I have a new long-form interview out with Steph Melodia for Strategy & Tragedy: CEO Stories. It is a proper conversation about what it really takes to build something. Not just the headlines, but the scrapes, the near misses, and the moments you would rather forget. If you are in the thick of building, or getting back up after a knock, I think you will find it useful.
What we covered
Turning rejection into momentum
We start with that very public Dragons’ Den moment and how I chose to use it. The lesson was simple. You do not control the outcome. You do control the response. That mindset shaped our early go to market, the positioning, and the few growth levers that actually moved the needle.
The product miss that taught me more than a win
We dig into Jurni, the sit-on carry-on we aimed at teens that ended up catching the eye of business travellers. That mismatch taught me a lot about focus, timing, and the risk of building for everyone. When you design for a blurry audience, you confuse two markets at once. Clear brief, clear user, clear story.
Working while life is not playing fair
We talk about living and working with cystic fibrosis, losing my twin sister at 16, and what resilience looks like when there is no crowd and no cameras. Habits, not heroics. Small daily choices. Asking for help. Remembering that a setback can be a signal, not a stop sign.
The path to exit and what came next
I share how the Trunki journey closed, what life looked like on the other side, and how I chose the next chapters. For me that has meant helping little ones sleep better with Zeepy, supporting founders who sell on Amazon through Aphelion, and spending more time speaking and mentoring so others can avoid a few of my potholes.
Questions I had never been asked
Steph pushed into fresh ground. We went beyond the usual founder script and talked about what I would tell my younger self, how I exercise the resilience muscle, and where I draw the line between persistence and letting go.
Who this is for
- Founders in the messy middle who need honesty more than hype
- Product people wrestling with fit, focus, and trade-offs
- Teams who want to turn setbacks into momentum
- Anyone curious about what happens after an exit
Listen
You can listen here: Apple or Spotify
Or watch on Youtube
Book me to speak
If this story would land with your audience, I speak about resilience, product decision-making, and brand building with heart. You can find details here.
If the episode resonates, I would love to hear what part you needed most right now.