Raj Kotecha: That's a Great Question

EP 12: Gary Vaynerchuk - Unheard audio of a rare 2009 conversation that changed my world

I started this whole podcast just so I could share this episode.  Back in 2009, when Gary Vaynerchuk bragged about answering every email, I had to give it a try.  He replied, we built a studio in his hotel breakfast room and the following conversation changed my life. We spoke about a digital evangelist writing a book, an influencer starting an agency called VaynerMedia and touched on the philosophy of the internet.  The best phone at the time was an Apple iPhone 3GS.  Most "vloggers" used a Flipcam.  The iPad was meant to take over the world.  And there was no Instagram or Snapchat.  That's what makes this conversation SO evergreen.  Everything Gary Vee spoke of can still be applied today (you'll still hear it echoed on The GaryVee Audio Experience podcast).  And I did apply it.  On the show you'll hear about the lessons I applied and how I build the Creative Content Agency with the very lessons and strategies shared with me in this podcast.  If you listen to one of my shows, make it this one.   For more content from Raj Kotecha head to www.RajKotecha.com/podcasts [https://exit.sc/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.RajKotecha.com%2Fpodcasts], including his show "OPP - Other People's Podcasts", co-hosted by Grammy Award winner Fatman Scoop. This podcast is co-produced by Arjun M Shah and the intro music comes from the song "Riddem" by Hype and Fever (special thanks to them and Live Entertainment London for permission to use the audio).

EP 11: Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Co-Founder of Roc-A-Fella Records (Live in Dubai)

How does Jay Z choose a business partner?  He had two, a loud music industry rising star by the name of Dame Dash, and thoroughbred entrepreneur of few words - Kareem "Biggs" Burke. This interview was created by AmongstFew as part of their collaboration with Biggs for the AmongstFew x Reasonable Doubt clothing line.  The first overseas collaboration of it's kind, Biggs hit the stage at The W Hotel Dubai to talk about why he collaborated with this native Dubai brand, and then we REALLY get into the nuts and bolts of why and how he created Roc-A-Fella, which gave birth to the greatest of all time, JAY-Z. There are SO many gems in this interview, especially as Biggs can communicate so much in such few words.  I also got to interview one of my business heroes in the hip-hop world.  I moderated and hosted the panel, and the panelists themselves were B.J. De Gusman (Creative Director, Jungle Beige, Dan Greenpeace, International Artist Agent and Sadiece Holland, Online Personality and Creator).  For more information on the brand check out www.AmongstFew.com. For more content from Raj Kotecha head to www.RajKotecha.com/podcasts, including his show "OPP - Other People's Podcasts", co-hosted by Grammy Award winner Fatman Scoop. This podcast is co-produced by Arjun M Shah and the intro music comes from the song "Riddem" by Hype and Fever (special thanks to them and Live Entertainment London for permission to use the audio).

EP 10: Briar Prestidge x Raj Kotecha Talk Personal Branding, Hacking Dubai and LinkedIn Video

Briar is a star in Dubai's marketing and entrepreneurship scene.  As founder of her own Dubai based personal branding agency, this Kiwi has grown her Deals in High Heels brand with hard work and style gathered along her journey via New York and London.  You can find more of her content at http://dealsinhighheels.com. This unreleased interview is part of a chat we recorded in late 2017.  I wanted to put it out because the video we made feels so much better as audio-only and because Briar is a practitioner, we get into some details about tactics around making money in Dubai and leveraging social media.  It's a great follow on episode from EP 8: Keynote at Al Ain Media and Marketing Forum (Raj live in Abu Dhabi) [https://soundcloud.com/rajkotecha/ep-8-keynote-at-al-ain-media]. For more content from Raj Kotecha head to www.RajKotecha.com/podcasts [https://exit.sc/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.RajKotecha.com%2Fpodcasts], including his show "OPP - Other People's Podcasts", co-hosted by Grammy Award winner Fatman Scoop. This podcast is co-produced by Arjun M Shah and the intro music comes from the song "Riddem" by Hype and Fever (special thanks to them and Live Entertainment London for permission to use the audio).

EP 9: Ritesh Tilani - The Dubai Tech VC That Grows His Own Start Ups

Ritesh Tilani is the VC and Entrepreneur to check in with in the Middle East.  As co-founder of Enhance, he facilitates start ups coming into the Middle East Region, as well as growing his own, including the well known online gifting platform, Joi. Educated in France and Singapore, and seasoned in the States, Ritesh's business now covers the UAE and Saudi Arabia, offering everything from cakes and flowers to singing telegrams, all branded to a global standard. In the episode he gives an overview of Dubai's tech scene, including some honest observations on the infrastructure and market size.  We also talk about networking, how to hack your way into an internship and a little on My Friends Your Friends [http://www.myfriendsyourfriends.com], one of my events where 200 people gather for a drink with a mutual friend in the room. For more content from Raj Kotecha head to www.RajKotecha.com/podcasts [https://exit.sc/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.RajKotecha.com%2Fpodcasts], including his show "OPP - Other People's Podcasts", co-hosted by Grammy Award winner Fatman Scoop. This podcast is co-produced by Arjun M Shah and the intro music comes from the song "Riddem" by Hype and Fever (special thanks to them and Live Entertainment London for permission to use the audio).

EP 8: Keynote at Al Ain Media and Marketing Forum (Raj live in Abu Dhabi)

If you are brand new to my outlook on marketing, content and business, I need you to listen to this podcast.  In 2017 I was asked to give a keynote at the Al Ain Media and Marketing Forum.  Truth is, up until my agent's car service picked me up, I had no clue where Al Ain even was.  Turns out it was in Abu Dhabi, to a largely Arab / Emirati crowd and so I had to slow down my speaking, keep the speech squeeky clean and come up with my simplest explanations around how I do content-first marketing. I ended up giving a talk I'm super proud of because a) it's a great addition to this podcast and b) it acts as a utility item for people to listen to before they meet me in person.  As such, I hope you like it! PS I barely got this up in time for my 1 a day challenge to launch this show as I just landed in England and grabbed the mic - so apologies for the ever so slightly shorter intro and post-game. For more content from Raj Kotecha head to www.RajKotecha.com/podcasts [https://exit.sc/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.RajKotecha.com%2Fpodcasts], including his show "OPP - Other People's Podcasts", co-hosted by Grammy Award winner Fatman Scoop. This podcast is co-produced by Arjun M Shah and the intro music comes from the song "Riddem" by Hype and Fever (special thanks to them and Live Entertainment London for permission to use the audio).