Welcome to RISE, the podcast where host Gary Lipovetsky engages in insightful conversations with remarkable individuals. In this compelling episode, Gary sits down with guest Alex Ikonn, an inspiring entrepreneur with an incredible journey. The conversation takes us back to Alex's roots, growing up in Russia, and how he discovered motivational speakers, igniting a lifelong passion for personal development. Alex opens up about his relationship with his parents and navigating the expectations placed upon him. They dive into the question of whether a business school is worth pursuing and share their perspectives on its value. Alex also shares the heartwarming story of how he met his wife, which led to the launch of their successful venture, Hair Luxy. Together, they discuss the challenges and rewards of scaling the business, emphasizing the importance of patience and dedication on the path to success. With profound wisdom, Alex highlights the power of leveraging social media and reflects on his decision to move from Canada to England. In a transformative moment, Alex shares the journey of launching the 5 Minute Journal and its remarkable impact. The conversation concludes with a powerful message to stop playing the victim and take full responsibility for one's life. Tune in now to be inspired by Alex's incredible insights and find your own path to growth and fulfillment. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 12:10 Growing up in Russia 19:29 Discovering Motivational Speakers 24:17 Relationship with parents 29:06 Dealing with parents expectations 36:50 Is Business School worth it? 46:26 How I met my wife 52:20 Launching Hair Luxy with my wife 59:41 Scaling Hair Luxy 1:04:03 "You don't build success overnight" 1:09:21 Leveraging the Power of Social Media 1:18:13 Moving from Canada to England 1:26:21 Launching the 5-minute journal 1:40:35 Scaling 5-minute journal 1:53:09 "Stop playing victim & take responsibility for your life!" HOST SOCIALS: https://www.instagram.com/garylipovet... GUEST SOCIALS: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/