follow Steph: 🀍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/ 🀍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/   🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos   πŸ™πŸΌ Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend!
EP23: Meet the Tina Turner of finance! | Norma Cassius, Think Like a Bank
Apr 10 2024
EP23: Meet the Tina Turner of finance! | Norma Cassius, Think Like a Bank
Norma Cassius is a Money Management Consultant and Psychotherapist with 20+ years' experience in the financial Sector and 17+ years' as a qualified Psychotherapist in Harley Street, London.   Our finances and mindset are so intertwined that it makes perfect sense that Norma has combined her financial and psychotherapy expertise with her mission to help people manage both their money and their mindset.   Norma has successfully helped hundreds of people and delivered financial education talks to over 16,000 individuals in 2024 alone.   In this episode, Steph and Norma discuss:   πŸ’Έ Norma's background, including the influence of her Jamaican parents and raising three kids under the age of 6 while working part-time πŸ’Έ How Norma discovered her "ikigai" and now living her best life in her 60s πŸ’Έ The fundamentals of money management including financial language and basic terminologies πŸ’Έ The links between personal finances and your mental health πŸ’Έ How to take the leap into entrepreneurship financially πŸ’Έ How to use money as an empowering tool   Learn more about Norma Cassius here: https://www.normacassius.com/   -   Want more?   Follow Steph: 🀍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/ 🀍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/   🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos   πŸ™πŸΌ Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend!
EP18: 4 KIDS, 3 EXITS, 2K MEMBERS, ONE WOMAN | Emmie Faust, Female Founders Rise
Mar 6 2024
EP18: 4 KIDS, 3 EXITS, 2K MEMBERS, ONE WOMAN | Emmie Faust, Female Founders Rise
Access special perks on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   Emmie Faust is the 3X exited entrepreneur-turned-angel-investor, now Founder of Female Founders Rise - the supportive and inspiring resource for female founders to help them succeed with their businesses.   Emmie invests exclusively in female founders and her portfolio includes ONEWAYX, RunYourself, and Mamma Wellbeing among others, as well as her role with Ventures Together.   In this episode, Steph and Emmie discuss:   ✊ The impact of motherhood on self-confidence ✊  Female role models, including Emmie's first powerhouse boss! ✊ The power of mindset shifts in order to serve a more personally fulfilling mission ✊  How entrepreneurship can lead to financial freedom, and why women need to consider this path for empowerment ✊ Angel investing, including Emmie’s portfolio and what she looks for in a deal (hint: numerology features!!)   Learn more about Female Founders Rise here: https://femalefoundersrise.com/   -   Want more?   Follow Steph: 🀍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/ 🀍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/   🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos   πŸ™πŸΌ Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend!
EP17: My failed business made me a BETTER investor | Mona Tiesler, tokentus
Feb 28 2024
EP17: My failed business made me a BETTER investor | Mona Tiesler, tokentus
Access special perks on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   Mona Tiesler is an investor at tokentus, a leading VC firm in the German blockchain ecosystem, where she invests in startups that leverage blockchain technology globally.  She has several years of experience in venture capital, and has been involved in pre-seed to Series A deals across Europe, USA, UAE and Asia.   With a background in strategy consulting, venture building, and entrepreneurship, Mona has a passion for supporting innovators who are building the decentralized future of the internet. She has co-founded and led companies in Fintech, Edtech, and Foodtech, and has an MBA from INSEAD.    In this episode, Mona and Steph discuss: 🌐 How to re-invent yourself while navigating huge career changes 🌐 The mental reframe required when facing rejection (after rejection, after rejection... ) 🌐 Practical tips on learning the key skill *every* entrepreneur needs; SALES! 🌐 The importance of strategy and how each step helps the next 🌐 PLUS! What Mona looks for now as an investor   Mona is passionate about breaking down barriers to access - both for fundraising founders and equalising gender opportunities. In-line with her mission, Mona is a member of Global Women in VC, the world's largest community for women in venture capital to connect, collaborate, and create opportunities for each other. Discover more here: https://www.women-vc.com/   Mona is also the Co-Founder of Distributed Funding, a platform for underrepresented founders in the Web3 space to submit pitch decks and a short survey in just a few minutes. Learn more here: https://roomy-tailor-258.notion.site/Distributed-Funding-b49508c6d2484d62b3c0ca1ab286a132   Fundraising? Learn more about what tokentus looks for in their investments here: https://tokentus.com/targets   Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, rate, review, and share it with a friend!   Want more?   Follow Steph: 🀍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/ 🀍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/   🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos   πŸ™πŸΌ Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517
EP16: We were HOURS away from a $30M deal collapse | Nick Telson-Sillett, exited DesignMyNight, now Co-Founder of Trumpet
Feb 21 2024
EP16: We were HOURS away from a $30M deal collapse | Nick Telson-Sillett, exited DesignMyNight, now Co-Founder of Trumpet
Access special perks on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   Nick Telson-Sillett is the exited Co-Founder of DesignMyNight (acquired for $30M) and now Co-Founder of Trumpet, a buyer enablement tool that enables sales teams to drive revenue.   In this episode, Steph and Nick discuss: 🎺  Founder journey from leaving the day job to growing a $30m biz 🎺  Exactly when and why he raised external funding (plus comparisons between VCs vs angels vs bootstrapping) 🎺  The importance of your first 10 hires as you grow 🎺  What worked for DesignMyNight 10+ yrs ago vs now (hint: it's free!) 🎺  How to exit - practical financial tips and the metrics to focus on 🎺  What Nick now looks for as an angel investor (via Horseplay Ventures) 🎺  How building in public has helped his personal brand (and how to encourage team members to do the same!) 🎺  The trendy new term in sales, "buyer enablement"   Learn more about Trumpet's digital sales rooms here: https://www.sendtrumpet.com/     Follow Steph: 🀍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/ 🀍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/     🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos πŸ™πŸΌ Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517     🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend!
EP15: Scott Galloway called me a LOSER | Kristin Cardwell, Sourcerie
Feb 14 2024
EP15: Scott Galloway called me a LOSER | Kristin Cardwell, Sourcerie
Access special perks on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   Kristin Cardwell is the Co-Founder & CEO of Sourcerie, the world’s first community-powered intelligence engine. She and her team managed to raise Β£1.8m in pre-seed funding during one of the toughest times ever, but it was not without its trials & tribulations! (Tune in for all the tea β˜•πŸ˜)   As a fierce feminist too, Kristin is also a co-founder of Alma Angels (https://www.alma-angels.com/), and advisor to Women for Women International (https://womenforwomen.org.uk/)   In this episode, you'll hear all about:   🎒 The transition from corporate to startup πŸ‘―β€β™‚οΈ How Kristin met her Co-Founder, and how they cultivate a successful working relationship 😩 The trials & tribulations of pre-seed funding during a touch macroeconomic environment πŸŽ“ The benefits of a top education (Kristin studied at NYU Stern and her Co-Founder, Alex Beyer, is ex-Cambridge and MIT - okuurrrr) 😍 What it was like to be taught by Scott Galloway!   Learn more about Sourcerie here: https://sourcerie.co/   -   Follow Steph: 🀍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/ 🀍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/   -   🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos   -   πŸ™πŸΌ Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   -   🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend!
EP14: Meet the black rose in a concrete jungle | Andy Ayim MBE, Angel Investing School
Feb 7 2024
EP14: Meet the black rose in a concrete jungle | Andy Ayim MBE, Angel Investing School
Access special perks on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   Andy Ayim MBE is the Founder of Angel Investing School which has trained 500+ angels who have invested $5M globally - including the Black Angel Group spun out of Google's Black Network which has invested over $3.5M in 30+ startups.   Andy has personally invested in 17 startups, including Farmlend, Patch and Unplugged, with 70% of his angel investment portfolio led by diverse founders.   In this episode, Steph and Andy discuss:   πŸ‘Ό The importance of relationship-building in a "humanistic" approach to investing πŸ‘Ό The education gap that Andy and his team are plugging with Angel Investing School πŸ‘Ό Red flags to watch out for while doing your due diligence (both as a fundraising founder and as an investor looking to make a deal) πŸ‘Ό Impact and happiness beyond the buzzwords. (Hint: embrace your authentic self and do good in the world)  πŸ‘Ό The concept of β€œsecond mountains” - and how the loss of Andy’s dad played a part in his self-development πŸ‘Ό Optimising our limited time with pressure-free habits (leaning into what feels right and embracing the ebbs & flows with heart) πŸ‘Ό On getting an MBE and the assumed credibility to build a trustworthy position - especially for someone educating financial literacy   Learn more about Angel Investing School here: https://angelinvestingschool.com/   -   Follow Steph: 🀍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/ 🀍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/   -   🎬 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos   -   πŸ™πŸΌ Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   -   🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend!
EP12: Our exit collapsed at the last moment | Tom Adeyoola, investor, advisor, ex-Founder of Metail
Jan 24 2024
EP12: Our exit collapsed at the last moment | Tom Adeyoola, investor, advisor, ex-Founder of Metail
Access special perks by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   Tom Adeyoola is the exited founder of Metail, the leading virtual try-on platform, now advisor, investor and Co-Founder of Extend Ventures and Capital Angel Network.   In this episode, Steph and Tom discuss:   πŸŽ™ Tom's journey leading up to Metail, and how he secured investment (including "Β£10k from a random guy at the top of the gherkin" LOL 🀣 ) πŸŽ™ His exit story and big lessons learnt along the way - including a huge deal collapse right near the end 😫  πŸŽ™ Tom's grieving process and appreciation for health now πŸ™  πŸŽ™ How he's promoting diversity in investment and what he looks for now as an investor πŸ€‘  πŸŽ™ The importance of TIMING! ⏰    PLUS! What Tom has in common with TV celeb Richard Ayoade πŸ˜‚    Hope you enjoy listening to this episode and that you can take away a nugget of wisdom from Tom Adeyoola's story that helps you in your own entrepreneurial endeavour. If you liked this one, please rate & review the show! (Oh, and don't forget to subscribe to weekly episodes of course! πŸ˜‰)   -   Download the latest report from Extend Ventures on Diversity Beyond Gender (UK 2023), here: https://www.extend.vc/reports   -   Thanks to our supporters at 50Pros.com, the no-noise platform where you can find highly-vetted partners in the creative industries. Learn more here: https://www.50pros.com/   -   Follow Steph on social for more updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/   Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cCqckngoEeE   Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517
EP10: I started my first business when I was THIRTEEN! Geoff Wright, Tembo
Jan 10 2024
EP10: I started my first business when I was THIRTEEN! Geoff Wright, Tembo
Access perks and support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   Geoff Wright is the CTO of Tembo, the only place in the UK where you can go to get a complete picture of your property purchasing power.   His path leading up to this position was anything but ordinary. Entrepreneurial as a kid, Geoff forged his own, alternative path. Instead of doing the usual by completing his studies, going to uni, and getting a job, Geoff realised he could make money doing what he loved...   Of course, there were lots of lessons along the way - the kind you DON'T get taught at school!   Ultimately, what Geoff has developed a deep appreciation for - across his various ventures and positions in eventual employment - is THE PROBLEM.   The bigger the problem, the more your customers will want it. The more painful the problem, the more they'll pay for it. And the more they'll forgive you flaws. (Particularly helpful in the early days when the tech is somewhat lacklustre!)   Tune into Geoff's fascinating story to hear how he went from schoolboy dropout to seasoned entrepreneur and now C-suite at a fast-scaling proptech.   -   Discover more about Tembo, the online digital mortgage broker focused on helping first-time buyers, movers & remortgagers overcome the affordability gap: https://www.tembomoney.com/   -   Follow Steph: Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephmelodia/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/   Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos   Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517
EP09: My tech team let me DOWN | Tanya Saha Gupta, Resale Future
Dec 20 2023
EP09: My tech team let me DOWN | Tanya Saha Gupta, Resale Future
Access special perks by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517   Tanya Saha Gupta is the Founder & CEO of Resale Future, a fashtech SaaS product that enables fashion brands to add a P2P resale platform to their e-commerce store.   (Shoppers can easily resell their garments; the retailers get a cut where it would otherwise be sold on Depop, Vestiaire Collective, Vinted or eBay, and; it encourages everyone to get involved in the circular economy - win win win!!)   In this episode, Steph and Tanya discuss: πŸ‘— The transition from cushty corporate life to uncertain entrepreneurship. (Hint: Tanya was pretty savvy about the steps she took); πŸ‘— The impact of fast fashion, how the circular economy can help, and what we can all do to minimise our carbon footprint; πŸ‘— The lessons learnt from Resale Future's early days, including a tech team that disappointed, and Tanya figuring things out the hard way.   Hope you enjoy listening to this special fashtech episode! Did you learn something new? Do you feel inspired by Tanya's story? Then hit the subscribe button to support the show and stay in the loop for new episodes published weekly πŸ˜‰   -   Are you a fashion brand keen to generate revenue from the circular economy AND reduce your carbon footprint? Discover more about Resale Future here: https://www.resalefuture.com/   -   Follow Steph: Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephmelodia/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/stephaniemelodia/   Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephmelodia/videos   Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=108229517