The Quest for Success

Hosted by Dylan Pathirana and Jamitha Pathirana

Business Entrepreneurship

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

Episodes

134

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

Welcome! Thanks for joining us on this journey. We are a father and son duo on the quest to find the formula to success, and understand what success means to different people. Our goal is to take a deep dive into people's stories and interview people from a range of backgrounds in this quest for success. About us: Jam is an experienced founder with over 18 years of experience. He is passionate about helping businesses overcome their supply-chain challenges and achieve success. He is in his final year of the Harvard OPM program where he is deepening his knowledge and network. Dylan is a renewable energy engineer turned entrepreneur, currently working on building a community based equipment rental platform. He recently completed the Stanford ignite program, a business and entrepreneurship course where he found his love for the startup hustle. Together, we are on the quest, the quest for success!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 11, 2026Episode 1341 hr 4 min

World Champion Billy Dib on the Fight That Nearly Killed Him

Billy Dib was lying in a hospital bed when a doctor told him he was riddled with cancer and could be dead within six months if they didn't act quickly. His first words were "I can't die", because he had a young son to walk to school. We were honestly spellbound by this conversation with a true champion, inside the ring and out. Billy is a two-time world champion boxer and a proud Western Sydney boy. He takes us back to growing up as the kid who stood out, being bullied every day, a milk crate nailed to a tree as his first basketball ring, and the accidental boxercise session that led him into a boxing gym and his destiny. He opens up about his father's lessons, his losses at the top level, the hard side of life alongside 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather, and the fight against cancer that changed everything. Today he is fighting for something different: helping kids who are being bullied, writing books with messages that matter, and serving people in need around the world. In this episode, we cover: What success means to Billy: perseverance and never giving up on your dreams Growing up different, daily bullying, and why he feels for kids facing cyberbullying today His father's advice to "kill them with kindness" and save for a rainy day Being told he'd never make the NBA, and finding boxing by accident Why 100 plus amateur fights were his apprenticeship for the pros What losing taught him that winning never could Life alongside 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather, and learning to look at it through a different lens Hearing "you're riddled with cancer" and deciding it wasn't about him anymore His son Laith, purpose, and the promise he made to God in hospital His anti-bullying work, his books Boys Can Cry and A True Heart, and the four things that get you through life Connect with Billy Dib: Website: billydib.com Billyve: billyve.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/billydib Facebook: www.facebook.com/billydib Twitter/X: x.com/BillyDib Chapters: 00:00 Welcome Billy Dib 00:37 What Success Means to Billy 02:03 Growing Up Different and Learning Resilience 03:41 His Father's Lessons 06:11 Bullying and Cyberbullying 09:00 The NBA Dream 10:59 Finding Boxing by Accident 11:41 Walking Into the Gym for the First Time 14:13 Advice on Believing in Yourself 16:28 Working in the Dark 17:21 Lifting Yourself When You're Down 19:37 100 Plus Amateur Fights 20:53 What Losing Taught Him 24:50 Money, His First Purse and His Dad's Advice 27:08 Why He Never Touched Drugs or Alcohol 29:04 Being Different Is Cool 32:01 Winning the World Title 35:18 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather 38:16 The Hunter Becomes the Hunted 39:47 Dark Places and Faith 41:00 The Cancer Diagnosis 46:24 His Son Laith and Purpose 48:17 What Billy Is Fighting for Now 51:28 The Year 3 Student Who Wanted a Book 52:24 His Books and the Four Things That Get You Through 54:34 Lessons for Young People 56:09 Does Billy Feel Successful? 57:47 Resilience, Purpose and Humility 1:00:00 A Champion Outside the Ring 1:01:01 Where to Find Billy Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

November 5, 2026Episode 13359 min

Kelly Veit - Never the Biggest, Always the Best

In 1996, Kelly Veit applied to be a dispatcher at Veit and was told she didn't get the job. A week later they called back, and today she is the CEO of the nearly 100-year-old company. We loved this conversation about grit, care for people, and what it really takes to lead a family business into its next century. Kelly is the CEO of Veit, a specialty contracting and waste management company founded in Minnesota in 1928, and its first female CEO. Her path was anything but a straight line: a lawn mowing business at 14, a horse ranch, Prince's Paisley Park Studios, bartending through college, and 15 years with German bioplastics company FKuR, where she became president of its US operations. She opens up about losing her father and her sister, the toughest calls she has made as a leader, why she refuses to let Veit act its age, and how she is using AI in her own work today. In this episode, we cover: - Why Kelly defines success as leaving something better than she found it - Starting at Veit as a dispatcher after first being turned down - Working at Prince's Paisley Park Studios and putting herself in spaces she wasn't "qualified" for - Becoming the first female CEO in a male-dominated industry, and wanting to be known for more than that - Balancing legacy and innovation in a family business in its 98th year - Building a culture of care, and why the strategy is to never be the biggest but always be the best - Lessons from the Harvard OPM program - How AI is changing construction, and why she thinks it could reach executive roles before blue collar work - Parting with people, hiring for values, and why going without beats the wrong hire - Grief, family, and the advice she would give her 20-year-old self Connect with Kelly Veit: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-veit-b37398214 Veit: https://veitusa.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Kelly Veit and Veit 02:20 Defining Success: Leaving Things Better Than You Found Them 03:21 Kelly's Early Days and Diverse Experiences 06:46 From Bioplastics to Construction: Sales and Grit 08:01 Kelly's Biggest Influences and Mentors 10:06 Stepping Into Leadership and Breaking Barriers 12:17 Culture and Employee Loyalty 15:36 The History and Growth of Veit 17:14 Balancing Legacy and Innovation in a Family Business 21:04 Leading in a Male-Dominated Industry 24:26 Building a Culture of Care and Responsibility 26:00 What Is Behind the Growth 28:11 Lessons From Harvard and the OPM Program 30:26 AI and Technology in Construction 43:28 Fears and Opportunities of AI in Business 44:53 What Keeps Kelly Awake at Night 49:27 Personal Sacrifices and Family Priorities 54:09 Advice to Her 20-Year-Old Self 56:50 Kelly's Legacy and Future Goals 01:00:47 Traits of a Successful Leader 01:01:44 Closing Remarks Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

October 28, 2026Episode 1321 hr 2 min

Vintage Values, Tomorrow's Technology - Parneet Swani

What happens when a seventh generation spice trader, who once formulated pesticides for Australian fruit farmers, goes back to the family business and decides to get his hands in the soil? We sat down with Parneet Swani, Jam's classmate from Harvard Business School, and it's one of the warmest and most practical conversations we've had about family business, legacy and doing the right thing when it's hard. Parneet's family has been in the spice trade in Mumbai since the 1860s, and today he's a Director at Swani Spice alongside his brother Harjiv. After an MBA at UTS in Sydney and a few years working in Australia, he followed a gut feeling back to India, opened an office in Rajasthan before he turned 30, and spent the next 20 years building a sustainable farming program from scratch. He shares how Swani became the first company in India certified by the Rainforest Alliance for sustainable spices, how a QR code on the pack can show you every farmer behind your jar, and why, when COVID hit at harvest time, they bought every kilo farmers brought in and paid them on the spot. He also opens up about earning respect in a family business, giving his team real authority, and the "green footprint" he hopes to leave behind. In this episode, we cover: - Why Parneet measures success by impact, and by his team going from bicycles to motorcycles to cars - Going from formulating pesticides in Australia to leading an organic farming program in India - The gut feeling that took him to Rajasthan, and opening an office six months ahead of schedule - Lessons from his dad and granddad, including "don't grow too fast" - Why a family business is a platform, not something you have to give up your own ambitions for - Vintage values, tomorrow's technology, global presence: balancing legacy and innovation - Passing a Rainforest Alliance audit years before customers even had guidelines for it - Traceability with the GPS and names of every farmer in a batch - Changing generations of farming practice as "an evolution, not a revolution" - Buying every kilo during COVID, and honouring more than 700 farmers who've been with them for over 10 years Connect with Parneet: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parneet-swani-6a225875 Swani Spice: https://swanispice.com Swani Spice on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swani-spice Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and guest background 01:24 What success means to Parneet 02:22 Measuring success through impact and growth 03:41 Early days and upbringing in the spice industry 08:36 Deciding to go back to the family farm 12:33 Lessons learnt from family elders 17:22 Balancing legacy and innovation 22:44 Innovation and sustainability in spice processing 27:47 Gaining respect and trust in a family business 31:53 Creating space for the team to excel 39:24 Traceability and transparency in the supply chain 43:03 Engaging farmers and changing farming practices 48:27 Decisions during COVID for farmers and the business 52:20 Harvard and continuous learning 54:06 Future opportunities in the spice industry 55:17 The next generation and family succession 56:06 Lessons for the next generation 57:25 Reflections on success and legacy 58:43 Final thoughts and closing Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

October 21, 2026Episode 1311 hr 12 min

Your Starting Point Doesn't Decide Your Finish - Dulat Tastekey

What does it take to go from a small village in eastern Kazakhstan, speaking only Kazakh, to building one of the country's largest non-bank lenders? We sat down with our dear friend Dulat Tastekey, Jam's classmate at Harvard, and we loved every minute of it. It's honest, funny and full of lessons you can take straight into your own life and work. Dulat grew up loving maths and dreaming of running a bank one day. He finally landed a job at the bank he'd always wanted to work for, took a lower salary to get there, and drove a taxi after hours to make ends meet, only to leave within a couple of months because the culture wasn't what he'd hoped for. With 50,000 US dollars in savings, he bought an unprofitable pawn shop branch in Almaty, and 16 years later TAS Credit has more than 600 employees and branches right across Kazakhstan. Dulat opens up about scaling, the culture lessons that came with growth, and why speed, not money, is what his business really sells. He also shares his work on the Almaty City Council, his Assyltas Foundation, and the values he's trying to pass on to his four children. In this episode, we cover: - Why Dulat defines success across every area of life, not just business - Learning English as his third language, and the cost of going back to Harvard, Stanford and Oxford - Moving from his village to Almaty and changing schools four times, and how it taught him to adapt - Taking a pay cut for his dream bank job, then walking away to build his own - Starting with 50,000 US dollars and an unprofitable pawn shop branch he still runs today - Why culture keeps breaking at 50, 100 and 500 people, and the five values that hold his team together - The one minute late rule: miss the 9am meeting and learn a poem by Abai by heart - Getting money to clients in 30 minutes, and why 40% of new clients come through recommendations - Kazakhstan's opportunities, its Soviet legacy, and living "between the dragon and the bear" - Giving back through his foundation, and why "your starting point doesn't decide your finish" Connect with Dulat: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dulat-tastekey-3a832354 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dulat_tastekey/ TAS Group: https://tasgroup.kz/en/ Assyltas Foundation: https://assyltas.kz/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Dulat's background 02:14 What success means to Dulat 05:27 Learning English and personal growth 06:46 Early life and childhood in Kazakhstan 11:12 From student to entrepreneur 18:31 Milestones in scaling the business 23:55 Building organisational culture 32:16 Digital transformation and innovation 38:05 Kazakhstan's business landscape and opportunities 44:50 Challenges and limitations in Kazakhstan 53:15 Philanthropy and giving back 1:00:45 Values and lessons for the next generation 1:08:05 Reflections on learning and future plans 1:09:14 Success and ongoing growth #Kazakhstan #Loans #TASCredit Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

October 14, 2026Episode 13057 min

What It Really Takes to Become a World Champion | Jeff Horn

“I got bullied every single day. But I made a decision that it wasn’t going to define me. It was going to fuel me.” Jeff Horn’s journey from a quiet kid who copped relentless bullying in school to becoming the WBO welterweight champion of the world is one of the most remarkable underdog stories in Australian sport. But the full picture of what it took to get there, and what came after, is something most people never hear. In this episode of The Quest for Success, Jeff sits down with us to share the raw, unfiltered version. Growing up without confidence, finding boxing as an outlet, the gruelling years of training with no guarantee of anything, and then the moment everything changed: the night he defeated Manny Pacquiao in front of 51,000 people at Suncorp Stadium. A result almost nobody outside his camp believed was possible. But Jeff’s story doesn’t end with a belt around his waist. He opens up about the pressure of being champion, the toll that losses took on him mentally, and the difficult transition out of professional sport. And he talks about what drives him now: Bullyproof Australia, his organisation dedicated to helping young people stand up to bullying through resilience, confidence, and self-belief. This is a conversation about what it really means to fight, in the ring and in life. What we cover: How childhood bullying became the catalyst for Jeff’s boxing career The role his parents played in building his resilience and self-belief The years of sacrifice and discipline behind his rise through the ranks What really happened in the Manny Pacquiao fight, and how he prepared for it Managing expectations and pressure as world champion The mental toughness required to come back from devastating losses Why the transition out of professional boxing was harder than any fight Building Bullyproof Australia and turning pain into purpose Goal setting frameworks and how Jeff approaches challenges today His advice for young people facing adversity “You don’t have to be the most talented. You just have to be the one who refuses to quit.” “The hardest fight I ever had wasn’t against Pacquiao. It was figuring out who I was after boxing.” Connect with Jeff Horn: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffhornboxer/ Bullyproof Australia: https://bullyproofaustralia.org.au/ Chapters: 0:00 Introduction and Welcome 0:46 Early Life and Growing Up 2:35 Experiences with Bullying 5:19 The Impact of Parents and Family Support 8:03 Finding Boxing and Early Career 11:42 Turning Professional and Key Fights 15:28 The Manny Pacquiao Fight and Rise to World Champion 20:14 Life as World Champion and Managing Expectations 24:50 Mental Toughness and Handling Pressure 28:36 Overcoming Setbacks and Losses in Boxing 32:12 Transition from Professional Boxing 35:47 Starting Bullyproof Australia 39:30 Mission and Vision Behind Bullyproof 43:15 Goal Setting, Resilience, and Self Belief 47:00 Community, Mentorship, and Giving Back 50:45 Advice for Young People Facing Adversity 54:20 Reflections on Success and Legacy 57:21 Closing Thoughts and Where to Follow Jeff #JeffHorn #Boxing #WorldChampion #MentalToughness #Resilience #BullyproofAustralia #Bullying #AntiBullying #Pacquiao #WBO #AustralianBoxing #SuccessMindset #GoalSetting #SelfBelief #MindsetMatters #Podcast #TheQuestForSuccess #Inspiration #Motivation #Underdog #Champion #FightBack #BoxingLife Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

October 7, 2026Episode 12957 min

He Went to 4 Olympics. Then He Changed What He Was Playing For - Hugo Inglis

"Success is shown through the people you surround yourself with." In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Hugo Inglis, a four-time New Zealand Olympic hockey player and founder of High Impact Athletes, for an honest conversation on what success actually looks like when you strip away the medals and the scoreboard. Hugo shares his early childhood and the sports experiences that shaped him, the cultural bonds and rituals that make New Zealand's sporting environment so distinctive, and why he believes small groups with the right culture can produce genuine breakthroughs. He reflects on competing across four Olympic Games, the goals and motivation that kept him going, and what he learnt from setbacks, injuries and the moments that didn't go to plan. The conversation moves beyond sport into Hugo's transition from elite athlete to impact-driven entrepreneur. He opens up about founding High Impact Athletes, an organisation that channels the influence and platform of athletes into global causes including climate action. He shares what he's learnt about building trust, storytelling and impact-driven teams, and why he believes the role of athletes in driving societal change is only just beginning. Hugo also offers practical advice for young athletes navigating their careers and thinking about life after sport, and reflects on the relationships, not the results, that he wants to define his legacy. This episode is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful form of success is rarely something you achieve alone. What we cover: Hugo's definition of success and why relationships matter most Early childhood and the sports experiences that shaped him Building high-performance teams and the role of culture Goals and motivation in elite sport New Zealand's sporting culture and why it punches above its weight Cultural bonds and rituals that bind New Zealand teams Hugo's Olympic debut and career highlights across four Games Reflections on setbacks, injuries and Olympic disappointments Memorable moments and lessons from the Olympic experience The impact of culture and teamwork in elite sport Transition from athlete to impact-driven entrepreneur The mission and work of High Impact Athletes Building impact teams and future vision Advice for young athletes and life after sport Hugo's vision for his legacy and what success means to him "Success is shown through the people you surround yourself with." Hugo Inglis "In small groups, you can build a culture that leads to breakthroughs." Hugo Inglis "Focus on relationships, trust, and impact for a meaningful life." Hugo Inglis Connect with Hugo Inglis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-inglis/ High Impact Athletes: https://www.highimpactathletes.org/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Hugo's background 02:10 What success means to Hugo 04:18 Early childhood and sports influences 06:19 Building high performance teams and culture 08:37 Goals and motivation in sports 10:07 NZ's sports success and secret sauce 11:21 Cultural bonds and rituals in New Zealand 12:38 Olympic debut and career highlights 15:03 Reflections on Olympic experiences and setbacks 17:57 Memorable moments and lessons from Olympics 20:24 Handling injuries and setbacks 22:44 The impact of culture and teamwork in sports 24:44 Transition from sport to impact entrepreneurship 37:30 High Impact Athletes' mission and projects 43:42 Building impact teams and future vision 54:03 Advice for young athletes and life after sport 56:56 Hugo's vision for his funeral and legacy 57:57 Reflections on success and relationships 01:00:37 Closing thoughts and gratitude #QuestForSuccess #HugoInglis #Olympics #Hockey #Leadership #TeamCulture #HighImpactAthletes #ClimateChange #Impact #Entrepreneurship #NewZealand #SuccessMindset #Podcast #Inspiration #AthleteLife Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

September 30, 2026Episode 1281 hr 1 min

From Pro Surfer to Startup Founder: Jevon Le Roux's Journey

Most founders start with a solution and go looking for a problem. Jevon Le Roux says it should be the other way around. In this episode of The Quest for Success, hosts Dylan and Jam Pathirana talk with Jevon about his journey from professional surfer to business leader and startup founder. After building Nike's Hurley brand in South Africa and leading major retail and e-commerce businesses, Jevon Le Roux is the founder of Keeyu, an Ecommerce automation and AI Ecommerce Operations company. You can find Jevon and Keeyu at https://keeyu.com. Jevon shares how early failures shaped his approach to business, what he learned from making tough leadership decisions, and how a warehouse sale during COVID revealed a costly problem with online orders. He also explains why Keeyu's first product was more of a "vitamin" than a "painkiller," how customer feedback led the team to rethink its product, and what it takes to keep going through fundraising rejection and startup uncertainty. In this conversation: - Why Jevon sees success as constant evolution, not money or status - Lessons from professional surfing that carried over into business - What it takes to move from selling a product to building a company - How listening and collaboration can help leaders earn trust - The difference between a "vitamin" and a "painkiller" product - Why founders should find a real problem before building a solution - How Jevon and his co-founders divide responsibilities and handle challenges - What resilience, customer discovery, and fundraising look like in practice Whether you're building a startup, leading a team, or considering a career change, Jevon's story offers an honest look at the setbacks, decisions, and persistence behind business growth. Chapters 00:00 Intro and meeting Jevon Le Roux 03:03 Jevon’s definition of success 04:17 Growing up competitive and discovering surfing 07:41 Family support and values for the next generation 08:35 Funding a surfing career through hustle and self-promotion 11:03 From professional surfing to building a business 12:15 Retail sales vs. B2B SaaS go-to-market 13:11 Learning to run a business while building Hurley 15:05 Learning from failure and making reversible decisions 16:13 Leading Gloria Jeans through a difficult turnaround 17:11 Making SurfStitch profitable and learning e-commerce 18:55 Leadership mistakes and earning trust 21:13 Jevon’s 90-day plan for listening before making changes 22:41 The COVID warehouse sale that revealed a hidden problem 26:12 Turning that problem into the idea for Keeyu 28:25 Validating the problem before building a solution 29:55 Why Keeyu’s first product was a “vitamin,” not a “painkiller” 33:29 How Keeyu helps retailers prevent order problems 36:14 Why distribution and go-to-market matter 38:12 Winning early customers and learning from product feedback 40:36 Building a strong co-founder relationship 42:02 Dividing roles across the founding team 43:10 Raising $7 million and navigating fundraising 46:29 What early-stage investors are really backing 48:51 Returning to startup life after corporate leadership 50:24 Product lessons and Keeyu’s evolving direction 52:24 AI, changing roles, and the future of work 54:02 Keeyu’s global growth plans 55:25 The values Jevon hopes to pass on to his son 57:05 Advice for corporate leaders considering a startup 59:23 Jevon’s long-term definition of success #QuestForSuccess #JevonLeRoux #Keeyu #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #AI #Leadership #Resilience #ProductMarketFit #Fundraising #SuccessMindset #BusinessPodcast #Inspiration #FounderStory #Ecommerce Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

September 23, 2026Episode 1271 hr 15 min

From Engineer to CEO: How Cristina Marques Took Over the Family Business

"Success means you are free to choose." In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Cristina Marques for an honest conversation on leadership, legacy, and what it actually takes to lead, and eventually let go of, a family business. Cristina shares her early life and the influence of her parents, her unexpected journey from a technical career in engineering into leadership, and the moment she was asked to take over the family business her father had built. She reflects candidly on how that felt, the key lessons she carried from him, and what it actually took to build credibility and earn respect as a leader who hadn't always been part of the business. The conversation explores how she innovated inside a long-standing company, built a genuine culture of trust and transparency, and led the business through the uncertainty of COVID-19. Cristina also opens up about one of the most difficult chapters of her career, negotiating the sale of the family business, and what came after, from organising family and estate matters to figuring out her next chapter. She shares the values she hopes to leave her own children, and reflects on how her personal definition of success has evolved at every stage of her life and career. This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership isn't just about building something. Sometimes it's about knowing when, and how, to let it go. What we cover: Cristina's early life and family influence What success means to Cristina, and how that's changed over time Her journey from engineering into leadership Family business history and the transition of leadership Lessons learned from her father Working outside the family business before taking over The moment she was asked to take the reins Building credibility and reputation as a new leader Innovating inside a long-standing business Building a strong, trust-based company culture Navigating COVID-19 as a leader Negotiating the sale of the family business Organising family and estate matters The values she wants to leave her children Reflections on success and what's next "Success evolves over time." Cristina Marques "Success means you are free to choose." Cristina Marques "Every problem has a solution." Cristina Marques Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Cristina's background 01:40 What does success mean to Cristina? 05:00 Early life and family influence 07:25 Cristina's journey into engineering 11:12 Family business history and transition 16:00 Lessons from her father 18:39 Working outside the family business 20:43 The moment Cristina was asked to take over 21:29 Cristina's feelings about taking over 22:56 Key lessons from her father 26:07 Building credibility and reputation 28:34 Innovating in a long-standing business 29:55 Building a great company culture 31:07 Handling challenges during COVID-19 37:34 Selling the family business 42:47 Negotiating the sale 48:49 Post-sale plans and future ambitions 54:52 Organising family and estate matters 01:00:16 Values Cristina wants to leave her children 01:08:47 Reflections on success and next steps #QuestForSuccess #CristinaMarques #Leadership #FamilyBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Success #Negotiation #Transformation #Trust #Empathy #BusinessLegacy #WomenInLeadership #SuccessMindset #Podcast #Inspiration Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

September 16, 2026Episode 12655 min

Success Is Not What You Own. It's How Content You Are.

"Success is satisfaction with what you are and have." In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Buddhist monk Ven Thalpavila Kusalagnana for a profound conversation on success, happiness, mindfulness, and what it actually means to live a meaningful life. Ven Thalpavila Kusalagnana explores the Buddhist view of gain, loss, praise and blame, and why success should be defined as satisfaction rather than accumulation. He walks us through three ways to understand yourself, mindfulness, virtue and wisdom, and explains the difference between healthy goals and the kind of craving and clinging that leads to suffering. He also addresses a common misconception directly: that Buddhism rejects wealth or success. Instead, he explains the principle of right livelihood, earning and living in an ethical way rather than a harmful one. The conversation moves into some of life's hardest questions. What does it mean to truly understand that everything, our bodies, our minds, our relationships, is temporary? How do you stay steady through the eight worldly conditions of gain and loss, praise and blame, fame and disrepute, pleasure and pain? Ven Thalpavila Kusalagnana offers practical wisdom on fear, failure and authenticity, and speaks candidly about how Buddhist principles intersect with modern mental health challenges, including stress, depression, anxiety and overthinking. He also shares a simple morning practice anyone can start today, guidance on choosing good people, good thoughts and good habits, and how to begin approaching Buddhism as a practical way to overcome suffering, regardless of religious background. This is one of the most reflective and genuinely useful conversations we've had on the show. Sometimes the deepest wisdom is also the simplest. What we cover: The Buddhist view of gain, loss, praise and blame Success defined as satisfaction rather than accumulation Three ways to understand yourself: mindfulness, virtue, wisdom Healthy goals versus craving and clinging Wealth, lay disciples, and why Buddhism does not reject success Right livelihood and earning in an ethical way Wanting things while accepting their temporary nature The impermanence of body, mind and relationships The eight worldly conditions and staying steady through change What a good life looks like in Buddhism What a trained mind notices that an untrained mind misses A simple morning practice for lay people Choosing good people, good thoughts and good habits Fear, failure and being authentic in interviews and work Buddhism, mental health, stress, depression and anxiety Overthinking, OCD, and not feeding unnecessary thoughts Letting go after breakups and other losses How to begin exploring Buddhism and what it means to be a good human Buddhism as a practical way to overcome suffering Some of our favourite quotes: "Success is satisfaction with what you are and have." "Being content with your thoughts and actions is success." "Understand that all things are temporary." Chapters: 00:00 The Buddhist view of gain, loss, praise, and blame 03:02 Success defined as satisfaction rather than accumulation 06:26 Three ways to understand yourself: mindfulness, virtue, wisdom 08:35 Healthy goals versus craving and clinging 10:46 Wealth, lay disciples, and why Buddhism does not reject success 12:47 Right livelihood and earning in a harmful versus ethical way 15:35 Wanting things while accepting their temporary nature 17:15 Impermanence of body, mind, and relationships 20:35 The eight worldly conditions and staying steady through change 22:04 What a good life looks like in Buddhism 25:53 What a trained mind notices that an untrained mind misses 30:35 A simple morning practice for lay people 33:10 Choosing good people, good thoughts, and good habits 34:42 Fear, failure, and being authentic in interviews and work 38:13 Buddhism, mental health, stress, depression, and anxiety 42:15 Overthinking, OCD, and not feeding unnecessary thoughts 44:30 Letting go after breakups and other losses 45:48 How to begin Buddhism and what it means to be a good human 48:15 Buddhism as a practical way to overcome suffering 52:02 The one takeaway: be happy and live in this moment #QuestForSuccess #Buddhism #Mindfulness #Success #Happiness #Contentment #Impermanence #Wisdom #MentalHealth #Spirituality #LifeLessons #Podcast #Inspiration #SriLanka #Meditation Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

September 9, 2026Episode 12559 min

The Zero to One Mindset That's Changing Sri Lanka | Jeevan Gnanam

He inherited a family legacy. Then he rebuilt it from zero to one. In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Jeevan Gnanam, a Sri Lankan entrepreneur and third-generation business leader, for an honest conversation on purpose, legacy, and what it takes to build a genuine entrepreneurial ecosystem in a country most investors overlook. Jeevan shares his early influences and the pressure of carrying a family legacy forward, reflecting on the lessons in humility and discipline he learned from his grandfather. He opens up about recognising problems and building ventures from a young age, and what it actually took to rebel against old mindsets within his own family and community in order to create new opportunities. He speaks candidly about the zero to one mindset, the importance of visualisation, and why getting others to genuinely buy into a vision is the most important skill any founder can develop. The conversation moves into Sri Lanka's evolving startup ecosystem, the unique talent and investment potential the country holds, and how artificial intelligence is giving Sri Lanka a rare opportunity to scale and innovate rapidly on the global stage. Jeevan also shares his vision for building a vibrant innovation district that brings creatives, investors and entrepreneurs together in one place, along with the personal challenges of balancing family, faith and business. This episode is a powerful reminder that legacy isn't something you simply inherit. It's something you have to earn, question, and ultimately rebuild in your own image. What we cover: Jeevan Gnanam's background and early influences Defining success and purpose Family legacy and the pressure of being a third-generation entrepreneur Recognising problems and building ventures from childhood Rebelling against old mindsets and creating new opportunities The importance of continuous evolution in business Sri Lanka's talent and investment potential Convincing family and community to innovate The zero to one mindset and the power of visualisation Communicating vision and leadership in startups Bringing entrepreneurial thinking into legacy businesses The role of AI and Sri Lanka's tech future Building a vibrant innovation district Balancing family and business life The importance of faith and purpose Learning from failure and resilience Legacy, impact, and how Jeevan wants to be remembered "Success is fulfilling your purpose and serving others." Jeevan Gnanam "AI gives us an opportunity to scale and innovate rapidly." Jeevan Gnanam "I want to be remembered as someone who gave back and made a difference." Jeevan Gnanam Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Jeevan Gnanam's background 02:29 Defining success and purpose 04:16 Early influences and family legacy 07:15 The pressure of being a third-generation entrepreneur 10:40 Recognising problems and building ventures from childhood 13:36 Rebelling against old mindsets and creating new opportunities 16:10 The importance of continuous evolution in business 17:27 Sri Lanka's talent and investment potential 20:13 Convincing the family and community to innovate 22:32 The zero to one mindset and visualisation 27:26 Communicating vision and leadership in startups 28:13 Bringing entrepreneurial thinking into legacy businesses 35:28 The role of AI and Sri Lanka's tech future 40:57 Building a vibrant innovation district 45:11 Balancing family and business life 48:27 The importance of faith and purpose 49:58 Learning from failure and resilience 52:52 Legacy, impact, and how Jeevan wants to be remembered Connect with Jeevan Gnanam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeevangnanam/ #QuestForSuccess #JeevanGnanam #Entrepreneurship #SriLanka #AI #StartupEcosystem #Purpose #Innovation #Leadership #FamilyBusiness #Investment #Tech #SuccessMindset #Podcast #Inspiration Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )