In this open and frank conversation, the Kostas Sfaltos shares his fascinating journey from a modest upbringing in Greece to becoming the Managing Director of luxury hotels in London.
He discusses the pivotal moments in his career, including his Greek military service, which taught him valuable leadership lessons and the importance to building deep relationships that last for life.
Kostas emphasizes the importance of listening to team members and guests, creating a positive culture, and the role of coaching in enhancing his leadership effectiveness as he continues to develop in his role.
He reflects on his current role at Maybourne and the achievements of his team, including The Emory Hotel being recognised in the world's 50 best hotels.
The conversation concludes with insights on the future of luxury hospitality and some sage advice to his younger self.
The SATT Team :)
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This week our conversation explores the journey of a fashion executive from young designer, to launching online phenomenon Boohoo to becoming Group Executive Director at Debenham.com.
With Carol Kane, the Co-Founder of Boohoo we delve into the evolution of fast fashion (and its true meaning), marketing strategies in e-commerce, and the challenges faced during the IPO process.
The discussion highlights the importance of understanding market trends, the role of storytelling in branding, and the impact of acquisitions on business growth.
Carol emphasises the significance of personalisation in retail, the reintroduction of designer labels, and the future of retail through pop-up stores and new channels to the customer.
Finally, she shares lessons in leadership and the value of mentorship, along with the need for a strong consumer connection in today's market.
The SATT Team :)
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In this week’s episode of Swim Against the Tide with Steve Henry, Will Lankston—Managing Director of Timpson Direct—shares his remarkable journey from working school holiday shifts in Timpson shops to leading one of the company’s fastest-growing divisions.
Will reveals the people-first philosophy behind Timpson’s success, including its unconventional hiring approach that prioritises personality over experience and its famous “upside down management” culture.
He explains why employee happiness directly fuels business growth, how mistakes are embraced as learning opportunities, and what social responsibility looks like in practice through Timpson’s longstanding commitment to employing ex-offenders.
Will also explores the future of Timpson Direct, the importance of personal development, and his advice for young professionals eager to build meaningful careers.
The SATT Team :)
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In this episode of the podcast, Rodrigo Maza - CEO of Naked Wines - shares how
he’s challenging convention in the wine industry by building a community-first
business that connects customers directly with independent winemakers.
Rodrigo reflects on his unconventional journey from beer to wine, the evolution of
Naked Wines’ unique model, and his mission to make wine fun, accessible, and free
from industry snobbery.
He breaks down the importance of customer retention, co-creation, and high-
alignment leadership, while also discussing the post-COVID rebuilding period and
the work required to regain trust and deepen engagement.
Rodrigo offers an honest look at entrepreneurship, innovation, and what it takes to
lead boldly in a traditional industry.
The SATT Team :)
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In this episode, Kate Prince shares her journey from being a city lawyer to founding Ancient + Brave, a wellness brand focused on collagen and nutraceutical supplements.
She discusses the challenges of transitioning from law to media, the philosophy behind her brand, and the importance of education and transparency in the wellness industry.
Kate also highlights the significance of partnerships, social responsibility, and her experiences as a female entrepreneur in a competitive market.
She concludes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasising the need for speed and bravery in decision-making.
The SATT Team :)
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In this podcast episode, Goran Vailjevic, co-founder of truefuels, shares his journey from aspiring professional tennis player to successful entrepreneur in the sports nutrition industry.
He discusses the challenges faced during his athletic career, the transition to investment banking, and the eventual partnership with Olympic triathlete Alistair Brownlee to create a brand focused on clean, functional nutrition products.
Goran emphasises the importance of decision-making, execution, and luck in both sports and business, and outlines the strategies truefuels employs to grow its brand in a competitive market.
The SATT Team :)
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In this engaging conversation, Anthony Moss shares his journey from a childhood passion for cars to founding Hunter Moss, a luxury driving tour company.
He discusses the evolution of the business, the unique experiences offered to guests, and the importance of creating stress-free travel.
Anthony also touches on sustainability in luxury travel, the future of electric cars, and the significance of documenting experiences through marketing.
He emphasizes the value of passion in entrepreneurship and offers insights into the dynamics of running a business with his partner, Julie as well sharing some sage advice to his younger self.
The SATT Team :)
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Listening to Emma’s story on this week’s episode of will leave you feeling a combination of amazed, humbled and definitely inspired as she shares her working career and personal health battles.
Emma is a tour de force in the brand and marketing world, working for brands like Nike, Chanel and Microsoft to name but a few. She shares how she navigated these businesses being at the forefront of communication initiatives with her ambassador and influencer work with Nike and Chanel. More importantly her children actually thought she was cool when she brought home some Beyonce trainers!
She poignantly shares her personal story of fighting and beating cancer, and how that journey has now shaped her outlook on life. She has written an incredible book called LIVE BRAVE, that is definitely worth a read, and regularly speaks at events to inspire people across the globe.
Emma now splits her time between Thermocheck, an amazing early detection technology for cancer and investing in climate and well-being projects.
The SATT Team :)
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In this week’s episode of the podcast, Steve Phillips shares his journey from market research agencies to founding Zappi, a company that automates and speeds up the market research processes for brands and agencies alike.
He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of AI in consumer insights, and the evolution of leadership within a growing tech company.
Steve emphasizes the need for human relationships in business and offers advice for new entrepreneurs navigating the modern landscape of work and technology.
The SATT Team :)
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In this episode, Dan Temm, CEO of Puresport, shares his journey from a sports-obsessed youth in New Zealand to leading a successful sports nutrition brand in the UK.
He discusses the evolution of Puresport from its origins in CBD to a broader focus on sports nutrition, emphasizing the importance of community, hard work, and commitment.
Dan highlights the significance of building a brand with purpose and the lessons learned from his experiences in professional rugby that inform his leadership style today.
He also addresses the challenges and opportunities of navigating investment and growth, and offers valuable advice for young entrepreneurs.
The SATT Team :)
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In this podcast episode, Steve Henry interviews Lina Tejoprayitno and Daniel Barnes, the co-founders of Pop Specs, a revolutionary eyewear business that aims to make buying glasses affordable, fun, and fast.
They share their unique backgrounds, the inception of their business idea, and how they have navigated the challenges of scaling their company.
The conversation delves into their experiences on Dragon's Den, their self-funding journey, and their plans for global expansion through franchising.
Lina and Daniel emphasize the importance of customer experience, innovation, and maintaining a strong partnership as they grow their business together.
The SATT Team :)
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In this enlightening chat with Jay Stevens, he shares his unique journey from a supply chain background with some of the biggest global operators to becoming the CEO of Wayfarer Travel.
He discusses the rapid growth of the company, especially during and after COVID, taking over from the original founders, and the importance of maintaining a strong company culture while navigating the challenges of leadership and a global business.
Jay emphasizes the significance of personal experiences in travel, the role of technology in enhancing customer service by giving his team more time with their clients, and the commitment to sustainability in the travel industry.
He concludes with insights on the transformative power of travel and his driving passion for creating memorable experiences for clients.
The SATT Team :)
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In this enthralling and inspiring conversation, Mark Scott, the co-founder of Bella & Duke, shares his remarkable journey from struggling in school to becoming a serial successful entrepreneur, and recently co-founding the market disrupting pet food brand.
He discusses the importance of resilience, the lessons learned from door-to-door sales, and the significance of community and connection in both personal and professional life.
Mark emphasises the need for a healthy approach to pet nutrition and the impact of technology on modern entrepreneurship.
After a recent diagnosis of dyslexia, he also tells us about his latest venture, Torus Tree, which focuses on healing through breathwork and community building and shares some great tips on gaining an inner peace.
The SATT Team :)
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In this engaging podcast episode, Mark Hackwell, Managing Director of 7th Heaven, shares his journey from psychology graduate to a successful leader in the skincare industry.
He discusses the importance of sales experience, the transition to management, and the strategies behind 7th Heaven's growth as a leading liquid mask brand.
Mark emphasizes the significance of quick decision-making, understanding consumer engagement, and adapting to market trends, particularly through collaborations and influencer marketing.
He also hints at exciting future product expansions, showcasing the brand's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
The SATT Team :)
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In this mouth-watering conversation we meet Chris Rennoldson who shares his journey from a career in finance to becoming the co-founder of Pasta Evangelists, a thriving pasta business.
He discusses the importance of following your passion, the opportunities presented during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strategic decisions that led to the brand's growth.
Chris emphasises the significance of customer feedback in menu development and the commitment to always sourcing authentic ingredients to make the product the best it can be.
The conversation highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and the vision for expanding the brand into a leading authority in fresh pasta and sauces and the adage that it is never too late to follow your dreams.
The SATT Team :)
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In this podcast episode, Christian Jakobsson, co-founder and MD of Medino, shares his journey from a magician to building and leading an online pharmacy.
He discusses the challenges and opportunities in building an online pharmacy from scratch, navigating regulations, leveraging technology, and the importance of leadership and team dynamics.
Christian also reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on their growth and how it proved the model would work.
Finally, Christian offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs to follow their dream.
The SATT Team :)
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In this brilliant chat, Thom Elliot, co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims, shares his literal journey from traditional jobs to establishing a successful pizza business with his brother.
He shares his wonderful story of how he and his brother discovered how to make pizzas on a road trip in Piaggio Ape through Italy (very slowly).
He discusses the importance of resilience, creativity, and teamwork in entrepreneurship, as well as the unique experiences they create in their restaurants.
Thom also highlights the significance of their connection to Napoli, their commitment to quality, and their recent achievement of B-Corp status.
The conversation concludes with valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The SATT Team :)
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On this week’s podcast episode, Greg Anderson, Managing Director of RM Sotheby's, shares his journey from a background in politics and event management to leading a premier car auction house.
He discusses the evolution of RM Sotheby's, the high-end car auction market, from its early Canadian roots to the unique auction experience they have now created across the globe. Sharing how their offer is evolving as new markets are opened up.
Greg emphasizes the importance of collaboration in leadership and offers valuable advice for young professionals starting their careers.
He also reflects on memorable auctions and shares his favourite car that he’s ever sold – along with the most expensive too!
The SATT Team :)
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In this entertaining and engaging conversation, Francesca Pittaway shares her unique journey to becoming the CEO of Biscuiteers, the exclusive, hand-iced biscuit gift delivery company.
In her story she highlights her diverse career path from the BBC to Not on the High Street and eventually to premium gifting.
She discusses the importance of finding purpose in work, the challenges of leadership, and her commitment to empowering women in business.
Francesca also outlines her vision for Biscuiteers, focusing on growth, product diversification, and international expansion, while emphasising the significance of a supportive and enjoyable work environment.
The SATT Team :)
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In this engaging conversation, Jon Simon shares his entrepreneurial journey from university to co-founding Pieminister, a brand known for its high-quality, gourmet pies.
He discusses the challenges and triumphs of building a sustainable food business, the importance of team dynamics, and how they navigate changing consumer trends.
Jon emphasizes the significance of maintaining quality and sustainability in their products while exploring future growth opportunities for the brand.
He explains the importance of following your passions and dreams in your career choices and finally shares which are the best-selling flavours!
The SATT Team :)
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