Lessons Of Resilience: Scaling Love Koffee To Exit and Living Through Made.com’s Collapse with Dimple Patel, CEO of Trouva

40 Minute Mentor

“We had one month to refinance the business, or lose our home….”

Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Dimple Patel, exited Founder, Advisor and CEO of Trouva - the leading global marketplace for independent boutiques.

With roots at Goldman Sachs, Dimple’s story is one of endless resilience, having navigated recessions, a major re-brand that almost cost her her home, a global pandemic and multiple acquisitions, including Made.com’s collapse.

In today’s episode, we dive into all of the above, plus:

➡️ Growing up on a Council Estate [05:00]

➡️ Joining Goldman Sachs during a recession and amid mass layoffs [07:12]

➡️ Exploring entrepreneurship as a first-time Founder in a recession [09:38]

➡️ Going from side hustle to full-time Founder [11:47]

➡️ Spotting burnout and the importance of routine rest [14:01]

➡️ Freedom vs Security as a first-time Founder [15:00]

➡️ The decision that almost led to the loss of her house [17:19]

➡️ Exiting her business and navigating what’s next [20:00]

➡️ Making the shift from COO to CEO of Trouva [27:48]

➡️ The collapse of Made.com and leading with kindness [30:24]

➡️ Roulette question: Working as a Venture Partner and the Founders she backs [40:13]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Dimple: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimple-patel-uk/

➡️ Find out more about Trouva: https://www.trouva.com/
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