Dragons' Den icon Deborah Meaden reflects on her remarkable journey from a fearless 16-year-old entrepreneur to one of Britain’s most respected business leaders.
Deborah opens up about how growing up with a fiercely independent single mother removed her fear of starting over, the misogyny she faced in the male-dominated world of venture capital, and why women should take complete control of their personal finances.
Second Act is the podcast and community for women in midlife who refuse to fade into the background. Join host, midlifer, mum-of-two and divorcee Ateh Jewel as she navigates her own second act by speaking to celebrity guests about what age means to them, and how they're approaching this new phase of life.
If you've got a question or dilemma you'd like Ateh, her celebrity guests and experts to answer, drop her a line at secondactpod@hellomagazine.com and make sure to tune in to hear the answer.
From HELLO! magazine
Producer: Millie Jackson
Editor: Liam Davis
Executive producer: Danielle Lawler
Follow @hellomag on Instagram and watch all new episodes on HELLO! magazine's YouTube channel.
Chapters
01:50 – Single-Mother Resilience: Growing Up Without the Fear of Failure
03:40 – Dropping Out of Brighton Tech & Learning Through Doing
06:10 – Saving £50 for a Pony at 12 & Early Summer Jobs
08:15 – Playing Business at 7: The Cashier & Car Wash Mindset
09:40 – What Entering the "Second Act" Really Means
10:40 – Boardroom Power Dynamics: Sitting in the Boss's Chair
12:40 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Celebrating Your Wins
16:20 – Financial Literacy for "Queen Agers": Why Midlife Women Need Financial Power
19:40 – Dropping the Sack of Past Mistakes & Driving Forward Momentum
22:45 – How to Start Investing: Platform Tips & Finding Your Market
25:50 – Dragons' Den Success Stories: Dock & Bay Towels vs. Tangle Teezer
28:00 – Tough vs. Hard: Standing Firm for the Greater Good
31:25 – Late-Blooming Entrepreneurs & Finding the Right Timing
34:50 – 33 Years with Paul: Meeting at Butlin's & The Avenue Creamery First Date
37:20 – The Marriage Ultimatums & Choosing Independence
39:35 – Unapologetically Childfree: Challenging Societal Pressures & Tabloid Backlash
43:00 – Argentine Tango & How Strictly Come Dancing Transformed Her Marriage
44:45 – Horse Riding & Cognitive Health: The Power of Animal Connection
47:00 – Living in a Rescue Sanctuary: 6 Horses, 11 Sheep & 3 Dumped Cockerels
49:00 – Climate Activism & Taking Control of Purchasing Power
51:00 – Proudly 67: Rejecting Age Constraints & Climbing Over Locked Gates
53:50 – Advice to Her Younger Self: "Make All the Same Mistakes"
55:50 – Unplugging from Phone Anxiety & Focusing on Global Climate Solutions
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