Afleveringen
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Is cryptocurrency just speculation… or is it one of the most important financial innovations of our time?
In this episode of Kasa Connect, Prashanth Irudayaraj , entrepreneur, author, and former Tesla engineer ,breaks down the evolution of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, and what they actually mean for society.
We explore:
• The biggest misconceptions about crypto
• Why crypto isn’t just about getting rich
• Real-world impact in Haiti and Ecuador
• The intersection of AI and blockchain
• Environmental challenges of innovation
• Whether banks should be worried
• Why education must shift toward problem-solving
Prashanth shares why he’s moved away from hype and toward practical problem-solving — encouraging people to understand technology before investing in it.
This episode is for anyone curious about crypto, AI, and the future of money — without the noise.
[00:00] Crypto Misconceptions
[00:01:00] Trust in Money
[00:02:27] Haiti Case Study
[00:06:09] Why Crypto Was Created
[00:09:11] Advice for Beginners
[00:11:33] Bitcoin’s Future
[00:13:29] Brave New Crypto
[00:16:46] AI & Job Disruption
[00:19:02] Beyond Speculation
[00:20:17] Ecuador Story
[00:23:36] AI + Blockchain
[00:26:22] Environmental Concerns
[00:29:13] Education & Problem Solving
[00:32:42] Startup Advice
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What happens when you get engaged at 19… launch a startup… and then have to shut it down?
In this episode of Kasa Connect, Simran Aggarwal Tangri shares her honest journey from early engagement and societal judgment to building her first business, Uninterrupted — and ultimately making the difficult decision to close it.
She opens up about:
• The emotional toll of shutting down a startup
• Separating business failure from personal worth
• Why co-founders matter more than you think
• The power of personal branding
• Building Before The Party (BTP) with family
• Why slow, organic growth beats hustle culture
Simran speaks candidly about resilience, community, discipline, and learning the hard way. This episode is a must-watch for aspiring founders, especially those navigating pressure, partnership, and reinvention.
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In this episode of Kasa Connect, guest host Noor sits down with Malak Aldean, a comedy producer and freelance journalist whose work spans BAFTA-winning shows, BBC, Channel 4, and her Substack Conversations on Comedy.
Malak shares her unconventional journey into television, from children’s TV and Blue Peter to scripted comedy, as well as the real barriers creatives face when trying to break into the industry. She speaks candidly about gatekeeping, unpaid labour, industry snobbery, and the realities of freelance life, especially for those without traditional access or connections.
The conversation also explores:
Why most TV jobs are never advertised
Scripted vs non-scripted TV (and why moving between them is so hard)
Comedy as a tool for cultural storytelling
Representation, tokenism, and who really gets to decide what gets made
Malak’s ambition to champion Arabic-language comedy and emerging talent
(00:00) Industry gatekeeping & interview stories
(00:00) Podcast introduction
(00:02) Family background & influences
(00:04) Choosing TV & film
(00:06) Barriers to entry
(00:07) First roles & internships
(00:08) Landing Blue Peter
(00:10) Development & scriptwriting
(00:11) Freelance work & contracts
(00:12) Script reading & scripted TV
(00:13) COVID disruption
(00:14) Breaking into comedy
(00:15) Scripted vs non-scripted divide
(00:17) Networking & comedy focus
(00:18) How TV jobs are found
(00:19) Tiger Aspect & producing
(00:19) Why comedy
(00:22) Quick-fire questions
(00:26) Egyptian representation
(00:27) Arabic-language comedy ambitions
(00:29) Career goals
(00:31) Advice for producers
(00:34) Advice for writers
(00:37) How projects get made
(00:39) Diversity & bias
(00:40) Industry stories
(00:43) Support resources
(00:45) Authenticity & patience
(00:47) Tokenism & schemes
(00:50) Where to find Malak
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We sit down with Hasan Kubba — bestselling co-author of The Unfair Advantage — to unpack what really drives success in business, creativity, and life.
Hasan shares the behind-the-scenes story of landing a major book deal, going viral during the pandemic, and building a global audience with his co-author Ash. He breaks down the powerful MILES framework (Money, Intelligence, Location/Luck, Education, Status) and explains how to identify your own unique advantages — even the ones you might be overlooking.
We explore:
The role of luck vs hard work
How to turn disadvantages into leverage
The truth about traditional vs self-publishing
Why storytelling is a superpower
How to build long-term success without burning out
A must-listen for founders, creators, writers, and anyone trying to understand what really moves the needle.
(00:00) Securing a Book Deal & Early Virality
(00:01) Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing
(00:03) Pandemic, Ali Abdaal & Explosive Growth
(00:06) Meeting Co-Author Ash
(00:09) The MILES Framework Explained
(00:11) Turning Disadvantages into Advantages
(00:14) Philosophy, Fate & Hard Work
(00:17) How to Find Your Own Unfair Advantage
(00:19) Passion vs Market Demand
(00:21) Rapid Fire: Habits, Books & Lessons
(00:23) Health as a Hidden Advantage
(00:25) Writing With a Co-Author
(00:26) Ghostwriting & Legacy Projects
(00:28) Using Power Ethically
(00:30) Unfair Advantages in the Age of AI
(00:32) Creating Your Own Luck
(00:35) Consistency Over Time
(00:36) Publishing Economics
(00:40) Storytelling in Non-Fiction
(00:42) Who Actually Reads Books
(00:44) Best Advice Not Taken
(00:46) Final Reflections
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In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Sindre Kaupang, founder of Procubate, to explore why traditional growth tactics are failing modern businesses — and what actually works instead.
Sindre shares his unconventional journey from acting, music, and comedy into entrepreneurship, unpacking the lessons he learned from failed ventures, creative experimentation, and building businesses rooted in human connection, communication, and storytelling.
We talk about running an online incubator, the dangers of spreading yourself too thin, why quality beats quantity in content, and how focusing on one project at a time can unlock sustainable growth. This conversation is packed with practical insights for founders, creatives, and anyone navigating a non-linear career path.
🎧 Topics include:
Why traditional marketing no longer cuts through
Turning creative skills into business leverage
The power of storytelling in growth and networking
Managing multiple projects without burning out
How to stand out without copying what everyone else is doing
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In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Auws Al-Gaboury, Creative Strategist and founder of Hyper Film, to unpack what it really takes to build a successful creative business in today’s fast-changing industry.
Auws shares his journey through video production and advertising — from early setbacks and emotional lows to landing major global clients like Nike, Adidas, and the BBC. He breaks down why trust, in-person relationships, and genuine human connection still matter more than algorithms, even in an AI-driven world.
We dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, the myths around overnight success, and why most people aren’t cut out for business ownership. Auws also explains how advertising is evolving, why content and founder-led marketing are winning, and how creatives can build authority through authentic personal branding.
This conversation is packed with practical advice for filmmakers, creatives, founders, and anyone navigating a competitive market — covering resilience, adaptability, mentorship, and staying relevant without losing yourself.
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In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Amos Eretusi, founder of The Kusp, a UK-based social enterprise dedicated to improving access for underrepresented talent across the creative industries — including film, TV, fashion, media, and beyond.
Amos shares his powerful journey from studying civil engineering to becoming a driving force for change in the creative sector. He opens up about the barriers minority creatives face, the importance of authentic networks, and his personal experiences navigating corporate spaces where representation was lacking.
We explore his mission to build real opportunities — not just token gestures — through The Kusp’s community, events, and his newly launched platform The Kusp Hub, designed to transform creative hiring through education, fair recruitment, and accessible training.
This episode dives deep into themes of purpose, resilience, identity, and the value of impact over material success. Whether you’re a creative, an industry professional, or someone passionate about empowerment and representation, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about the future of the creative world.
(00:00) Authentic networking & helping others
(00:35) Introducing Amos Eretusi
(00:57) Nigerian roots & upbringing
(02:07) The Kusp’s mission
(02:54) From engineering to creative empowerment
(03:53) Industry barriers & challenges
(04:45) The Kusp’s unique approach
(05:42) Introversion in creative spaces
(05:55) Meaning of “The Kusp”
(06:47) Feeling like a “box-ticker”
(08:07) Entrepreneurship doubts & resilience
(09:23) Building strong relationships
(10:32) Sky Arts success story
(13:20) Why representation is slow
(15:42) Diversity behind the camera
(17:08) Performative diversity post-George Floyd
(18:24) Racism & backsliding
(19:38) Being labelled performative
(21:39) What makes a great connector
(22:26) Advice for underrepresented talent
(24:17) Fighting the urge to quit
(24:53) Rapid fire
(26:11) Mission over materialism
(27:25) Money, values & contentment
(29:00) Introducing The Kusp Hub
(31:59) Accessible training & social impact
(33:34) Favourite drinks
(33:54) How to support The Kusp
(35:22) Hobbies & interests
(36:02) Advice he regrets not taking
(37:01) Closing thoughts
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In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit with Zane Thadani — actor, comedian, and creator known for his viral Instagram and TikTok sketches that have taken the UK South Asian community by storm.
Zane opens up about the real journey behind virality: the emotional rush of going viral, the mental crash of creative slumps, and the pressure of constantly needing to “hit” again. He shares the story of dancing to “Chaiyya Chaiyya” on the London tube, how that moment helped him overcome social anxiety, and why embarrassment became his greatest tool for confidence.
We dive deep into mental health, consistency, originality, hate comments, family reactions, networking, confidence, acting, filmmaking, and why creators often lose themselves while chasing virality. Zane also reflects on cultural identity, British-Indian representation, and his ambitions beyond short-form content.
If you’re a creator — or just fascinated by the psychology behind fame — this conversation is honest, funny, and packed with practical insights from someone who has lived the highs and lows of modern content creation.
(00:00) First viral moment & early nerves
(00:31) Intro to Zane Thadani
(01:23) Recognition in the South Asian community
(01:44) How his viral journey started
(02:44) The emotional high of virality
(03:52) How creators make money
(04:35) Creative slumps & mental health
(05:29) Why Zane creates
(06:10) Tube dance changed everything
(07:42) Embarrassment → confidence
(08:30) Tips for going viral today
(10:08) Gen Z attention spans
(10:32) Originality vs adaptation
(11:20) Hate comments & family responses
(12:18) Ambition & identity
(12:55) Networking & privilege
(14:47) Insecurity & reinvention
(17:25) Advice for new creators
(18:30) Consistency vs quality
(19:21) Rapid fire
(21:17) Misconceptions about content creation
(21:57) Emotional rollercoaster of engagement
(22:24) Perks of fame
(22:57) Filmmaking journey
(23:47) Film school vs doing
(24:23) Favourite films
(26:17) Theatre experiences
(28:34) Acting inspirations
(29:27) Acting vs content
(30:19) Family feedback
(31:13) Advice to younger self
(32:05) Authenticity vs persona
(32:35) Cultural identity
(33:09) Expanding beyond niche
(34:16) Dream brand collabs
(35:14) Networking superpower
(36:39) Connecting with Zane
(37:20) Final advice: consistency
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In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Jessica Lindfield—entrepreneur, author of Play the Game, and founder of the women’s community Embrace Her.
Jess shares her journey from working in insurance in Australia to moving across the world and restarting her career in the UK. Today, she leads commercial enablement at the Financial Times, builds ambitious teams, and supports women through her book and her community platform.
We talk about confidence, rejection, leadership, burnout, career reinvention, and building your own opportunities rather than waiting for them. Jess breaks down the practical lessons behind Play the Game, discusses the DEAR Method, and opens up about the realities of finding your voice in male-dominated spaces.
Whether you’re navigating career transitions, building confidence, or redefining your professional identity, this episode is packed with actionable insights and honest reflections.
(00:00) Jess’s early career & being reserved(00:33) Intro to Jess & her journey
(01:42) Inspiration behind Play the Game
(02:01) Moving from Australia to the UK
(02:55) Building Embrace Her
(03:57) Why a book, not just social media
(04:54) How the book is structured
(05:24) Rejection, resilience & persistence
(07:14) Landing her first management role
(10:04) The DEAR Method
(11:07) Career strategy & the chess metaphor
(12:03) Her path to the Financial Times
(14:34) What FT’s culture is really like
(16:16) Community feedback & women’s challenges
(17:54) Building confidence through action
(20:50) Reinventing yourself abroad
(22:45) Leadership & revenue growth
(24:33) What makes a good leader
(29:10) Burnout & healthy boundaries
(32:03) Jess’s morning routine
(33:01) Supporting high-performing teams
(34:18) Coffee order + connecting with Jess
(36:35) Consistency over perfection – final advice
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Our first ever LIVE Kasa Connect episode!
Recorded at Kasa Café London, we hosted a special fireside chat and audience Q&A with Amardeep Parmar — founder of Bae HQ, host of one of the UK’s largest entrepreneurial communities, and author of the newly released book Startups For Outsiders.
In this live conversation, Amardeep shares:
• how “outsiders” — people without industry connections, wealth, or a traditional background — can still break into entrepreneurship
• the mindset shifts required to stand out in competitive industries
• real lessons from building Bae HQ and supporting thousands of founders
• honest reflections on purpose, confidence, imposter syndrome, and building community
• tactical advice for validation, networking, and taking your first steps as a founder
The episode finishes with an open audience Q&A, where attendees ask Amardeep raw, unfiltered questions about startups, fundraising, creativity, and navigating the early days of your founder journey.
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From PwC to AI entrepreneurship — Benjamin Oghene’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and purpose.
In this episode of Kasa Connect, Benjamin Oghene, Chief Executive of The Cozm, shares how a life-altering experience led him to build an AI company focused on reducing bias in global workforce deployment.
Benjamin opens up about his transition from corporate consulting to entrepreneurship, the mission behind The Cozm, and how his team is using data and automation to make talent mobility fairer and more efficient.
He also discusses AI ethics, diversity, and the changing future of work, offering practical lessons for founders, business leaders, and anyone interested in building technology with integrity and impact.
(00:00) Mistaken arrest sparks reflection on bias
(00:23) From PwC to launching The Cozm
(00:56) How a personal experience inspired an AI startup
(02:17) AI in recruitment & promoting diversity
(03:11) The Cozm’s mission to reduce global bias
(04:34) Founder challenges & daily discipline
(05:20) Redefining success beyond profit
(06:51) Automating admin work for better efficiency
(08:06) Early struggles with credibility
(08:54) Why “The Cozm” and what it represents
(09:18) Creativity, shower pad ideas & first principles
(11:21) The Optimism–Determinism Grid
(15:10) Early supporters & building belief
(16:10) Diversity’s role in preventing AI bias
(17:06) AI risks, regulation & awareness
(19:34) Company culture at The Cozm
(21:05) Focus vs curiosity in innovation
(22:57) Dopamine & distraction in modern learning
(25:20) Trends in global mobility & remote work
(26:55) Success story: Cisco & the Paris Olympics
(28:28) Convincing enterprises to adopt automation
(29:01) Favourite drinks & connecting with The Cozm
(29:54) The co-founder lesson
(30:30) Final thoughts & advice for listeners
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In this special episode, the tables turn as It’s Preeti Personal host Preeti interviews Krishana Agarwal, founder of Kasa Café & Kasa Connect, about her powerful journey from corporate burnout to entrepreneurship.
Krishana opens up about the emotional and practical realities of leaving a stable job, navigating loneliness, and learning to trust herself while building Kasa — a café and community hub in Fitzrovia, London, designed to bring together founders, creatives, and dreamers.
They discuss manifestation, representation, and the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen and supported. From almost selling the café to turning it into a thriving creative hub, this conversation explores what it really takes to build something meaningful from the ground up.
(00:00) Burnout & leaving corporate life
(00:33) Preeti introduces It’s Preeti Personal
(01:47) Shared experiences & South Asian representation
(02:20) Dreams of opening a café
(02:45) Krishana’s corporate path & Covid impact
(04:24) Manifestation & journaling her new vision
(06:13) Studying entrepreneurship at Imperial College
(07:58) Finding & transforming the Kasa Café location
(09:10) Family influence & early plans in India
(11:15) Barista training, licensing & renovations
(13:20) Team building & leadership lessons
(15:35) Gaining confidence as a solo founder
(17:04) The loneliness of entrepreneurship
(18:23) Early struggles & doubts post-launch
(20:31) Competition & emotional resilience
(22:58) Nearly selling the café
(24:34) Breakthrough: the event that changed everything
(25:15) Manifestation realised through Kasa events
(27:13) Community power & loyal customers
(28:27) Collaboration over competition
(29:43) Overcoming shyness & building confidence
(31:52) Creating Kasa Connect
(33:49) Growing the podcast into a platform
(34:10) Advice to her younger self
(36:14) Separating identity from business
(37:37) Building a home away from home
(38:03) Gratitude & closing thoughts
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From Mumbai’s slums to managing $50M ad campaigns at Google — Danish Bagadia’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless growth.
In this episode of Kasa Connect, Danish shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Mumbai to becoming a senior marketing executive at Google. He opens up about the company’s culture, the meaning of “Googliness,” and how data-driven decision-making shaped his leadership style.
Now based in Dubai as the founder of Sooper Labs, Danish helps businesses and professionals harness AI to scale and adapt in the digital era.
This episode dives into lessons on risk-taking, overcoming fear, transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship, and embracing the future of AI — all while staying true to your passions and values.
(00:00) Growing up in Mumbai & Journey to Google
(01:08) First Impressions of Google’s Culture
(03:20) Managing $50 Million in Ad Spend
(04:59) What “Googliness” Really Means
(08:29) Risk-Taking & Lessons from the Hiring Process
(09:33) Inside Google’s Leadership and Feedback Culture
(13:17) Handling Failure and Turning It Into Growth
(16:09) Making Family Proud: His Biggest Achievements
(18:01) Why He Left Google & Moved to Dubai
(20:35) Starting Over as an Entrepreneur
(22:04) AI Consulting & Promoting AI Literacy
(22:55) Why Danish Chose to Focus on AI
(23:54) The Irreplaceable Power of Human Imagination
(24:42) How to Use AI Effectively (Like an Intern)
(27:37) Favourite AI Tools & Building a Personal Stack
(29:12) Redefining Work-Life Balance After Corporate
(31:33) Coffee Chat & Personal Connections
(32:54) POP: Passion, Optimism, Perseverance
(34:00) Closing Thoughts & Key Takeaways
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In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Asti Wagner, CEO & Founder of Invyted 💌 and RMI 30 Under 30.
Asti shares her journey from being a food influencer at university to launching a tech startup that’s making influencer marketing simple, authentic, and scalable.
We cover:
The origins of Invyted and how a frustration as a creator sparked the idea.
How she scaled from early influencer sign-ups to brand partnerships.
Lessons in fundraising, team growth, and expanding into New York.
The future of influencer marketing, from authentic content to AI-powered creation.
Asti’s honest take on burnout, standing out as a founder, and why backing yourself matters.
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In this episode, Tegan Broomfield, founder of Evntful, joins Kasa Connect to talk about her mission to make dating safer, more meaningful, and genuinely enjoyable. After leaving her corporate career at PwC, Tegan founded Eventful — a new kind of dating app that focuses on real-life experiences rather than endless swiping and shallow conversations.
She opens up about her personal motivation for building Eventful, the challenges of being a female founder, and how the app’s safety features and community focus are reshaping modern dating culture.
We also discuss Gen Z’s loneliness epidemic, fundraising hurdles, and the power of shared experiences in creating authentic connections.
If you’ve ever felt burnt out by dating apps, this episode might just change your mind about what dating could look like.
(00:00) Dating App Frustrations & Safety Concerns
(01:03) Introducing Eventful: A New Approach to Dating
(01:42) How Eventful Differs from Other Apps
(02:22) The Decline of Real-Life Boldness
(02:58) How Dating Apps Profit from Keeping You Online
(04:01) What Inspired Tegan to Build Eventful
(04:32) Safety Features That Set Eventful Apart
(05:50) Partnering with Venues for Safety & Perks
(07:43) From PwC to Startup Founder
(08:41) Lessons Learned as a First-Time Founder
(09:40) How Eventful Matches People by Interests
(11:09) Dating App Stats & Gender Dynamics
(12:59) Reframing Dating Expectations
(13:56) Red Flag or Green Flag Game
(14:45) Early User Feedback & Event Highlights
(15:47) Media Exposure & Changing Dating Habits
(17:13) Why Activity-Based Dates Work Better
(18:17) Balancing Fun & Authenticity in Dating
(20:02) Fundraising & Challenges for Female Founders
(21:17) Building a Community Around Shared Interests
(22:27) Upcoming Features & Profile Sharing
(23:17) Making Dating Safe, Pressure-Free & Fun
(25:00) Finding Advisors & Networking for Growth
(26:47) Loneliness, Gen Z & Real Connection
(28:50) Expansion Plans & Listening to Feedback
(30:02) Coffee Preferences & Life Advice
(31:23) Slowing Down, Creativity & Final Thoughts
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Can AI empower people instead of replacing them?
In this episode, Mahdi Shariff — Co-founder of Humble AI and Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree — joins Kasa Connect to discuss how artificial intelligence can be made accessible, ethical, and truly human-centred. Mahdi shares his journey from corporate consulting to launching a startup that helps anyone — even without technical skills — build their own AI tools.
He opens up about:
Real examples of AI transforming education and business
Lessons from launching startups across Asia and Europe
The ethics and environmental impact of AI
Why rest, empathy, and generosity matter as much as code
Whether you’re a student, founder, or future innovator — this episode will reshape how you see AI’s role in creativity and collaboration.
(00:00) Introduction to AI Beyond ChatGPT
(00:37) Meet Mahdi Shariff: Founder of Humble AI
(01:00) Explaining Humble AI Using Lego
(01:27) Case Study: AI in Education
(02:12) AI in Venture Capital and Business
(02:32) Mahdi’s Journey into AI
(03:31) Startup Challenges and Market Timing
(04:26) Mahdi’s Daily AI Tools
(04:42) The Ethics of AI Misuse
(06:10) When AI Replaces Real Human Interaction
(07:22) Using AI as a Creative Medium
(08:28) Teaching AI at University
(09:09) How Mahdi Got Involved in Education
(10:10) Can AI Hurt Critical Thinking?
(10:44) Learning AI and Understanding Its Limits
(12:22) Common AI Myths
(14:00) Advice for Founders Using AI
(15:32) The Meaning Behind “Humble AI”
(17:43) Lessons from a Failed Startup
(19:01) Why the Market Wasn’t Ready
(20:31) Book & Podcast Recommendations
(22:02) Obsessive Work Habits and Growth
(23:13) Exciting New Projects at Humble AI
(24:30) The Process of Building AI Tools
(27:25) Reducing AI’s Environmental Impact
(29:46) Advice for Students and Professionals
(32:26) Tools for Learning AI
(33:00) Democratising AI Knowledge
(33:42) The Power of Connection and Giving Back
(35:54) How to Connect with Mahdi
(36:39) Coffee or Juice? Mahdi’s Preferences
(37:11) The Best Advice Mahdi Ignored
(38:41) Episode Wrap-Up
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Relationship and divorce coach Natasha joins Kasa Connect to share her journey and professional insights on love, dating, and modern relationships. She opens up about her own divorce, the stigma surrounding it, and how she turned her experience into a mission to help others build healthier connections.
We dive into tough topics—from dating apps, prenups, and conflict to balancing feminine and masculine energy, navigating cultural pressures, and why money conversations are non-negotiable before marriage.
Whether you’re single, dating, or married, Natasha’s unfiltered advice will challenge the way you think about love and inspire you to build stronger, more intentional relationships.
(00:00) Introduction and Natasha’s story
(01:07) How Natasha became a relationship coach
(03:05) Dating apps, self-sabotage & “the ick”
(06:21) Judgment on apps vs meeting people organically
(07:39) Manifestation & intentional dating
(09:59) Why couples should seek professional support
(11:19) Relationship trends: then vs now
(13:29) Top issues that break relationships: money, sex, conflict
(15:01) How to have difficult conversations before marriage
(17:31) Divorce stigma & compassion in coaching
(19:04) Solo parenting & Natasha’s biggest personal challenge
(20:29) Vulnerability & breaking the stigma of divorce
(22:15) Dating after divorce & being unapologetic
(24:36) Prenups & relationship “insurance”
(27:19) Monogamy as a social construct
(30:09) Polyamory, throuples & modern love models
(31:42) Red flags, instant gratification & social media impact
(35:09) Who should pay on the first date?
(39:13) Feminine vs masculine energy in business & love
(40:08) How to connect with Natasha
(41:03) Coffee, culture & personal quirks
(41:44) Natasha’s best advice: start investing
(43:02) Closing thoughts & wrap-up
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We sit down with Kiara Rao, the 22-year-old co-founder of Trove Jewelry. What started as a pandemic hobby inspired by her grandmother has grown into a thriving brand with collaborations from ASOS and Nike.
Kiara opens up about balancing university, internships, and running a business, while sharing the real challenges of burnout, time management, and staying authentic. From nearly giving up to receiving the game-changing ASOS email, Kiara’s story is a raw and inspiring look at what it really takes to build a creative, community-driven brand.
Whether you’re a student, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about how small ideas can turn into big opportunities, this conversation will give you both inspiration and actionable takeaways.
(00:00) Big Brand Breakthroughs: Landing ASOS & Nike
(00:35) Introduction & guest overview
(01:02) First workshop at Casa Café
(02:07) Starting jewelry making during COVID
(03:00) Trove’s evolving business model
(04:02) From workshops to brand collaborations
(05:05) How the ASOS & Nike deals happened
(06:08) Pricing & valuing their work
(07:08) Building a mission-driven brand
(07:51) Meeting co-founder Amber
(09:43) Balancing co-founder roles
(10:39) Time management challenges
(11:06) A day in Kiara’s life
(11:48) Burnout & support systems
(12:34) The ASOS turning point
(14:19) Trove’s future plans
(15:26) Volunteering in Nepal
(16:36) Engineering studies meet jewelry making
(17:16) Facing age bias as a founder
(18:24) Staying authentic in business
(19:08) Balancing university & Trove
(20:25) Identity tied to business
(21:13) Building a brand beyond the founders
(22:13) Lessons from a VC internship
(22:59) The meaning of ‘Trove’
(24:00) Building community online & offline
(25:52) Social media & mental health
(27:08) Sticking to brand values
(27:45) Community-driven product ideas
(28:28) Keeping products accessible
(29:02) Connecting with Trove
(29:47) Favorite drink & best advice
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In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Joe Seddon, founder & CEO of Zero Gravity. From a single-parent household in West Yorkshire to studying at Oxford University, Joe shares how he turned £200 of his student loan into a mission-driven tech startup that has supported over 15,000 students and deployed £2.3M in scholarships.
Joe opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, self-teaching coding, and building Zero Gravity from his bedroom into a company backed by £6.5M in investment. We dive into the challenges of fundraising, leadership, and scaling a startup while staying true to your values.
If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, education, or social mobility, Joe’s story is packed with practical advice and inspiration.
(00:00) The impact of Zero Gravity & Joe’s motivation
(00:38) Joe’s background: West Yorkshire to Oxford
(00:59) How Joe got into Oxford & GCSE turning point
(03:10) Choosing PPE & battling imposter syndrome
(05:11) Founding Zero Gravity: the idea spark
(08:10) Teaching himself to code & building MVP
(09:20) Bootstrapping with £200 & early traction
(11:16) Finding first users & growth hacking
(13:42) Key insights: confidence & community
(15:11) Biggest challenges & PR breakthrough
(18:08) Leadership lessons & company culture
(20:52) Personal motivation & redefining success
(22:59) Metrics that matter: acquisition & retention
(26:06) Real impact stories from Zero Gravity students
(27:09) Social mobility & systemic change
(28:43) Oxford’s influence & elite networks
(32:00) Quickfire: coffee habits & northern roots
(32:34) Connecting with Joe & giving back
(33:40) The first investor who believed in Joe
(34:46) Advice regrets & leadership lessons
(36:28) Closing thoughts & thank you
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In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Erika Tamayo, co-founder and CEO of Hermosa Protein, the brand powering Barry’s Bootcamp and fitness studios across the UK.
From selling hot dogs in Colombia to creating one of the most trusted protein brands in wellness, Erika shares her remarkable journey of resilience, family, and entrepreneurship. She opens up about overcoming adversity, launching Hermosa with her husband, and building a brand rooted in storytelling, values, and authenticity.
We dive into the realities of fundraising, scaling in the competitive protein market, and balancing motherhood with business growth. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn setbacks into strength and build a brand with heart, this episode is for you.
(00:00) Erika’s early struggles and mindset
(00:39) Podcast introduction & guest welcome
(01:17) How Erika and the host first met
(01:57) Erika’s entrepreneurial childhood in Colombia
(04:36) School life & early initiatives
(05:43) Transition to adulthood & business mindset
(06:04) Marketing at Barry’s UK & motherhood balance
(06:35) Becoming a full-time mom & launching Hermosa
(08:21) Hermosa’s growth & UK expansion
(08:53) What makes Hermosa unique
(09:25) Protein intake explained & nutrition advice
(11:40) Product design philosophy
(12:29) Biggest challenges in the protein industry
(13:35) Vision & future plans for Hermosa
(14:40) Erika’s fitness journey
(15:07) Working with her husband Sandy
(17:17) Personal growth & relationships
(20:22) The “meet cute” story with Sandy
(33:49) Advice for her son & aspiring entrepreneurs
(34:54) Planning vs. impulsiveness in business
(35:24) Maintaining a positive mindset
(36:32) Hermosa’s international expansion
(37:04) Product vs. founder story in marketing
(39:12) Raising investment & funding lessons
(41:05) Resilience & achievements at Barry’s
(43:24) Confidence, imposter syndrome & storytelling
(45:39) Coffee preferences & Hermosa Frappuccinos
(46:23) Life philosophy & advice she regrets not taking
(48:06) Happiness, smiling & wellbeing
(49:58) How to connect with Erika
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