Raphael Stevens

Lifestyle

by Team Emirates Woman
1 hour ago

The UAE’s hospitality industry continues to be one of the fastest sectors to be growing year after year.
To ensure the country supports tourism, there are several dedicated individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure operations run smoothly.
One such group that has made a distinguished impact for more than two decades is Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts, a member of Dubai Holding and a global luxury hotel company that operates a world-class 6,500 key portfolio of 25 luxury properties across the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
With a plethora of prestigious names under its wings such as Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Al Naseem and more, Jumeirah Group has always championed Emirati women who hold important positions to ensure visitors enjoy an unforgettable experience.
As the UAE celebrates its seventh annual Emirati Women’s Day, Emirates Woman spoke to three inspiring women who carry out their daily duties diligently.
Marwa Rashed, Guest Relations Manager at Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts

This year the theme of Emirati Women’s Day is ‘Inspiring Reality… Sustainable Future’. What does this mean to you?
It speaks volumes about gender equality and how we need to appreciate the success and achievement of our leaders. Over the years, we are inspired by their contributions to our sustainable developments and continue to do so in the future.
How does being a woman from the UAE empower you to strive for more?
As an Emirati woman, our great leaders always empower and motivate us to succeed in everything we do and to strive for excellence. Being one has enabled me and provided me with the opportunity to represent Emirati heritage in the hospitality industry welcoming people from around the world and introducing our strong heritage and warm Arabian hospitality.
How has your heritage influenced your career to date?
My family initially disagreed with my choice as an Emirati woman working in the hotel, but now they believe in what I am doing and continue to support me.
What advice would you give to women who wish to follow in your footsteps?
Do not believe in negative people who let you down. Believe in yourself and follow your passion. Do not give up even when things go wrong. Surround yourself with positive people who are always there for you.
Sheikha Fatima has stated: “Emirati women have proven that there is no task that is impossible”. Would you agree with this and why?
Yes, I totally agree with it. Emirati women role models who excelled beyond expectation and achieved a lot can be seen by the whole world. One of them, Sara Alameri, is the science lead for the Emirates Mars Mission, Hope. Also, the UAE’s World Expo 2020 bid was led by Reem Alhashimy, I hope that one day I can be one of these Emirati women who break all the barriers and represents what an Emirati woman can accomplish.
What does Emirati Women’s Day mean to you?
It’s the day to celebrate and recognise all the achievements that I and my fellow Emirati women have made this year. It is also a day that empowers and motivates me to further develop my skills and make my country proud.
Shamsa Al Zarooni, Senior Executive Human Resources at Jumeirah Group

This year the theme of Emirati Women’s Day is ‘Inspiring Reality… Sustainable Future’. What does this mean to you?
Emirati Women’s Day to me is to grow a sustainable dream planted in the reality of our future. It is the result of the collective efforts of our country’s strong women. The dream of having Emirati women at the forefront of the UAE’s future by sustaining the rise of our strong ladies across all career fields.
How does being a woman from the UAE empower you to strive for more?
The UAE has never wavered in its support for women and their growth. With such a great leadership and support system at present, anyone would be inspired to strive for the very best. The goal is not to bring pride to myself or my family alone, but to the country as a whole.
How has your heritage influenced your career to date?
I hold my heritage close to my heart. It is very dear to me, and I would love nothing more than to carry it on with me throughout my career. As a part of Jumeirah Al Naseem’s HR department, I enjoyed presenting the UAE culture to all the new joiners during their first day in the hotel. Some of them have been in the UAE for years while others have not. The discussions that come from such presentations never cease to fill me with joy. I get the opportunity to introduce more people to our beautiful heritage and see the interest sparkle in their eyes. It makes me feel immense pride to be an Emirati. It reminds me of why hospitality interests me so much. Working with such a vast number of nationalities is incredible. Meeting so many people with different cultures and backgrounds. Each story is more fascinating than the next. It becomes my responsibility to correctly represent my own story, and my own heritage, and make those around me feel the same fascination when listening to me.
What advice would you give to women who wish to follow in your footsteps?
Strive to be the best version of yourself that you wish to be. Put in the effort and hard work to exceed all expectations. The aim is not to follow in my footsteps, but to forge your own path. Do not strive for success, strive for excellence and success will automatically follow you. As women, we prove ourselves by being a challenge to everyone and achieving what has not yet been done.
Sheikha Fatima has stated: “Emirati women have proven that there is no task that is impossible”. Would you agree with this and why?
I strongly agree with this statement. Women are big contributors to growth and innovation. They make anything possible when they put their minds to it. Women hold such great potential that is steadily letting themselves be known. As their confidence grows, so does their creativity flow. Paired with their hard work, the outcomes are endless.
What does Emirati Women’s Day mean to you?
Emirati Women’s Day is a chance for me to look back at the time that has passed and think about how I have contributed to this day. It is a time for me to realign my goals and refocus my efforts on making my fellow Emirati women proud. It is a day for all of us to better understand our achievements as Emirati women, which helps us to better represent our country with pride.
Latifa Al Mazrouei, Assistant Manager Housekeeping at Jumeirah Mina A’Salam

This year the theme of Emirati Women’s Day is ‘Inspiring Reality… Sustainable Future’. What does this mean to you?
To me, it means living in the moment and being able to welcome the future generation of Emirati women by creating opportunities and carving paths for them now.
How does being a woman from the UAE empower you to strive for more?
Having powerful and inspiring leaders who constantly motivate and empower women is what makes me strive for more. My senior Emirati colleagues and leaders of the UAE are a constant inspiration to me and my fellow Emirati peers.
How has your heritage influenced your career to date?
Being in a country that welcomes diverse cultures makes me want to expand my knowledge in communicating with the rest of the world by working in a place that has diversity and a variety of people, such as Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts.
What advice would you give to women who wish to follow in your footsteps?
My advice to all women is to find what they truly love, and continue working on it without giving up, so they can inspire future generations as well.
Sheikha Fatima has stated: “Emirati women have proven that there is no task that is impossible”. Would you agree with this and why?
I strongly believe that our only limitations are those we set up in our minds. Sheikha Fatima has been an incredible example for Emirati Women and has given all Emirati women enormous encouragement and countless opportunities to reach our goals and follow our dreams.
What does Emirati Women’s Day mean to you?
Emirati Women’s Day to me means taking the opportunity to thank, learn, and appreciate all Emirati Women.
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Emirates Man

by Dan Robinson
2 hours ago

World Cup fever is officially underway.
Set to take place in Qatar, many hotels and flights are already selling out. So, you might ask yourself where you can watch the games on the big screen here in Dubai.
Whether you will be hardcore watching every game, supporting your favourite team, or just wanting to join the festivities. The energy will undoubtedly be undeniable as we witness this landmark in the Middle East and football history.
With only three months before the kick-off on November 20, 2022, venues have already started selling tickets for VIP fan zones and general admissions.
Below, we list the top places below to get in early and make a booking.

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Lifestyle

by Olivia Morris
27 seconds ago

An Etihad Airways Emirati pilot has just made history in the UAE.
Reaching new heights (quite literally), Captain Aisha Al Mansoori has become the UAE’s first female Emirati Captain in a commercial airline.
The groundbreaking appointment for Captain Aisha has come after years of hard work and training.
The pilot first joined the Etihad Cadet Pilot programme in 2007, being one of only two Emirati females in her batch. After three years of training, Captain Aisha graduated from the programme in 2010 and took her first flight on an Etihad Airbus A320 to Amman, Jordan.
Captain Aisha has gone on to climb the ranks, completing the required flying hours to become Senior First Officer and she also become the first female UAE national to fly the superjumbo passenger aircraft the Airbus A380.

Now, the 33-year-old has risen to the ranks of Captain, becoming the first Emirati female to do so for a commercial airline, having completed a rigorous training programme with Etihad and undergone the requisite flying hours to be considered for the title. As well as this, Captain Aisha passed the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority’s theoretical knowledge and flying exams successfully to officially become the first Emirati female Captain to hold an Air Transport Pilot License in the UAE.
The appointment comes just ahead of Emirati Women’s Day on August 28, 2022, which is when Captain Aisha is set to commence flying duties as a Captain at Etihad.
“I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to join Etihad’s Cadet Pilot programme and grow my career over the years with Etihad,” Captain Aisha said of her history-making appointment. “I am thankful for the tremendous support I have received from my instructors at Etihad and for their guidance through my training, which has shaped my skills and prepared me for the rank of Captain.”
It’s a milestone Captain Aisha hopes will also inspire others to follow their passions.
“I am proud to be the first female Emirati to be a Captain in a commercial airline, and I hope I will be an inspiration to young women to follow this career path,” she added.
Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, also shared Etihad’s pride in Captain Aisha’s groundbreaking appointment, adding the aviation group is committed to supporting Emirati women to grow in the industry.
“Etihad is extremely proud of Captain Aisha’s achievement and the trailblazing role she is playing for women in aviation in the UAE. She will no doubt be the first of many, and Etihad looks forward to welcoming more female pilots to the rank of Captain in the future,” he said. “Etihad remains committed to Emiratisation and to elevating Emirati women to play their part in the growth of the aviation industry.
“Aviation is gender blind, and to prove oneself, Etihad’s pilots undergo intensive exams and meet strict requirements on flying hours to ensure the highest standards of training in international aviation are upheld. Aisha earned her rank and will no doubt inspire her fellow Emiratis and young women around the world to follow their dreams in aviation.”
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Lifestyle

by Amy Sessions
3 hours ago

Bryony Deery, Founder of The Platform, takes us through her tips to get beach ready.
What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like at home and how does this differ on vacation?
During the week I wake up between 5:45-6am, drink a big glass of water and then head downstairs to make my collagen matcha using Enso matcha and Dose & Co Dairy Free collagen. I then take it back up to the bed, I love this me-time. I like to begin my day with a meditation and afterwards, I grab my journal and write my to-do list, my intentions for that day and any thoughts/feelings that come up during my meditation practice. There is something so powerful about early mornings and it’s crucial for me to have an hour to myself before I start my first client at 7am. My routine fits in around the type of vacation I’m on depending on the time difference and whether I have later evenings etc but generally the mornings start in the same way with my mind and body routine followed by a later breakfast. I want to feel my best on holiday and daily movement and mindfulness helps me achieve this. I am less strict on holiday but I like to alternate Pilates with morning walks.
Can you take us through your top de-bloating tips to be beach ready?
For me being beach ready is more of a mindset and feeling confident and comfortable in my own skin. Naturally, if I am doing Pilates and meditating my cortisol levels are reduced and therefore I have less inflammation in my body and tend to feel less bloated. On the days thatI am suffering from bloating I have a video on my app that are my go-tos for debloating, perfect for that time of the month andit really does work! Focusing on my gut health is a daily non-negotiable but drinking lots of water, cutting out excess salt, dry brushing and lymphatic drainage massage are all pre-holiday essentials for me.
Do you exercise each day on vacation and if so when do you carve out time for this?
I naturally like to always stay active whether I am on holiday or at home. I like to do Pilates first thing before breakfast and then tend to do a walk after breakfast and sometimes again at the end of the day. Walking along a beach with a podcast is pure heaven and such a magical way to start the day and boost your mood. We can all find reasons not to find the time but I am disciplined on this and always make sure I invest in myself and my mental and physical health and schedule the time in each day. I love how Pilates is so easy to do anywhere whether you’re in your hotel room, on the beach, or on a balcony.
How long have you been using body gua sha and skin brushing and what effect have you seen from implementing these practices?
I have been body brushing for years! I could talk about the benefits all day long. It helped me with water retention, bloating, detoxing, and skin elasticity and it makes me feel alive before a cold shower in the morning. I love to use my body gua sha to aid in lymphatic drainage and release any buildup there. I do this twice a day and it has become a staple in my bathroom routine.
How often should we be doing this?
Once a day minimum. Every day, no excuses!

What are your go-to products for sun protection as in face, body and hair?

I never put my face in the sun, I wear a huge hat, sunglasses and sit with my face and chest in the shade. I want to avoid sun damage as much as I can. I use Eurcerin oil control SPF 50 on my face and I like Institut esthederm or ultrasun for my body. Pre-holiday I swear by Amanda Harrington fake tan for the body and tan luxe for the face. Buy both now and thank me later.
Are you a light packer or a heavy packer and are there any go-to pieces you always pack for vacation?
I like to pack by outfits so I know I have the right looks for each occasion but then will also add a few extra pieces that I know will go with everything. I always pack a blazer for colder evenings, a comfy but cool pair of trainers that can double up for travel and workouts, oversized shirts that I can wear on the beach over bikinis, Hermes Oran sandals for day-to-night looks and I’m a real fan of maxi skirts as I find them so elegant and flattering with a crop top or bodysuit. My real secret must-have for packing is Muji packing cubes, they are incredibly functional and make unpacking the dream. I am militant when it comes to packing and travel.
Travelling can disrupt our routines. How do you ensure you maintain your habits?
By reminding myself that routine is what makes me feel good and asking myself how I want to feel today. I know that my daily rituals are what makes me feel grounded, at peace and healthy. The book Atomic Habits is one of my favourites and a book I recommend to all of my friends. I really believe that staying consistent with small daily habits amount to a big shift in your day and week!
You recently launched Pilates By Bryony The App – do you find there is a huge demand to work out remotely and what made you take the leap?
Without a doubt. Since COVID-19 there was a big shift in our attitude towards home workouts. People saw that they could achieve results at home, save time and money on gym membership fees, and fit the sessions in around their home life. There has absolutely been an increase in online fitness, I started with 15 people joining my zoom classes and I am now able to connect with people all over the world via the app. I feel so happy and fulfilled knowing that I can reach so many people and help in some way with their mental and physical well-being.

“Drinking lots of water, cutting out excess salt, dry brushing and lymphatic drainage massages are pre-holiday essentials for me.” 

What have been the biggest challenges to date and how did you overcome them?
Having a scalable platform for lots of users in- evitably has its challenges but I am a firm believer that there is always a way to figure it out and lessons to learn along the way. I am lucky to have a team of incredibly talented people that have been invaluable to me, especially in the last few months. My meditation practice has changed me as a person and in these stressful times I manage to stay relatively calm and positive and tell myself that there is always a solution. Without meditation, I wouldn’t be able to deal with the stressful situations that building a business can bring so I am very grateful for that.
How have you found social media in terms of supporting brand growth?
It’s almost impossible to build a brand in today’s climate without having a social media presence and it is a key driver for growth in the online fitness industry. It is also a brilliant business tool and allows you to access insights into your audience and speak directly to the consumer. It still blows my mind how quickly a business can grow based on one key share of a story.
How do you approach scaling without compromising on quality?
Scaling a subscription business should never impact quality. I strive to improve the quality as I scale and really listen to my audience. It was harder to deliver quality before launching The Platform because the growth was quicker than I had expected, so I had to figure it out and find a way to grow and develop with demand. I am always read- ing books on startups and businesses as I love to learn.
This is The Summer Escape Issue – where would you like to escape to this summer?
With the nature of the business, it can be difficult to completely switch off and escape but I am hoping to really cut down in August and go to Mykonos. I’d like to spend more time in the sur- rounding Greek islands as they look so beautiful and undiscovered. Last summer I worked non stop so the aim of this summer is to work smarter and have more balance when I am away.
July/August’s – The Summer Escape Issue – Download Now
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Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
This week we chat with Jennifer Tromba-Qadir, founder of REVA, the UAE’s largest on-demand wellness platform. The concept was launched five years ago by Tromba-Qadir and her husband after she noticed there was a gap in the market for home services for massages and other spa treatments. Being a busy mum on the go and also working full-time, she found it difficult to ever get time to be able to visit a wellness hub or spa, thus the idea for REVA was born. 
Emirates Woman sat down with Tromba-Qadir to find out more about the concept of REVA and its plans for further expansion in the GCC.
What was your favourite subject at school?
My favourite subjects were art and chemistry. I love letting my creativity flow without any boundaries or rules. Art gives me the freedom to express my thoughts, feelings, and sentiments in so many different ways. With chemistry, I was always intrigued with how two unrelated things can be combined to create something a lot more useful – it kind of defines my motto in life!
What was your first job?
I worked two jobs when I was 14 years old. I grew up on Sanibel Island which is a resort island off the coast of Florida. It’s known for its shell beaches and wildlife preserves. While living there I worked at an island gift shop and as a hostess at a fine dining restaurant. So the hustle started early for me!
What brought you to Dubai?
I went on a girls’ trip to Dubai, met a man and fell in love. Totally not how the girls’ trip was supposed to end up! I am a pretty intuitive person and something about this guy made me feel alive in a way I never felt before. I told my girlfriend on the first day of our trip that I was going to end up marrying him. We did long-distance for a year and then eventually we got married and I made the move to Dubai. We have been together for 10 years now with two beautiful kids. I guess my intuition was right!
Fortunately, Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi was being built at the same time. As I am a Registered ICU & Trauma Nurse with over 15 years of experience, I was able to get hired to help open up the hospital and train the incoming nurses.

What inspired you to enter the wellness space?
Wellness has always played a vital role in my life. I went through a couple of traumatic events early in life and had to learn how to cope with anxiety. In America, you can get a pill for anything and I knew there had to be a better way to heal from the inside out. I started looking into wellness and was amazed at how positively my body was responding to yoga, massage and meditation. Once I saw the results, I knew I wanted to help others through wellness.
Talk us through the concept of Reva.
REVA is the largest on-demand wellness platform in the UAE. Our professional therapists come to any location of your choice to deliver a number of services which includes massages, yoga, and corporate wellness solutions such as chair massages.
Our goal at REVA is to provide high-quality, spa-like services at affordable prices. The world is moving at such a fast pace and people want to improve their wellness. However, they cannot find the time or the right platform to suit their needs. This is where REVA excels – you can browse, book, and pay online through www.revauae.com and we will come to any location in as little as a few hours!
What are the key elements of your role?
I like to call myself the CEO – Chief Excellence Officer. This is because my primary goal is to ensure excellence in every aspect of our business. From the way we answer your phone call to the training we provide for our therapists. Ultimately, each aspect of our business helps ensure that we are providing excellent wellness services for our clients. Today we have thousands of online reviews with a 4.9 rating (out of 5.0). So I think I am doing my job as CEO pretty well!
However, the reality is that I am involved in every aspect of the company since my husband and I have created REVA from the ground up. I personally oversee the recruitment, hiring, training of therapists, branding, business development, corporate wellness, networking, and building our client relations. I also work closely with our marketing team on new ideas for content and the creation of new massages.
Talk us through your daily routine.

During the week, I wake up at 6:30am with the kids to help get them dressed, have their lunches made, and get sent off to school. Of course, this is with the invaluable help of nannies – we live in Dubai after all!
I’ll then go on the treadmill for 30 mins while watching the news to catch up with what’s going on in the world. For breakfast, I make the world’s best green smoothie and add in supplements. It’s an easy way to get in a lot of vitamins and nutrients right away – and it doesn’t taste gross!
Then I will dive right into work – responding to emails, planning therapist training, social media strategy for the week, lunch or coffee meet-ups with one of our clients or influencers that we work with, working with our team on the expansion of REVA, accounting, inventory, creation of new massages and testing them. It’s endless!
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
First of all – don’t follow in my footsteps or anyone else’s. Create your own path because that is the one meant for you. The moment you try to copy someone else, you are compromising on your potential and originality.
That being said, find something you are really passionate about and just never give up. Being an entrepreneur is extremely rewarding but there have been so many challenges along the way that can come out of nowhere.
Most importantly, if your purpose is to create income then make sure your idea is financially viable. Dreams don’t pay bills – money pays the bills!
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
I heard a quote recently that really resonated with me. It was “Don’t spend all your time trying to find yourself. Spend your time creating yourself into a person you will be proud of”. For me, I want to make sure I can be the best version of myself and an amazing role model to my kids. So I try to envision that person and work hard on bettering myself every day, in all aspects of my life.
Also, don’t be afraid to fail. You have to fail in order to grow and lose in order to gain. Life’s greatest lessons are learned best through our failures!
And what is the worst?
Just be patient and good things will come. Maybe in love, this can be true, but not in business. You need to go after what you want and work hard towards your goals. Nothing comes easy in business or in life, and you have to work for it everyday!
What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
Finding the right balance between work and family life. I can easily get consumed with work and work from 8 am to midnight. So trying to add more structure and devote time to my day for me, my kids, husband and family has definitely helped.
What are the future plans of your company?
We have a lot of exciting things coming up! We are one of the first UAE-based wellness brands to go international. We will be launching in Qatar next month and we are already starting the process for Saudi!
Even more exciting is the brand new REVA APP that we are about to launch. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our customer experience and make the process as seamless as possible. You will be able to browse, book, pay, and get our services in a few clicks!
Lastly, we have a number of very exciting services that will be launched soon. New slimming treatments, facial rejuvenation, spray tan, and more!
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Lifestyle

by Sarah Joseph
36 seconds ago

A luxe new DIFC restaurant has opened its doors just in time for peak season in Dubai.
After months of planning in the pipeline, Italian restaurant Chic Nonna is finally open to the public.
With state-of-the-art interiors and a high-quality menu, the restaurant is complete with an open-plan kitchen, the largest wine cellar in the region and a sophisticated chef’s table.
Paying homage to rich Italian traditions, this two-storey gourmet osteria’s menu is carefully curated by the culinary team including head chef, Illaria Zamperlin.
Blending tradition with innovation, there’s a dish to suit each and every guest’s tastebuds. Whether topped with fresh black truffle shavings or created with a homemade sauce, each spoonful transports visitors to a gorgeous Italian Riviera.
Designed to take relaxation to the next level, the intimate Cigar Lounge is the perfect spot for post-meal relaxation with unending views of Dubai’s scintillating skyline. With the largest wine cellar in the city with over 4,000 bottles and 900 labels, this modern venue offers the perfect setting to unwind.
To create an inviting ambience, the space has warm cosy interiors reminiscent of a traditional Italian home. To make any visit even more memorable the venue offers engaging live entertainment with a striking DJ booth and raised stage for live performances.
For the seafood enthusiasts, the terrace has an exclusive Crudo Bar that serves a selection of raw fish, Calvisius caviar and more to ensure guests immerse in the complete experience from start to finish.
Spearheaded by the leading hospitality company, Mine & Yours Group, this all-new Italian concept effortlessly blends into Dubai’s diverse culinary offerings.
Take a look inside the newest addition to the DIFC dining scene.

For more information visit chicnonna.com
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