IT'S A LIFESTYLE-BUSINESS THING

When I incorporated Digital Directive I said it would be my last. This is company #7 for me. Initially the idea was to operate solely online with the Ask TOBIE platform but then I spotted an opportunity and morphed it into a full service marketing agency. Around COVID time things changes so I went back to start up business advisory, and then onto technical consultancy. Now the company serves as a platform for joint ventures, and operates as an affiliate partner for a range of B2B SaaS.

Back when I first built and launched TOBIE (The Online Business Information Exchange) I promoted it as a "high-ticket course" but later decided to give it away and monetise differently. I wanted to help more people who wanted to help themselves. The platform has since evolved and now offers an advanced project management framework, goal-setting tools and an AI-assisted collaborative workspace.  The goal: to help newbies and technophobes become self sustainable online business experts.

As a foster parent, I chose to invest in Pathway9 because I saw a significant opportunity to make a lasting impact in the social housing sector, and because I care deeply about the future of young people. Currently in the R&D proof of concept stage, Pathway9 aims to offer scalable, tech-driven support that transforms how social care and assisted living are managed and delivered across the UK. By leveraging innovative AI technology, we strive to creative a better way of life for young care leavers.

In pursuit of a more holistic way of life, and in line with my relocation from London to Dubai, I decide to obtain my RERA license so I could better serve the influx of network of high-net-worth individuals to the region. Initially my focus is on exclusive off plan properties in excess of AED 5m, and all secondary sales within Tilal Al Ghaf—the community that I now call my home. I am available for meetings at TAG any day of the week, and at the Engel & Völkers offices on the Palm Jumeirah Mon - Fri.

After my wife trained as a primary school teacher, she realised that full-time teaching wasn’t for her. With a passion for beauty, we brainstormed a few ideas and decided she’d train as an aesthetician.  She'd inject and I'd the business side! We raised funds, launched the clinic, and have enjoyed year-on-year growth ever since. It's really just a lifestyle business for her but for me, I can't help but wonder whether The Mobile Beauty Clinic has "franchise" written all over it.

With a background in business consulting spanning two decades and a passion for driving growth, I bring a hands-on approach to tackling complex challenges. Whether advising on market entry, operational efficiencies, or strategic partnerships, my focus has always been on actionable results that align with each client's unique vision. I view every engagement as a chance to create lasting impact, combining my analytical insights with an intuitive understanding of what it takes to succeed.

Well that'd be lovely but for now all I can claim is the author part. Having read pretty much every best selling personal development book there is, and having experienced early financial success later followed by self declared bankruptcy, later followed by financial enlightenment, I figured I'd write about it in order to help others unlock the door to financial freedom. Money is not the root of all evil and whilst it doesn't grow on trees you can attract more of it into your experience, if you feel like it?

In 2019 I sat down with my mentor, namely the late great Bob Proctor, and wrote down a few goals, one of which was “Do a TEDx talk on something inspirational by 2023.” Fast forward to Oct 2024 when I received a message that read "Hi Neil! I noticed you’re a top producer in your industry… curious if being on the TEDx stage is something you’ve ever considered? I accepted and am now planning my talk for Q1 2025 here in Dubai. I'm thinking better late than never!