Raising The Barr

Join us on this episode of Raising the Barr as we sit down with Steve Laidlaw, a powerhouse entrepreneur who’s built and scaled multiple businesses across a range of industries.

Steve walks us through his journey, from launching his first company in 2007 to becoming a trusted consultant and mentor. He shares honest insights on scaling challenges, the power of authenticity in personal branding, and how to maintain both mental and physical wellbeing as a business owner.

This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for entrepreneurs looking to sharpen their strategy, strengthen their brand, and build with purpose.00:00 Welcome to Raising the Barr00:45 Steve’s Entrepreneurial Journey Begins02:25 The Challenges of Business Growth09:01 Transitioning to Consulting and Mentoring13:19 The Importance of Personal Branding21:09 Choosing the Right Clients26:50 The Dubai Summer Business Phenomenon28:11 Growth Strategy and Sustainable Scaling28:56 The Importance of Business Fundamentals32:12 Managing Reputation in the Digital Age34:21 The Role of PR in Business Success36:13 Personal Transformation and High Performance Mindset40:08 Balancing Emotions and Diversifying Projects45:47 Future Plans and Legacy Building48:10 Inspirations and Closing Thoughts

In This Episode of Raising The Barr we sit down with Mark Gaskin, Chief Operating Officer at Leos Developments, to explore the dynamic world of real estate development in Dubai. Mark’s story is one of grit, vision, and seizing opportunity—from his roots in Dublin to becoming a key player shaping Dubai’s skyline.

This episode unpacks the fast-paced growth of Dubai’s property market, the role of government safeguards, the importance of attention to detail, and how teamwork drives success in an industry where deadlines are tight and the stakes are high.

We also dive into the cultural melting pot that is Dubai, the shift toward wellness-focused communities, and how AI and technology are transforming the future of real estate.

Whether you’re a property developer, entrepreneur, or investor, this is a must-listen episode packed with actionable insights, hard truths, and inspiring stories.00:00 Welcome to Raising the Barr00:19 Meet Mark Gaskin: A Journey in Property Development00:55 Mark's Early Career and Travels03:33 From London to Dubai: A Career Leap05:41 Challenges and Opportunities in the UK Market06:53 The Impact of Economic Changes on Real Estate11:17 Life and Work in Dubai12:41 The Vision for Dubai's Future18:33 Building Communities in Dubai28:24 The Unique Appeal of Knightsbridge31:45 Community and Wellness in the UK and Dubai32:46 The Importance of Neighbourhoods33:55 Challenges and Predictions in Real Estate Development37:17 The Role of Teamwork in Successful Projects39:35 The Impact of Market Trends on Property Value43:15 Ensuring Quality and Consistency in Development46:53 Opportunities and Challenges in Dubai's Real Estate Market57:30 Final Thoughts and Future Prospects

In this episode of Raising The Barr, Jamie sits down with Kev Stewart, former Premier League footballer turned entrepreneur and elite mindset coach. From breaking through at Tottenham to playing for Liverpool and representing Jamaica, Kev’s journey on the pitch laid the foundation for a powerful second act in business and personal development.

Kev shares how the discipline, focus, and team mentality of professional football now fuel his approach to entrepreneurship. He opens up about the challenges of life after football, the mindset shifts required to build something new, and the importance of team morale in both sport and business. His passion for self-development and helping others transform their lives is infectious.

This is a raw, honest conversation packed with insight, from the realities of the UK academy system to the strategies behind building a winning culture in any environment. Whether you're leading a business, building a team, or just hungry to grow, Kev’s story is proof that the game doesn’t end when the final whistle blows, it just changes pitch.

00:00 Introduction

00:49 Kev Stewart's Football Journey

02:15 Support System and Self-Motivation

05:24 Academy System and Parental Role

07:01 Transition to Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp's Influence

11:43 Team Dynamics and Culture

18:20 Transitioning from Football to Business

26:45 Property Ventures and Financial Independence

29:33 Reflecting on Career Choices

30:30 The Journey into Coaching

31:28 The Role of Sports Psychology

33:57 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

36:44 The Importance of Self-Development

38:44 Manifestation and Success

43:50 Challenges of Wealth and Success

49:36 International Football Experience

51:36 Future Goals and Aspirations

55:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Raising the Barr, Harley shares his inspiring journey from a 16-year-old window shopper in the UK to building a thriving luxury reselling empire with flagship stores in Dubai. 
Discover how Harley transitioned from humble beginnings, working odd jobs, to mastering the reselling business and building a strong personal brand. He gives an in-depth look into the mechanics of the reselling industry, marketing strategies, top luxury brands, and the importance of networking in Dubai. 
Harley also discusses his educational platform and his future plans for expanding his successful business. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation full of tips on scaling a business in the luxury market.

00:00 Introduction

00:40 Early Beginnings in Reselling

03:01 Transition to Recruitment

04:32 Rekindling Reselling During COVID

06:13 Building the Business in Dubai

12:00 Challenges and Successes

16:25 Personalized Service and Client Experience

17:33 Relocating to Dubai

20:44 Social Media and Personal Branding

24:56 The Power of Storytelling

25:19 Going Viral: TikTok Strategies

26:38 Brand Collaborations and Legal Challenges

27:39 Networking in Dubai vs. UK

29:38 Personal Growth and Mindset Shift

35:18 Future Plans for Trend Sourcing

39:08 Educational Platform and Mentorship

42:17 Trends and Collaborations in Luxury Brands

47:16 Concluding Thoughts

In this episode of Raising The Barr, we step into the world of high-level finance with Brendan Gow, CEO and Founder of Capital Haus. With over 20 years in the finance industry, Brendan unpacks the key principles behind smart investing, building trust with clients, and scaling a modern financial advisory firm.We explore how Capital Haus has grown organically across Australia and Dubai, with a strong focus on personalised service and long-term value. Brendan discusses the future of wealth management, the rise of crypto, and why more investors are shifting their focus to emerging markets. Plus, he breaks down his three golden rules for achieving lasting financial success.Whether you're an aspiring investor, a finance professional, or just money-curious, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.00:00 Welcome to Raising the Barr00:21 Meet Brendan Gow01:16 Founding Capital Haus02:26 The Importance of Client Relationships09:09 Organic Growth and Team Building13:45 Navigating the Financial Landscape17:21 Client Acquisition and Community Building24:22 The Migration of Wealth to Dubai25:56 Advisors in Dubai vs. Home Countries27:49 Investment Trends in a High-Interest Rate Environment34:11 The Role of Crypto in Modern Portfolios39:42 Common Financial Mistakes 43:35 Future Plans for Capital Haus46:14 Core Principles for Long-Term Financial Growth

Welcome to Raising the Barr, the go-to podcast for business owners and entrepreneurs. In today's episode, Jamie interviews John Pierre de Villiers, a renowned high-performance coach, author, and athlete. 
JP shares his extraordinary journey from hitting rock bottom to transforming his life through personal development. He discusses his observations from childhood in Cape Town, the critical shift from seeking external validation to mastering one's internal state, and how significant physical fitness is for mental and emotional well-being. 
JP reveals the impact of meditation, staying true to one's values, and why it's vital to live a life aligned with personal happiness. He also discusses the importance of being all-in on your goals and not compromising on one's passions and ambitions. 
Join us for an inspirational conversation about finding purpose, achieving true success, and living life to the fullest.

00:00 Introduction

00:44 Early Life and Personal Development

01:35 The Turning Point: From DJ to Self-Improvement

04:37 The Impact of External Validation and Social Media

08:31 Living Authentically and Aligning with Your Values

14:31 The Importance of Meditation and Self-Awareness

19:31 Balancing Success and Personal Fulfilment

26:50 Commitment and Accountability

31:45 Reflecting on School Experiences

33:45 The Impact of Trauma and Finding Meaning

36:27 Turning Pain into Power

38:50 The Journey of Self-Improvement

40:27 Living in Alignment with the Universe

55:07 The Importance of Fitness and Self-Care

01:00:42 Final Thoughts and Inspirational Advice

Join us on Raising The Barr as we sit down with Amer Rustom, the visionary founder of La Dolce Vita Entertainment. Discover how Amer redefined the luxury concierge industry in Dubai by creating a unique membership model that bridges top influencers, models, and bloggers with the city's most exclusive venues. 
Learn about his inspiration, challenges, and the remarkable growth of his business in just over a year. Explore how La Dolce Vita is expanding internationally and innovating with a new app. 
Perfect for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone fascinated by luxury marketing and community-building.

00:00 Introduction

00:17 Meet Amer: The Man Behind La Dolce Vita

01:00 The Concept and Market Need for La Dolce Vita

03:50 Challenges and Breakthroughs in the Early Days

04:45 Expanding the Business: Venues and Collaborations

09:26 Building a Massive Membership Base

17:09 The Role of Technology and Future Plans

20:21 Expanding Internationally: New Horizons

21:41 Target Destinations: Paris, Monaco, Milan, and Barcelona

22:58 Challenges and Strategies for Global Growth

23:13 Community Building and Storytelling

24:27 Managing Member Behaviour and Venue Relations

25:57 Inclusion of Male Influencers

28:27 Growth and Challenges in Dubai

33:51 Future Plans and Strategic Investments

34:56 Transition to the App and Community Events

36:41 Dubai's Growing Concierge Scene

39:08 Quick Fire Questions

In this episode of Raising the Barr, we sit down with James Bloor, an entrepreneur who transitioned from a waste and recycling business in the UK to founding a successful real estate agency in Dubai. 
James discusses his early beginnings, the challenges and successes in his waste management venture, and the key decisions that led to his move to Dubai. He shares insights into starting and running a business in Dubai, emphasizing the importance of trust, hard work, and adaptability. 
James also highlights the unique dynamics of working with family and the true essence of building a sustainable business model focused on providing quality service. Join us as we delve deep into the life of James Bloor and uncover the secrets behind his tremendous success.

00:00 Introduction

00:33 James’ Early Career in the UK

03:57 Starting the Waste and Recycling Business

06:55 Expanding the Business and Taking Risks

09:38 Transition to Dubai and Real Estate

15:08 Challenges and Success in Dubai Real Estate

23:35 The Freedom and Flexibility of Hyde

25:13 Unique Aspects of Hyde

26:33 Supporting Experienced Agents

28:22 Building Trust and Relationships

31:47 Challenges and Smooth Processes in Dubai

35:33 Recruitment Strategies and Quality

42:29 Family Dynamics in Business

45:53 Misconceptions About Real Estate

46:55 Conclusion

In this episode of Raising The Barr, we sit down with Sophie, the owner of SOTA Salon. Sophie shares her incredible journey from starting her first salon at 19 in the UK to establishing a top-rated salon in Dubai.

Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities of running a salon in Dubai, from navigating strict regulations to building a top-tier team. Sophie provides invaluable insights into leveraging social media, influencer collaborations, and the importance of creating a strong community around your brand. Whether you're an aspiring salon owner or an entrepreneur looking to elevate your business, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration.00:00 Welcome to Raising The Barr00:38 Sophie's Journey into Hair and Beauty01:34 First Steps in Salon Ownership02:53 Challenges of Opening a Salon in Dubai04:28 Building a Top-Tier Team08:22 Creating a Unique Salon Experience15:23 The Importance of Social Media16:51 Influencer Impact on Business Growth18:44 Authentic Relationships with Influencers20:20 Challenges of Scaling a Salon in Dubai22:29 Staff Recruitment and Retention24:57 Future Plans and Expansion26:24 Building a Community Around the Salon30:01 Quick Fire Questions

In this episode of Raising The Barr, we sit down with fitness coaching powerhouse Charlie Johnson, who has helped over 8,000 clients transform their physiques and coached over 1,000 trainers to scale their businesses from six to seven figures.

Charlie shares his journey from working as an estate agent to building a multi-six-figure per month coaching business, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped his success. We discuss the transition from one-on-one coaching to online coaching, why it’s revolutionizing the industry, and how leveraging social media, paid ads, and AI can position you as an authority in your niche.

Packed with actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for fitness entrepreneurs, online coaches, and anyone looking to scale smarter, not harder.

00:00 Introduction

00:17 Meet Charlie Johnson

01:21 From Estate Agent to Fitness Coach

04:18 The Rise of Online Coaching

07:03 Scaling a Fitness Business

10:54 Building a Successful Coaching Business

14:48 The Importance of Team and Systems

20:18 Maximizing Social Media

28:27 The Importance of Personal Branding

28:59 Building Authority and Credibility

30:15 Navigating a Competitive Market

31:22 Leveraging AI for Content Creation

35:27 Effective Ad Strategies

37:13 The Power of Community and Networking

43:59 Adapting to AI in Business

49:31 Investing in Personal Development

53:13 Final Thoughts and Advice