Monocle 24: The Entrepreneurs

Charles Landry is an international adviser on the use of imagination and creativity in urban change. He has written many books on the subject, including ‘The Creative City: A Toolkit for Urban Innovators’. His work seeks to help cities unlock their potential and become resilient, self-sustaining places. In this episode he speaks to Tom Edwards about how intentional design can nurture culture in a city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Flohr, founder and chairman of Vistajet, talks about building a global business aviation company, breaking industry convention and what’s next on his radar. Plus: highlights from the Paris Air Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Bates shares how a series of serendipitous eureka moments led to the creation of Rheon Labs, a smart-materials company developing energy-absorbing technology to better support and protect the body.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to good leadership, professor John Amaechi knows a thing or two. Amaechi is an organisational psychologist and founder of APS Intelligence, a consultancy dedicated to helping organisations cultivate high-performance, ethical workplace cultures. He also happens to be a former basketball star and the first Briton to ever play in the NBA. John Amaechi talks to Tom Edwards about the moments in his life that have taught him about the importance of being able to lead people to positive change, the current challenges to DEI initiatives, and why being the driving force behind positive friction can be the way to make progress.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special edition featuring Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation CEO, Albert Wong, and advisor Allan Zeman. They explain how the city’s leading innovation and technology ecosystem fosters worldwide impact.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Per Fredriksson, founder of Stockholm-based premium menswear label Circle Of Friends Studio, reflects on launching the brand in 2015 and how his lifelong career in fashion manufacturing shaped its focus on high-quality denim.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lena Patriksson Keller and Jonas Clason, co-founders of European denim house Jeanerica, discuss their long-standing creative partnership and timeless Scandinavian design. And: we meet the creator of the autonomous mobility vehicle, Iino, in Tokyo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria Aguirre shares how her career in photojournalism and travels through Latin America inspired her to launch Pampa, a B Corp-certified brand focused on artisan craftsmanship, heritage and sustainable production.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia perfume special: we meet Ruth Chao von Gehren, the founder of Ode Ona, a Hong Kong-based fragrance house. And Jun Lim talks about his artistic perfumery from Seoul, Born to Stand Out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cornelius Klimt shares the story of Calma Compania, an Austrian brand making plant-based mosquito spray, which he launched in 2024 with co-founder Hemma Marenzi. Today, it’s found in some of Europe’s most thoughtful hotels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Håkan Agnevall, CEO of Wärtsilä, discusses how the company is helping to shift entire industries toward a 100 per cent renewable future. Then: what’s next in entrepreneurship education with Augment co-founder Ariel Renous.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finnmark Sauna’s founder, Jake Newport, shares his passion for Finnish sauna, including how his personal experience with its healing benefits inspired him to launch a business that brings authentic sauna experiences to the UK.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia Hobsbawm is an author and the CEO of global work trends and change network Workathon. In this episode she shares how to build a healthier relationship with our online lives and offers a blueprint for navigating digital spaces with decency and respect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We shift into summer mode with warm-weather style and two brands that radiate sunshine: Bucharest-based fashion label Les Vacances d’Irina and Australian accessories house Helen Kaminski.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Meeker, founder and CEO of Bark, explains how the company’s mission to make dogs happy has evolved from selling chew toys to launching Bark Air, the world’s first airline designed for dogs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Hieatt is the founder of Hiut Denim Co and The Do Lectures, an idea- sharing platform featuring some of the world’s most interesting thinkers. He has previously worked for some of the biggest advertising agencies in the world and was the founder of sportswear brand Howie’s. Hieatt didn’t have the most traditional path into his career. Despite not finishing his education, the thread that runs through his career is a commitment to learning. In this episode he tells Tom Edwards about how being open to continuous education has taken him on an incredible journey and why sometimes you take your lessons from the most unexpected places.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lifelong friends and business partners, Johnny Smith and Daniel Willis, talk about their Michelin-starred restaurant, Luca, and their latest venture, Smith & Willis, a new hospitality group that builds on their partnership restaurants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet Marta Agueda Carlero, co-founder of Material Alternative Design (MAD), a design company fuelled by fungi. She discusses how MAD uses mycelium in its manufacturing to create sustainable climbing gear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Tom Edwards is joined by serial entrepreneur Dumi Oburota to discuss the power of being present and of meaningful exchange. From his experiences in the music industry, nurturing the career of acclaimed British rapper Tinie Tempah to closing deals on his newly founded drinks brand Severan, Oburota tells us why he’s a firm believer in the magic of human connection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, talks about the business opportunities in Indonesia. Plus: we hear from the co-founder of a design studio in Singapore and contemplate the virtues of phone-free spaces.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet Mariah Levin, executive director of beVisioneers, a global fellowship backed by Mercedes-Benz that equips young innovators with the tools, funding and network to build scalable ventures tackling environmental challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ode to Italian hospitality. Two brothers from Bologna discuss the global expansion of their pizza chain, Berberè. Then: we raise a glass with the long-time friends from Cosenza leading London’s Bar 45.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first episode of Monocle’s collaboration with Pullman Hotels, Monocle’s Tom Edwards is in Dubai to meet the architect and founder of design practice Roar, Pallavi Dean. A seasoned globe-trotter, Dean is no stranger to new geographies and beginnings. We ask her how activating change can help to breed the resilience and agility needed to grow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

East Fork Pottery founder and CEO Alex Matisse shares the story behind launching his Asheville-based pottery company and its new collection, a collaboration with Les Héritiers Matisse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the crowning achievements of two leaders behind brands with royal seals of approval: the president of a 500-year-old Japanese confectionery company and the CEO of a Swedish haircare brand beloved by the country’s royal family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet the founder of Tennibot, an Auburn-based company making autonomous robots for racket sports. Haitham Eletrabi talks about the global demand for their products and the company’s latest launch: Partner, a smart ball machine that mimics human shots and moves around the court, creating a realistic playing experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carolyn Dailey, author of ‘The Creative Entrepreneur’, shares lessons from industry leaders, such as Grammy-winner Nile Rodgers and restaurateur Ruthie Rogers, on building purpose-driven businesses. Plus: Mark Roberts talks about ‘The Entrepreneur Within’, his guide for driving innovation from inside any organisation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet Jens Holzapfel, business director at Nordic Air Defence, a Stockholm-based start-up developing compact, non-explosive drone interceptors. Holzapfel talks about the company’s flagship product, the Kreuger100, and why Europe needs more homegrown defense technology to address quickly evolving security challenges. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turbulence makes flying unbearable for some and uncomfortable for all. As bumpy skies become more common, we meet the CEO of an aviation company that’s focused on making flights smoother with groundbreaking turbulence-cancelling technology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mindvalley founder, Vishen Lakhiani, discusses whether AI has the potential to transform our approach to work and enhance overall wellbeing by eliminating unnecessary tasks, and allowing us to dedicate more time to building meaningful, real-life connections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe’s tech scene is often seen as trailing the US and China but startups across the continent are challenging that perspective. We meet two founders that are shaking up the industry and proving that ambition, collaboration and smart risks can make Europe competitive again. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Flood shares how a late-night chess game with his then-flatmate and fellow architect Chris Prosser sparked the idea to design sets inspired by city skylines, with pieces shaped like famous landmarks. He discusses how they founded Skyline Chess and grew it into a thriving business, now featuring 12 cities and a growing portfolio of custom sets for developers, architects and corporate clients.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canva co-founder and chief product officer, Cameron Adams, shares how the company’s culture of simplicity and positive social impact drives its success. Plus: what’s next for the company and its two-step plan to balance profitability with global good. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Rickwood never planned to get into the carwash business but when he saw how outdated the service was, he spotted an opportunity. Rickwood shares how Aquasonic is using smart tech and Formula 1-inspired drying to change the game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the pavement to the pool, we meet the founders of two brands moving the needle in the fitness world. Oliver Powe talks about the philosophy that underscores Acid Running’s approach to design. Then: the innovation and development behind Zygo, the world’s first underwater-streaming headset. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet Elliot Andre, founder of EX-A Studio, a unisex jewellery brand featuring abstract shapes and out-of-this-world pieces. He tells us how he went from self-taught designer to seeing his creations in Nordstrom and on Netflix.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is quality in business best served by a slower approach? We discuss the merits of journalism that takes its time with the co-founder of Danish digital-news platform Zetland. Plus: we talk timeless furniture with the woman behind Vinterior.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Roop shares the story behind The Textilium Project, a platform that curates natural high-quality textiles for creatives who want great design without needing to hire a professional. He shares the sources of his fabrics and why good materials make all the difference in a space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet Priya Paul, a hotelier who set out to redefine boutique hospitality in India by building a thriving group with dozens of locations. Plus: Christoph Hoffmann talks about how the 25hours Hotel brand maintains its DNA while growing and the importance of individualised products in hospitality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle’s Helsinki correspondent, Petri Burtsoff, meets Stora Enso CEO, Hans Sohlström, at the company’s striking new timber headquarters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss clean-mobility breakthroughs with two founders pushing the boundaries of flight. Plus: how their innovations are reshaping the nearly $1tn airline industry as it races toward decarbonisation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet former Penguin Random House editor Meru Gokhale, who used her 20 years of publishing experience to create Editrix, an AI-assisted editing tool. Plus: how following “tech bros” on X helped her to launch the business without a tech background.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.