Talks With Toni

In today's episode, Toni interviews Koussei Kurbaj, who shares his remarkable journey. Koussei began with nothing, built multi-million dollar companies by the age of 28, lost it all, and then rebuilt him success once more by the age of 32. Through personal anecdotes and lessons learned, Koussei provides valuable insights and inspiration for listeners on their own entrepreneurial journeys. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

•  Koussei's journey from building multi-million dollar companies to losing it all and rebuilding showcases the importance of resilience and determination in entrepreneurship.

• He emphasizes the need to trust, but also to verify, highlighting the importance of due diligence and not blindly trusting others in business partnerships.

• Koussei's reflection on ego, trust, and family underscores the personal growth and self-awareness gained through challenging experiences.

• His transition from a broken state to rebuilding a successful real estate portfolio demonstrates the power of perseverance and strategic investment.

BEST MOMENTS

"I always felt that, or thought about that, it's funny that you ask this question, and I still think about it."

"I remember back in grade seven and eight when our cafeteria in my school back in Sharjah, in UAE, was boring."

"I felt that if they want to play soccer, I'll make a soccer tournament."

"I remember knocking his door like his is I went to his company and I knocked the door and I went in."

"I remember writing a new password on a piece of paper and burning that piece of paper so that I'll never go back to that Snapchat account."

HOST BIO

Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment.

With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses.

Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In today's episode, Toni interviews Simon Alexander Ong, an author, coach, and entrepreneur. Simon shares his journey from the corporate world to becoming a successful coach and public speaker. He discusses the importance of awakening people's imagination and living a better story. Simon also opens up about the challenges he faced, including the impact of the global financial crisis and the loss of his mother at a young age. He emphasizes the power of building relationships, being strategic, and taking risks. Simon's positive outlook and ability to find the good in every situation are truly inspiring. Listeners will gain valuable insights into personal growth, finding purpose, and creating a meaningful impact in the world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Building relationships and expanding your network is crucial for success. Simon emphasised the importance of relationship building and how it can lead to opportunities and collaborations.

• Being strategic and intentional in your actions is key. Simon's journey involved careful planning, making strategic decisions, and being intentional about his goals and actions.

• Don't be afraid to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone. Simon took risks by exploring new opportunities, such as public speaking, and it paid off in unexpected ways.

• Value before victory. Simon's approach of providing value and serving others without expecting immediate returns helped him build strong relationships and open doors for future opportunities.

• Embrace the fragility of life and don't wait to pursue your dreams. Simon's experience of losing his mother at a young age taught him the importance of living life to the fullest and taking action on your goals and dreams without delay.

BEST MOMENTS

"Everything I do is designed to awaken people's imagination of what is truly possible so they can live a better story."

"The pain of staying where I was became greater than the pain of change." 

"The power of speaking is not just awareness about your work, but it's also powerful from a brand perspective." 

"Don't wait became something that powered me forward to collapse that gap between idea and execution." 

"We enter this tragic scenario where we live as if we're never going to die and then die having never really lived." 

HOST BIO

Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment.

With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses.

Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In this episode, Toni sits down with former professional boxer Anthony Ogogo. Anthony opens up about his journey from a troubled childhood to becoming an Olympic athlete. He shares his early experiences in sports and how he found his passion for boxing after witnessing a schoolyard fight. Anthony reflects on his drive to win and the role it played in seeking attention and validation. He also discusses the challenges he faced in his boxing career, including a dislocated shoulder and a bitter disappointment at the Olympics. Anthony's story is one of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of success, both in and out of the ring.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Anthony had a difficult childhood, growing up with a single mother and craving attention and love from his absent father.

• Boxing became an outlet for the speaker's anger and frustration, and he excelled in the sport due to his determination and hard work.

• Anthony's ultimate goal was to win an Olympic gold medal, and he qualified for the 2012 Olympics despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks.

• Anthony's mother suffered a brain aneurysm during his Olympic training, and he had to make the difficult decision to continue with the Games while his mother was in critical condition.

• Anthony faced physical injuries, including a dislocated shoulder and a broken rib, during his Olympic training, but he persevered and competed in the Games.

BEST MOMENTS

"I was good at sport, any sport. I was that annoying kid that could pick up a badminton racket in like year two in PE and beat the teacher without never knowing what a shuttlecock was."

"I used to be like, I remember that we once had like silver fish in the cupboard because I didn't wash up properly." 

"I was never the biggest, never the strongest, never the hardest puncher or the fastest. Don't get me wrong, I was an athlete. I was good at everything, but my superpower was you would not outwork me." 

"I used to love hurting people. When the bell would go, I'd become a different person. Then the bell would end and then I'm back to being a respectful person." 

"I Should have qualified in 2011, the year before the Olympics, eight months before my shoulder came out in a fight, it got popped out by the personalized boxing." 

HOST BIO

Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment.

With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses.

Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

Today, Toni interviews Spencer Lodge, a successful entrepreneur, author, and podcast host. Spencer shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in various industries. He discusses his passion for making a difference in the world, particularly in the area of human trafficking, as highlighted in his recent TV documentary. Spencer emphasises the importance of finding true wealth and gratitude through helping others and making a positive impact. He also reflects on his personal growth and transformation, from being arrogant and materialistic to prioritising meaningful connections and experiences. The episode delves into Spencer's involvement in supporting charities and his deep connection with Maria Conceicao and the girls she has rescued from poverty in Bangladesh. Overall, the episode showcases Spencer's inspiring journey and his commitment to leaving a lasting legacy through his philanthropic efforts.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Spencer Lodge's journey from humble beginnings to success in sales and business is inspiring.

• He emphasizes the importance of making a genuine impact and helping others as a measure of true wealth.

• Spencer shares his experience of working with Maria Conceicao and her mission to rescue and educate children from the slums of Bangladesh.

• He highlights the power of perspective and how it can shift our priorities and values.

• Spencer reflects on his personal growth and transformation, from being arrogant and materialistic to valuing meaningful connections and making a difference in the world.

BEST MOMENTS

"The wealthiest people I know have no money. They have nothing. but they have the biggest hearts in the world and they do remarkable work to help other people."

"Gratitude could be laying in the garden on a sunny day and getting a tan and drinking a glass of wine. That could be gratitude. But for me, it's like there has to be more, which means I have to seek more, which I have to do more so that I then get that required fix of gratitude." 

"Legacy is important. And it's so much more than legacy. To me, it's just like, the legacy is valuable while you live. Okay. The respect and the recognition is..." 

"Money talks, but wealth whispers."

"I was better than everybody. I was beating them all. It was because of that training. I was hands down better than everyone and I was hungry for success." 

HOST BIO

Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment.

With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses.

Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

This week, Toni is interviewing Master Sri, a spiritual teacher and mentor who shares his mystical journey of transformation and self-discovery. Master Sri recounts his experience of being chosen by a Himalayan yogi and undergoing a rigorous initiation amidst the mountains, sharing candidly about the challenges, initial fears, and profound moments that led him to fully embrace his spiritual path. Master Sri emphasises the importance of discovering one's purpose and the transformative power of maintaining a positive mindset in navigating life's inevitable highs and lows. Overall, this episode offers insights into personal growth, overcoming obstacles, and finding fulfilment in both the material and spiritual aspects of life. This compelling exploration offers valuable insights into personal growth, overcoming obstacles, and attaining fulfilment in both the material and spiritual dimensions of life. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Becoming a master in any field requires being chosen by a mentor or teacher.

• Going through challenging experiences and initiations can lead to personal transformation and growth.

• The cycles of positivity and negativity are natural in life and spirituality.

• The importance of finding one's own path and purpose, regardless of societal expectations or norms.

• The significance of both material and spiritual aspects in life, and the need for balance between the two.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think that a lot of people, when they are voicing anything, I don't agree with this, then that's your problem. I don't like it when you talk about what is your problem." 

"I always say to people, it's interesting, because if I have a crowd of a thousand people, I say, how many of you think money is not important? You'll always get a few hands. Always, every time."

"I think a lot of people don't recognize that right now. They see it as it's your problem, right, for speaking about it. But it's not, it's their problem." 

"I think that a lot of people, when they are voicing anything, I don't agree with this, then that's your problem. I don't like it when you talk about that. Well, if you don't like and you're getting triggered by it, it's your problem."

"I think maybe until 2019, I sometimes will still question, hmm, am I supposed to be teaching law of attraction, or am I supposed to be teaching business?"

HOST BIO

Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment.

With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses.

Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In this episode, Toni speaks to Gary Das, who discusses his journey as a business consultant and investor. Gary shares his experience in the mortgage industry and how he diversified his business to include life insurance and insurance brokerage. He talks about the challenges he faced, including working long hours and the pressure to chase money. Gary also opens up about his realization that he didn't actually enjoy mortgages or property, but rather the problem-solving aspect of his work. He shares his shift in focus towards helping others build successful businesses and create their dream lifestyles. Their conversation delves into the importance of mindset, resilience, and finding a balance between work and personal life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Focus on problem-solving and adding value: Gary mentiones that he enjoys solving puzzles and providing solutions to clients' problems. This mindset has guided his career and business ventures.

• Adaptability and diversification: Gary shares his journey of diversifying his business from mortgages to insurance and then to consulting and training. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to changes in the market and exploring new opportunities.

• Building a team and delegating: Gary learned the value of building a team and delegating tasks to others. He realized that he couldn't do everything himself and that hiring the right people allowed him to focus on his strengths and grow his business.

• Prioritizing lifestyle and family: Gary discusses the importance of prioritizing lifestyle and family over work. He learned this lesson through personal experiences and now focuses on helping others build businesses that align with their desired lifestyles.

• Resilience and mindset: Gary highlights the importance of resilience and maintaining a logical and positive mindset in the face of challenges. He shares his own experiences of overcoming setbacks and emphasized the need to keep moving forward and learning from failures.

BEST MOMENTS

"I don't like mortgages. I don't like property... I love the problem solving."

"I don't want to do that for the next 40 years." 

"I think it's really refreshing to hear someone be so honest."

"I don't need to be first in last out... if people know what they've got to do and they have a bit more autonomy."

"If we have a routine and we have habits... that's what ultimately dictates the outcome." 

HOST BIO

Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment.

With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses.

Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

Today, Toni interviews Gerald Ratner, an author, mentor, and keynote speaker. Gerald shares his journey from being the chairman of a successful jewellery business to facing a major setback after a controversial speech. He discusses the challenges he faced, including the negative impact on his business and personal life. Despite the difficulties, Gerald's resilience and ability to take risks led him to start a successful health club and venture into online business. He also shares his experience as a public speaker, using humour to engage and inspire audiences. This episode highlights the importance of perseverance, embracing failure, and finding humour in life's challenges.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Taking risks can lead to great success: Gerald Ratner's ability to take risks and think outside the box allowed him to turn around his struggling jewellery business and create a successful health club.

• Trust your gut instincts: Gerald's gut feeling about the potential success of his health club and the online jewellery business proved to be accurate, even when others doubted him.

• Embrace failure and learn from it: Gerald's infamous speech and the subsequent downfall of his jewellery business could have crushed him, but he chose to learn from it and use it as a platform for personal growth and success.

• The power of humour and storytelling: Gerald's ability to make people laugh and engage them through his speeches and storytelling has been a key factor in his success as a public speaker and mentor.

• Overcoming setbacks and staying positive: Despite the challenges he faced, Gerald's resilience and positive mindset allowed him to bounce back and find new opportunities for success.

BEST MOMENTS

"I clearly felt that the approach that I'd taken was the right approach and that added to a lot of other things in terms of marketing ourselves and being sort of very aggressive."

"I had this brilliant idea that I would go back. I thought it was one place that I would get publicity, only one place talking about one subject."

"I love doing it, I'm traveling around to lovely places. I'm doing similar speech, it's not a huge amount of effort, this is great, why did I slog my guts out in the jewellery business?" 

"I like making people laugh and that's how I got into trouble in the first place. And I was like that as a kid, you know, you asked me earlier about a kid and I wasn't very good at lessons, but I was good at making people laugh at school." 

"Laughter is something that is very important in life. You're happy when you're laughing. So it's great to go to these events."

HOST BIO

Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment.

With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses.

Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In this episode, Tony interviews Dean Kelly, a serial entrepreneur with a diverse range of business ventures. Dean shares his journey from growing up in South London to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He discusses his experiences in the recruitment industry, his investments in various businesses, and his unique approach to investing in companies. Dean also touches on his early struggles, including facing violence and gang-related issues in his youth. Throughout the conversation, Dean emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and the power of perseverance in achieving success. The episode provides valuable insights into entrepreneurship, education, and the challenges of navigating the business world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Dean Kelly had a diverse entrepreneurial career, building and selling businesses in the recruitment space and investing in various industries such as food, streaming, and SaaS.

• He grew up in South London and faced challenges in accessing opportunities in the city, but he always remained true to himself and embraced his unique background.

• Dean emphasized the importance of being a critical thinker and not being easily influenced or brainwashed by societal norms.

• He shared his experience of facing personal challenges and overcoming them, including instances of violence and conflict in his youth.

• Dean discussed the flaws in the education system, highlighting the lack of emphasis on critical thinking and the limitations imposed on educators by centralized government control.

BEST MOMENTS

"I always thought if I'm not going to be me, who's going to be me?"

"I was always wheeling and dealing. I used to sell all the fake Ralph Lauren and Armani jeans." 

"I think as a dad or a mum, you're like, you know, be a surveyor, be a doctor, be a lawyer, you know, just go into something safe." 

"I think when you don't know what to do and you're faced with a massive brick wall, you can do what a lot of people do, and I'd say 90% of the population is they just get in their groove and do whatever their lot is."

"The whole system is not built around you being a critical thinker. It's not built around you being able to... It doesn't."

HOST BIO

Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment.

With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses.

Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In this episode, the tables are turned as Toni Gargan is interviewed by Chloe Bisson. They discuss Toni's journey as a female in a male-dominated environment, from her role in HR within the retail industry to her transition into the property world. They delve into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship while balancing a young family, and Toni shares her passion for public speaking and the impact it has had on her life. Listeners gain insight into Toni's personal experiences and the challenges she has overcome, offering a deeper understanding of her journey.

KEY MOMENTS:

• Toni Gargan's passion for public speaking was ignited when she attended a property event and was inspired by a speaker. This unexpected interest led her to pursue public speaking as a career alongside her property investments.

• Toni's journey in public speaking and property investing was not without challenges. She had to balance her full-time job, family responsibilities, and the demands of both industries. However, her determination and support from her husband helped her navigate these challenges.

• Toni's husband played a crucial role in her journey, supporting her even when he didn't fully understand or share her passion for public speaking. He was her biggest cheerleader and provided the necessary support for her to pursue her dreams.

• Fear, particularly fear of the unknown and fear of failure, often holds people back from taking risks and pursuing their passions. Toni's husband initially had reservations about leaving his job due to these fears, but eventually found the courage to make the transition.

• Toni's story highlights the importance of finding a balance between different roles and responsibilities. She and her husband recognized their strengths and divided tasks accordingly, allowing them to work together effectively as life and business partners. This division of labor helped them overcome challenges and achieve success in both public speaking and property investing.

BEST MOMENTS:
"I want to be a speaker." 

"I realized now you don't actually need a strategy or a niche to speak about."

"I think I've always liked a bit of a spotlight and attention because it was given to me from such a young age."

"I love the communication, the storytelling, and it's a skillset that everyone's got, but not everyone hones."

"I think our roles actually changed. And so, it was, we were in a position where less than a year after starting to invest in property, he could have left his job, but he wouldn't." 

HOST BIO

Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment.

With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses.

Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.

In this episode, Chloe Bisson opens up about her personal journey from being a successful chartered accountant to battling severe depression and ultimately finding her true passion. She shares how she lost her identity and faced the fear of failure, but ultimately emerged stronger and more determined. Chloe discusses the importance of communication and respect, and how these values have shaped her business ventures, including her work as an author and publisher. She also highlights the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on others. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Chloe experienced a significant shift in her identity and career path, transitioning from being a successful chartered accountant to starting her own business after facing personal challenges and a battle with clinical depression.

• Communication is a key skill set for Chloe, and she is passionate about helping others improve their communication skills. She believes that effective communication is essential for building successful teams, connecting with clients, and making an impact in the world.

• Chloe values respect as her top priority, believing that everyone deserves to be treated with respect regardless of their position or role. She also values stability and variety, although the latter has taken a backseat as she has fulfilled her desire for variety through her entrepreneurial journey.

• Chloe's favorite book is "The Universe Has Your Back" by Gabby Bernstein, which helped her discover her own spirituality and embrace her curiosity. She appreciates how the book simplifies spiritual concepts and makes them accessible to a wider audience.

• Chloe's co-authored book, "Queens in Business: Time to Reign," holds a special place for her as it features 16 inspiring stories of women entrepreneurs. The book became a bestseller and marked a turning point in Chloe's journey, as she witnessed the impact of sharing stories and empowering others through her work.

BEST MOMENTS

• "I just pushed. I was working 12 hour days. I was studying and working. I just almost got hooked on that achievement, hit the next milestone." - Chloe Bisson

• "I was the only one of my friends that didn't go to university, I just thought, all my friends are having a great time at uni. They're doing great. I can't afford uni. I've got a job and I'm now failing at that." - Chloe Bisson

• "I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression because I was so unwell. My mom took me to the doctor. Now I know she knew it, but I didn't realize because I was so stubborn." - Chloe Bisson

• "I was so fearful. Then in the end, the doctor said, Chloe, you need to get out of the house. You need to go to the gym. Again, there was a gym in the block just next door, so I was like, fine." - Chloe Bisson

• "I love to be around people that say it to me how it is. I'm that person that's got lipstick on my teeth and I've spoken on stage for the whole day and then somebody, I checked the toilet, I'm like, why did no one tell me?" - Chloe Bisson

HOST BIO

Toni's journey defies the norm. Raised with a strong work ethic and a traditional career path in mind, she initially pursued a corporate job in HR after earning her degree. However, in 2015, everything changed when she attended a property training seminar. Little did she know that this event would ignite a profound passion for property investment.

With her husband Chris, Toni raised millions in joint venture finance, creating a multi-million-pound property portfolio. But her story doesn't stop there. By the age of 33, she left her HR job behind to empower others in building their successful property businesses.

Toni's passion for public speaking led her to become a world record holder. Beyond the accolades, she sees it as a calling to educate and inspire. Toni hosts training events and uses her "Talks with Toni" podcast to share insights, interview captivating guests, and motivate her audience.