Episódios

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Kerem Kuyucu who's the co-founder of JustMop, a platform that connects home dwellers with at-home service providers. Kerem has extensive experience building and scaling startups as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Rocket Internet and Country Manager at Foodonclick.

    Together we discuss:

    Aspects of marketplace apps to considerB2C marketing strategiesOperational complications of working with third partiesA bunch of tech startup mentions

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

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    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.


  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Rasha Rady who's the co-founder and COO of Chefaa, a pharmacy platform that helps patients order, schedule, and have medicine delivered to consumers' doorsteps. Rasha is a pediatrician, by background, who got out of her comfort zone and into the entrepreneurship world to serve more patients and have a larger impact on the community.

    Together we discuss:

    Benefits of building online apps to serve your customers betterHow to retain customers through subscription modelsUnderstanding and applying consumer preferences to e-commerce platforms Dynamics of the Egyptian ecosystem to consider when building a local startup

    I'm working with a fab team from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) to help refine Spark!'s value proposition and marketing strategy. We've set up a short survey that takes less than 10 minutes to fill out, check it out here.

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.

    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

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  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Lamya Al Shammary who's the founder and CEO of MWJ, the first marketplace to buy new and pre-loved certified luxury watches in the MENA region. Lamya is a watch and jewelry connoisseur and industry expert with over 10 years of experience. Combined with expertise in e-commerce and an understanding of the market, she delivers the best experience to shop for watches and jewelry.

    Together we discuss:

    The dynamics of the second-hand watch marketBuilding trust with customers and the role that content plays to achieve thisE-commerce in KSA and consumer preferences

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Myriam Awad who's the founder and CEO of PotPay (formerly Bakala), a startup on a mission to digitize offline retail data. As an organization that digitizes offline retail data, PotPay's business model is B2B2C. They work with retailers and brands with their main audience being Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs). Myriam has led the creation of long-term strategies, crafted marketing and sales agendas, grew products, and built winning teams — all resulting in best-in-class management and a proven track record of delivering value.

    Together we discuss:

    How to appeal to your target audienceThe process of collecting demographic dataThe sales process to find B2B customers in the retail industryExpanding into technologically developed markets

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Toghrul Samad who's the founder and CEO of Buglance, a crowdsourced testing platform that utilizes the power of the people to revolutionize the software testing industry. Toghrul is a serial entrepreneur, problem solver, and Chief Executive with 15 years of experience in promoting e-commerce websites, mobile apps, and games.

    Together we discuss:

    The reasons why software bugs go unnoticedHow to leverage the power of the masses for software bug testingHow to ensure employees are equipped to communicate with employeesFounder leadership styles

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Philip Bahoshy whose the founder and CEO of MAGNiTT, the first venture data platform serving founders and investors across emerging markets. Philip worked at Oliver Wyman in the Financial Services practice for three years, followed by nearly three years at Barclays Wealth working as Chief of Staff to the CEO, advising on strategic initiatives.

    Together we discuss:

    How to use newsletters to build your business (audience and revenue growth)The importance of knowing your customer to your product development processThe rising popularity of the MENA opportunity amongst the global startup ecosystemMAGNiTT's approach to building a data-driven tech company

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.

    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Bedy Yang, Managing Partner at 500 Startups. Bedy oversees 500’s ecosystem development programs including investor education courses (in partnership with top institutions such as Stanford, Berkeley, and INSEAD), has helped launch strategic partnerships and accelerator programs across the globe, and leads 500’s corporate-startup innovation and consultancy.

    Together we discuss:

    Unlocking market access in the startup ecosystemDifferent types of mentors Working with governments to build startup programsCurrent startup trends in the MENA region

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Leen Nabulsi who is a Venture Lead at Rainmaking Innovation. Leen focuses on corporate venture building, where she works on scoping, validating, building, and launching new ventures with large corporations. Leen was also the Managing Director of Dubai Smart City Accelerator (a Startupbootcamp program) and is an active member of the startup community in the UAE.

    Together we discuss:

    The process of venture building with corporate partnersStrategies to build ventures that cater to corporate objectivesThe importance of relationship building and partnerships (in the business world)

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.

    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Julie Nguyen who is the founder of Crunchmoms. Crunchmoms is a community and networking platform for working moms to connect with like minded-women and boost their career ambitions. Crunchmom is now available as a web-based community. There are weekly online sessions where moms discuss all sorts of different topics, such as, job searching, self-confidence, and creating CVs.

    Together we discuss:

    The benefit of support systems for working momsBalancing work and home lifeImproving female business participation in the MENA region


    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Ben Safra and Mila Nehme who are co-founders of Sensate. Ben & Mila are seasoned retail and customer experience professionals with a demonstrated history of working within the international luxury goods and jewelry industry. Ben has worked with powerhouses in the industry such as LV, Burberry, D&G, Tiffany & Co, Carolina Herrera, and Selfridges, whilst Mila has worked with Burberry and Cartier.

    Together we discuss:

    Reasons to engage with your employeesInitiatives to improve employee wellbeingThe role that interiors have on employee creativity


    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Basil Moftah to discuss the global mindset amongst entrepreneurs. Basil is an experienced venture builder and partner at Global Ventures, a growth-focused VC that invests in disruptive startups with an enterprise technology focus in the Middle East and North Africa region.

    Together we discuss:

    The importance for businesses to have a global mindsetKeeping guard of competitors from abroadThe difference between marketing a B2B vs. B2C businessExamples of two up-and-coming tech startups with a global mindset

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Sagi Melamed to discuss mindful investing. Sagi is the author of Mindful Fundraising as well as a resource development consultant.

    Together we discuss:

    Applying mindfulness when fundraisingBenefits of being mindful when doing businessMeasures of business impactHow to measure business impact

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.

    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit down with Faris Mesmar to discuss venture building. Faris is a serial entrepreneur as well as the founder and managing partner of Hatch & Boost, which is a venture builder. Hatch & Boost is all about creating value in MENA's consumer space by tackling key problems, by introducing interesting solutions.

    Together we discuss:

    The evolving definition of venture buildingHow venture builders operateImportance of making an impact with venturesCommunicating venture performance to investors

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.

    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we dig deep with Marcus Smith on the topic of wearables. Marcus is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, fitness coach, and extreme athlete. He is the founder of InnerFight and takes on "extreme challenges," such as, running 30 marathons in 30 days.

    Together we discuss:

    The various wearables available in the marketHow to select the best wearables for your specific fitness needs How to make use of the data you gather from wearablesThe realities of the effectiveness of wearables


    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we had an engaging conversation with Nouf Alharthi. Nouf works for Monsha'at, which the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). She is an enabler in the ecosystem and works very closely not just with other ecosystem players but also with entrepreneurs in order to assess what they need in the market and to make sure that it is provided to them.

    Together we discuss:

    Preferred language of communication in Saudi ArabiaHow to communicate with Saudis when doing business within the KingdomMannerisms to adapt during business meetingsSaudi's unique startup demographics

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.

    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In our latest episode, we sit with Mohamed Dhaouafi to discuss how he is bringing 3D printing, VR, and gamification technologies to healthcare. More specifically, through his company CURE BIONICS, based in Tunis, he builds bionic prosthetics and therapeutic solutions using these technologies. Mohamed is a 2020 FORBES Middle East 30 Under 30, a 2020 MIT Technology Review 35 under 35 Innovator, and a 2019 Obama Foundation Africa Leader - super impressive, right? To top it all off, he started his business from scratch.

    Together we discuss:

    How to launch a hardware-based product from MVP to market3D printing, VR, and gamification applications in the prosthetics marketDistribution models to scale hardware-based businessesVarious uses of 3d printing in healthcare and beyond!

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In this episode, we’ll be talking about how to keep your mental health intact as an entrepreneur. We had a meaningful discussion with Areije Al-Shakar, who has guided startups throughout her career in the area of funding (debt, equity, and VC), and along the way has learned about effective coaching and mentoring whilst appealing to the human side of the entrepreneurs across the table from her. Together we discuss:

    Building a strong network of connections to aid start-up growthImportance of acknowledging loss and admitting to mistakesHow cultural barriers prevent us from discussing mental healthHow to find a mentor and build the basis for a strong win:win relationship


    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In this episode, we’ll be talking about the digitization of media in the Middle East. We sit down with John Lillywhite, who has a wealth of experience in this industry having undertaken several publication-focused roles both at corporations and entrepreneurial ventures. Together we discuss:

    Media consumption habits of Arabs in the Middle EastDifferences between the publishing industry in the West & the Middle EastMachine learning advancements with the Arabic languageNew models in the publication industry (e.g. Blockchain)

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

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    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]


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  • In this episode, we’ll be talking about events and how the event management industry has changed over 2020. We sit down with is Ali Rifai, who has spent over 10 years organizing events of all scales in the Middle East whilst working for one of the largest live entertainment event management companies in the region. Together we discuss:

    How the music and sports industries have been adapting to virtual experiencesKey takeaways what others can learn from him

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.

  • In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Majid Al Qassimi, who is a founding partner for the Middle East's only food & agricultural sustainability consulting company, SOMA MATER. We discuss the following aspects from farm to fork:

    The importance of food securityThe UAE’s efforts towards ensuring food securityAgriculture technology trends that support farmingBusiness aspects of commercial farmingMethods to reduce food waste

    Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here.

    Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin.

    Subscribe to our newsletter on our website.


    Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at [email protected]

    Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla.

    Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studio that helps companies tell their story and grow their audience through content. We specialize in business, finance, and tech written and visual storytelling for digital multi-platform campaigns. Our production suite offers end-to-end services, including strategy, production, hosting, and distribution. We also offer storytelling training and coaching.