Beyond the Business Card

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, Shalin Balasuriya shares how he transformed a Sri Lankan family business into the world’s largest luxury Ayurveda chain, with over 145 locations across 31 countries.

Shalin reveals why true entrepreneurship starts from the consumer backwards, the lessons learned on the shop floor, and how leveraging Sri Lanka’s rich culture, history, and natural resources has shaped his global vision.

Topics covered:

• How to scale a family business globally
• The importance of understanding the consumer firsthand
• Lessons from growing through and after COVID
• Building a global wellness brand rooted in culture
• Leveraging Sri Lanka’s untapped creative and cultural potential

Watch now to hear how purpose, passion, and perseverance can turn local roots into a worldwide movement.

📲 Connect with Shalin Balasuriya:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalin.b/

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalin-balasuriya-909809215/⁠

Website: https://lk.spaceylon.com/

📲 Connect with Justin McGuire and Beyond the Business Card:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/         

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire        

Beyond the Business Card: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/beyond-the-business-card/id1785496837⁠

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite takeaway from today's episode!

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, Graeme Hubert shares his remarkable journey from the son of immigrant parents to co-founder of Consul Partners, a global recruitment powerhouse.

Graeme opens up about the sacrifices, reinvestments, and unrelenting belief in seizing “one chance in life” that drove him and his co-founder to scale from zero to £1M revenue in their first year. 

Guided by his mum, his wife, and his business partner, Graeme’s story is one of resilience, alignment, and a vision that led to an eight-figure exit.

This is more than a business story, it’s about family, sacrifice, and building something that lasts.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Why Graeme embraced the mindset of “one chance in life”
• The sacrifices behind building a global recruitment company
• Scaling to £1M revenue in the first year through reinvestment
• The importance of alignment with a business partner
• Lessons learned from achieving an eight-figure exit
• How family values anchored his entrepreneurial journey

🎧 Watch the full conversation and discover what it takes to build, scale, and exit on your own terms.

📲 Connect with Graeme Hubert:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gthub1?igsh=MXF4b3V0bTl2MDh1aQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

LinkedIn: [email protected]

📲 Connect with Justin McGuire and Beyond the Business Card:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/         

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire        

Beyond the Business Card: https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/beyond-the-business-card/id1785496837

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite takeaway from today's episode!

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, George Dale shares the raw reality of starting RAPT with zero clients, no safety net, and nothing but determination.

From cold calls and door to door pitches to landing his first breakthrough budget, George reveals how he turned setbacks into momentum and built an agency with resilience at its core.

This is not just a story about business, it’s about grit, persistence, and the belief that passion will always fuel profit.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The reality of starting with no clients and no safety net

• Why cash flow is everything in the early stages

• The importance of cold calls, persistence, and direct outreach

• Lessons from building integrated teams in Saudi Arabia

• Balancing risk, resilience, and long term vision

• How George turned passion into a profitable business

This conversation is for anyone building from scratch, doubting whether they can push through the first year, or needing proof that persistence pays off.

📲 Connect with George Dale:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdaleimages?igsh=MXB6ZmJkcmNiNTZ1Nw==

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-dale-5b8526133/

Website: www.houseofrapt.com

📲 Connect with Justin McGuire and Beyond the Business Card:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/        

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire        

Beyond the Business Card: https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/beyond-the-business-card/id1785496837

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite takeaway from today's episode!

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, John Rose takes us inside the chaotic world of doing business in Russia during the turbulent 1990s.From pioneering metro advertising to navigating a landscape filled with uncertainty, racketeering, and corruption, John’s story is one of survival, adaptability, and vision. He shares what it was like to build when rules didn’t exist, why playing it straight set his agency apart, and how recognising talent became his most valuable skill.This conversation is not just about advertising, it’s about resilience, reinvention, and thriving in one of the most unpredictable business environments in modern history.In this episode, we cover:* The collapse of an empire and its impact on business and society* What it took to build an advertising agency during Moscow’s “wild 90s”* Why hiring and recognising great people quickly became John’s top skill* Stories of survival in an era of “disorganised crime”* Lessons in resilience and reinvention from an uncharted marketThis episode is for anyone curious about building against the odds, leading with integrity, and finding opportunity in the most uncertain times.📲 Connect with John Rose:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjohnmrose?igsh=MW5za2RmYXBscXJiMQ==LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mrjohnmroseWebsite: http://www.rosecreative.marketing📲 Connect with Justin McGuire and Beyond the Business Card:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire        Beyond the Business Card: https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/beyond-the-business-card/id1785496837Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite takeaway from today's episode!

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, Anne Jackson shares her journey from international advertising to becoming a master therapeutic coach. She opens up about the hidden patterns that hold us back, the truth about anxiety as fear of the future, and how unprocessed emotions can resurface later in life, often disguised as a “midlife crisis."Anne introduces her “cardboard box theory” and explains why following money rarely leads to fulfilment. Instead, she reveals how to unlock real change by facing the emotions we carry and choosing growth over avoidance.In this episode, we cover:-Why unlocking patterns can drive both personal and professional success-Understanding anxiety and reframing it as fear of the future-The “cardboard box theory” and how unprocessed emotions shape our lives-The reality behind what people call a midlife crisis-Why chasing money can block true fulfilment-How Anne helps people break cycles and improve themselves through coachingThis conversation is for anyone ready to stop repeating old patterns, face what’s really holding them back, and unlock real change.📲 Connect with Joe Lipscombe:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelifecoachingme?igsh=MXR0NTBsNjloYTRmOA==LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/anne-jackson-b77a2766/Website: http://www.onelifecoachingme.com/📲 Connect with Justin McGuire and Beyond the Business Card:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire        Beyond the Business Card: https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/beyond-the-business-card/id1785496837

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card Podcast, Justin speaks with Kevin Kilty, a fintech founder whose journey is all about resilience, risk, and building against the odds. From banking to fintech in Dubai, Kevin shares the reality of a startup founder’s path: low success rates, tough fundraising, and the sacrifices required to make it work.At Demo Day, Kevin pitched to over 400 people and walked away without a single investor. Many would have stopped there, but Kevin chose to “burn the boats” and keep going, relying on community, perseverance, and belief in his vision.In this episode we discuss:•⁠ ⁠The real odds of startup success•⁠ ⁠Why “burning the boats” is a game changing mindset•⁠ ⁠Lessons from rejection and failed fundraising•⁠ ⁠The importance of community and support networks•⁠ ⁠Building resilience through setbacks•⁠ ⁠Long-term thinking in entrepreneurship📲 Connect with Justin McGuire and Beyond the Business Card:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguireBeyond the Business Card: https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/beyond-the-business-card/id1785496837📲 Connect with Kevin Kilty:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinkilty?igsh=MXd3dWc1eHV4emdxcg==LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkilty/Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite takeaway from today's episode!

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, we sit down with Joe Lipscombe, who walked away from a safe career with no revenue, no staff, and a newborn at home to build something the PR industry had never seen.

Joe shares the harsh realities of pursuing a dream in a system resistant to change, and how he transformed obstacles into opportunities.

From struggling with the limits of traditional journalism to creating a new path in PR, this episode is full of lessons on resilience, courage, and challenging the status quo.

In this episode we cover:

• Walking away from a secure career to pursue a bigger vision
• The challenges of breaking into an industry resistant to change
• Balancing personal responsibility with professional ambition
• Building impact with limited resources
• The lessons learned when the dream seems impossible

This is an unfiltered look at entrepreneurship, innovation, and the conviction it takes to make a real mark.

📲 Connect with Joe Lipscombe:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeylipscombe16?igsh=MTI0a2t1b2h6OXo2Nw==LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/joe-lipscombe-288b5342

📲 Connect with Justin McGuire and Beyond the Business Card:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/         

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire        

Beyond the Business Card: https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/beyond-the-business-card/id1785496837

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite takeaway from today's episode!

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, we sit down with Mahmoud Bartawi, ex-banker, exited founder, and host of The Mahmoud Show. Mahmoud shares his incredible journey from losing everything to making his first million.

He recalls the moment he was told, “If you want to be on top, you have to start at the bottom.” From a rejected home loan to holding property for seven years, Mahmoud’s story is one of resilience, strategy and survival in the challenging Dubai market.

We explore the real cost of success, including grief, ego and the sacrifices behind building a healthy food brand that expanded across six countries. Mahmoud also discusses the importance of delegation and how trust is earned when problems are met with solutions.

In this episode we cover:

•⁠ ⁠Mahmoud’s journey from hardship to success

•⁠ ⁠The lessons learned from rejection and persistence

•⁠ ⁠Building and scaling a health food brand across six countries

•⁠ ⁠The emotional and strategic challenges of entrepreneurship

•⁠ ⁠The role of delegation and trust in growing a business

This episode offers an unfiltered look at what it truly takes to rise, rebuild and thrive.

Watch now and subscribe for more authentic stories from founders and business leaders.

📲 Connect with Mahmoud Bartawi:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartawi?igsh=a3phdHNua2dhaTlq

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahmoud-bartawi/

📲 Connect with Justin McGuire and Beyond the Business Card:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/        

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire        

Beyond the Business Card: https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/beyond-the-business-card/id1785496837

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite takeaway from today's episode!

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, we speak with Steven Little, a founder who built his business not by following a perfect plan, but by trusting his gut and embracing uncertainty.

While many chase quick wins and play it safe, Steven took the road less travelled. He turned down high profile opportunities, flew to Saudi without a strategy, and built his business through instinct, resilience and real world experience.

This conversation cuts through the noise and gives you the honest reality of what it takes to build something from scratch.

We cover:

•⁠ ⁠Why real entrepreneurship rarely looks like the highlight reel

•⁠ ⁠The value of intuition over perfection

•⁠ ⁠Learning from risk, failure and doing things the hard way

•⁠ ⁠How to recognise true values in others through action, not words

•⁠ ⁠Why you cannot learn everything in school or in books

This is not a story of overnight success. It is a story of hard-earned progress and building on your own terms.

📲 Connect with Justin McGuire and Beyond the Business Card:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/        

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire        

Beyond the Business Card: https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/beyond-the-business-card/id1785496837

📲 Connect with Steven Little:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevie_im?igsh=bDY5aHRzOGVxejV5

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-little-expert-in-market-entry-to-ksa-455171b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Website: https://massaraa.com/

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite takeaway from today's episode!

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, we sit down with Gaurav Sinha, founder of Insignia Worldwide, to hear the remarkable story of how he went from arriving in Dubai with just $200 to building one of the region’s leading brand agencies.

A self described reluctant entrepreneur, Gaurav shares how a series of "beautiful accidents," purpose driven thinking, and deeply human values shaped his career. He explains why success does not require an MBA, just clarity, conviction, and a willingness to reflect.

We explore:

• What it was like moving to Dubai in 1993

• How pausing and stepping back became part of his growth strategy

• Why purpose must always come before profit

• The lessons he learned while writing his book in Bali

• How Insignia Worldwide became a brand agency with global influence

Gaurav’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and redefining what it means to lead with values.

Watch the full episode now and subscribe for more founder stories and real conversations.

📲 Connect with Justin McGuire and Beyond the Business Card:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/        

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire        

Beyond the Business Card: https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/beyond-the-business-card/id1785496837

📲 Connect with Gaurav Sinha:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrichingexperiences?igsh=b3NtZTdyOTJtd2Zq

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaurav-sinha-insignia?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Website:https://gauravsinha.com/

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a comment about your favorite takeaway from today's episode!