#71 The sound of leaks: Fighting water waste with AI
This week, Tom is in conversation with Victoria Edwards, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of FIDO Tech, to talk about a problem that affects us all: water scarcity.
Victoria’s on a mission to create a world without water waste, and her story is nothing short of fascinating. From her early days as a self-proclaimed “failed musician” to leading a company that uses AI to detect and prevent water leaks, she’s rewriting the rules on how technology can solve one of humanity’s biggest challenges.
We dive into how FIDO Tech is saving billions of gallons of water, partnering with global giants like Microsoft, and building an innovative ‘Water United’ initiative to tackle water stress around the world.
And yes, we even chat about the surprising sounds leaks make—like an F-sharp! 🎵
This episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a whole lot of passion for creating real, lasting impact. Whether you’re curious about tech, sustainability, or just love hearing about people making a difference, this is one you don’t want to miss.
🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to think differently about water, technology, and what it takes to drive meaningful change.
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#72 The glam plastic-free make-up brand out to fix the beauty industry
In this episode, we’re joined by the trailblazing Nour Tayara, founder of AORA Mexico, a plastic-free makeup brand that’s shaking up the beauty industry. Nour’s on a mission to prove that beauty doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense – or be boring while doing it.
We dig into the big issues:
💄 The beauty industry’s massive waste problem – billions of plastic tubes and palettes that end up in landfills or our oceans
🌍 Why sustainability in beauty often means bland, beige packaging – and how Nour is flipping the script with bold, maximalist designs inspired by vibrant Mexican culture.
✨ Nour’s journey from working at L’Oréal to building a brand that makes you feel good inside and out, while challenging the status quo.
If you’re into beauty, sustainability, or just love hearing stories about people breaking the mould, this episode is a must-listen. Get ready to rethink what beauty can be.
You can also watch this episode on YouTube
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# 75 The tech business breathing new life into your LEGO collection
In this episode of The Better Business Show, we sit down with Ilya Malkin, co-founder of Sort a Brick, to explore how this innovative startup is transforming forgotten LEGO collections into ready-to-build sets using cutting-edge AI technology. Ilya shares the inspiring story of how a personal challenge with his kids’ LEGO bricks led to the creation of a sustainable solution that’s making waves in the circular economy.
From the challenges of sorting tens of thousands of unique LEGO pieces to the company’s mission of reducing waste and promoting reuse, Ilya offers fascinating insights into the intersection of technology, sustainability, and play. Plus, we discuss the future of Sort a Brick, including its potential to reshape how families and collectors view the value of their beloved bricks.
Whether you’re a parent with a box of unsorted LEGO, a sustainability advocate, or a fan of entrepreneurial innovation, this episode is packed with stories and ideas that will leave you inspired. Tune in and discover how Sort a Brick is giving new life to old toys – one piece at a time.
Topics covered:
The story behind Sort a Brick and its founding mission
How AI-powered sorting technology works
The economic and environmental benefits of reusing LEGO bricks
Overcoming challenges in building a sustainable, trust-driven business
What’s next for Sort a Brick and the potential for expansion
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#81 Building a better booze brand: How Sxollie is ripping up the cider sector
Cider doesn’t often make headlines in the world of drinks innovation. It’s a category that’s long been dominated by heritage brands, murky labels, and – let’s be honest – a fair amount of concentrate and sugar masquerading as nature’s bounty.
But this week, we meet someone who’s rewriting the rules.
Laura Clacey is the co-founder of Sxollie, a bold, no-nonsense cider brand born in South Africa and on a mission to shake up the status quo. From using single varietal eating apples (not juice concentrate), to pioneering transparency and sustainability in a sleepy drinks aisle, Sxollie is doing everything the big players won’t.
In this episode, Laura shares how she’s taken on an entire category with swagger and purpose, and what it really takes to build a brand that people trust, love, and want more of.
This is cider like you’ve never tasted – and business with serious bite.
“We’ve got one ingredient in Sxollie: the single varietal apple that we use. That’s what cider should be – 100% apples, with no nonsense or secrets”
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#82 From farm to finished product: How to build a supply chain you can trust
This episode is supported by CottonConnect.
What does it really take to build a transparent supply chain?
In this episode of The Better Business Show, host Tom Idle dives deep into one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing brands today: how to create truly traceable, accountable, and credible supply chains – from the farm to the factory to the finished product.
With global regulations tightening and consumer expectations rising, transparency is no longer a box-ticking exercise; it’s a business necessity. But building that visibility, especially in commodities like cotton, is far from simple. It takes technology, policy understanding, and human collaboration on the ground.
To unpack all of this, Tom is joined by two leading voices:
Prakash Philip, Global Director, Strategy and Impact, CottonConnect, who shares real-world experience from working with 800,000+ farmers across South Asia to implement digital traceability tools and regenerative practices that brands can trust.
Baptiste Carrière-Pradal, Founder of 2B Policy, who explains the shifting global regulatory landscape, including Europe’s evolving sustainability rules – and why legislation, more than ever, is driving the corporate race toward transparency.
Together, they explore:
How brands are meeting rising demands for traceability and ethical sourcing
What new regulations (like CSRD and anti-forced labor laws) mean for your business
The realities of tracking cotton and other commodities from field to product
Why traceability must go hand-in-hand with sustainability and impact
What tools, technologies, and partnerships are making it all possible
The role of data, verification, and storytelling in building consumer trust
Whether you're a sustainability lead, a sourcing manager, a policymaker – or simply curious about what transparency looks like in practice – this episode breaks down the challenge and opportunity ahead.
💡 Get ready to rethink what it means to truly know your supply chain.
This episode is supported by CottonConnect. To find out more visit, www.cottonconnect.org
“We’re not just tracking cotton, we’re building systems that support farmer livelihoods, restore ecosystems, and give brands visibility they can stand behind”
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#83 Carbon is not the enemy: Step inside Interface’s innovation engine
What does it really take to hit net zero – and stay there? For global carpet tile manufacturer Interface, the answer lies in a deep-rooted culture of innovation.
In this episode, Tom sits down with Luca Achilli, Global Innovation & Sustainability Projects Director at Interface, to explore how the company is using design, R&D, and circular thinking to lead the charge toward carbon-negative products.
They discuss:
Why innovation is essential to achieving real emissions reductions
The future of carbon as a raw material
How Interface is embedding sustainability into product development
What it takes to shift from offsetting to genuine impact
How to build a culture where breakthrough ideas can thrive
If you’re interested in product design, sustainability, or innovation – or just curious about how legacy businesses can still act like disruptors – this one’s for you.
“Carbon is a resource. We’re learning how to work with it, not just fight against it.”
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