In this conversation, I’m joined by Ahmed Al Afifi, CEO of Data Direct Group, a company that has scaled to over 2,000 employees across the region.

Ahmed shares how his journey began, the early decisions that shaped his path, and what it really takes to build and lead at scale. We get into the realities behind success — not just the highlights, but the trade-offs, pressure, and responsibility that come with it.

One of the most compelling parts of this conversation is the cost of success. Ahmed speaks candidly about the sacrifices required, the mental shifts that happen as you grow, and the moments where leadership becomes less about ambition and more about resilience.

We also unpack the core elements that define his leadership approach:• What it actually takes to succeed beyond talent and hard work• His perspective on leadership and building a culture of winning• Navigating corporate politics without losing direction• The difficult decisions, including letting people go• How to build and maintain culture as a company scales• The realities of being a CEO beyond the title

Beyond leadership, this conversation goes deeper into identity, mindset, and long-term vision. Ahmed talks about limiting beliefs, what it means to separate who you are from what you do, and how he thinks about building something that lasts beyond him.

Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a company, or figuring out your own path, this episode offers honest insight from someone who has built at serious scale.

If you’re serious about leadership, growth, and understanding what it really takes to build and sustain a high-performing organization, this conversation is worth your time.

Subscribe for more honest conversations with leaders building real businesses in the region.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Sali Zein, founder of Siella Beauty, one of the fastest-growing beauty brands in the region.​

Sali shares how her love for beauty started long before Siella existed, and how that passion became the foundation for a brand that now sits on the shelves of major retailers like Faces. We talk about what it really takes to build in a competitive industry where trends move fast and trust is everything.​

One of the most powerful moments in her journey was COVID. While many businesses slowed down, Siella accelerated. We unpack why that period became a turning point and how her marketing approach made this happen.​

We also discuss the milestones that shaped the company:​

• Getting into Faces and what that validation meant for the brand​
• The role of family and external support while building​
• How she navigated growth without losing brand identity​
• The operational decisions that helped Siella scale sustainably​
• What it takes to build a beauty brand that competes regionally​

Beyond products and retail expansion, this conversation is about building something that lasts. Sali breaks down how consistency, positioning, and sharing a powerful message through your brand can turn a small idea into a category player.​

Whether you’re building a product brand, scaling in retail, or navigating growth during uncertain times, this episode offers practical lessons and real insight from someone who has done it.​

If you’re serious about building a brand that stands out in a crowded market, this conversation is worth your time.​

Subscribe for more honest conversations with founders building real businesses in the region.​

In this online conversation, I’m joined by Eddie Maalouf, who built a predictable and scalable business that generated $18M in the last 12 months with a 35% net margin.

This episode goes beyond the numbers. We break down the real levers behind sustainable scale and why branding, personal branding, and people matter more than most operators are willing to admit.

One of the key themes in this conversation is how strong branding simplifies everything. When your brand is clear and trusted, sales become easier, pricing power increases, and growth becomes more predictable. We also discuss how personal branding compounds business growth by attracting the right clients, partners, and talent before a sales call even happens.

Another critical insight is why hiring high-caliber talent matters more than systems. Systems only work when the people running them are exceptional. Eddie shares why investing in A-players, even at a higher cost, creates leverage, speed, and stability that no process alone can replace.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why branding is a growth and margin lever, not a design exercise
• How personal branding builds trust at scale
• Why top talent beats perfect systems every time
• How hiring the right people reduces complexity across the business
• The balance between structure, leadership, and execution

These principles apply to any business. Agencies, ecommerce brands, service companies, and startups all face the same challenge: how to scale without losing control. This conversation shows what actually works.

If you want to build a business that attracts opportunities, talent, and customers instead of chasing them, this episode is for you.

Doran Davies and his partner Ross Milton founded Bounce Middle East almost a

decade ago. Since then, it has grown into the region's leading entertainment

venue welcoming over 1 million visitors every year.​

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Their story is proof that hard work, risk-taking, and a people-first approach can

pay off and help you create the life you're dreaming of.

Tariq Abu Samra founded BloomingBox with just $25,000, and in a few years, he's grown it into a $100,000,000 business.

His story is proof that hunger, an understanding of risk, and innovation are all you need to succeed. Whether it's the way he runs his business or the risks he takes, every entrepreneur at every stage can learn something from him.

Listen to the full episode to see how he built BloomingBox from the ground up, and how he plans to continue taking it to new heights.

When it comes to building effective sales teams, most companies find it hard to hire and train the right talent.​

Ali Charafeddine (Ace) is the Founder of Acez Academy and a leading Sales, Leadership and Culture Consultant who is renowned for helping businesses hire and develop exceptional sales teams.​

Join us as Ace delves into his thoughts on where most companies fall short, his key tips for getting the most out of your sales teams, and much more.

Most agencies depend solely on referrals and word-of-mouth to grow their business, and the few that try their hands with outbound don't always get it right.​

Corey Quinn is an Agency Growth Consultant who grew his previous agency by over 7x in 6 years and now helps agencies specialize, simplify, and escape founder-led sales.​

Join us as Corey delves into the outbound tactics he's used to succeed, his innovative gift-based outbound technique, the importance of specialization, and much more.​

Out of the traditional 4 P's of marketing, Product is often the most underrated amongst marketers. For Switch Foods, this couldn't be farther from the truth.​

Edward Hamod is the CEO of Switch Foods, a company that produces plant-based meat alternatives and that is building awareness and educating consumers in the region on the dangers of meat overconsumption.​

Join us as Edward delves into how Switch came to life, how he continues to grow the brand, and how the brand's core values are expressed in everything they do.