Shows
Jruzz InspiresEpisode 48 - The Impact of Filipino Artists in the UAE | with Lalaine Chu-Benitez of IllustradoIn this episode, we sit down with the inspiring Lalaine Chu-Benitez — the powerhouse behind Illustrado, a brand development agency, and Illustrado Magazine, a platform that champions world-class Filipino talent in the Gulf.We explore the impact and contributions of Filipino artists in the UAE, highlighting some of the most notable names across creative fields — from visual arts and fashion to design and beyond.But it's not just about success stories. We also have a real talk about the toxic traits within the community that we need to let go of — and how we can collectively shift the narrative toward empowe...2025-06-1256 min
Challenger BrandsCustomer Centricity in 2025 | Challenger Brands by IllustradoWelcome to Challenger Brands, the podcast where we explore how exceptional brands redefine customer engagement and innovation to lead in a competitive market. In this episode, we’re diving deep into customer centricity—the art of putting customers at the heart of your business strategy—with insights from Mark Hamill, CEO and Co-Founder of ARCET Global.As a trailblazer in consumer-centric innovation and the architect of the Customer Centricity World Series—the world's premier CX awards program—Mark has helped businesses transform their customer lifecycle journeys into powerful tools for loyalty and growth. With over 15 years of experience...2025-06-0437 minChallenger BrandsRedefining Sales in 2025 | Challenger Brands by Illustrado.coWhat if we told you that sales, as we know it, isn’t about closing deals? Our guest today believes that 80% of sales is actually the brand, and success is built on trust rather than just technique.Learn all about the future of sales in 2025 with Illustrado.co's Challenger Brands series. Get ahead of the game and stay informed on the latest trends in the sales industry!Joining us today is Mamoun Alamouri, a seasoned entrepreneur, strategic investor, and an experienced sales professional. With a mission to help startups and SMEs achieve product-market fit, Mamoun sp...2025-05-2857 minChallenger BrandsHow to Get Your Startup Funded | Challenger Brands by IllustradoIn this episode, we dive into the high-stakes world of startup funding with Anna Arzua MacMillan, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Venture FactorE. With over 15 years of global expertise and a history of guiding ventures to new heights, Anna shares the essential roadmap for entrepreneurs looking to secure funding and scale sustainably. From understanding market timing to building investor trust, Anna's insights provide a powerful playbook for founders.Our guest today is a powerhouse in industries like Healthcare, Defense, AI, Sustainability, and Tech, with a track record of attracting transformative investments across the GCC region. Based in...2025-05-211h 24Challenger BrandsDubai's Viral Chocolate | Crafting Multi-Million Dollar Success Stories with Challenger BrandsWelcome to the world of Dubai's viral chocolate! In this episode, we unravel the magic behind the famous Kunafa Chocolate, a dessert that has captured hearts and taste buds alike. Join Chef Nouel Catis as he guides you through the step-by-step process of making this delightful treat, highlighting the unique ingredients that elevate it to a multi-million dollar sensation.Our guest today is Chef Nouel Catis, an internationally acclaimed pastry consultant whose culinary artistry has taken the food industry by storm. Chef Nouel’s unique approach to flavor alchemy and deep understanding of regional palates has helped hi...2025-05-1434 minChallenger BrandsHow To Build Brand Communities | Challenger Brands By IllustradoWelcome back to another episode of Challenger Brands, the podcast where we delve into the stories of remarkable entrepreneurs, and even community builders who make huge impact in the market.Community-building is a must for many brands these days. So we have 2 amazing Community Champions in the house today to give us some insights on how to bring people together and drive them towards a common cause. First, we have Josie Conlu, a renowned community leader and social entrepreneur. Josie is considered one of the most influential community and social media personalities within the Filipino co...2025-05-0741 minChallenger BrandsHow to Build a Self-Propagating Company With Dr. Ivan Misner | Challenger Brands by IllustradoDr. Ivan Misner is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of BNI (Business Network International), the world’s largest business networking organization. With over 11,100 chapters in 76 countries, BNI generated $23.4 billion worth of business for its members just last year alone. Known as the 'Father of Modern Networking' by Forbes and CNN, Dr. Misner is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a New York Times bestselling author, with 29 books under his belt, including his latest release, The 3rd Paradigm."This episode delves into the fascinating topic of building a self-propagating company. BNI’s unique structure and growth mode...2025-04-3035 minChallenger BrandsHow to Take on the Industry Giants and Win | Challenger Brands by IllustradoRyan Ramos, the Founder and Managing Director of Cultivate UAE and The Dream Lab UAE. From humble beginnings, Ryan worked his way up from business development to general management at a leading landscaping company in the UAE. He then ventured out on his own to build his very own landscaping business, Cultivate UAE, which has quickly become one of the leading brands in the market, serving some of the most prestigious clients in the industry, including Emaar, the Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Mall.Recently, Ryan launched The Dream Lab, entering the theming market and creating iconic art...2025-04-2346 minChallenger BrandsHow to Break Barriers in a Competitive Industry | Challenger Brands by IllustradoToday, we have an amazing and inspiring guest! Joining us is Samantha Araujo, a formidable titan in the region’s competitive hospitality industry. With a passion for fine living and an extraordinary ability to craft memorable experiences, Samantha has established Stellar USP as a premier player in the luxury hospitality supply industry. Her company is renowned for its exceptional service, personalized client experiences, and innovative solutions that go beyond simply supplying goods.Stellar USP is a trusted partner in the market, contributing to prestigious projects across the Middle East and Africa. With over a decade of industry exp...2025-04-1641 minChallenger BrandsMastering the Art of Life-Career Balance | Challenger BrandsNavneet Kampani is a former banker who has been in the industry for over 30 years, now he is an entrepreneur, author, and life coach who helps individuals and top executives achieve work-life harmony and find meaning in life.Fresh from the launch of his book “Unmasking the Real You - A Journey from Self-Awareness to Action” we’re hoping to get life-changing tips from Navneet today.This is Challenger Brands -Where we talk about brand development, marketing, sales, entrepreneurship, and a whole lot of other things to help entrepreneurs and br...2025-04-0945 minChallenger BrandsHow to Master your Inner Game | Challenger Brands by IllustradoDhiren Harchandani is a Transformation Architect who specializes in empowering entrepreneurs to achieve 8-figure business success without compromising personal fulfillment or lifestyle. An avid learner in transformation, leadership, and mindset, he coaches entrepreneurs representing over $2.5 billion in combined revenue. With over two decades of experience in scaling businesses across five industries, Harchandani has founded and exited multiple ventures.A Harvard Business School alumnus, he leverages his business strategy expertise and 2,500 hours of coaching experience, incorporating NLP, Quantum Science, and Psychology to transform leaders and organizations. An adventure enthusiast, he engages in ultra-running, Ironman races, and mountain climbing...2025-04-021h 01Challenger BrandsHow To Keep Your Brand Relevant Through The Years | Challenger Brands by IllustradoAccording to Clayton Christensen, a professor at Harvard Business School, 30,000 new products are introduced each year, and 95% of them fail. In an increasingly cluttered market and noisy world, how do you keep your brand and business relevant?Our special guest today will help us answer that question. Today, on Challenger Brands, we're joined by a true titan in the world of retail and brand management, Ishwar Chugani. With over four decades of experience, he's the CEO and Managing Director of Giordano Middle East and a member of the Management Committee of Giordano International, Hong Kon...2025-03-2645 minChallenger BrandsHow ChatGPT Can Revolutionize Your Business | Challenger Brands by IllustradoFahed Bizzari is an international thought leader on the professional application of ChatGPT. He has 18 years of experience in software development, over 3,000 hours in mastering ChatGPT, and extensive 2-decades of experience in entrepreneurship, consulting, and training. Renowned for his profound understanding and practical application of ChatGPT, he excels in simplifying complex concepts, making them accessible to both novices and professionals. His investment in honing communication skills ensures engaging and well-delivered insights. His expertise is not just deeply informed but also effectively communicated, making him a sought-after authority in the field.This is Challenger Brands...2025-03-191h 09Challenger BrandsDeveloping Your Business for Optimal Growth & Success | Challenger Brands by IllustradoIn this episode, we will be unlocking the secrets of Business Development, delve into fundamentals, and strategies. Join us as we explore insights that can help your business flourish in the competitive marketplace.Joining us is Phil Bedford, an entrepreneur who has called the Middle East home since 1998. Armed with a Masters Degree and over a decade of expertise in sales training, business development, and consulting, Phil's mission is to expand the Asentiv franchise throughout the GCC region.But Phil is more than just a seasoned professional; he's a dynamic networker and a leading expert...2025-03-1241 minChallenger BrandsBuilding On The Legacy Of Your Family Business | Challenger Brands by IllustradoWelcome back to Challenger Brands. Today, we delve into building on the legacy of your family business with our guest, Shabana Razzak - CEO of Maison DE Ary Jewellery. Shabana is not just a successful entrepreneur; she's a trailblazing jeweller and a visionary businesswoman who has made an impact in the strictly patriarchal society she grew up, in the process building on the legacy of her family’s renowned business, at the same time being a beacon of women empowerment. Shabana's journey is deeply rooted in the legacy of her father, Abdul Razzak Yaqoob. He was a...2025-03-0537 min
Starting Up with Virtuzone PodcastHow do people see your brand?That's one big question for businesses to ponder on, including their stand on sustainability, says Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Illustrado Brand Development & Creative Agency. We're also joined by our Success Spotlight of the Week, David MacDonald, Creator of The Fibre Bottle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2023-11-3035 minChallenger BrandsHow to Grow Your Business through Networking | Challenger Brands by IllustradoNetworking - love it or hate it? Too hard sell? Or is it a necessary lead generation strategy? Whatever your feelings are, networking is considered an effective client acquisition strategy for millions of entrepreneurs and businesses across the globe. Should you be getting into networking? Is it worth it? How do you even get started?In this episode, we chat with entrepreneur and master networker Edwin Duria - Managing Director of Play Middle East, Director Consultant at BNI UAE and the newly elected Chairman at the Philippine Business Council. BNI is the largest and most successful network of entr...2023-11-2446 minChallenger BrandsHow to Scale a Business | Challenger Brands by IllustradoHow do you scale your business? Where do you even start? Is scaling a business possible for all entrepreneurs? What does it take? If you’re a business owner, chances are you’ve asked these questions several times - because who doesn’t want their business to grow? Today, we will be shedding light on how you can effectively, not just grow your business, but scale it exponentially.Our guest for today is Murtaza Manji a serial entrepreneur, an accomplished business and strategy coach, and an esteemed speaker. The Managing Partner at Kaizen Consulting Group, he has worked ex...2023-11-2453 minChallenger BrandsHow To Build A Fashion Business | Challenger Brands by IllustradoWelcome to another exciting episode of the Challenger Brands. Today, we have a special guest with us, Georgina Hills. Georgina is a Luxury Fashion &Brand Strategy Change Ambassador and Coach, bringing over 20 years of specialist experience to the table. She has worked with renowned high-street and luxury brands, including Zara, H&M, Armani, Saint Laurent, Dolce and Gabbana, Max Mara, Chloe, Versace, and many more. Additionally, she has occupied senior positions in the esteemed Chalhoub Group, as well as the Al Tayer Group in the GCC region. Georgina is also theF...2023-09-2742 minChallenger BrandsHow to Master the Art of SellingSales is more than just convincing people to buy a product or service. It involves understanding the needs and desires of potential customers, building relationships with them, and offering solutions that genuinely address their concerns, while keeping an eye on market trends and the competition. In this episode, we talk to Sharad Bhushan, Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Standard Carpets – one of the world’s largest manufacturing companies for carpets, certainly the biggest in the region. Based in Dubai, Standard Carpets exports over 1000 product varieties to 63 countries in 6 continents and Sharad has been at the forefr...2023-09-0741 minChallenger BrandsHow to NOT Kill Your Business with Bad Customer ServiceWith Google Reviews, Trustpilot, as well as Facebook, and many other platforms that hosts reviews, positive customer feedback has become so essential to the wellbeing of a business. Bad customer reviews, stemming from poor customer service can easily damage business – now more than ever. So today, we’ll talk about the fundamentals of good customer service and why having a policy in place is critical for your brand’s future growth. Remember, your brand promise is only good, if it’s carried all throughout. Customer service is one of those key areas where you need to deliver on that promise....2023-08-2340 minChallenger BrandsHow to Network for Business SuccessWelcome to another exciting episode of Challenger Brands. Today, we have an extraordinary guest who embodies the spirit of Zig Ziglar's timeless quote, "You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want." It's a pleasure to introduce Bijay Shah. Bijay is the Master Franchisee of Business Network International (BNI) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). BNI is the world's largest and most successful business networking organization, with a presence in over 70 countries worldwide. With a strong background in banking, insurance, and financial services, Bijay ventured into BNI to b...2023-08-0140 minChallenger BrandsHow To Build a CommunityCommunity has become such an important part of marketing in recent years, it’s now touted as the new economic moat that can help not only grow, but protect brands and businesses. But building a community is not an easy task. It’s one of those elements in marketing strategy that is highly nuanced and requires a deft personal touch, and can’t be driven just by good creative or ad spend. Community building is personal and is all about harnessing the power of people.Today, we are chatting with one of the most energetic, effective, not to mentio...2023-07-1343 min
Dive Into This Heart-Pounding Full Audiobook — Perfect During Your Workout.[Spanish] - Los coquíes aún cantan: Un cuento sobre hogar, esperanza y reconstrucción by Karina Nicole GonzálezPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/618121to listen full audiobooks.
Title: [Spanish] - Los coquíes aún cantan: Un cuento sobre hogar, esperanza y reconstrucción
Author: Karina Nicole González
Narrator: Laura Gómez
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 0 hours 8 minutes
Release date: June 27, 2023
Genres: Non-fiction
Publisher's Summary:
Los coquíes aún cantan es un audio libro ilustrado para niños sobre el hogar, la comunidad, y la esperanza, inspirado por la reconstrucción de Puerto Rico luego del Hurricán María en Septiembre 2017. Este hermoso y emotivo libro fue escrito por Karina Nicole González, illustrado por Krystal...2023-06-2708 minChallenger BrandsHow to Build a Global BrandWith the world becoming smaller and smaller with technology, and with fewer barriers to entry, many locally grown brands are eyeing geographical expansion and potentially a global position in the future. In this episode, we delve into strategies on how to build a global brand with guest Michael Broend – Vice President of Global Marketing for PanzerGlass. PanzerGlass is a global leader in screen protectors for smartphones and other mobile devices. PanzerGlass products are sold in 70 countries. The company has 14 offices across the world.This is Challenger Brands -Where we talk about bran...2023-06-2229 min
What The Forty PodEpisode 4: Zeena ZalameaSend us a textZeena Zalamea is a Broadcast Journalist and Producer by trade and has clocked up in excess of 5,000 hours of live-on-air content across the airwaves. Zeena has been recognised extensively for her work through multiple awards, including: Illustrado Magazine's 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the UAE and the 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf. She was also named the Filipino Times Media Personality of the Year. We chat about all of this and Zeena's recent jump in to being a full time freelancer. We also explore what it means to turn 40, sour...2023-06-1340 min
Challenger BrandsHow To Be The Coolest Brand In Your IndustryHow do you build the coolest brand in the industry?In this episode, we talk with Miguel Rojas - Director of Brand & Marketing at Rove Hotels, UAE - and share actionable insights on how they've been able to cement their reputation as the coolest brand in the hospitality industry in the emirates.When Rove entered the UAE hospitality market in 2016, it felt like the beginning of a fresh new niche in the hotel industry. Rove’s target audience, positioning, brand image, communications and the way the brand engaged with its audience was nothing like the em...2023-06-0929 min
"TEA"quilita with JeaMaelo Toralba: El Romantico de la CumbiaEscuchame entrevistar a un artisma famoso en nuestra Comunidad. El unico desde la pandemia que ah completamente llenado la disco de Sunlandpark Casino con gente. Desde Miami, Cuba, Puerto Rico, su Musica se ah illustrado Como la cumbia romantica. Esa que te llena de amor y ritmo a la misma vez.2022-04-0824 min
ConversationsEpisode 9 - "BATAS"Episode 9 with a newly rebranded look of thecodebrewprjct® Conversations we bring you one of the undefeated FlipTop Battle League Battle Emcee, Hiphop artist, Musician, Tattoo Artist, Radio Host, and a clothing line owner. He is known for his aggressive approach with a wicked format of battling. He is the very first back to back champion of Isabuhay that marked his career into a different level.
His intricate and passionate drive for music made him explore more of this type of art. Core member of Kampo teroritmo, Illustrado, Supremo and Sultans of Snap. He's also one of the m...2021-08-141h 04
Your Brand, Your StoryAuthentic Conversations on Passion and Fashion with Michael Sta. MariaMichael Sta Maria is a Filipino a fashion designer, a nurse educator, an artist and a businessman.
He is one of the emerging fashion designers in the Philippines and is receiving international recognition, representing the Philippines at Los Angeles Fashion Week and Atlanta International Fashion Week, 2016. Also he showcased his couture works at The Mercedes-Benz Stylo Asia Fashion Week held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and a successful show in Scotland Fashion Showcase, United Kingdom; last 2015. He showcased his new collection with Panasonic Manila Fashion Festival held in Manila, Philippines this October 2018.
His works was recognized...2021-02-2249 min
cyrlmlsmILLUSTRADOIkapansampung yugto2020-10-1400 min
cyrlmlsmAng kuryosong si pepeIkalawang yugto ng illustrado2020-10-1400 min
Business MentorERIC ELNAR Trade Commissioner : A Strong Passion To Serve The Philippine GovernmentWatch our friend Eric Elnar who is the Trade Commissioner based in Los Angeles California. He grew up in San Fernando La Union. He spoke of the values he learned as a child. A truly government servant who is returning the benefits he obtained when he was given a scholarship in Quezon City Science High and later in University of the Philippines.
A man full of passion to entice foreigners to look at the Philippines as a destination to invest. Likewise he shared how Filipino Entrepreneur can explore bringing the business to the US.
Proud to...2020-06-201h 00
Business MentorThe Almost Super Woman who Began Taas Noo Filipino Meet Lalaine Chu-BenitezLalaine Chu-Benitez was a young girl when her parents went to Dubai UAE. It was meant for a vacation as her dad began working there from Saudi Arabia. Little did she know that that will be the start of her new life.
A graduate of University of The Philippines, she discovered an advocacy which till this date she is strongly behind "Taas Noo Filipino"
She met her husband Ramon "Mon" Benitez who was the Creative Director of Leo Burnett. They two grown up boys Antonino and Paolo Gabriel.
They began to combine their talents and skills...2020-06-131h 33
Mama Earth Talk019: How to use photographer as a social advocacy with Chris CalumberanIn this episode, we talk to Chris Calumberan. He is a photographer as well as a social advocate. He continuously produces initiatives for the community and environmental awareness. He also collaborated with a not-for-profit organisation, 4get Me Not, that raises awareness on Alzheimer’s in the UAE. He was also named one of the most influential Filipinos in the Gulf by Illustrado magazine. He was also awarded the bronze award at the Tokyo International Foto Award for his project Code Blue. During this episode, we take a look at some of the projects that Chris has wor...2018-09-2417 min
Tea or Books?Tea or Books? #58: Book Groups (yes or no), and The Fountain Overflows vs Invitation to the WaltzRebecca West, Rosamond Lehmann, and book groups – welcome to episode 58!
https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Tea-or-Books-episode-58.mp3
I can hardly believe that we’ve not done an episode on book groups before – but here we are! In the first half, Rachel and I talk about whether or not we’re in book groups, and what would constitute our ideal book group. In the second half, we discuss Rebecca West’s 1956 novel The Fountain Overflows and compare it with Rosamond Lehmann’s 1932 novel Invitation to the Waltz – both the beginning of series, and both about young women enter...2018-05-2900 min