In this episode of Independent Minds, we speak with David Meylan, founder of Olivier Meylan, a watch brand blending Swiss heritage with British design and craftsmanship.

David shares how he launched the brand during the pandemic, why British watchmaking is seeing renewed momentum, and what it takes to build an independent watch business in a category shaped by heritage, scarcity, and storytelling.

We explore what makes a watch feel luxurious, how Swiss movements and UK-based design shape Olivier Meylan’s positioning, and why limited editions, artist collaborations, and local identity matter in a competitive market.

David also reflects on pricing, brand-building, influence, and legacy, and explains why his long-term ambition is not just to sell watches, but to build something lasting for the next generation.

This episode is for founders, brand builders, watch enthusiasts, and anyone interested in craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and the future of British watchmaking.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introducing David Meylan and Olivier Meylan
00:10 - Launching a watch brand during the pandemic
01:04 - Swiss watches made in the UK
01:46 - What “Swiss made” really means
02:22 - Why British watchmaking is booming
04:41 - Storytelling, hype, and scarcity in watch marketing
06:39 - Customisation, artist collaborations, and limited editions
07:30 - Is Olivier Meylan luxury or entry-level luxury?
08:24 - What makes a watch truly high-end?
10:24 - Price positioning and building an accessible luxury brand
12:11 - Brand values, celebrity access, and marketing strategy
15:24 - Organic endorsements and watch enthusiasts
17:07 - What has changed in the watch industry
19:07 - Scaling Olivier Meylan as an independent brand
20:04 - Building with a small team
20:38 - Creative inspiration and the Titan Moon collection
21:09 - Legacy, family, and passing something on
22:33 - Closing thoughts

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FOLLOW OLIVIER MEYLAN
Website
https://oliviermeylan.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor6JPG-Y0giI4uNC4bsWXbwE-tdCQV9FWv-psWK1mPOaTAjqvit

Instagram
Olivier Meylan Official

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David Meylan

In this episode of Independent Minds, we speak with Pete, co-founder of HealthTech One, a UK startup improving access to primary care through automation, digital workflows, and AI-enabled systems. Working with 24% of NHS GP surgeries in England, HealthTech One is tackling some of the operational bottlenecks that affect both patients and practice teams.

Pete takes us inside the reality of GP practices, from the pressure on front-desk staff to the outdated administrative systems that still shape much of the patient experience. He explains why innovation in the NHS is difficult, what it takes to build technology in a highly regulated environment, and how better systems can help patients get the right care more quickly.

The conversation also traces Pete’s path into entrepreneurship, from growing up in a family takeaway to leaving a finance career at 21, learning to code, and building a healthtech company from inside a GP practice during Covid. It is a thoughtful discussion about purpose, resilience, trust, and the challenge of building technology that genuinely improves people’s lives.

This episode will resonate with founders, operators, policymakers, investors, and anyone interested in the future of healthcare, AI, and public-service innovation.

00:00 - Introducing Pete and HealthTech One
01:10 - What really happens behind the GP reception desk
03:00 - Why NHS systems still feel stuck in the 1990s
05:10 - How GP practices actually work as businesses
07:00 - Why innovation inside the NHS is so difficult
08:45 - Automation, trust, and restoring patient confidence
10:25 - Getting patients the right appointment first time
12:55 - Building a startup inside a GP practice during Covid
14:40 - Growing up in a family business and early responsibility
16:00 - Leaving finance at 21 to build a company
17:40 - Learning to code and preparing to jump
19:50 - Why waiting to feel ready can become procrastination
22:00 - Founding with a childhood friend met through gaming
24:00 - Purpose, pressure, and the weight of opportunity
26:00 - Startup life versus corporate life
28:40 - Ego, identity, and founder psychology
31:00 - Why healthcare is hard and deeply meaningful
32:20 - Final reflections on building with purpose

🔗 FOLLOW INDEPENDENT MINDS
YouTube
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LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-minds-podcast

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https://www.instagram.com/independentmindspodcast

🔗 FOLLOW HEALTHTECH ONE
Website
https://www.healthtech1.uk

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthtech-1/

In this episode of Independent Minds, we sit down with João Calvete, CEO of Vendo, a former Sotheby's insider who is "recoding" the traditional real estate model. João explains why the industry is trapped in a 1990s mindset, relying on high commissions and unnecessary bureaucracy and how his startup is scaling to 1,000 listings by cutting costs by 80%.

João takes us from the high-prestige world of Sotheby’s to a sweltering warehouse in Portugal, where he and his co-founders began making sales calls at 35°C with nothing but a fan and a vision. We discuss the "fear mindset" that big agencies use to protect their fees and why the future of property belongs to those who prioritize the client over the commission.

This conversation explores:

• The 5% Efficiency Gap: Why technology like Idealista has made traditional agency fees obsolete.

• The Portuguese Riviera: An inside look at the supply shortage and the influx of foreign capital.

• Corporate Fear vs. Startup Pragmatism: How big firms create "attrition" to justify their presence.

• The Pilot Mindset: Why João’s unconventional background allowed him to see the market differently.

Essential watching for property investors, tech founders, and anyone interested in how "outsider" logic can disrupt a stagnant multi-billion dollar industry.

⏱ TIMESTAMPS 0

0:00 • Introducing João Calvete and Vendo 01:30 • The Warehouse Grind: Sales calls at 35°C

04:00 • The Real Estate Explosion: Geopolitics and the Riviera Bubble

06:00 • Sotheby’s vs. Vendo: Breaking the "Fear Mindset"

07:45 • How the Land Registry works: The truth about Portuguese law

10:15 • Why the best talent is "disillusioned" with 90s agency tactics

12:00 • Rent-to-Income: The highest disparity in the developed world

15:00 • Maximizing the Algorithm: How to sell a house in 2026

17:30 • Scaling to 1,000 properties: Porto vs. Lisbon

19:40 • International Expansion: Dubai, Spain, and Brazil

🔗 FOLLOW INDEPENDENT MINDS

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IndependentMinds

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-minds-podcast

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentmindspodcast

🔗 FOLLOW VENDO & JOÃO CALVETE

• Website: https://www.vendo.pt

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joaocalvete

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vendo.pt