Skillionaires

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.

In this episode of Skillionaires, Angela Thomas talks with Sebastian Scheplitz, a seasoned entrepreneur and growth mentor with over 25 years in leadership and marketing. Born in Leipzig in the 80s, Sebastian grew up in times of change, a mindset that still drives his approach to scaling companies today. From leading a school council to coaching basketball teams and building multiple startups to successful exits, his story is about adaptability, clarity, and the discipline behind sustainable growth. He shares: - how leadership principles from sports translate into business scaling, - why timing matters more than speed when hiring, - what makes or breaks a founder partnership, - and how to build teams that can win their own “Champions League.” Sebastian now works as a fractional CMO/CEO and mentor for founders, helping businesses move from 0→1, 1→10, and 10→100 – with focus, structure, and heart. 👉 Connect with Sebastian: 🌐 www.sebastianscheplitz.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastianscheplitz/ 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sebastian.scheplitz

What does it take to build a thriving business in the world’s fastest-growing city — at just nineteen? In this episode, Khaled Mohamed shares how he turned his vision into Dubai’s leading personal-branding agency for real-estate professionals. We talk about mindset, courage, and the power of scaling smart, not fast. From learning through mistakes to hiring the right team, Khaled’s journey is a masterclass in clarity and bold execution. Topics: 💰 From zero to six figures before 20 🏙️ How Dubai’s market shaped his strategy 🎯 The shift from lead generation to personal branding 🧩 Building systems and teams under pressure 🤝 Why mentorship matters when you scale

In this episode of The Skillionaires, Angela speaks with Mitch Bittermann, CEO of Dubai Commerce City, about how smart commerce is reshaping the future of business in the Middle East. From his roots in Germany to leadership roles across Asia, Mitch shares how structure, culture, and curiosity led him to build one of Dubai’s most forward-thinking free zones — an ecosystem where startups, investors, and global brands grow together. Discover what it takes to scale sustainably, balance technology with humanity, and turn a free zone into a thriving community of innovation.

In this episode of Skillionaires, Angela Thomas sits down with Flo Akinbiyi – global presenter, speaker, and communication coach. He has trained over 2,500 professionals and supported 200+ brands, working with names like Ferrari, IBM, Oxford University and Abu Dhabi Finance Week. Discover how voice, presence, and authenticity become the ultimate leverage for scaling brands and leadership. Flo Akinbiyi shares his personal journey from Toastmasters to global stages and explains how powerful communication can transform not just business, but identity.