Made in Dubai with Spencer Lodge

• #376: Dubai's Real Estate Bubble? Sam McCone Predicts What Happens Next.

   This week's guest is Sam MCone, a lifelong Dubai resident and the visionary founder of McCone Properties. Having moved to Dubai at the age of two, Sam has a unique, ground-level perspective on the city's meteoric rise from a quiet trading post to a global powerhouse. His journey in real estate began as an agent, but his innate, level-headed resilience led him to build his own successful brokerage over the past 13 years. In this deeply personal episode, Sam opens up about the tough lessons learned from transitioning from being a tennis ace as a youth, to a top salesperson then to becoming a business owner. He shares invaluable insights on finding a niche in a saturated market of 9,000 brokerages and the uncomfortable but vital role of social media in building a brand. Beyond business, Sam gives a raw and honest account of his complex relationship with his past as a tennis academy student, the challenges that shaped him, and how it contrasts with his current extreme physical challenges, including his upcoming attempt to run 200km in 24 hours to raise 1 million AED for The Sparkle Foundation in Malawi.   01:40 - Growing Up with Dubai 05:30 - An Honest Audit of Dubai's Pros & Cons 09:53 - The Coming Real Estate Correction 17:29 - From Salesman to CEO 23:20 - Carving a Niche in a Crowded Market 42:12 – Running 200 KM in 24 hrs 45:01 – The Past Trauma 48:01 - Parenting Through the Lens of Past Trauma 56:40 - The Story Behind the 200km Run and self-worth   Show Sponsors:  AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers     Socials:  Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Sam McCone on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/sam.mccone/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mccone-7b750435/?originalSubdomain=ae https://www.tiktok.com/@mccone_properties https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-A0gljutHXS7MbZO6jldkQ https://www.facebook.com/mcconeproperties/                 

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• #375: Losing Everything, Running Further: Nico De Corato's Untold Dubai Story

  Join us on Made in Dubai as we sit down with Nico de Corato, an ultra-endurance athlete, entrepreneur who is passionate about the UAE. From ultra-marathons and mountain biking to freediving, jet skiing, and desert adventures, Nico's story spans resilience, discipline, and pushing beyond limits. In this episode, Nico shares: How he moved from Naples to Dubai and mindset behind his training ultra marathons, 200 km races and achieving the Dubai Sports Challenge Why sports are a lifestyle, not just a hobby, and that lessons from the unseen moments alone in the desert have made him who is today How setbacks and challenges can be used a positive motivator to set even great goals, even when no one was supporting him and thought he was seriously unwell (TBC) Perfect for anyone interested in Dubai, extreme sports, ultramarathons, personal growth, and balancing life and extreme challenges while making a home in Dubai. This episode is a deep dive into the life of someone who truly lives without limits. Tune in, get inspired, and discover what it really takes to conquer Dubai – on a mountain bike or alone in the desert.   03:30 – From Napoli to Dubai 09:10 – When everything that can go wrong, goes wrong 10:57 – Nico's health problems 13:31 – Nico breaking his sternum 16:20 – Coming to Dubai in 2004 17:11— Solo triathlon for the 49th UAE National Day 20:48 – 200 KM solo run 21:52 – Nico's mom passing away & honouring her 23:16 - Nico having no support when he first moved to Dubai 30:07 – Nico's mindset and discipline 42:45- Why do people hate Dubai? 48:56 – Nico's way of encouraging people to run 51:41: Nico's first run   Show Sponsors:  AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers     Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Nico de Corato on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/nicodecorato/ https://www.youtube.com/c/nicodecorato https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicodecorato/?originalSubdomain=ae https://www.facebook.com/nicodecorato/

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• #374: Chris Hemsworth, Big Ideas & Bayut: Sahar Khan on Building an Iconic Brand

  This week's guest is Sahar Khan, the dynamic Head of Marketing at Bayut. A foundational member of the team, Sahar joined Bayut in 2014 as one of its first sales employees and has been instrumental in building the brand into the UAE's leading property portal. With a innate passion for creative, out-of-the-box marketing since childhood, she has spearheaded some of the company's most iconic campaigns, including the landmark partnership with Chris Hemsworth. In this episode, Sahar takes us through her incredible journey from a salesperson in a small startup to leading marketing for a household name. She shares invaluable insights on building a brand in a unique market like the UAE, the evolution of her marketing strategies, and the delicate balance between sales and marketing teams. Sahar also opens about her leadership philosophy, the importance of staying true to one's principles, and how maintaining a clear mind through fitness is crucial to her success.   2:41 - Humble Beginnings at Bayut 4:04 - A Marketer from the Start 5:55 - Marketing in the UAE: A Unique Playbook 8:45 - Sales vs. Marketing: The Eternal Friction 11:55 - From Underdog to Market Leader 13:27 – Working with Chris Hemsworth 20:00 - Solving Industry Problems: Content and Verification 30:13 - Live Events vs. Digital Marketing Measuring the intangible impact of live events like the iconic B3 launch and the clear metrics of digital campaigns. 36:57 – Dubai's booming real estate market 42:51 - Where Big Ideas Come From 52:15 - Giving Back: More Than Money 55:10 - A Personal Conversation on Principles and Pain 1:08:09 - Starting Over: Lessons for Bayut 2.0 Show Sponsors:  AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers     Socials:  Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Sahar Khan on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/saharkdxb/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahar-khan-9127958a/  

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• #373: From Bullied Kid to Global Leader: Sebastian Bates' Warrior Academy Story

  Sebastian Bates is a British entrepreneur, author, and martial artist best known as the founder of the Warrior Academy, a Dubai-based organisation dedicated to developing children's confidence, focus, and resilience through martial arts. With over 25 years of experience and a background in professional martial arts and extreme sports. He is the best-selling author of The Warrior Method and Not a Victim, host of the Warrior Academy Podcast, and founder of the Bates Foundation and the "Not A Victim" anti-bullying campaign, initiatives that reflect his commitment to empowering young people and fostering positive character growth worldwide. In this episode, Sebastian dives deep into the journey behind founding the Warrior Academy and the powerful mission driving its global impact. He discusses how early life challenges and experiences with bullying shaped his vision for empowering children through character development and martial arts. Listeners will hear insights on transforming victim mentality into resilience, the psychology behind bullying, and how celebrating a child as a victim can unintentionally disempower them. Sebastian also explains the Warrior Academy's unique approach to measuring the "3Cs"— Confidence, Conduct, and Concentration and why focusing on the lowest "C" drives transformational growth. The episode highlights inspiring testimonials from over 50,000 children who've been through the academy, explores the impact of the Bates Foundation across Eastern Africa, and reflects on how charity work and purpose-driven entrepreneurship can redefine personal and professional success.     02:53 – Sebastian's backstory and why he founded the Warrior Academy 10:20 – Turning testing times into success: using challenges as motivation for growth 14:46 – Symptoms of a victim mentality and practical steps to overcome it 20:56 – Building the Warrior Academy 40:08 – Understanding why bullying occurs and how to support bullies 42:34 – The Bates Foundation: the purpose behind it 56:50 – What drives Sebastian: finding purpose through meaningful impact 59:10 – The role of Dubai in accelerating the commercial growth of the business   Show Sponsors:  AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers       Socials:  Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Sebastian Bates on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/seb.bates/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-bates-4b70412b/ https://www.facebook.com/sebastianbates https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV4Ow_9hgRWxW0LvQhwbbtA https://open.spotify.com/show/1Z6jdkn6vUMIh2agYRddk5

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• #372: Creators, Brands, and AI: The New Rules of Influencer Marketing with Danny Agg

  This week's guest is Danny Agg, who leads Zodiac Global with a clear vision for growth, innovation, and excellence, serves as CEO overseeing the company's strategic direction, partnerships, and overall talent strategy. In this episode, Danny dives deep into the evolving world of talent management and influencer marketing. The conversation highlights the critical role of trust in building authentic brands and explores how creators can craft universal content that resonates across audiences and platforms. Listeners gain practical insights on how to get started as a creator and develop multiple revenue streams. The discussion also examines the rapid growth of the global creator economy and looks ahead to the rising influence of AI-driven creators.   03:40 – Zodiac Global: Talent Management & Influencer Marketing 08:10 – Selective Talent: Choosing the Right Creators 17:06 - Growing an Organic Audience Today 21:23 – How Content Resonates Globally 23:13 – How Creators Make Money 27:45 – How to Build Your Own Product 34:35 – Getting Started as a Creator 46:00 – AI Influencers: What's the Future? 57:50 – Danny Agg's Journey into the Creator Space & Personal Story   Show Sponsors:  AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers     Socials:  Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Danny Agg on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/dannyagg_/ https://www.instagram.com/zodiacglobalgroup/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-agg-62245bbb/

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