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    8 inspiring women tell us how they’ve adopted the abundance mindset

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    These inspiring women share what approaching life with an abundance mindset means to them.
    Marina RaphaelFashion Designer and Founder – Marina Raphael

    What does abundance mean to you?
    Abundance to me is about generosity of spirit, particularly focusing on how you make people feel. The ability to make people feel warmth, excitement , energy and passion creates the space for some truly memorable encounters. It is an energy that we try to distil in our designs and brand ethos. It also resonates deeply with the legacy of my family. Daniel Swarovski’s ambition to create “a diamond for everyone”, for me, really encapsulates the spirit of abundance and openness.
    What are the key tips to harbouring a growth mindset?
    I am a very ambitious person by nature, I love to dream big and set ambitious goals for myself so, to stay in a positive, growth mindset, it is important for me to take the time to reflect and celebrate the small victories, as well as the big ones. Growth is incremental and big things don’t happen over night so I really focus on small and consistent steps, when you look back over time you are amazed at how far you have come! Surrounding myself with people who inspire and lift me up is another key one for staying motivated to commit to those big, long-term goals and I am a big believer that a positive environment breeds growth! When I have those great days where I feel truly curious and inspired, it reminds me of the boundless potential that lies within us all and this motivates me to keep going. Finally, keeping an open mind, never think you have learned it all. When you lose your curiosity that’s when you stop growing.
    Duha AlRamadhan,Founder – Aubade
    What does abundance mean to you?
    Abundance to me is all about contentment. To be content with what is given to you and to see your life’s blessings as more than you can ever ask for. We all have an abundance in life if only we looked beyond material things and appreciated all the small joys.
    What are the key tips to harbouring a growth mindset?
    Don’t settle. Accept challenges, feed your mind, body and soul by constantly working on yourself. Whether it’s doing something new for your business, trying a new class, learning a new language. There are so many unique experiences in this lifetime waiting to be had that we shouldn’t take any of them for granted.
    Beenish MahmoodJewellery Designer
    What does abundance mean to you?
    For me, beyond the basic essentials of life like food, water, shelter and the air we breathe, lies abundance. It encompasses good health, the love of our cherished ones, our family, the meaningful relationships we cultivate and above all, the precious time we are gifted to nurture them. This abundance forms a vast reservoir, continuously nourished by a cascade of gratitude. The more we appreciate this wealth of abundance and the more we share it, the deeper and more profound this reservoir grows.
    What are the key tips to harboring a growth mindset?
    I try to embrace setbacks as integral to my growth journey. Instead of viewing them as failures, I see them as gateways to personal evolution. I also stay adaptable in challenging times, to explore diverse solutions. And I treasure humility as a fundamental element of my path. I think it’s essential to remember the endless expanse for learning; to be kind in our self-reflection. To trust in our intelligence and creativity and to have faith in our resilience to overcome obstacles.
    Jennifer ChamandiFounder – Jennifer Chamandi

    What does abundance mean to you?
    To me, abundance embodies a richness of life that includes fulfilling relationships, a sense of purpose, and personal growth. Abundance means having enough to share and the capacity to contribute to the well-being of others. It’s about experiencing gratitude for the present moment and maintaining an optimistic outlook for the future.
    What are the key tips to harbouring a growth mindset?
    One of the most important aspect is to embrace challenges, see challenges as opportunities to grow and learn, as each challenge is a chance to expand your abilities. Persist despite obstacles: Obstacles are part of the learning process, use them as feedback to learn and improve. Always develop a curiosity, it’s important to cultivate a genuine curiosity for learning and exploring new things.
    Hala AbdallahJewellery Designer and Founder – Ofa

    What does abundance mean to you?
    It’s believing in the infinite possibilities, the infinite love, the infinite good that is around us. Resources are endless and it never runs out, and it keeps moving around chasing the most creative of us humans.
    What are the key tips to harbouring a growth mindset?
    It’s knowing that our perspective is nothing but a slither of reality, and it’s 100% shaped and formed by our past, which means it’s completely changeable once we understand 1st: how our subconscious work, and 2nd: how does your primal survival instincts look like in your daily life as habits that limits your growth.
    Zeynab El-HelwFounder – Reborn Society

    What does abundance mean to you?
    Abundance, in my perspective, extends beyond material wealth. It embodies the richness of love, the warmth of relationships, and the joy of shared experiences. It’s about being surrounded by healthy, beloved ones, relishing in the simple pleasures of life, and finding contentment in each moment. Living in Dubai, where extravagance often takes center stage, abundance, to me, is finding fulfillment in the beauty of everyday life amidst the glitz and glamour of the city.
    What are the key tips to harboring a growth mindset?
    Cultivating a growth mindset is a journey rooted in pragmatism and resilience. For me, it’s about leveraging the diverse experiences and lessons gleaned from my corporate and influencer endeavors to fuel my entrepreneurial pursuits. This involves harnessing my knowledge and skills to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Additionally, maintaining a busy schedule helps channel my energy positively and combat the anxieties that come with the influencer lifestyle. Ultimately, fostering a growth mindset is not just about staying motivated, but also about embracing change, continuous learning, and unwavering optimism in the face of adversity.
    Courtney BlackFitness Instructor & Entrepreneur

    What does abundance mean to you?
    Making the most of every situation and trying to excel in anything you try to do.
    What are the key tips to harbouring a growth mindset?
    Growth is endless. It is hard to achieve ultimate growth but it’s not impossible. My top tip is to realise there are going to be many set backs in life and you have to be willing to find a solution to work past them.
    Linda HausserFounder and CEO – JANTHEE Berlin

    What does abundance mean to you?
    Abundance to me signifies having an excess or surplus of something, be it love, wealth, opportunities, or success. However, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee a positive impact on your life. Instead, I view it as a wildcard—a chance to create something meaningful. I believe that with abundance, especially when it arrives rapidly or unexpectedly, comes the potential for it to vanish just as swiftly. Thus, it’s crucial to treat our abundance with respect and mindfulness.
    What are the key tips to harbouring a growth mindset?
    Start by listening to yourself and ignoring distractions. Take control of your feelings and focus on what you want to achieve. Remember, you’re in charge of your life, happiness, and success. Stay positive and avoid complaining—it won’t help you grow. Treat each day as a chance to start anew. Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Remember this quote: ‘I’d rather be the worst of the best than the best of the worst.’ Don’t be afraid of challenging situations—they help you grow.
    Rebecca TrestonLaser Skincare Expert

    What does abundance mean to you?
    To me abundance means to love and to be loved totally, to have good health, to have great peace of mind, to have dreams and aspirations, to have the ability to strive and reach my goals in life, to have the financial freedom to travel and explore the world, to live without fear and to experience the joy of giving to others.
    What are the key tips to harbouring a growth mindset?
    For a growth mindset, it’s important to feel the fear but find the strength to do it anyway, to do the things that you need to do, but make you uncomfortable, by setting goals to overcome the obstacles, to embrace new opportunities and challenges as they will make you learn and grow, to value effort and persistence and to surround yourself by growth minded people.
    Lina MalaikaCultural and Creative Consultant

    What does abundance mean to you?
    Abundance comes as a result of inner and outer work; a constant conscious effort. To create or attract abundance in your life, you need to adapt an abundant mindset, which is the belief that there are enough blessings in the world for everyone with no limits and the most crucial recipe is (gratitude) in all its forms – being grateful for whatever comes your way. Refrain from thinking and talking about what you’re lacking and what you don’t have – You need to constantly shift your perspective from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset by focusing on what they already have and make peace with the present moment. You need to then go out and be open to creative possibilities for abundance, there is no one way, you need to open up your landscape to what’s possible because anything you put your mind to is possible.
    What are the key tips to harbouring a growth mindset?
    To harbor a rowth mindset is also constant conscious effort – there are no shortcuts or instant remedies to get there – first, you must put in the inner work to learn about who you are, once you have the awareness of who your truly authentic self is, then you will be able to navigate through both your conscious and subconscious. Overall, it’s important to not fear failure, embrace challenges, recognize fixed mindset traps, continue to learn – it never stops, value effort, cultivate persistence, celebrate your small wins and the success of others, seek out constructive feedback and ask for help and finally to surround yourself with growth-minded people
    Nat MorcosFounder- Goshá and Skooni
    What does abundance mean to you?
    Appreciation and gratitude of what you have , to all the small and big things you have achieved is the ultimate way to being happy in life . the chase for bigger and better is endless and leads to eptiness as in reality their will alsways be something to reach on your horizon and the hunt can go on and on and on. I practice gratitude and selflove and teaching myself to feel that I am enough , I have enough .
    What are the key tips to harbouring a growth mindset?
    It’s important to fall in love with challenges, as they are part of process, courage is must, say no to fear, believe that you are guided and protected, find inspiration in success of others, learn from your failures , love them and say thank you, accept criticism, keep continuing to learn everyday and find your army of supporters and value them the most.
    April’s – The Abundance Issue with Louis Vuitton – Download Now
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      9 empowering UAE sheikhas breaking the mould

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      12 inspiring women from the UAE making a big impact on the world

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      Lifeby Sarah Joseph2 hours ago Women from the UAE are consistently making exceptional contributions to society, inspiring us all daily.Their invaluable role in modern society is not to be underestimated as we constantly learn from them.Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Al MaktoumOur cover star of November’s – ‘The Fine Jewellery Issue’, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Al Maktoum is inspiring the new generation of incredible women have risen to great heights in the aviation industry.“I’m most proud of becoming the first Emirati woman to join the Dubai Police as a helicopter pilot,” she told EW of her proudest moment. “Serving my country by doing what I love doing most is simply the best feeling, and I am deeply grateful for it.”Her Highness Sheikha Latifah Al MaktoumAs a truly powerful and inspirational figure, Her Highness – who graced the cover of EW’s September’s – ‘The Power Issue’ – knows exactly how to keep her mind in champion mode. Sheikha Latifah has spearheaded sports for women in the UAE. She’s an equestrian athlete who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, becoming the first woman to represent the UAE at the Olympic games.Her Excellency Dr Maryam MatarHaving had the dream and desire to serve in the medical field since she was young, Her Excellency Dr Maryam Mohamed Fatima Matar MD, Ph.D. has become a pioneer and a visionary in the healthcare space in the UAE.Not only is Her Excellency a pioneer in the medical space, but she is also a role model for many women in the UAE seeking to succeed, whether that be in healthcare or other industries. Additionally, she’s able to facilitate change, paving the way for other women and girls in the region.Captain Salma Al BaloushiAs the first Emirati female to rise to First Officer’s rank at Etihad Airways, Captain Salma has had a long sparked interest in aviation while also completing her higher education in Aviation Management, forming the face of the modern woman in the UAE as it has taken years of hard work and dedication.Amna Al HaddadAmna al Haddad has defied stereotypes by becoming a positive figurehead for women in the region. As an Olympic weightlifter and also by being the first Emirati and GCC national to compete in Asia’s regionals, she later on also became a part of Nike’s latest campaign on inner strength, as she continues to push herself to the limit.Nayla Al KhajaShe is the first female film director-producer in the UAE, while also being the CEO of Nayla Al Khaja films. Having directed several movies, they have been presented with awards at various international film festivals as she is also very active in the TV commercials domain, while also constantly directing for various international brands.Asma Hilal LootahAs the founder of the Hundred Wellness Centre, Asma Hilal Lootah is paving the way in the wellness space in the UAE. The Hundred is the first fully certified health clinic and wellness centre, which opened in 2008, and now champions wellness in the mind, body and soul for all around the UAE.Dr. Sara Al MadaniWhile being a well-known entrepreneur and motivational speaker within the UAE, Dr. Sara Al Madani was selected as a board member at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, making her the youngest member on the board inspiring women everywhere since 2014.Dr. Suaad Al ShamsiDr. Suaad Al Shamsi is the first UAE female aircraft engineer. With a degree in aviation management and in aerospace engineering, Dr Al Shamsi has reached great heights, inspiring the younger generations of the future.Fatima Al QubaisiFatima Al Qubaisi is the first Emirati woman to graduate from Harvard Law School. She is now a fully qualified lawyer practising in the UAE and continues to champion and advocate for fellow females in this country.Zahra LahriKnown as UAE’s first female professional figure skater to compete in a hijab while also being titled as the ‘Ice Princess of the UAE’. With her growing prominence in the sport, she has defied all odds and broken down barriers to inspire generations of athletes to chase their dreams.Amna Al QubaisiKnown as the first Emirati female racing driver, especially as she’s no stranger to breaking new ground in motorsport with the Emirati driver making her name during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Al Qubaisi’s success at Yas Marina Circuit was one of the major milestones in her motor racing career.– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.Feature Image: Instagram More

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      11 inspiring Emirati women taking the lead in the UAE

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      Mashreq celebrated the unwavering spirit of four inspiring women this Emirati Women’s Day

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      Life

      by Sarah Joseph
      3 hours ago

      IN PARTNERSHIP: When it comes to paving the way for women in various fields, Mashreq is taking the lead by championing such women.
      This Emirati Women’s Day on August 28, 2023, Mashreq championed four inspiring Emirati women who are playing a key role in the success of the country in their respective careers.
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      By taking the lead in their professions across various industries, these Emirati women rising every day and proving that there’s no feat that they cannot achieve.
      To delve further into their overall career, we take a look at their remarkable contributions to society.
      Nouf Omar

      As the youngest female pilot in the UAE, Nouf Omar was determined to follow the footsteps of her uncle who pursued his flying career. By challenging the status quo for women her age, she succeeded in this male-dominated field by overcoming all the obstacles her way, Beyond her profession, Omar is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur and an athlete. With hopes to reaching new horizons and touching the sky, she is paving the way for future generations through her sheer determination.
      Azeizah Ahmed Alhassani

      By challenging the conventional norms, Alhassani is the first female Emirati petroleum engineer working in the feilds of Unconventionals, who empowers the youth through her work. Overall, she has made a name for herself and entered unchartered territory through her professional determination. Besides her career, she is also a rowing champion at Abu Dhabi Sailing Club and a make-up artist as well. After graduating from university in 2016, she joined ADNOC as a chemical fluid drilling engineer at the Drilling and Logistics Business department.
      Dr Maryam Matar

      By focusing on a healthier future for the people, Dr. Maryam Matar is an Emirati physician-geneticist and founder of 5NGO. Despite the challenges face during her formative years, she dedicated her career to medicine worked persistently to spread the importance of screening and preventive care. With a commitment to work towards women empowerment and a healthier UAE, Dr. Matar is truly a medical leader in her field after following her grandmother’s footsteps.
      Captain Sahar Rasti

      As the UAE’s first female captain, Rasti mustered the courage to face her fears and overcame all the challenges to pursue her dreams. With immense determination, she learned how to swim and dive and made history by being the first in her field to achieve this dream. By expanding horizons and navigating through unchartered waters, she has made it her aim to protect the ocean, reduce waste and work towards a more sustainable future in the maritime field.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      Mashreq celebrated Emirati Women’s Day with an exclusive Padel Tournament this weekend

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      Life

      by Team Emirates Woman
      2 hours ago

      IN PARTNERSHIP: To celebrate Emirati women in the region, Mashreq organised a special event in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council this weekend.
      On Saturday August 26 and Sunday August, 27, 2023, the Emirati Women’s Padel Tournament took place at the courts of Dubai Sports World with the participation of 16 teams of multi-nationalities. The council was keen to shine light on Emirati Women, this Emirati Women’s Day which coincided on August 28, 2023.
      The main purpose of the event was to celebrate Emirati women, their achievements and energy through one of the most renowned sports in the world and in the region. Curated to go beyond the sport itself, the event took place to encourage the Emirati woman to shine through the tase of thrill, excitement and camaraderie. The championship was specifically allocated for Emirati female players (C Open Category).
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      By constantly inspiring Emirati women in the country in various fields who have helped put the UAE on a global map, Mashreq’s commitment to empower women lies beyond the Padel courts, with a focus of an inclusive tomorrow.
      The Padel Tournament participants won prizes which added up to Dhs20,000 and the first placed team won Dhs10,000, while the second placed team was awarded Dhs6,000 and the third won Dhs4,000. Additionally, valuable prizes were also presented by Honor Mobile Phones Co.
      The Mashreq Women’s Padel Championship was sponsored by several prominent entities which include Mashreq, Zulekha Hospital, Dubai Sports World, Honor Phones, Mai Dubai and 9714 Company.
      To know more about the event and to see highlights from this weekend visit emiratipadel.com
      For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      Emirati Women’s Day 2023: Arabic calligrapher and visual media artist Alya Al Sanad

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      Life

      by Sarah Joseph
      3 hours ago

      Today, the UAE marks the eighth annual Emirati Women’s Day.
      As an occasion to empower Emirati women, the day was launched by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi, the wife of the late Sheikh Zayed and Mother of the Nation, in 2015.
      The theme for this year’s Emirati Women’s Day is “We collaborate for Tomorrow”, aligning with the values of the country and with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed AL Nahyan’s declaration of 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability.’
      To delve further into celebrating Emirati woman on this special occasion, we spoke to Arabic calligrapher Alya Al Sanad and her friend and homemaker Nadeya Albawardi.
      “The UAE doesn’t fall short in any category. Starting from education, health and more, she tells Emirates Woman with pride. “We have everything in our country – thank God. This place encourages you to achieve your ambitions,” she shared.
      As a Visual Media Artist and being in the creative field as a photographer, videographer and calligrapher, Al Sanad has made a mark for herself in this industry with the support of the UAE to further achieve her dreams.
      Watch the full interview in the video below.
      [embedded content]– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      Three empowered women that Etihad Airways has championed over the years

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      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      5 hours ago

      The national airline of the UAE has made history with various inspiring women making their mark in the world of aviation.
      With women playing a pivotal role in aviation, Etihad Airways continues to uplift them throughout the organisation in different departments as they inspire future generations.
      As on March 8, 2023, we celebrate International Women’s Day, we take a look at the leading women at the airline who have been pioneers in this field.
      Dr. Nadia BastakiFirst-ever female Chief at Etihad Airways

      Dr. Bastaki first joined the national airline in 2007 and became the first UAE national female to a specialist in aviation medicine. By playing a key role in developing the airline’s Medical facility, she has now made it the region’s leading aeromedical centre. With over 20 years of experience as a medical practitioner, she also comes with a wealth of executive leadership capabilities and continues to provide overall clinical guidance for the airline. In November 2021, Etihad Airways announced her as Chief Human Resources, Organisational Development and Asset Management Officer, becoming the first-ever female chief at the national airline of the UAE. “I was the first woman to be promoted to the executive level within Etihad which was a big milestone in my career. Most importantly, it’s what difference you can make and how you as a woman can contribute to the success of the UAE,” she previously told Emirates Woman about breaking down barriers. “
      Captain Aisha Al MansooriFirst Female Emirati Captain in a commercial Airline

      The groundbreaking appointment for Captain Aisha has come after years of hard work and training in August 2022. 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. Reaching new heights (quite literally), Captain Aisha Al Mansoori has become the UAE’s first female Emirati Captain in a commercial airline. 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.
      Mariam Al QubaisiHead of Sustainability at Etihad Aviation Group

      As the Head of Sustainability at Etihad Aviation Group, Al Qubaisi has led the sustainability division and found solutions to ensure the planet is always kept in mind first. From scaling up with commercially viable pathways to understanding the approach to green hydrogen production. As head of Sustainability & Business Excellence in Etihad, she supported a pro-sustainability transformation within the organization, making it a thought leader in sustainable aviation focused on cleaner fuels, operational efficiency and carbon offsets. She is an active sustainability expert serving task forces within the GCAA, IATA and ICAO. In addition to her position at the airline, she has worked as an instructor in the department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Zayed University where she taught Environmental and Natural Sciences.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      8 incredible women tell us how they innovate within their company culture

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      In an environment where creativity and knowledge reign supreme, employees are able to explore and exchange ideas freely.
      Various UAE-based entrepreneurs are constantly uplifting this positive culture and Emirates Woman speaks to several inspiring women upholding the same values.
      Zoya SakrFounder of The Flower Society

      What does innovation mean to you?
      It’s something out of the ordinary, it doesn’t always need to be a radical change, but its impact lies within the value it creates to end users. In my business, it’s linked to creativity in line with the brand positioning we created for our brand. A disruption is an extreme form of innovation, and we believe this is possible in all kinds of businesses when being close to customers and their needs.
      How do you innovate in your company culture?
      Innovation at The Flower Society comes from every team member. Our company has a bottom-to-top policy, no hierarchy or stiff layers so creativity can flow. Innovation also comes from our loyal clients becoming part of the brand as they inspire us.
      Claire MillerFounder and CEO of The Skincare Edit

      What does innovation mean to you?
      In my idealistic view, products, ideas, or methods make the world a better place. As an entrepreneur and facialist within the beauty field, I am excited by the advancements we have seen in skincare formulation. Yet, I feel passionate and responsible that, as a wider industry, we need to examine some real challenges too and not shy away from the complicated issues such as climate change and sustainability that require more innovation.
      How do you innovate in your company culture?
      The Skincare Edit was created from a desire to do things better. Sustainability is at the heart of every decision we make as a team, from the brands we partner with to product selection, shipping, packaging, and delivery to how we describe the suitability of our products to customers. We want customers to make informed decisions for their skin without commercial hype – with only truth and transparency, which leads to better re- results and less waste. Our promises are honesty, results-driven products, sustainability, and transparency. For better sustainability, we need to look beyond just the products and the journey they take to get to us, ensuring the carbon footprint is as little as possible. As a beauty retailer and distributor, this is how we try to play our part in innovation.
      Amna Al HabtoorFounder of Arcadia

      What does innovation mean to you?
      To me, innovation is synonymous with originality. Thinking outside the box, trial and error, fresh perspectives, and advanced methods are all how I perceive innovation.
      How do you innovate in your company culture?
      It’s imperative that I adopt a non-hierarchal management approach – I feel that allows a corporate mindset that is always open to change, growth, and hence, innovation. I enforce this in different ways, such as having an open workspace with all my team members and encouraging collaboration between everyone in the company.
      Emma SawkoFounder of Wild & The Mood

      What does innovation mean to you?
      Innovation is what shakes the world and changes paradigms. And when you want to introduce a new way of eating, in a region where each community is attached to their food culture as a part of their identity, when you want people to be more environmentally conscious in an environment that does not help, when you want them to take care of their health and vitality even though they did not seem to care that much… It takes a whole lot of innovation and shaking! My luck is that the UAE is a young country with a fresh look at everything and tonnes of enthusiasm for innovation. Since we opened, I have witnessed a shift in mentalities, and I believe the green revolution has started here. I’m also delighted to see more and more young women among the new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. I had the honour of being nominated for the prestigious Bold Women Awards in Paris, where I was surprised to meet hundreds of strong women, all entrepreneurs, many of them true innovators in their fields. I felt touched and grateful for this new generation of bold, empowered women, most of them with a gentler, greener, and altruist take on success. We all need to encourage our daughters to be bold and innovative.
      How do you innovate in your company culture?
      To become the first vegan, organic, and locally sourced restaurant in the UAE, we necessarily had to innovate. So much, in fact, that it gave my team and myself many headaches. Of course, we created our recipes from scratch with plant-based ingredients and no compromise on the taste. We also wanted minimal environmental impact and worked with architects who built the space using mainly recycled materials. We also had to innovate with nearly every aspect of the project, including finding 100% biodegradable bottles or containers, ways to minimize waste (we aim to be a 0% waste restaurant), or carbon footprint. We can say that innovation is in Wild & the Moon’s DNA.
      Lyndsay DoranChief Executive Office, L’Couture

      What does innovation mean to you?
      It means never resting on your laurels. However, innovation doesn’t always have to mean radical and incremental changes – especially within the fashion industry. As a brand, we have always been consistently focused on elevating and therefore innovating in every sense. Founded in Dubai, L’Couture is a homegrown brand with a global mindset.
      How do you innovate in your company culture?
      As a business, we are always looking to innovate in four key areas. In terms of the product itself, from consciously sourcing Oeko-Tex factories that produce new and improved fabrics to extensive fit testing with diverse models to perfect that all-important LC fit. We recently dropped our best-selling Serenity Seamless collection in a new and planet-friendly Amni Soul Eco fabric with an enhanced fit. We constantly look for new technologies to improve even our best sellers. At the core of our business is people, not only our strong community but our team across the board. We aim to diversify, grow, and promote within the company. The in-store experience is a core component of the business and something we are passionate about as a team. In line with trends in experiential retail, we want to ensure the shopping experience is as seamless and innovative as possible for our customers. Finally, L’Couture was launched online, therefore we continue to optimise the website to provide an end-to-end shopping experience. The world of e-commerce and digital is forever changing, so in order for us to be competitive, we have to be ahead of the curve and innovative and offer our customers a 360 experience.
      Zeina El-DanaFounder and CEO of Z7 Communication

      What does innovation mean to you?
      Innovation is the key to success… especially in the world of communications, events and digital. We are continuously finding ways to disrupt
      the industry with our creative and experimental approaches to ensure that our clients always stand out above the rest. To me, innovation is about constant growth and agility, being able to stay ahead of the curve and offer something outside the box to create noise!
      How do you innovate in your company culture?
      Company culture is very close to my heart, and I have spent the past few years dedicating a lot of time and resources to building a culture that enables my team to feel inspired and help them grow. I believe the physical work environment is very important, we have a beautifully designed office space in Dubai Design District, which is the heart of design, fashion, and culture in the region, but also offers flexibility to the team to work be- tween the office and outside locations where they can gain further inspiration. We organise weekly team brainstorms and monthly skill shares to upskill the team – knowledge gives the team the power and confidence to innovate. We also schedule bi-monthly team activities to enable the team to relax, bond, and foster a fun environment. At Z7, we empower the team at every level, from interns to directors, no idea is too big or too small, and I always encourage the team to believe in the impossible, push boundaries, and encourage continuous innovation! We offer a safe environment where open communication is cherished to allow the team’s creativity to be seen and heard. Recognising and rewarding success is something we continually do, and formally, once a month, we also announce an employee of the month who has achieved something special, thus encouraging further innovative behaviours within the team.
      Fatma AlmheiriSenior Manager of Communications at the Museum of The Future

      What does innovation mean to you?
      Innovation to me is more about being open to new ideas and perspectives. It’s a pathway to self-improvement and finding novel ways to have a bigger and better impact on those around me.
      How do you innovate in your company culture?
      In order to have an innovative culture embedded in any field, I feel it’s extremely important to welcome creativity and new ideas with open arms. It’s also crucial that your team is empowered enough to share these ideas confidently.
      Zoe HaldaneBrand Director of The Arts Club

      What does innovation mean to you?
      To me, innovation is about pioneering change in order to thrive. In our business, we strive to innovate on all levels, from what we offer in our restaurants and how we build and train our teams to how we programme our cultural events and communicate them to our members. Our industry is highly competitive here and in London, and innovation is key to our success.
      How do you innovate in your company culture?
      Since The Arts Club Dubai is not only our first international outpost, but also the second-ever clubhouse to be opened since our establishment in 1863, we naturally had a blank canvas opportunity to innovate across all aspects of our business, including company culture. Key to my approach is an open-door policy that gives all colleagues, no matter which department, the space to come and discuss their thoughts and ideas freely. Some of these can be specific to their respective teams or divisions, but there is an intrinsic value in allowing people to share their ideas in a way that is not confined or limited. I’m also a big believer in breakaway brainstorming sessions, some of which take place outside of the office environment. These sessions consistently provide the suitable space and environment for blue-sky thinking, ambitious strategy planning, and long-term vision. Perhaps most importantly, I always aim to take a positive approach in my role and channel a mindset open to change. I guide colleagues through influence rather than instructions and empower them to think independently and operate with confidence. This non-hierarchical way of management has always been important to me and is an intrinsic contributor to business success.
      February’s – The Innovation Issue – Download Now 
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