Founder in the Chair

What happens when the business you built to make money becomes the thing that costs you time with your child? In this episode of Founder in the Chair, host Veena Nayyar sits down with Shivani Thakur, founder of Elite Laser and Beauty, who started her business at 21 and has spent the last decade building it while raising her son as a single mum. Shivani went back to work two weeks after a caesarean...

At just 15 years old, Parm Elkington ran away from home. By 17, she had entered an arranged marriage - beginning a journey shaped by cultural expectations, conformity and the pressure to follow a path chosen for her. After almost 10 years of marriage, Parm made the difficult decision to walk away and rebuild her life on her own terms. In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Parm speaks openly abo...

In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena speaks with award-winning independent filmmaker Ajit Mann about turning pain into powerful South Asian stories. Ajit shares how he overcame financial struggles, career setbacks, the pandemic and the heartbreaking loss of his father before finally stopping waiting for permission and creating his own films. His latest short film, Dukh, confronts generat...

What if the way you parent isn’t coming from your own beliefs, but from patterns you inherited? In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena speaks with Su Pattni, founder of The Recoded Woman and a neuroscience coach with over 25 years of experience in personal development. After becoming a mother, Su began recognising the beliefs and behaviours she had unconsciously inherited from previous gen...

In this deeply personal episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena sits down with Navraj Dhesi - co-founder of Nekta Drinks and founder of No More Pretending. Navraj shares his journey from alcohol dependency and suicidal thoughts at the age of 29 to achieving 14 years of sobriety. He opens up about reaching rock bottom, the reality of recovery and the often-overlooked impact addiction has on the enti...

From completing paper rounds at 12 years old to building an award-winning seven-figure performance marketing agency, Rick Parmar’s journey proves that where you start does not determine where you finish. In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena speaks with the founder of Disturb Digital about growing up on a council estate in northwest London, how his early work experiences shaped his entrep...

Who would have thought that a simple roti could change someone’s life? In this episode of Founder in the Chair , Veena Nayyar sits down with Sophia Choudry , founder of Rotibox , to uncover the story behind a product that many people initially laughed at. Sophia shares the reality of spending four years developing her idea, pushing through doubt and rejection, and remaining committed to a vision t...

What happens when life forces you to stop, walk away, and truly listen to yourself? In this episode of Founder in the Chair , Veena Nayyar is joined by Sonali, founder of Lilac Rose Designs - a brand identity strategist who blends deep strategy with intuition, alignment, and self-trust. Sonali’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and learning how to trust herself again - not just in busine...

What makes a home feel calm, timeless, and truly personal? In this episode of Founder in the Chair , host Veena Nayyar sits down with London-based interior designer Shivli Marothia , founder of Shivli Marothia Interiors, to explore what thoughtful design really means beyond trends, Pinterest boards, and quick fixes. Shivli shares her journey into interior design after becoming a mother, why intent...

What if your home could think, adapt, and work around your life - not the other way around? In this episode of Founder in the Chair , host Veena Nayyar sits down with Mandy, founder of Akea Homes , to explore a journey that began over a decade ago in India and evolved into a bold vision for modern living in London. From commercial and residential real estate to smart automation, interior design, a...

What happens when you finally stop running from your feelings? In this powerful and moving conversation, Sukhvinder (“Suky”) Grewal opens up about his journey from emotional disconnection to self-awareness — and how becoming a counsellor helped him heal himself first. After 15 years in the civil service, a single counselling course changed the direction of his life. Today, he’s a qualified therapi...

From postnatal depression to national recognition - Sharifa Begum’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. After facing isolation, anxiety, and a loss of identity as a new mother, Sharifa found strength in connecting women, building confidence, and creating space for shared stories. That spark became the SHE Awards UK - a platform that now celebrates and uplifts thousands of women a...

What happens when a 15-year-old girl refuses to follow tradition and chooses her own destiny? Meet Neelam Challoner - multi-award-winning coach, author, and founder of Designer Life. A woman who walked away from expectation to build a life rooted in faith, purpose, and bold self-belief. Her journey is powerful, honest, and deeply empowering - a masterclass in courage, conviction, and reinvention....

What happens when a woman walks away from a secure career to follow her soul’s calling? After six years of infertility, IVF heartbreak, loss, and silence within her community, Hema found her purpose - helping others rise through the same pain. This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply healing. 🎧 Episode Highlights: How Hema transformed from dentist to fertility coach after her own IVF journey...

Most “transformations” fail because they start with food and workouts. Rowan starts with identity. After walking away from accounting, he spent over 20 years coaching at the intersection of mind, body, and life - helping women rebuild their boundaries, bandwidth, and belief so that change actually lasts. 🎧 Episode Highlights: The Meraki Method - 12 emotional pillars that create permanent transfor...

Aman Brar is the definition of real, raw and unstoppable. From raising three children to creating content that makes millions feel seen, she has built an empire on authenticity, chaos and culture - without ever compromising who she is. In this honest and vibrant conversation, Aman opens up about motherhood, Punjabi identity, online judgement, and what it truly takes to stay grounded while growing...

When you stand for something, you’ll be tested. In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, Imran Savas , founder of Tape UK , shares how he built one of the UK’s most values-driven business platforms — without investors, without shortcuts, and without compromising on purpose. From growing up on free school meals to becoming Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 , Imran’s journey is a story of faith, r...

When a parent heals, an entire generation transforms. In this deeply honest and heartfelt conversation, Aman Kaur shares how heartbreak led her to discover her purpose — helping parents heal their own wounds so their children can thrive. Through her work as The Mindful Parenting Coach , Aman guides families to move beyond reaction and toward connection, showing that the most powerful parenting sta...

After years of pushing herself to do it all, Deepa Bhatti hit burnout — physically, mentally, and emotionally. What followed was a journey of rediscovery that led her to build Alpha Camp UK , a space for women to reconnect with their bodies, rebuild confidence, and find strength through community. In this episode, Deepa opens up about the turning point that forced her to slow down, the lessons lea...

Born in Uganda and raised in the UK, Sonal Dave has lived a life defined by resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Diagnosed at birth with congenital hip dysplasia and living with hidden disabilities and chronic pain, she faced barriers at every stage — but refused to let them define her. After a successful career in the civil service, rising to Deputy Director, Sonal reinvented herself at the age...

From running around her parents’ factory as a child to helping lead the second generation of her family business, Joti Reehal’s story has come full circle. What started with a career in IT — cut short by arthritis and chronic pain — became the spark that led her back to fabrics, furnishings, and the world she grew up in. For the last 22 years, Joti has worked in her family’s manufacturing business...

Growing up in 1970s Britain, Thushara Collins and her family faced racism and even physical attacks simply for being different. Those challenges built her resilience and independence — qualities that would carry her through motherhood, study, and a remarkable legal career. From taking her law exams just six weeks after a C-section, to building an award-winning law firm while navigating an abusive...

✨ What if the struggles you face today aren’t random — but patterns carried from past lives? In this episode of Founder in the Chair , Veena sits down with Gautami , an astrologer, numerologist, and past life regression therapist, to explore how karma, energy, and soul lessons shape our life path. From Bollywood beginnings to guiding people through their karmic cycles, Gautami’s story is one of d...

From redundancy to resilience , Kaneez Nabijee’s story is one of transformation and purpose. After leaving a 13-year career in finance, Kaneez took a leap into the unknown — building Dr. Expat , a medical recruitment and licensing consultancy that’s now a trusted name across the UAE and GCC. In this conversation with host Veena Nayyar , Kaneez opens up about: How her brother’s struggle with Dubai’...

From just two sarees to a thriving fashion and community brand — this is the inspiring story of Sana, the founder of Mona Lisa Sarees and the force behind the Mona Lisa Pop-Up Shops . At just 19, Sana moved to the UK with no business experience. What started as a search for the perfect outfit for her daughter’s first birthday has grown into a legacy brand redefining South Asian fashion and creatin...