In this episode, I sat down with Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, a former NRL star turned entrepreneur who risked everything to build his own luxury watch brand, W Zelezniak. Malakai’s journey is one of incredible transformation: from the thrill of the rugby league field to the challenges of creating a business from scratch. After a serious health scare forced him into early retirement, Malakai was left wondering what would come next.

Malakai shares stories of his rugby league career, including playing alongside his brother, representing his heritage on the international stage, and the physical demands of professional sports. He also opens up about his transition out of rugby, the uncertainty he faced, and why taking risks became a necessary part of his journey. With no background in business, he started from scratch, researching the watch industry, meeting manufacturers, and taking the bold leap to invest $20,000 to make his dream a reality. Now, his watches, including his sold-out Swiss-made line, have become a symbol of his dedication and grit.

In this episode:

1. The Health Scare That Changed Everything – How a dangerous health crisis pushed Malakai into early retirement and a whole new path.
2. Transitioning from Rugby to Business – Why Malakai took the leap from professional sports to building a brand from scratch.
3. Building W Zalesniak Watches – How Malakai turned his passion for watches into a thriving luxury brand, despite intense competition.
4. Risking $20K to Chase a Dream – The story behind Malakai’s $20,000 investment and the courage it took to believe in himself.
5. The Challenge of Launching in a Saturated Market – Why launching a watch brand is incredibly difficult and the secrets to standing out.
6. From Field to Founder: Using Sports Lessons in Business – How Malakai applied the resilience and discipline he learned in rugby to succeed in business.
7. Creating a Sold-Out Swiss-Made Watch Line – Why his high-end, Swiss-made watches sold out fast, and what that success means for the brand.
8. Using Networking to Build a Brand – Malakai’s advice on using connections and corporate events to grow your business faster.

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