Ep.8 Shalini Khemka | Embracing technology & the power of networking

In this episode, I'm with entrepreneur Shalini Khemka. Shalini founded E2Exchange in 2011. Its mission is to help build and foster the future high impact entrepreneurs of the UK by providing one place, under one umbrella organisation, where entrepreneurs come to grow their businesses by connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, sourcing investment, finding NEDs and accessing world-class corporate services. Prior to establishing E2E Shalini was an Investment Director at LDC the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group and led LDC's off-market origination network; The LDC Opportunity Club. Shalini joined LDC from Lloyds Banking Group where she ran the Group's 'plain vanilla' International Trade Finance business whilst chairing the Lloyds TSB's Emerging Leaders, programme. Speaking to Shalini, she speaks on her early career, what drove her to leave her corporate job, seeing the opportunity the internet provided the financial market and the route to becoming an entrepreneur. We speak on the importance of mentors and what lessons she's learned going into business. COVID's impact on the live events industry in 2020 was catastrophic. With conferences and live events cancelled at the drop of a hat; e2e's business model had previously relied upon live events for its members to connect. We speak on how Shalini took on the challenge that COVID presented, how the business has pivoted online and the challenges she was faced with early in the pandemic. Speaking on the pandemic, Shalini expresses her concerns for young entrepreneurs who are unable to build meaningful relationships in the current climate. In 2020, Shalini also worked closely with the Chancellor, consulting on the Government's furlough scheme and she speaks on the challenges she foresaw in the job market and how she helped to shape the scheme to protect more people. This episode is really valuable for entrepreneurs who are early on in their businesses, Shalini has a tonne of valuable advice alongside being an inspirational role model. Find out more about e2exchange at https://www.e2exchange.com/ And you can get in touch with Shalini via linked at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/e2exchange/