In this week’s episode, we sit down with Gift Solomon, founder of Giffy Real Estate and Dubai Getaway Travels, to uncover her incredible story of resilience and determination. Gift shares how she arrived in the UAE with just $300, navigated tough challenges, and built two thriving businesses. She talks about her early struggles, including working at Freedom Pizza and becoming the UAE’s first female delivery rider, before transitioning into the competitive world of real estate and travel.

This episode is packed with insights on the value of relationships, building trust, and maintaining a mindset focused on service, not sales.

Topics Covered:

• Gift’s humble beginnings: From delivery rider to business owner.
• Building a people-first business philosophy in real estate and travel.
• The importance of resilience and finding opportunities in adversity.
• Hiring with heart: Why hunger and ambition matter more than skills.
• Creating a personal brand and its role in building trust with clients.

Show Notes Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and Gift’s background story

08:10 – Adjusting to life in the UAE: Early struggles and wins

15:22 – Transitioning into real estate and launching Dubai Getaway Travels

25:48 – Building a client-first philosophy: “Serve, not sell”

32:12 – Overcoming challenges and the importance of resilience

40:28 – Advice for aspiring salespeople and entrepreneurs

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• LinkedIn: The Sales People Podcast
• Instagram: @thesalespeoplepodcast
• TikTok: @thesalespeoplepodcast
• YouTube: The Sales People Podcast

Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! 🎧

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In this episode, we sit down with Josh, founder of Playbook, to explore his transition from making over 150 sales calls daily to establishing a successful startup. Josh shares insights into the challenges and rewards of being a solo founder, the importance of a consultative sales approach, and strategies for scaling a business in the Middle East.

Topics Covered:

• The grind of high-volume sales calls and lessons learned
• Overcoming obstacles as a solo founder
• Developing a customer-centric sales strategy
• Adapting to the Middle Eastern market dynamics
• Building a team aligned with the company’s vision

Show Notes Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction and Episode Recap
• 04:15 – Josh’s Journey: From Sales Rep to Founder
• 12:22 – The Realities of Solo Entrepreneurship
• 18:35 – Crafting a Consultative Sales Approach
• 26:45 – Navigating the Middle Eastern Market
• 33:10 – Team Building and Scaling Strategies
• 41:20 – Closing Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Founders

Follow Us and Stay Connected:

• LinkedIn: The Sales People Podcast
• Instagram: @thesalespeoplepodcast
• TikTok: @thesalespeoplepodcast
• YouTube: The Sales People Podcast

Tune in to gain valuable insights from Josh’s experience and learn how determination and a strategic approach can lead to entrepreneurial success.

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The Sales People Podcast: Episode 4 - From Startup Flexibility to Corporate Structure with Ayla

On this week’s episode of The Sales People Podcast, Ben and Liam sit down with Ayla, who shares her journey from working in a small U.S. startup to leading a multi-functional sales team in one of Dubai’s largest corporations. Ayla’s path is filled with insights on adapting across cultures, building structured sales strategies, and balancing personal wellness in the demanding world of sales.

Ayla reflects on the differences between the U.S. and Middle Eastern sales landscapes, as well as the lessons learned from working in both startup and corporate environments. She also offers practical advice for junior sales professionals entering their first Q4 and insights on how to create a positive team culture.

Plus, we dive into:

• The unique challenges of working in the Dubai sales market and how to adapt
• How Ayla builds structure within her team to drive better performance
• Encouraging team members to take ownership and lead with initiative
• Strategies for managing stress and maintaining work-life balance in a high-pressure role

Ayla also leaves us with an impactful reminder for sales professionals: “Every day is day zero.”

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction and Ayla’s background in the U.S. sales scene

07:00 - Cultural differences in sales between the U.S. and the Middle East

15:00 - The importance of structure and leadership skills in corporate settings

22:30 - Creating a team mindset in Dubai’s high-stakes market

30:00 - Building ownership and initiative within junior team members

42:00 - Key advice: “Every day is day zero”

Follow The Sales People Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms for more stories from sales professionals across the Middle East.

Connect with us:

• LinkedIn: The Sales People Podcast
• Instagram: @thesalespeoplepodcast
• TikTok: @thesalespeoplepodcast
• YouTube: The Sales People Podcast

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