52 minute read
The Winning Mindset – How inspiring women set themselves up to succeed
We look at how some of the most incredible women we know set themselves up to succeed
WORDS: AMY SESSIONS COMPILED BY: LUCY RUTHERFORD
THE WINNING MINDSET
THE MORNING ROUTINE
Her Highness Sheikha Latifah Al Maktoum EQUESTRIAN ATHLETE First thing when I wake up is have Canarino, it’s an Italian drink with hot water and lemon peel, and I add paprika to it. A erwards I drink 750ml of water, staying hydrated is so important. I wake my dogs and head to the stables early to ride. Depending on the weather, I try to ride one or two horses outside before riding the rest inside. Being out in the sun is so important both mentally and physically. We’ve always been around horses and my family loves horses in every sport; racing, endurance, polo, and show jumping. I realised that I wanted to take my show jumping further very early on. When I was thirteen, I saw the Dubai Show Jumping team training and I thought to myself, I want to be on that team. Realising that I had to prove myself, I worked really hard and made the team. Even- tually my goal was to attend the Asian games and be on the UAE Show Jumping team, it was my first Nations Cup and UAE won their first ever medal in show jumping and being on that team was such an amazing experience and I was hooked ever since.
Amina Muaddi FOUNDER, AMINA MUADDI I usually wake up, have a glass of water, a co ee and a fresh green juice. A er that, I do my beauty routine – a few times a week I include a face mask. In the meantime I play with my dog, then I’ll check my phone (messages, emails, social media and lately The Pattern, this app I’m quite obsessed with). Three times a week I go to the gym, sometimes I meditate. I’d like to do both more often. And then I start working.
Alison Loehnis PRESIDENT OF NET-A-PORTER My morning routine has remained pretty consistent for quite a long time. I get up early
before my house gets up, just to get ahead of the day. It might be catching up on emails or messages from Asia, it might be getting ahead on admin and I still write letters, so maybe an opportunity to do that. I love running, so when the motivation hits me I will go for a run in the morning and we also have a new puppy so he needs taking out. By the time the kids get up I can be super present and I’ve got a jump start on my to-do list for the day.
Newby Hands GLOBAL BEAUTY DIRECTOR PORTER & NET-A-PORTER I never have a problem waking up and getting up which certainly makes mornings easier. I always have a cup of tea when I wake up, ideally in bed – always organic tea with organic milk. Recently I have started a proper routine of body brushing followed by Legology CelluLite oil and Dr. Barbara Sturm Body Lotion, but it’s super-fast – the brushing takes 30 seconds max, and I especially like this body cream because it sinks in so fast. It’s the same for my face as I don’t like spending ages on skincare; currently I’m using Dr Prager’s Foaming face wash, then any of the serums I have currently on the go, usually that includes Estée Lauder’s ANR and the La Mer oil – just use a few drops and it just sinks into the skin. I don’t like juicing or smoothies, I prefer to chew my food so breakfast is usually an egg and sourdough toast or yoghurt, oat bran (great for water retention) and walnuts – I don’t have any food rules but I do try to eat organic.
Sheikha Amna Abdulaziz FOUNDER, LAVA My usual morning routine starts with a prayer followed by yoga which always helps me to refresh my thoughts and give me mo- tivation and inspiration to have a fruitful and productive day.
Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Al Maktoum AVIATION INDUSTRY I am a very active person by nature and while I would not claim to be part of the 5am club, I do wake up early and I like to have time to gather my thoughts for the day ahead, as work can be very demanding. If I can, I try to spend some time with the horses, riding before work or doing a quick workout, all with a generous amount of co ee.
Jacquie Aiche FOUNDER OF LA-BASED JEWELLERY BRAND JACQUIE AICHE I love to begin my day with a short meditation. I find whenever I take time to meditate, I feel more grounded and present. Then I’ll check my emails, get dressed and do a quick Pilates session. There’s no better way to feel energised and clear your mind.
Gabriel Waller CELEBRITY STYLIST I am currently using the Australian skin care brand Rationale, and it has been my saving grace over the past eight months. My skin is naturally quite red, so I opted for very calming and soothing products in my skin care range. With my makeup, natural beauty is key to me and I keep it very subtle for my everyday look. It also helps that it takes me less than 15 minutes to complete. I am all for a very quick and easy routine.
Victoria Foster CO-FOUNDER, VENUSROX The first place to start with energy is clarity and to ensure one is grounded and balanced, so I always check I am clear and grounded
first thing in the morning and clear anything I need to. Mornings start early in our house, as an animal loving family, our furred and feathered family members come first and there is always a lot to do with dogs, horses, ducks and a cockatiel to care for.
Ola Farahat CONTENT CREATOR I start o with a big cup of water followed by vitamins and co ee. I then start my day and focus on work.
Amna Al Habtoor FOUNDER, ARCADIA I wake up every day at 6am sharp. It became an involuntary habit a er having my kids, but it is now important for me to start the day early so that I get the most use of out my, usually very busy days. I consider myself a morning person, so the first 30 minutes includes me enjoying my creamy co ee while getting the kids ready for school.
Zahra Lyla INFLUENCER/ GRAPHIC DESIGNER My morning routine consists of washing my face with warm water and then apply-
“THE FIRST PLACE TO START WITH ENERGY IS CLARITY AND TO ENSURE ONE IS GROUNDED AND BALANCED, SO I ALWAYS CHECK I AM CLEAR AND GROUNDED FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND CLEAR ANYTHING I NEED TO.” – Victoria Foster
Kristina Fidelskaya FOUNDER, KRISTINA FIDELSKAYA Usually when I wake up I get a message with a co ee emoji. Having co ee while on the phone, or catching up on the news is how I start my day. I have a busy schedule – hav- ing this time in the morning for myself helps me to prepare for what’s coming. Especially in these times it’s important to have a rou- tine and stick to it. ing a toner. I alternate between Sisley Paris Grapefruit Toning Lotion and the Glow Tonic by Pixi. Next, I pat on a vitamin C serum by SkinCeuticals and my favourite eye serum by La Prairie. Then I use a moisturiser, eye cream and sunscreen to finish o .
Barkha Shewakramani FOUNDER, BARKHA BEAUTY I start my day with a turmeric, ginger and gooseberry shot along with warm water followed by my cup of tea. I’ve been doing 16 hours intermittent fasting for nearly 6 months now so I prefer to have a late breakfast/early lunch. I check my Instagram and emails upon waking up and then follow up on my son and his online schooling these days.
Maria Hatzistefanis FOUNDER, RODIAL Double espresso, meditation and checking my @mrsrodial Instagram feed.
Dr Lamees Hamdan FOUNDER, SHIFFA I usually spend about 15 mins lying in bed, just imagining and sorting out through my head what my day will look like. Then the next 15 mins (while drinking hot water) I quickly scan my phone for any urgent messages I have to attend to – I work a lot in different time zones
Aline Marcadet PRESIDENT, ANNE SEMONIN I usually wake up at 7:00 am. My very first 30 minutes are devoted to checking my e-mails and reading the daily newspapers while having a healthy breakfast.
Eva Alexandridis C0-FOUNDER & CEO, 111SKIN I definitely like to have a routine; my mornings are very important, and I don’t deviate too much from it. I’m up at 7am so I can have time with my older son before walking with him to the station for school and I then wake up my younger son and before he heads o to school, I spend 20-30 minutes chatting with him over breakfast. I have an hour or so to go on my run with Yannis and Sparky (a muchloved Jack Russell that is classed as the fi h family member) and then by 9am I am ready to start my working day.
Stephanie Phair CHIEF CUSTOMER OFFICER, FARFETCH I’ve stopped checking emails first thing in the morning, or you go down a rabbit hole, and I end up with a clearer head! If there is anything urgent I would have missed calls. I get myself ready and it’s all hands on deck to get 3 children and us out of the house on time.
“IT’S AMAZING HOW MUCH CAN BE DONE IN 30-MINUTES WHEN YOU ARE FOCUSED AND RELAXED.” – Maya Reik
Rania Fawaz CONTENT CREATOR The first 30 minutes of my day usually starts with a lot of co ee – I’m not really a morning person, and it’s the only thing that gets me going! I have my green juice next and just spend it usually as my ‘me’ time. I try my best to disconnect from my phone but I don’t always succeed.
Florencia Gomez Gerbi CREATIVE DIRECTOR & CEO, GREENPACHA I like to wake up early, around sunrise, most days. I do Bowspring, a physical practice that activates the fascia and leaves my body ready to start the day, either for surfing or working creatively.
Arabella MacRitchie FOUNDER, ARABELLA LONDON I kick-start the working day with a strong cappuccino and one of the first things I’ll do is share a beautiful image on our Instagram @ arabellalondon to inspire and excite our audience. I like to think this provides a little virtual vacation and light relief from the everyday. It puts me in a summer mindset – whatever the weather – dreaming of the better times and energised for the day ahead with a clear vision for the brand right from the get-go. Selling swimwear online is not a simple operation – morning priorities for us involve working closely with customers to provide detailed fit advice and product suggestions depending on their body type. Maintaining a great brandconsumer relationship is paramount for us. Alongside this, as a small team we tackle all areas of the business in-house – from sourcing and product development, to the marketing and PR activities – shipping and sales. Those 30 minutes are crucial in mapping out the workflow and priorities for the day.
Faiza Bouguessa FOUNDER, BOUGUESSA In the morning the first thing I do is pray, then I stretch for about 10 mins and I drink about a litre of water and write down my goals for the day. On good days, when I wake up earlier, I breath, meditate, I review my long-term goals and read.
Buthaina Al Raisi OMANI ACTRESS My morning routine is the most important. As soon as I wake up, I wash my face with a gentle cleanser that is so on the skin, then I use a day moisturizer, and you must never forget to use an eye cream. Then I apply an SPF.
Khulood Thani CURATOR Meditations are my kind of special morning rituals, it’s something I am loyal to practicing and I cannot remove this from my morning schedule. For me meditation sets a wonderful mood for the day because it helps to clear the mind and maximize your focus on priorities.
Maya Reik FOUNDER, MAREI1998 Six months ago, my morning routine was very di erent to what it is today. The ease of waking up without rushing out of the door is a result of the work-from-home era we are living in. These days, I begin each morning by drinking several glasses of water and having a small breakfast, going for an early swim in the sea, taking a shower and getting to work. It’s amazing how much can be done in 30 minutes when you are focused and relaxed.
Kate Blythe-Pearso CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, MECCA COSMETICA The alarm goes o at 6.15am (unless our two year old wakes us up earlier!) and then it’s go, go, go. As we are currently in London, yet relocating to Melbourne at the end of the year, most of my calls with the Mecca team in Australia are taken from 7am BST. So that first 30 minutes of the day is crucial as I have to get myself showered, dressed, makeup on, then wake up the children (we have four) and encourage them to get themselves ready for school. My husband always makes me a cup of tea (how British!) in those 30 minutes, which definitely helps to motivate me.
Captain Salma Al Baloush FIRST OFFICER PILOT, ETIHAD AIRWAYS The first 30 minutes of the day are more productive. I usually wake up, wake the kids and then have a quick shower followed by breakfast.
Sophie Hill and Alys McMahon FOUNDERS OF THREADS STYLING SH: My aim is always to wake up before my daughter who is now 10 months old and rises between 6-7am. In those moments of solitude, I enjoy a hot water & lemon while reading the news, catching up on emails, and scrolling through social media before she wakes up. AM: I wake up at around 7am and go out with my Doberman Obi for his morning walk usually for about an hour. Working from home recently has also given me the added benefit of being able to enjoy a co ee whilst I catch up on social media and emails and before I start my day.
Amalia Keramitsis FOUNDER OF AMALIA KERAMITSIS CONSULTANCY I wake up very early around 6am most days and do a quick yoga or Pilates session. Since COVID-19 there are so many online options to choose from! I shower, have breakfast and co ee and then read through my emails. I’ll also check WhatsApp and Instagram. Since my clients are on so many di erent time zones I am constantly ‘on’!
Gaia Repossi FOUNDER, REPOSSI I jump straight into my yoga practice. It’s been more than 15 years that I practice yoga and I always start my day with a session. I wake up and do a traditional ASHTANGA yoga practice called Mysore. I then have a matcha latte and a bite to eat before run- ning to the creative studio. Usually, I design or sketch in the mornings and then I have meetings in the a ernoon.
Salama Khalfan FOUNDER, SALAMA KHALFAN JEWELLERY Typically what I do as soon as I wake up is rehydrate, I drink water. Then I jump in the shower and get ready either for yoga or a run. I do yoga three times a week and run three times a week, I have one day o . I then I have a big big breakfast.
Maria Tash FOUNDER, MARIA TASH I usually wake up automatically around 7:30-8am unless I have been up very late the night before. I have a large, king size canopy bed with silk chi on drapes and satin pillowcases so I treasure my time in bed and don’t get out of it quickly! Once I do get out and into the shower, I think of what I am grateful for because I think it gives me a calm demeanor in the midst of stressful meetings and decisions later in the day. If I have been proactive and planned what I wear the night before, then I have time to do a 12-minute arm workout video on YouTube before I get dressed, put on my makeup, and start getting into calls.
Mayassa Al Tajir AERIAL ARTIST I am more Lark than Nightingale, so the morning is my favourite part of the day. I usually wake up at 5:30am without an alarm, just so that I can steal an extra hour of me time before the day actually starts, this helps me feel grounded. I always start with a large cup of English Breakfast tea while I draw as I love the history of art, so I spend my first hour in the morning sketching, shading and enjoying the quiet, while the rest of the house sleeps. I feel that positivity and productivity come hand in hand, we are never happier than when we feel accomplished, and so I always start my day this way.
Kat Furey FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PALM To be completely honest, I am not really a morning person. I am usually most creative at night and tend to be the most productive. Therefore, I like to start my mornings slowly by taking my dog Reggie for a walk to the park, whilst listening to music or a podcast. I then have my first co ee of the day at my favourite cafe before heading into the studio for the day.
Isabella Cavallin & Jannine Vinci FOUNDERS, OSÉREE Every morning I try to wake up with a positive thought in my mind, and I try to incline all of the day’s energy towards reaching an objective. As soon as I wake up, I hug my dog and a er a fruit smoothie I start my yoga lesson and meditation. This helps me gain physical and mental energy and to maintain a steady pace and clarity through my daily tasks and decisions, both personal and professional.
Bianca Anstiss FOUNDER, MYRA SWIM My morning is quite simple. I normally get up brush my teeth, have a shower and watch the news. Then I head to the warehouse via my local co ee shop for breakfast. Twice a week I do Pilates at 6am but other than those mornings my routine is quite simple.
Suman Jalaf FOUNDER, SUMAN BROWS As o en as I can, I devote the first 30 mins of the day to selfcare. That includes limiting all things digital when possible. I have a morning shower while listening to soothing nature soundscapes; then I meditate, practise yoga; have a co ee or breakfast and later, I connect with mum through Facetime so I can wish her a good day and see my baby Pomeranians. My pups give me so much joy!
Asma Hilal Lootah FOUNDER, THE HUNDRED WELLNESS CENTRE A er I wake up, I usually pray and read my morning verses a er which I have a sencha green tea. I plan the day ahead and then listen to my daily a rmations while getting ready. My routine feels like a morning ritual that sets me up for the day, I cleanse and tone with the Beautycounter Countermatch range, before using the Beautycounter All Bright C Serum, which makes my skin feel rejuvenated and energised. I then use the Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream, Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich to moisturise and the Beautycounter No. 1 Face Oil. Before leaving the house, I always apply a Factor 30 SPF to protect my skin, I love the Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion by Beautycounter which provides UVA and UVB defence.
Halima Jumani DIRECTOR, KIBSONS I love my sleep so much and can be a slow starter, but when I’m finally up, I’m ready for action. Being passionate and dedicated to your mission is the key to staying positive and focused. Of course, it’s also about great time management skills to prioritise and achieve as many things as possible on the “to do” list. Ultimately, it’s about doing the right thing without compromising on ethics while trying to achieve your long-term goals, I believe integrity is a huge underlying element of success.
Yasmine Sima MODEL I’m an early bird and I usually start my morning by washing and focusing on my skincare routine. A er that I try to do a 20-minute meditation session, but on lazy days I sometimes skip it! However, it helps me think more clearly throughout the day. Then I head for breakfast and plan out the rest of my day.
Maryam Al Noori FOUNDER OF THE BUNCH BOX Mornings are precious to me, it is where most of the fresh ideas come to mind. Every morning, you have to choose what your day will look like. Having a positive day is a choice, a beautiful day is not a perfect one. It’s being aware that di culties may come at any time but also having a mindset that I just have to do things in a di erent way to overcome them.
Sandra Sandor FOUNDER, NANUSHKA I start my day with a quick meditation to prepare myself for the day, followed by a morning co ee and a walk with my dog Ginie.
Annie Ja rey FOUNDER, NOURISHED3 I typically get up around 6.30am as I love time to myself in the morning. A er brushing my teeth, I drink some fresh water and then I make warm water with lemon. Hydration first thing in the morning is so essential a er being asleep, it not only energizes me, but gets my digestive system going as its beneficial for my skin and health too. I then like to move my body, either by going for a walk, doing Pilates at home or occasionally I also do a workout class. A er that I like to either meditate or journal depending on how I feel. I then head into the shower, wash my face and focus on my skincare routine before getting dressed, making breakfast and getting my day started.
Barbara Szep WELLNESS AMBASSADOR, ETIHAD AIRWAYS I believe hydration is the most important aspect to start a day. I have one large glass of water and take my daily supplements. I am a big co ee lover, so I can’t start my day properly without having a freshly brewed co ee.
Fatma Al Otaiba FOUNDER, ODEEM I’m an early riser so I like to get up by dawn. The first thing I do is brew my co ee, eat dates and pray. A er that, I try to fit in a workout most mornings – I find this to be the perfect way to start my day with energy.
Mai Albudoor FOUNDER, IAM MAI My aim is to start my day over a quiet co ee while journaling but in reality, most days it’s a mad rush to get my kids ready and out of the door!
Azza Skhiri FOUNDER, DIDON JEWELLERY First of all, I do my skin routine, then I practise gratitude, either by meditating or by doing a few yoga poses depending on the mood.
“I BELIEVE WE MUST CONTINUE TO HARNESS THE POWER OF WOMEN FOR A BETTER FUTURE.” – HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al Saud
Robyn Berkley FOUNDER, LIVE THE PROCESS I wake up around 6.30am, and drink lots of water before walking my French bulldog. Then I practise yoga or do some meditation, have co ee with goats’ milk and an Aloe Vera shake before kickstarting my day with a breakfast. Sometimes when I have time, I journal.
Acaena Amoros FOUNDER, THE ELIXIR CLINIC In my 30s, I realized the importance of a skincare regime to maintain healthy skin. I have a very strict morning and evening routine that consists of Dr. Barbara Sturm’s products. Every morning, I start with the Dr. Barbara Sturm Foam Cleanser and twice a week use the Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser. I finish o my morning routine with the Brightening Moisturizer combined with Sun Drops for sun protection.
Vilma Jurkute EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALSERKAL AVENUE My mornings are dedicated to self-regeneration and knowledge. I usually start with a workout, followed by an iced co ee and a lot of reading to make sure that I am up to date on news and current a airs. I make time to reconnect with my academic research situated across the various disciplines of urban studies.
Geeta Pahlajani FOUNDER, THE GOODNESS COMPANY I start my morning at 5am with an Ayurvedic tea blend followed by an hour of yoga in our garden. Some days I may alternate this with a mindful breathwork meditation practice. A key rule I have been strictly following for the last few years is to have the first 2 hours of my morning tech free.
Sylvie Loday CO- FOUNDER, EX-NIHILO When I first wake up, I jump straight into the shower to feel energized, put on my daily morning mask and then look at my phone to catch up on any messages and begin planning for the day. Before I go into work, my Nespresso co ee is a must. I then jump on my scooter and head to the o ce.
Minwa Al Hamed MODEL & MUSE FOR SANA AL MAKTOUM FINE JEWELLERY I start my mornings by praying for everyone that I love, thanking God for everything that he has blessed me with in my life and appreciating everything that I have. I then grab my daily co ee and enjoy my “me” time getting ready for the day. Taking my time to focus on myself is how I express self-love.
Tera Peterson CO-FOUNDER, NUFACE For my morning routine, I typically wake up earlier than my twin girls to squeeze in a virtual workout such as a 30-minute full body high-intensity or yoga class. Post-workout includes a hot tea or water and lemon to detox. Being able to prioritize my health in the mornings really starts my days with more energy, focus and positivity.
Anne Semonin FOUNDER, ANNE SEMONIN I usually wake up at 7am. My very first 30 mins are devoted to my emails and daily newspaper reading whilst having a healthy breakfast.
Miriam Quevedo FOUNDER, MIRIAM QUEVEDO Beautiful skin begins with an e ective and non-aggressive cleansing ritual. To support my skin for the harshness of the summer sun, I like to start my day with a magic cleansing and pre-treatment ritual before having my breakfast. I built my personal skincare routine on three core steps which begins with using the Glacial White Caviar Precious Cleansing Foam to increase my levels of oxygen while removing impurities accumulated during the night. This is followed by Black Baccara Volcanic Cleansing Powder, a toner to re-mineralize my skin with Glacial White Caviar Toning Lotion and finally I like to blend with the Black Baccara 30% Vitamin C + 24 k Gold Booster and the BB Energizing Boosters, for a very glowing complexion. It prepares my skin to combat pigmentation
with a dual action blend. I am obsessed with Vitamin C essentials to combat cell oxidation so I take a supplement of natural Vitamin C, in combination with Niacin (B3 Vitamin) and Iron as it’s ideal to recharge my cells during this season. I also have a quick haircare ritual where I apply the Black Baccara Scalp Concentrate from our Haircare luxe line with a very short but e ective scalp massage to activate microcirculation and combat damage as it nourished my roots. An amazing day follows as I re-mineralize my body with a so infusion of Mediterranean thyme and rosemary, anti-inflammatories, and drink tea with one piece of buckwheat toast and extra virgin olive oil. It is one of my favourite moments of the day as I enjoy it without rushing. It also gives me the opportunity to play with my two dogs. Having a complete morning ritual really helps to start the day with a lot of energy and positivity as I feel good and beautiful.
Dr Vali FOUNDER & CEO, LMS WELLNESS The first thing I practice is gratitude and meditation, before I start my day. Then it’s down to business. I’m known for makeup free skin, so my routine is simple: SPF, blush and go. Also, co ee, lots of co ee!
Fiona Stewart FOUNDER, SLIP It starts very early with a 5am espresso, while everyone else in my household is still asleep, followed by emails and a daily meditation. I greatly value this time to myself and embrace the quiet before the craziness of my two boys and a business starts. power of women for a better future. When you invest in a woman’s health and empowerment, it has a ripple e ect, helping families, communities, and countries achieve long-lasting benefits. On the other hand, some of the challenges across the region are o en exaggerated on a global scale. These cultural misunderstandings need to be overcome through greater cross-cultural collaboration. We have built bridges by promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue within Prince Alwaleed Academic Centres located at leading universities across the world. This is a barrier that requires
a long-term approach, by changing perceptions of both the Islamic and Western world. We are proud to be part of the conversation, and also, authentically portray the lives and experiences of people across the region.
THE CHALLENGES & CONQUERING
Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al Saud SECRETARY GENERAL OF ALWALEED PHILANTHROPIES Changing perceptions of women and of the Middle East has always been a hurdle for us across the region. There needs to be greater participation and representation on both a global and local level. On one hand, we need to continue to address the barriers that women face, especially when it comes to tackling socio-cultural challenges and employment opportunities. We have made great strides, however, I believe we must continue to harness the
Amina Muaddi FOUNDER OF AMINA MUADDI THE BRAND I encounter hurdles every day. It’s all about your mindset. When an issue arises, I’ll get upset
Her Highness Sheikha Hend Al Qassemi FOUNDER OF PERFUMES BY HEND My career hurdles didn’t feel like hurdles, I chose to live my life like a river; whenever I reached a rock on the road, I either went around or over it but I acclimatize myself. I don’t believe we should survive, rather we should thrive. When you go above the wave, it means you’ve outdone yourself. I’m very proud of my perfume and I’m not ashamed of my accomplishments. A lot of people say that I have enough with whatever I’ve done. But I think God gave us this unsatiable ambition to keep going on
Sheikha Latifa Al Khalifa FOUNDER & CEO, CLEVER PLAY As an entrepreneur, I’ve faced a lot of hurdles. The biggest ones are wrestling with bouts of doubt, uncertainty, instability and balance. I doubted myself and my capabil- ities at the start because I never saw myself as a “businessperson” and I didn’t have the formal qualifications or experience to fall back on. In fact, it took my co-founders and I almost two years to finally take the leap and launch Clever Play. At the start of our business, uncertainty was around every corner. It was definitely a roller coaster ride – and sometimes still is!
but then I immediately think of how I can solve it. I take things as they come, day by day. Life is not perfect, we have to take what gets thrown at us and bounce back. O en an obstacle is a signal or a blessing in disguise. I’m learning to accept things I can’t control and try to make new mistakes and not repeat the old ones.
Negin Mirsalehi FOUNDER, GISOU As someone who is very ambitious and passionate about what I do, it’s been maintaining a good work-personal life balance – the hurdles have been involved with that.
Jacquie Aiche FOUNDER, JACQUIE AICHE – LA BASED JEWELLERY BRAND Of course, there are ups and downs to everything. I can’t think of one hurdle that stands out more than the rest. When a challenge does come up, the support of my tribe makes it feel so small.
Haifaa Al Mansour FILM DIRECTOR I have faced a lot of challenges throughout my career, like losing financing for films or having to direct from a van because of
gender segregation, but I don’t like to think about the barriers or limitations I face. I always strive to create opportunities for myself wherever I can. If I had sat back and looked at all of the limitations I faced it would have been easy to become discouraged or just give up. It is amazing that there are so many new avenues for Saudi filmmakers to create and showcase their work, but it is still an in- credibly challenging and di cult career path to embark upon. It is important to set goals to ensure that you build upon each success and opportunity so you keep up your momentum.
Kristina Fidelskaya FOUNDER, KRISTINA FIDELSKAYA I have learned that you can’t control everything. In the end it’s important to keep your goals and objectives in mind and find the best way to overcome any obstacles. To stay positive is key to overcome any limitations.
Ola Farahat CONTENT CREATOR Always. I try to handle it in the best way I know how. It’s a continuous learning process for me but the most important thing is to love yourself and believe in yourself because if you don’t nobody else will.
Mireia Lopez Montoya DIRECTOR OF ACCESSORIES, BVLGARI Of course, there are hurdles sometimes and you need to work to overcome them with determination and passion. Sometimes you need to have patience. Things will work out when you are truly committed to your objectives.
Amna Al Habtoor FOUNDER, ARCADIA Definitely, the current COVID-19 pandemic. Humanity is facing is the biggest hurdle to date! But upon Arcadia’s inception, my biggest challenge was creating fragrances that were not only nostalgic for me, but also for whoever smelt them. I also didn’t want to create a brand that was intimidating since Arcadia is neither male nor female but more a feeling. It is this raw, authentic emotion we all can relate to.
“THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH, AND THAT’S HOW YOU BUILD RESILIENCE.” – HH Sheikha Mozah Al Maktoum “I HAVE TRIED TO USE EACH ONE OF THESE EVENTS AS AN INFLECTION POINT WHERE I CAN RECALIBRATE, ADJUST AND ADAPT MY BUSINESSES TO MEET THE NEW REQUIREMENTS” – Sheikha Hind Bahwan
Sheikha Amna Abdulaziz FOUNDER, LAVA Of course building a brand takes a lot of effort and time – you need to search and understand your product, the market and your audience. I can say my biggest concern was the reaction of the audience when I introduced the first local candle brand inspired by my country and how to take it internationally. However, the results and people’s responses were very encouraging.
Barkha Shewakramani FOUNDER, BARKHA BEAUTY Beauty is a very competitive industry. The biggest challenge for any new brand is how to stand out and for any existing brand it is how to stay relevant.
Rania Fawaz CONTENT CREATOR I encountered some di culties in the beginning but I took my mum’s advice to always believe in myself and know that this belief will get me where I would like to be.
Florencia Gomez Gerbi FOUNDER & CEO, GREENPACHA To switch industries. As a surfer, at the beginning I wanted Greenpacha to be in the surf boutiques, naturally. But it turned out to be a very expensive hat for this industry. So, I needed to move my brand and strategy to the green fashion world, which I really liked but I had no idea about. It took me some time, lots of investigation and patience to make this transition happen in a clever and genuine way. But I am really happy I did.
Arabella London ARABELLA LONDON I’ve learnt that running a business never gets easier and ongoing challenges are part of the process. I used to think – as soon as you reach X, Y and Z – you’re sorted, but this isn’t the way it works. In the startup phase I had every hurdle to contend with – creating a brand and business from scratch without any formal background in the industry – grappling with development issues, quality control, finding factories, multiple trial and error moments compounded with the stress of being a solo founder with all responsibility entirely on my shoulders. This was a passion project I was determined to make a success. Fast-forward a few years and we’ve secured world-famous retailers and we are growing so quickly that it’s hard to keep up. With every stage of growth, new challenges arise – now we have immense pressure to meet retail deadlines, scale production, keep innovating and keep our finger on the pulse whilst balancing a social life and getting a little sleep on the side!
Alison Loehnis PRESIDENT, YOOX NET-A-PORTER I am not super reactive. I think and I digest and then I spring into action. I think it’s really important to not go it alone – your team plays such an integral role. It’s about galvanising people around you and action is super important. Identifying a clear plan, clear target and all working together.
Faiza Bouguessa FOUNDER, BOUGUESSA I have learned to quickly get back on my feet when a challenge occurs. We have had many hurdles and they’ll always be there, but what matters more is to look at the bigger picture
and know deep inside that it will work out at the end and of course do everything in your power to overcome that hurdle.
Tania Fares CO-FOUNDER FASHION TRUST ARABIA (FTA) Managing family and career; learning how to raise funds; and not being able to have one home, but rather three homes on three di erent continents.
Rola Abu Manneh CEO STANDARD CHARTERED BANK Looking back over the years, a major barrier to female leadership has been organisational structure. Simply put, it’s unconscious bias, lack of equal opportunities, and the absence of your tribe. I faced a lot of challenges while climbing the career ladder. There were times when I struggled just to be on the ladder! It was not easy, but throughout my career I have always focused on business outcomes, open communication and confidence.
Maya Reik FOUNDER, MAREI1998 I’ve learned to trust myself in di cult situations. My intuition has led me to some places I only previously dreamt of. It’s important to listen to other opinions, but ultimately only you know what is best for yourself and your business.
Captain Salma Al Baloushi FIRST OFFICER PILOT, ETIHAD AIRWAYS I’ve realised I want to do more, so I decided to complete my higher education in Aviation Management, this way I can balance being on and o the ground. I’ve also learned the importance of having savings – they provide stability!
Alex Hirschi FOUNDER, SUPER CAR BLONDIE Honestly, 2020 was a blessing in disguise. I went through a period where I wasn’t sleeping, I wasn’t feeling myself, and actually had a full burn out. When coronavirus hit, it gave us an opportunity to rest, stay in one place and rework the business. It made us realise we couldn’t keep going the way we had been otherwise we’d both be burned out. We also had the opportunity to hire people and expand the team. Now, our team has expanded from 2 to 6 people in the last 6 months. I just hired my sister and my brother in law as well this month. They flew over to join the team from Australia. It’s super important to surround yourself with people you really trust in this business.
Areej Al Hammadi FOOTBALLER & GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER It emphasized my view on approaching challenges. It helps if you have patience and resilience in times like these. With all sporting events and facilities being closed down for health and safety purposes, you need to create your opportunities and approach to these challenges. Many of us have adapted to working on our fitness at home and improving our skills. Successful and talented Middle Eastern women have been supported in the UAE through various opportunities to develop them and acknowledge their multiple contributions.
Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Al Maktoum AVIATION INDUSTRY, PILOT The biggest hurdle for me has been starting to pursue my dream at such a young age. It meant being surrounded constantly by people with more experience and more confidence than me and always being under constant pressure to not only measure up to them but also exceed and be the best I could be, consistently. I
tackled it then the way I approach everything: Head on and with full force. The only way out is through, and that’s how you build resilience. hurdles I have been lucky enough to employ a bigger team and delegate e ciently. This was not so easy in the beginning as I couldn’t afford to hire anyone and was relying on myself but now that the brand has momentum, we can hire experts in the industry to support the growth of the brand.
Sheikha Hind Bahwan FOUNDER, OJAR There have been a myriad of events and developments that have occurred over the last two decades that have impacted my businesses, be they the dotcom bubble of the early 2000s, the global financial crisis of 2009, the various oil price crashes, the evolution of smartphones, e-commerce and social media, the renewable energy revolution and of course the very di cult pandemic that we are experiencing at the moment. I have tried to use each one of these events as an inflection point
where I can recalibrate, adjust and adapt my businesses to meet the new requirements, and hopefully, with my businesses emerging stronger as a result of these events.
“AS TIME PASSES YOU GET WISER, YOU GET MORE EX- PERIENCED, AND AS YOU EDUCATE YOURSELF ON YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, YOU ARE ABLE TO DEVELOP YOURSELF.” – Eszter Áron
Sophie Hill FOUNDER, THREADS STYLING One of my biggest hurdles has been understanding the level of resilience needed to achieve an ambitious goal. The commitment is not something that can be done part time – it takes over your entire life. It becomes your life. The second biggest challenge has been funding. Only 2% of funding goes to females, it is still a very male ecosystem.
Eva Alexandridis CO-FOUNDER/CEO 111SKIN I would say once you own a business, you work non-stop but to help overcome the
Gaia Repossi FOUNDER, REPOSSI I would say in every business there is a lot outside the creative that needs to be handled especially in times like these. Also, for me the best way to navigate it is to surprise people whether they are ready or not.
Salama Khalfan FOUNDER, SALAMA KHALFAN JEWELLERY I think for any brand, not only jewellery, but for any brand in a competitive market, the biggest hurdle is the beginning. To find
people that believe in the brand especially retailers. Retailers are generally very hesitant to take on a new brand unless it is someone with appetite and foresight for new and un- familiar. That has been the biggest challenge. I overcame this challenge with hard work, I created several collections and I did not compromise on the quality and on designs.
Hélène Poulit-Duquesne CEO, BOUCHERON Find a good balance between my personal life and my professional life – with two kids, particularly when they were young. Thankfully, my husband has been extremely supportive. I may not spend a lot of time with my children but what is important for me is that the time spent with them is qualitative. “Quality above quantity” is my motto. I believe that my sons have the right behaviour today because I have always made sure that we communicate a lot on all their feelings, what they are living. We share a lot.
Mayassa Al Tajir AERIAL ARTIST I started o with yoga, which I believe is the fundamental backbone of any kind of physical exercise. My favourite yoga practice would have to be vinyasa and arm balances, being an artist at heart. I can’t resist the beauty of the poses, shapes, the strength and the grace of the human form. Therefore aerials was naturally the next progression in the journey. I like variety and I like to feel challenged, and the real beauty of aerial arts is that it just doesn’t feel like exercise as I am not a gym person, in any shape or form. I don’t even know how to turn on those gym machines. But in aerials, you combine height, spinning, drops, shapes, climbs and dance in the practise, it is a very beautiful, inspiring art, where you continually progress on your journey, there is no end, and therefore there is no limit. The main challenges have been to balance strength and flexibility, you require them both, and I believe that finding the correct balance between these two fundamental elements is every ones Achilles’ heel. You need complete core to be able to li your own body weight, and sometimes hang on just one arm or one ankle even, and you need to be able to bend, and open your heart and breathe inverted. I have never found inversions challenging, but sometimes I have said a prayer or two before doing drops.
Kat Furey FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PALM The biggest hurdle was finding the time in the day to manage all the di erent aspects of the brand. Because we source all of our own materials and have our own in-house studio where all of our pieces are made to order, there is a huge amount of work to do. In the early days, I had to manage all of the di erent aspects of the brand myself with the support of my partner, Ben and my family. As the brand has grown, I have been able to build my team and find more time to focus on what I love best: design.
Isabella Cavallin & Jannine Vinci FOUNDERS, OSÉREE We have obstacles and challenges to overcome every day. Creating swimwear, we find ourself in a very delicate context and we try to stay as close as possible to women, trying to comfort them with new products which hug every shape. We are trying to combat the stereotype that bikinis can only be worn by models, it most certainly isn’t true! For that reason we try to always portray photos across our social channels which communicate real women. No one should be embarrassed or ashamed of their body, we are all special and unique.
Bianca Anstiss FOUNDER, MYRA SWIM The biggest hurdle for me has been finding a solid team. This took me nearly 5 years. I have the most amazing team now and having sta who are passionate as well as loyal is something companies should not take for granted. The workflow and environment at Myra Swim HQ is invaluable. Because I am so hands on with my company, I’ve had to go through many stressful years of having to fulfill positions within the company myself and take on bigger work loads because the job wasn’t initially being done correctly.
Tata Harper FOUNDER, TATA HARPER The misconception that naturals aren’t effective. When we first started, formulating high-tech, ingredient-packed products with exclusively natural ingredients was a challenge. Then, once we launched our first products, the challenge we faced was overcoming this old misconception that naturals weren’t e ective. Now, as we continue to grow and are more focused on international expansion we’re facing new challenges that come with scaling a business. It has also been challenging to design sustainable luxury packaging. We’ve had to create our own moulds, rethink conventional packaging practices, and spend years researching. It has come a long way, but it is still a hurdle.
Nayla Al Khaja FIRST FEMALE DIRECTOR & PRODUCER IN UAE First, it was education. I had to travel abroad to be able to study film as there were no schools providing that here. It wasn’t easy to convince my parents, but I was able to do it! Second, it was infrastructure. Being the first female filmmaker, I didn’t have access to a lot of resources like gear or crew members which was heavy on the pocket as I had to fly it in. Equally, it was di cult to find people who believed in me and would agree to fund my film. Thankfully, I was able to overcome that by simply following my heart and the stories that I’m passionate about which was contagious, and I was able to find people who agreed to finance my projects. Last, it will be the robust TV commercial industry here, vs. an active film industry and the lack of government movie funding. It would be great to see private investors supporting Emirati talent and government funding.
Raha Moharrak CLIMBER I have more than three! I would say break- ing stereotypes, breaking stigmas, proving people wrong when they have the wrong idea about me. Challenging myself. Believing in myself when less than a handful of people believed in me. And staying motivated, happy and positive. I know it’s corny to say, but staying positive doesn’t come easy at all.
Eszter Áron FOUNDER OF AERON When I wanted to live up to the expectations of others but I couldn’t stand up for myself when I didn’t trust my instincts. I think these are the things that could hold you back. As time passes you get wiser, you get more experienced, and as you educate yourself on your strengths and weaknesses, you are able to develop yourself.
Stephanie Danial FOUNDER, NARA DESERT ESCAPE The biggest challenge was finding the land to open the camp, there are very few spots available in Dubai. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and presented my project and vision for Nara. They loved the innovative and ecofriendly elements and supported me in the idea.
Sandra Sandor FOUNDER, NANUSHKA There have been many ups and downs throughout the years, at some point I almost lost my business. However, hope, re- silience and trust have helped me overcome the obstacles and allowed me to grow into the person I am today. I launched Nanushka without any business experience a er gradu- ating and throughout the years I had to learn the ins and outs of the industry and adapt to new challenges – I think surrounding myself with colleagues I trust has helped me grow.
Barbara Szep WELLNESS AMBASSADOR, ETIHAD AIRWAYS The most challenging part was getting used to wearing a face mask because it can feel like a barrier between you and the guest. We have introduced a number of these protocols and procedures which support safety including 100% PCR testing for all guests prior to departure.
Fatma Al Otaiba FOUNDER, ODEEM Our biggest challenge was launching in January 2020, as COVID hindered us when it came to brand awareness and participating in public events or pop ups that we needed as support for reaching new clients. We’re grateful, however, to social media and Dubai being a city that opened up much more quickly than others. This allowed us to be present for people to discover the brand and quality of products behind it.
“WE ARE YOUNG, HIGHLY DRIVEN WOMEN WITH OUR FINGER ALWAYS ON THE PULSE OF WHAT IS TRENDING.” – Nora, Sarah & Dana Al-Ramadhan
Mai Albudoor FOUNDER, IAM MAI The biggest challenge is balancing work commitments with family life. Having young children means my schedule can be thrown totally o track in an instant so working around that has been challenging. Like all working mums, it’s a balancing act trying to juggle both as best we can. It’s just about set- ting time aside for work and then being fully present when it’s family time. If things don’t go according to plan, I always remind myself tomorrow is a new day to start fresh.
Azza Skhiri FOUNDER, DIDON JEWELLERY The journey of a startup is challenging but it’s worth it with every stage achieved and ev- ery success gained. I want to empower others to go through the process and I am grateful for every single challenge along the way.
Robyn Berkley FOUNDER, LIVE THE PROCESS I’ve had days where I’ve not known my exact purpose and what I’m here to do. Some of the hurdles I faced were the constant striving for perfection, leading to constantly being stressed out. Always trying to please people and make sure they always got what they needed also lead me to improper care of myself. A er working on all these qualities and while continuing to do so, I have di erent tools, knowledge and a perception which enables me to be the best version of myself without sacrificing it for others. My life is about me first and this was my hardest lesson of all.
Vilma Jurkute EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALSERKAL AVENUE It is never easy to be the ‘first’ or a pioneer, because there is no model or playbook you can follow. I take comfort in advice someone once gave me: “Don’t be afraid of uncertainty, it means you are innovating”. To be honest, when we started, I felt like the West didn’t know what to do with us because we didn’t fit any of their ‘boxes’, in terms of art paradigms. We began as an arts neighbourhood in the Al Quoz industrial area, then through Alserkal Avenue’s expansion in 2015 we extended our platform to welcome a curated community of entrepreneurs across various industries, acting as a building block for the creative economy locally and through our commitment to artistic production, residency programmes, scholarship and research we evolved further as an institution, forming the Alserkal Arts Foundation. It created for a context-specific and organic model that responds to our city, our history and publics. Alserkal and its initiatives are everyone’s community commons: collaborative, open, experimental and flexible by nature.’
“OVER THE YEARS I HAVE LEARNT THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE ASSERTIVE AND FIND YOUR VOICE IF THERE ARE GOALS TO ACCOMPLISH.” – Muna Al Gurg
Muna Al Gurg MANAGING DIRECTOR, EASA SALEH AL GURG GROUP When I began my journey as a young business leader, the challenge was to be heard in a room full of men, some of whom who were also older and more experienced. Over the years I have learnt that it is important to be assertive and find your voice if there are goals to accomplish.
Geeta Pahlajani FOUNDER, THE GOODNESS COMPANY Starting a business ground up comes with its own set of hurdles daily. ∙ HR: Building a team that has the same values to see the brand flourish has been a large challenge. However, over the years we have identified a mechanism to hire for mindset rather than just skills. ∙ Unethical Practices: It is common practice for an innovative brand like ours to be copied and launched by a large player as their own idea. This has happened to us several times; now we just view this as a form of flattery and remain undeterred. ∙ Market Acceptance: The Goodness Company was launched when the market was still very nascent and conscious consumption prac-
tices were not mainstream. Our flagship vegan chocolate range has taken 2 years to reach FMCG potential and acceptance by retail players to be launched into major supermarket chains in the UAE. Consistently educating consumers through various channels whether social media, events, popups, partnerships has been integral to overcome this hurdle. Creating demand and brand value is a long journey and takes time; this is where I have seen a lot of businesses lose patience and give up.
Carisa Janes FOUNDER & CEO, HOURGLASS There are a lot of unknowns when you’re starting your own brand, and I think one of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced was not giving in to those who told me not to do it. Some people brushed o the notion that my idea could compete against the biggest beauty brands in the world or told me that I was tak-
ing too many risks. First, it was just the idea of starting my own business. Next, it was the concept of a cruelty-free, luxury beauty collection. Then, it was our commitment to become vegan. None of these things were easy, and people were right – we could easily have failed. But sometimes you have to turn down the volume and trust your instincts. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had listened to them and succumbed to external doubts. Just believing in yourself and going for it can be the biggest hurdle sometimes, but if you get past that, you’re guaranteed to be successful in some way.
Nora, Sarah & Dana Al-Ramadhan FOUNDERS, APOTHECA BEAUTY What we initially found to be more of a struggle upon launching Apotheca Beauty was ageism – young, female entrepreneurs coming into the industry and working with people who have been in the industry for decades. It was more of a challenge to gain credibility despite our education and con-
sumer knowledge. However, our youthful- ness has actually played out to be one of our advantages and led to where we are today. We are young, highly driven women with our fin- ger always on the pulse of what is trending. We have learnt to stay positive, work through it, ask for help when we need to, focus on the bigger picture, and do not allow ourselves to get discouraged. More o en than not, when one door closes, another opens. Therefore, we always try to put in the e ort to stay mo- tivated, passionate, and driven.
Dr. Barbara Sturm FOUNDER, DR. BARBARA STURM A few years ago, I had just created our Darker Skin Tones line in collaboration with Angela Bassett and was discouraged by the initial reluctance of some of the major retailers in picking it up. We had put so much e ort and research into creating something truly extraordinary for our darker skin toned clients, but we didn’t give up. Finally, it came to the point where I insisted that if retailers wanted to carry my main Molecular Cosmetics Skincare line, they’d have to carry the Darker Skin Tones line as well, and they did. I’m a doctor, so I am in the service business. Serving patients starts with listening to the patient.
Anastasia Soare FOUNDER, ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS In the beginning, it was so hard. The hours were long, and I wasn’t sure if it would even pay o . I can’t tell you the number of evenings I went home ready to give up, not sure I could continue one more day. And then I would wake up in the morning and start it all again. I love this Mahatma Gandhi quote, ‘Every night when I go to sleep, I die. And then the next morning, when I wake up, I am reborn’. I sacrificed so much when I le Romania, but I knew that I wanted to create something for myself that would give me purpose each and every day. I tried to look at each hurdle as a lesson. With lessons come learning, so you never need to make the same mistake twice.
Alexia Inge CO-FOUNDER, CULT BEAUTY I think my main hurdles have been internal, jumping over my own lack of self-confidence to follow what my gut was telling me was right. When you are trying to build things differently you come up against a lot of barriers and lack of imagination – unused paths are overgrown and inhospitable, but they can lead to amazing discoveries and once you’ve cut a way through it does get easier.
Miriam Quevedo FOUNDER OF MIRIAM QUEVEDO My objective has always been to pioneer the introduction of anti-aging skincare concepts to haircare also known as the ‘skinification’ of the hair movement because hair and scalp age too. Our scalp is an extension of our skin a er all: both scalp and hair are a ected by the same aging factors as the skin. A revolution that was not easy to launch, we had almost no competitors on anti-aging haircare treatments, thus, wide space to express ourselves, but faced big challenges to communicate this key information: take care of your scalp and understand it as an extension of your skin. We overcame it by educating, explaining, transmitting the key messages to our consumers, by taking care of them as we accompanied them with a professional diagnostic and recommendation of personal rituals. The rest was done by the product, it is so e cient and gives such spectacular results that it talks for itself with our first ambassador being our product. The second challenge was reaching excellence in all the essential areas for us: maximum performance, respect for health and environment. We search for and secure the most precious, rare, unique and e ective ingredients such as gold, diamond, caviar, fresh rose stem cells and black rose extracts no matter how challenging it is to source them.
Dr Vali FOUNDER & CEO, LMS WELLNESS Like most business owners, the pandemic presented a huge challenge for us. I am used to flying globally to our 7+ concierge clinics across the world at least once or twice a month. Despite this, staying grounded during this time has allowed me to focus on the launch of my product line and create a masterplan for the future of by Dr. Vali including our new groundbreaking experimental centre.
