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!

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, we dive into the incredible journey of Fares Ksebati, founder of MySwimPro, the app that revolutionised swim training around the world.

From burning out physically and mentally to taking a massive leap of faith, Fares shares what it really took to leave his job, pour everything into an unproven idea, and reshape an entire industry. At the time, there was no real training platform for swimmers, and he knew he was the right person to build it.

This is a story of obsession, sacrifice, and relentless belief. With no revenue, no real traction, and little financial cushion, Fares kept going. Not because it was easy, but because the alternative wasn’t an option.

We talk about:

-Building through burnout

-Quitting a stable job for a risky dream

-The emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship

-Why swimming will always be central to his life

If you’re an aspiring founder or someone on the edge of a bold idea, this episode is packed with truth, passion, and the real cost of building something meaningful.

📲 Connect with Fares Ksebati:

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

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@faresksebati?_t=ZS-8yBScAgVot6&_r=1

Website: https://www.myswimpro.com/

📲 Connect with Justin Maguire 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 the podcast, we sit down with Mazen Nahawi for a powerful, honest look at what it really takes to create something meaningful in a world full of noise.

Born and raised in a small town in the UAE, Mazen reflects on the early influence of his father, the deep impact of loss and detachment, and the painful challenges he faced navigating life as a Palestinian Muslim in post 9/11 America.

This is not a story of overnight success. It’s a story of compounding grit, failure, resilience, and belief over 20 years. Mazen speaks candidly about the humiliation of failure, the pressure of living up to expectations, and how he found strength in building a purpose led business.

We also explore his philosophy on leadership, legacy, and why trust, not gold, is the real currency of business.

Other topics include:

•⁠ ⁠Why success without purpose is meaningless

•⁠ ⁠The role of mentorship, community, and culture in personal growth

•⁠ ⁠The mental and emotional cost of being underestimated

•⁠ ⁠Why building something real takes far more than just ambition

This episode is packed with hard earned wisdom, emotional truth, and lessons that every entrepreneur, especially those building against the odds, should hear.

📲 Connect with Mazen Nahawi:

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mazennahawi?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

📲 Connect with Justin Maguire 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 the podcast, we sit down with Natasha Sideris, founder and CEO of the iconic Tashas Group, for an honest, inspiring look into what it really takes to build a successful business in the food and beverage world.

From humble beginnings in South Africa to expanding across the UAE, Natasha shares the hard truths behind scaling a brand: the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, and the need for relentless work ethic, not just viral moments.

We talk about the emotional cost of entrepreneurship, including the guilt of time lost with family, and her heartfelt advice to founders: don't forget your parents.

She also reveals what makes her team stay loyal after 20+ years, why she throws legendary staff parties, and how building a respectful, grateful workplace culture has been core to her success.

Other topics include:

•⁠ ⁠The fierce competitiveness of Dubai’s F&B scene

•⁠ ⁠Why businesses can’t rely on tourists alone

•⁠ ⁠What makes Dubai a dream for ambitious entrepreneurs

•⁠ ⁠And the realities of margins, hospitality, and longevity in the Middle East

The episode is packed with unfiltered insights, personal stories, and lessons that every aspiring entrepreneur should hear.

📲 Connect with Tasha's Group:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tashas-group/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tashasgroup?igsh=MW1pbnVyYmtrZml3MQ==

Website: https://www.tashasgroup.com/

📲 Connect with Justin Maguire 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 stay tuned for a new episode next Monday!

In today's episode of Beyond the Business Card, host Justin Maguire sits down with Zachary Beckett, the entrepreneur taking the recruitment industry in Dubai and the GCC by storm.

Zachary, known as "the two to four-week job guy," helps professionals land roles across the region rapidly, and his innovative approach has quickly made him one of the most recognizable figures in his field.Zachary’s journey is far from conventional. Growing up between South Africa and London, he faced challenging beginnings, including periods of homelessness and dropping out of school at age 13. From door-to-door sales to managing sales teams as a teenager, and eventually building a recruitment empire in the GCC, Zachary’s story is a testament to resilience, determination, and relentless hustle.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

● How Zachary’s tough childhood fueled his entrepreneurial drive.

● His unconventional route from London to Saudi Arabia and then Dubai.

● The strategies behind his rapid success in recruitment and personal branding.

● Why Zachary believes in building businesses around solving deep-rooted problems.

● How he manages a high-performing team committed to extraordinary results.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, looking for insights on breaking into the Dubai market, or just want to hear an inspiring comeback story, this episode has something for you.

📲 Connect with Zachary Beckett:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharybeckett/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachfgn/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zacharybeckett

Website: https://www.professionalpyramid.com/

📲 Connect with Justin Maguire 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

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

In this episode of Beyond the Business Card, Justin McGuire sits down with Anam Ahmad, founder and Chief Creative Officer of The Hanging House, a leading experiential design agency based in Dubai. Anam shares how she dropped out of college and hustled through odd jobs, before building a creative powerhouse that’s shaping immersive brand experiences across the region.She opens up about her unique approach to entrepreneurship, embracing lateral thinking over traditional education, and turning early struggles into fuel for success. She shares how she navigated rapid growth during the pandemic, overcame major setbacks, and rebuilt her team from scratch, all while redefining what it means to lead creatively.💡 In this episode, you’ll discover:• Why Anam believes lateral thinking beats linear education• How early challenges ignited her entrepreneurial spirit• Key moments that shaped her unconventional career path• Lessons learned from scaling The Hanging House during COVID• Strategies for overcoming setbacks and leading with resilienceThis episode serves as a reminder that success comes from creativity, courage, and relentless hustle, not just a traditional path.🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more stories that go beyond the business card.📲 Connect with Anam Ahmad:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anam-ahmad-6a1743ab/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehanginghouse/ Website: https://www.thehanginghouse.com/    📲 Follow Justin McGuire:         Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jussiemcg/         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire                  📲 Follow 7-Figure Recruitment:         Website: https://7figurerecruitment.com         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7-figure-recruitment-scaling-systems/         Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7figuresrec/                  📲 Stay Connected with MCG Talent:         Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcg_talent/         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcgtalent/