Why Jewellery Needs a New Model | Ilana Lever, CEO of Motley

Why Jewellery Needs a New Model | Ilana Lever, CEO of Motley

Author: Dave Bailey September 15, 2021 Duration: 47:26

Why have traditional marketplace models failed in the jewellery sector? My guest, Ilana Lever, is the CEO of Motley—a company that enables jewellery designers to bring their designs to market at scale.

In this episode, Ilana walks us through Motley’s business model, she explains what stopped her letting go of the details sooner, and we discuss challenges and learnings from fundraising four times.


Key links:

Motley website: https://www.motley-london.com/

Ilana Lever profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilana-lever-07551138/

Dave Bailey profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesuperman/


Key timestamps:

[01:01] What does Motley do?

[05:49] Where are you on your journey to product market fit?

[12:49] So you're getting married...

[15:18] What stopped you letting go of the details sooner?

[18:44] The challenge of fundraising

[21:35] How does Motley contribute to reducing global warning?

[30:12] How might investors avoid bias?

[33:34] What's your biggest fundraising hack?

[39:55] Quickfire questions


Thanks to Aron Gelbard for help researching the episode.


Got feedback? Email us at podcast@foundercoach.co. And don't forget to hit follow/subscribe so you don't miss out on new episodes.


Behind the polished success stories and press releases, there's a messier, more human reality to building a company. The Founder Coach Podcast pulls back the curtain on that process. Hosted by Dave Bailey, a top CEO coach whose writing reaches millions of founders annually, these conversations get into the granular, often unspoken challenges that tech leaders face after the initial excitement fades. You’ll hear scale-up CEOs speak candidly, not about their victories, but about the difficult decisions, the personal doubts, and the operational grit involved in steering a growing business. Each episode feels like a private coaching session, focusing on pivotal moments like navigating the complexities that follow a Series A round-figuring out how to scale a team effectively, managing the relentless pressure of the board, and maintaining a clear vision amidst daily fires. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a series of raw, practical dialogues that reveal what the title of CEO actually demands day-to-day. For any entrepreneur or business leader who wants to learn from the real experiences of their peers, this podcast offers a rare and invaluable perspective. Dave facilitates a space where his guests can share the unvarnished truth, making each discussion a resource for anyone on the demanding path of leadership.
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