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Starting up with Virtuzone

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Finding the Right Business Partner

Episodes

40 minutes | Friday, 28 March 2025
The right business partner can help you scale faster, push further, and actually enjoy the ride. But the wrong one? That could be the most expensive mistake of your life. Tom Urquhart and Virtuzone MD Paul Bryson dive into the dynamics of business partnerships with three founders who’ve lived it: Vardhan Kapoor, Co-founder & CEO of Firstwork, Charbel Hachem, CEO of Dayf Homes, and Houda Naji, Founder of JST Ventures.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
36 minutes | Friday, 21 March 2025
The viral Dubai chocolate has led to worldwide success and soaring sales.  We discuss the power of  virality with social media experts Anand Raman, Amani Khan and Dhruv Maniar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
37 minutes | Friday, 14 March 2025
Solopreneurship is on the rise in the UAE and it's often glorified as the ultimate freedom—owning your time, making all the decisions, and reaping the full rewards of your work. But is it the best path for everyone, especially when a business has the potential to grow beyond what one person can manage? Tom and Paul unpack the pros and cons of running a business on your own with our special guests:  Lara Gedeah, Founder of Cameo Comms Hiam Salibi, Founder of Producer, Thirteen01 Productions Desma D’Souza, Managing Partner, S&K HR ConsultingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
37 minutes | Friday, 7 March 2025
Tom and Neil gain some powerful insight from fintech leader Amnah Ajmal and Female Fusion founder Jen Blandos.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
37 minutes | Thursday, 13 June 2024
Ayman Al Yaman's viral videos have been viewed one billion times. Together with his big brother Ghazy, they tell Tom and George how they turned their social media fame into a money making machine.  Plus, Olly Collis left his cushy job in the UK to move to Dubai and start his own content creation company, Sub60.  He tells his story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
37 minutes | Thursday, 6 June 2024
Alexander Heller, CEO and Founder of Hyperspace, tells us how he built Hyperspace venues Aya Universe and House of Hype, and why Dubai was the perfect place to start his venture.  Plus, Laundryheap boss Deyan Dimitrov tells us how his team can pick up, wash and return your clothes in 24 hours or less. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
37 minutes | Thursday, 30 May 2024
Tej Lalvani grew Vitabiotics into a £400 million business. He shares some advice on what to look out for - and what to avoid - when investing in a business. Plus, FIFA sports agent Saif Rubie tells us how he deals with the ups and downs of the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
19 minutes | Thursday, 23 May 2024
Fadi Amoudi of IQ Robotics tells us how to use automation to grow your business. Plus, Kushal and Sagar of Publish tell us how  to craft the perfect Founder's story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
33 minutes | Thursday, 9 May 2024
MUMpreneur: Does the term empower - or patronise - mothers who run their own businesses? We get the thoughts of investor, entrepreneur and mum of four Kelly Marie Hodgkin. Plus, what should your website look like? Monish Chandiramani, Founder and CEO of Yeepeey, offers some advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
36 minutes | Thursday, 2 May 2024
Mermaids of Arabia founder Josephine Adams told Tom and Neil about how she hit rock bottom, and why she kept going. We also discussed a movement that allows small businesses to exchange resources in the wake of the floods with Rana Hijarasouli, founder of The Surpluss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
36 minutes | Thursday, 25 April 2024
The Design House CEO Sharon O' Keefe tells us how she started his design and furniture business while working as cabin crew in Dubai. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
36 minutes | Thursday, 18 April 2024
Mariela Marcantetti started hair removal business Furless Permanent in 2016 and has since been educating aspiring beauty technicians. Meanwhile Renata Messarra of Reborn Consultancy gives us tips on how to promote your own business without spending a fortune on ads.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
41 minutes | Thursday, 4 April 2024
As game developers from overseas flock to the Middle East to explore the market, we meet one who's coming from Spain- Manel Sort, CEO and Founder of Games For A Living. We also discuss diversity and inclusion with Farrah Qureshi, CEO of Global Diversity Practice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
37 minutes | Thursday, 28 March 2024
Meet the man behind Tabby, co-founder Hosam Arab, who tells us why e-commerce has brought him so much success.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
35 minutes | Thursday, 21 March 2024
21 March 2024: We asked the team of experts at Cone Marshall about how to pass on your wealth to the next generation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
38 minutes | Thursday, 14 March 2024
14 March 2024: Tom and Neil find out how Dr. Jamil Ahmed, Founder and MD of PRIME Healthcare Group, started his hospital empire.  Plus, familiarize yourself with all the SME laws with Jennifer Arkhurst, Founder and Executive Director of Arkhurst and Abdella Solicitors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
39 minutes | Thursday, 7 March 2024
07 March 2024: Lack of funding and worklife balance are only some of the challenges See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
37 minutes | Thursday, 29 February 2024
29 February 2024: We demystify tokenisation and tell you how it can help startups and consumers  with Ahsan Sharif,  Head of Corporate Business for Zand Bank and John Patrick Mullin, CEO & Co-founder of MANTRA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
35 minutes | Thursday, 22 February 2024
22 February 2024: Donna Benton told Richard and Neil how she built, exited and later on rejoined her brainchild The Entertainer, and the lessons she learned along the way. Mahmoud Bartawi sold Under500, a business he built from the ground up, to Kitopi, a $1.6billion unicorn, and is now mentoring other entrepreneurs. And can you juggle two careers at the same time? Miguel Angel Polonia can - he's a circus performer and psychotherapist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
34 minutes | Thursday, 8 February 2024
08 February 2024: Fal Qadir started multi-sensory centre Mini Explorers. Listen to her story.  Plus, husband and wife Carlos and Francesca tell us how they run CG Barbershop together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
37 minutes | Thursday, 1 February 2024
01 February 2024: Gregory Lewis tells us why his business AirDXB is thriving in Dubai.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
36 minutes | Thursday, 25 January 2024
25 January 2024: Daniel Flynn launched Thank You with the aim of supporting charities and eradicate global poverty.  Tom and Neil find out all about this growing social enterprise that can soon enter the UAE market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
38 minutes | Thursday, 18 January 2024
18 January 2024 William Stenhouse, President and CEO of the UAE Africa Networking Group, tells us why it pays to get involved in your community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
34 minutes | Thursday, 11 January 2024
11 January 2024: Comedian Shawn Chidiac has made it big on social media, and is quickly turning his online fame into a fulltime career. Plus, Emirati teenager Abdullah Al Janahi tells us about his brisket business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
39 minutes | Thursday, 14 December 2023
Meet the businesses thriving in the circular economy, plus learn all about marketing from the best in the business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
36 minutes | Thursday, 7 December 2023
07 December 2023: What makes a business go viral? We find out from the man behind Aquafun, the world's largest inflatable water park, Ahmed Ben Chaibah.  And how can it build a strong brand? We hear from celebrity media strategist and CEO and Founder of FAME, Sheeraz Hasan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
36 minutes | Thursday, 30 November 2023
That's one big question for businesses to ponder on, including their stand on sustainability, says Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Illustrado Brand Development & Creative Agency. We're also joined by our Success Spotlight of the Week, David MacDonald, Creator of The Fibre Bottle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
38 minutes | Thursday, 23 November 2023
Investing is power to not let your money lose value overtime, but how? Hear Baytukum Founder Latifa Bin Haider's advices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
32 minutes | Thursday, 16 November 2023
16 November 2023. Finding the best people to fill vacancies is crucial but how do companies make sure they get the cream of the crop? Rachel Yilmaz, CEO of Ausphin Group is here to help.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
33 minutes | Thursday, 9 November 2023
09 November 2023: Social enterprises are businesses with a deeper purpose. But how do you set up one? Find out from Iman Suguitan, Co-founder & Creative Head at Co Chocolat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Finding the Right Business Partner
Starting up with Virtuzone

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