The Entrepreneurs
A weekly deep dive into global business. Inspiring stories from startups to legacy brands in hospitality, design, fashion, and retail.
Latest Episodes
Toronto retail special
Tomos Lewis speaks to the founders of three independent businesses in Toronto, all of whom opened their first bricks-and-mortar shops since the onset of the pandemic. Exploring the value of physical retail are Martha Sharpe of Flying Books; Krysta Oben and Nicole Campbell of the Grape Witches natural-wine retailer; and…
Beauty Disrupted
When Svante Holm and co-founder Alban Mayne learnt that 80 billion plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles are thrown away every year, they quit their technology careers to start a business intent on disrupting the beauty industry. Svante explains how the pair spent two years developing the wide range of luxurious,…
JKS Restaurants
Tuck into some tasty audio courtesy of the family behind one of the best and brightest in the London hospitality business. The Sethi’s JKS Restaurants is a capital institution, the founders having built up a group of decorated restaurants, delivery and retail brands, plus those of their partners. It’s quite…
Varsity Headwear and Batch LDN
Hats off to two innovative businesses chasing perfection from head to toe. Varsity Headwear has changed the game in baseball caps, ensuring that every individual can find their perfect fit, feel and fabric. Batch LDN is reimagining the suit with fresh emphasis on sustainability, versatility and comfort.
Deliciously Ella
Shifting narratives around healthy eating and plant-based food have offered innovators an opportunity to establish and grow some brilliant businesses. Ella Mills is the founder and driving force behind Deliciously Ella, the plant-based food platform that advocates for a delicious path to feeling better. As the business celebrates its first…
Unrest and Morty
We talk to Nils Leonard of Uncommon Creative Studio and Nora Apsel, founder of Morty, a company shaking up the US mortgage market by putting consumers in control. Nils and Nora are entrepreneurs who share a passion for consumer advocacy, a commitment to doing business with purpose, and a belief…
Ecobirdy
Designers Vanessa Yuan and Joris Vanbriel founded Ecobirdy in Antwerp in 2018, with the aim of creating high-quality furniture using nothing but recycled plastic. Monocle’s Tomos Lewis speaks to the duo about their award-winning design for children, the Charlie Chair, and their broader ambitions for the studio.
Rehaus
Passionate about great design and interiors, Daphne Vassiliades co-founded Rehaus, an online platform dedicated to the resale of vintage pieces and designer furniture. She tells us about the importance of her collaboration with Shutl founder Tom Allason and e-comms veteran Will Cochrane, and offers her take on what makes a…
Life House
Rami Zeidan founded Life House, a boutique hotel brand and hotel-management technology company, in 2017. He talks to Monocle’s Tomos Lewis about his ambitions for the company and explains why technology should not be disruptive but instead enhance what a hotel does best: making its guests feel welcome.
Vuori
Inspired by California’s active, coastal lifestyle, Joe Kudla launched athletic clothing brand Vuori in 2015, aiming to blend the principles of ethical manufacturing, sustainability, community and quality. Here the CEO and founder shares the ups and downs of his career so far and tells us how Vuori secured major investment…
