Interview With 2019 BBC Apprentice Winner Carina Lepore

Today we speak with Spencer Lodge. He is an Award-Winning Podcast Host & Business Strategist, and is among Top 100 Most Influential People in Dubai.After making waves in the international financial services and sales industries for over three decades, building some of the largest and most successful multicultural sales forces, and being honored with countless corporate awards, Spencer expanded his role to serve his passion for elevating businesses and peoples’ potential in an integrated way.His perseverance and unstoppable drive inspired him to create The Spencer Lodge Podcast – one of the most listened to podcasts in the region. In each episode, Spencer speaks with the world’s most influential people, experts and thinkers to discover untold truths, unlearned lessons and important insights, redefining the meaning of success and helping his audience lead a meaningful life.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Welcome to "Keep It Real with Khadija Kalifa", where we cut through the noise and get straight to the heart of entrepreneurship. As a BBC Apprentice 2018 finalist, a successful Mumpreneur who started with just £20 and a dream, and the brain behind four six-figure businesses, I've seen it all - the highs, the lows, and everything in between.With a network of over 100,000 business and property professionals, I'm here to share insider tips, exclusive interviews, and actionable advice to propel your business forward. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, I've got the tools, motivation, and hard-earned wisdom to help you smash your KPIs and become financially free.Join me every week as we dive deep, prevent common mistakes, and ensure you get to success quicker than you ever imagined. Let's keep it real together! 🚀🎙️📈---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Useful links:www.keepitrealwithkhadija.comwww.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadijaEmail: [email protected]  / [email protected]://www.linkedin.com/in/khadija-kalifa/https://www.instagram.com/khadijakalifahttps://twitter.com/DOAMumpreneur Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ABOUT THE HOSTKeep it real with Khadija is an interview-based podcast hosted by Khadija Kalifa. As a BBC Apprentice finalist and busy Mumpreneur, Khadija is on a mission to build an empire whilst raising two children, inspiring others to make their passion their profession. Khadija speaks openly about how she grew up in an underprivileged area, turned her daughter's birth trauma into a motivational story, and became a BBC Apprentice finalist, successful business mentor, motivational speaker, property investor and podcast host. Guests of the show speak candidly about life, business, mental health, mindset and making the most of every opportunity. CONTACT METHODWww.keepitrealwithkhadija.comWww.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadijaEmail: [email protected]    / [email protected] Kalifa Instagram Khadija Kalifa TwitterThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Khadija is keeping it real with Linda Plant, one of Lord Sugar's most trusted and respected colleagues, and a regular fixture on BBC's The Apprentice as part of the now infamous “Interview Week”Linda has joined the show to discuss the new business landscape and how business leaders can do their part to restore confidence.KEY TAKEAWAYSIt's crucial in today's climate for business leaders to provide reassurance and creativity, in order to help, inspire, and provide valuable resources for those in need of direction.Formal education has its place, but the real entrepreneurs are the ones who have taught themselves. Business acumen does not come from the page, but real experience.The smartest way of being in business is to keep the costs low and focus on the tangible benefits, instead of trying to look as though you're part of the wealthy set.No one should be counted out because of their age. On the contrary, the older generation have lived through recessions, hardships, success and invention, and should be embraced in the business world.BEST MOMENTS'No jargon - just true grit business knowhow' 'Sometimes us ice-queens really do have to let our guards down!' 'The smartest way to do business is to be as tight as' 'Success doesn't have a barrier' VALUABLE RESOURCESKeeping it Real with Khadija Podcast  Linda Plant Twitter - https://twitter.com/LindaBPlantLinda Plant Academy - https://lindaplant.comTo learn more about Linda's Business Blueprint course visit - https://lindaplant.com/products/business-blueprint-courseABOUT THE HOSTKeep it real with Khadija is an interview-based podcast hosted by Khadija Kalifa. As a BBC Apprentice finalist and busy Mumpreneur, Khadija is on a mission to build an empire whilst raising two children, inspiring others to make their passion their profession. Khadija speaks openly about how she grew up in an underprivileged area, turned her daughter's birth trauma into a motivational story, and became a BBC Apprentice finalist, successful business mentor, motivational speaker, property investor and podcast host. Guests of the show speak candidly about life, business, mental health, mindset and making the most of every opportunity.CONTACT METHOD Www.keepitrealwithkhadija.comWww.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadijaEmail: [email protected]    / [email protected] Kalifa Instagram Khadija Kalifa TwitterThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since finding fame as one of Lord Sugar's respected interviewers on The Apprentice, Linda Plant has gone on to create a specialised business success course, designed to empower anyone wishing to bring a new idea to market, and to provide guidance on how to successfully run a company.In this week's show, Linda discusses the beliefs that have led her to sharing her experience in this way, and how you can benefit from such an incredible and insightful course of guidance!KEY TAKEAWAYSVoices such as Linda's are an empowering way to engender trust back into the market, following the negative effects of the COVID lockdown. Businesses should not be scared, and need to be energised.Business education is only a part of what people need in order to succeed. There is a wealth of experience that comes from on-the-job business training that education simply cannot provide.Never feel that your time is over just because of your age. You have experience and knowledge that younger generations cannot hope to gain yet.The value of mentorship is incalculable. An outside perspective from a seasoned business brain can reveal issues or even constructive strategies that you may not have considered.BEST MOMENTS‘I think I can give back to a lot of people' ‘You can't learn what is in my course, in university or college' ‘Own your age!' ‘It's good to dream big' VALUABLE RESOURCESKeeping it Real with Khadija Podcast  Linda Plant Twitter - https://twitter.com/LindaBPlantLinda Plant Academy - https://lindaplant.comTo learn more about Linda's Business Blueprint course visit - https://lindaplant.com/products/business-blueprint-courseABOUT THE HOSTKeep it real with Khadija is an interview-based podcast hosted by Khadija Kalifa. As a BBC Apprentice finalist and busy Mumpreneur, Khadija is on a mission to build an empire whilst raising two children, inspiring others to make their passion their profession. Khadija speaks openly about how she grew up in an underprivileged area, turned her daughter's birth trauma into a motivational story, and became a BBC Apprentice finalist, successful business mentor, motivational speaker, property investor and podcast host. Guests of the show speak candidly about life, business, mental health, mindset and making the most of every opportunity.CONTACT METHOD Www.keepitrealwithkhadija.comWww.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadijaEmail: [email protected]    / [email protected] Kalifa Instagram Khadija Kalifa TwitterThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Kelly's incredible journey through business has seen him head up some of the world's most successful companies. As the ex-CEO of Sage, and Micro Focus International, Stephen has led some of the most powerful and influential businesses in history, and by doing so has changed the way we work and think.Stephen joins Khadija today to discuss his fascinating business career, his philosophies on leadership, and the new governmental roles that have seen him contribute to the many ways in which UK businesses are now able to compete on an international level.KEY TAKEAWAYSIf you feel that you are the natural fit for a role in any company, then nothing is stopping you from doing your research, and writing directly to the CEO of that business in order to let them know. Obey the voice in your head and don't be afraid to ask.Honesty and straightforwardness are often misconstrued as outspokenness and aggression. Never be afraid of a reputation, as they're often wrong.There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the work/life balance. It is a question of organising priorities and deciding whether the sacrifices required are conducive to your life at that time.One of the greatest things a leader can achieve is to ensure that our teams are encouraged to exceed their potential, and to be happy and comfortable with who they are.Building a bond of trust with our customers is as simple as going that extra mile in order to make them feel valued. We must never underestimate the importance of the personal touch.BEST MOMENTS‘I've achieved more than I could ever have imagined' ‘What we need to do is be bolder and back ourselves, and be true to ourselves' ‘As a leader, you need to try and do the right thing every day, and support your people' ‘What strikes me about the great leaders is their humility and authenticity' ‘We want to make every single one of these amazing customers able to sleep well at night and know that they can trust us' VALUABLE RESOURCESKeeping it Real with Khadija Podcast  Stephen Kelly LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkellyceo/?originalSubdomain=ukStephen Kelly Twitter - https://twitter.com/SKellyCEOABOUT THE HOSTKeep it real with Khadija is an interview-based podcast hosted by Khadija Kalifa. As a BBC Apprentice finalist and busy Mumpreneur, Khadija is on a mission to build an empire whilst raising two children, inspiring others to make their passion their profession. Khadija speaks openly about how she grew up in an underprivileged area, turned her daughter's birth trauma into a motivational story, and became a BBC Apprentice finalist, successful business mentor, motivational speaker, property investor and podcast host. Guests of the show speak candidly about life, business, mental health, mindset and making the most of every opportunity.CONTACT METHOD Www.keepitrealwithkhadija.comWww.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadijaEmail: [email protected]    / [email protected] Kalifa Instagram Khadija Kalifa TwitterThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite placing as runner-up on the 2019 series of The Apprentice, Scarlett Allen-Horton's business acumen landed her a business deal with Lord Sugar, who acquired a huge stake in Scarlett's company, Harper Fox Global, a specialist recruitment firm dealing with executive-level talent.In this week's show, Scarlett joins Khadija to discuss her experiences on the show, the motivations and inspirations that keep her going, and what life has been like since leaving the show!KEY TAKEAWAYSIt's far more important to be true to yourself than pretend to be someone else. Even qualities we think of as negative can be seen as strengths and assets.It's important to consider our professional reputation, especially having taken part in something so high profile as The Apprentice. The image we project can play a part in people's opinions for years to come.The most successful of entrepreneurs, haven't necessarily achieved anything extraordinary to attain financial freedom. They've simply adopted the correct perspective on work and perseverance.Priorities in life and business are essential. Without them we can easily lose sight of the “why” in favour of chasing down more. Work out your “why”, and see that it always remains your driving force.Freedom comes from realising the importance of creating a sustainable business that can live and breathe without you. If you're the key to why your business works, then you'll never be free.BEST MOMENTS‘I knew that if I was going to do this, I was going to give it my all' 'The last thing I wanted to do was to come out of that and lose credibility' ‘I worked so hard, because I really had no other choice' ‘As long as you have your “why” at the forefront, then everything else will come' VALUABLE RESOURCESKeeping it Real with Khadija Podcast  Scarlett Allen-Horton Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/scarlettallenhorton/?hl=enScarlett Allen-Horton Twitter - https://twitter.com/scarlettah_?lang=enHarper Fox Global - https://harperfoxglobal.com ABOUT THE HOSTKeep it real with Khadija is an interview-based podcast hosted by Khadija Kalifa. As a BBC Apprentice finalist and busy Mumpreneur, Khadija is on a mission to build an empire whilst raising two children, inspiring others to make their passion their profession. Khadija speaks openly about how she grew up in an underprivileged area, turned her daughter's birth trauma into a motivational story, and became a BBC Apprentice finalist, successful business mentor, motivational speaker, property investor and podcast host. Guests of the show speak candidly about life, business, mental health, mindset and making the most of every opportunity.CONTACT METHOD Www.keepitrealwithkhadija.comWww.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadijaEmail: [email protected]    / [email protected] Kalifa Instagram Khadija Kalifa TwitterThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a very high energy show today as Khadija is joined by Alan Barratt, the founder of Grenade, the high-performance product line that has taken the world by storm!Alan discusses his incredible rise to the top, the determination that turned Grenade bars into the number one-selling chocolate bar in the UK, and how Alan balances his success with his personal life.It's an incredible conversation about a story we've all played a part in!KEY TAKEAWAYSAt the outset of the journey, times were tough. By fixing their view on the future they wanted, Alan and his wife worked relentlessly, their labours ultimately paying off when they turned £500 into a multi-million pound brand.Grenade products were never meant to replace a complete diet. They act as a supplement, as a form of diet suppressant, and can impel us to drink more fluids.As a business grows, it becomes less about the hustle and more about balancing. The lockdown has forced Grenade back into start-up phase, and the thrill of the hustle is very exciting.Too many businesses focus on selling a product once. Grenade has become the best in its class by offering a quality product that people adore. Business can be addictive, but we need to learn when to let go and trust others to do the job for us. Always remember why we began the journey, and never let your personal life suffer.BEST MOMENTS'This was a hobby that turned into an obsession' ‘You cannot out-train a bad diet' ‘Most people don't need a diet, they need a lifestyle change' 'Surely it's got to be better to keep existing customers happy?' VALUABLE RESOURCESKeeping it Real with Khadija Podcast  Alan Barratt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-barratt-101b1731/?originalSubdomain=ukGrenade - https://www.grenade.com/ABOUT THE HOSTKeep it real with Khadija is an interview-based podcast hosted by Khadija Kalifa. As a BBC Apprentice finalist and busy Mumpreneur, Khadija is on a mission to build an empire whilst raising two children, inspiring others to make their passion their profession. Khadija speaks openly about how she grew up in an underprivileged area, turned her daughter's birth trauma into a motivational story, and became a BBC Apprentice finalist, successful business mentor, motivational speaker, property investor and podcast host. Guests of the show speak candidly about life, business, mental health, mindset and making the most of every opportunity.CONTACT METHODWww.keepitrealwithkhadija.comWww.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadijaEmail: [email protected]    / [email protected] Kalifa Instagram Khadija Kalifa TwitterThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, anxiety can unexpectedly strike down even the strongest of us. The risk of this is even greater due to the current crisis in the world.In this week's show, Khadija candidly discusses her approach to tackling anxiety, the mental health challenges she faces each day, and the invaluable effects of kindness in today's world.KEY TAKEAWAYSThe first step in dealing with any mental health issues is always to share. Sometimes even the act of vocalising the issue causes it to dilute.You are the best judge of your mental capacity. If the world of social media is causing your anxiety to grow, make sure you streamline it to suit your own happiness.Never feel as though you are the only one with negative feelings. Anxiety and depression are far more common than people realise. Be kind. Be supportive. By increasing the positivity in the world we can turn the tide of negativity together. BEST MOMENTS'The worst thing we can do in the world is pretend we're all okay' 'We all have our Achilles Heel' 'These feelings are more normal than anyone could know' ‘People who look like they've got their shit together are often the ones who are suffering the most' VALUABLE RESOURCESKeeping it Real with Khadija Podcast  ABOUT THE HOSTKeep it real with Khadija is an interview-based podcast hosted by Khadija Kalifa. As a BBC Apprentice finalist and busy Mumpreneur, Khadija is on a mission to build an empire whilst raising two children, inspiring others to make their passion their profession. Khadija speaks openly about how she grew up in an underprivileged area, turned her daughter's birth trauma into a motivational story, and became a BBC Apprentice finalist, successful business mentor, motivational speaker, property investor and podcast host. Guests of the show speak candidly about life, business, mental health, mindset and making the most of every opportunity.CONTACT METHODWww.keepitrealwithkhadija.comWww.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadijaEmail: [email protected]    / [email protected] Kalifa Instagram Khadija Kalifa TwitterThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Khadija goes from “Keeping It Real” to Keeping It Real Housewives Of Cheshire, as she chats to TV star and serial mumpreneur, Leanne Brown. Khadija and Leanne talk about the challenges of quarantine and how she's keeping her family safe, the spark of interest that's caused Leanne to want to know more about the world, troubling labels such as “WAG", and the positive ways in which Leanne is using her profile to aid constructive projects and causes.  KEY TAKEAWAYSCOVID-19 has demonstrated to everyone that there are blessings to be found all around in life. From the luxury of a garden to food on the table, we need to keep happiness alive by appreciating the gifts we have.The onset of the Coronavirus has sparked a newfound awareness for many people, in the many endeavours being made to help, and sometimes hinder, the fight against infectious diseases around the world.We are capable of controlling our physiology using mind-set. It takes strength and will, but we can affect the way we feel by controlling the way we think.Looking back on life with regret is dangerous. We cannot change the past. We can only influence the current moment, and do our best. It's important not to punish ourselves later on.Self-improvement can come in many different forms. Physical exercise is only one of the ways we can develop. We should also concentrate on nurturing our happiness and attitude towards others.BEST MOMENTS'These are the questions that have made me want to dig a little further' 'Stay grounded, stay positive, but also educate yourself' 'Nothing we do can ever be completely right, so we need to what's good for us at that moment' ‘Dream big!'  VALUABLE RESOURCESKeeping it Real with Khadija Podcast  Leanne Brown Twitter - https://twitter.com/leanne_e_brownOne Woman At A Time - https://www.onewomanatatime.co.ukGirl Got Grit - https://girlgotgrit.co.ukABOUT THE HOSTKeep it real with Khadija is an interview-based podcast hosted by Khadija Kalifa. As a BBC Apprentice finalist and busy Mumpreneur, Khadija is on a mission to build an empire whilst raising two children, inspiring others to make their passion their profession. Khadija speaks openly about how she grew up in an underprivileged area, turned her daughter's birth trauma into a motivational story, and became a BBC Apprentice finalist, successful business mentor, motivational speaker, property investor and podcast host. Guests of the show speak candidly about life, business, mental health, mindset and making the most of every opportunity.CONTACT METHOD Www.keepitrealwithkhadija.comWww.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadijaEmail: [email protected]    / [email protected] Kalifa Instagram Khadija Kalifa Twitter This show was brought to you by Progressive Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Khadija keeps it real with the winner of BBC's The Apprentice 2019, Carina Lepore!Carina discusses how it feels to be Lord Sugar's new business partner, how she's teaching her family about the value of hard work, and the burning desire for success that drives her onwards and upwards.KEY TAKEAWAYSSometimes experiences such as The Apprentice, or other business opportunities, can allow us to see our plans from a different perspective, and cause us to completely realign our goals.Children should be instilled with the knowledge that hard work is the only way to success. The window of opportunity is small, so we need to make sure we catch it before it's too late.Every entrepreneur needs a why, but it needs to be a much deeper-rooted reason than simply money.The greatest lesson learned is to be yourself. It's impossible to comprehend the disappointment you would feel if you went through life trying to be something you're not.BEST MOMENTS‘I went in there with the intention of winning. 100%!' ‘If you want to be successful just for the money, then you won't be successful' 'This is me now. I'm providing a service to the local community, for as long as this is with us' ‘Unless you've been in it, you can never really understand' VALUABLE RESOURCESKeeping it Real with Khadija Podcast  Carina Lepore Twitter - https://twitter.com/carinalepore?lang=enCarina Lepore LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carina-lepore-313b90193/?originalSubdomain=ukABOUT THE HOSTKeep it real with Khadija is an interview-based podcast hosted by Khadija Kalifa. As a BBC Apprentice finalist and busy Mumpreneur, Khadija is on a mission to build an empire whilst raising two children, inspiring others to make their passion their profession. Khadija speaks openly about how she grew up in an underprivileged area, turned her daughter's birth trauma into a motivational story, and became a BBC Apprentice finalist, successful business mentor, motivational speaker, property investor and podcast host. Guests of the show speak candidly about life, business, mental health, mindset and making the most of every opportunity.CONTACT METHOD Www.keepitrealwithkhadija.comWww.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadijaEmail: [email protected]    / [email protected] Kalifa Instagram Khadija Kalifa TwitterThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.