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    Emirati co-founders of Mamafri on seamlessly merging hospitality and aesthetics

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    Emirates Man

    by Camille Macawili
    12 seconds ago

    Emirati co-founders of Mamafri, Saif Al Romaithi and Rashed Belhoul, looks to the east to bring a cosy dose of this homegrown dining concept that seamlessly merge hospitality and aesthetics.
    What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
    Saif Al Romaithi (SAR): In the first 30 minutes of my day, I enjoy Arabic coffee with a few dates and spend some time catching up on WhatsApp messages and reading the news to ease into the morning.
    Talk us through your background and what first evoked your interest in the f&b space.
    SAR: My foodie interests led me into the food and beverage industry during my study years in New York. Inspired by my dad, who owned a restaurant in his younger years, I immersed myself in the city’s vibrant hospitality scene, shaping my journey.
    The interiors evoke nostalgia. Can you define the inspiration behind the design of the restaurant?
    Rashed Belhoul (RB): The interiors evoke nostalgia, drawing inspiration from design legends of the 70s and the vibrant aesthetics of the 80s. This blend creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, incorporating wood and earthy tones that enhance the overall design.

    Tell us more about the ambiance of the restaurant. What sort of dining experiences can visitors expect?
    RB: The ambiance of the restaurant is warm and inviting, with a nostalgic design inspired by 70s and the 80s. Customers can expect a unique dining experience featuring a cozy main area that gives a private dining feel. The private space offers a tailored atmosphere complemented by smooth house music, making it perfect for special occasions or gatherings. Overall, it’s a place where great food and an inviting atmosphere come together to create lasting memories. The menu transports guests to East and Southeast Asia.
    What are the key standout dishes to try at Mamafri?
    SAR: Mamafri, our Southeast Asian menu showcases a vibrant array of flavors and dishes that celebrate the region’s culinary diversity. Guests can indulge in authentic favorites, from curries, rice dishes to fresh noodles and salads. Each dish is crafted with care, using modern recipes and fresh ingredients, offering a true taste of Southeast Asia that delights the senses and invites exploration. Here are some of our best selling items: Crispy Beef, Tom Yum Fried Rice, Crab Salad, Wagyu Sando, Malaysian Curry, Mie Goreng, and Dragon Roll.

    As you both bring different sets of expertise to the table, how do you manage your roles between yourselves?
    SAR: In our partnership, we divide our roles based on our strengths. I focus on managing finances and enhancing the overall front-of-house experience, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently. Rashed, on the other hand, excels in the design aspects of our branches, carefully curating the ambiance with thoughtful choices in decor and music. While we each have our primary responsibilities, we collaborate closely on food research and development. We regularly hold tasting sessions together to decide on new menu items and conduct quality checks on our current offerings, ensuring that our food consistently meets our high standards. This collaborative approach allows us to combine our expertise and create a well-rounded dining experience for our guests.
    Rashed Belhoul and Saif Al Romaithi, Co-founders of Mamafri
    What have been the key milestones during your journey?
    SAR: Key milestones in our journey include opening our branch in Abu Dhabi, which expanded our reach, and winning dining awards consecutively every year, reinforcing our reputation for quality and excellence. We successfully expanded our menu to include sushi and robata dishes, enhancing our culinary diversity, and we also marked a significant step in our growth with the reopening of our DIFC branch. These achievements highlight our commitment to continuous improvement and providing an exceptional dining experience.
    What is the greatest risk you’ve faced in growing your business?
    SAR: The biggest risk for a growing restaurant is keeping things consistent as it expands. When opening new spots, it can be tough to make sure the food and service are always on point, which is key to keeping customers happy and the brand strong. Plus, managing supply chains and staffing can get complicated as you scale up, so planning ahead is crucial to avoid any hiccups. There’s also the risk of delays in projects due to finding materials and logistics challenges, which can push back openings and increase costs. Financially, it’s important to keep cash flow in check because expenses can rise quickly.

    What is most important to you when building a new restaurant?
    SAR: When opening a new restaurant, prioritise location for visibility and accessibility, recruit and train a skilled staff to enhance service, and design an inviting space that aligns with your brand while optimizing workflow for a seamless dining experience.
    What’s next for Mamafri?
    RB: Next for Mamafri is an exciting new beach location called Beach Balcony by Mamafri, situated in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island. This restaurant will serve our classic dishes alongside a diverse selection of mouthwatering Asian seafood recipes, each thoughtfully crafted with Asian sauces. It’s a fantastic opportunity to blend our signature flavors with a refreshing beachfront atmosphere, offering guests a unique dining experience by the sea. We’re also working on sister Asian concepts that are in the plan for the next year.
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      6 Dubai places with delectable hampers to gift this Diwali

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      Life

      by Sarah Joseph
      22 mins ago

      Diwali hampers are a popular way to celebrate the festival of lights, offering a variety of food and beverage (F&B) options beautifully packaged.
      To breakdown, there are a myriad hamper styles to gift this Diwali.
      Traditional Indian Sweets and Snacks Hamper
      It contains assorted mithai (like laddoos, barfis, kaju katli), namkeen (salty snacks) dry fruits, and nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios). This comes with a traditional Indian-themed packaging with vibrant colors, festive ribbons, and decorative elements.
      Gourmet Fusion Hamper
      With a mix of traditional and modern treats such as flavored nuts, gourmet chocolates with Indian spices (e.g., cardamom, saffron), artisanal crackers, exotic tea blends, and grape. This is elegant and minimalistic with a mix of gold and earth tones, perhaps with a floral motif.
      Healthy Diwali Hamper
      Sugar-free sweets, roasted snacks, gluten-free namkeen, superfood snacks (like quinoa chips or protein bars), cold-pressed juices, herbal teas. Focuses on eco-friendly packaging with sustainable materials, emphasizing health and wellness.
      The luxury hamper
      Premium chocolates, macarons, gourmet cheeses, fine wines, premium teas, honey, saffron, and exotic jams. It features high-end packaging with silk-lined boxes, metallic accents, and a sophisticated look.
      Diwali Beverage Hamper
      This contains a selection of fine teas, artisanal coffee, premium juices, and non-alcoholic sparkling beverages. It comes with stylish glass bottles or tins, presented in a sleek and modern box.
      To see which are the most premium F&B gifting places this Diwali, see our editor-approved guide.
      Khoya

      Each Diwali hampers are a party in a box. They are filled with just our signature mithais but also a curated selection of savoury treats, teas, coffees and more. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, this is the best option.
      MyGovindas

      MyGovinda’s is celebrating Diwali 2024 with a variety of offerings, including special gift boxes and festive menus. Their Diwali gift boxes feature premium Indian sweets such as Kaju Fancy, Rose Laddoo, and Gulkand Katori, available in various sizes. They also offer healthier options like zero-sugar sweets made from dates, figs, and prunes. These boxes range from 16 to 48 pieces, catering to different preferences. Prices range from Dhs51 to Dhs191.
      For more information visit mygovindas.com/
      Bateel

      The range introduces two distinct collections; Lavanya and Florise. Each piece within the range embraces a perfect blend of traditional artistry and modern sophistication, encapsulating the spirit of Diwali. Bateel’s newly launched Diwali collection is a celebration of grace, beauty, and prosperity, captured through its meticulously crafted designs. The Lavanya collection, meaning “grace” or “beauty”, is inspired by the intricate curves of the paisley pattern, a symbol of elegance and timeless charm; this design is available in three colours, each corresponding to a specific size. Bateel’s Diwali range is available to shop across all the brand’s boutiques in the UAE.
      For more information visit bateel.com
      Varak

      At Varak, only the finest premium ingredients are used to craft each confection. With their masterful technique, luxury presentation and careful selection of premium ingredients, it’s no surprise that Varak has captivated gourmands from every corner of the UAE. The latest edition to the hamper range is The Sewing kit is our take on reversing the algorithm and resolving childhood trauma. The box is a pure culinary brilliance with four top biscuits. It includes Pistachio Pinwheel, Burnt chocolate miso, Black garlic palmier and Earl grey raspberry. Prices for this start at Dhs125.
      For more information visit varakedibleluxury.com
      Sugargram

      Your favourite itty bitty delectables are created keeping in mind the special festival of lights. Embrace Diwali with these 5 limited-edition bonbon flavors!
      For more information visit deliveroo.com/sugargram 
      VEGO Café & Confectionery

      This is a chain of homegrown cafés situated in Dubai. They focus on innovation using wholesome ingredients packed with flavour to create dishes that are simple but never basic. For all your guilt-free indulgences, VEGO is your place. The limited-edition sweets and savoury hampers are here to add a touch of deliciousness to your festivities. The box of 25 is priced at Dhs120 and is packaged in a premium format.
      For more information visit vegocafe.com
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram  More

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      Solutions Leisure Group’s CEO on foundational breakthroughs and key business insights

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      Solutions Leisure Group co-founder and CEO Paul Evans, on foundational breakthroughs and the key insights that have ignited and grown a global business.
      What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
      I usually wake up around 6am and have a quick coffee on our terrace with my partner, Dom. We’re for- tunate to live on Palm Jumeirah, and that sense of calm you get overlooking the water as the sun comes up over the horizon is something special. I’ll then check messages and scan emails, touch base on any meetings I have during the day and get ready for a workout. Depending on the day, I’ll either walk the beach and take some time to reflect and ground myself or go to the gym. We’ve been training with the boys from Benzone for a few years now and they’ve been epic. So-much-so they now host a bootcamp for our team three times a week on our office rooftop, which I’ll try and get to once a month, too.
      What are the pillars of DNA that define Solutions Leisure Group as a brand?
      Our mission is to create the moments people live for, and we’re working hard to ensure we live and breathe that through every channel. From our team members to our guests, the brand design and the experience creation, the moments matter, big and small. Whilst we fly by the seat of our pants at the rate of change, we’re often steering, we remain grounded with our pillars: Excellence is the standard; Leadership is the strength; Relationships are the source and Mindset is the solution.

      “our mission is to create the moments people live for, and we’re working hard to ensure we live and breathe that through every channel”

      Solutions Leisure Group offers lifestyle and holistic experiences. Was this the plan from the outset?
      Freek and I first landed in Dubai in 2013 after 13 years developing the entertainment destination that is, today, Egypt’s Hurghada Beach. Our little brown Dutch bar soon turned into 20 venues, turning the sleepy seaside town into a tourism and nightlife hotspot. But the Arab Spring came, and we lost it all, making the move to Dubai with nothing much more than the clothes on our backs. It was here we noted that, amidst the glitz and glam of the Dubai social scene, there was very little for the everyday patron; the average guest who just wanted to enjoy quality food, great vibes and a consistently good time. So, we introduced the once-favourite Q43 restaurant and bar to the region, quickly followed by our acquisition of the iconic Karma Kafe, and conceptualisation of Asia Asia and Lock, Stock & Barrel. We saw our brands growing with our guests, and realised it wasn’t about creating a product anymore, but, instead, a lifestyle. Something that serviced various needs, both emotive and physical. People wanted community and experience – a break away from the day to day with a guaranteed consistency of enjoyment. So, we focused on the quality and experience as the heart of our venue design to enable our product to, not just meet, but exceed expectations. We introduced the family entertainment sector with Wavehouse, and then Central, which soon saw the industry follow. Both within the group itself and within our venues, we are focused on lifestyle experiences that are brand-led and culture-based. We no longer hire for the experience our rockstars have, but for the experience they can create. They are brand ambassadors – a visual and verbal representation of who each brand is and what it stands for. We see every person who joins us as entering our home, creating a lifestyle experience that exuberates fun, energy and ignites trust through a relationship that is, both, valued and nurtured.

      You built everything yourself from the outset. How did you overcome the challenges?
      We’ve always been known for our middleman sector, but that’s certainly changed these past few years. The F&B scene in the UAE is becoming fiercer and fuller than ever, and I think our team has gone above and beyond to really set the bar across design, marketing and operations. They own their brands – own their careers and have blown me away with their dedication and passion as a whole. It might not have changed the industry, as such, but it’s certainly separated the term employees from the team. I feel our real ability to overcome challenges has been our ability to come together. The last few years has seen a real shift in the way brands unite. We no longer deem ourselves as competing, but rather complementing each other, creating opportunities that feed our industries and create epic moments we really do live for. And that’s pretty remarkable. Big brands are opening doors to smaller ones, enabling some incredible creative collaborations that feel authentic and accessible. Similarly, competitive brands are working together to bring out the best in one another and enter entirely new markets. It’s like the world began to trust and open its mind and stop working so hard against one another. That openness has led to some super cool experiences being created – and some we are looking forward to being a part of.

      What are the pivotal milestones you are most proud of – and how has this shaped your understanding of success?
      From seven venues, to 21, and counting, in the space of 24 months, my proudest achievement? My team.
      The past decade of business has shown that, throughout everything Solutions Leisure has grown through; all that the group has come to be known for – it was because the team are, as I call them, Spartans. Commitment, discipline, courage, and the fortitude required to stand one’s ground to push through. Those are the characteristics of a Spartan. We have come together in adversity, learning through the challenges and celebrating the wins, because I know they are stronger together. Through the hard work, kindness, and all-embracing nature of each team member, it’s honestly one of the best places to work in the Middle East – if not the world. The team’s ability to take it all in their stride pushed Solutions Leisure into an entirely new ballgame. And that invigorating sense of reaching new heights in the group has put us where we are today; confident, motivated, inspired and ready for the next challenge.
      How do you approach scaling without compromising quality and what factors do you consider when launching a new venture?
      We decide against the safe route, branching into partnerships that enable us to conceptualise projects that aren’t just hospitality-focused, but experience-led, driven by brand immersion and memorable moments. It isn’t about how hard we work, but how smart; how creative we are and how much we trust our gut when it comes to what’s next for the industry.
      This mindset grew the group from six to 21-and-counting venues in just three years, introducing a whole new sector of beauty, wellness, fitness and retail to its portfolio, and expanding into Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. Our approach? As a group, we don’t define our target market anymore. And, as controversial or as ridiculous as that may sound, it’s because they’ve become such an integral part of us; so, embedded in how we design, operate and imagine the brands we deliver, they naturally evolve into what we need them to be.
      Instead, we’re conceptualising experiences. The Boujee Boot Sale at So Much Trouble makes our consumers the brand ambassadors, giving them a place to sip and shop one another’s vintage and pre-loved luxuries. Our bespoke brunch crawl personalizes our venue with an exclusive chauffeured party bus between each stop. What had worked before, didn’t work now, so finding an omni-channel approach to dining and socialising slowly opened doors to a new sector for the region; one we wanted to grab by the horns and make our own – entertainment. Be comfortable in what you don’t know, both in leadership and collaboration. A key player to some of the leadership partnerships we’ve implemented in our group leans exactly to this – complementary skill sets and ideologies that drive our senior management to think differently, more laterally and outside their own box. Similarly, we’ve removed the stigma around aligning ourselves with our competition. We’re not here to gate keep – we want to work with those that better us; that better our product and service and create more enhanced moments for guests. From putting branded F&B outlets into our own, to branching out from our usual entertainment, we don’t say now, and we don’t keep our secrets to success to ourselves. It’s all about the end game.

      Have you had any mentors along the way and if so, what knowledge did they impart?
      Freek and my business partners. You don’t succeed alone. I think that’s something many people overlook. They see success as solely individual – as something they need to achieve by themselves. But I’ve learnt that isn’t the case. Success is collaborative. You need to surround yourself with individuals that bring out the best in you; that inspire you, compete with you and drive you to be the absolute best you can be. Individuals who know when to push the gas as much as when to slow down.
      What advice would you give to yourself starting out?
      Embrace the challenge. It’s meant to be hard – that’s the thrill, that’s what makes it all worthwhile, that’s what gives it a purpose.
      Where do you get the motivation to be consistent and are there any practices which have helped you with this?
      I am big on perspective. We spend so much of our early life worrying; comparing ourselves and try- ing to keep up. Time wasted trying to be something we think we should be, instead of leaning into the journey and grabbing a hold of opportunities as they arise. Enjoy the absurdity and find excitement through the growth. Celebrate the milestones and find passion through the journey. That’s what keeps it interesting.
      What new projects are in the pipeline for Solutions Leisure Group?
      2025 is our biggest year yet. We’ve got an entire new destination to develop with one of the most iconic brands in the GCC, an exciting partnership with one of the world’s most recognised five-star hotels for our wellness division, and a further expansion of some of our staple brands including some pretty major collaborations and experiences, like Stanley Cup, Roll DXB, Namshi, Ounass and more…
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      in lifestyle and culture

      How I got my job as… Senior Marketing Director at Sunset Hospitality Group

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      Life

      by Camille Macawili
      2 hours ago

      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 put the spotlight on Iliana Orietta, Senior Marketing Director of the Daylife Division & Head of Corporate MARCOM at Sunset Hospitality Group, whose brands include a dynamic roster of concepts and brands in Dubai and beyond such as Drift Beach, Aura Skypool Longe, Azure Beach, and Folie Restaurant & Sea in Bodrum, Turkey.
      To understand Iliana’s multi-faceted role, we caught up with the marketing veteran to learn about her remarkable journey, the finer details of crafting the perfect brand experience and upcoming openings in the pipeline.
      Scroll through to read the interview below and find out more.
      What was your favourite subject at school?
      I was always attracted to history, geography, and literature, with a weak spot for geography.
      What was your first job?
      I started my career working in travel agencies, and since then, I was always involved in the hospitality industry. It seems I was always destined to work in hospitality and marketing.
      What eventually brought you to Dubai?
      Dubai is dynamic, cosmopolitan and has in its core the concept of hospitality; it’s a hub for innovation and my passion for hospitality and marketing drove me here, seeking exciting opportunities in the industry.
      What inspired you to enter the hospitality space?
      I’m originally from Greece, a country at the heart of hospitality and tourism, so it felt natural to start working in travel agencies, hotels, and then event companies and eventually hospitality groups.

      Talk us through the concept of Sunset Hospitality Group.
      Sunset Hospitality Group was founded in 2011 with a vision to create exceptional dining and hospitality experiences worldwide, from hotel resorts and beach clubs to restaurants and nightlife venues. It began with just an idea, driven by a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the market, and now we are fortunate enough to operate very popular brands around the world.
      The last eleven years saw the Group grow at a rapid rate (I’ve been with the Group for six years); we are present in 16 countries, with over 30 brands. Since the beginning we’ve maintained our excellence, diversified our offerings, while continually developing new and pioneering concepts and acclaimed multinational brands. Most of our brands have received local, regional, and international recognitions.
      What are the key elements of your role?
      I lead the marketing strategy for numerous lifestyle brands of Sunset Hospitality Group, as well as heading the Group’s Corporate Marketing. The part I love the most is conceptualizing, developing, and launching new brand concepts – I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far, for example, we launched the iconic AURA Skypool Lounge, the multi-awarded beach club DRIFT Beach, Dubai’s homegrown concept Azure Beach, and Folie Restaurant & Sea in Bodrum, Turkey. And to name a few, we are working on new and exciting openings in Bali including Attiko, Folie, Santana, Mamasita, we’re taking Dubai’s homegrown concept Azure Beach to Marbella and Vietnam, and we will bring Attiko to Vietnam.

      Talk us through your daily routine.
      My days always start very early – I like to begin with my coffee, then always some form of exercise which gives me energy and strength for the day, and then I head to the office at Sunset’s headquarters. My role requires me very often to travel to several of Sunset’s global destinations as I’m heading projects and managing teams all over the world. At the office, my day is focused on leading a very talented team and working across Marcom strategy, brand conceptualization, reaching financial target goals, designing and implementing brand standards, and managing a growing team of eight locally, and several more globally.
      What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
      The key to success is passion and dedication. Loving what you do, being part of an amazing team, and having leaders with a clear vision helps you achieve your wildest dreams. Never give up, and even if you face challenges, you pause, regroup and continue. Find your passion and turn it to a job.
      What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
      It never gets easy – you just become better!
      And what is the worst?
      I never received a bad piece of advice. I tend to listen to people I trust and those people always have my best interest in mind.
      What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
      Life happens as we progress with our professional career so it’s of course challenging managing personal situations while working in high positions. Maintaining a healthy personal life and a successful professional career will always be my priority.
      What are your future goals and plans for your career?
      I love what I’m doing so my goal is to grow further within Sunset Hospitality Group and be proud of more brand creations, concept openings, and international expansion.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      How I got my job as… Founder of this bespoke multi-wellness space in Dubai

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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 CEO & Founder of Blended Wellness and Partner & Creative Director, Solutions Leisure Group, Dominique Laird. The group is a pioneer of the approachable dining, nightlife and entertainment scene, creating the moments people live for, from day to night. With brands such as STK, ULA, En Fuego, Asia Asia and more, the portfolio has expanded over the years and it continues to grow.
      The multi-wellness destination, Blended, combines fitness with a host of pampering options, making it a one-stop for all your self-care needs. Founded by Laird, the concept began with her vision to redefine the meaning of beauty standards in the region. She wanted to create a space where individuals can feel at home and focus on improving their own self-care needs. With a more medical approach to aesthetics, this venue offers an extensive array of cutting-edge treatments such as botox, fillers, threads, or even an IV Drip to boost energy levels.
      To delve more into her journey as an entrepreneur, Emirates Woman sat down with Laird to see how it all began.
      What was your favourite subject at school?
      From an early age, I resonated towards ways I could express myself creatively. Whether that be picking up a sketch pad, stitching a Barbie fashion line or choreographing musicals before bedtime. At school, art was the subject I looked forward to, the freedom within the curriculum was unlike math, science and history. It gave room for artistic license, with little to no incorrect answers. I was drawn to opportunities that celebrated individuality, where your work was almost incomparable to others. Art made me happy. Being creative felt natural, it felt easy.
      What was your first job?
      My first work experience was at Toni & Guy. My cousin, Samantha, was head colourist and managed to get me a junior position. I loved working in an environment where the team’s main priority was to make people feel good.Through skill and creativity the team changed people’s mood for the better. Adding value with each swish of a comb.
      What brought you to Dubai?
      Following my passion for creativity and arts, at 16 I moved to London to train in musical theater on a full scholarship. Dancing made me feel alive, without judgment. Expressing emotions through movement felt more natural to me than speech. Classes lead to shows, castings lead to tv and theater. Teaching turned into Contracts, contracts turned into travelling the world and landed me in Spain, Greece and eventually Egypt, where I ran the entertainment for the global music brand, Ministry of sound for Solutions Group. Still wanting to feed my creative need on multiple levels, throughout my career as a performer, I became a professional hair and makeup artist, which gradually combined itself with avant-garde editorial creation and conceptual design for stage and catwalk. I was happily blending all my skills together, building my portfolio with not only performance, but with design and creative direction. My job role today, Group Creative Director of Solutions Group, combines my love of Art, entertainment and design. I am lucky enough to lean on my creative energy to develop concepts, brands, interior design, entertainment, production and all the fun elements in between.

      What inspired you to enter the wellness space?
      Although performing was my passion, it fast-became my downfall. Unobtainable, unsustainable beauty standards became something I very quickly obsessed with. The place where I found the most peace, quickly became a cage of self-hate and disappointment. I was trapped in a very dark place for what seemed like an eternity. After 10 years, both my body and mind were failing to sustain a normal level of daily activity. After accepting the need for change and admitting to myself that I controlled my own happiness, I started the journey of recovery, the same one I walk today. I quickly developed a very good understanding of the importance of self-love and mindfulness. I channeled every ounce of my being into wellness and celebrating individuality in others and myself. Wellness isn’t just a word. It’s a mindset, a lifestyle, an all-encompassing journey that everyone deserves. When the opportunity arose to create a space for people to experience and benefit from multiple aspects of wellness in a single space, I wasn’t going to shy away.
      What are the key elements of your role?
      I don’t have a role within Blended Wellness, I have a goal. I aspire to provide support, knowledge and guidance. To offer experiences and events that inspire and celebrate as many people as physically possible. I aim to provide result driven wellness treatments, services and activities that empower and elevate the mind, body and soul. I want to make a difference to how my guests feel. I want them to know, they are worth it. Every single day.
      Talk us through your daily routine.
      Get up, get dressed, get at it. Every morning starts with a sleepy coffee and a small struggle to prize myself into my gym gear. I work out every day, not only for the physical benefit, but the mental clarity and strength it provides. I don’t negotiate with myself. Mind over matter. Something my partner, Paul, and myself firmly believe in. My days are fast-paced, multilayered and far from straight forward. I am organised chaos, always running towards a deadline, deciphering a 4am idea or juggling a new build project. I split my time between being a very busy Creative Director for Solutions Group with my CEO role for Blended Wellness – both, I absolutely adore.

      What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
      Don’t follow in anyone’s footsteps. Your journey is your own. Find your passion, figure out what it is you are truly good at. Everyone has something that lights them up, just figure out what yours is and run with it. Don’t let pride or the fear of failure dictate the direction you walk. Choose your path and stick to it, relentlessly.
      What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
      Speak to yourself with kindness. Treat yourself with respect. Look at your reflection and acknowledge you are one of a kind. Nobody is you.

      And what is the worst?
      I make a conscious decision to forget negative or hurtful advice or opinions. Holding onto words that fail to resonate or benefit me have no place in my mind.
      What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
      Cultivating an acceptance of who I was and how I wanted to feel. Battling through the pain and sadness in order to truly believe I was worthy and deserving of experiencing self love.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram @dominiquelaird More