She Talks Business

Minerva: Future of Work

SheTalksBusiness is a podcast for a curious and ambitious audience. In each episode, we invite a domain or industry expert to share their playbook with us - condensing years of experience and insights for you. Listen to experts unpack their strategies, walk you through case studies and simplify complex ideas so you can leave the episode wiser and inspired.

  1. The untold business of Sinbad's Wonderland Ft. Sidra Nadeem | Multi-city family entertainment empire in Pakistan 🎡

    04/11/2025

    The untold business of Sinbad's Wonderland Ft. Sidra Nadeem | Multi-city family entertainment empire in Pakistan 🎡

    Most of us grew up going to Sinbad but have you ever wondered what it actually takes to run a business like that? In this episode, Sana sits down with Sidra Nadeem, the powerhouse behind Sinbad’s family entertainment centres, to unpack the business behind the fun. From the money math to managing massive teams, this conversation is equal parts nostalgic and business gold. We explored how family entertainment centres actually make money (and where they lose it), what it really costs to set one up, and how customer loyalty data quietly drives long-term growth. Sidra breaks down why weekends are critical for survival, how she keeps Gen Z staff engaged, and what it means to lead a legacy family business in today’s fast-changing world. Whether you’re a founder, an operator, or someone obsessed with how things really work — this one’s packed with insight. 00:00 Sidra Nadeem - CEO, Sindbad’s Wonderland02:09 The Journey of Sinbad03:31 Family Entertainment Centres vs theme parks05:59 Cost and profitability insights of family entertainment centre07:47 Planning and expansion strategies15:10 Customer loyalty and data insights19:30 Acquisition vs retention in entertainment business21:49 What’s the market potential for FECs?24:57 Business of selling joy26:23 Challenges and adaptations post COVID27:59 Home entertainment vs. location-based entertainment29:19 The rise of competitive socialising30:08 AR/VR in entertainment31:49 Why Family Entertainment Industry?33:08 Staying relevant in a changing market35:07 Challenges with hiring young talent41:45 Family business dynamics and succession48:10 Adapting to changing family structures49:45 Need for inclusive spaces in entertainment centres52:29 Relationship with money and investment strategies Connect with:Sidra Nadeem: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidra-nadeem-b9533540/Sana Khalid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanakay/ 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more insightful conversations on building and scaling businesses. Stay tuned as we change the face of leadership.

    57 min
  2. The Value Revolution: Rethinking Community, Leadership, and Self-Worth Ft. Grace Clapham

    03/20/2025

    The Value Revolution: Rethinking Community, Leadership, and Self-Worth Ft. Grace Clapham

    Imagine the best leader you’ve ever worked with. What made them exceptional? Was it their ability to inspire? Their vision? Their decision-making? Now think about the best business, product, or project you’ve ever been part of. What made it stand out? In this episode of She Talks Business, Sana Khalid sat down with Grace Clapham, former Director of Community Partnerships, Product & Programs at Meta, and a powerhouse in business, leadership development, technology, and social change to explore the biggest challenges we are facing today with building communities, and the growing tension between self-worth and external validation in leadership. We also dive into the future of connection are micro-communities and in-person experiences making a comeback, or is digital convenience here to stay? This episode is packed with insights on rethinking success, self-awareness, and the future of communities in business. Whether you’re a founder, leader, or just someone questioning today’s business norms, this conversation is for you! 00:00 Meet Grace Clapham 02:19 Experience as Tech, Growth and Community Expert 06:24 Is community just a buzzword? 09:13 The biggest challenges in building communities today 12:57 Why businesses need to rethink their value beyond profit? 14:57 Are we measuring business success the wrong way? 21:43 How to build self-worth as a leader? 27:37 Leading with self-worth vs. self-esteem 32:16 Does self-worth shape the products we create? 34:13 Why we feel more isolated than ever and what does this mean for the future of work and community? 40:07 What makes a strong, engaged community? 45:57 Why businesses struggle to justify community in our region? 48:47 Should community be the core product, or should it support a brand? Connect with:Grace Clapham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graceclapham/Sana Khalid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanakay/ Stay tuned as we change the face of leadership. Don't forget to like, share, & follow! For more meaningful conversations, visit: http://www.minervites.org/ #selfworth #leadership #futureofwork

    52 min
  3. Our relationship with money - How to save, budget or invest?

    03/06/2025

    Our relationship with money - How to save, budget or invest?

    Does talking about money make you uncomfortable?Do we have enough conversations about saving, budgeting, and investing? What shapes our relationship with money? And what’s your own money story?In this special episode of She Talks Business, Misbah Naqvi, Sarah Munir, Halima Iqbal, and Sahar Habib get real about their money stories. They are diving deep into our relationship money through personal stories and professional insights. The guests discuss a variety of topics, including financial independence, savings, investments, and how early life experiences shape our financial behaviours. Through their diverse backgrounds and experiences, the conversation touches on the cultural and generational aspects of financial management, the importance of financial literacy, and the role of women in financial decision-making. A must-watch for those interested in financial empowerment, especially for women in Pakistan.00:00 Meet our guests02:43 Halima’s personal journey with money10:38 Sarah’s financial story15:10 Sahar’s perspective on money21:51 Misbah’s relationship with money25:09 Why don’t we talk about money? Is it cultural or generational?29:56 How to rewrite your money story?38:12 Money habits: saving, budgeting, and investment strategies52:17 Safety net & disposable income59:26 Advice for people coming from generational wealth01:05:50 Can financial planning reduce money anxiety?01:08:43 The debt dilemma: is borrowing always a bad thing?01:11:58 Personal finance stories from Oraan01:16:29 Women & money: redefining their role in financial decision-making01:21:24 Women, business, and the financial literacy gap01:23:46 Why women are overlooked as investors (and how to change that)01:28:03 The best financial advice you need01:33:02 When should you start thinking about investing?01:38:52 Key takeawaysConnect with:Misbah Naqvi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misbahnaqvi/Sahar Habib: https://www.instagram.com/saharthetherapistHalima Iqbal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/halimaiqbal/ Sarah Munir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-munir-0b1b0b38/ Stay tuned as we change the face of leadership. Don't forget to like, share, & follow!#money #moneymindset #investing

    1h 44m
  4. Startup Law 101: Legal Mistakes Founders Can Not Afford

    02/07/2025

    Startup Law 101: Legal Mistakes Founders Can Not Afford

    First-time founders often don’t think about legal protections - until it’s too late. Handshake deals and gentleman’s agreements might feel like enough in the early days, but when things go wrong (which they often do), a missing contract or unclear equity structure can become costly mistakes for founders. In this episode of She Talks Business, Sana Khalid sat down with Daria Bolshakova, a legal expert with over 15 years of experience helping founders, startups, and businesses navigate the legal side of growth. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the biggest legal mistakes founders make—from early-stage agreements to co-founder conflicts, investor negotiations, fundraising, and scaling legally. 00:00 Meet Daria Bolshakova 02:43 Common legal mistakes founders make 04:52 Why legal structures matter from day one? 07:07 Fundraising laws and investment instruments 16:15 Crypto tokens 18:20 Startup legal issues: Facebook example 22:19 Legal risks & structures for startup accelerators 25:00 Key learnings from corporate to startup law 27:30 Key legal considerations for investors 33:25 Why fundraising is getting harder 39:54 How founders can legally protect themselves Connect with: Daria Bolshakova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dasha-bolshakova/ Sana Khalid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanakay/ 🔔 Don’t forget to like, follow, and hit the notification bell for more insightful conversations on building and scaling businesses. For more meaningful conversations, visit: http://www.minervites.org/ #law #legaladvice #startup

    42 min
  5. From Farm to Table: Secrets of Sustainability, Organic Food, and Building Ethical Businesses Ft. Tassa Agustriana

    01/23/2025

    From Farm to Table: Secrets of Sustainability, Organic Food, and Building Ethical Businesses Ft. Tassa Agustriana

    Whether we’re cooking it, eating it, or talking about it - food is at the centre of all our lives - food is universal. With all the buzz around organic food, superfoods, and sustainable eating, we were thrilled to meet Tassa Agustriana, founder of Thrive Food Consulting and a food technology expert who’s determined to bridge the gap between quality standards, sustainability, and ethical sourcing in Southeast Asia’s fast-growing food and beverage industry. The discussion covers the impact of global events on supply chains, the meaning of organic certification, and the importance of transparency in labeling. Tassa also highlights the evolving trend of functional beverages and the challenges of maintaining product quality through sustainable practices. Whether you’re interested in food trends, sustainability, or starting a business in the F&B sector, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice. 00:00 Meet Tassa: Founder of Thrive Food Consulting 04:23 Food and beverage industry 07:44 What does organic mean in the food industry? 11:18 Is organic food worth the price? 15:54 Red flags on the food labels 21:15 What are the loopholes in food testing process? 25:36 South Asian spices in modern packing 31:35 What are functional beverages? 34:25 Things we do in Kitchen that are not healthy 36:55 Deși ingredients in beauty products 41:07 From farm to table: What’s the product journey? 49:39  Sustainability in the food & beverage industry 54:43 Beyond sustainable packaging: What’s changing in food industry? 57:59 Is overconsumption the cause of all food related problems? 1:00:17 What’s the market size of F&B industry? 1:10:19 Biggest challenges in starting a food business 01:12:37 How important localisation is in marketing your product? 01:20:03 Production and sourcing challenges in F&B industry Connect with: Tassa Agustriana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tassaagustriana/ Sana Khalid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanakay/ Stay tuned as we change the face of leadership. Don't forget to like, share, & follow! For more meaningful conversations, visit: http://www.minervites.org/ #food #beverage #foodtechnology

    1h 24m
  6. Is your company's performance review process BROKEN?

    01/09/2025

    Is your company's performance review process BROKEN?

    Meet Fauzia Kerai Khan, Advisor to Executive Committee & CEOs at Gaditek. She's the go-to person when it comes to turning old-school talent strategies into future-ready solutions. With an approach that blends neuroscience, AI, and leadership development, she’s built high-performing teams and transformed organisational culture in ways that go beyond the typical playbook. The landscape of human resource and talent management has evolved with AI but are we still biased in performance reviews? Are we still hiring based on likability? What are the red flags in an organisation and how can we intervene them? How can we build a culture that focuses on employee growth and well-being? How to build human first values? Tune in to hear from Khizra Munir and Fauzia Kerai Khan in this episode of She Talks Business. 00:00 Meet Fauzia Kerai Khan, Advisor to Executive Committee & CEOs at Gaditek 01:28 Evolution of HR management: Appraisals and Evaluation 04:21 What is a timely feedback loop in an organisation? 10:28 How do leaders balance timely accountability with avoiding micromanagement? 11:48 Managing change in bigger companies 14:02  How to measure performance in remote/hybrid environment? 16:19 How companies decide on lay off? 17:44 How to reduce  bias in performance reviews? 21:19 Are promotions based on how likeable you are? 23:54 Are personality hires a better way to recruit? 24:38 Who keeps the leadership accountable? 26:00 How to identify and curate growth for future leaders? 29:33 What are the red flags in an organisation? 31:20 Cost of having a toxic leader vs retaining talents 33:56 How to intervene when you see toxic practices? 35:40 Organisational values: From mission driven to more human centric 36:51 How to incentivise employees beyond money? What is 9 box grid method?: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/9-box-grid Peacocks in the land of penguin: https://www.bkconnection.com/static/A_Peacock_in_the_Land_of_Penguins_3rd_EXCERPT.pdf How Deloitte is evaluating employees: https://www.performyard.com/articles/deloittes-radically-simple-review Connect with: Fauzia Kerai Khan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fauziakeraikhan/ Khizra Munir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khizra-munir/ Stay tuned as we change the face of leadership. Don't forget to like, share, & follow! #culture #toxicculture #performancemanagement

    40 min
  7. Why are we spending BILLIONs on space exploration? Ft. Ann Cammaro, Founder & CEO - Antarexxa Space Global

    12/24/2024

    Why are we spending BILLIONs on space exploration? Ft. Ann Cammaro, Founder & CEO - Antarexxa Space Global

    Billions are being spent on space but how is it relevant to life on Earth? In this episode of She Talks Business, we sit down with Ann Cammaro, a space advocate and expert, to explore why space is gaining so much attention. Whether you’re a space enthusiast or just curious about the future, this episode is for you. Discover the importance of space exploration, the opportunities for emerging markets, and how advancements in space impact life here on Earth. 00:00 Meet Ann Cammaro: Founder & CEO, Antarexxa Space Global 01:06 How diverse experiences come together in space? 11:01 Why space advocacy is important? 15:10 How space is more than just satellites? 20:50 Why space is getting so much attention now? 25:10 Are we moving to mars anytime soon? 33:07 How space is directly beneficial to our life here on Earth? 38:42 Is space our plan B? 42:30 How Indonesia is strategically located in equator? 47:08 What are the opportunities for emerging markets to leverage in space? 50:46 Is space the right career for you? 01:00:37 Why are the environmental concerns of space activities? 01:10:32 How space is highly relevant? 01:15:05 Why making space education accessible is needed? Read more on space economy here: - https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-mars-launches-2026-elon-musk - https://spacenews.com/how-countries-can-increase-their-participation-in-the-global-space-economy/ - https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/04/space-economy-technology-invest-rocket-opportunity/ Connect with: Ann Cammaro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncammaro/ Sana Khalid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanakay/ Stay tuned as we change the face of leadership. Don't forget to like, share, & follow! For more meaningful conversations, visit: http://www.minervites.org/ #space #spaceadvocacy #spaceeconomy

    1h 22m

About

SheTalksBusiness is a podcast for a curious and ambitious audience. In each episode, we invite a domain or industry expert to share their playbook with us - condensing years of experience and insights for you. Listen to experts unpack their strategies, walk you through case studies and simplify complex ideas so you can leave the episode wiser and inspired.