Immigrants Building Companies

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Farah Kabir, co-founder of HANX, to talk candidly about sex education, cultural identity, and building a trailblazing business in a taboo space. From growing up as one of the few brown faces in York to climbing the corporate ladder at Goldman Sachs, Farah shares her journey of discovery, rebellion, and resilience. She opens up about starting HANX, a femal...

In this conversation, the speakers discuss the inadequacies of sex education in the UK, the complexities of cultural identity, and the challenges of navigating career choices influenced by parental expectations. They also explore the journey into entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of breaking societal taboos surrounding women's health and sexual wellness. In this conversation, Farah...

This conversation dives into the emotional and practical realities of starting and eventually exiting a business, through the lens of entrepreneur Shabbir. From leaving a corporate career to founding a successful food delivery platform, Shabbir shares what it really takes to build something from the ground up. The discussion explores cultural parallels between India and the UK, generational shifts...

In this conversation, Varun shares his journey from being born to immigrant parents in the UK to becoming an entrepreneur in the tech industry. He discusses the evolution of diversity and inclusion in the UK, the generational shifts in career aspirations, and the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship. Varun reflects on his transition from a law career to the tech sector, the challenges of n...

This conversation explores the immigrant journey of Rudy, who moved to the UK from India in 2019. He shares his experiences navigating challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of community support, and the cultural identity that shaped his entrepreneurial aspirations. Rudy discusses the birth of his food business, Abjak, and the challenges faced in the food industry, emphasising the...

In this episode, Asim sits down with Asad to uncover his journey from an immigrant upbringing to building a thriving business in tech and sustainability. They dive into the power of community, the relentless drive behind success, and the urgent mission to combat electronic waste through smarter, more sustainable tech solutions. Asad reveals how designing products for longevity, rethinking the tech...

In this insightful conversation, Asim and Amardeep explore the immigrant experience, cultural identity, and the power of empathy in connecting across diverse backgrounds. They share their personal journeys, reflecting on the challenges of transitioning from traditional career paths to writing, content creation, and entrepreneurship. The discussion highlights the importance of authenticity in build...

In this conversation, Faris shares his unique perspective on the immigrant experience, cultural identity, and the role of emotional intelligence in leadership. He reflects on his family's journey from Palestine to the UK, the challenges of cultural integration, and the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Faris also discusses his transition from consulting to buildin...

In this episode, Sanjay Lobo MBE shares his family's immigrant journey from East Africa to the UK and the challenges of cultural identity and social class. He reflects on his career shift from law to entrepreneurship, the role of hard work vs. luck, and the realities of building a social impact startup. As the founder of OnHand, he discusses the evolution of funding, revenue models, and behavi...

In this episode of the Immigrants Building Companies, Nok Orison shares his journey from being a passionate content creator in Iceland to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the UK. He discusses the evolution of influencer culture in Iceland, the challenges of transitioning to a new market, and the importance of personal branding. Nok emphasises the psychological aspects of content creation, the...

In this episode of the Immigrants Building Companies Pod, Emile shares her remarkable journey from Lithuania to the US and finally to the UK. Emile reflects on her experiences in education, including her time at Harvard, where she highlights the importance of need-blind admissions and the opportunities they create for underrepresented talent. She discusses her passion for driving innovation in men...

In this episode of Immigrants Building Companies, Scott McKenna shares his entrepreneurial journey from South Africa to the UK, detailing his early aspirations in hospitality, the influence of his family, and the various businesses he has launched. He discusses the importance of luck, risk, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures in his ventures. Scott emphasises the significance...

In this episode of the Immigrant Founders Pod, Lara Costa shares her inspiring journey from Mexico to the UK, her experiences with personal branding on LinkedIn, and how her fitness journey has shaped her confidence and discipline in business. Lara discusses the challenges of adapting to a new culture, the impact of education on her mindset, and the importance of finding a sense of belonging. She...

What happens when life forces you to pivot? When failure knocks you down, but you refuse to stay there? In this episode of the Immigrants Founders Pod, Michael Houghton takes us from his childhood in Johannesburg, South Africa, to building two businesses in the UK – with AI and security at the core. From the challenges of a fractured home, boarding school in rural South Africa, and arriving alone...

In this episode, Sam shares her remarkable journey from Johannesburg to London, blending her background in behavioural economics with her passion for financial literacy. Now the co-founder of Belong, a wealth-building fintech platform, Sam reveals how her experiences as an immigrant and economist shaped her mission to help young professionals invest and build sustainable wealth. We dive into topic...

In this conversation, Greg shares his journey from South Africa to the UK, detailing the founding of Rafiki, a platform aimed at managing freelance projects and connecting African talent with international opportunities. He discusses the challenges of navigating cultural differences, the impact of imposter syndrome and anxiety on his entrepreneurial journey, and the importance of mental health awa...

What does it take to break barriers as an immigrant entrepreneur? In this episode, Asim sits down with Jas, founder of Luna, a groundbreaking digital health platform for young girls. Growing up straddling two cultures, Jas felt the constant tug between embracing her individuality and fitting into traditional norms. Driven to empower others like her, she built Luna to encourage every girl to own he...

Imagine leaving behind everything you know, your family, friends, and culture, to chase a dream in a new country. No connections, no support system, just you and your ambition. In this powerful episode, we dive into the story of Varun, founder of Let’s Level Up, who left India for the UK and discovered that the entrepreneurial journey can be incredibly lonely - especially as an immigrant. Varun fa...

This week on Immigrant Founders, we bring you the raw and inspiring story of Wole Adesemoye, a man who battled against the odds, rising from a life of self-doubt and uncertainty to become a fitness coach changing lives across the globe. Wole’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Born into humble beginnings and facing the isolating struggles of being an immigrant, he was haunted by a fear of fa...

In this episode of The Immigrant Founders Pod, we sit down with Elisabetta Torretti, Founder & CEO of Mint & Lemon, to explore her remarkable journey as an immigrant entrepreneur who defied the odds. Elisabetta shares how moving to the UK, not knowing the language, and navigating the challenges of building a life in a new country sparked her resilience and entrepreneurial drive. She opens...

In this episode of The Immigrant Founders Pod, Elisabetta Torretti, Founder & CEO of Mint & Lemon, shares her journey as an immigrant entrepreneur. From moving to the UK without knowing the language to overcoming personal struggles, Elisabetta’s story is one of resilience, mental health advocacy, and building diverse teams. Tune in for an inspiring tale of turning challenges into strength.