Marc van der Koelen’s journey from the world of athletics to entrepreneurship is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. His early success in athletics, particularly competing in the 1500 meters at two World Championships, laid the foundation for the discipline and focus he later applied in the business world. Although a knee injury abruptly ended his sports career, it became a turning point, leading him to channel his competitive drive into entrepreneurial ventures. After gaining recognition in 2014 by Quote for his business acumen, Marc explored various sectors, from wine accessories to wholesale operations with W&O Products. Eventually, he founded Koel Products, a company with diverse interests, notably providing products for retail giants like Lidl and Zeeman. His leadership is characterized by a forward-thinking, strategic approach that prioritizes global reach and high returns. This mindset, coupled with his emphasis on maintaining cash flow and prudent spending for startups, has earned him respect in business circles. In addition to his role as a business leader, Marc also makes savvy investments in real estate, expanding his portfolio internationally. This diverse approach highlights his multifaceted expertise and commitment to long-term growth in various industries.…

Daniel Brook serves as the Managing Director at WeConnect Energy, a specialist in energy-focused recruitment and consultancy. With extensive experience in the sector, Daniel plays a key role in shaping and supporting the growth of renewable energy initiatives across the region. Originally from the UK, Daniel has spent the last eight years dedicated to advancing the renewable energy industry in the Middle East, after spending four years in Western Australia. His international experience has given him a unique perspective on the global energy landscape and the specific challenges and opportunities in renewable energy development. Daniel is deeply passionate about leadership, building high-performing teams, and helping the renewable energy industry secure the talent it needs to meet its ambitious goals. He is committed to fostering innovation and ensuring that the sector has access to the right expertise to drive sustainable growth and meaningful environmental impact. Outside of his professional life, Daniel is a devoted family man. He is married to Chloe, and together they have two young daughters, both born in Dubai. Balancing his career and family, Daniel values the strong sense of community that Dubai offers and is passionate about contributing to a cleaner, greener future for the next generation.…

Welcome to the first episode of 'Getting Real with Simon'! Meet my incredible guest, Brian Meghoe, the mastermind behind Brian's Custom Audio. Join us as Brian shares his inspiring journey from a small town in the Netherlands to the vibrant city of Dubai. Discover the challenges he faced, the sacrifices he made, and the dreams he chased to become a renowned expert in crafting bespoke sound systems for high-end luxury sports cars, including some of the rarest models in the world. Brian's story is one of perseverance, passion, and humility. His journey is a testament to what can be achieved when you follow your dreams with unwavering determination. Don’t miss this captivating tale of a genuine, humble individual who turned his dreams into reality. Enjoy episode one of 'Getting Real with Simon' and stay tuned for more extraordinary stories!…

Welcome to today's episode where we are thrilled to have the extraordinary Mollie Powell as our guest. Mollie is the brilliant mind behind two successful ventures, Pink Camel Recruitment and Pink Camel Gifts, our podcast was done in Dubai where Mollie is living now, but she is originally from the UK. As a true entrepreneur and a multi-business owner, Mollie's expertise has been instrumental in helping companies achieve diversification goals through her leadership at Pink Camel Recruitment. With her invaluable insights and unwavering support, she has made a significant impact in the business world. Additionally, Mollie's second venture, Pink Camel Gifts, stands out as a unique company, specializing in crafting personalized gifting solutions for individuals and corporations alike. Her dedication to creating meaningful and memorable experiences through thoughtful gifts sets her business apart. Throughout this episode, Mollie will generously share her journey, recounting the challenges she faced, the triumphs she achieved, and the invaluable lessons she learned along the way. Her experiences will undoubtedly inspire and resonate with aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone seeking to leave their mark in the dynamic world of business. So, prepare to be inspired and gain invaluable wisdom as we delve into the entrepreneurial journey of the remarkable Mollie Powell on this captivating podcast episode. Tune in and let her remarkable insights inspire you to reach new heights in your own endeavors.…

Nejib Zaafrani is a distinguished professional who has held key leadership positions throughout his career. Previously serving as the Managing Director and Chairman at Shell Abu Dhabi, he played a pivotal role in shaping the organization's success. Additionally, he served as the first CEO and Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision. Currently, Nejib Zaafrani serves as the President of the Tunisian Talent United (TTU) association, a role through which he passionately devotes his time to nurturing and developing talented Tunisians worldwide, with the aim of empowering future leaders. Furthermore, he actively contributes as an independent executive director, board member, and advisor, leveraging his expertise to provide valuable insights and guidance. Notably, Nejib Zaafrani's presence as a guest was a true honor. His amiable personality and remarkable achievements have left a lasting impression, reflecting his exceptional character and professional accomplishments.…

Vipin is an internationally experienced professional with a diverse background in entrepreneurship, banking, marketing, and retailing. He proudly holds a Guinness World Record and is the owner of an intellectual property known as the 24-Hour Tennis Marathon. Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Vipin had a successful stint working for a prominent brand where he played a key role in launching ICICI Bank at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) during his time with ICICI. Currently, Vipin is a Dubai-based real estate expert, equipped with extensive knowledge and experience in the market. I had the pleasure of engaging in a stimulating conversation with him, and I'm confident you'll find it enjoyable too!…

Miro Fok is an accomplished American entrepreneur with a focus on the health insurance and Insurtech sector for the past 13 years. Currently based in Dubai, he has recently launched Vita Virtues, an innovative insurance technology firm aimed at transforming the way insurance is distributed. With a strong passion for business and technology, Miro is determined to make a positive impact in the insurance industry and help people protect their health and assets with greater ease and convenience. It was a pleasure having Miro as my guest and I hope you enjoy our podcast!…

Sonia Zaknoune is a dynamic entrepreneur who was born in France and has been residing in Dubai for the past 16 years. Her love of travel has brought her to many parts of the world, and she has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. As the founder of KAZAconsultancy, Sonia has been able to put her expertise to good use by helping businesses navigate the complex landscape of the Middle Eastern market. And has helped numerous manufacturers and suppliers enter the UAE market and grow in the Gulf Region. Despite her busy schedule, Sonia always finds time to explore new destinations and soak up the diverse cultures that inspire her work. It was a pleasure to have her as a guest on the podcast, I hope you enjoy it!…

The first podcast of 2023! Nancy Mourad was my guest, she is an award-winning public health specialist. Tech entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of Kluly Inc, the platform that is turning itself quickly into the degree of the internet. Nancy was born and raised in Lebanon, studied in New York for her Master, then settled in Dubai as an expatriate. She is an industry icon and a source of inspiration! I'm so grateful to be able to start the year with her as my guest I hope you enjoy the podcast…

Richard Alexander was my invited guest on my final 2022 podcast. He is from the UK and decided 15 years ago to travel around the world. At one point he decided to work again in Shanghai, China. After spending more than 5 years in China he decided to work in Dubai. Richard made another big decision in his life in January this year, to work for himself and to be an entrepreneur. As a co-founder, he joined Vita Virtues in 2022 and what a year it has been! Richard is a charming, open-minded person with whom it is easy to communicate. I am grateful for having Richard as a guest and I hope you enjoy our podcast!…

Digital Payments is a topic for all of us to learn more about! Bilal Alavi was my guest on my podcast and we were pleased to discuss the digital payments revolution and future trends together. It was a great conversation as Bilal has extensive knowledge of the industry. He is Head of CVP & Customer Solutions- Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa within Visa. Bilal is very nice and refreshing to talk with and I have been waiting for a year for him to finally sit with me to talk :) I hope you enjoy our podcasts!…

Kirsten Westholter is an agent of change by being an excellent consultant and adviser for businesses. She is the co-founder of Predixa. They help businesses achieve greater value and sustainable growth through quick data analytics, resulting in more efficient results for business leaders. She's got over two decades of experience in the consulting industry and a great story to share with us! Kirsten is someone you will meet without ever forgetting. She is a great human being and has a great personality!…

Kelly Montoya is passionate about medical insurance and we feel this when she speaks about her industry. She is the Medical & General Insurance Director at Seven Insurance Brokers. Kelly is determined to make her industry a better place through education, service, and a positive voice. This podcast is dedicated to medical insurance and if you ever wanted to learn more about it, then now is your time!…

Nancy carries a lot of experience with her, and she has great stories to share with us about her time at Expo2020, her previous roles, and her current job as Head of Marketing and Communication at desert control. She has a fantastic personality, is always positive, finds solutions, determined, friendly, and is a team player! Her time at Expo2020 was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, she was one of the first employees hired. Now, she is ready to make a big impact on the sustainability world, by representing a scientific solution to use our soil better. We had a great conversation together and I hope you enjoy listening to this podcast!…

My 13th guest