The Entrepreneurs

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 autonomous tennis-ball-collecting robot. Haitham Eletrabi talks about the global demand for the product 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.

We meet the CEO of Casa Batlló, a cultural masterpiece that continues to inspire more than 100 years after its creation. Plus: how a Danish design brand is making smarter furniture that can adapt to changing needs over time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.