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Founder in the Chair
Founder in the Chair is more than just a podcast—it’s a platform where real stories meet real ambition.
Every business has a beginning, but what truly drives an entrepreneur to take the leap? What fuels their resilience through the highs and lows? In each episode, we dive deep into the why behind the brand, uncovering the personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs of founders from all industries.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a business owner looking for inspiration, or simply someone who loves hearing raw and honest stories of success, failure, and perseverance—this podcast is for you.
Your story matters. Your journey is worth sharing. And Founder in the Chair is here to help you tell it.
🎧 Tune in. Get inspired. Take your next step.
Episodes
56 episodes
Breaking Free From Cultural Expectations | Parm Elkington’s Story
At just 15 years old, Parm Elkington ran away from home. By 17, she had entered an arranged marriage - beginning a journey shaped by cultural expectations, conformity and the pressure to follow a path chosen for her.After almost 10 years...
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Turning Pain Into Powerful South Asian Stories | Ajit Mann
In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena speaks with award-winning independent filmmaker Ajit Mann about turning pain into powerful South Asian stories.Ajit shares how he overcame financial struggles, career setbacks, the pandemic ...
Are You Parenting From Your Beliefs - or Your Mother’s? | Su Pattni
What if the way you parent isn’t coming from your own beliefs, but from patterns you inherited?In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena speaks with Su Pattni, founder of The Recoded Woman and a neuroscience coach with over 25 years...
Recovery Saved My Life | Navraj Dhesi’s Story
In this deeply personal episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena sits down with Navraj Dhesi - co-founder of Nekta Drinks and founder of No More Pretending.Navraj shares his journey from alcohol dependency and suicidal thoughts at the age ...
From a Council Estate to a Seven-Figure Marketing Agency - Rick Parmar
From completing paper rounds at 12 years old to building an award-winning seven-figure performance marketing agency, Rick Parmar’s journey proves that where you start does not determine where you finish.In this episode of Founder in the ...
Everyone Laughed at Her Idea... Now It's an Award-Winning Global Brand
Who would have thought that a simple roti could change someone’s life?In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena Nayyar sits down with Sophia Choudry, founder of Rotibox, to uncover the story behind a product t...
From Deep Loss to Inner Power: A Founder’s Journey of Healing
What happens when life forces you to stop, walk away, and truly listen to yourself?In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena Nayyar is joined by Sonali, founder of Lilac Rose Designs - a brand identity strategist who blends...
Designing Homes That Actually Make You Feel Calm
What makes a home feel calm, timeless, and truly personal?In this episode of Founder in the Chair, host Veena Nayyar sits down with London-based interior designer Shivli Marothia, founder of Shivli Marothia Interiors, to ex...
Your Home Should Work for You: The Founder Bringing AI Into Everyday Living
What if your home could think, adapt, and work around your life - not the other way around?In this episode of Founder in the Chair, host Veena Nayyar sits down with Mandy, founder of Akea Homes, to explore a journey that be...
The Chaos, Culture & Confidence Behind Punjabi Content Queen Aman Brar
Aman Brar is the definition of real, raw and unstoppable. From raising three children to creating content that makes millions feel seen, she has built an empire on authenticity, chaos and culture - without ever compromising who she is.In...
Why Diets Fail: Rowan on Rewiring Identity, Not Meal Plans
Most “transformations” fail because they start with food and workouts. Rowan starts with identity.After walking away from accounting, he spent over 20 years coaching at the intersection of mind, body, and life - helping women re...
She Left Dentistry to Heal Hearts: Hema’s Journey from Infertility to Purpose
What happens when a woman walks away from a secure career to follow her soul’s calling?After six years of infertility, IVF heartbreak, loss, and silence within her community, Hema found her purpose - helping others rise through the same ...
The Inspiring Story of Neelam Challoner | Going Against the Grain & Designing Her Own Life
What happens when a 15-year-old girl refuses to follow tradition and chooses her own destiny?Meet Neelam Challoner - multi-award-winning coach, author, and founder of Designer Life. A woman who walked away from expectation to build a lif...
From Postnatal Depression to Empowerment & Purpose | Sharifa Begum’s Founder Journey
From postnatal depression to national recognition - Sharifa Begum’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose.After facing isolation, anxiety, and a loss of identity as a new mother, Sharifa found strength in connecting women,...
The Bus Driver’s Son | Finding Purpose, Healing, and a Voice
What happens when you finally stop running from your feelings?In this powerful and moving conversation, Sukhvinder (“Suky”) Grewal opens up about his journey from emotional disconnection to self-awareness — and how becoming a counsellor ...
Trust, Faith & Fearless Leadership | Imran Savas on Redefining Success
When you stand for something, you’ll be tested.In this inspiring and deeply personal episode, Imran Savas, founder of Tape UK, shares how he built one of the UK’s most values-driven business platforms — without investors, w...
From Pain to Peace: Aman Kaur on Healing Yourself to Heal Your Children
When a parent heals, an entire generation transforms.In this deeply honest and heartfelt conversation, Aman Kaur shares how heartbreak led her to discover her purpose — helping parents heal their own wounds so their children can t...
From Burnout to Alpha Camp | Deepa Bhatti on Rebuilding Women’s Strength
After years of pushing herself to do it all, Deepa Bhatti hit burnout — physically, mentally, and emotionally. What followed was a journey of rediscovery that led her to build Alpha Camp UK, a space for women to reconnect with their bodi...
Dare to Dream, Dare to be Different, Thew World is YOUR Stage | Sonal's Founder Journey
Born in Uganda and raised in the UK, Sonal Dave has lived a life defined by resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Diagnosed at birth with congenital hip dysplasia and living with hidden disabilities and chronic pain, she faced barriers at every...
What I Learned Running a Factory at 14 | Joti’s Founder Journey
From running around her parents’ factory as a child to helping lead the second generation of her family business, Joti Reehal’s story has come full circle. What started with a career in IT — cut short by arthritis and chronic pain — became the ...
How Thushara Collins Turned Struggles Into Strength
Growing up in 1970s Britain, Thushara Collins and her family faced racism and even physical attacks simply for being different. Those challenges built her resilience and independence — qualities that would carry her through motherhood, study, a...
"The Truth About Karma, Energy & Soul Lessons | Gautami | Founder in the Chair
✨ What if the struggles you face today aren’t random — but patterns carried from past lives?In this episode of Founder in the Chair, Veena sits down with Gautami, an astrologer, numerologist, and past life regression ther...
From Two Sarees to a Legacy Brand | Sana’s Journey with Mona Lisa Sarees
From just two sarees to a thriving fashion and community brand — this is the inspiring story of Sana, the founder of Mona Lisa Sarees and the force behind the Mona Lisa Pop-Up Shops.At just 19, Sana moved to the UK with no ...
Turning Struggles Into Change: How Kaneez Started Dr. Expat to Make a Difference in Dubai
From redundancy to resilience, Kaneez Nabijee’s story is one of transformation and purpose.After leaving a 13-year career in finance, Kaneez took a leap into the unknown — building Dr. Expat, a medical recruitment and licen...
They Said I Was Too Dark & Ugly – My Journey to Self-Worth Through Dance | Nina's Choreography
From childhood trauma and a life-changing firework accident to battling depression and rejection in Bollywood, Nina’s journey is one of resilience, passion, and self-belief.In this episode of Founder in the Chair, she shares how...