Enterprising Futures Podcast
Enterprising Futures: Start-Up Stories
We’re excited to launch a brand-new podcast “Enterprising Futures: Start-Up Stories” from the Rob Wood Enterprising Futures Academy.
Across the series, we sit down with six inspiring guests including founders, alumni and members of the Newcastle University START UP community to talk honestly about entrepreneurship, ambition and life beyond education.
Hosted by one of our very own Newcastle University students, the podcast creates space for open conversations that connect students with the people shaping their industries!
Lessons a $120M Founder Learned the Hard Way
In this episode, Eric Tchalikian speaks with entrepreneur and investor Rob Wood about his journey from selling shoes in Gateshead to building and exiting a $120 million company.
He shares the key lessons from founding STEM Healthcare, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and breaks down his Five Drivers of Start-up Success, offering practical insight into the habits behind long term achievement.
Rob also explains why entrepreneurship should be encouraged in schools and universities, and how early exposure can help more young people see building a venture as a real option. Honest, practical and inspiring, this conversation is for any student or aspiring founder thinking about creating their own path.
This 19-year-old became a CEO whilst during her A levels
In this episode, host Eric Tchalikian speaks with engineering student and founder Henrietta Newble about building AnfiTest, a veterinary diagnostics company. From working in university labs and securing grant funding to preparing for her first pre seed round, Henrietta shares what it really takes to turn an idea into a start-up.
From attending Cambridge lectures at 13 to sacrificing her summers to build her company, she explains why you do not need everything figured out to start, you just need the courage to begin.
How to Build a Business Without Quitting Your 9-5
In this episode, Eric Tchalikian speaks with Michael Durante, founder of theInterna, a platform connecting UK students with start-up opportunities across Europe.
After completing internships in Paris, Rome and London during his year abroad at Durham University, Michael turned his struggle to access international experience into a business. He built theInterna alongside roles at London Stock Exchange Group and Deloitte before eventually taking the leap to go full time.
Michael shares honest lessons on failure, the power of mentors and knowing when to leave security behind, offering practical advice for students exploring entrepreneurship or simply unsure what comes next.
How to Go from Athlete to Entrepreneur
In this episode, Eric Tchalikian sits with Daniel Delsol-Lowry, a professional basketball player and founder of Dlowcamp, to explore his journey from South Jamaica, Queens to building a business in the UK.
After a career-threatening knee injury in college, Daniel turned adversity into opportunity by creating a basketball development platform rooted in discipline, community, and high-level training. Alongside his return to professional sport, he shares how studying entrepreneurship at Newcastle University and learning financial trading helped him fund and grow his vision.
This episode offers honest insights into resilience, risk-taking, and what it takes to build something from the ground up.
Why Leaving a Secure Job to Bet on Yourself is a Risk Worth Taking
In this episode, host Eric Tchalikian sits down with Catherine Devaney, founder of Curious Health, to discuss her journey from a successful career in employment to launching her own health communications agency.
With a background in psychology, sociology, and PR, Catherine found her path through working in health charities and developed a passion for improving how people understand health conditions and tackling misinformation.
She breaks down the realities of starting her own agency, from setting up infrastructure to building client relationships, and reflects on the challenges of stepping into entrepreneurship.
Catherine also shares practical advice for aspiring founders, highlighting the importance of critical thinking, finding the right mentors, and developing an entrepreneurial mindset while balancing confidence.
The Truth About Starting a Business at University
In this episode, Eric Tchalikian sits down with Johnny Coates, founder of Listy, a software platform designed to simplify the home-selling process by removing the need for estate agents.
Johnny shares how he launched the business during his summer break, teaching himself to code through YouTube and turning an idea he had on holiday into a real product. Despite losing momentum as he prepared for university, a lecture introducing a start-up grant reignited his focus and pushed him to take the next step.
He opens up about the realities of building a business from scratch while studying, from learning technical and financial skills on the go to managing his time effectively. Johnny also reflects on the influence of his entrepreneurial family, the value of collaboration, and the importance of starting early.
This episode offers practical insight into student entrepreneurship, highlighting the discipline, adaptability, and initiative required to turn an idea into something tangible.
