Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Kasa Connect

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Chris Crocker, founder of GOOD KOFFEE, a sparkling coffee brand bringing “feel good energy” to creators, performers, and entrepreneurs.

Chris shares his incredible journey from dancing on cruise ships and performing in The Lion King to launching one of the most innovative drinks on the market. Inspired by his travels in Vietnam, Chris turned his idea into reality, overcoming setbacks and building a mission-driven brand.

We talk about resilience, risk-taking, community, and why authenticity matters in both life and business. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, or just love coffee, this episode will leave you energised and inspired.

(00:00) Chris’s early life and adoption

(00:23) Welcome & intro to GOOD KOFFEE

(00:55) Tasting GOOD KOFFEE & branding inspiration

(02:41) Dance training & cruise ship performing

(04:29) Bollywood musical & cultural exposure

(05:24) Travel, identity & global influences

(06:41) Origin of GOOD KOFFEE in Vietnam

(08:26) Early product experiments & farmers market

(10:25) Business challenges & early growth

(11:18) Vision for GOOD KOFFEE globally

(12:20) Mission, collaborations & Lion King backstage

(15:19) Purpose, community & entrepreneurship

(17:32) Consumer education & market reception

(19:01) Stockists & London expansion

(19:53) Solo founder experience & building support

(20:33) Funding needs & export plans

(21:35) Risk-taking, instincts & emotions in business

(22:09) Setbacks, achievements & goal setting

(23:27) Chris’s personal coffee habits

(24:16) Advice & staying true to convictions

(25:22) Martial arts, yoga & “feel good energy” series

(26:41) Community, authenticity & outsider feelings

(27:21) Resilience & overcoming challenges

(28:14) How to connect with Chris & GOOD KOFFEE

(29:07) Closing & thanks

Nathaly Ortega’s journey is one of resilience, vision, and relentless ambition. From facing a traumatic childhood in South America to building a new life and career in Europe, Nathaly has carved her own path as an architect, model, master’s student, and founder of Founders Club London.

In this episode of Kasa Connect, she opens up about overcoming dyslexia, balancing multiple passions, and creating a supportive community for entrepreneurs. Nathaly shares insights on resilience, visualization, work-life balance, and the importance of building authentic networks.

Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a student juggling big dreams, or someone seeking inspiration to push through setbacks, Nathaly’s story will give you the tools and motivation to keep moving forward.

(00:00) Nathaly’s family tragedy & childhood challenges

(00:26) Introduction & Nathaly’s journey overview

(01:00) Moving to Europe & her mother’s reinvention

(02:46) Overcoming dyslexia & building perseverance

(05:00) Architecture ambitions & career purpose

(05:38) Launching Founders Club London

(06:29) The founder mindset & struggles

(07:26) Bikini modeling & lessons in discipline

(08:31) Master’s studies, Saudi projects & big ambitions

(09:27) Burnout, relationships & balance in life

(11:15) A day in Nathaly’s life

(12:53) Growing Founders Club community

(15:39) Work-life balance & prioritisation

(17:21) Family as a priority & future vision

(18:27) Biggest challenge: finding focus & goals

(20:36) Women in male-dominated spaces

(22:14) Confidence & self-belief

(23:11) Vision boards & manifestation

(26:15) Focus, meditation & productivity habits

(28:29) The value of range & multiple interests

(29:47) Advice for aspiring founders

(30:56) Overcoming financial barriers

(32:00) Coffee talk & Founders Club invitation

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Jamie, a horror filmmaker who left a finance career to pursue his passion for storytelling. Jamie opens up about the sacrifices required to succeed in film, from funding projects independently to battling rejection from distributors.

He shares insights on writing and producing horror, the realities of getting features distributed, and why persistence is the most powerful tool for any filmmaker. Jamie also reveals his creative process, his fears, and the entrepreneurial mindset it takes to survive in such a competitive industry.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to make it in film, this conversation is packed with lessons on storytelling, networking, and pushing through setbacks.

(00:00) Initial Film Distribution Challenges

(00:33) Introduction & Jamie’s Background

(01:02) Passion for Storytelling

(01:44) Sacrifices for Filmmaking

(02:52) Short Films vs. Feature Films

(03:29) Making Money in Film

(04:31) First Feature Film & Distribution

(05:29) Writing and Producing Process

(06:32) Starting in the Horror Genre

(07:27) Favourite Actors & Inspirations

(07:49) Plot of “Isabelle”

(08:05) Supernatural Writing Experiences

(10:51) Co-writing and Loss

(12:15) Current Stage of “Isabelle”

(13:13) Transferable Skills from Finance

(13:58) Motivation and Flow State

(14:34) Biggest Fears in Filmmaking

(15:37) Relationship with Horror Genre

(16:13) Future Projects & Genre Expansion

(16:52) Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

(17:46) Regrets and Lessons Learned

(18:17) Rapid-Fire Questions: Film Preferences

(19:51) Animation and Guilty Pleasures

(20:50) Dream Collaborations & Adaptations

(21:40) Film Festival Experiences

(23:51) Networking and Follow-Up

(24:11) Persistence and Rejection in Film

(25:30) Risk-Taking and Entrepreneurial Moves

(26:45) Closing & Contact Information

We sit down with Dr. Aanya Hirdaramani, a scientist, nutritionist, and founder of The Nourish Method. With a PhD in Molecular Endocrinology from Imperial College London, Aanya breaks down the science behind weight loss drugs like GLP-1, busts popular nutrition myths, and shares how evidence-based, personalised nutrition can truly transform your health.

We cover everything from sugar addiction to realistic meal planning, the importance of sleep, and the truth about “healthy” foods. Aanya also opens up about her own wellness journey, the sacrifices of doing a PhD, and her dream of starting a biotech company.

If you’ve ever been confused by conflicting health advice, this episode will give you the clarity and tools you need to approach nutrition and wellness with confidence.

(00:00) The dangers & promise of weight loss drugs

(00:59) Dr. Aanya’s PhD & GLP-1 research explained

(02:37) Side effects & misuse of weight loss drugs

(05:02) Why Dr. Aanya chose molecular nutrition

(06:25) PhD challenges & personal growth

(07:46) Launching The Nourish Method consultancy

(08:36) Evidence-based nutrition vs. intuition

(09:56) Integrating fitness & nutrition

(11:03) Building community through fitness

(12:01) Productivity, sacrifice & sleep habits

(14:17) Meal planning & flexible eating

(15:07) Coping with imperfection & self-compassion

(16:18) Returning to research & future goals

(18:02) Toxic trends, myths & social media influence

(19:40) Recommended nutrition influencers

(20:02) Rapid fire: carbs, fasting & supplements

(23:20) Hidden sugars & “healthy” food myths

(25:22) A day in Dr. Aanya’s eating routine

(29:03) Protein bars & sweeteners

(31:09) Fitting in fitness with a busy life

(34:31) How to connect with Dr. Aanya

(35:34) Career advice & planning your next steps

How do you turn nostalgia into a modern startup?

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Jordan Abrahams — Head of Growth, marketing veteran, and co-founder of Neat Sweets, a low-sugar candy brand with a cult following.

Jordan shares how he went from corporate FMCG to fintech and then into sweets — breaking down viral TikTok moments, lessons from failed startups, and what it really takes to lead growth at a unicorn company.

Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or dreamer, you’ll get practical insights into building a brand, going viral, choosing the right co-founders, and keeping your sanity while juggling multiple ventures.

• 00:00 – The Viral TikTok Hook & Unicorn Startup
  

• 00:55 – Introducing Neat Sweets
  

• 01:17 – Entrepreneurial Beginnings
  

• 01:48 – Lessons from E-commerce Failures
  

• 02:32 – Transition to Fintech
  

• 02:57 – Viral Marketing in Fintech
  

• 04:36 – Managing at a Unicorn
  

• 04:54 – Delegation & Leadership Skills
  

• 05:15 – Neat Sweets Product Development
  

• 06:05 – Co-founder Dynamics & Decision Making
  

• 06:26 – Competitive Landscape
  

• 07:13 – Flavor Innovation & Team Pitches
  

• 07:37 – Brand Personality & Dream Collaborations
  

• 08:04 – Go-to Snacks & Cultural Favorites
  

• 08:22 – Founder Myths & Realities
  

• 09:05 – Motivation & Family Influence
  

• 10:03 – Dealing with Overcommitment
  

• 10:48 – Passion for Marketing & Blurred Roles
  

• 11:11 – Consumer Goods Marketing Tips
  

• 12:28 – Neat Sweets’ Future Vision
  

• 13:29 – Omnichannel Strategy & Brand Building
  

• 14:06 – Founder-Led Marketing Debate
  

• 15:04 – Viral Buckingham Palace TikTok
  

• 15:43 – Marketing Failures & Lessons
  

• 16:02 – Planned vs. Authentic Content
  

• 16:53 – Startup vs. Unicorn Marketing
  

• 17:47 – Landing a Unicorn Role
  

• 18:55 – Personal Branding & Networking
  

• 20:31 – Working on Multiple Projects
  

• 22:40 – Work-Life Balance & Passion
  

• 24:14 – Solo vs. Team Entrepreneurship
  

• 25:32 – Choosing Co-founders & Team Dynamics
  

• 26:52 – Essential Co-founder Qualities
  

• 27:54 – Favourite Café Drink
  

• 28:25 – Connecting with Listeners
  

29:13 – Best Advice Not Taken

What does it really mean to stay human in a world dominated by AI?

In this powerful episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Shae O. — Harvard PhD candidate, historian, and founder of Analog Social. From her unconventional journey through law, politics, and ballet to founding a startup incubated at Harvard’s Innovation Lab, Shae unpacks what it means to build human-first systems in a tech-saturated age.

We talk about AI ethics, community building, redefining productivity, and how to stay grounded in your own rhythm while navigating the digital noise. If you’re an entrepreneur, student, or just overwhelmed by tech — this episode will reframe your thinking.

00:00 – Staying Human in an AI World

00:48 – From Historian to Entrepreneur

02:06 – Discovering Entrepreneurship and Harvard Innovation Labs

02:54 – Nontraditional Founders in Tech

04:08 – Founding Analog Social

05:39 – Phone Stacking and First Events

06:37 – Dinner Salons and Defining Love

08:02 – Diversity and Community at Analog Social

08:44 – Childhood Influences and Love for History

11:05 – Daydreaming, Deep Thinking, and Digital Distraction

12:03 – Balancing Technology and Human Connection

13:22 – Supporting Founders with Social Media Balance

13:58 – AI Industry Curiosity and the Renaissance Manifesto

15:10 – Nontraditional Founders and the Startup Ecosystem

16:57 – The AI Bubble and Gold Rush Analogy

18:21 – AI Tools and Generative Agents

19:22 – Potential and Risks of AI Agents

19:55 – Legal and Ethical Questions for AI Agents

21:08 – Need for Human-Centric AI Ethics

22:30 – The Human Kill Switch Concept

24:53 – US vs. UK/EU AI Regulation

26:22 – AI and Children: Regulation and Education

28:42 – Critical Thinking in the Age of AI

32:13 – Educating on AI’s Limits and Nuanced Messaging

33:54 – Personal Approach: Solutions First

35:21 – Defining What It Means to Be Human

36:30 – Life in Seasons and Human Operating System

38:21 – Call to Educate Yourself on AI

39:45 – Favorite Café Drink

40:19 – Advice: Make the Most of Every Season

Why is it so hard to sell expensive art in India? In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Eirini M., New York-based art advisor and founder of MeSo Ventures, to explore the barriers and breakthroughs in the Indian art market. From working with collectors and interior designers to building bridges between India and the global scene, Eirini opens up about her journey from startup life to founding an art acquisition fund.

This episode unpacks:

What really drives art valuation

How cultural gaps affect collecting in India

Her mission to make art accessible to the middle class

Why passion matters more than profit in art acquisition

Whether you’re an art lover, collector, or just curious about the market, this conversation will leave you with a deeper understanding of the challenges — and opportunities — in modern art.

We’re joined by Amardeep Parmar, co-founder of Bae HQ, a thriving community for British Asian entrepreneurs. From interviewing tech icons like the founders of Netflix and Twitter to building one of the most authentic founder communities in the UK, Amardeep opens up about the journey behind the headlines.

He shares how he transitioned from corporate consulting to writing, podcasting, and launching Bae HQ—especially after the passing of his father reshaped his purpose. We discuss the power of vulnerability, building brands that outlive you, creating systems that scale, and what successful founders reveal off-air that the public never hears.

If you’re building something bigger than yourself, this episode will resonate deeply.

00:00 – The emotional reality behind “success”

00:42 – Introducing Amardeep Parmar

01:37 – Hosting advice from a veteran podcaster

02:53 – Booking Netflix & Twitter founders

05:16 – Off-air lessons from billionaires

07:07 – His unexpected path into entrepreneurship

08:01 – Writing virally & quitting his job

11:38 – Creating Bae HQ to fill a community gap

13:21 – The impact of his father’s death

15:25 – Why Bae HQ isn’t about him

17:56 – Building systems that outlast founders

20:43 – Emotional honesty as a founder

22:39 – Naming Bae HQ & its inclusive mission

25:36 – Rapid-fire insights: tools, lessons, regrets

28:49 – Advice, AI tools & what he’d do differently

30:05 – LinkedIn messages that miss the mark

33:10 – Picking guests: experienced vs new voices

35:33 – Cutting false or controversial clips

36:35 – Advice he regrets not taking

37:14 – The dream for Bae HQ’s future

38:24 – Wrap-up & final thoughts

Running a business is hard. Raising three kids? Even harder. Doing both at the same time? That’s exactly what Yami, founder of Yummy by Yami, is doing—and her story is one every entrepreneur and parent needs to hear.

In this episode of Kasa Connect, Yami opens up about building her Colombian frozen food brand in the UK, juggling motherhood, and staying true to her roots. From overcoming grief to finding strength in community, Yami shares an honest look at resilience, business growth, and choosing collaboration over competition.

🚀 In this episode:

• How Yami balances raising three sons with building her food brand

• The reality of launching a business after being laid off

• Turning cultural pride into entrepreneurial success

• The honest struggles behind growing a food business as a mum

• Building a supportive global food entrepreneur community

If you’ve ever wondered how mums, founders, and dreamers juggle it all—this episode is for you.

(00:00) – Intro & Yummy by Yami waffles

(01:40) – Balancing motherhood, work & business

(04:06) – Why Yami started Yummy by Yami

(05:46) – Resilience & entrepreneurial spirit

(06:55) – Challenges of growing a food brand

(07:59) – Laid off & embracing full-time entrepreneurship

(08:33) – Grief, positivity & strength

(10:18) – Her husband’s support & partnership

(13:30) – Advice for aspiring mum entrepreneurs

(16:33) – Networking, community & real connections

(17:14) – Future plans for Yummy by Yami

(18:01) – Moving abroad & keeping the business going

(19:03) – Advice for young entrepreneurs

(20:44) – Seeing competitors as peers

(22:07) – Coffee break & Colombian coffee love

(23:17) – Staying positive & connecting with Yami

(25:01) – Handling negativity & embracing emotions

(26:18) – Building a global food founder community

(27:23) – Final message: collaboration over competition

At just 15, Nicole launched her first business. Today, she’s shaking up the £9 billion beauty market with Minky Lash, an innovative at-home lash solution that’s easy, quick, and salon-free.

In this episode of Kasa Connect, Nicole opens up about building businesses from scratch in two countries, the lonely reality of solo entrepreneurship, the role of AI in growing Minky Lash, and her mission to simplify beauty routines for women everywhere.

🚀 In this episode:

• How Nicole went from jewellery to lashes, and why she sold her first business

• The retail dream: Breaking into major stores like Boots & Superdrug

• Using AI to run lean, market smart, and stay connected

• Overcoming the fear of starting over in a new city

• The honest truth about work-life balance and solo founder burnout

Whether you’re a beauty founder, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just love hearing unfiltered startup stories — this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

(00:00) – Nicole’s journey from Canada to Minky Lash

(01:16) – Product demo & unboxing Minky Lash

(04:17) – The problem with traditional lashes

(05:20) – Nicole’s first business at 15

(07:05) – Balancing school & entrepreneurship

(08:00) – Launching Boutique Fiend jewellery

(09:47) – Moving to London & starting over

(10:40) – Challenges of solo entrepreneurship

(11:43) – Prototyping & manufacturing the lashes

(12:42) – Retail goals & beauty impact

(13:42) – Pop-ups & in-person sales

(14:35) – Selling the jewellery business

(16:17) – Scaling Minky Lash

(17:14) – Marketing & educating customers

(19:15) – Rapid fire round

(23:31) – The importance of ‘why’ & family support

(24:41) – Using AI to streamline business

(26:57) – AI vs environmental concerns

(27:57) – Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

(29:16) – Founder mindset & key qualities

(30:17) – Setting boundaries & avoiding burnout

(31:14) – Favourite coffee & advice to her younger self

(33:26) – Final thoughts on entrepreneurship

Rita Kastrati isthe founder of Pioneering People, a socially responsible fintech platform shaking up the temporary staffing space.

Rita’s journey took her from working hospitality jobs to launching a platform connecting companies with temp staff, all while championing fair pay, inclusivity, and founder wellbeing. Her story is packed with lessons on building a business with purpose, storytelling without a marketing budget, and navigating the realities of burnout, fundraising, and leadership as a young female founder.

🚀 In this episode:

• Why founder-led marketing and storytelling matter

• How to embed social good into your business model

• The reality of burnout and how to avoid it

• When passion drives success—and when it’s not enough

• Finding co-founders, mentors, and resilience as a first-time founder

(00:00) – Intro & Rita’s mission

(00:29) – From hostess to founder

(01:01) – First job in hospitality

(01:42) – Learning resilience

(02:53) – Pioneering People explained

(03:55) – Building the founding team

(04:44) – Meeting co-founders on LinkedIn

(05:35) – Entrepreneurial beginnings

(06:32) – Lessons from 20+ jobs

(07:24) – Earning respect as a young founder

(08:06) – Finding mentors on LinkedIn

(09:00) – Standing out in a competitive market

(10:08) – Fundraising & attracting female investors

(11:03) – Building the team

(11:40) – Leadership & tough conversations

(13:12) – Red flag or green flag segment

(15:28) – UN Women delegate experience

(17:04) – Embedding social good in business

(18:06) – Expansion beyond hospitality

(18:42) – Founder-led marketing & storytelling

(21:02) – Paying interns & avoiding burnout

(22:03) – Managing burnout & balance

(24:08) – Is passion essential in business?

(24:37) – Defining success with Ikigai

(26:04) – Mindset shifts & networking

(27:28) – Women leaders & resilience

(28:27) – Knowing when to quit

(30:20) – Bootstrapping, quitting & impact stories

(31:22) – Building community & supper clubs

(33:07) – Celebrating wins & vulnerability

(35:03) – Coffee break & staying connected

(36:11) – Best advice not taken

(38:05) – Wrap up & farewell

The KEY to getting angel investor funding shared by Angel investor Amira Chanana. Amira explains her mission to support female founders through capital, mentorship, and empathy. She unpacks what angel investing actually is, why it’s more accessible than you think, and how she evaluates founders beyond just numbers.

From cap tables to mindset, Amira offers transparent advice for both aspiring investors and early-stage entrepreneurs — especially women navigating the startup space. If you’ve ever wondered how to break into investing or how to raise money without losing control of your business, this episode is packed with real insight.

🎙 You’ll learn:

• What angel investing is (and isn’t)

• How much equity to give away early on

• How empathy + operational support create better founder-investor relationships

• The truth about deal flow, portfolio building, and investing without privilege

• Why you don’t need millions to get started

(00:00) – Angel investing philosophy

(00:47) – Meet Amira Chanana

(01:55) – What is an angel investor?

(02:39) – Her journey into investing

(03:31) – Finding Alma Angels

(03:45) – Career choices & motivation

(04:50) – Male allies in the space

(05:52) – No regrets + hands-on style

(06:23) – Favourite portfolio companies

(07:16) – Why B2B focus?

(07:55) – Ops vs finance background

(09:05) – Top investor skills

(10:10) – Empathy & founder support

(11:31) – Data vs drive

(13:34) – Deal-breaker game

(16:22) – Founder case study

(20:35) – Cap tables explained

(21:52) – Building a portfolio

(22:34) – Expectations vs reality

(23:43) – Industry-agnostic approach

(24:31) – Working with Invited

(26:19) – Addressing privilege

(28:24) – Advice for new angels

(29:51) – Mistakes founders make

(31:34) – Angel investing myths

(32:04) – Starting with £2.5K

(32:47) – Growth through investing

(33:43) – Rapid fire + contact info

(34:40) – Best advice not taken

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we’re joined by Bethany, founder of Orchid Marketing, to uncover the real key to building a strong personal brand — and the confidence to carry it.

Having transitioned from corporate marketing to launching her own business, Bethany shares the unfiltered truth about what personal branding really means: it’s about strategic storytelling, not oversharing. She opens up about imposter syndrome, being copied, staying visible, and what it really takes to show up as your authentic self.

Whether you’re a solo founder, content creator, or building in public, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and actionable advice.

You’ll learn:

• What personal branding actually is

• How to show up online without burning out

• What to do when people copy your content

• The mindset shifts needed to stay confident and visible

• How to make bold decisions as a solo entrepreneur

(00:00) – Intro

(01:10) – From being fired to founding Orchid

(03:18) – Starting as a solo entrepreneur

(05:03) – Personal branding: what it is & isn’t

(07:20) – What makes someone stand out online

(09:05) – Why confidence isn’t constant

(10:36) – Common branding mistakes

(12:48) – Being copied and staying original

(14:20) – How to be visible *and* stay sane

(16:01) – Biggest business challenge

(17:43) – Confidence in decision-making

(19:10) – Fear of judgement

(20:32) – Building a support system

(22:19) – Mindset and clarity for growth

(23:52) – Final 3 questions

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Seb, the 21-year-old founder and CEO of Atlantis, a high-end commercial cleaning company taking over London’s fitness and hospitality sector.

From selling bracelets in school to signing contracts with top-tier gyms, Seb shares how his obsession with detail built a brand known for consistency, innovation, and quality.

🚀 If you’ve ever wondered:

• How to lead when you’re young

• What it takes to break into a competitive market

• How to train teams, pitch clients, and obsess over quality

• Why niche focus beats broad vision early on

This episode is for you!

(00:00) – Intro

(01:18) – Seb’s coffee journey at Kasa

(01:58) – What is Atlantis?

(02:29) – First taste of entrepreneurship

(04:53) – Lessons from early hustle

(05:27) – Why he keeps clients anonymous

(06:28) – How to win trust and clients

(08:14) – Investing in high-tech equipment

(10:58) – Is the cost worth it?

(12:45) – Logistics and staff training

(14:04) – The hiring struggle

(15:05) – Being taken seriously at 21

(15:24) – Respect in negotiations

(16:22) – Juggling uni and business

(16:39) – Managing with innovative systems

(18:50) – What no one tells you about ops

(20:52) – Seb’s day-to-day

(21:50) – Big goals for Atlantis

(22:53) – Building a household brand

(23:41) – Traits that make a great leader

(25:20) – Consistency on hard days

(26:26) – Switching focus fast

(27:17) – Being obsessed with cleaning

(28:44) – Expanding into hospitality

(30:43) – Why they started with gyms

(31:14) – Niche first, scale later

(32:06) – Public speaking fears

(35:06) – The power of competitiveness

(36:34) – Business vs fitness training

(36:51) – Quickfire round

(38:03) – Working with his mum

(39:28) – Their dynamic as co-leads

(40:17) – Disagreeing in business

(43:05) – Advice for new founders

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we’re joined by Tanya Shukla, the founder of Dome Vitamins — a health-focused startup using chocolate to fight iron deficiency in a smarter, more delicious way. From creating her recipe to getting stocked in retail, Tanya breaks down how she built Dome from the ground up while juggling multiple ventures.

🚀 If you’ve ever wondered:

• How to stand out in the vitamin and wellness space

• What the best sales channel is for repeat customers

• How to pitch to supermarkets

• Or how to keep going when you feel like giving up…this conversation is for you.

(00:00) – Intro

(00:47) – Dome chocolate testing

(01:08) – How it started

(02:44) – Iron deficiency

(03:53) – Aims for the brand

(05:10) – How to get into supermarkets

(06:13) – Best methods for reaching out

(08:02) – Dream collaboration

(08:45) – Why chocolate form?

(10:35) – Biggest challenge

(12:39) – Best sales channel

(13:35) – Managing time with other businesses

(15:32) – Did you ever feel like giving up?

(16:38) – 3 most important qualities being an entrepreneur has taught you

(19:02) – Dome Vitamins

(20:16) – Digital marketing

(21:45) – Next few months

(22:09) – Last 3 questions

#StartupJourney

#WomenInBusiness

#FounderStories

#HealthAndWellness

#EntrepreneurPodcast

#DTCbrand

#VitaminStartup

#SmallBusinessUK

#StartupTips

#FemaleFounders

#KasaConnect

We sit down with Nele Wessels, a serial entrepreneur and the powerhouse founder behind Sypp and NeoNutrition, a company that reached a 7-figure valuation and was featured on the BBC. Nele opens up about the realities of building multiple businesses, pivoting with purpose, and mastering the mindset needed to thrive in a competitive startup world.

🎯 Episode Highlights:

This episode is packed with real, raw, and valuable insights for anyone who’s started something from zero, is about to launch a new idea, or is in the messy middle. Nele’s approach is bold, intentional, and full of lessons every founder should hear.

(00:00) – Intro

(01:30) – How did your entrepreneurship journey begin?

(02:34) – Decision to pivot

(04:18) – Creating the recipe

(05:44) – Funding journey

(08:33) – Challenges faced

(09:49) – Did you always want to be a founder?

(10:39) – Which startup are you most passionate about?

(12:46) – What do you find the hardest?

(13:30) – Top 3 qualities in a co-founder

(14:42) – Can you be too ambitious?

(15:24) – Manifestation techniques

(16:23) – Power of collaboration and networking

(18:07) – Mindset for starting a new business

(21:03) – Bali

(21:26) – Gap in the market

(23:03) – New Start

(24:37) – Next steps

(25:35) – Hardest part of starting a new business

(27:17) – Last 3 questions

Aalok Rai, the award-winning entrepreneur behind upLYFT, a disruptive tech wearables company that’s making waves in the healthcare space. Aalok shares his rollercoaster journey — from being rejected by investors to successfully raising funding, and the hard lessons learned along the way.

🎯 Episode Highlights:

• How Aalok built upLYFT from the ground up after a challenging split with his co-founder.

• The crucial skills he had to learn on the go that no university could teach.

• The raw truth about dealing with rejection and using it as fuel for growth.

• What it takes to approach investors and actually secure investment.

• Why celebrating small wins is vital for long-term success.

• The books every entrepreneur must read and why they’re essential for self-belief.

Aalok’s story is a masterclass in resilience, self-belief, and entrepreneurial grit. If you’re building something from scratch or facing setbacks in your journey, this conversation is for you.

(00:00) – Intro

(01:31) – Pitching upLYFT

(02:47) – How Aalok got into entrepreneurship

(04:08) – Split from co-founder

(06:09) – This is crucial when starting

(08:02) – Planning for growth and learning on the go

(10:06) – Raising investment funding

(14:45) – How to handle rejection

(15:59) – Celebrating wins

(17:00) – Biggest challenge

(18:00) – Being a young founder

(18:46) – Best way to approach investors

(20:16) – Self-belief and staying grounded

(21:14) – If you weren’t doing this…

(21:26) – Books you must read

(22:01) – End goal?

(22:27) – Did any hurdles feel too big?

(23:52) – Did you always want to be an entrepreneur?

(24:25) – The next 6 months

(25:27) – A day in the life of Aalok Rai

(27:21) – Last 3 questions

🎙️ Welcome to Kasa Connect — podcast where we sit down at Kasa Café London with founders, creatives, and changemakers to dive deep into the real behind-the-scenes of their journeys - the highs, the hurdles, and everything in between.

Get a first taste of what’s coming: unfiltered conversations with four inspiring founders.