What does it take to go from landing in Dubai with just $150 to becoming one of the city’s most trusted real estate brokers? In this episode of Dubai Life, Toghrul Mehdiyev shares his incredible journey. From cold starts and low commissions to closing over 80 units in SLS and building a reputation grounded in trust, not just transactions. We explore the mindset that separates top agents from everyone else, why off-plan resale is one of the most overlooked opportunities in Dubai right now, and how many agents are leaving money on the table by chasing hype instead of real value. Toghrul also opens up about the personal discipline and spiritual practices that power his day-to-day success, and offers advice for buyers on what they should really know before trusting their next agent. Whether you're a real estate agent looking to level up or a Dubai investor tired of the sales noise, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

In this episode of Dubai Life with AKO, we sit down with real estate entrepreneur Tahir Majithia to uncover the journey from renting apartments to closing a 75 million dirham building deal. Tahir shares how one question changed everything, how Instagram led to a penthouse sale, and what it really takes to succeed in Dubai’s ultra-competitive property market. Whether you're a new agent or an industry pro, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons, mindset shifts, and strategy.

Dubai Life with AKO | Episode 6: Dean Munro – From Loss to Legacy, Building a Life in Dubai In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Dean Munro, CEO of Royce International, as he shares his incredible journey from the UK to building a thriving life and business in Dubai. Dean opens up about his early days in real estate, the energy that made him stay, and the raw, emotional story of fatherhood, loss, and resilience. 💬 Podcast Highlights

• What brought Dean to Dubai and why he never looked back
• The evolution of the real estate industry and why picking up the phone still matters
• Dean’s moving story of his son Monty and how that loss inspired a legacy
• Writing books, building Royce International, and balancing fatherhood

This episode is a reminder that behind every business journey is a personal story, and Dean’s is one of courage, compassion, and purpose. Whether you're in real estate, a parent, or just navigating life in Dubai, this episode will move and inspire you. 🎧 Subscribe for more real conversations with the people shaping Dubai.

In this episode, we sit down with Pierre, the man behind Better Call Pierre, to uncover how a spontaneous move to Dubai with no job, no visa, and no contacts turned into a decade-long journey of mastering the city’s complex commercial real estate market. Pierre shares how he built his brand from scratch—learning the ins and outs of licensing, negotiating multi-million dirham deals, and why most agents are just “door openers.” We dive into:

• Why he moved to Dubai without a single connection
• How he broke into commercial real estate with no roadmap
• The surprising truth behind viral content and social media growth
• Why commercial real estate in Dubai is still misunderstood
• Lessons from closing tough deals and navigating legal chaos
• His personal philosophy on authenticity, trust, and long-term success

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in real estate, entrepreneurship, or looking to build something from nothing in one of the world’s fastest-moving markets. Subscribe now to learn what it really takes to succeed in Dubai - raw, real, and unfiltered.

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel, founder of a natural men’s skincare brand, to explore how a personal obsession with clean ingredients turned into a mission to create high-performing, sustainable grooming products. Daniel shares his journey from DIY kitchen experiments to launching a brand built on upcycled ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. We dive deep into: The hidden dangers in everyday skincare products and why “natural” isn’t always what it seems How sustainability and performance can go hand in hand in skincare Overcoming manufacturing challenges and resisting the white-label shortcut The importance of starting small and proving your concept Building a brand with purpose in Dubai’s unique business environment The future vision: expanding into professional services and becoming a one-stop shop for men’s grooming This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in natural skincare, sustainable business, or launching a brand with real impact. Subscribe to discover how passion, purpose, and persistence can create a brand that truly makes a difference.

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Hunter, co-founder of Holo, a digital mortgage platform transforming how people finance homes in the UAE and beyond. What began as a frustration with outdated banking processes turned into a bold mission to bring transparency, speed, and trust to Dubai’s real estate financing space. Michael opens up about his early career in the UK banking system, the leap of faith that brought him to Dubai, and how Holo grew from a two-man operation into a fast-scaling, tech-enabled mortgage powerhouse. We dive into: The behind-the-scenes chaos of starting a business during COVID lockdown How building trust—not commissions—created lasting client relationships The challenge of raising venture capital while running operations Why putting the right people in the right seats can make or break your startup The truth about AI in real estate—and what’s hype vs. what’s actually helpful His vision for expanding into Saudi and scaling Holo into the region’s go-to mortgage platform This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the Dubai property market, working in real estate, or looking to build a tech business rooted in trust, innovation, and service. Subscribe to learn how long nights, smart tech, and relentless drive built one of the region’s most exciting fintech stories.

In this episode, we sit down with Joel Alexander, CEO of Kendal AI, to unpack the powerful intersection of real estate and AI—and how Dubai is uniquely positioned to lead this global shift. Joel shares his journey from the London School of Economics to launching a tech startup in Dubai, his early failures, and how they shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. We dive deep into: Why Dubai is the new frontier for ambitious founders and real estate innovation The future of real estate powered by AI, automation, and voice technology Building Kendall: a WhatsApp-first CRM designed for agents, built from real market needs How AI is reshaping lead generation, property management, and deal-making What agents and brokerages can do now to stay relevant and future-proof This episode is essential listening for anyone in real estate, tech, or entrepreneurship who wants to understand where the industry is going—and how to be part of the next wave. Subscribe to stay ahead of the curve as we explore the ideas, people, and platforms reshaping real estate from Dubai to the world.

Welcome to another episode of the Dubai Life Podcast, powered by Ako, where we sit down with the game changers, visionaries, and industry leaders shaping life and business in Dubai. In this episode, we’re joined by Lynnette Sacchetto, a respected real estate expert, data strategist, and one of the key figures behind Property Monitor, the UAE’s leading real estate data platform. We dive into: Lynnette’s journey from her early days in real estate to becoming a sought-after market authority How she fell in love with Dubai and made it her home The pivotal role she’s played in advancing the Dubai property market through innovative data solutions and market transparency If you’re passionate about Dubai, real estate, or the future of property data and insights, this one’s a must-listen. Like, subscribe, and join us as we uncover the stories behind the people moving Dubai forward.