This week on The Merri-Cast, we pick up where we left off with part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Zareen Roohi Ahmed.

In this episode, Zareen shares how she launched Gift Wellness without any business background, but with a powerful mission and drive.

In part 2 of our conversation, Zareen also discusses:
• Realising that period poverty wasn’t just abroad, but everywhere, including on her doorstep.
• Building eco-friendly products before "sustainable" was a trend.
• Facing resistance and breaking long-held taboos about period poverty.
• Learning the really hard way about how product distribution works.
… and much more!

💬 “Be prolific, not perfect.”
That’s one of Zareen’s mantras - and both this episode and Part 1 left a deep impression on us in this respect and many others.

Let us know what you think!

Dr. Zareen Roohi Ahmed:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zareen-roohi-ahmed-phd-3b51b219/
Gift Wellness: https://giftwellness.co.uk/
Halimah Trust: https://www.halimahtrust.org.uk/
Period Poverty: https://www.periodpoverty.uk/
Website: https://www.zareenroohi.com/

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by Zareen Roohi, Founder & CEO of Gift Wellness, an inspiring voice in purpose-led entrepreneurship.

In the first of a powerful two-parter, Zareen shares her remarkable life and career journey – from growing up as the daughter of Pakistani immigrants in the West Midlands to navigating early life challenges, building a remarkable and diverse career and then, tragically, losing her daughter Halimah in 2007.

Out of this unimaginable loss came incredible resilience and purpose. Zareen built the Halimah Trust and later launched Gift Wellness – the latter born out of a sudden and powerful moment of clarity.

In part 1 of our conversation, Zareen shares:
• Navigating identity and racism in building her career.
• Her experience as CEO of the British Muslim Forum in the wake of the 7/7 bombings.
• Building a legacy through her daughter’s passions and values.
• The birth of Gift Wellness and its mission to restore dignity to women in crisis.

This conversation is raw and real - and offers real insight to entrepreneurs seeking purpose, as well as profit.

Stay tuned…because part 2 is coming soon where we dive deeper into Gift Wellness and Zareen’s brilliant advice for fledgling entrepreneurs.

Dr. Zareen Roohi Ahmed:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zareen-roohi-ahmed-phd-3b51b219/
Gift Wellness: https://giftwellness.co.uk/
Halimah Trust: https://www.halimahtrust.org.uk/
Period Poverty: https://www.periodpoverty.uk/
Website: https://www.zareenroohi.com/

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by the brilliant Karl Pontau – entrepreneur and host of The Human Connection Podcast.

Karl’s journey is nothing short of inspiring - from teenage brain tumour survivor to a purpose-driven entrepreneur, podcast host and soon-to-be author.

In this episode, Karl dives into the importance of having a network and forging real human connections, especially in a world increasingly obsessed by data, metrics and AI.

Key insights that Karl shares in this episode include:
• How his life-threatening experiences as a teenager shaped his attitude toward risk and entrepreneurship.
• How he discovered the power of storytelling through his passion for creativity.
• The power of intentional networking and the importance of giving rather than receiving.
• His passion for his Human Connection Podcast.

…and much more!

Karl:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau/
Podcast: The Human Connection

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/
Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk