Immigrants Building Companies

Asim Amin
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Immigrants Building Companies

Welcome to Immigrants Building Companies, where we uncover the extraordinary journeys of entrepreneurs who crossed borders, overcame challenges, and redefined success. Hosted by Asim Amin, Founder and CEO of Plumm, this podcast isn’t just about business, it’s about resilience, determination, and purpose. Each episode dives into the struggles, failures, and victories that shaped these founders, offering lessons on turning adversity into opportunity. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or curious about the human side of success, tune in and be inspired to break barriers

  1. 1D AGO

    From India to UK Tech Pioneer: Sonakshi's Startup Is Revolutionising Emergency Healthcare

    In this powerful episode of Immigrants Building Companies, Asim sits down with Sonakshi, co-founder of YourCue, a groundbreaking healthtech startup reshaping how we monitor patient vitals and respond to emergencies across the UK and developing nations like India. From her journey as a first-time international student in Manchester to founding a medical-grade device company targeting cardiac arrest detection, Sonakshi opens up about overcoming cultural expectations, startup challenges, and building tech that saves lives. The episode also explores: The difference between proactive and reactive healthcare Why AI is accelerating healthtech innovation Navigating startup fundraising as a female immigrant founder Building modular medical devices for global markets How trauma, personal loss, and lived experience fuel impact-led entrepreneurship If you're passionate about startups, healthtech, or immigrant founder stories, this one’s a must-listen. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: In-person podcast energy 01:10 – Sonakshi’s journey from India to UK 03:45 – Navigating university life & support for international students 06:00 – How her startup began post-graduation 09:30 – Breaking cultural expectations to build something meaningful 11:45 – COVID and the urgent need for better healthcare tech 15:20 – Vision for automated vital signs monitoring 20:00 – From ward alert to heart alert: building modular devices 24:45 – Tackling cardiac arrests with AI and wearable sensors 27:50 – Why developing countries are a strategic first market 34:30 – Revenue plans, hospital partnerships & productisation 38:00 – AI’s impact on development speed 45:10 – Sonakshi’s 3-year vision: universal, quality healthcare access 50:00 – Reconnecting with her family and personal reflections 53:20 – Advice to young dreamers: take the first step

    57 min

  2. JUN 11

    From Athlete to Health-Tech Founder: Chris' Journey from Cape Town to Building Strove

    In this episode, South-African-born Chris shares how a lifetime of competitive sport and four international moves, shaped his mission to improve employee wellbeing worldwide. Raised in Cape Town, Chris left home at 18 on a golf scholarship in rural Arkansas, trained with Ironman pros in Boulder, and finally relocated to London in 2021, navigating red-list travel bans, an ancestry visa and a 10-day quarantine via Montenegro along the way. He explains why time-zones, diaspora networks and access to capital made the UK the right launch-pad, and how he now manages teams in Cape Town, Johannesburg, London and beyond. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Chris and His Athletic Journey 06:02 Navigating Life During COVID-19 08:50 The Move to London: Personal and Professional Motivations 12:05 Building a Business Across Borders 15:06 The Importance of Time Zones in Global Business 18:05 Strategic Market Focus: UK vs. US 21:01 The Growth of the South African Tech Scene 22:27 Exploring Biotech and Work Opportunities 24:01 Connecting with Teams and Locations 25:09 The Importance of Focus in Business 26:34 From Accounting to Entrepreneurship 27:53 Addressing the Funding Gap for SMEs 30:19 Building a Marketplace for Working Capital 31:43 Transitioning to Health and Well-being Tech 34:09 Developing a Comprehensive Health Platform 37:02 Targeting Corporate and Insurance Markets 39:07 The Role of Purpose in Entrepreneurship 41:46 Navigating the Challenges of Founding a Company 44:54 Finding Purpose and Enjoying the Journey 46:35 The Importance of Intent and Community 49:00 Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit 51:52 Excitement in the Tech Space 53:00 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations 53:02 Transforming Mental Health Perspectives 56:40 The Agility of Startups in Competitive Markets 01:00:25 Leveraging AI for Enhanced Employee Well-Being 01:03:11 Demonstrating Value in Corporate Health Solutions 01:08:44 Engagement Strategies for Health Platforms 01:15:30 Future Aspirations and Impact on Health

    1h 26m

  3. JUN 4

    From Goldman Sachs to Saving Lives: Arnold’s Mission with Unbound

    In this powerful episode of Immigrants Building Companies, we sit down with Arnold, co-founder of Unbound – a preventative health startup with a mission to help people live longer, healthier lives. Arnold shares his deeply personal journey: from growing up across multiple African countries as a Third Culture Kid, to navigating the corporate world at Goldman Sachs, and ultimately finding his calling in healthcare. We explore themes of identity, resilience, purpose, and the stark realities of preventative care in today's world. What you'll learn: The immigrant mindset and long-term strategic planning Personal experiences with racism and identity formation Transitioning from a high-flying banking career to building a meaningful startup The shocking stats around preventable cardiac disease How Unbound is tackling behaviour change and community-led health This conversation is raw, insightful, and genuinely moving, a testament to how lived experience can fuel innovation with soul. Subscribe for more stories that celebrate resilience, entrepreneurship, and the power of diversity. Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: A Life of Change 05:07 Cultural Identity and the Third Culture Kid Experience 10:08 Navigating Race and Identity in South Africa 14:59 The Importance of Perspective and Duty 19:46 London: A Melting Pot of Cultures 24:59 Intentionality in Life Choices and Opportunities 30:57 Mindset and Opportunity in South Africa 32:32 Navigating Corporate Success and Personal Fulfillment 34:39 The Journey from Corporate to Startup 40:48 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Entrepreneurship 49:20 Embracing Discomfort and Growth 53:21 Building a Health-Focused Startup 01:00:33 Challenges and Reflections on Health and Purpose 01:01:33 Personal Health Journey and Cardiac Events 01:04:50 The Growing Concern of Cardiovascular Health in Younger Generations 01:06:45 The Role of the NHS and Proactive Health Management 01:10:08 Business Models in Preventative Healthcare 01:13:40 Funding and Strategic Partnerships for Health Startups 01:18:38 Vision for a Healthier Future and Impact on Lives 01:26:34 Reflections and Advice for the Younger Generation

    1h 30m

  4. MAY 28

    Why No One Cared I Was a CEO: The Painful Truth About Starting Over in the UK

    What happens when you've built success, earned accolades, and led a thriving business only to move countries and have to start from scratch? In this episode, Sydney Scott-Sam, founder and CEO of Workspace Global, shares a deeply raw and human story of identity, rejection, resilience, and reinvention. He unpacks the struggle of being an outsider, the reality of racial and cultural navigation, and why building a global tech company from nothing has tested everything, his marriage, his purpose, and his sense of self. From navigating fatherhood and startup life in a pressure cooker, to solving the global creative outsourcing crisis, Sydney delivers the truth many entrepreneurs won’t say out loud. This isn’t just a founder story. It’s a masterclass in grit, purpose, and what it means to keep building when the world doesn’t see you. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Identity and Credibility in a New Land 05:51 The Immigrant Experience: Challenges and Adaptations 10:24 Entrepreneurship: From Ghana to the UK 19:03 The Growth Mindset: Embracing Discomfort and Change 25:15 Workspace Global: Revolutionizing Creative Outsourcing 31:10 Affordable Talent Access for Entrepreneurs 34:12 The Freelance Landscape and Community Challenges 36:12 Innovative Agency Model and AI Integration 40:02 Subscription Model and Market Disruption 43:48 Customer Psychology and Pricing Strategy 51:16 Go-To-Market Strategy and Free Trials 59:54 AI's Role in Business Evolution 01:01:07 Building a Customer-Centric AI Infrastructure 01:03:42 The Human Element in Creative Outsourcing 01:05:30 Navigating Venture Capital and Ethical Business Practices 01:10:21 Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital: Finding Your Path 01:15:05 The Importance of Accountability in Business Leadership 01:20:19 Lessons from the Journey: Enjoying the Process 01:25:25 Future Aspirations: Uplifting Communities through Business

    1h 31m

  5. MAY 21

    Culture-Shock to Co- founder: Jane Fisher's Immigrant Journey to Fix Relocation

    How do you carve out a sense of belonging when you’ve never really had one place to call home? In this episode, we sit down with Imii founder Jane Fisher, a self-described “forever immigrant” who grew up in Japan with Russian parents, found home in multicultural London, and is now building a tech platform that helps newcomers integrate faster and thrive. We dive into: - What it means to be a third-culture kid and why identity crises are common - The six-month “phoenix” period every immigrant faces in London - Leaving a national TV career, taking a calculated gamble on health-tech, and winning a UK Global Talent visa - The aha-moment (during a 7 a.m. regression-therapy call!) that sparked IMI – a digital relocation companion now eyeing NHS and government partners - How purpose, not pedigree, guides her decisions – plus frank talk about burnout, therapy and staying mission-driven Whether you’re relocating, hiring global talent, or chasing a mission-led startup dream, this conversation is packed with raw honesty and practical insights. Chapters 00:00 The Immigrant Journey: A Personal Narrative 03:03 Understanding Third Culture Kids 06:13 Cultural Identity and Belonging 08:59 The Shift to London: A New Beginning 12:12 Navigating Challenges in a New City 15:08 The Phoenix Metaphor: Transformation in London 18:06 Finding Purpose in Career Choices 20:58 The Role of Community and Support 23:58 From Journalism to Tech: A Career Transition 27:12 Calculated Risks in Career Decisions 33:20 Calculated Risks and Career Growth 36:14 The Journey to IMII: A New Venture 43:35 The Birth of IMII: Purpose and Vision 50:42 Navigating the B2B and B2G Landscape 01:01:22 Aligning Purpose with Business Goals

    1h 6m

  6. MAY 14

    Purpose Under Pressure: Immigrant Grit, Wearable Science, and the Startup Balancing Act

    Raj grew up as one of the only Sri-Lankan Tamil kids in a small English town—caught between curry at home and fish-and-chips at school, always questioning where he fit. That outsider lens never left; it simply sharpened into a founder’s advantage. Fast-forward: he’s the co-founder of Hytro, the first wearable blood-flow-restriction (BFR) technology trusted by England Rugby, NFL franchises, and (yes) SpaceX astronauts. In this episode of Immigrant Founders, Raj shares how swapping a safe 16-year career in Big Four consulting for a moon-shot hardware startup rewired his sense of purpose and why he wouldn’t have leapt without first feeling like an economic “nomad” himself. We dive into: The immigrant calculus: balancing filial duty, cultural expectations, and the hunger to build something your parents never dreamed existed. Funding hardware when VCs hate hardware: turning 200 elite athletes into angel investors—and using pro-sports credibility as a beachhead before tackling direct-to-consumer. Stress management for founders with families: payroll panic, twin toddlers, and the self-talk that reframes anxiety as privilege. BFR beyond the locker room: from staving off sarcopenia in grandparents to keeping muscle mass in zero-G. If you’re an immigrant builder wondering when to trade stability for significance, Raj’s story is a roadmap and a reality check. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy 02:59 Immigrant Journey and Cultural Identity 06:09 Parenting and Cultural Perspectives 08:55 Entrepreneurial Journey and Risk Management 12:08 Finding Purpose in Entrepreneurship 14:56 Coping with Stress and Legacy 38:22 The Weight of Leadership: Embracing Stress as a CEO 41:32 Transformative Experiences: Finding Perspective in Adversity 43:30 The Birth of Pay Plum: Addressing Mental Health Challenges 45:47 Hydro: Innovating Recovery for Athletes and Beyond 49:15 From Earth to Space: The Journey of Hydro's Technology 54:52 Building a Billion-Dollar Brand: The Strategy Behind Hydro 01:01:16 Future Vision: Scaling Hydro and Expanding Horizons

    1h 15m

  7. MAY 7

    From Crisis to Catalyst: How Laura Notaro Built Synergy Immigration & Changed Lives

    What happens when one impulsive decision changes the course of generations? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Laura Notaro, founder of Synergy Immigration Solutions, to explore how personal upheaval, cultural identity, and entrepreneurial grit led her to become a powerful force in UK immigration. From quitting her job and falling in love just days before a major trip, to launching a business during COVID, Laura opens up about the highs and lows of building something meaningful in uncertain times. You’ll hear about: Why immigration is deeply personal, not just paperwork How changing rules are reshaping the founder visa journey The emotional stories behind spousal and family reunification cases How Synergy Immigration supported companies like Plumm from day one If you’re thinking of starting a life or business in the UK, this episode is essential listening. Chapters00:00 Navigating Life Changes and New Beginnings01:02 Challenges in UK Immigration02:53 Personal Journeys and Family Backgrounds05:51 Cultural Identity and Community09:05 The Magic of London11:48 Career Path and Entrepreneurial Spirit20:06 The Journey to Entrepreneurship23:46 Reigniting Passion for Immigration26:57 The Impact of Immigration on Lives30:15 Building Relationships in Immigration32:24 Navigating the Immigration Landscape36:09 Challenges in Starting a Business in the UK42:03 Navigating the UK Immigration Landscape45:09 Challenges of Starting a Business in the UK48:10 The Importance of Legal Guidance50:56 Adapting to Changes in Immigration Policies54:11 The Shift in Business Dynamics Post-COVID57:05 Future Aspirations and Growth Strategies59:59 Advice for Prospective Immigrants and Entrepreneurs

    1h 3m

  8. APR 30

    From Language Barrier to LinkedIn Leader: Elisabetta’s Founder Story

    Twelve years ago, Elisabetta arrived in London with a one-way ticket, barely speaking English, armed only with courage and a desire to build something meaningful. Today, she’s the founder of Mint and Lemon, a fast-growing agency helping founders turn their personal brands into powerful business tools. In this deeply personal conversation, Asim reconnects with the very first guest of his podcast, now the first to return. Elisabetta shares how language struggles once shattered her confidence, how one MD told her she'd never make it, and how she turned that pain into fuel. From breaking up with her partner and leaving everything behind, to becoming a thought leader with over 100,000 LinkedIn followers, her story is one of grit, growth, and going against the grain. We talk about: The realities of starting a business as an immigrant Navigating the startup rollercoasterHer pivot from recruitment to personal branding What makes LinkedIn such a powerful platform (and how to actually use it) Advice for anyone starting their brand or business journey This episode is a masterclass in betting on yourself especially when the odds are stacked against you. Chapters 00:00 A Journey of Change and Opportunity 05:51 The Immigrant Experience: Finding Home in the UK 11:56 Embracing Cultural Diversity and Personal Identity 16:40 Building Confidence in Sales and Language 22:04 Overcoming Language Barriers and Criticism28:10 The Transition to Entrepreneurship 30:56 Lessons from Startup Experiences 33:15 Navigating the Chaos of Business Management 34:14 The Realities of Entrepreneurship: Is It for You? 35:21 Inspiration and the Journey to Starting a Business 36:19 The Impact of Role Models on Entrepreneurial Aspirations 37:13 Taking Smart Risks in Business Ventures 38:18 The Evolution of Personal Branding on LinkedIn 39:13 From Recruitment to Marketing: A Business Pivot 40:11 Building a Personal Brand: The Power of Authenticity 41:18 The Journey of Immigrant Entrepreneurs 42:14 Overcoming Language Barriers in Business 43:19 The Importance of Community and Support Networks 44:19 Success Stories: The Hard Work Behind the Journey 45:03 The Art of Writing: Finding Your Voice on LinkedIn 46:27 The Challenge of Creating Engaging Content 47:25 Learning from Mistakes: The Path to Improvement 48:17 Building Relationships Through Authentic Engagement 49:15 The Balance of Strategy and Authenticity in Social Media 50:15 Navigating the Changing Landscape of Social Media 51:41 The Power of Personal Branding on LinkedIn 56:55 Building a Personal Brand: Strategies for Success 01:01:13 The Importance of Community and Connection 01:06:17 Reflecting on Growth and Future Aspirations

    1h 9m
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About

Welcome to Immigrants Building Companies, where we uncover the extraordinary journeys of entrepreneurs who crossed borders, overcame challenges, and redefined success. Hosted by Asim Amin, Founder and CEO of Plumm, this podcast isn’t just about business, it’s about resilience, determination, and purpose. Each episode dives into the struggles, failures, and victories that shaped these founders, offering lessons on turning adversity into opportunity. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or curious about the human side of success, tune in and be inspired to break barriers

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