Episode 7

full
Published on:

16th Apr 2025

The importance of representation – with Ella Wales Bonner [S3, EP7]

In this episode, Mildred Talabi is joined by the brilliant Ella Wales Bonner – a former venture capitalist turned coach and fractional Chief of Staff.

We dive deep into Ella’s personal and professional journey, starting from her childhood in South London all the way through her high-powered VC career and the bold pivot into coaching and founder support.

Ella shares what it was like to navigate the male-dominated world of venture capital as one of the few Black women in the room – and what she learned about relationship-building, investor mindsets, and the myths founders often have about securing VC funding.

We also explore:

  • The impact of visibility and representation in elite spaces
  • Why not every founder should chase VC money
  • How to align your work with your personal values
  • The power of networking and showing up on LinkedIn
  • What it takes to trust yourself enough to carve a new path

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🔗 Connect with Ella on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-wales-bonner-3339b6107/

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About the Podcast

Start Being Visible
With Mildred Talabi
Welcome to the Start Being Visible podcast.

My name is Mildred Talabi. I’ve spent the past decade plus mastering the art of personal branding in my career, as a former journalist and communications professional, and in my business which has taken on various forms over the years.

I now spend most of my time championing and coaching women to increase their influence, income and impact through being visible on platforms like LinkedIn and beyond.

In this podcast, I’ll be sharing with you some of my insights into the journey to being visible, as well as bringing you amazing candid conversations from professional women who have chosen to step out of the shadows and into the limelight in their work lives.

We’ll discuss the highs, the lows and the in betweens of being visible so that you can find the courage, the knowledge and the resources you need to start being visible in your own life.

Hit the subscribe button to never miss out on our weekly episodes.

If you like what you hear, please leave a review and spread the word.

You can find me on all the main social media platforms as "Mildred Talabi".

About your host

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Mildred Talabi

Mildred Talabi has spent the last decade mastering the art of personal branding in both her career and business as a former Journalist and PR and Communications professional.

Today she specialises in helping female leaders build powerful and authentic personal brands through being visible on LinkedIn.

She is a recognised LinkedIn Influencer, with over 50,000 followers, a 4x published author and the founder of Visible Women Tribe - a global membership community for high-achieving women in business and leadership.

Find out more at mildredtalabi.com.