The Brief with Ryan and Rachid

🎙️ THE DE BRIEF WITH RYAN & RACHID 🎥🔥

Welcome to The De Brief, where we switch things up and get behind the mic to talk about real life, real business and real experiences.

From the highs and lows of the property market and construction industry to running businesses, making money, overcoming challenges and everything in between.

We’ll also be taking you behind the scenes of The Brief Podcast, discussing our journey so far, the guests we’ve had on, what’s coming next and the conversations that don’t always make it onto the show.

No scripts, no filters, just two businessmen sharing honest opinions, personal experiences and a few laughs along the way.

Whether you’re in business, working in the trades, interested in property or just enjoy a good conversation, there’s something here for everyone.

Real talk. Real experiences. Real opinions.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY9zz6L5Tac

🎙️ THE BRIEF PODCAST | EPISODE 8: FETTY FOSHA 🔥

10 YEARS BEHIND BARS. A LIFETIME OF STORIES. A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS.

In this powerful episode of The Brief, Fetty Fosha opens up about his life before prison, the decisions that shaped his journey and the harsh reality of spending 10 years behind bars.

We dive deep into the world of county lines, knife crime, street violence and the consequences of life on the streets, discussing the realities that many people never get to hear about.

Fetty shares his experiences of prison life, the challenges he faced behind bars and how a decade inside has changed his outlook on life.

Now a free man, Fetty is determined to leave the past behind, build a better future and make serious moves in the music industry. 🎶🔥

From the streets to prison, and now a second chance at life.

This is a raw, honest and unfiltered conversation about choices, consequences, survival, redemption and ambition.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehNgKH-msl0

TikTok and Kick streamer Modeen joins us on episode 7 of the brief, he talks us through islam, chicks, bunda, and TikTok creators like, hstikkytokky, beavo, gym skin, neon.

Tune in to get absolutely sucked in to the madness.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQeZaCN2Bxo

In this episode of The Brief, MDotR opens up about his experiences in Jamaica, discussing the island's vibrant culture and his own connections to the dance hall scene. As a UK artist, MDotR has built a reputation for his raw and unapologetic style, which has often led to controversy. In this intimate conversation, he shares his thoughts on fame, the music industry, and his personal struggles, including his views on weed and its impact on his life. With his unique perspective as an mdot artist, MDotR provides a candid look at his journey, offering insights into the highs and lows of his career. This podcast episode is a must-listen for fans of MDotR and anyone interested in the world of dance hall and UK music. Tune in for an unfiltered conversation that explores the complexities of fame, creativity, and personal growth.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMQw38aacmo

What happens when your identity as an athlete is stripped away by a freak injury, and your business is crushed by a global pandemic? In Episode 5 of The Brief, host Ryan Vye and Rachid Amary sit down with Angus Martin, founder of the Lyft training formula.

Angus shares a raw, unfiltered look at his journey, from the high-stakes world of pharmaceutical-family life to the brutal reality of "compound negative interest" on the body. We dive deep into the drinking culture of rugby, the "blackout" moments that forced him to change his life, and the devastating moment a simple sneeze exploded his spine and left him in a Zimmer frame.

If you are an entrepreneur, a fitness enthusiast, or someone struggling to find their "Phase 2" after a major setback, this episode is a masterclass in resilience and the shift from "Uninformed Optimism" to "Wisdom."

🚀 About The Brief:

The Brief is a podcast designed to collide life events with business strategy. Hosted by Ryan Vye and Rachid Amary, we explore the stories behind the brands and the grit required to build a legacy.

Subscribe for more episodes on business, property, and mindset.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csyO-ojpYVs

About This Episode:

The saying goes, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." In this powerful episode of The Brief, we officially invite our longtime friend, Charlie Perrin, to join our new business, "Direct Trades."

Charlie shares his incredible story of building his own successful cleaning company from scratch. He started with nothing, just "knocking on people's doors" with a "squeegee in a bucket."

He and Ryan also open up for the first time about their "turbulent" and "traumatic" childhoods. They grew up as next-door neighbors and dealt with domestic violence, being left alone at just four years old, and other "mad stuff." They talk about how you have a choice: you can let your past destroy you, or you can use it to build resilience.

Key Insights from this Podcast:

Choice vs. Victimhood: Charlie shares a powerful idea: "You can have twin sisters. One would say, 'I'm an alcoholic because my mother's an alcoholic.' And one would say, 'I don't drink because my mom's an alcoholic.'"

Overcoming Trauma: When asked how he beat his past, Charlie says he "never really had a choice" because he learned early on that "there's nobody that's going to help you."

The Secret to Business Growth: Charlie's business grew so fast simply because he was reliable and let customers know when he was coming, which other window cleaners failed to do.

The Power of Delegation: To grow from a "job" into a "business," you have to learn to delegate work to others so you can focus on sales and marketing.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

We are officially launching Direct Trades, a "one-stop shop" for all your home projects. For the first time, we can now arrange finance to help you pay for your refurbishment, even if you have bad credit.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7Ye24yNBjQ

About This Episode

Have you ever dreamed of starting your own business, maybe even a coffee shop? In this inspiring episode of The Brief, we sit down with Ben, the charismatic owner of Blend, one of the most popular and well-loved coffee spots in town.

Ben shares his incredible journey from his early life growing up in Barbados to moving to the UK and launching a business with nothing more than a vision and a tiny tuk-tuk. Along with his brother, he took a leap of faith, investing a small sum into a converted coffee van. With no prior experience and no grand plan, they went all in and turned a profit at their very first festival. That moment was the spark that ignited a thriving business.

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Ben gets brutally honest about the reality of running a hospitality business today. He calls the current food economy “horrendous” and reveals how tough it is to survive as a small independent cafe when VAT is draining cash flow, margins are tight, and costs are rising across the board. According to Ben, “you have to be in this for more than just the money.”

Despite the odds, Blend is thriving. In a time when so many high-street shops are closing, Ben has managed to build a brand that stands out, connects with the community, and keeps customers coming back. In this episode, he shares:

• The bold risks he took to get started

• What he learned from his first festival

• The real pressures of VAT and overheads

• Why most food businesses fail

• What it takes to really build something that lasts

• His advice to anyone thinking of starting a coffee shop or small business

This is more than just a business interview. It’s a story of grit, passion, and resilience. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a coffee lover, or someone who appreciates a good underdog story, this episode will leave you inspired.

📌 Chapters & Topics

00:00 Intro

01:15 Life growing up in Barbados

03:30 Starting a business with his brother

06:10 Buying the tuk-tuk

08:45 Making a profit at their first event

10:00 The harsh reality of running a cafe

13:00 Why VAT is killing small businesses

17:30 How to stand out in a crowded market

20:00 Final advice to aspiring business owners

👇 Comment below

Have you ever thought about opening your own business? What would it be? Share your thoughts and we might feature your comment in a future episode.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAGfq7jQaGI

In this episode, we open up about one of the most personal and emotional projects we have ever been involved in: Casa Retreat, also known as Upper Road. This was not just another property investment or development. This project pushed us beyond what we thought we were capable of, financially, mentally, and emotionally.

Casa Retreat started as a vision. A run-down property that we believed had the potential to become something special, something that would challenge us, represent who we are, and stand as a reminder of what can be achieved when you refuse to give up. What followed was one of the hardest journeys we have ever faced in business. From unexpected costs and contractor problems to delays, stress, and endless late nights, this project took everything we had and more.

It was the biggest financial risk we have ever taken. There were moments when it felt like we had gone too far, when cashflow was tight, when we questioned if it was even worth it, and when every decision felt like it could make or break the entire project. But at the same time, Casa Retreat became one of the best things we have ever done. The transformation of this property did not just change bricks and mortar, it changed us.

We talk about what it is really like behind the scenes of a project like this. The parts that people on social media do not often see, the pressure, the uncertainty, the emotional rollercoaster of building something that matters. We share the lessons we learned, what we would do differently, and how we managed to turn an idea into a finished property that we are truly proud of.

We also pick up from where we left off in Episode 1. We discuss what the first year of being a landlord actually looked like, the good, the bad, and everything in between. We talk about the reality of managing tenants, dealing with maintenance, and what happens when things do not go to plan.

From there, we get into what it was like stepping into a completely new world, becoming Airbnb hosts for the very first time. We talk about the excitement of launch day, the stress of preparing the property, the surprises that come with your first guests, and what it really takes to create an unforgettable experience for visitors.

This episode is not just about property. It is about growth, as individuals, as business partners, and as friends. Casa Retreat tested our patience, our communication, and our belief in ourselves. It showed us that no matter how much you plan, life and business will always find ways to test you. But if you stay focused, keep learning, and push through the noise, those challenges become the very things that shape who you are.

We also reflect on the bigger picture, what success actually means. Because sometimes, success is not about profit or perfection. It is about the lessons, the memories, and the friendships that are built along the way.

If you have ever taken a risk on a dream, faced challenges you did not expect, or felt like giving up halfway through a project, this episode is for you.

This is the story of resilience, risk, and reward, told from two people who are still learning, still evolving, and still chasing what is next.

🎥 Watch the full episode and join us on the journey.

Each week we document our business ventures, the projects we are developing, the challenges we face, and the lessons we learn along the way. Our goal is to bring you behind the curtain to show the real side of entrepreneurship, property, and personal growth.

If you enjoy this kind of content, make sure to subscribe, leave a comment, and share your thoughts. We read every single one.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L5g5wXNzZc

Welcome to the very first episode of The Brief with Ryan and Rachid! In this kickoff episode, we’re diving into who we are, what we do, and why we’re launching this channel. Think of this as a blend of a personal business journal and a community chat. We’ll be talking about our ventures like Dream Property Finance, Southwest Contract Group, Tan Shack, and plenty more. Our goal is to keep it real and give you a behind-the-scenes look at the projects we’re passionate about. Whether you’re a client, a business enthusiast, or just curious about entrepreneurship, join us for the ride. We can’t wait to share this journey with you!

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXIFh98Uy8E