Multicultural upbringing, passion for beauty led long-time UAE resident to run an e-portal Syrian-Lebanese expat Haifa Addas, 45, raises capital from savings to launch a stylist booking app in the UAE. Here’s how.. “When you start earning money for the first time, all the money lessons you knew during your childhood suddenly feel very real.” Haifa Addas, 45, recalled her first job experience working in Canada in customer service, where she got a small wage, paid every two weeks.
During that time, she realised her financial choices started to impact her life, as she had to manage the consequences of her decisions. She said, “You begin to pay more attention to your choices and decide whether or not you want to purchase something or save your money. You start to think about how the money you earn comes from your hard work, so you know you’re also spending your time and energy when you spend it.”
Addas is a Syrian-Lebanese expat, who holds a Canadian passport and has been living in Dubai for 18 years. She was raised understanding two contrasting ideas about money.
Addas’s dad was a self-made businessman who started from scratch to build his business. He focused on reinvesting money and using it as fuel to power the business. In contrast, her mother liked to spend the money she earned on what made her happy – to enjoy life.
She grew up learning two widely opposite views about money, developing a balanced mind-set where she learned the value of money and how to be wise with it and enjoy the cash by buying the things that make her happy.
She went to business school and learned financial management and accounting skills. Her business understanding further came from her dad, who took risks. Haifa Addas went to business school and learned financial management and accounting skills, and her business understanding further came from her dad, who took risks. Addas began her career in Dubai from scratch, earning a low wage for the first two years.
In Dubai, the financial skills and rules that she already knew but never really implemented became fundamentals of her life. “I began to look after the money I had and learned the value of earning it.
“Though I was taught delayed gratification at a young age by my parents, making my way in this country showed me that if I invest my time today, I will reap the rewards later in life.
“I knew I needed to understand financial literacy, ranging from money management and budgeting to investing. The financial literacy I gained during my early career helped me in the business to keep it afloat.
“My brother and business partner, Abdelaziz, also helped set up the business. He acquired my dad’s company and financial traits, and therefore, we make a great team. My brother’s skills allowed me to learn from him and keep the business flourishing.” Addas fondness for beauty motivated her to do a beauty services business.
Addas grew up with a passion and sense of appreciation for beauty and glamour and was surrounded by women who inspired her daily. “My mother, a makeup artist and hairstylist, influenced me in every aspect of my life.
“My grandmother, who was Miss Lebanon at a very young age and still had her hair and makeup perfectly done until her last days, was an example of how a woman can take good care of herself and her image at any age, any time, and any place.
“I lived in many different countries – Saudi Arabia, the Levant, Europe, and Canada. As a result, I learned about many cultures, which led to a multicultural upbringing in which I discovered that the demand for beauty is universal. The realised desire to look good and feel good about oneself is essential for every woman.” Haifa Addas’ fondness for beauty motivated her to do a beauty services business. (Picture used for illustrative purposes.) As a teenager, Addas unknowingly prepared herself for being an entrepreneur.
She had applied makeup to my friends, cut and dyed their hair, recommended beauty salons, hairdressers, and makeup artists and helped them book appointments worldwide.
“I worked as a marketer for luxury brands like L’Oréal, Lancôme, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, and Helena Rubinstein. In addition, I worked for Pan Arab magazines as well,” Addas added.
“Halfway through my journey, it became pretty clear to me that no matter where, when, or who it is, everybody needs to be pretty and glammed from time to time. But, more importantly, everybody has the right to look […]
source Syrian-Lebanese expat raises capital from savings to launch a stylist booking app in the UAE
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