Swenglanese - talking business in the UAE

On this episode of the podcast Barry had a chat with Rami Shaar who is the CEO and Co Founder of the company Washmen Rami has had extensive experience in the corporate world - spending time in investment banking, private equity and some time at Uber as well. But had always had in the back of his mind that he wanted to start his own thing.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had a chance to speak with a long term resident and business owner Nina Seredai-Udalova - Nina is the founder and managing director of Ninth Space. After finally getting our diaries to co-ordinate Nina shares her entrepreneurial journey from the early days of starting a business in the UAE and how things have changed drastically. As a female entrepreneur starting out back in the day, she had a completely unique experience of setting up her first business...

On this episode of the podcast, Barry had a great conversation with Debbie Nicol from Business En Motion Debbie tells her story from her early days in business. Of looking successful but not feeling content or authentic. Debbie goes into detail of how she was blaming someone else for not growing her and how her success in a career that wasn't connected to her was destined to fail. The learning from that early message was how can you lead anyone else, if you can't lead yourself. Fascinating...

In this episode Barry had the opportunity to speak with Beth Your Coach. Beth tells her story - going back to a childhood where she wasn't sure who she was. But decided to find out. Travelled, learned, and overcame obstacles along the way. All with a view to determining what her purpose was. She found it and talks about her entrepreneurial journey that lead her to setup her own thing to focus on helping young girls and women in particular to be the best they can be.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had the pleasure of speaking with Paula Jane Cox. A people development specialist, trainer, coach and all round lovely human being. PJ as she's affectionately referred to gives us an insight into her entrepreneurial journey, from the yellow pages in the UK to Ferrari World on Yas Island and beyond. Really up beat energy filled chat - PJ's energy levels are off the chart and sharing that with you just makes you feel better. So much to learn from her...

On this episode of the podcast, Barry had the pleasure of speaking with Mayur Bommai, the co-founder and director of Laundryheap. An 'online' business that grew 300+% during COVID - Mayur talks about gaining experience in the family business before making the shift to the entrepreneurial way, scaling and growing a business and expanding into 10 countries, with more on the way.

On this episode of the podcast Barry had the opportunity to speak with Brendon Hansford. A super successful choreographer, dancer, director and creative. Brendon shares his entrepreneurial journey to date, from his choices at 16 to heading out to the UAE for his current chapter. Charged with energy and providing some entrepreneurial nuggets of wisdom, it was a real pleasure of an episode.

On this episode of the podcast Barry got the chance to have a conversation with the fascinating Margeri Ottis. Her current business - KimonoGirl - is in a niche that no one has really explored before, but her journey to this point is enlightening with learning points of self awareness. Margeri talks about her childhood and early career journey as the pathway to finding a business that makes her and her customers happy. Pioneering the market space in the energy fashion arena, Margeri and...

On this episode of the podcast Barry had an enlightening conversation with Martin Tronquit Founder and Co-CEO of Infomineo - the company that helps with brainshoring. Yep that's a new word Martin made up and it's how Infomineo can help you. Listen in to find out more about Martin's entrepreneurial journey, why Infomineo exists and why he's started another business called DataXchange. Learn how optimisation is key to running two businesses as well as being a husband and father to three...

On this episode of the podcast I had the real pleasure of speaking with Mike Khouri about his entrepreneurial journey so far. Our paths have crossed a few times over the years and I've really enjoyed seeing Mike take his agency - Tactical- from strength to strength. So it was really good to speak with him in more detail about his whole approach to business and life. Great conversation, easy to talk to and a very successful business builder here in the UAE.

On this episode of the podcast we had the chance to speak with Helen Chen, the CEO and Co founder of a company called Nomad Homes. We were lucky to catch her in Dubai before she hopped onto a plane to Europe. Helen tells us a bit about her origin story, working in the world of investments before making a jump into her own thing with her business partners. Recently securing $20 million USD investment into that business, helping people remove the pain of finding a home, whether buying or...

On this episode of the podcast Barry had a great conversation with Mohamed Al Fayed the co founder and CEO of a company called Grubtech. His illustrious career in the corporate world helping global brands digitise and explore opportunities in the retail sector positioned him to take a bold move into an industry he wasn't overly familiar with. Food and beverage, but he could see the same opportunities raising their heads just as they had done previously in the retail sector and he wanted to...

On this episode of the podcast Barry had a really interesting conversation with Elena Agaragimova the Managing Partner of her company called Bessern. Her entrepreneurial journey is a very interesting one that involves the world of higher education and corporate learning. The huge gap between higher education and the corporate world is something that Elena and her business partner are looking to reduce. To help individuals level up and have organisations nurture a happier more engaged...

On this episode of the podcast Barry speaks with Madhav Dhar - the co founder and COO of ZaZen Properties - Madhav tells his really interesting personal journey from birth in the UAE, boarding school, corporate life and then starting his own business in a super competitive niche. All in a country where that niche also doesn't have the best reputation. Precisely because of this, he's doing it differently, to change the perception of the industry but also to deliver properties that live up to...

David and Piero talk about their entrepreneurial journey so far and how it has brought them to Exirio. Helping expats take better care of their money and investments by leveraging technology.

On this episode of the podcast it was an absolute pleasure to speak with Dr Saliha Afridi, the founder of the LightHouse Arabia Centre for Wellbeing. Dr Saliha has had a bright and varied career to date and doesn't consider herself a business person or entrepreneur. But that aside, she is a person that has and continues to make a big impact in the region helping raise awareness around mental health, as well as treating people suffering from mental health issues. The staff at the centre are...

On this episode of the podcast Barry had the opportunity to speak with Aakansha Tangri, the founder of Re:Set your everyday. A daily online news organisation that looks to shine a light on subjects such as education, mental health, well being and inclusion. Aakanksha has had a varied career to date with time spent at CNN and Vice as a journalist, before turning her skills to build a platform to dig deeper into the conversations and topics that really matter.

On this episode of the podcast, Barry had a really interesting conversation with Natalie Banks - the founder of a not for profit organisation called Azraq. But her journey didn't start there and Natalie talks Barry through her start in journalism. Setting up an initiative to save the sharks, followed by a move to the UAE where Azraq was born. Motivating, inspiring and doing something she is truly passionate about. Talk about making an impact!

This is a particularly special episode of the podcast with long time friend Jeff Price. Jeff has been an integral part of the broadcast landscape for an extended period of time, both in the UK and very much a part of the foundations here in the UAE. Throughout his career he has tried to help wherever he can and his focus on catering to the wellbeing of children is what caused his and Barry's paths to cross in the first place. Apart from setting up Pearl FM which was a radio station...

This episode of Swenglanese saw Oskar and Barry catch up after Oskar's return to Sweden in the the middle of the COVID summer last June. The conversation was an update on what Oskar is doing, how the move from the UAE actually went and the changes he had to implement within his business - Strategic Tech Coaching to keep him going after 2 of his core niche markets were effectively shut down as a result of the global pandemic.