Kasa Connect

In this episode of Kasa Connect Mumbai Edition, we sit down with Eirini M, founder of MeSo Ventures and Frieze Connect Global Ambassador, to explore the hidden world of luxury art, global collectors, and the future of galleries.Eirini shares how MeSo Ventures evolved from an art fund into a nomadic art advisory and gallery operating across Mumbai, Delhi, Dubai, London, and New York — without a permanent physical space.We discuss how artwork is actually priced, the psychology behind buying expensive art, unethical practices within the industry, and why traditional gallery models are becoming outdated. Eirini also opens up about burnout, building trust with high-net-worth clients, supporting emerging artists, and bringing Indian art to a global audience.If you’re interested in art, luxury brands, entrepreneurship, storytelling, or the business behind creativity, this episode gives a rare behind-the-scenes look into a world most people never get access to.(00:00) Intro (00:17) Introducing Eirini M & MeSo Ventures (01:06) From Art Fund to Nomadic Gallery (02:00) Mumbai vs Delhi’s Art Scene (02:46) Breaking Into The Indian Art Market (04:05) Why Traditional Galleries Are Dying (05:30) Creating Unique Luxury Art Events (06:13) Partnering With Luxury Brands Like Bulgari (08:09) How Art Is Actually Priced (09:07) How Money Is Made In The Art World (09:39) Unethical Practices In The Art Market (11:01) How Eirini Selects Artists (11:51) “Art Flippers” & Market Manipulation (13:17) Eirini’s Journey Into Art (14:43) The Psychology Of Buying Art (15:55) Undervalued Artists Right Now (17:22) Building Trust With Clients (18:35) Burnout & Overcommitting (19:34) Memorable Client Stories (20:10) Gifting Art For Weddings (22:06) Learning From Business Failures (24:10) Dubai vs Mumbai Art Markets (25:30) India’s Reputation In The Global Art World (26:58) Bringing Indian Art To Global Audiences (29:13) Can The Business Scale? (30:00) Final Thoughts & Closing Questions

Is cryptocurrency just speculation… or is it one of the most important financial innovations of our time?In this episode of Kasa Connect, Prashanth Irudayaraj , entrepreneur, author, and former Tesla engineer ,breaks down the evolution of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, and what they actually mean for society.We explore:• The biggest misconceptions about crypto• Why crypto isn’t just about getting rich• Real-world impact in Haiti and Ecuador• The intersection of AI and blockchain• Environmental challenges of innovation• Whether banks should be worried• Why education must shift toward problem-solvingPrashanth shares why he’s moved away from hype and toward practical problem-solving — encouraging people to understand technology before investing in it.This episode is for anyone curious about crypto, AI, and the future of money — without the noise.[00:00] Crypto Misconceptions[00:01:00] Trust in Money[00:02:27] Haiti Case Study[00:06:09] Why Crypto Was Created[00:09:11] Advice for Beginners[00:11:33] Bitcoin’s Future[00:13:29] Brave New Crypto[00:16:46] AI & Job Disruption[00:19:02] Beyond Speculation[00:20:17] Ecuador Story[00:23:36] AI + Blockchain[00:26:22] Environmental Concerns[00:29:13] Education & Problem Solving[00:32:42] Startup Advice

What happens when you get engaged at 19… launch a startup… and then have to shut it down?In this episode of Kasa Connect, Simran Aggarwal Tangri shares her honest journey from early engagement and societal judgment to building her first business, Uninterrupted — and ultimately making the difficult decision to close it.She opens up about:• The emotional toll of shutting down a startup• Separating business failure from personal worth• Why co-founders matter more than you think• The power of personal branding• Building Before The Party (BTP) with family• Why slow, organic growth beats hustle cultureSimran speaks candidly about resilience, community, discipline, and learning the hard way. This episode is a must-watch for aspiring founders, especially those navigating pressure, partnership, and reinvention.

In this episode of Kasa Connect, guest host Noor sits down with Malak Aldean, a comedy producer and freelance journalist whose work spans BAFTA-winning shows, BBC, Channel 4, and her Substack Conversations on Comedy.Malak shares her unconventional journey into television, from children’s TV and Blue Peter to scripted comedy, as well as the real barriers creatives face when trying to break into the industry. She speaks candidly about gatekeeping, unpaid labour, industry snobbery, and the realities of freelance life, especially for those without traditional access or connections.The conversation also explores:Why most TV jobs are never advertisedScripted vs non-scripted TV (and why moving between them is so hard)Comedy as a tool for cultural storytellingRepresentation, tokenism, and who really gets to decide what gets madeMalak’s ambition to champion Arabic-language comedy and emerging talent(00:00) Industry gatekeeping & interview stories(00:00) Podcast introduction(00:02) Family background & influences(00:04) Choosing TV & film(00:06) Barriers to entry(00:07) First roles & internships(00:08) Landing Blue Peter(00:10) Development & scriptwriting(00:11) Freelance work & contracts(00:12) Script reading & scripted TV(00:13) COVID disruption(00:14) Breaking into comedy(00:15) Scripted vs non-scripted divide(00:17) Networking & comedy focus(00:18) How TV jobs are found(00:19) Tiger Aspect & producing(00:19) Why comedy(00:22) Quick-fire questions(00:26) Egyptian representation(00:27) Arabic-language comedy ambitions(00:29) Career goals(00:31) Advice for producers(00:34) Advice for writers(00:37) How projects get made(00:39) Diversity & bias(00:40) Industry stories(00:43) Support resources(00:45) Authenticity & patience(00:47) Tokenism & schemes(00:50) Where to find Malak

We sit down with Hasan Kubba — bestselling co-author of The Unfair Advantage — to unpack what really drives success in business, creativity, and life.Hasan shares the behind-the-scenes story of landing a major book deal, going viral during the pandemic, and building a global audience with his co-author Ash. He breaks down the powerful MILES framework (Money, Intelligence, Location/Luck, Education, Status) and explains how to identify your own unique advantages — even the ones you might be overlooking.We explore:The role of luck vs hard workHow to turn disadvantages into leverageThe truth about traditional vs self-publishingWhy storytelling is a superpowerHow to build long-term success without burning outA must-listen for founders, creators, writers, and anyone trying to understand what really moves the needle.(00:00) Securing a Book Deal & Early Virality(00:01) Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing(00:03) Pandemic, Ali Abdaal & Explosive Growth(00:06) Meeting Co-Author Ash(00:09) The MILES Framework Explained(00:11) Turning Disadvantages into Advantages(00:14) Philosophy, Fate & Hard Work(00:17) How to Find Your Own Unfair Advantage(00:19) Passion vs Market Demand(00:21) Rapid Fire: Habits, Books & Lessons(00:23) Health as a Hidden Advantage(00:25) Writing With a Co-Author(00:26) Ghostwriting & Legacy Projects(00:28) Using Power Ethically(00:30) Unfair Advantages in the Age of AI(00:32) Creating Your Own Luck(00:35) Consistency Over Time(00:36) Publishing Economics(00:40) Storytelling in Non-Fiction(00:42) Who Actually Reads Books(00:44) Best Advice Not Taken(00:46) Final Reflections

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Sindre Kaupang, founder of Procubate, to explore why traditional growth tactics are failing modern businesses — and what actually works instead.Sindre shares his unconventional journey from acting, music, and comedy into entrepreneurship, unpacking the lessons he learned from failed ventures, creative experimentation, and building businesses rooted in human connection, communication, and storytelling.We talk about running an online incubator, the dangers of spreading yourself too thin, why quality beats quantity in content, and how focusing on one project at a time can unlock sustainable growth. This conversation is packed with practical insights for founders, creatives, and anyone navigating a non-linear career path.🎧 Topics include:Why traditional marketing no longer cuts throughTurning creative skills into business leverageThe power of storytelling in growth and networkingManaging multiple projects without burning outHow to stand out without copying what everyone else is doing

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Auws Al-Gaboury, Creative Strategist and founder of Hyper Film, to unpack what it really takes to build a successful creative business in today’s fast-changing industry.Auws shares his journey through video production and advertising — from early setbacks and emotional lows to landing major global clients like Nike, Adidas, and the BBC. He breaks down why trust, in-person relationships, and genuine human connection still matter more than algorithms, even in an AI-driven world.We dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, the myths around overnight success, and why most people aren’t cut out for business ownership. Auws also explains how advertising is evolving, why content and founder-led marketing are winning, and how creatives can build authority through authentic personal branding.This conversation is packed with practical advice for filmmakers, creatives, founders, and anyone navigating a competitive market — covering resilience, adaptability, mentorship, and staying relevant without losing yourself.

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Amos Eretusi, founder of The Kusp, a UK-based social enterprise dedicated to improving access for underrepresented talent across the creative industries — including film, TV, fashion, media, and beyond.Amos shares his powerful journey from studying civil engineering to becoming a driving force for change in the creative sector. He opens up about the barriers minority creatives face, the importance of authentic networks, and his personal experiences navigating corporate spaces where representation was lacking.We explore his mission to build real opportunities — not just token gestures — through The Kusp’s community, events, and his newly launched platform The Kusp Hub, designed to transform creative hiring through education, fair recruitment, and accessible training.This episode dives deep into themes of purpose, resilience, identity, and the value of impact over material success. Whether you’re a creative, an industry professional, or someone passionate about empowerment and representation, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about the future of the creative world.(00:00) Authentic networking & helping others(00:35) Introducing Amos Eretusi(00:57) Nigerian roots & upbringing(02:07) The Kusp’s mission(02:54) From engineering to creative empowerment(03:53) Industry barriers & challenges(04:45) The Kusp’s unique approach(05:42) Introversion in creative spaces(05:55) Meaning of “The Kusp”(06:47) Feeling like a “box-ticker”(08:07) Entrepreneurship doubts & resilience(09:23) Building strong relationships(10:32) Sky Arts success story(13:20) Why representation is slow(15:42) Diversity behind the camera(17:08) Performative diversity post-George Floyd(18:24) Racism & backsliding(19:38) Being labelled performative(21:39) What makes a great connector(22:26) Advice for underrepresented talent(24:17) Fighting the urge to quit(24:53) Rapid fire(26:11) Mission over materialism(27:25) Money, values & contentment(29:00) Introducing The Kusp Hub(31:59) Accessible training & social impact(33:34) Favourite drinks(33:54) How to support The Kusp(35:22) Hobbies & interests(36:02) Advice he regrets not taking(37:01) Closing thoughts

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit with Zane Thadani — actor, comedian, and creator known for his viral Instagram and TikTok sketches that have taken the UK South Asian community by storm.Zane opens up about the real journey behind virality: the emotional rush of going viral, the mental crash of creative slumps, and the pressure of constantly needing to “hit” again. He shares the story of dancing to “Chaiyya Chaiyya” on the London tube, how that moment helped him overcome social anxiety, and why embarrassment became his greatest tool for confidence.We dive deep into mental health, consistency, originality, hate comments, family reactions, networking, confidence, acting, filmmaking, and why creators often lose themselves while chasing virality. Zane also reflects on cultural identity, British-Indian representation, and his ambitions beyond short-form content.If you’re a creator — or just fascinated by the psychology behind fame — this conversation is honest, funny, and packed with practical insights from someone who has lived the highs and lows of modern content creation.(00:00) First viral moment & early nerves(00:31) Intro to Zane Thadani(01:23) Recognition in the South Asian community(01:44) How his viral journey started(02:44) The emotional high of virality(03:52) How creators make money(04:35) Creative slumps & mental health(05:29) Why Zane creates(06:10) Tube dance changed everything(07:42) Embarrassment → confidence(08:30) Tips for going viral today(10:08) Gen Z attention spans(10:32) Originality vs adaptation(11:20) Hate comments & family responses(12:18) Ambition & identity(12:55) Networking & privilege(14:47) Insecurity & reinvention(17:25) Advice for new creators(18:30) Consistency vs quality(19:21) Rapid fire(21:17) Misconceptions about content creation(21:57) Emotional rollercoaster of engagement(22:24) Perks of fame(22:57) Filmmaking journey(23:47) Film school vs doing(24:23) Favourite films(26:17) Theatre experiences(28:34) Acting inspirations(29:27) Acting vs content(30:19) Family feedback(31:13) Advice to younger self(32:05) Authenticity vs persona(32:35) Cultural identity(33:09) Expanding beyond niche(34:16) Dream brand collabs(35:14) Networking superpower(36:39) Connecting with Zane(37:20) Final advice: consistency

In this episode of Kasa Connect, we sit down with Jessica Lindfield—entrepreneur, author of Play the Game, and founder of the women’s community Embrace Her.Jess shares her journey from working in insurance in Australia to moving across the world and restarting her career in the UK. Today, she leads commercial enablement at the Financial Times, builds ambitious teams, and supports women through her book and her community platform.We talk about confidence, rejection, leadership, burnout, career reinvention, and building your own opportunities rather than waiting for them. Jess breaks down the practical lessons behind Play the Game, discusses the DEAR Method, and opens up about the realities of finding your voice in male-dominated spaces.Whether you’re navigating career transitions, building confidence, or redefining your professional identity, this episode is packed with actionable insights and honest reflections.(00:00) Jess’s early career & being reserved(00:33) Intro to Jess & her journey(01:42) Inspiration behind Play the Game(02:01) Moving from Australia to the UK(02:55) Building Embrace Her(03:57) Why a book, not just social media(04:54) How the book is structured(05:24) Rejection, resilience & persistence(07:14) Landing her first management role(10:04) The DEAR Method(11:07) Career strategy & the chess metaphor(12:03) Her path to the Financial Times(14:34) What FT’s culture is really like(16:16) Community feedback & women’s challenges(17:54) Building confidence through action(20:50) Reinventing yourself abroad(22:45) Leadership & revenue growth(24:33) What makes a good leader(29:10) Burnout & healthy boundaries(32:03) Jess’s morning routine(33:01) Supporting high-performing teams(34:18) Coffee order + connecting with Jess(36:35) Consistency over perfection – final advice