In this unforgettable episode of the Built Not Born in Business podcast, Chris and Helen sit down with the extraordinary Kim Antoniou. A founder whose story stretches from personal tragedy to groundbreaking innovation and from kitchen-table problem solving to partnerships with global giants like Amazon, GoHenry’s Louise Hill and some of the most influential minds in education and technology.

Kim’s journey began with a life-changing incident involving her husband and a hidden allergen, an experience that sparked the creation of Kafoodle, a platform that would go on to reshape how food businesses handle allergens, compliance and customer safety. But her path wasn’t linear. After losing her previous business and facing the emotional aftermath, Kim found herself at rock bottom. Moments later, the universe intervened, quite literally with a phone call that set her entire entrepreneurial future in motion.

In this conversation, Kim opens up about the raw realities of entrepreneurship: the heartbreak, the tenacity, the timing and the instinct required to build something meaningful. She shares how she forged partnerships with renowned leaders, how she convinced world-class academics to develop technology that didn’t yet exist and why chasing usage instead of money became the philosophy that transformed her company’s trajectory.

Listeners will also hear the deeply moving story behind Fonetti, Kim’s groundbreaking reading platform for children struggling with literacy and confidence. From collecting thousands of hours of children’s reading data to hosting national reading awards at Amazon HQ, Kim reveals the immense impact this technology is having on young learners across the UK.

This episode is emotional, funny, inspiring and packed with actionable wisdom. From knowing when to say no, to building extraordinary teams, to approaching powerful people with nothing but honesty and a vision worth believing in.