The Unstoppable 5%

Episode Description She spent over a decade doing PR for some of the biggest names in the region. Then she walked away, went boutique, and built NikNak PR on one premise. Less fluff, more impact. In this episode I sit down with Anika Berger to find out what PR actually does for a founder, why most people are getting it wrong, and what it really takes to build credibility in a market as noisy as Dubai. We also get into something I didn't expect. Why Dubai, why this city, and what Anika found when she chose to build her life and business here. Spoiler. It's not what most people think. In This Episode What PR actually is and why founders consistently get it wrong Why credibility beats fame every time and what the recall effect means for your brand The moment she realised she was done building other people's success How she doubled year on year with no team and a quiet summer Why she turns clients away and what values alignment looks like in practice What makes someone truly mediable and why some founders will never get traction no matter how much they spend Why Dubai is less smoke and mirrors than you think, and more supportive than most cities in the world About Anika Anika Berger is the founder of NikNak PR, a Dubai-based agency specialising in founders and entrepreneurs. With over a decade of experience across top agencies and brands including Netflix and Careem, she helps startups and growing businesses build credibility, visibility, and presence across the GCC. She has called the UAE home since she was eight years old. Connect with Anika Instagram: @berger_queen4 Website: niknakpr.ae Connect with Laurie Instagram: @laurie__drummond LinkedIn: Laurie Drummond Website: laurie-drummond.com If this episode resonated, subscribe and leave a review. It helps more people find the show. The Unstoppable 5%. Stories from the people who kept going.

If you've ever looked at someone who's rebuilt from nothing and wondered what they actually have that you don't, this episode is going to answer that question. Samantha Williams has had more full-stop moments than most people have excuses. Wall Street trader. UK's first female trampoline park owner. A business that hit $10M in two years, then fell apart. A toxic partnership that forced her out of something she built. Both hips replaced. Perimenopause. A late ADHD diagnosis that reframed her entire life. And through all of it, she kept building. She's now an EOS Implementer based in Abu Dhabi, one of only two in the UAE, helping entrepreneurial teams get clear on where they're going and how they'll actually get there. And she's starting over again in a new country, in a new market. This conversation goes deep. We talk about what it felt like to be forced out of a company she founded, why she thinks her ADHD was her superpower before she even knew she had it, and what it means to redefine success when you've already hit the top and watched it disappear. The question I kept coming back to throughout this episode: what is it in someone that defaults to rebuild instead of retreat? Sam answers it, and she doesn't give you the polished version. What we cover: Navigating Wall Street as the only woman on the floor, and closing a $2 billion deal The personal loss that made her walk away from banking Building Rush Trampoline Parks to $10M and being forced out by her business partner Simultaneous hip replacements, perimenopause, and launching a new brand The ADHD diagnosis and why it changed everything EOS, Abu Dhabi, and what she's building now Her definition of success and why it's completely changed Connect with Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthawilliamsofficial/ Website: https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/samantha-williams/ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review, it genuinely helps more people find the show. Follow Laurie: Instagram: @laurie__drummond LinkedIn: Laurie Drummond Website: https://laurie-drummond.com/

You hit the goal. You did the thing. So… why doesn't it feel as good as you thought it would? In this episode of Lounging with Laurie, we're talking about the messy, unspoken truth behind success: that sometimes the moment you've been working towards doesn't feel like much at all. Whether you've launched the business, landed the role, or finally made the move and you're still feeling a bit flat this is the episode you didn't know you needed. What I cover: Why your brain loves the chase more than the finish line (hello, dopamine!) How the goalposts keep shifting (and why you don't even notice) What happens when you forget to bring joy along for the ride I'll share a personal story about moving overseas and the reality check that came with it plus a few moments that reminded me what success really feels like. This is your permission slip to slow down, feel proud, and stop waiting for "someday" to let yourself enjoy your life. Links Join our Community in our Free Lounge Room https://www.facebook.com/groups/2725813180892457 Subscribe to our Journal and follow along with the latest https://sisterhoodcollective.com/sisterhoodchronicle Join the next Mastermind AAC https://sisterhoodcollective.com/sp-sales-page-3297-7396-3189 Sign up to my weekly "Power Note" newsletter https://sisterhoodcollective.com/ld_powernote Love, Laurie & Lauren xx ================= Sisterhood Collective Connect. Grow. Thrive. ================= Connect with Sisterhood Collective: https://www.sisterhoodcollective.com/ www.instagram.com/the_sisterhoodcollective/ www.facebook.com/THESISTERHOODCOLLECTIVE2023 https://www.linkedin.com/company/sisterhoodcollective/ https://youtube.com/@sisterhoodcollective?feature=shared

We're in an era where AI can write everything, but just because it can, doesn't mean it should. In this episode, I'm highlighting a powerful reminder that was sparked by a podcast I recently listened to, and a message I received that resonated so profoundly: people are craving real connection, not perfectly polished, auto-generated messaging. I am one of those, I want authentic connections. If you've been second-guessing your words, filtering your tone, or outsourcing your personality to tools like ChatGPT, this episode is for you. We'll unpack: How the overuse of AI is slowly eroding confidence and authenticity Why your real, messy, honest voice is the one that connects best A permission slip to ditch perfection and start trusting yourself again This isn't an anti-AI rant, I love a good tool (and yes, I've named mine). But it is a reminder that no tool is more powerful than your truth. Links Join our Community in our Free Lounge Room https://www.facebook.com/groups/2725813180892457 Subscribe to our Journal and follow along with the latest https://sisterhoodcollective.com/sisterhoodchronicle Join the next Mastermind AAC https://sisterhoodcollective.com/sp-sales-page-3297-7396-3189 Sign up to my weekly "Power Note" newsletter https://sisterhoodcollective.com/ld_powernote Love, Laurie & Lauren xx ================= Sisterhood Collective Connect. Grow. Thrive. ================= Connect with Sisterhood Collective: https://www.sisterhoodcollective.com/ www.instagram.com/the_sisterhoodcollective/ www.facebook.com/THESISTERHOODCOLLECTIVE2023 https://www.linkedin.com/company/sisterhoodcollective/ https://youtube.com/@sisterhoodcollective?feature=shared

If you've been stuck in your head lately, questioning your decisions, doubting your path, and wondering if this is really the life you're meant to be living, this episode is for you. Today I'm joined by the incredible Naima Spencer, a mindset facilitator and coach who helps women build emotional resilience, rewrite the stories holding them back, and create real change from the inside out. This conversation dives deep into what it really means to be unshakable… not perfect, not fearless, but grounded in self-trust and truth. Whether you're navigating a major life shift or just craving more clarity and alignment, Naima's calm, powerful approach is a reminder that you're allowed to grow, evolve, and create a life that actually feels like yours. In this episode, we cover: Naima's personal journey and what led her into this work What being unshakable truly means and how to get there Why self-trust is essential (and how to rebuild it) The stories we tell ourselves… and how to rewrite them How to navigate fear, doubt, and the "wobble" Naima's Cut It. Keep It. Claim It. moment Join the Conversation: Loved this episode? Come share your thoughts inside the Lounge Room or tag us on Instagram, we want to hear what you're cutting, keeping, and claiming after listening. 🧡 Links https://www.naimaspencer.com Join our Community in our SC Lounge Room https://www.facebook.com/groups/2725813180892457 Subscribe to our Journal and follow along with the latest https://sisterhoodcollective.com/sisterhoodchronicle Love, Laurie & Lauren xx ================= Sisterhood Collective Connect. Grow. Thrive. ================= Connect with Sisterhood Collective: https://www.sisterhoodcollective.com/ www.instagram.com/the_sisterhoodcollective/ www.facebook.com/THESISTERHOODCOLLECTIVE2023 https://www.linkedin.com/company/sisterhoodcollective/ https://youtube.com/@sisterhoodcollective?feature=shared

In this episode, I unpack the real reason decision-making feels so heavy and how to move through it with more clarity and confidence. From closing chapters and walking away from safe choices, to redefining what it means to trust your gut, this one's for the women who feel stuck. In this episode, I cover: The hidden fear under your indecision Sunk cost theory and how it keeps us stuck My 3-question framework to get clear and move faster A personal story and what it taught me Join the Conversation: Come share the belief you're letting go of inside the Lounge Room 🧡 We're cheering each other on every step of the way. Links Join our Community in our SC Lounge Room https://www.facebook.com/groups/2725813180892457 Subscribe to our Journal and follow along with the latest https://sisterhoodcollective.com/sisterhoodchronicle Love, Laurie & Lauren xx ================= Sisterhood Collective Connect. Grow. Thrive. ================= Connect with Sisterhood Collective: https://www.sisterhoodcollective.com/ www.instagram.com/the_sisterhoodcollective/ www.facebook.com/THESISTERHOODCOLLECTIVE2023 https://www.linkedin.com/company/sisterhoodcollective/ https://youtube.com/@sisterhoodcollective?feature=shared

Feeling stuck in the same old routine? You're not alone. Life can feel "fine" on the outside but inside, you might be feeling flat, uninspired, or like you've lost that spark that makes you feel you. In this episode, I'm sharing what helped me shake off the fog and get re-energised after a recent trip to Australia and New Zealand and why breaking out of your everyday norm might be exactly what you need right now. Whether you've been cancelling plans, avoiding the things you used to love, or just feeling a bit... blah, this is your nudge to do something different. To laugh again. Move again. Feel alive again. In this episode, I cover: The sneaky signs you might be stuck in a rut (even if life seems okay) Why your environment plays a huge role in your energy, mindset, and joy Real, simple ways to shift your state and reconnect with the spark you've been missing Join the Conversation: I'd love to hear what shifts you're making after this one. Come share your "spark moment" with us inside the Sisterhood Lounge Room, the free space where real women come together to reconnect, recharge, and rise. 🧡 Links Join our Community in our SC Lounge Room https://www.facebook.com/groups/2725813180892457 Subscribe to our Journal and follow along with the latest https://sisterhoodcollective.com/sisterhoodchronicle Love, Laurie & Lauren xx ================= Sisterhood Collective Connect. Grow. Thrive. ================= Connect with Sisterhood Collective: https://www.sisterhoodcollective.com/ www.instagram.com/the_sisterhoodcollective/ www.facebook.com/THESISTERHOODCOLLECTIVE2023 https://www.linkedin.com/company/sisterhoodcollective/ https://youtube.com/@sisterhoodcollective?feature=shared

Ever held back from taking action because you didn't feel ready? Waiting for confidence before making a move is a trap, and in this episode, we're breaking free from it. I'm sharing some of the biggest moments in my life where I had to back myself before I had proof it would work, including one decision that completely changed the trajectory of my business, and another that meant walking away from something "secure" with no backup plan. In this episode, we'll cover: - Why confidence isn't about being fearless (and what it really takes to build it). - The difference between fear that protects you and fear that holds you back. - What to do when no one else believes in you. - The simple formula that will help you take action now, not someday. If you've been waiting for confidence before making a move, it's time to flip the script. Your Challenge: This week, I want you to take one bold step before you feel ready. Maybe it's starting that project, speaking up, or making a decision you've been overthinking. Join the Conversation: Come share your bold move in the Sisterhood Lounge Room so we can celebrate together. Remember, small steps lead to big wins. Keep showing up, keep backing yourself, and I'll catch you in the next one! Links Join our Community in our SC Lounge Room https://www.facebook.com/groups/2725813180892457 Subscribe to our Journal and follow along with the latest https://sisterhoodcollective.com/sisterhoodchronicle Love, Laurie & Lauren xx ================= Sisterhood Collective Connect. Grow. Thrive. ================= Connect with Sisterhood Collective: https://www.sisterhoodcollective.com/ www.instagram.com/the_sisterhoodcollective/ www.facebook.com/THESISTERHOODCOLLECTIVE2023 https://www.linkedin.com/company/sisterhoodcollective/ https://youtube.com/@sisterhoodcollective?feature=shared