21 February 2024
Episode 637
31 minutes
Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, explores Hong Kong’s role in manufacturing with the CEO of Smoothlink, a textile and garment factory that partners with some of the world’s most innovative apparel labels – and puts branding at the heart of its operations.
21 February 2024
Share episode
DownloadWant more radio episodes like these in your inbox?
Sign up to Monocle’s email newsletters to stay on top of news and opinion, plus the latest from the magazine, radio, film and shop.
The Entrepreneurs - latest episodes
How slowing down can enhance experiences
We meet the co-founder of European Sleeper, a railway company reviving night trains and connecting great cities across the continent. And to ensure we’re travelling in style, we’ll hear from the founder of Tom Àdam, a…
Eureka 416: How paddleboarding on the Ganges led to founding a greentech company
Shilpika Gautam talks about her journey from the trading floor to environmental work. She discusses how a transformative – and record-breaking – experience paddleboarding the Ganges catalysed the founding of Opna, a gree…
How to open a boutique hotel and creative space in historic Havana
Hear insights from two leaders driving cultural change through the power of music. Monocle’s Tomos Lewis heads to Havana’s Cayo Hueso district to meet a Grammy-winning resident of the Cuban capital who restored a grand…
Eureka 415: Sarah Bell on the smell of success in luxury home fragrance
We meet Sarah Bell, founder of Evermore London, a luxury-candle and home-fragrance brand made from sustainable ingredients, nature-inspired scents and fine UK craftsmanship.
Luca Faloni reflects on a decade of his eponymous brand
We explore how heritage and a commitment to artisanal quality builds enduring brands with the founders of two eponymous luxury labels. Luca Faloni reflects on a decade of elevating Italian menswear and Oyuna Tserendorj…
Eureka 414: How do you reach a eureka moment?
We meet the creator of ‘The Future Flip Book’, a creativity tool designed to spark millions of innovative ideas by allowing users to create combinations that align with their unique goals.
Scaling new heights from shopfronts to supply chains
We discuss growth strategies from Sweden to South Africa as we meet the CEO of Peak Performance to hear about the importance of bricks-and-mortar retail for building communities. And: why creating meaningful touchpoints…
Eureka 413: reimagining the helmet for city cyclists
Newlane co-founder Dominic Cotton talks about creating a foldable bike helmet for urban commuters. He shares how a London bike ride sparked the idea, challenges of achieving certification and how key partnerships have…
How user-centric design is transforming city life
We explore innovative solutions for urban living and enhancing quality of life in cities. First, we meet the founder of Urby, a smart development company that blends apartment living with the hospitality flair of boutique…
Eureka 412: Curating city-specific products for Art Basel’s Paris pop-up shop
Beyond its fairs, Art Basel wants to stay top of mind with a foray into retail. Monocle’s Sophie Monaghan-Coombs speaks with chief growth officer, Hayley Romer, at the new Art Basel Shop in Paris to see how its pop-up…
How Samsung is evolving
Deborah Honig, chief customer officer for Samsung Electronics in the UK and Ireland, talks about how the multinational technology giant is harnessing artificial intelligence to elevate its product ecosystem, boost access…
Eureka 411: Preserving tradition and sustainable growth amid the mezcal boom
Yola Jimenez launched Yola Mezcal to preserve her family’s traditional recipe of the spirit from Oaxaca, Mexico. Today the brand is thriving thanks to her commitment to slow growth, sustainable production and staying true…
Design special: What’s next in the sector and can meditation help creativity?
We meet a New York-based interior designer who champions a traditional approach to craftsmanship and inspiration. And: Monocle’s Nic Monisse talks about the latest patterns in the industry.
Eureka 410: How Mick Jagger inspired Stenströms’s latest collection
Peter Jüriado and Mathias le Fèvre discuss their collaboration for Stenströms’s 125th anniversary collection, inspired by Scandinavian nature and vintage style. They reflect on blending tradition with modern fashion ahead…
Can today’s cutting-edge tech bring extinct species back to life?
An episode that’s millennia in the making: we meet the founder of the world’s first de-extinction and species-preservation company, to hear how it’s using ancient DNA to bring back animals including the woolly mammoth and…
