SAY YAS WITH KURT

Eenas El Sheakh is a very enthusiastic and creative professional with more than 20 years of experience in education, organization and management. She was a German teacher at the Goethe Institute in Abu Dhabi and at the German International School, and an ambassador for the Dubai Expo 2020. Eenas understands very well to build bridges between cultures. Today, Eenas runs her company UnInDeutschland, a company that provides all services necessary to give students the chance to reach their target of studying at the best universities in Germany.
"I believe in building bridges between cultures. It’s what brings us forward", Eenas El Sheakh.

Through a competition with the following poem, Eenas became an ambassador for the Expo 2020 Dubai.

TO THE UAE | ONCE UPON A DREAM ...

Once upon a dream of a man with a mission
Whose biggest strive was to fulfill his vision 
Of giving the desert a pulse – a heart 
Pumping life into each and every part
Of his country that stood up for a future unknown 
To become a model proudly shown.
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan 
Revealed his dream, his insight, his plan
He united the leaders of all six lands
Who proudly announced their joining hands.

And together the country a unity of seven 
Turned the whole place into a green heaven 
Vision after vision 
The UAE formed its position
With Tolerance, Harmony and Respect 
Three simple words yet there to connect.

A place where East meets West 
Welcoming all its different guests
Far over two hundred nations who live 
Under a generosity only the UAE can give
Kindness and Hospitality
Two genuine foundations of the Emirati mentality 
Through Religion, Heritage, Education and Tradition 
Its People follow their great ambition
To achieve more and more in their lives
Reaching back to its founder ́s strive.

UAE the country– being humble yet noble 
Expands its status of being global
Bid for the EXPO to host this year
Once again – the region’s pioneers.
2021- such a blink of an eye
The WORLD EXPO taking place in Dubai.

These words surely melt on the tip of the tongue
 ‘Once upon a dream’ is where history has begun.
So...the dream of Zayed is living on 
Through Khalifa raising his country so strong 
Enlarging the footsteps his fathers once made 
Creating new horizons
Decade after decade.
May this country live ever after so blessed 
A heartfelt prayer
So deeply expressed.

Eenas El Sheakh

Eenas Website www. UnInDeutschland.com
Instagram @eelsheakh
Twitter EenasEl

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I believe in building bridges between cultures. It’s what brings us forward .
• When you so much believe, it will happen. 
• Knowing the power of communication.
• Be kind, be a good listener.
• Challenges are here and there.
• We are all one.
• I go to places where the local eat. 
• Motivational books, they inspire me. 
• We should appreciate every moment in life. 
• I put negativity aside. 
• I focus on people who have new ideas.

 ABOUT THE HOST

Kurt Blum is property investor and developer and the managing director of Yas Properties Ltd. in the UK, helping investors to increase their wealth. He spent 13 years in Dubai and raised $1M+ for arts, culture & sports events. 

CONTACT

• www.yasproperties.co.uk
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtblum/
• https://www.facebook.com/kurt.blum1/
• https://www.instagram.com/kurtbl

My guest on my new episode, Hans-Georg Meister,  is a dance professional, who traveled the world as a ballet dancer, choreographer and director of ballet.

Hans-Georg's career started at the Swiss Theatre & Performance School in Zurich and he finished his studies at the Royal Ballet School in London.
His first solo dance performance was at the Stadttheater Zurich in 1951. Later he performed at the National Ballet of Canada, the Metropolitan Opera New York, at the Kirow-Ballett in Leningrad, and the National Opera of Finland in Helsinki. In 1975 Hans-Georg became the director of the Opera House in Zurich, Switzerland, and in 1993 he founded the Académie De Ballet Neuchatel.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I was obliged to give more than my best 
• Work with the best in your field
• Understand that different countries have different rules
• If you're determined be selective and focus on one thing only
• Be physically, mentally and musically prepared

ABOUT THE HOST

Kurt Blum is property investor and developer and the managing director of Yas Properties Ltd. in the UK, helping investors to increase their wealth. He spent 13 years in Dubai and raised $1M+ for arts, culture & sports events.

 CONTACT

• www.yasproperties.co.uk
• www.linkedin.com/in/kurtblum/
• www.facebook.com/kurt.blum1/
• www.instagram.com/kurtblumyas 

On my new podcast episode with me is Henry Camus, a performer, an entertainer, a comedian and an acrobat. He started his performing career by studying the violin at the age of 4. Later Henry delved into different disciplines of the artistic world - while studying at various international circus-schools.

Today, Henry is successfully performing around the world with his awesome show as Duo Fullhouse and together with his wife, Gabi. With their unique range from comic cabaret to superb acrobatic skill, Duo Fullhouse has won several international prizes on both stage and television.

Henry’s website:
 www.fullhouse.ch 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• You can get inspiration from anywhere
• Get inspiration – be open
• Performing has lots of ups and downs. You get nervous and euphoric
• Enjoy yourself – enjoy the ride
• Performing is like climbing a mountain
• If you have the calling go for it
• Entertaining is a funky business
• Find your mentor

 ABOUT THE HOST

Kurt Blum is property investor and developer and the managing director of Yas Properties Ltd. in the UK, helping investors to increase their wealth. He spent 13 years in Dubai and raised $1M+ for arts, culture & sports events.

 CONTACT

www.yasproperties.co.uk
www.linkedin.com/in/kurtblum/
www.facebook.com/kurt.blum1/
www.instagram.com/kurtblumyas 

My guest, Lisa Mounteer Watson is Californian, but she has lived abroad for over 20 years. She majored in Fine Arts at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1980. After living in the UK and Belgium for twelve years, Lisa moved to the Middle East in 2002 and lived in Oman, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Since few years she is back in the UK again.

Lisa has created many artworks for Five Star Hotels in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and even for the Emir of Qatar. When I was in the UAE - I represented Lisa Mounteer Watson, and she was one of my best-selling artists.

Website to Lisa’s artwork:
www.lisamounteerwatson.co.uk
www.littlevangogh.co.uk

KEY TAKEAWAYS

About art

• I paint as I hear the birds.
• I paint what is in my heart and soul
• I learn my whole life. 
• Why I am changing? Better I refine it.
• Find your medium (Sculpture, Painter), then find your style and refine it.
• Draw! Draw! Draw!
• Try to avoid to paint exactly what you see.

About work & life

• Go for it, take some risk.
• Give yourself a break.
• Always trust yourself, no matter what. Don’t listen to others.
• There are no regrets. This needs to be seen as lessons.
• I am always grateful for my past.

 ABOUT THE HOST

Kurt Blum is property investor and developer and the managing director of Yas Properties Ltd. in the UK, helping investors to increase their wealth. He spent 13 years in Dubai and raised $1M+ for arts, culture & sports events.

 CONTACT

• www.yasproperties.co.uk
• www.linkedin.com/in/kurtblum/
• www.facebook.com/kurt.blum1/
• www.instagram.com/kurtblumyas 

My guest, Erin Thomas, is a writer, a content creator and a brand strategist, and she has been self-employed for 16 years with her company ERIN THOMAS COMMUNICATIONS. Erin has travelled more than 40 countries. Erin proves that you can work on your laptop from any place around the world.
Charleston, South Carolina, is her home, but she is currently living as an expat in Stuttgart, Germany.

Erin’s company: www.erinthomascommunications.com 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Do what you love
• Take the big jump
• Be able to grow with the flow
• Most memorable moments are meeting people that matter
• March to the beat of your own drummer
• I do what feels best for me

ABOUT THE HOST

Kurt Blum is property investor and developer and the managing director of Yas Properties Ltd. in the UK, helping investors to increase their wealth. He spent 13 years in Dubai and raised $1M+ for arts, culture & sports events.

 CONTACT

• www.yasproperties.co.uk
• www.linkedin.com/in/kurtblum/
• www.facebook.com/kurt.blum1/
• www.instagram.com/kurtblumyas 

James Owen Roberts is an entrepreneur, a podcaster, TEDx speaker and author with over 15 years of experience in exercise, diet and mindset as a coach. He started out in his sporting career as a swimmer, and progressed on to other Paralympic sports, such as rowing and sitting volleyball.

He went through many challenges in his life, and he turned his disability into a successful career. James was twice a Paralympic athlete at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing and in 2012 in London. He runs coaching sessions, and he serves as a consultant for Wheelchair Rugby League Ireland.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Always analyse your results like an athlete.
• Do one thing and get good at that.
• Amateurs compete, professionals collaborate.
• It’s being grateful where you live now and what you have at present.
• Put yourself in a position to succeed.

ABOUT THE HOST

Kurt Blum is property investor and developer and the managing director of Yas Properties Ltd. in the UK, helping investors to increase their wealth. He spent 13 years in Dubai and raised $1M+ for arts, culture & sports events.

 CONTACT

• www.yasproperties.co.uk
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtblum/
• https://www.facebook.com/kurt.blum1/
• https://www.instagram.com/kurtblumyas 

My guest, Simon Werren, lives and works in Borneo, Malaysia and he is the founder of Bike & Tours and Brother's Cycling. 
Brothers Cycling for the World is a non-profit organization that was created from the cycling journey of the Werren brothers.

10 Years ago Simon traveled with his brother on bikes from Switzerland to South Africa, a distance of around 23,000 km. After a car accident and being hospitalized in Switzerland for some weeks, Simon flew back to Senegal and continued his bike tour with his brother. 

Their intention was to collect donations and contribute them towards humanitarian and conservation projects.  So, they created the project and website BROTHERS CYCLING. Additionally, they were able to create job opportunities and support ongoing activities for conservation projects around the world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I was alone, I was so free.
• Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s hard on the way to achieve your goals.
• About the Africa Tour: Once you have started a project, and you have your daily routine, it’s like going for work.
• Before you decide something, don’t overthink.
• It’s important to finish a project.
• Once you’re in a project and you know the goal, it’s not important if sometimes you go little bit left or right. 
• You will always find a solution.

CONNECT WITH SIMON:

Brothers Cycling:             https://www.brotherscycling.com/en/donate-bukit-piton
Bukit Piton Shop:             https://www.orang-utan-project.com/
Simon’s Bike & Tours:    https://www.bikeandtours.com/en 

ABOUT THE HOST

Kurt Blum is property investor and developer and the managing director of Yas Properties Ltd. in the UK, helping investors to increase their wealth. He spent 13 years in Dubai and raised $1M+ for arts, culture & sports events.

 CONTACT

• www.yasproperties.co.uk
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtblum/
• https://www.facebook.com/kurt.blum1/
• https://www.instagram.com/kurtblumyas 

My guest, Karim Radwan, is a project management professional, and founder of Impactus Consulting. He worked over 10 years in the private and the public sectors, like banking, insurance and development projects, and he worked for the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Egypt and Sudan.
 Additionally, Karim is a former professional sportsman, who trained and coached world heavyweight - kickboxing champion, Jerome Le Banner, and he has a track record in teaching, coaching and motivating people from different age groups and cultural backgrounds. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Have someone you trust
• Have your eyes open for any opportunities
• Consistently deliver quality work
• Pomodoro technique: 25 work, 5 minutes break
• The brain doesn't like interruptions
• Phone = public ennemy of interruptions

ABOUT THE HOST

Kurt Blum is property investor and developer and the managing director of Yas Properties Ltd. in the UK, helping investors to increase their wealth. He spent 13 years in Dubai and raised $1M+ for arts, culture & sports events.

CONTACT

• www.yasproperties.co.uk
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtblum/
• https://www.facebook.com/kurt.blum1/
• https:www.instagram.com/kurtblumyas

Today, I have the great pleasure to talk with Noah Veraguth, the front man of PEGASUS and a very well-known musician of the Swiss Music scene. He has shared the stage with some world stars like Coldplay, Hurts, Joe Cocker and many many more. 
As the singer and songwriter of PEGASUS - currently one of the most successful pop bands in Switzerland - he earned together with his musicians, gold and platinum records, a number one hit song and several top-ten singles. Additionally, they have been presented with the Swiss Music Awards “Newcomer National” in 2007, and “Best Hit National” in 2013 and 2015. 

In January 2021 he released the album “Unplugged” with Pegasus.
Our talk is about covid, living between different cities, creativity and the future.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

During Covid

• We had two top 10 songs during the last year. 
• What I learnt during Covid: I was able to understand the voting, the impact of social media and the impact of politics.

Creative

• I  start my day with a few espressos and a diary entry. 
• I need a quiet corner.
• I prefer a guitar or a piano, it could be a bass guitar.
• When I write a song: I can start with lyrics, it could be a melody, it could be both.
• I usually like when it flows, that’s the best work, when you don't have to force creativity.
• That's the feeling of song writing, when it's positive.
• You should not expect anyone else to have the same enthusiasm and energy like you.

Future

• I hope I can play football again.
• We have to learn to re-schedule.
• Properties are a very interesting thing. Yes, I think about property investing.

ABOUT THE HOST

Kurt Blum is property investor and developer and the managing director of Yas Properties Ltd. in the UK, helping investors who want a better return on their money. He spent 13 years in Dubai and raised $1M+ for arts, culture & sports events.

 CONTACT

• www.yasproperties.co.uk
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtblum/
• https://www.facebook.com/kurt.blum1/
• https://www.instagram.com/kurtblumyas

I am pleased to meet Anne Kasztura today, a Food & Beverage Professional currently in Thailand. We worked together, when Anne was Food & Beverage Manager at the luxury five-star hotel, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi, and when I organized art exhibitions at the Mezzaluna Restaurant. 

After her hospitality experience in Zurich, Maldives, Abu Dhabi, Bali,  Jakarta and Singapore, she took a time out, a Sabbatical Year. So, it's really interesting to hear about all her experiences. 
 
 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

·       Be Open Minded 
·       Meet People
·       Challenge yourself to learn a language
·       Do something what you haven't done before
·       Your hobby is your job
·       Explore and it will enrich your life

ABOUT THE HOST

Kurt Blum is property investor and developer and the managing director of Yas Properties Ltd. in the UK, helping investors who want a better return on their money. He spent 13 years in Dubai and raised $1M+ for arts, culture & sports events.

CONTACT

• www.yasproperties.co.uk
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtblum/
• https://www.facebook.com/kurt.blum1/
• https://www.instagram.com/kurtblumyas