This week we speak to Tessa Horovitz, Co-Founder of With Love Hospitality and Chouchou, the city’s first beach house for private members on the white sands of J1 Beach, La Mer Dubai.
Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible wellness, fashion and beauty 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.
Opening doors in October 2024, this classic two-story Parisian beach house captures the sun-kissed ease of the Riviera while being on the doorstep of the city. It provides access to a distinctive lifestyle to relax, socialise, and build valuable connections in the heart of the city. Additionally, there’s an access to exclusive amenities, members’ experiences are elevated through curated intimate gatherings across wellness, food, culture and music.
With exclusive amenities onboard, members can experience intimate gatherings and step back into a treasured holiday moment. The Chouchou crowd is made up of unique souls – families, friends and solo explorers alike who have one thing in common – they long to carve out moments of serenity and joie de vivre among the hustle.
To delve into her journey as an entrepreneur, Emirates Woman sat down with Horovitz to see how it all began.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I was fortunate to attend an international school with a wide array of subjects to choose from, but two that truly captivated me were visual arts and acting. My love for art began early, thanks to my parents who enrolled me in extra art classes when I was just seven years old. Those formative experiences sparked my creative journey and shaped my passion for design and expression.
What was your first job?
While I did several internships in both NGOs and fashion, my true first job was as a stylist for a French TV show. I was responsible for assisting with dressing celebrities and sourcing props for the show. A significant part of the role involved selecting clothes from showrooms and managing brand partnerships. It was an exciting and dynamic experience that gave me a deeper understanding of fashion, branding, and the art of styling under pressure.
What brought you to Dubai?
Initially, it was my family that brought me to Dubai—my brother, sister, and mother moved here. As I rediscovered the city, I was amazed by how much it had evolved since my first visit in 2010. Dubai’s dynamic energy and rapid growth make it such a unique place. When my siblings and I were looking to launch our new hospitality group, Dubai felt like the perfect choice—a city with an exciting vision for the future, which aligned perfectly with our goals. This led us to create With Love Hospitality, with our first project together in this exciting city.
What inspired you to enter the hospitality and launch Chouchou?
My journey into hospitality feels like it was written in the stars. My family has been deeply involved in the hospitality world since 1995, and I was fortunate enough to help build and lead the group they created. Before founding With Love Hospitality, I worked as the Chief Creative Officer in the industry, designing and developing projects that truly resonated with me. Launching Chouchou has been a deeply personal experience—a true homecoming for me. It’s the culmination of years of experience and creativity, and the dream of building something with my family of exceptionally talented professionals. The journey to bring Chouchou to life was filled with passion, collaboration, and a shared vision of creating a unique and luxurious space that feels welcoming and vibrant. Chouchou is a reflection of everything I love about design, community, and the hospitality world.
Talk us through the concept?
For us, Chouchou is so much more than just a restaurant or beach club—it’s a private members’ club where we’ve created an exclusive, thoughtfully connected community in the heart of Dubai. We wanted to capture the sun-soaked spirit of the French Riviera, blending it with the vibrant energy of this city. At the core of Chouchou is our vision to offer members a refined yet relaxed space where they can unwind, connect, and enjoy life with others who share an appreciation for both understated elegance and a laid-back, stylish lifestyle.
What truly sets Chouchou apart is our focus on personalized service. We wanted to create a place where every member feels genuinely seen and valued. Our team goes above and beyond to ensure that each visit is tailored to individual preferences—from remembering your favorite drink to curating bespoke experiences that make every moment special.
Whether you’re attending one of our private events, enjoying a sunset cocktail, or gathering with loved ones, it’s important to us that every interaction feels personal, warm, and memorable. We want Chouchou to be a retreat from the city’s fast pace—a place that offers not only an intimate and unique experience but also a genuine sense of belonging.
What are the key elements of your role?
As the creative force behind the ideas, my role revolves around shaping the vision for our projects and bringing them to life. I feel privileged to take the pen and ensure that every aspect of the project—from design and storytelling to the overall atmosphere—aligns with the vision we set out to achieve. I love the process of starting with a blank canvas and transforming initial ideas into something tangible, watching the project evolve and come to life piece by piece.
A significant part of my role involves crafting the brand’s visual identity and setting the aesthetics standards. The brand’s design language—from logos and typography to color palettes and materials—needs to be cohesive and reflective of the project’s essence. I ensure that all visual elements, whether in the physical space or across brand touchpoints, are aligned with the brand’s personality and values.
Once the space is fully realised, I hand it over to the operational team, ready for them to bring it to life with their own expertise. I ensure that the space is not only aesthetically perfect but also functional, so the team can step in and provide an unforgettable guest experience from day one. It’s incredibly rewarding to see an idea transform from concept to completion and then hand over a space that is ready to be lived in, enjoyed, and experienced, all while staying true to the brand’s visual identity and aesthetics.
Talk us through your daily routine.
I start the day early, usually with a coffee, and take some quiet time to gather my thoughts. Mornings are also a great moment for catching up with my family—we talk about their evening or weekend, which gives me a sense of grounding before I dive into the day. This time is precious, and it helps me start my day on a positive note. The mornings are my most creative time, so I use them to focus on design work, whether that’s sketching new concepts or refining details on current projects.
By midday, my schedule fills up with meetings—whether it’s with my team, suppliers, or technical partners. Collaboration is essential, so I like to stay closely involved with the various moving parts of a project, ensuring that everything is progressing smoothly. I try to spend as much time on-site as possible, overseeing the development to make sure that the vision is being executed to plan.
Afternoons are often dedicated to operational tasks or brainstorming with my siblings. Their input is crucial to everything we do, so these sessions are invaluable to shaping the creative direction of our projects.
In the evenings, I try to leave space for inspiration, whether it’s visiting a gallery, enjoying dinner with my husband or going out for a nice cocktail. Keeping a balance between my creative and operational responsibilities while nurturing those personal connections is what fuels me every day.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
The most important piece of advice I can give is to trust the process and, most importantly, trust yourself. Creativity requires patience and resilience—there will always be challenges, but those moments can spark new ideas if you stay open to them. Trust that your vision is worth pursuing, even when things feel uncertain. Surround yourself with a team that shares your passion and values. Collaboration is key to bringing ideas to life, and having people around you who inspire and challenge you is invaluable. Don’t be afraid to start with a blank canvas, even if it feels daunting. The journey from concept to creation is incredibly rewarding, and it’s important to believe in your ability to make it happen.
Tell us more about the dishes served and overarching experience?
At the heart of our culinary offering is our talented Executive Chef, Valentin Bernigaud, a Parisian with a deep-rooted passion for French cuisine. Valentin’s cooking philosophy is steeped in tradition, but he brings a modern approach, aiming to create a dining experience that celebrates the joy of eating en famille. Our menu celebrates the flavors of France—fresh seafood, vibrant salads, and artisanal cocktails—all crafted with Valentin’s expertise. Every dish is inspired by beloved French summer memories creating a true sense of the Riviera here in Dubai.
Desserts are also an integral part of the experience at Chouchou. Our in-house bakery offers freshly baked treasures inspired by the finest Parisian patisseries, including a selection of sweet and savory soufflés, Mille-Feuille, and other delights that capture the essence of French pastry.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received came from my father and mentor, Jacques Horovitz: “The secret to staying ahead lies in anticipation, not in reaction.” This mindset has profoundly shaped how I approach both my personal and professional life.
And what is the worst?
The worst piece of advice I’ve ever received was, “Don’t take risks outside your expertise—stay within your comfort zone.” Venturing outside of my creative area has been one of the most valuable learning experiences. True innovation often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing the unfamiliar.
What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
The biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome was bringing Chouchou to life without compromising on the level of quality I envisioned. Creating something entirely new from scratch—building a concept, a brand, and a space that didn’t exist before—was both exciting and demanding. Ensuring that every detail aligned with the high standards I had in mind, from design to execution, was a constant balancing act. There were many moving parts, and it required persistence to ensure the final result reflected the vision I had from the beginning.
What’s your future for the brand?
The future for Chouchou is limitless. We see Chouchou becoming more than just a members destination—it’s a movement, a lifestyle that people from around the world can embrace. Our vision is to expand the Chouchou experience globally, bringing the essence of the French Riviera to iconic locations, each tailored to reflect the beauty, culture, and spirit of its surroundings. We’re also looking to expand Chouchou’s offerings, from unique experiences to collaborations that inspire and excite our members. Our future is about pushing boundaries, reimagining luxury, and creating experiences that are as dynamic and evolving as the people we serve. The possibilities are endless, and we’re just getting started.
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