In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Mangala Siriwardhane, CEO of Bdynamic Logistics, reflects on a deeply personal and grounded definition of success. Drawing from his journey across non-profit work, corporate life and entrepreneurship, Mangala shares how success has evolved for him from external milestones to inner peace, happiness and meaningful relationships.

He speaks about the influence of his early life experiences, the discipline and values they instilled, and how working in NGOs shaped his understanding of purpose and motivation. Mangala offers honest insights into the realities of entrepreneurship, from taking risks and learning through failure to building trust through consistency and clarity. He also highlights the importance of listening, nurturing strong relationships and creating a team culture that attracts like-minded individuals.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that success is not just about growth and scale, but about staying grounded while navigating challenges. Mangala’s vision for the future centres on sustainable business growth, deeper community impact and maintaining balance in both personal and professional life.

Key Takeaways

• Success evolves from material milestones to inner peace.
• Happiness plays a key role in motivating yourself and others.
• Early life experiences shape values and discipline.
• Non-profit work teaches the importance of purpose and motivation.
• Trust is built through consistency and clarity in relationships.
• Entrepreneurship involves risk-taking and learning from failure.
• Corporate experience provides valuable lessons for business ownership.
• A strong team culture attracts aligned and committed people.
• Listening is essential for understanding customers and building trust.
• Long-term goals include scaling the business and creating community impact.

Connect with Mangala Siriwardhane

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mangala-mal-siriwardhane-12ba9720

B dynamic Logistics: https://www.bdynamiclogistics.com.au/

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In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Dr. Toyin F. Sanni shares her inspiring journey from a young girl growing up in Nigeria to becoming a leading investment banker, entrepreneur and advocate for inclusive growth across Africa. She unpacks her deeply grounded definition of success, one centred on fulfilment, purpose and helping others realise their potential.

Dr. Sanni reflects on the influence of her upbringing and the values instilled by her parents, which shaped her confidence, ambition and commitment to excellence. She speaks candidly about her transition from law to finance, the lessons learned along the way and how leadership, mentorship and education have played a pivotal role in her journey. Through her work at Emerging Africa, she highlights the importance of addressing the financial needs of underserved communities and creating sustainable, long-term impact.

This conversation offers powerful insights into leadership, impact investing and the opportunities within Africa’s growing markets. Dr. Sanni’s vision for the future is rooted in empowering people, particularly women and youth, fostering innovation and redefining global perceptions of Africa. Her story is a compelling reminder that true success lies in service, continuous learning and lifting others as you rise.


Key Takeaways
• Success is about fulfilment and helping others realise their purpose.
• Mentorship and guidance are essential for growth and impact.
• Education and early influences shape long-term direction.
• Transitioning from law to finance can unlock new opportunities.
• Leadership is about maximising the potential of people.
• Impact investing can drive meaningful social change.
• Understanding market needs is critical for innovation.
• Balancing risk and innovation is a constant leadership challenge.
• A strong vision can create lasting community impact.
• Continuous learning fuels both personal and professional growth.


Connect with Dr. Toyin F. Sanni
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oluwatoyinsanni

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Website: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com

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In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Sarah-Jane Kurtini shares her inspiring journey from co-founding Tiny Beans to launching her latest venture, Pitch Slap. With honesty and reflection, Sarah-Jane explores how her definition of success has evolved over time, shaped by freedom, purpose and the ability to do meaningful work alongside the people she loves.

She reflects on how her early life experiences shaped her sense of gratitude and perspective, and how passion and necessity often sit at the heart of building a startup. Sarah-Jane speaks openly about the importance of customer feedback in shaping products, the power of storytelling in pitching and marketing, and the deliberate effort required to build a strong company culture. She also unpacks the IPO journey of Tiny Beans, reframing it not as an exit, but as a strategic funding pathway that supported long-term growth.

This conversation is a thoughtful reminder that entrepreneurship is not just about building companies, but about continuous learning, adaptation and balance. From navigating family life alongside business to mentoring the next generation of founders, Sarah-Jane’s story highlights the value of curiosity, generosity and staying true to your purpose


Key Takeaways
• Success means doing what you love and having freedom.
• Customer feedback is crucial in product development.
• A strong company culture fosters collaboration and innovation.
• An IPO can be a funding strategy rather than an exit strategy.
• Balancing family life with entrepreneurship requires communication and flexibility.
• Mentoring allows for giving back and learning from new founders.
• Storytelling is essential in pitching and marketing a startup.
• The entrepreneurial journey is filled with learning and adaptation.


Connect with Sarah-Jane Kurtini
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjanekurtini
Website: https://www.sjkurtini.com/

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Website: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com

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In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Kirk Hardie shares his unique journey from a background in ecology to building a career in the finance and investment world. Grounded in family values and a deep respect for nature, Kirk reflects on how success has evolved for him over time, shaped by purpose, balance and legacy rather than titles or accolades.

He discusses how his upbringing influenced his transition into the family business (Hallador Investment Advisors), the role of mentorship in shaping his leadership style and the importance of humility and authenticity when guiding others. Kirk also speaks passionately about nature education, bird watching and the creation of Red Tail Adventures, a venture that allows him to blend business with his love for the outdoors. Throughout the conversation, he emphasises the importance of balancing family life with professional ambition and staying connected to what truly matters.

This conversation is a thoughtful reminder that success is deeply personal. For Kirk, it lies in building something meaningful, nurturing future generations and staying grounded while navigating change. His vision for the future focuses on education, financial fluency and leaving behind a legacy rooted in values, curiosity and integrity.


Key Takeaways
• Success means setting a goal and achieving it.
• Kirk’s transition from ecology to investments was influenced by his upbringing.
• Nature education is crucial for connecting children to the environment.
• Red Tail Adventures was created to merge bird watching with entrepreneurship.
• Balancing family time with work is essential for long-term fulfilment.
• Mentorship plays a vital role in personal and professional growth.
• Building financial fluency is key for empowering the next generation.
• Kirk’s leadership style is rooted in humility and authenticity.
• Understanding personal strengths and weaknesses supports better leadership.
• Embracing change helps sustain passion and purpose over time.


Connect with Kirk Hardie
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kirk-hardie-4b476364
Red Tail Adventures: https://redtailadventures.com/
Hallador: https://hallador.com/

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod
Website: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com

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In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Shital Daftari shares her extraordinary journey from a simple upbringing in India to building a thriving business in the United States. With honesty and clarity, she reflects on how her holistic definition of success has guided her through uncertainty, risk and the realities of entrepreneurship. For Shital, success is not just about financial achievement, but about living a balanced life filled with purpose, health, family and community.

She opens up about the early challenges of starting a business, the courage it took to trust her instincts and the resilience required to push forward when circumstances became difficult. Shital also discusses the importance of calculated risk-taking, the power of positivity and why assembling the right team is critical for sustainable growth. Her shift into innovative at-home healthcare screening further highlights her commitment to creating real impact in society.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that success is a journey shaped by self-belief, resilience and the desire to make a meaningful difference. Shital’s story stands as an inspiration for young entrepreneurs, women in business and anyone striving to turn vision into reality.


Key Takeaways
• Success means doing what you love with people you love.
• Success is a balance of financial, health, family and community.
• Starting a business requires taking risks and having confidence.
• Rapid growth comes with challenges that need to be navigated carefully.
• Hiring the right people is crucial for scaling a business.
• Positivity plays a significant role in overcoming challenges.
• Entrepreneurship with a purpose can lead to meaningful impact.
• Dream big and don't underestimate your potential as a young person.
• Calculated risks can lead to significant opportunities.

Connect with Shital Daftari
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/shital-daftari

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod
Website: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com

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In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Binara Dharmawardana opens up about his remarkable path as a social entrepreneur and the founder of CDF, a charity dedicated to providing essential medical transportation for underprivileged communities across Sri Lanka. Rooted in empathy and shaped by personal experience, Binara shares how his definition of success has evolved through service, resilience and a deep desire to uplift others.

He reflects on the profound impact of his upbringing and the loss of his father to cancer, a turning point that inspired the creation of CDF. Through this story, he sheds light on the harsh realities of healthcare disparities in developing nations and the urgent need for accessible support systems. Binara also highlights the organisation’s incredible growth, including helping more than 40,000 patients to date, and the human stories that fuel his mission every day.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that success is not always measured by numbers or recognition, but by compassion, purpose and the lives we touch. Binara’s vision for the future of CDF is grounded in expansion, sustainability and a continued commitment to serving communities that need it most.


Key Takeaways
• Success is delivering or achieving what you have dreamt of.
• CDF provides essential medical transportation to underprivileged communities.
• Binara's upbringing influenced his understanding of social issues.
• Personal loss can drive a passion for helping others.
• Healthcare disparities exist in developing nations.
• CDF has helped over 40,000 patients to date.
• Compassion and resilience are key traits for success.
• The future vision includes expanding services and reducing carbon footprint.
• Community support is vital for sustaining charitable efforts.
• Every contribution, big or small, can make a difference.


Connect with Binara Dharmawardana
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/binara-dharmawardana-b4a09b141/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyrildharmawardanafoundation/

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Website: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com

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In this thought-provoking episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Yining Wang dives into the deeply personal side of entrepreneurship - the identity shifts, the psychological battles and the uncomfortable truths behind starting a company. Rather than glorifying the hustle, Yining speaks openly about the inner conflict that comes with letting go of who you once were in order to build something new.

He discusses why money is rarely the true motivator, how mental constructs shape our decisions and why understanding your purpose is critical before taking the leap. With brutal honesty, Yining breaks down the harsh statistics - from the 90% startup failure rate to the staggering reality that more than 98% of companies don’t survive beyond two years. His message is clear: If you don’t know why you’re doing it, don’t do it.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is not just a business challenge, but a personal transformation - one that demands clarity, resilience and the courage to let go of past success in pursuit of something uncertain.


Key Takeaways
• Success is not a destination but an evolving journey of internal alignment.
• Resilience is built through embracing challenges and learning from failures.
• A global perspective allows for a more objective understanding of success.
• Ego can be a barrier to growth; humility fosters continuous learning.
• True leadership is rooted in authenticity and a shared vision.
• Reflective practices like journaling and meditation are essential for self-awareness.
• Cultural heritage can be leveraged as a unique advantage in global business
• Mindset and purpose are foundational to achieving meaningful success.
• Entrepreneurship is a powerful path for personal evolution and societal impact.

Connect with Yining Wang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yining-wang-23040017

Follow him on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yining_swede/

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Website: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com

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In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, comedian Sashi Perera opens up about her bold leap from a stable legal career to becoming one of the most exciting voices in comedy. With humour, honesty and heart, Sashi reflects on how her Sri Lankan upbringing, cultural expectations and personal challenges have shaped both her identity and her craft.

She speaks candidly about mental health, navigating cultural duality and what it truly means to pursue authenticity in a world full of expectations. Sashi also dives into the realities of transitioning careers, the creative process behind her comedy, and how storytelling helps her connect with audiences on a deeper level.

Through her journey, Sashi reminds us that success does not need to follow society’s script - sometimes it means choosing happiness, embracing uncertainty, and telling your story unapologetically.


Key Takeaways

• Success is subjective and can mean happiness over traditional markers.
• Cultural upbringing plays a significant role in shaping identity.
• Transitioning careers can be challenging but rewarding.
• Mental health awareness is crucial in navigating life changes.
• Comedy allows for personal expression and connection with audiences.
• Social media can be a tool for promoting live performances.
• Cultural observations can enhance comedic material.
• Community support is vital for personal and professional growth.
• It's okay to feel lost; exploring new avenues can lead to fulfilment.
• Authenticity in storytelling resonates with diverse audiences.


Connect with Sashi Pereira: https://www.instagram.com/sashbomb

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Website: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com

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