Made in Dubai with Spencer Lodge

When the odds are stacked against you, there's only one choice: fight back. Nicola Adams did just that, and the world watched her win.   As the first woman to win an Olympic boxing title, Nicola smashed through every barrier society put in her way.    A two-time Olympic, World, and European Games champion , she challenged stereotypes, rewrote the rules of the game, and became a beacon of hope for...

Some entrepreneurs build businesses. Others rewrite the rules. Bhupender Nath's story is one of resilience, risk, and reinvention. From humble beginnings in India to making his mark in Nigeria's frozen fish trade, Bhupender took an unexpected leap into the world of fine dining. Today, he is the founder of Passion F&B and the mastermind behind Trèsind Studio, ranked the 13th best restaurant in the...

If you're an expat in Dubai aiming for business success, you've got to respect the local rules, culture, and business practices. Few people understand this better than John Martin St. Valery OBE, the go-to expert for foreign business owners looking to set up, scale, and succeed in the UAE for over 30 years.  From company formation to navigating regulations and securing the right sponsorships, he's...

What does it really take to scale a startup, attract investors, and build a business that thrives in today's tough markets? If you've been struggling to answer those questions, this episode has the insights you need. I'm joined by Colin Meagle, a powerhouse entrepreneur and the founder of Continuous Ventures. Colin has spent years guiding startups through the trenches, helping them secure funding,...

Dubai's real estate sector is booming, but what does it take to succeed in this highly competitive industry? Whether you're new to real estate, looking to build a successful team, or curious about what drives a leading property firm, this episode has the answers. Joining me on ' Unscripted with Spencer Lodge' is Kameron Hutchinson, Director of Recruitment at Allsopp & Allsopp, one of Dubai's most...

What if the key to solving the world's biggest problems, including poverty, climate change, and waste, was hidden in the trash we throw away every day? This week on ' Unscripted With Spencer Lodge' , we're joined by Joel Michael, a pioneer in circularity and sustainability. Joel is on a mission to prove that waste isn't just something to get rid of but a powerful resource that can transform econom...

Once hailed as Britain's most successful fund manager, Neil Woodford opens up about the controversial collapse of his investment empire and the events that rocked the financial world. He reveals the untold truth behind the headlines, addressing the accusations, the challenges, and the lessons learn t . Was he the villain the media painted him to be - or a victim of a flawed system? This is the sto...

Selling a business is one of the most significant decisions any entrepreneur can make, and getting it right requires more than just luck. It takes strategy, preparation, and the right expertise. That's where Steve Drake comes in - partner at Middle East Advisory Partners (MEAP) and a seasoned expert in the world of business transactions. With over 30 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions, I...

Negotiation is a complex art and science. It's not about negotiating better; it's about becoming a better negotiator.  Enter Lousin Mehrabi, one of the world's top professional negotiators, with expertise spanning billion-dollar IPOs, mergers, and even peace-building efforts. As a seasoned advisor and trainer, Lousin has made it her mission to equip individuals and organisations with the tools to...

What does it take to generate over $25 million online while working smarter, not harder? Ravi Abuvala knows the answer. As the CEO of Scaling with Systems, Ravi has mastered the art of client acquisition and marketing, combining automation with strategy to create systems that deliver results. His proven methods are setting a new benchmark for scalable business growth, helping entrepreneurs attract...

Running the world's busiest airport isn't for the faint-hearted. It demands bold vision, relentless strategy, and the grit to tackle high-stakes challenges day in, day out. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths knows this better than anyone. In this episode of Unscripted with Spencer Lodge , Paul gives us a front-row seat to the realities of leading in the aviation industry, sharing the strategies tha...

Donna Benton came to Dubai with just $3,000 and a bold idea. Fast forward, and that idea became The Entertainer, a billion-dollar brand that transformed how people save on dining, leisure, and travel across 15 countries, all while contributing over $1.3 billion a year to Dubai's economy. But Donna's story isn't your average entrepreneurial journey. She's a fiercely driven businesswoman and an inve...

Paul Mallee is a leader in luxury travel and hospitality and the Founder of Maison Privee, a short-term rental company redefining vacation experiences in the UAE and beyond. With a career spanning roles like Chairman of Bus Éireann, Head of Corporate Strategy at Etihad, and consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton, Paul has a knack for spotting opportunities others miss. In this episode, he shares his j...

Born with a rare birth defect called Hanhart Syndrome, Nick Santonastasso has defied all odds. The rare condition left him with no legs and just one arm, setting him up for a lifetime of unimaginable physical challenges. But his unstoppable mindset has turned him into a powerhouse. As a bodybuilder, global keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Nick has trained over a million people on...

Most folks underestimate the power of subscription-based business models – but Courtney Black is living proof they can transform entire industries. Meet the powerhouse fitness trainer, multi-million-pound serial entrepreneur, and two-time 'Sunday Times' bestselling author who's taken the UK fitness scene by storm. With her app and a community of over 80,000 members, she's made fitness accessible,...

In the face of challenges, you have two choices: accept defeat or learn and rise stronger. Dariush Soudi chose the latter, embracing his 'gladiator' mindset. As the founder of ARENA Capital and the Gladiator Summit, he has navigated over 40 years of business challenges, losing and gaining millions along the way. Even in the toughest times, he remained optimistic, ultimately earning him the title o...

Cracking London's luxury real estate market is no small feat, but Daniel Daggers, aka 'Mr. Super Prime' – has not only mastered it but built a billion-dollar empire from scratch. As the host of Buying London and the visionary behind DDRE, he's sold over £5 billion worth of properties and is well-versed in the ins and outs of this elite industry. Starting his journey at just 17, Daniel now unlocks...

90% of the podcasts never go beyond the 7th episode. The reason? Launching is easy – committing isn't. Meet James Burtt, founder of Phonic Media, a results-driven agency that's mastered the art of content marketing and brand building. Having launched 179 podcasts for top brands, businesses, and celebrities like BMW, Xbox, and Alex Murphy, his strategic approach has generated millions in revenue, p...

Securing a UAE Golden Visa is now simpler than ever with IOPn's token investment approach. Join Mojtaba Asadian, the visionary founder of IOPn, a pioneering Web3 ecosystem shaping the future of decentralised technology. With strong ties to the UAE's economy, Mojtaba reveals how IOPn offers the most affordable and innovative path to a 10-year residency. By taking IOPn tokens, you not only obtain a...

While the world was gripped with fear during the 2008 financial crisis, he was busy building the UAE's largest real estate brokerage from the ground up.  Meet Lewis Allsopp, the Chairman of Allsopp & Allsopp, who started his brokerage in the midst of a recession with just four employees and grew it into an empire with over 650 employees, including 420 agents. In this conversation, Lewis shares his...

What does it take, to become the number one company in your industry? In this episode, Neil Petch – the founder and chairman of Virtuzone – answers this and delivers essential advice every entrepreneur needs to hear. Virtuzone, the UAE's leading company formation firm, has helped more than 70,000 entrepreneurs from 180 countries establish their businesses in the UAE. If anyone knows the secrets to...

If you've been tuning into the hit TV reality show 'Million Dollar Listing UAE,' then you're not alone. This high-stakes drama is smashing viewership records, offering an exclusive look into the glamorous real estate market of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Meet Ben Bandari, the mastermind behind the phenomenon. A Canadian-born real estate titan, Ben faced rejection for four and a half years trying to bring...

You own your data, but let's face it — you're not in control. Now, what if you could flip the script and make your data work for you? Meet Michael Clark, Vice President of Global Digital Transformation at Mastercard, and a leading data futurist with over twenty years of experience shaping the data industry. Top companies rely on his expertise to stay ahead in the data game, and now he's here to re...

Imagine being on the brink of signing a professional sports contract, when one night changes everything. This is the story of Yannick Rebsamen – an aspiring professional footballer whose dream career was tragically cut short when he lost both of his legs at age 23 in a terrible accident. But he didn't let that stop him. Grateful for his life, he launched an e-commerce business just one week after...

Cheap corporate medical insurance is a pitfall, often leaving employees vulnerable and uncovered. Sometimes this is intentional to save money, but other times employers just don't know any better. Meet Sonny Ridgewell, Managing Director of Beneple, a cloud-based HR software providing a comprehensive suite of insurance broking, consulting, wellness, and business solutions to clients worldwide. As a...