MINT

Oussama Ammar is a French-Lebanese entrepreneur, angel investor and advisor. I had the most fascinating conversation with Oussama on his new book "Anyone Can Become an Entrepreneur," which releases in February 2020. You'll learn some invaluable insight from his 10+ years experience building and supporting startups and personally, living and working across Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Asia. The best pizza in the world is in Japan Cereal boxes are a great way to get kids to read early on Language is like putting windows in a house, it brings more light TWITTER: https://twitter.com/daedalium?lang=en YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/Startupfood/featured MEDIUM: https://medium.com/@daedalium PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1468250738 Highlights: 0:59 What inspired you to write this book? 2:44 What did you learn about yourself through the process of writing? 4:56 Which book — have you read countless times? 14:25 Tell us the story behind daedalium? 18:44 Cross cultural identity — an American mind, a French heart and a Japanese belly. 28:57 Good marketing. 34:18 If you could take the best aspects of different startup ecosystems, what would that be? 38:42 Internet nation. 41:00 Where would you travel to explore? MINT: www.instagram.com/podcastmint

Juno Lee is the co-founder of CombiniCo — Korean minimal food and design. Juno and his co-founder Alex Longson met while studying at university. Shortly after, in 2018 CombiniCo was launched as a bootstrap operation serving up fast-casual Korean food in their university town. The signature 'Bini Bowl' packs distinctly Asian flavours, made from fresh Scottish produce. 1 and a half years later their brand grew into the culture of the university. At a glance, CombiniCo is problem-solving food convenience. This conversation illuminates the cultural and creative vision, at the core of their brand. Juno shares his plan to go to South Korea and discover more the heritage of Korean cuisine, to inspire their new plant-based offerings for their flagship store. The team have just opened their second location CombiniCafé, which is entirely plant-based. Modern. Sleek. Minimal. The café features Scotland's first Modbar under-counter brewing system to deliver speciality coffee from roasting partners Machina that are based in Edinburgh, Scotland. CombiniCo: www.instagram.com/combini_co/ Highlights: 0:40 What is your cultural background? 3:20 Tell us about yourself – as a singer/songwriter. 10:38 Can you learn how to be a successful entrepreneur? 16:10 What does Combini mean? 21:00 Do you have plans to go to Korea soon? 28:15 What does CombiniCo value? 32:10 What brands inspire your work? 40:00 Describe the 5-star experience? Follow us: www.instagram.com/podcastmint

Aldís Amah Hamilton is an actress, game character and flight attendant. An amazing conversation from my recent trip to Iceland. In her hometown of Reykjavík, Aldís was the Fjallkona for this year's National Day celebration. "The Lady of the Mountain" is a representative of the nation. She performed a poem that was written by musician Bubba Morthens specially for this event Landið flokkar ekki fólk eftir 'The country does not classify people'. Listen to her performance here: bit.ly/34TMHYO. We shared stories on the mixed-race experience, the importance of language in Icelandic culture and the power of representation in media from TV to games. Born to an Icelandic mother and African-American father. As a German-speaking, curly haired kindergartener she moved from Germany to Iceland. She joined her class as the first child with a foreign background. The first of many "first" experiences. Catch her in the first Icelandic series 'The Valhalla Murders' co-produced by Netflix — coming out this December! As well, she plays Ryn in The Darken: Echoes of the End. Myrkur Games is an Icelandic gaming company that is currently working on this fantasy story-driven computer game. Follow her: www.instagram.com/aldisamah/?hl=en Highlights: 0:47 How does it feel to be a multi-hyphenated person? 1:50 For creatives or individuals working for themselves, does it ever stop? 3:01 At the age of three, what was it like to move from Germany to Iceland? 5:05 How was growing up mixed-race in Iceland? 12:22 Migration into the country? 14:26 Do you ever see yourself moving abroad? 16:13 Did you always know you wanted to be an actress? 18:17 What roles are you interested in? 20:13 First impressions of Mixed-ish, a new American sitcom by the producers of Black-ish? 23:57 What did you gain from your experience as Fjallkona? 29:51 How has Icelandic modernized, any slang? 31:01 What are your favorite games? 36:11 What does storytelling mean to you? 38:21 Are you optimistic about the film industry? 39:29 What projects are you most excited about? Follow us: www.instagram.com/podcastmint

Angèle Radjagobal is the founder of Soundary Cycle. A brand of high-quality backpacks, made in France, for cyclists in the city. She shares how a six-month solo adventure cycling from Bogotá, Colombia to Easter Island, Chile was the spark for her to start her company. A powerful experience that took her from an engineer to an entrepreneur. She recounts that cycling has always represented freedom. She returned home to France with a plan. A local project that centers on bringing beauty, safety and light to cyclists through innovative design and quality production. Follow Soundary Cycle: www.soundarycycle.com & instagram.com/soundarycycle Highlights: 0:45 Tell us about your six-month solo adventure. 3:55 What was the scariest moment? 4:59 Describe how you were before and after your trip? 10:58 How did your support system respond to your trip? 12:34 Was it an easy transition, from an engineer to entrepreneur? 13:30 The meaning behind the name Soundary Cycle? 16:48 Next step? 17:43 Customer response? 20:59 What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur? 21:11 How would your friends and family describe you? 21:45 After years of travel and work abroad, where is home? 22:49 Who is your role model? 25:00 When did you first learn how to cycle? Thoughts? Join us: www.instagram.com/podcastmint

Yassine Abouzaid is a self-taught user experience and interface (UX/UI) designer. Currently, he works for a student housing platform and startup based in Paris, France. He shares his journey — how he created his own path, leaving an internship in business development to teach himself the ins and outs of his craft. Later, in 2017 he moved from his hometown in Casablanca, Morocco to Rennes, France with a program in entrepreneurship. Our conversation goes into his inspirations, such as fusion band Hoba Hoba Spirit that hails from Casablanca to the meditations of stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius. Follow him: www.instagram.com/yassineabouzaid Highlights: 0:30 Tell us about your work as a product designer. 2:25 How did you create your own career path? 5:20 Do young Moroccans have the same opportunities/choice in their career paths? 7:31 Do you take design inspiration from Moroccan design? 9:31 Who are your role models? 10:18 How do you follow the stoic philosophy in your daily life? 11:49 What is the creative scene like in Morocco? 15:51 Discussion on Arabic trap artist ISSAM. 16:18 How do you define originality? 17:32 What challenges did you encounter when moving to France? 18:48 Tell us about this program for entrepreneurship. 19:29 Do you consider Paris home now? 20:58 What is the story of your red bike? 22:00 What is the conversation like with your parents, on love and relationships? 23:00 Cultures that intrigue and inspire you in some aspect? Follow us: www.instagram.com/podcastmint

Oumou Barry is a technology consultant and aspiring entrepreneur. She gave a lot of heart to our conversation and it certainly moved me. We talk family and growing up in Guinea, her faith and working towards a dream. In particular, her mother as an inspiring female figure. She shares her journey to achieving financial independence and her growth mindset as she prepares for her next endeavour — as a business owner. Follow her: www.instagram.com/oumouubarry Highlights: 0:42 What's your story that has led you here today? 1:48 What inspired your dream? 2:12 What did you see growing up - as a reflection of society? 3:05 Did you enjoy school? 4:55 Your mother seems like an incredible women. Tell us more. 6:51 What is the Guinean community like? 8:14 Tell us about your journey moving to France at age seventeen. 12:05 What are the most important foundations for you, in your personal growth? 13:40 What was it like starting your professional career after business school? 15:41 What does the term "glass ceiling" mean? 21:45 How can we do better in educating the next generation, in your opinion? Follow us: www.instagram.com/podcastmint