In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, Rizwan Kassim, Founder and CEO of RIKAS Hospitality Group, sits down with host George Hojeige to share his journey from launching a restaurant group to leading one of Dubai’s most innovative hospitality companies.

Rizwan reflects on key turning points in his career, the challenges of scaling multiple venues, and lessons learned along the way. He also talks about the philosophy behind his restaurant designs, the strategy for acquisitions, and shares insights into emerging trends shaping Dubai’s hospitality scene.

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, restaurant innovation, or building a brand in Dubai, this is an episode you should not miss.

Guest: Rizwan Kassim, Founder & CEO, RIKAS Hospitality Group

In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, Jad Antoun, Co‑Founder and CEO of Huspy, sits down with host George Hojeige to share his journey from launching a startup to leading one of the region’s fastest-growing proptech companies. Jad reflects on key turning points in his career, the most difficult challenges in scaling a business, and lessons learned along the way.

He also talks about common misconceptions in the real estate and mortgage sector, the pressures of technology adoption and international expansion, and shares insights into emerging trends shaping Dubai’s property market.

If you’re interested in proptech, real estate innovation, or entrepreneurship in Dubai, this is an episode you should not miss.

Guest: Jad Antoun, Co‑Founder & CEO, Huspy

 In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, Omar Chaoui, Founder of Magana, sits down with host George Hojeige to discuss the inspiration and ambition behind creating limited edition mechanical timepieces that make a statement that matters.

Omar shares the journey of launching Magana, the philosophy behind designing watches that reflect meaning and style, and the challenges of building a brand from the UAE. He discusses the art of mechanical watchmaking, the importance of precision, and the strategy behind creating exclusivity in today’s market.

From brand positioning and craftsmanship to future growth plans, this conversation offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs, design enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by fine watches.

If you are interested in product development, design, or entrepreneurship in Dubai, this episode is a must watch.

Guest: Omar Chaoui, Founder, Magana

Dubai’s contracting industry is evolving rapidly, but leading a contracting business requires more than technical expertise. Every project comes with tight deadlines, cashflow pressures, and complex execution challenges.

In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, Rafael Khanoyan, CEO of Al RYUM Group, sits down with host George Hojeige to share his journey from his first project to building a successful contracting company. Rafael reflects on key turning points in his career and the most difficult aspects of managing projects that clients rarely see.

He also talks about misconceptions in contracting, the pressures of cashflow and deadlines, and shares insights into emerging trends in the industry.

If you’re interested in construction, project management, or entrepreneurship in Dubai, this is an episode you should not miss.

Guest: Rafael Khanoyan, CEO, Al RYUM Group

Dubai’s legal profession is evolving rapidly, but leading a law firm requires more than legal expertise. Every decision comes with responsibility, pressure, and the need to uphold strong values.

In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, Charles DerSahakian, Managing Partner at CVML, sits down with host George Hojeige to share his journey from his legal background to managing a successful law firm. Charles reflects on a career-defining mistake and the most difficult aspects of managing lawyers.

He also talks about staying true to his values under pressure and shares insights into the future plans for CVML.

If you’re interested in law, leadership, or building a values-driven career, this is an episode you should not miss.

Guest: Charles DerSahakian, Managing Partner, CVML

Dubai’s high-end fit-out sector is booming, but creating exceptional spaces requires more than materials and design. Every project comes with tight deadlines, discerning clients, and complex execution challenges.

In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, Aziz Zacca, Founder & Managing Partner of Indoors High End Finishing, sits down with host George Hojeige to share his journey and expertise in Dubai’s premium fit-out industry. Aziz discusses his engineering background, career progression, and the lessons learned while building a company delivering high-quality residential and commercial projects.

He shares the most stressful aspects of the industry, the challenges of starting a fit-out business, behind-the-scenes insights clients rarely see, and strategies for planning projects effectively. Aziz also reflects on his most intense projects and the trends shaping the future of luxury interiors.

If you’re interested in interior design, project management, or entrepreneurship in Dubai, this is an episode you should not miss.

Guest: Aziz Zacca, Founder & Managing Partner, Indoors High End Finishing

Dubai’s venture capital ecosystem is growing rapidly, but investing in startups is about far more than capital and connections. Behind every decision are uncertainty, pressure, and long-term responsibility.

In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, Zafer Younis, Founder of Silicon Valley Venture & Innovation (SVVI), sits down with host George Hojeige to unpack how the venture capital industry really works. Zafer shares his background, career progression, and the realities of building judgment in a high-stakes investment environment.

He discusses the scariest moments in venture capital, the biggest risks investors take, and the most common mistakes made when backing early-stage companies. The conversation offers an honest look at how decisions are made, what separates disciplined investors from reactive ones, and the lessons learned through experience.

If you're interested in venture capital, startups, investing, or understanding how major funding decisions are made, this is an episode you should not miss.

Guest: Zafer Younis, Founder, Silicon Valley Venture & Innovation (SVVI)

 Host: George Hojeige, Group CEO, Virtuzone, an Ascentium Company

Dubai’s content creator scene is growing rapidly, but building a real career takes more than viral moments and trending formats. Behind every successful creator are consistency, strategy, and a willingness to make sacrifices.

In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, Denisa Alexe, comedian and content creator, sits down with host George Hojeige to share her journey from a background in marketing to building a full-time career in content creation. Denisa breaks down how she found her voice through comedy, transitioned into digital storytelling, and turned creativity into a sustainable career.

She discusses monetising comedy content, choosing brand partnerships without losing authenticity, and managing the pressure of being constantly online. Denisa also opens up about burnout, the biggest mistakes creators make, and the type of content that helps creators grow long-term.

If you're interested in content creation, personal branding, or turning creativity into a career, this is an episode you should not miss.

In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, host George Hojeige speaks with Gosia Golda, founder of the MMG Group, about the evolution of Dubai’s creative industry and the business behind building a global talent ecosystem from the ground up.

Gosia shares her journey from arriving in Dubai as a young talent in 2003 to launching MMG Models, MMG Artists, and MMG Talent. The group has grown into a global creative powerhouse with operations across Dubai, London, Paris, and Miami. She explains how the city reshaped her ambitions, the early challenges of building a business with no safety net, and the resilience required to grow organically in a competitive and rapidly changing industry.

The conversation explores what it takes to run a specialist creative company in Dubai, from navigating misconceptions and industry pressures to balancing authenticity, leadership, and commercial expectations. Gosia reflects on rebuilding after setbacks, protecting company culture, and staying grounded in a world shaped by social media and constant visibility. The episode closes with honest advice for young women entering the creative and talent industries.

Timestamps (Chapters)

Connect and Next Steps

Dubai is a city where success, ambition, and personal style often intersect and few industries reflect this more clearly than luxury watch trading. In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, George Hojeige sits down with Dean Bramley, Founder of Bramley Luxury Goods, for an unfiltered conversation about luxury, risk, reinvention, and what it really takes to build a trusted name in Dubai’s high-value trading market.

Dean shares his journey from growing up in Stoke-on-Trent in the UK to working across Australia, Taiwan, and the Middle East in the automotive industry before making a bold and unexpected pivot into luxury watches. From working with global brands like Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, and McLaren to being made redundant with a family to support, Dean opens up about the turning points that forced him to rethink everything.

The conversation explores how trust can be both the biggest asset and the most expensive mistake in luxury trading, why cash flow—not profit—is the real challenge behind high-value deals, and how the watch market truly works behind the scenes. Dean breaks down common misconceptions around luxury watches as “investments,” explains how pricing and rarity actually drive value, and reveals the realities of scams, misinformation, and ethics in the industry.

From flipping his first watch on his parents’ sofa to building Bramley into a respected luxury goods brand with an upcoming flagship store in Dubai Marina, this episode offers honest insights into resilience, reputation, and building long-term credibility in one of the world’s most competitive luxury markets.

If you’re interested in founder stories, luxury trading, or the realities of entrepreneurship in Dubai, this episode delivers a raw and grounded perspective without the gloss.

Guest: Dean Bramley, Founder, Bramley Luxury Goods