Join me for an inspiring conversation with passionate startup founder and former Amazon top-performing manager, Allan Abbas, about his entrepreneurial journey. Allan left the corporate world to start his own business—not once, but twice. Now, he is launching a new venture in Saudi Arabia and has been selected from 8,000 applicants for the Antler startup incubation programme.

From his experience at Amazon to creating successful business, Allan reveals how anyone can transform their life by thinking differently about company ownership, failure, partnerships, self-discipline and money. In this powerful discussion, we explore what it truly takes to build something from scratch.oin me for an inspiring conversation with a passionate startup founder and former Amazon top-performing manager, Allan Abbas. Allan took the leap from the corporate world not once, but twice, to build his own business. Now, he's launching an exciting new venture in Saudi Arabia and has been handpicked from 8,000 applicants for the prestigious Antler startup incubation programme.

In this powerful episode, Allan reveals the highs and lows of starting from scratch, what it takes to rebuild after setbacks, and how rethinking ownership, failure, and self-discipline can lead to your next big win.

If you've ever felt the pull to do something bigger, this episode is for you.

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Today, I am joined by the founder and president of the Emirates Legal Network, as well as a managing partner at Elnaggar and Partners – Ahmed Elnaggar. Together with Ahmed, we discussed how lawyers can turn time into money, how to stay confident and composed under real pressure during tough negotiations, and how to use the power of words to get what you want. Ahmed shares his extensive experience in legal practice and explains how thinking differently about competition can help elevate any industry. This episode is packed with insights that we, as entrepreneurs, can learn from lawyers and apply to our businesses.

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Throughout my professional journey, I have always regarded Emirati women leaders as strong, inspirational, intelligent, and dignified. There is something truly magical about the empowering, kind, and purposeful atmosphere that thrives in companies led by such feminine and confident leadership. However, stereotypes about Arab women, particularly those from the Gulf, still persist. So, it was my pleasure to challenge some of these misconceptions by inviting an incredible Emirati woman, Maitha Shuaib, to share her story.

Maitha’s remarkable journey takes her from the Dubai Women Establishment to Dubai Cable Company (Ducab), a male-dominated heavy industry, where she now heads Corporate Communications as Executive Director. In this inspiring conversation, Maitha shares how she’s leading the charge to shape the brand’s narrative, humanise the industrial sector in the UAE, while leveraging the company’s legacy to shape its future. If you’ve ever wondered how leadership and passion can transform even the most traditional industries, this episode is for you. Enjoy it, share with others, and don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comments!

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Recently, I came across a statistic indicating that the global turnover rate of CEOs, depending on the industry, is around 15% – a staggering figure that is only increasing. From my own experience, I’ve seen how this turnover, coupled with the immense stress involved, impacts not only the CEOs themselves but also their teams and entire companies. So, why is this happening more frequently? What are the reasons behind it?

Together with my guest, Navid Nazemian, the world’s No.1 executive transition coach and international bestselling author, we explore why the life of CEOs is so stressful today. Navid shares his insights into the hidden “ripple effects” of CEO decisions, the high cost of executive failure, and how to avoid common pitfalls. We also dive into the role of company culture, the importance of energy management, and more. I hope this episode will be valuable for C-level executives and those building high-stakes careers.

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I hope this podcast becomes a therapeutic tool, as well as an inspirational and motivational platform for you—just as it has been for me. Meeting and talking with remarkable people who have overcome challenges and achieved success in their professional journeys helps me realise that I’m not alone in facing life’s complexities. It reminds me that there are always people to learn from.

This episode is for anyone going through difficult times in their career or workplace. I want you to know that you’re not alone and that it’s perfectly fine to open up and be yourself when you need support.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Shereen Qutob, a Talent Management and Cultural Transformation Director. Together, we explore how to navigate job loss, deal with unhealthy work environments, why we tend to wear masks in the office, and what’s happening to humanity in today’s workplaces.

I hope you enjoy this episode, and I sincerely wish this conversation brings you comfort, insight, and support.

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Combining marriage and business is a journey filled with both challenges and rewards. In this episode, we explore what happens when two worlds—personal relationships and professional ventures—intersect. My guests, Will and Manuela, share their experience of running a hospitality business together and finding the balance between maintaining both their family and their company.

From learning how to work as equal partners to navigating the blurred lines between personal and business life, Will and Manuela open up about the lessons they’ve learned along the way. If you’ve ever wondered whether love and business can truly coexist, this episode offers valuable insights and advice for those walking this complex path.

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Running a business today can feel like a roller coaster—one moment you're on top, and the next day, because of cancel culture, nobody wants to talk to you. PR has become an essential tool for business owners' survival and success. I'll be the first to admit I've neglected PR for years, but now I realise just how critical it is.

In this episode, I'm excited to have Alistair Crighton, a highly experienced PR expert with over two decades of experience in the Middle East, joining me. We'll cover everything from the basics of PR and its connection to branding to the latest tools influenced by AI and the reality behind industry awards.

If you need some good PR advice in Dubai and beyond, Alistair is definitely the person to reach out to.

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This episode was inspired by my personal experience. Today, the idea of being a highly effective person is incredibly popular, especially among entrepreneurs eager to achieve it all: building a successful business, engaging in regular exercise, and spending quality time with family. Not long ago, I believed I was excelling at all of this—hitting every target and feeling super productive. But my wake-up call came when I was having tea with my mom. I realised I couldn't understand what she was saying. I couldn't focus, my mind was everywhere, except with her in the present moment. Whenever I tried to concentrate and be present, my thoughts wouldn't let me.

The guest in this episode is very dear to me as he helped me overcome that anxious state of mind and find peace in the present moment—Guruji. We had a deep conversation about the reasons why modern people fall into such traps and how to get out of them, to slow down time and start enjoying life instead of chasing unattainable ideals.

I invite you to listen in and explore how you can find true peace in a world that often feels overwhelming.

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Visit our website Brands Through Stories
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