Mastervision® Podcast by Nina Seredai

The Mindset Behind Building a 42 Million Unit Brand

What happens when you accidentally receive an email in which your managers are discussing whether to dismiss you? For most, it's a nightmare. For today's guest, it became the catalyst for building one of the Middle East's most loved healthy food brands. In this episode of the Mastervision® Podcast, our host Nina Seredai sits down with Mazen Kanaan, Co-Founder and CEO of House of Pops. From a simple idea shared with his wife to a factory producing 42 million ice creams a year, Mazen reveals the unvarnished realities of the entrepreneurial journey. Although this episode was recorded before the recent crisis, its lessons remain highly relevant, perhaps even more so, for entrepreneurs dealing with uncertainty today. In this episode, we discuss: • Navigating six months of uncertainty before being laid off • Evolving from making treats for friends to building a scalable business • The essential components of the entrepreneurial mindset • How to approach funding • Building a business with a life partner ⚡️ Which superpower do you think is most important for entrepreneurs? Let us know in the comments below! ______ Follow our Mastervision® Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@brandsthroughstories] Subscribe on platforms to get new episodes early: * YouTube Music [https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCD6sp41w1FFdAQY9QoU9LtQ] * Apple Podcasts  [https://podcasts.apple.com/ru/podcast/brands-through-stories/id1637493315] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/19mt4qjbuiODdK5ffY83sq]

Leadership in a World That Can’t Be Predicted

What does leadership look like when the ground keeps shifting beneath you? For those of us building careers and businesses in Dubai and across the UAE right now, that question feels closer to home than ever. Amid regional uncertainty, many people are reassessing, some are leaving, and almost everyone is asking: what comes next? To support every leader navigating this moment, we went back through our Mastervision® Podcast archive and gathered valuable perspectives from our past conversations: on leadership under pressure, the skills that actually matter, the future of work, and how to lead sustainable when nothing feels stable. So if you're looking for grounding right now, this is a good place to start. We put this together for you. We hope it helps. Watch our special episode, and lead with steadiness, even when clarity is a luxury. ______ Follow our Mastervision® Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@brandsthroughstories] Subscribe on platforms to get new episodes early: * YouTube Music [https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCD6sp41w1FFdAQY9QoU9LtQ] * Apple Podcasts  [https://podcasts.apple.com/ru/podcast/brands-through-stories/id1637493315] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/19mt4qjbuiODdK5ffY83sq]

Book Writing Tips for Business Leaders

This episode is for anyone who's been thinking about writing a book especially if you're an entrepreneur, coach, or consultant who wants to build your authority and influence. Nina sits down with Heidi van't Riet, a book-writing coach who works with business leaders to turn their expertise into published books. They have an honest conversation about why writing a book is still one of the best ways to build credibility in business and more importantly, how to actually finish one, even when you're convinced you don't have time, can't write, or haven't got a clue where to start. In this conversation, you'll discover: ▪️ Why being a "good writer" is the least important part of creating a meaningful book ▪️ The simple framework that transforms overwhelm into a clear roadmap ▪️ What type of book makes sense for your goals (hint: it's probably not what you think) ▪️ Who you actually need on your team to make this happen ▪️ Your publishing options explained without the industry jargon ▪️ What really happens before and after launch (because the book is just the beginning) ▪️ How your book can become a genuine revenue stream If you've been sitting on the idea of writing a book to grow your leadership presence, this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear. ______ Follow our Mastervision® Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@brandsthroughstories] Subscribe on platforms to get new episodes early: * YouTube Music [https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCD6sp41w1FFdAQY9QoU9LtQ] * Apple Podcasts  [https://podcasts.apple.com/ru/podcast/brands-through-stories/id1637493315] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/19mt4qjbuiODdK5ffY83sq]

Informal Mentoring: The Secret to Sales Growth & Team Performance

What if the secret to skyrocketing sales, a prosperous business, and lasting growth lies in the small talks happening by the coffee machine? In this episode of the Mastervision® Podcast, our host Nina Seredai sits down with Lena Tarakjian, former senior executive in the luxury industry who's now helping businesses tap into something most organisations completely overlook: the power of informal mentoring. Lena's work focuses on creating intentional learning relationships that actually drive engagement and performance. No stuffy programmes, no massive budgets, just real human connection that transforms how teams work together. In this conversation, we explore: ▪️ Why those "unofficial" learning relationships often deliver better results than formal training ▪️ How one company shifted from high-pressure chaos to genuine trust and collaboration ▪️ The surprising link between prioritising human connection and boosting both revenue and career growth ▪️ Why the best leaders today are also brilliant mentors (and how to blend both approaches) ▪️ Simple strategies to bridge the gaps between generations and cultures in your workplace Here's the truth: in a world that's moving at breakneck speed, your real competitive advantage is staying human. Tune in to discover how to boost sales, improve team performance, and create a thriving, collaborative workplace through the power of informal mentoring. ______ Follow our Mastervision® Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@brandsthroughstories] Subscribe on platforms to get new episodes early: * YouTube Music [https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCD6sp41w1FFdAQY9QoU9LtQ] * Apple Podcasts  [https://podcasts.apple.com/ru/podcast/brands-through-stories/id1637493315] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/19mt4qjbuiODdK5ffY83sq]

Recruitment Agency Owner: Hiring Secrets Employers Need to Know

Hiring in 2026 is broken or at least it feels that way. In this episode of the Mastervision® Podcast, we explore recruitment in the UAE, where companies receive 1,500 to 2,000 CVs per role and still struggle to find quality talent. Louise Vine, founder of Inspire Selection and UAE recruitment expert with over 20 years of experience, reveals the truth about hiring today:  ▪️ Why there's a surplus of candidates but a shortage of quality talent in the UAE ▪️ Why applying for UAE jobs from overseas rarely works ▪️ What recruiters actually look for on LinkedIn (and why your photo matters more than you think) ▪️ How employer branding impacts hiring success in 2026 ▪️ What candidates care about most in today's job market ▪️ How Gen Z is changing workplace culture and what employers must do to adapt ▪️ The true cost of a wrong hire and how to avoid it Whether you're a company owner, CEO, HR leader, hiring manager, or job seeker in Dubai and the UAE, this episode delivers practical insights into recruitment trends and talent acquisition strategies that work in 2026. Watch now to understand what's really happening in the UAE job market and how to find your perfect match. ______ Follow our Mastervision® Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@brandsthroughstories] Subscribe on platforms to get new episodes early: * YouTube Music [https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCD6sp41w1FFdAQY9QoU9LtQ] * Apple Podcasts  [https://podcasts.apple.com/ru/podcast/brands-through-stories/id1637493315] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/19mt4qjbuiODdK5ffY83sq]