Latest Episodes
Khush Ahmed | Entrepreneurship Masterclass - What Business Schools Won't Teach You #80
In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions, Paul Quinn sits down with his long-time friend and former business partner, Khush, to recount a 25-year journey through the high-stakes world of executive recruitment. From the high-pressure "rat race" of 2001 Singapore to building a dominant search firm from a tiny cubbyhole, this conversation is a masterclass in professional resilience, integrity, and the "Founder’s DNA".
Khush shares the powerful story of the 9/11 market crash, a day when 20 people were fired in a single afternoon. While others headed to the pub, Paul stayed at his desk, securing 21 interviews in 24 hours. We dive into the "Maturity Gap," the ethics of a "Clean Exit," and why being "average" is a career death sentence in 2026.
Alia Ballout | Building Singapore’s First Olive Oil Brand #79
In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Alia Ballout, Founder of Beît Ballout, Singapore's first olive oil brand and processing facility. From quitting a career in law to filling olive oil into badly packaged bottles at market fairs, Alia shares her transformation journey and the moment a video call from her mother picking olives in Lebanon changed everything. She discusses entrepreneurial resilience, the fear of being seen, authentic brand building, and why she believes the only protection you have in this world is economic.
Alia also opens up about why her mother became the face of the brand, and the delusional mindset that turned a product nobody wanted to look at into a million dollar vision. Whether you're building a brand from scratch, navigating corporate environments that try to dim your light, or searching for the courage to be seen, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on entrepreneurship, identity, and turning fear into fuel.
Featured Episodes
