The Entrepreneurs

How can we develop a more balanced relationship with technology and embrace its potential without compromising our overall wellbeing? Harriet Pellereau, co-founder and co-CEO of Mind over Tech, shares some tips for reshaping digital habits to deliver a better tech-life balance.

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UAE seafood special: we’re in Dubai to meet Fahim Al Qasimi, co-founder of Seafood Souq, a digital marketplace that serves as a platform connecting seafood buyers and sellers around the world. Plus: Ramie Murray, the founder and CEO of Dibba Bay Oysters, the first and only gourmet oyster farm in the Middle East, talks about the role of aquaculture in enhancing food security.

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Masamitsu Hata’s fascination with fashion took him from small-town Japan to some of the world’s most prestigious houses. Hata tells us how he made the leap to launch his premium footwear label, Timothée Paris; how the brand has expanded without losing its focus; and why it’s opening a flagship shop in the French capital.

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We meet Maryam Zamani, world-leading oculoplastic surgeon and founder of high-performance skincare line MZ Skin. Plus: we head to Seattle to hear how Norway’s international business delegation is leveraging the country’s enviable soft-power assets to promote its brand abroad.

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We meet Chris Stott, the founder and CEO of Lonestar Data Holdings Inc, a groundbreaking initiative working to establish commercial data centres on the moon to store and safeguard information for future generations. The centres will also protect critical knowledge from cyber threats, natural disasters and other risks that could compromise data integrity on Earth. 

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Tyler Brûlé catches up with Value Retail founder and friend of the show, Scott Malkin, about his latest venture, Belmont Park Village in New York. Malkin discusses the latest addition to The Bicester Collection family of shopping-tourism destinations, which marks the company’s debut in North America; the limitations of online retail; and the importance of superior hospitality to provide a premium experience. Plus: the challenges and opportunities posed by technology in retail.

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Monocle’s Helsinki correspondent, Petri Burtsoff, visits the factory of Framery, the world’s leading manufacturer of cutting-edge soundproof pods, to see firsthand how it has become the market leader in the industry. Plus: co-founder and CEO Samu Hällfors discusses the company’s product strategy and the crucial design elements for good acoustics, efficiency and comfort.

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Georgina Godwin heads to the Caribbean coast of Colombia to meet Portia Hart, founder of Blue Apple Beach, a boutique hotel and beach club on the island of Tierra Bomba. Hart discusses her regenerative approach to sustainability and explains how aligning best practice in hospitality with environmental and social responsibility is the right thing to do for both business and planet.

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We meet Laduma Ngxokolo, founder and creative director of Maxhosa Africa, a knitwear brand that’s making a splash on the global fashion scene. He discusses how the label blends culturally rooted textile styles with high-end luxury and its debut at Paris Fashion Week this year.

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We meet Adam Gianotti, co-founder and designer of Druthers, a New York-based clothing brand born from a desire to bring greater intentionality to the fashion industry. Gianotti talks about the importance of sustainable, high-quality basics and how the Big Apple influences the identity of the label.

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Actor and Crafty Boys co-founder Charlie Hamblett discusses the origin story of the catering and craft service provider for film and TV sets, which he launched with his brother Louis. Hamblett talks about navigating the challenges posed by 2023’s Hollywood strikes and balancing his acting career with the growing catering business. 

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Swiss-American architect David Montalba founded the eponymous award-winning international firm in 2004. Montalba reflects on the company’s upcoming 20th anniversary, the effect of his early experiences working with renowned practitioners and the critical importance of collaboration.

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Petri Burtsoff heads to Tallinn to meet Lisette Luik, co-founder of Arbonics, an Estonian technology company that calculates the carbon removal potential of land and allows landowners to better quantity this data. With investors including Taavet Hinrikus, co-founder of Skype and Wise, Arbonics emphasises forest growth alongside technological solutions to preserve biodiversity and resilience by scaling up nature’s role in carbon removal. 

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We explore wine destinations around the world. First we head to the picturesque village of Epesses in the Lavaux winegrowing region of Switzerland, home to the largest vineyard area in the country and a Unesco World Heritage Site, to meet Blaise Duboux and tour his eponymous estate. We also meet the founder of an agency working to build up and promote wine tourism in South Africa.

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Gerhard Girkinger, vice-president of customer experience, delivery and membership at Oneworld, talks about the inspiration behind the company’s expansion into branded lounges. It recently opened two locations in Seoul Incheon and Amsterdam’s Schiphol airports. 

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We meet two Swiss founders working to combat overconsumption in style. Co-founder Stefan Mathys breaks down how Vyn trainers marry craftsmanship with a deep understanding of wear patterns to craft durable kicks with added value for consumers. Franz Bittmann, CEO of Namuk, talks about his sustainable children’s outdoor-clothing brand, which encourages a deep-seated love for nature from a young age.

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Founder Jack Geldard has a thirst for adventure. Introduced to craft beer while climbing in California, Geldard was disappointed with the lack of options in Chamonix after relocating to the French Alps. That set him on the path to launch award-winning Big Mountain Brewing Company, making beer that captures the unique spirit of the mountains.

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We explore the world of perfume with two female entrepreneurs in the fragrance industry. Phway Su Aye discusses the philosophy behind Gabar, a fragrance brand that aims to capture the beauty and complexity of Myanmar culture with Southeast Asian botanicals. We also meet Romy Kowalewski, founder of Barcelona-based 27 87, a perfume brand focused on modern perfumery.

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We meet the team behind Sale e Pepe, a beloved hotspot in London’s Knightsbridge, to hear about its stylish revamp that blends modernity with traditional Italian hospitality. Markus Thesleff and Santino Cicciari discuss the transformation of the restaurant ahead of its 50th anniversary and why creating memorable dining experiences is just as vital as serving delicious food.

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We take to the skies with Toby Edwards, the co-CEO of Victor, a leading on-demand, private-jet charter company. Edwards discusses Victor’s commitment to excellent hospitality, the challenges of scaling the business while maintaining a strong working culture and the importance of sustainable aviation fuel. Plus: the founder of consultancy firm Global Citizen Solutions reveals the most popular countries for globally-minded citizens looking to relocate.

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Monocle’s Petri Burtsoff meets Indrek Laul, CEO of Estonia Piano, a company known for blending traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to create instruments with exceptional sound. Laul discusses the brand’s commitment to excellence, as well as blending heritage with innovation to create some of the world’s best handmade pianos.

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Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, explores Hong Kong’s role in manufacturing with the CEO of Smoothlink, a textile and garment factory that partners with some of the world’s most innovative apparel labels – and puts branding at the heart of its operations.

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CEO Ella Gudwin talks about VisionSpring’s mission to provide affordable eye care to low-income communities globally. Gudwin highlights the innovative approach of the organisations, which challenges traditional charitable models, and the positive effect that making clear vision accessible has on livelihoods and overall quality of life.

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We meet Tim Butcher, one half of the dynamic designer-maker couple behind luxury design brand Fromental, which specialises in handcrafted wallpapers and textiles. Butcher discusses how he and his co-founder wife, Lizzie Deshayes, navigate intertwining their personal and professional lives, the studio’s growth and its international presence. Plus: the creative force behind the eponymous, Paris-based Leslie David Studio stops by Midori House to talk about the process behind her creative agency.

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We meet Alice Ziccheddu, founder of Sardinian skincare brand In Aéras. She reveals how the line blends botanicals from the Mediterranean island into its products to promote ‘well-ageing’ and innovative wellness’.

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Monocle’s Tom Webb joins the show to tell us who he met at CIFF, the longest-running fashion fair in northern Europe and a key date for industry insiders. Featuring Stine Goya, designer and founder of the eponymous womenswear label beloved by the city’s smart set; Barbora Surá, co-founder and CEO of sustainable “activist” brand, Our Shift; and Claus Frederiksen, owner of the Danish capital’s landmark menswear shop Troelstrup.  

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We head to the Swiss city of Lausanne to meet the founder and proprietor of Books Books Books, an independent English-language bookshop. Matthew Wake talks about navigating the initial challenges of setting up shop 15 years ago, when naysayers warned about the rise of digital media and e-books.

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We meet the founder of a San Francisco-based flower delivery service that sources blooms from local farmers in California. Emily Boschetto talks about the origin of the business, which started in a Bay Area garage, and how it blossomed into a multi-state brand. Plus: Jack Lewis returns to chat about growing his plant-care business with a line of gardening tools designed to be cherished for generations to come.

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Ursina Beerli is co-founder of the Zürich-based company that specialises in creating unique, playable records made from recycled silver, gold and platinum. Beerli talks about the manufacturing process in Bavaria, the craftsmanship of the records and Precious Sound’s first official collaboration, with the band Third Eye Blind.

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We meet the founder of The Grey, a skincare range tailored specifically for men, with sleek packaging designed for easy travel. Plus: we head to Zürich to hear how the Swiss-based Japanese skincare brand Ipsum Alii fuses ancestral healing herbs with modern science.

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Monocle’s Tomos Lewis is in Philadelphia to meet Vivek Nayar, one of the twin brothers behind Two Robbers, a beverage company that’s elevating the city’s alcohol market. Vivek talks about the brand’s line of refreshing hard seltzers and why launching a physical outpost in Philadelphia’s trendy Fishtown neighbourhood was a key component to its growth. 

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Niklas Adalberth, co-founder of Klarna, talks about quitting the financial services company to pursue something more meaningful. He discusses launching the Norrsken Foundation, a Swedish non-profit that invests in start-ups tackling challenging global issues, the pitfalls of chasing financial success without purpose and the role of businesses in changing things for the better. Plus: we head to Zürich to meet the founder of a clothing brand making garments from Swiss river plastic.

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Aurelia Rauch is creative director of the Zürich-based private bank Bergos. She explains how her background in art history and theology has influenced her vision for the bank’s branding strategy and her conviction that a bold brand vision can drive financial institutions to be more effective. 

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Francis Kurkdjian is a world-renowned “nose” and founder of his eponymous perfume-maker that has created some of the world’s most celebrated fragrances. He discusses his lifelong fascination with couture, the importance of creative collaboration and how technology is shaping the future of perfume. Plus: how to navigate the challenges posed by imitators and why he is confident that beloved Kurkdjian fragrances such as Baccarat Rouge 540 are not threatened by these “dupes”.

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Speaker and coach Lily Silverton talks about The Priorities Method – her unique approach ​​to life and work centred around values-driven, purposeful and intentional decision-making – and the creation of her coaching journal designed to make her technique accessible to more people. Plus: Lily’s tips for success in the new year.

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Harry Jameson, co-founder of Pillar Wellbeing, shares insights from his extensive career as a performance coach and explains the holistic approach to health and wellness that led to the creation of his company. 

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Monocle’s Laura Kramer heads to Sussex to meet the team behind the award-winning English sparkling wine. 

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Alli Abdelal talks about founding her luxury bag brand in 2015 after a chance encounter with a farmer introduced her to the rare Herdwick sheep of the Lake District. Abdelal shares the importance of creating products with lasting integrity and collaborating with Italian artisans, as well as how customer feedback is actively incorporated into her design process.

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Co-founder Julian Vogel talks about the evolution of the luxury British homeware brand, its successful pivot during the pandemic and expanding its presence in international markets. 

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Festa and Bar Douro founder Max Graham talks about the diversity and dynamism of Portugal’s wine scene and why he is so passionate about introducing people to the food and drink of his country. Plus: we head to a winery in Alentejo that dates back to the 1700s to meet the young entrepreneurs using ancient techniques to make natural wine. 

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Monocle’s Paige Reynolds heads to Qube East in Canary Wharf to interview co-founders Amin Hamzianpour and Nicholas Sonuga, who discuss the expansion of their London-based, members-only studios for music producers, podcasters and video-content creators. They talk about finding a gap in the market to build a community of creatives who want access to quality studios, as well as somewhere to meet and connect with other artists.

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The Entrepreneurs Christmas special: We meet Mike and Alison Battle, the founders of the nation’s biggest Christmas wonderland, Lapland UK, who talk about their commitment to creating a magical festive experience for the whole family. Plus: we hear from the big man himself: Santa Claus shares how he makes his global business work.

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Laura Schälchli discusses her adventures in Swiss chocolate as co-founder of Laflor, an innovative and responsible brand built on a foundation of high-quality, single-origin cacao beans. 

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In 2015, Sophie Garnier and her husband moved to Myanmar in search of adventure. There they found talented artisans who were crafting exquisite goods but had limited access to wider markets. This inspired Garnier to establish homeware brand Kalinko. She tells us about some of the hurdles that she has faced in navigating Myanmar’s political instability. Plus: Pernille Lind, co-founder of Lind + Almond design studio, discusses her collaboration with her business partner, Richy Almond, and how her design philosophy blends the familiar and the exotic.

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Martha Dalton is co-founder of the award-winning bourbon brand named after the legendary racehorse. Never Say Die is a British take on a classic American whiskey, distilled in Kentucky and aged as it’s shipped across the Atlantic to finish maturing in the UK. Dalton explains why the brand is following in the hoof-steps of the plucky, Derby-winning colt.

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Rafa Gomez founded menswear brand Unfeigned as a result of his futile pursuit to find a quality, basic T-shirt. Now it’s a thriving business and very much a family affair. Rafa and his sister, Unfeigned’s art director, Maria, join the show to chat about the start of the label and how the family makes working together work. Plus: insights from Shope Delano and Natalia Barros Vives of London-based womenswear label Kind Regards.

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Founder Ariel Kaye looks back on the brand’s decade-long journey from a modest online bedding start-up to a homeware industry mainstay with 26 shops and more than 200 employees. Kaye explains how she raised the initial funding, shares her disciplined strategy for growth and why she is so passionate about Parachute’s capacity to transform home design.

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Two pioneering brands changing the game in luxury dental care. Stockholm-based toothpaste and mouthwash brand Selahatin was founded by Swedish-Turkish entrepreneur Kristoffer Vural in response to a personal crisis. Now Vural is elevating the everyday experience of oral hygiene with his beautifully crafted products. Plus: Suri founders Mark Rushmore and Gyve Safavi return to our London studio to talk about how the business has grown since their first visit – and what’s next.

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Dudley Radford is the founder and design director of the innovative cabin-making business that is on a mission to deliver small spaces with maximum design impact. Hutsmith utilises cutting-edge construction techniques while prioritising sustainability at every turn. Radford ventured into small-scale architecture in 2020, following years in renewable energy and sustainability. He explains how the business has grown to complete more than 60 projects with seamlessly integrated features such as solar power and rainwater harvesting. 

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Marisa Hordern quit her day job 15 years ago and started the jewellery brand Missoma to create quality, fashion-forward pieces that wouldn’t break the bank. Marisa explains how the brand has grown a loyal customer base from its humble beginnings, shipped to more than 200 countries and opened its first shop. Plus: seasonal shopping tips from the co-founder of Knightsbridge Rocks, Brenda Tuohy, who’s a connoisseur of fine jewellery with a knack for finding the right piece for the right occasion.

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Founder and CEO Harald Overholm talks about the potential for solar energy to revolutionise the power sector and help businesses reach sustainability goals through its cost-effectiveness, scalability, and environmental benefits. Plus: the importance of making solar beautiful. 

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We explore the enduring tradition of sartorial craftsmanship as we meet the founder of The Deck, a contemporary made-to-measure brand that is passionate about the power of the bespoke tailoring service experience for women. Plus: how Walker Slater became synonymous with tweed excellence, blending Scottish heritage with English tailoring expertise.

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Founder Lilian Afshar talks about the creation of her accessories brand, how she has changed perceptions of acrylic as a fashion-forward material and her future plans as the label celebrates its 10-year anniversary.

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We’re in the United Arab Emirates to explore how the business landscape has evolved over the past 15 years and to hear about the opportunities that it has for entrepreneurs and start-ups. The president of Emirates tells us about the role that the airline plays in shaping the nation’s soft power. Plus: we meet the co-founder of Appellation, a brand that blends therapeutic scents and science in pursuit of wellness.

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Monocle’s Christopher Cermak heads to Tallinn to meet Cybernetica’s CEO, Oliver Väärtnõu, and hear how Estonia’s oldest IT company has played a pivotal role in shaping the government’s digital services. He shares insights on how savvy entrepreneurs can collaborate with government bureaucracies. 

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Henrik Taudorf Lorensen is the founder and CEO of the award-winning Danish brand that’s reimagining how furniture is designed, built and sold. Lorensen explains his mission to address urgent environmental and climate challenges through design innovation and sustainable manufacture, and tells us how Takt prioritises modularity and repairability to achieve product longevity.

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Founder Marc Cameron talks about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in cinema and shares his vision for the future of the film industry.

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Løci co-founder Emmanuel Eribo talks about combining sustainability and style at the vegan trainer brand. Plus: meet Eyerusalem Kidane, the co-founder of Sabegn, an ethical-fashion business based in Ethiopia that specialises in producing premium, upcycled leather goods.

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World-renowned chef Yannick Alléno holds 15 Michelin stars across 17 restaurants but after decades in the business he has just made his UK debut at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. He talks about the inspiration behind the new premises and shares insights into the culinary innovations that drive his global success.  

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Founder Henrik Rye declassifies some of the secrets behind the scenes at his watchmaking company, Micromilspec, which designs and produces Swiss-made timekeeping instruments for special operations forces, first responders and military units. Plus: we meet the founder of the Oslo-based apparel brand, Northern Playground, who explains how the brand is balancing business growth with sustainability as it aims to change the way we consume.

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Music industry trailblazer Jasper Parrott talks about his evolving role at the esteemed classical music and performing arts agency that he co-founded in 1969. Parrott discusses the challenges and opportunities ahead, and his role shaping the careers of some of the world’s most-renowned artists. 

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Babbel CEO Arne Schepker explains how the world’s best-selling language-learning platform evolves and adapts to new technologies and why it remains committed to using human interaction and conversation to help its users achieve proficiency. Plus: we head to western Ukraine to meet Kateryna Khudyk, co-founder of language school CLA, to hear why she’s so passionate about promoting effective communication among the country’s business leaders.

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John Mollanger is the CEO of the innovative French manufacturer of e-bikes that truly stand out from the crowd thanks to unrivalled form, function, security and safety features. Angell has now unveiled its Mini E-Bike 1, the first electric bicycle created with the Mini automotive brand. Mollanger stopped by Midori House to talk about the launch, his lifelong passion for smart mobility, and how spells living and working in Japan and Denmark transformed his approach to business and life. 

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In a Brazil special, we head to the 35th Bienal de São Paulo and take the temperature of the city’s art scene. We also meet Sissi Freeman, marketing and sales director at Granado, to hear her plans for the storied Brazilian pharmacy brand’s global expansion. Plus: meat and merriment with Tomas Maunier, founder and managing director of restaurant group Fazenda. 

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Julien Vaissieres is the founder and CEO of the innovative design and manufacturing firm. He is on a mission to change the way things are made by developing viable circular practices using smart technologies such as 3D-printing. He shares his vision to be the leading supplier of sustainable manufacturing capabilities to global brands and designers.

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Can ethically sourced gold transform the precious-metals trade? Betts Group managing director Charlie Betts explains how transparency in sourcing precious metals is forging a new standard in responsible luxury and why his family business is committed to driving change in the mining industry.

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Gallery founderAdam Baldwin talks about his journey from starting out as an amateur art collector, with limitless enthusiasm but limited funding, to launching Baldwin Contemporary. His highly regarded London-based gallery specialises in modern and contemporary works of art.

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Meet Miika Lipiäinen, co-founder of Kyrö, an award-winning all-rye distillery that he launched with his friends after hatching the idea in that most Finnish of locations, the sauna. Plus: how the Fukushima disaster inspired Sees founder and CEO, Elisa Koivumaa, to start the household cleaning-products and cosmetics brand that uses all-natural ingredients.

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Meet the husband-and-wife duo, Sameer and Neena Vaswani, whose road trip through Italy inspired them to establish a plant-based chocolate brand that embodies health-consciousness and environmental responsibility.

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Pom Harrington, owner of world-leading antiquarian book dealer Peter Harrington, tells us about the family business’s Frieze Seoul debut, his personal journey in collecting and selling rare books, and why investing in the next generation of booksellers is crucial. Plus, he discusses how he navigates the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age.

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Jackson Clarke shares how Tentacle’s groundbreaking predictive technology has revolutionised the way we predict the future, to help clients solve complex challenges and gain a competitive edge in various industries worldwide.

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Meet Andy Evans, the co-founder and CEO of leading Australian offshore wind developer Oceanex Energy. Andy stops by Midori House to talk about his entrepreneurial journey, work to change how we power our world as a leader in the offshore wind farming industry and his ambitious upcoming documentary, ‘Planet Wind’.

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Founder Emmanuel Eribo talks about his journey leaving behind a high-flying corporate career to build something more meaningful that resonates with his values. With a vision for a different kind of retail experience, he and his co-founders established Løci, a vegan trainers brand built on ethical practices, using groundbreaking materials that combine style and purpose.

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We meet Hari Hundle, founder of the eponymous financial services firm for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, and corporations. Hari discusses his client-centric approach and the value of building trust and long-term relationships. Plus: why clever design is an important element of his success in business.

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Founder Brice Partouche talks about how the French activewear label is pushing boundaries by fusing cutting-edge technology and innovative design to ensure peak performance and quality. Partouche talks about the forthcoming launch of the first women’s collection.

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Morjas founder Henrik Berg talks about the timeless aesthetics of his men’s footwear and accessories label, and its Mediterranean and Scandinavian heritage. Plus: we catch up with Luca Faloni, founder of the eponymous brand built on a philosophy of slow fashion and an enduring commitment to being “Made in Italy”

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We speak to Mark de Lange, CEO and founder of the Amsterdam-based eyewear brand known for its distinctly Dutch aesthetic and exceptional craftsmanship. De Lange founded the company a decade ago on the premise that swapping eyewear should be as effortless as changing your shoes. Ten years on, what does he make of the optical landscape?

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Barry Bayat, the founder of Rumor Rosé, explains how he left behind a finance career to set off for the vineyards of Provence with the goal of creating his dream pink wine. Then we’re in champagne country to meet Fiona Perrin, CEO of Champagne Rendez-Vous, an all-natural brand focused on winemaking craft with minimal intervention.

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We meet RADA-trained actor Adam Blackwood who is also the visionary architect of Private Drama Events, an award-winning creative agency that he founded in 2002 with a view of bringing together his theatrical and production skills. Since that time, Adam and his team have worked their magic for renowned luxury brands, influential global charities and exclusive private affairs, including creating bespoke experiences onboard the British Pullman and Venice Simplon-Orient-Express trains. 

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Meet Sarah Brown, founder of the skincare brand whose acclaimed products have been proudly formulated, manufactured and packaged in-house in London since 2007. Sarah is an organic skincare pioneer whose expertise in developing effective, all-natural products was born out of her own experience living with challenging skin.

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In the heart of the Monastiraki neighbourhood in Athens, two friends took the plunge to create the bookstore that they thought the Greek capital was lacking. Hyper Hypo is both a community hub and publishing house, whose ethos and selection balances a smart mix of the playful and the profound. Monocle’s Paige Reynolds reports.

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Seb Inglis-Jones is the co-founder of Maeving, an electric motorbike manufacturer proudly based in Coventry, the traditional home of British motorcycle innovation. Seb explains how he and his team have created Britain’s best-selling electric motorcycle by combining classic engineering with future-focused technology. Plus: Éric Dardé, president and CEO of Beaumier hotel group, stops by to discuss the importance of authenticity in hospitality and how the brand is employing simple fixes to redefine luxury.

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Oliver Dixon is co-founder of the multi-award-winning brand that makes premium sodas and spritzes from natural juices, extracts and botanicals. Dixon has a background in branding, music and hospitality and co-owns a pub. It was there that he identified a lack of sophisticated soft drinks. This led to Something & Nothing, which has now successfully launched in the US.

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Jono Holt, founder of Otherway, reflects on the creative studio’s 10-year anniversary and expanding operations to San Francisco. Plus, we meet the co-founder of Merchery, a one-stop shop that aims to break the cycle of cheap and disposable promotional items.

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Bob Sheard, friend of the show and co-founder of brand agency Fresh Britain, stops by with reflections on the Brand Britain event that took place in January in London and featured Monocle, Central Saint Martins and the leaders of a host of great businesses. Sheard shares lessons from the day and explains how they have recalibrated his strategic approach.

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Monocle’s Asia editor, James Chambers, joins Tom Edwards from Bangkok for a Thailand-themed special episode. We met the founder of The Commons – a mall-cum-community centre – and the man behind local menswear brand The Decorum.

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Adrien Gloaguen, the founder and owner of French boutique hotel group Touriste, talks about its expanding portfolio and how to balance the individual charms of each property with overarching brand values.

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Adrien Roose is co-founder and CEO of the award-winning Belgian electric cycle company that has transformed the industry with its fully automatic rider experience. Roose explains how Cowboy is reimagining urban mobility – and how that is helping to shape happier, healthier cities.

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Monocle’s Paige Reynolds reports from Berlin on the start-up seeking to fix fashion’s sustainability problem and shift attitudes away from ownership by offering consumers a rentable range of everyday, unisex garments.

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We meet Annabel Thomas, the founder of organic whisky distillery Nc’nean on Scotland’s west coast. Thomas reflects on her decade-long journey to change perceptions of the spirit, reach a more diverse customer base and innovate production through sustainable practices.

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The founder of the eponymous slow-fashion brand, which creates classically styled and traditionally crafted garments, explains his commitment to using materials sourced from experienced Italian artisans. 

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We meet Jason Kirk, one half of the husband-and-wife team behind eyewear innovators Kirk & Kirk. The brand is revolutionising the industry with their colourful frames and thoughtful approach to design. Hear how they scaled the business internationally despite challenges along the way and why Jason is convinced that the right frames can be a game-changer.

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Fernando Bonastre de Celis, the founder and creative director of Bonastre, explains how his brand creates premium leather bags by focusing on materiality, durability and craft. He tells us why his success relies on European manufacturing – and plenty of savoir-faire.

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We’re in Lisbon to meet Chitra Stern who, with her husband, Roman, created Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts, which has reimagined luxury family holidays. She tells Monocle about her latest endeavour, Martinhal Residences. Plus: we head to Berlin to clink glasses with Moritz Zyrewitz, founder of a gentle, lower-alcohol German wine brand.

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Meet Krisada Kritayakirana, co-founder and CEO of Muvmi, a ride-sharing service that supplies cities in Thailand with electric tuk-tuks. The aim? To transform cities with more affordable, cleaner and safer modes of transport. Monocle’s James Chambers speaks with Kritayakirana in Bangkok about Muvmi’s innovative approach to transportation.

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Meet Athan Didaskalou, co-founder of Melbourne-based luggage and travel accessories brand July. Athan joins us to talk about the brand’s global success - and why he’s so excited to touch down in the UK. Plus: Ron Dorff co-founder Claus Lindorff sits down with Monocle at the Franco-Swedish company’s Paris headquarters to explain why Los Angeles is the next stop for his premium sports-to-swimwear brand.

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We’re in Paris for the launch of heritage French shoe brand Kleman’s first flagship store in Le Marais. We hear from the Cléon brothers, Alex and Mathieu, on why they prioritise investment in French manufacturing.

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We speak to Namrata Sandhu, the co-founder and CEO of Vaayu. The Berlin-headquartered company has developed the world’s first automated carbon software, which helps retailers analyse their footprint in real-time. Plus: we’re at the opening of a ground-breaking factory in Finland that is producing a revolutionary wood-based fibre for the textile industry.

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The CEO and co-founder of Headliner, Neil Mody, discusses his vision for the future of audio and how savvy entrepreneurs can seize the potential to cultivate an audience and propel their businesses forward. 

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