The Top Floor

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast, Darren Kanthal speaks with Rob Haddock, founder and CEO of S-5!, about his journey from steel construction to inventing industry-defining solutions for metal roofing. Rob shares how his love for innovation, combined with lessons learned from life’s twists and turns, led to creating over 180 patents and revolutionizing how things are mounted to metal roofs....

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast, Darren Kanthal interviews John Weiss, CEO and co-founder of Human Design, about his approach to leading with intention and creating meaningful impact. John shares how he uses a "cold state" to stay fully present and focused, along with a "hot state" to handle challenges with clarity. He dives into the importance of living with purpose and developing a stro...

Alessandra Bell Madubunyi - Founder & Global Retail Strategist - We Are CoCo Consultancy Monday 5th November (3.30-4.30pm UK time) She runs a global network of fashion brands looking to grow globally. She had a background in Comms in hospitality in some of the best hotels and learnt how these businesses were run. They are not like any of the big consultancy firm as they specialise in the fashi...

He came out of semi-retirement. He is a tech designer and architect. It is a private family investment fund, working with a wide range of firms. He has build a digital version of himself that can sit in various organisations! His mum was like an entrepreneur working 4 jobs and Dad working 70hrs a week.  He got some great advice from his first NED - sell the business as soon as possible. He spend 4...

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast, Darren Kanthal sits down with Al Laws, founder and president of Laws Whiskey House, to discuss his unique leadership approach and the journey of building a world-class whiskey brand. Al shares how a relentless focus on quality and a "village" approach to teamwork have fueled the growth of Laws Whiskey. He opens up about his approach to trust, transparency,...

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast, Darren Kanthal welcomes Joe Durnford, CEO of JD Ford and Company, to discuss the complex world of mergers and acquisitions. Joe shares his approach to dealmaking, built on decades of experience, where trust and empathy are central to achieving meaningful outcomes. From private equity negotiations to a candid meeting with Warren Buffett, Joe’s stories shed...

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast, Darren Kanthal talks with Mike Clement, President of Tolin Mechanical, about his leadership journey, including how a cross-country road trip with friends in 2001 serendipitously landed him in Denver, shaping the course of his career. Mike shares his approach to leadership, emphasizing "managing tension" rather than striving for perfect balance. He also del...

Duncan Wales, Tellimer. We discussed how his company provides comprehensive information on emerging markets, with the use of new technologies and key relationships.  He recommends that business leaders remained focused on core things and not try to do too many things at once.  He is usually up at 6am, starts with exercise and usually has a range of meetings to attend once at work. He admires 2 typ...

Stu Macdonald, Manilife. His role has changed loads from the chaos at the beginning.  He has been very driven after being told, during a serious illness, at 15yrs old he would never write again. He took time out to travel and ended up in Argentina where he discovered the power of peanuts - healthy and tasty. With no real market in Argentina, he imported the peanuts from Argentina and still imports...

Welcome to the Top Floor Podcast, where visionary leaders share their business insights and stories of growth and success. In this episode, Simon Lewis interviews Uzair Musa, a dynamic entrepreneur who transformed his career from an IT analyst into a global business leader, revolutionizing industries such as aviation and fintech. Uzair shares his journey of identifying opportunities, leading high-...

In this episode, we sit down with the visionary CEO of Techysquad, a leading agency known for providing complete Forex CRM solutions under one roof. Founded 10 years ago, Techysquad has become the go-to name for Forex CRM systems, boasting a global team. We’ll explore the company's journey from its inception to its rapid growth, the challenges faced along the way, and what sets them apart in the f...

In this episode, we sit down with Igor, the CEO of Majlis, a visionary leader whose determination has driven successful transformations across multiple jurisdictions. Most recently, as CEO of Majlis, Igor has introduced the first Arabian ale, a halal, zero-alcohol beverage that is rapidly gaining popularity, not only in the UAE but also attracting interest from international markets. We explore Ig...

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast, Darren Kanthal chats with Robert MacEachern, CEO of Denver Beer Co., about his leadership style and the challenges of growing a successful craft beer company. Robert shares his ethos of "being yourself, being present, and being fearless" as core principles for both business and life. He talks about how he empowers his team by fostering authenticity and acc...

In this Top Floor interview, host Asari St Hill sits down with Mitchell Kaye to discuss his inspiring journey from aspiring journalist to successful entrepreneur. Mitchell shares how his early exposure to business through his parents and his drive to work in media led him to join Sky TV, eventually launching his first agency in 2006, which he later sold. Mitchell also opens up about his daily rout...

Welcome to the Top Floor podcast, where we explore the minds of visionaries and innovators shaping the future of business. In this episode, we’re joined by Demetri Papazissis, a seasoned expert in real estate investment, management, and development. With over 25 years of experience, Demetri has overseen high-profile projects across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. He’s built a reputatio...

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast, John Nolan sits down with David Cook, founder and CEO of Contractors. Direct, a leading business in Dubai that connects contractors with those in need of their services. David shares insights on his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges and triumphs of building a successful business in the UAE, and how his participation in Vistage has shaped his leadersh...

In this insightful episode of The Top Floor podcast, host John Nolan sits down with Jaspal Bal, the founder and CEO of Light Link, a leading lighting contractor in Dubai, UAE, servicing the GCC market. Jaspal shares his journey as an entrepreneur and his experiences in leading Light Link to success. He also discusses his experience with Vistage, an organization for business leaders, and offers his...

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast, Darren Kanthal chats with Paul Tamburello, founder of Generator Real Estate and Development, about his multifaceted journey in real estate, food, and community-building. Paul shares how his ventures—like Little Man Ice Cream, The Family Jones Distillery, and real estate projects—are tied together by a common thread: the desire to create meaningful spaces w...

In this Top Floor interview, we hear from Alex Hewitt founder  of AOK Events. Alex shares insightful stories on how he navigated challenges to create a key player in the events space  over the last 24 years that was awarded the best place to work.. For more information on their services goto https://www.aokevents.com/ Connect with Alex Hewitt on Linkedin:    / aokalex  We hope you enjoy this episo...

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast, Darren Kanthal speaks with Kevin Brown, CEO and co-founder of Friction Labs, about his journey from an avid rock climber to building a premium chalk company that serves athletes across multiple sports. Kevin shares insights on the challenges of entrepreneurship, including the importance of curiosity, resilience, and building a strong team. They also dive i...

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast hosted by Jeff Cass, Jorn Aalefjaer, the North American President of Viessmann Clean and Cold Solutions talks about a life-changing sail he made with his family across the Atlantic along with his professional journey that started in Oslo,  Norway and is now in Charlotte, NC.   Hear more about Jorn's unique insights on business and life...  Interesting 1 yea...

In this episode of The Top Floor, host Krista Crawford sits down with Brody Tennant, co-founder of Roggenart, a rapidly growing bakery business known for its innovative products and lively café environments. Brody shares the journey of building Roggenart from the ground up, including the challenges of creating unique offerings like their much-anticipated vegan croissant and expanding into new mark...

Welcome to another episode of the Top Floor Podcast, where we delve into the journeys of transformative leaders in the business world. In this episode, host Simon Lewis, Vistage UE Chair, sits down with Petr Tolochkov, the trailblazing founder of Way2AR. Petr Tolochkov is a visionary in immersive technology, known for his groundbreaking work in AR and AI. Under his leadership, Way2AR has revolutio...

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast hosted by Jeff Cass, Stefan Joens, the President of Elnik Systems, talks about his career and journey over the last 16+ years since rejoining his father's manufacturing business. His passion for continuous improvement both personally and professionally is obvious when talking to Stefan.  Hear more about his thoughts on the following... Successfully moving h...

In this episode of the Top Floor Podcast, Darren Kanthal interviews Cody Caplinger, CEO and co-founder of Klick Solar. Cody shares his journey from the mattress industry to leading a successful solar company, emphasizing the grit required in door-to-door sales. They dive into Cody’s approach to leadership, where he leans into curiosity about other perspectives and implements a “no negativity” poli...