Skillionaires

This is the first episode of the special edition “Dubai Docs Diary” on the Skillionaires Podcast. In this opening conversation, Dr. Angela Thomas speaks with Prof. Dr. Tamer Said, consultant laparoscopic and general surgeon and Head of multiple Centers of Excellence in Dubai. They discuss what it truly takes to succeed as a medical expert in the Middle East, why surgery is not just a career but an identity, and why Dubai rewards only those who operate at the highest level. This episode explores discipline, reputation, decision-making under pressure, and the mindset required to build excellence in one of the world’s most competitive healthcare markets.

# Skillionaire Podcast - Episode: The Dubai Business Labyrinth with Dr. Heike Lieb-Wilson | Part Two **Description:** In this unfiltered continuation of our conversation with Dr. Heike Lieb-Wilson, a fearless single mom turned top business consultant in Dubai, dive deep into the realities and strategies of launching and scaling international brands in one of the world's most challenging markets. Dr. Lieb-Wilson pulls back the curtain on what really makes or breaks success in Dubai - from navigating cultural nuances and market entry pitfalls to the critical importance of trust and referrals in a transient, relationship-driven business landscape. Learn how she offers a unique 360-degree market entry service, including enabling brands to "test trade" under her own trade license, cutting through red tape and reducing risk. Hear vivid stories of product flops (and why some brands fail despite massive investments), eyebrow-raising market entry requests she refuses, and her candid take on balancing hard-nosed business growth with deep spirituality and manifestation techniques that fuel her relentless passion.

What does it take to rebuild your life and build a global business at the same time? In this episode of Skillionaires, Dr. Heike Lieb-Wilson shares her journey from single motherhood to becoming an internationally operating business leader. We talk about resilience, reinvention, leadership under pressure and what it truly means to create opportunity instead of waiting for it. This conversation is about ownership, courage and expanding your identity beyond circumstances.

Talent alone does not build a career. Discipline does. In this episode, Tarek Majdalani shares his perspective on what truly separates artists who dream from those who build lasting success. We talk about: – Why talent is overrated – The role of discipline and daily structure – Artist development beyond hype – Building sustainable careers in the music industry – Execution vs. inspiration Tarek Majdalani explains why long-term success is not about luck, but about consistency, systems and the willingness to do the unglamorous work. If you want to understand what it really takes to build something meaningful — in music or business — this conversation is for you.

What does it really take to build a global premium brand? Sammy Gharieni shares how he turned a childhood dream into an international company operating in 140 countries, without reading business books, but by building relentlessly. From early entrepreneurial instincts to scaling manufacturing sites across Europe and beyond, this episode explores passion, innovation, leadership, AI integration, and the mindset required to keep growing. If you want to build instead of just consume: this conversation is for you.

Anna Schmidt built a successful international corporate career in the software industry — leading global transformations and scaling across borders. But success alone wasn’t enough. In this episode, Anna Schmidt shares how leaving the boardroom didn’t mean leaving achievement behind, it meant expanding it. From her childhood in Kazakhstan to leadership in global software corporations, and into conscious entrepreneurship, she reveals what real growth looks like beyond titles and systems. We talk about identity shifts, motherhood, alignment, nervous system regulation, and how true wealth goes far beyond revenue. This is a conversation about scaling without losing yourself.

In Part 2 of the conversation with Michelle Maree, we go beyond the origin story and dive deep into what it really takes to grow, as a founder, leader and human being. This episode is about outgrowing environments, building high-trust communities, setting clear boundaries and understanding why real scale doesn’t come from doing more, but from designing the right culture. Michelle Maree shares her philosophy on leadership, responsibility and why freedom is not about escaping limits, but consciously choosing them. An honest, unfiltered conversation for founders, entrepreneurs and community builders who feel they’re ready for the next level.

In this episode of Skillionaires, host Dr. Angela Thomas speaks with Michelle Maree, founder of The Nomad Escape, about designing a life and business beyond borders, limits and traditional structures. Michelle Maree shares her journey from building a location-independent business to redefining freedom, responsibility and success on her own terms. Together, they explore what it really takes to create sustainable freedom. Not as an escape, but as a conscious design choice. This conversation is about mindset, systems, self-leadership and the courage to let go of outdated models — in business and in life. An inspiring episode (part 1 of 2) for founders, digital nomads and entrepreneurs who want to scale freedom without chaos.

In this episode of Skillionaires, host Angela Thomas sits down with Angela Soudi, co-founder of Gladiators Juniors and passionate advocate for entrepreneurship education for children. Together they explore why entrepreneurship starts long before adulthood, and how families, systems, mindset and heart-led leadership play a decisive role in shaping the next generation. This conversation goes beyond business theory. It dives into education, family dynamics, self-mastery and the long-term responsibility entrepreneurs carry — not only for companies, but for people. A powerful episode for entrepreneurs, parents and leaders who think in generations, not quarters.

Great events don’t happen by accident. They are designed, guided and held together by the right person on stage. In this episode of the Skillionaires Podcast, Angela Thomas is joined by Derek Smith, an experienced Master of Ceremonies (MC), to explore what truly makes events work behind the scenes. The conversation dives into the often underestimated role of the MC and why great moderation is not about talking more, but about creating structure, flow and trust. This episode is for anyone who works with live events, stages, audiences or high-stakes communication.

In this solo Playbook Episode, Dr. Angela Thomas breaks down her proven 9-step scaling framework and explains how real business growth works in practice. You’ll learn how to structure your value proposition, customer journey, channels, partnerships, and revenue streams in a way that allows your business to scale without burning yourself out or tying everything to your personal time and energy. This episode is a must-listen for founders, consultants, and service-based entrepreneurs who want clarity, structure, and sustainable growth.

This unscripted solo episode is a personal and unfiltered start into the new year. Angela Thomas shares a story she rarely talks about: a year of pressure, self-doubt, a costly scam, and the inner shift that followed. From nervous system regulation to leadership identity, from environment to energy, this episode explores why strategy alone never creates sustainable growth. You’ll hear: – why strategy without energy leads to stagnation – the 7 reasons businesses get stuck (and the 8th element nobody talks about) – how identity, environment and self-worth shape results – why leadership always starts inside before it shows outside This episode is not about hacks or quick wins. It’s about building something that lasts — in business and in life.

Amazon frustrates most founders. Not because their product is bad – but because they misunderstand the system. In this episode of Skillionaires, Angela Thomas sits down with Jason Kwao, Amazon growth strategist and brand builder, to unpack what really drives success on Amazon. Jason Kwao shares his journey from delivering pizzas to scaling seven-figure brands, and explains why Amazon is not a marketplace, but a system that rewards those who understand its rules. You’ll learn: – Why most sellers lose money on Amazon – The three levers that actually drive growth – How mindset impacts long-term profitability – When Amazon makes sense for your business – and when it doesn’t This episode is for founders, brand owners, and entrepreneurs who want clarity instead of hype and strategy instead of guesswork.

In this episode of the Skillionaires Podcast, Angela Thomas speaks with Riadh Bouaziz, an entrepreneur and global leader in the luxury home and textile industry. Riadh Bouaziz shares how a deep respect for craftsmanship, discipline, and long-term thinking laid the foundation for building his global luxury business. From linen and textiles to international markets, this conversation explores what it truly takes to scale a premium brand without sacrificing quality, values, or identity. This episode is a masterclass in luxury mindset, operational excellence, and legacy-driven growth — for founders who think beyond trends and short-term wins.

In this inspiring episode, Angela Thomas speaks with Khurshid Vakil, co-founder of Home Fashion Group and one of the leading voices in premium home textile manufacturing. Khurshid Vakil shares the story of a family business built on craftsmanship, discipline, and unwavering brand integrity. From producing for global luxury retailers to scaling operations across continents, his philosophy is simple and powerful: No discounts. No shortcuts. No compromise on quality. This episode dives deep into long-term brand building, sustainable growth, and the values that keep a legacy business thriving across generations. If you want to understand how real, timeless brands are built — far away from quick wins and trend-chasing — this conversation is pure gold.

In this powerful episode, Angela Thomas sits down with Seif El Hakim — “The Alpha” — a global business leader, former Samsung executive, founder, strategist, and creator of The Alpha Movement. This conversation cuts through the noise of fake success and surface-level coaching. Seif El Hakim reveals what a modern alpha truly is: Identity. Integrity. Responsibility. Discipline. Execution. No ego. No posing. Just real leadership that scales. From building markets across Russia and Korea, to advising founders on next-level performance, Seif El Hakim breaks down the frameworks behind identity-driven leadership, high-performance culture, and the mindset shifts entrepreneurs must master in 2025 and beyond. If you want to scale yourself, your business, and your impact, this episode delivers the blueprint.

In this episode, Angela Thomas speaks with Premal Patel, culture strategist and founder of the Healthy Minds Club, about the core truth every modern leader is facing: “Your behaviour becomes your company’s behaviour — and culture scales faster than strategy.” Premal Patel draws from 28 years of leadership experience across global organisations and shares why mental well-being, psychological safety, and conscious leadership are no longer “nice to have” — they are the real drivers of retention, performance, and sustainable growth. They explore how companies can build environments where people thrive, why burnout is costing billions, and how leaders can shift from pressure to presence. A high-impact conversation on healthy culture, modern leadership, and the future of work.

In this episode, Angela Thomas speaks with Christian Kiefer, the powerhouse behind Raya Wellness and Wellbeings UAE. Christian Kiefer is one of the most influential leaders in the Middle East’s wellness landscape. He shares how he went from a safe corporate life in Germany to building 27 wellness outlets across Dubai, shaping an entire industry through presence, precision, and conscious leadership. This conversation dives into: - the mindset required to scale without burning out - the future of wellness, retreats, frequency work & biohacking - why emotional presence drives better teams and stronger brands - how to build concepts that actually make money in hospitality - why Dubai is becoming a global wellness super-hub — and what’s next A masterclass in purpose-driven scaling, blending business strategy with genuine human presence.

In this conversation, Angela Thomas meets Anna Thiel, mentor for men, to explore a striking insight: “Men in unstable relationships cannot scale.” What begins as a business discussion unfolds into something far deeper — a look at how emotional balance, self-awareness, and trust form the real infrastructure of success. Anna shares how she helps male leaders reconnect with their inner calm, face uncomfortable truths, and rebuild focus from the inside out. The talk dives into readiness, responsibility, and what happens when a man finally stops performing and starts being. A grounded, honest episode about leadership, love, and the quiet power behind momentum.

Amirhossein Farzaneh shares his journey from gym owner in Iran to tech founder in Dubai. In this episode, he and Angela Thomas explore how to turn passion for sports into a scalable business model, and why human connection remains the strongest asset in the age of AI. You’ll learn: – Why community and connection are the real drivers of growth – How to balance digital scalability with authenticity – What it takes to start before you’re ready and learn on the way A conversation full of energy, purpose, and humility, recorded in Dubai for the Skillionaires Podcast.