Roy Moëd, Founder & CEO of Lifebook Publishing, on the Power of Sharing Life Stories
- Growing up in South Africa, Jersey, and London
- Experiencing apartheid and antisemitism
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Overview
In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY), Roy Moëd, Founder & CEO of Lifebook Publishing, shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood and unconventional career path to becoming a successful entrepreneur and the founder of a company dedicated to preserving personal and family legacies.
From navigating adversity, antisemitism, and academic challenges to building businesses across industries, Roy’s life story is filled with lessons on resilience, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the importance of valuing one’s work.
The conversation also explores the inspiration behind Lifebook and how documenting personal memoirs can preserve family histories, strengthen intergenerational connections, and give people a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth.
00:22-Who Is Roy Moëd, and How Did His Early Experiences Shape His Outlook?
- Growing up in South Africa, Jersey, and London
- Experiencing apartheid and antisemitism
- Navigating academic challenges, including undiagnosed dyslexia
- Building a portfolio career through 29 jobs in six years, ranging from catering to sales
04:31-What Were the Biggest Lessons from Roy’s Unconventional Path to Entrepreneurship?
- Gaining a “University of Life” experience instead of pursuing a traditional university education
- Learning the importance of people skills and building relationships with like-minded individuals
- Understanding why salespeople should never have their earning potential unnecessarily capped
- Learning to recognize and value the true worth of a business when selling it
10:13-How Did Roy Establish and Grow His Business in the Airline Catering Industry?
- Co-founding the airline catering business Portions with just two people
- Scaling the company to 600 employees across four countries
- Navigating major industry crises, including 9/11, bird flu, and economic downturns
- Adapting the business model and embracing innovation during challenging periods
- Introducing early digital solutions, including product catalogues and electronic ordering systems
20:27-What Inspired the Creation of Lifebook, and How Does It Help Families?
- Being inspired by his desire to uplift his blind and depressed father
- Recording his father’s stories and discovering the emotional power of preserving family memories
- Realizing the importance of documenting the wisdom and experiences of older generations
- Embracing the idea that “when an elder passes, a whole library burns down”
- Developing Lifebook’s process, in which a dedicated team creates handcrafted legacy books
25:25-What Impact Does Storytelling and Preserving Memories Have on Wellbeing?
- Giving older adults a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth
- Encouraging reflection and cognitive stimulation through the process of documenting memories
- Helping reduce feelings of isolation and strengthening connections between generations
- Creating lasting family records that can bring memories and joy back to life
- Providing a tangible way for families to preserve and revisit important stories
33:39-How Can Companies Use Lifebook as a Meaningful Benefit for Employees?
- Offering a Lifetime Memoir as a retirement or milestone gift
- Helping employees navigate the transition into retirement while maintaining a sense of purpose and self-worth
- Recognizing and preserving an employee’s contributions and experiences
- Demonstrating an organization’s commitment to its people and their personal legacies
35:56-What Is Roy Most Grateful and Hopeful for Amid Global Challenges?
- Gratitude for his resilient team and their ability to grow Lifebook during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Seeing younger team members gain wisdom and perspective through the stories of older generations
- Finding hope in the generosity and willingness of people to volunteer and help others
- Emphasizing the importance of remembering history and documenting stories so that valuable lessons are not lost
RESOURCES
Learn More About Roy Moëd
ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?
Every success can come with setbacks. Roy Moëd experienced major challenges, including 9/11, bird flu, and economic downturns. Yet, he continued to adapt, pivot, and find new ways to move forward—outsourcing manufacturing, reducing reliance on warehouses, and navigating the many challenges faced by the airline industry.
His journey is a powerful reminder that resilience, adaptability, and the ability to recognize new opportunities can make all the difference.
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Profile
- Roy Moëd is the Founder and CEO of Lifebook Publishing, dedicated to preserving people’s stories and family histories.
- His journey from growing up amid apartheid and antisemitism to building successful businesses reflects remarkable resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial courage.
- Roy has built and led businesses across multiple sectors, embracing unconventional career paths and learning valuable lessons from both success and setbacks.
