Denise Milan

Denise Milan is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, lecturer, and author who has co-founded and invested in several companies, including NutriBullet, the multi-award-winning company that re-imagines the nutrition bar and enables consumers to create their own healthy recipes; and Nootrobox, the global provider of next-generation meal delivery and content marketing platforms used by market-leading companies like Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser, and Dettol.

A self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur,” Milan has built a reputation for pioneering and inspiring others to start businesses that make a difference. After spending more than a decade as an investment banker focused on corporate finance, she founded the Capital Group in 2016 and made the decision to develop a digital platform that connects leading entrepreneurs, corporates, and investors.

In this exclusive interview with HEART, Milan discusses the importance of investing in and being a part of the thriving entrepreneur ecosystem; the rise of the “superstar” founder; and the shifting focus of today’s corporate leaders and investors.

HEART: What is your overall view on entrepreneurship and why are you passionate about it?

Denise Milan: My overall view on entrepreneurship is that it’s incredibly important for any business – no matter the size – to have an entrepreneur at the helm. An entrepreneur’s focus is on the business, whereas a leader’s focus is on the people and the strategies that they need to succeed. The world is changing, and business models are evolving to match the new reality. The key is for businesses to remain flexible enough to operate in today’s digital world while being nimble enough to adjust to changes as they come.

An entrepreneur’s role is to keep their eye on the ball, to be constantly thinking about the business and what they need to do to innovate and grow so that they can remain competitive. In some cases, this might mean changing the business completely, in other cases it could mean focusing on improving and expanding one area of the business. Either way, an entrepreneur’s mindset ensures that they remain constantly focused on their goals and priorities, and don’t get distracted by the many outside factors which could potentially derail them.

How would you describe the current state of the entrepreneur ecosystem in your country?

Denise Milan: I think it’s incredibly strong. I live in Greenwich, and it’s a hub for entrepreneurial activities – you have all the major players within the city. There’s no shortage of people who want to engage with others and be a part of something which makes a difference. As a result, there are lots of opportunities for everyone. The issue is that not enough people are actually taking advantage of these opportunities, which is why I wanted to create the Capital Group to connect entrepreneurs with the support they need.

In my experience, whenever there’s an opportunity to connect a business with investors or corporations, the entrepreneurs who are most successful in attracting investors and gaining support are those who put the time and effort in to establish themselves as leaders in their industry and have a compelling story to tell. These stories usually involve overcoming significant adversity, and this type of person is typically driven by a very deep inner voice, have an unwavering commitment to excellence, and attract people who share the same core values.

What types of industries and organizations can benefit the most from an entrepreneurial approach?

Denise Milan: I think that any industry can benefit from an entrepreneurial approach, however, there are certain industries and organizations which stand to gain the most from it. Take the food industry for example, where innovation is crucial in order to remain competitive. If you’re looking to make a difference, you can’t just dole out money to support an existing organization, you have to put your own spin on things and be open to ideas which might not have been thought of before. This is where the true power of entrepreneurship lies.

Another important area which can benefit from an entrepreneurial approach is healthcare. The industry as a whole is ripe for disruption, thanks to digital advancements which have enabled patients to have more input into their own care and have put an end to excessive prescription drug use. In the not-so-distant future, healthcare organizations will have to adapt and evolve or else they’ll find themselves out of business.

Another important area which can benefit from an entrepreneurial approach is education. For too long, educators have focused on the inputs needed to learn a specific skill set rather than looking at the learner’s experience and how best to help them develop the skills they need to be successful in the real world. If you want to transform education, you have to put your own spin on things and be open to innovative ideas, otherwise, you’ll be doing exactly what your predecessor did – i.e. delivering standardized, passive learning experiences to students.

What are your overall thoughts on corporate culture and the “typical” working environment of a large corporation?

Denise Milan: I think there’s a difference between corporate culture and workplace culture. Ultimately, the success of a business is down to the individuals within it, but the workplace culture can have an impact on employee engagement and productivity. For instance, if you have a team of people who work hard and smart but also enjoy spending time with their families, you’re going to experience a level of happiness and engagement which might not be reflected in the bottom line.

Large corporations often get a bad rap when it comes to work-life balance, but I think that there’s a healthy middle ground which enables both work and life to flourish. At the end of the day, businesses exist to serve people, and if you want to be sure that your employees are happy and engaged, you have to make sure that their needs are being met. For instance, if you’re looking for a space which is well-connected to public transport so that your employees can get to work easily, the location of your workplace might not be the only factor in creating a successful business.

Why do you think that entrepreneurial leaders are so attractive to investors?

Denise Milan: I think that investors have realized that, rather than waiting for the economy to pick up, they can take a more proactive approach and invest in businesses that they know will deliver high returns. Thanks to the internet and social media, businesses which stand out from the crowd are much more likely to attract investment, rather than waiting for the “right” moment to strike.

As an investor, your job is to assess the financial health of a business, as well as evaluate the strength of the management team and the industry in which they operate. In cases where you have confidence in both areas, you’re going to be placing your money where your mouth is, and supporting a business which you know is going to thrive.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Denise Milan: I think the most important thing for budding entrepreneurs is to never be afraid to fail. Failure is a vital part of the learning process and helps you identify what doesn’t work in your business and how you can improve. The most successful entrepreneurs that I know never, ever hesitate to throw out what isn’t working and replace it with something which is. To paraphrase Henry David Thoreau, “Most businesses, as they exist today, will never truly satisfy the entrepreneurial spirit.” But that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t try.