ASPIRE - An Entrepreneur and Lifestyle Magazine - Feb 2022 by ASPIRE Business and Lifestyle Magazine

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FEB 2022 ISSUE 16 aspiremagz.com —

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Match made on an App

CAN TECHNOLOGY REALLY PLAY CUPID?

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DEBTONOMICS

The Economics of Debt and how to keep afloat

FAHMY ANSARA DAHALAN

Chairman of the Malaysian Business Council, on the confluence between the two countries

Stevi Lowmass

The Camel Soap Factory and EXPO licensee on her award winning business

• Dariush Soudi

THE MODERN DAY

G L A D I AT O R

Empowering you in 16 hours to Master and Multiply Sales WOW LOCALES FOR YOUR WEDDING VOWS

surreal locations to lock in your wedding vows

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Inside 20

THE MODERNGLADIATOR

When it comes to making millions, Dariush Soudi is no sheer fluke. Take a peek into the life of this wise and tenacious sales guru to fathom why he’s so invested in turning salespeople into gladiators

5 Bulletin Bytes

Interesting news from around the world!

8 Small Businesses Create Big Splash

A spotlight on small businesses in the UAE that go big to leave no stone left unturned this Valentine’s Day

12 Match Made on an App

Take a deep dive to understand how dating apps work and if technology could indeed play Cupid

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INSIDE 16 Reel Vs Real

Reels have made us fall head over heels with love. But is it really real?

18 Events

Important events in the region

26 An Asian Confluence

Fahmy Ansara Dahalan, the Chairman of the Malaysian Business Council in the UAE, speaks about his career and the illustrious ongoing ties between UAE and Malaysia

28 Malaysian Business Council: Promoting Alliance And Business Growth

Here is how the Council has been promoting Malaysian businesses to setup and grow in the UAE

30 A Soapy Affair

Founder of The Camel Soap Factory and EXPO licensee Stevi Lowmass on taking her business from a home kitchen to an award-winning business

32 Boss-Bytes

ASPIRE speaks with promising Entrepreneurs on their budding ideas and their growing businesses

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34 Say It With Forever Brands

Say it with a Brand. Our suggestions on the names that can make your V-Day the Day

38 The Power of Paradigms: Right Shift Updating your Paradigm could be the answer to upgrading and leveling up your life

40 DEBTONOMICS: The Economics of Debt

Drowning in the whirlpool of Debt? Here is an understanding on its mechanics to help keep afloat

42 Money Talk: How to Start a Startup

In this series of Being a CEO of a Startup, we look at some of the financial aspects of running a business

44 Acknowledging Your ‘Men’tal Health

It is time now to set aside the masculinity aspect and let a man be expressive of his humanistic side

46 For Goodness’ Sake Thrift For Good, led by Jennifer Sault, is lighting up lives through her mission. Read her inspirational journey

PUBLISHER

48 Wow Locales for your Wedding Vows

Shagufta Patel E: editor@aspiredubai.ae

Explore the most surreal locations around the globe to lock in your wedding vows

52 Love Thy Self

Learn to nurture and honor the tenuous bond we share with our inner self

54 The Lucid Choice

Let’s go on a spin with the 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition

Sumeet Gupta E: sumeet@aspiredubai.ae CHIEF EDITOR

CONSULTING EDITOR

Sangeetha Shinde Tee

56 Set The Mood

February is all about ‘loving in style’. Let us lend you a hand in planning the perfect date

60 Aspire+

What must you Read / Follow / Eat this month that will keep you effortlessly in the loop beyond business

64 The Good Life

Little selfless acts of great love is what we believe can be described as living the good life

HONORARY EDITOR

Rizwan Bhutta JUNIOR EDITORIAL MANAGER

Qiraat Attar EDITORIAL

Pallavi Biju Clarilda Sharon Sreeram Vishvanath Misbaah Mansuri EDITORIAL INTERN

S Deepika PRODUCTION

The Purple Stroke M: +971 508 498820

O: 1601, Corporate Business Hub, Burj Gate, Dubai, United Arab Emirates W: thepurplestroke.com

Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the persmission of The Purple Stroke FZE LLC. All the information carried herein is checked and verified to the best of our knowledge and abilities. In matters of views expressed and opinions held, it is solely that of the authors and contributors themselves. The editorial or publisher or ASPIRE cannot be held responsible for unintended errors and oversights if any.

Email: hello@aspiredubai.ae 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Editor's note Metaverse!

hat’s the buzzword that we all seem to be going gung-ho about. From building, playing, and exploring in virtual worlds to creating 3D avatars that resemble or don’t resemble you, from meeting people from anywhere for work or for play to investing in virtual lands and homes (where you can entertain friends or at least their avatars), NFT’s, coins and tokens, from video conferencing to shopping and e-commerce. The possibilities seem endless, and we have only just begun. Expected to create its own mammoth ecosystem, this reimagining of the internet is a natural process we all know as Evolution. A phenomenon of growth, development, and changing characteristics for a higher level of functioning. It’s dangerous not to evolve. You face the chance of getting stagnant and inert or, worse still, face extinction. I’m sure neither of us would like to be in that space of a total wipe-off!

Evolve or Dissolve At every moment we are given two choices: Evolve or Dissolve. Survive or Perish. And the man who is an apt example of this is our modern-day gladiator Dariush Soudi whose story is one of survival

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(and one of thriving) at its best. Not far behind is Stevi Lowmass, who took her idea from a kitchen to an award-winning business. Also, equally important on the journey of growth are collaborations and a robust support system that Fahmy Ansara Dahalan, Chairman of the Malaysian Business Council in the UAE, speaks about. Kai Charles, William Stenhouse, Henzie Healley, Jennifer Sault are all examples of what an upgraded and evolved life looks like. And we have experts featured in the Pro-talk section that guide you along every step of the way – be it the economics of debt, the power of paradigms, the financial aspects of starting a business or simply keeping a check on the mental health. I also believe what holds the strings and everything together is Love. And so, we shine the spotlight on home-grown enter-

prises that have curated specialized gifts and goodies for your loved ones. While on the topic of cupid, get the stats on dating apps, mesmerizing locales for your “I do”, and some ideas for a perfect date setting. However, let it all begin with showing some love for the self, with a lot of me-time and maybe some forever brands on the side. Whatever you choose to do, bear one thing in mind – eliminate all that stops you from growing and evolve so hard that they have to get to know you again. Now, how much fun would that be? 

Bulletin

Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi aims to roll out 35 EV models by 2030 The Franco- a Japanese Alliance between car manufacturers Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi, is as much about teamwork as about tech, declared the Alliance 2030 conference. The trio announced plans to spend $25.8 billion (€23 billion) in electrification, aiming to roll out 35 EV models by 2030 as competition increases in the sector. The virtual conference announced common, unified actions and projects to “accelerate and shape their shared future toward 2030, focusing on the mobility value chain”. “Today, the Alliance is accelerating pace to lead the mobility revolution and deliver more value to customers, our people, our shareholders, and all our stakeholder,” said Jean-Dominique Senard, Chairman of the Alliance. “The three-member companies have defined a common roadmap towards 2030, sharing investments in future electrification and connectivity projects. These

are massive investments that none of the three companies could make alone. Together, we are making the difference for a new and global sustainable future; the Alliance becoming carbon neutral by 2050.” In May 2020, the Alliance had announced a Leader-Follower scheme wherein select technology would be developed by one of the three companies and the other would act as followers, hence enabling each member of the Alliance to gain access to key technologies. Additionally, the companies also announced the enhanced usage of common platforms in the coming years to more than 80% of its combined 90 models in 2026. This is expected to allow each member to focus on their customers’ needs and their best models and core markets and expand innovations across the Alliance at a much lower cost. Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi

have established themselves as a pioneer in the EV market with more than $11bn (€10bn) invested in the field of electrification. In the main markets of Europe, Japan, the US, and China, 15 plants owned by the Alliance have already produced parts, batteries, motors, and more for 10 EV models currently on the street. Along with this, the Alliance has sold over 1 million EVs so far and has recorded 30 billion e-kilometers driven by these cars. The Alliance aims to have a total of 220 GWh battery production capacity by 2030 across all key EV production sites by working with common partners to reduce battery costs by 50% in 2026 and 65% by 2028. Sharing a common vision for all-solid-state battery (ASSB) technology, the conference revealed that Nissan would be leading in this area based on their unique experience and deep expertise as a pioneer in battery technology. 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Bulletin

Saudi Arabia is set to strike gold as they sell off stakes held by the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund Saudi Arabia is set to make about $5bn in dividends over the next three months as an outcome of its plans to sell off stakes in local companies held by The Public Investment Fund (PIF). The Public Investment Fund is Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund. In December 2021, Saudi Arabia had raised $3.2bn by selling its shares in Saudi Telecom Co., the most extensive secondary offering in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa region last year. In the same month, they also raised $1bn from selling a share in the Saudi Exchange. Along with this, PIF is set to raise $820m from selling stakes in Elm Co., a digital security firm, after pricing the share sale at the upper end of the pricing range. Extending its 2021 gains of 30%, the Saudi benchmark index has already jumped

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about 9% this year. Saudi has revealed its plans to invest about $40bn into the local economy this year as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to invest in entertainment and tourism to diversify the economy away from oil. The proceeds from the share sales will offer a welcome boost to these plans. Also, marking a shift in the strategy of the Public Investment Fund, the sales will help the company recycle its capital, sell existing shares and invest in new firms. Saudi Arabia has been experiencing huge investor demands, with IPOs generally being priced on top of their offering ranges as well as surging on their trading debuts. According to Goldman Sachs Group, Saudi Arabia will remain the busiest of the Middle

Saudi Arabia has been experiencing huge investor demands, with IPOs generally being priced on top of their offering ranges as well as surging on their trading debuts. According to Goldman Sachs Group, Saudi Arabia will remain the busiest of the Middle East’s stock markets East’s stock markets. Calling 2021 a “standout year” for the Arabian Gulf, John Wilkinson, head of emerging-market equity capital markets at Goldman Sachs, commented, “Most of the marquee offerings have posted strong post-IPO performances, sparking further interest from international investors.” Since hiring Eyas Aldossari as the head of investment banking in 2017, Goldman has fast built its Saudi presence, helping it catch up with competitors like HSBC Holdings Plc and JPMorgan, who have stronger ties with the Kingdom. IPOs by Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co., ACWA power and Solutions by STC, and several others in Abu Dhabi have helped push the MENA region’s equity issuance to about $23 billion. Although Saudi remains “the biggest driver for Middle East ECM”, Wilkinson commented that with Abu Dhabi Inc. becoming more active and the Dubai government’s efforts “will drive bigger volumes from the UAE going forward.”

NBF launches bank accounts for SMEs as the UAE attracts more Foreign Direct Investments The NBF Lite Bank Account launched by the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) will cater to the needs of start-ups and small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the country. With the benefit of catering to the needs of Flexi-desks and co-working businesses in select free zones, the Lite Account will also help start-ups with exclusive banking services to help build networks, connect with peers and competitors as well as identify growth opportunities in their areas. “With business banking at its core, NBF aims to unlock emerging opportunities for startups and SMEs through tailored digital banking offerings and leverage the growth opportunities that lie in the UAE. The NBF

Lite Bank Account is a testament to our commitment to building long-lasting partnerships with entrepreneurs and business owners,” said Rehan Ali, NBF’s head of business banking This move comes following the launch of the ‘Ahlan’ SME account and the ‘OneStop’ business account by NBF last year, both tailored to SMEs. In addition, the bank has also launched a banking platform for SMEs called “NBF Connect” and an electronic trading platform – NBFX. The rise of start-ups and entrepreneurs in the country can be highly attributed to an increase in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the country. As per official data, Dubai attracted nearly 15.9 billion ($4.3 billion) in foreign direct investment (FDI)

Dubai attracted nearly 15.9 billion ($4.3 billion) in foreign direct investment (FDI) from 378 projects in the first nine months of 2021

from 378 projects in the first nine months of 2021. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirate’s Executive Council, said, “Dubai has continued to introduce and implement initiatives that improve business confidence. As a result, global investors have placed their faith in Dubai’s business ecosystem, making it among the most attractive FDI locations in the world. In addition, initiatives such as full foreign ownership, an evolving visa administration, and the alignment of the workweek with global markets demonstrate Dubai and the UAE’s responsiveness to business needs.” According to the Dubai FDI monitor data, FDI reinvestment projects accounted for 11% of the total FDI projects in the Emirate. Meanwhile, job creation due to GDI rose 36% as compared to 2020 in the first nine months of 2021, creating a total of 16,430 new jobs. During the period, the total number of FDI projects increased by 16%, of which as much as 58% of inbound FDI is in strategic sectors, and 52% is in greenfield projects.  2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Trending

Small Businesses Create Big Splash As one of the most commercially successful occasions of the year, Valentine’s Day provides an influx of customers to all kinds of businesses. Pallavi Biju shines a spotlight on small businesses in the UAE that go big to ensure there’s no stone left unturned in the celebration of love

egardless of whether you’re a hopeless romantic eagerly waiting for Valentine’s Day or a shrewd pragmatist who sees it as just another marketing hoax, you cannot deny the impact of Valentine’s Day on businesses and the economy as a whole. A global study of card transactions revealed that Valentine’s Day spending has increased 17% since 2017 as the ‘love economy’ grows five times as fast as the global economy. While people splurge on Coach handbags and Dior perfumes for their loved ones, there is a segment of businesses that often goes overlooked – the small business universe. Year after year, they go above and beyond in their efforts to woo their clientele with the gift they deserve on this magical day. So narrow your search from global to local with these up-and-coming businesses, creating everything from handmade cards to cakes to confectionary, all for a Valentine’s Day that is thoughtfully crafted for your loved ones, doesn’t break your bank accounts, and also supports your neighborhood economy.

INSCRIBE IT IN WORDS Launched in January 2022, thus making it the ‘youngest’ business on our list, Orion Studio offers greeting cards, stickers, and art prints that dazzle and endear. With their Valentine’s Day cards, they’re determined to cater to varying styles, with nine design varieties for their customers, thus personalizing every card. Printed on the choicest of paper, the

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 Orion Studio offers greeting cards, stickers, and art prints that dazzle and endear

inside is left blank so you can give your touch of magic to this professionally crafted beauty. The card comes with a Kraft envelope hand-packed in clear eco-friendly bags for a refined finish. Alongside greeting cards, the website also offers seven different sticker designs made of durable and water-resistant vinyl, ensuring you are spoiled for choice. With a focus on creating an environment-friendly brand, Eva Slovsa, the owner of Orion Studios, constantly strives to make the brand more sustainable and eco-conscious, starting with their eco-compostable packaging made out of organic matter (such as corn-starch or potato starch). A cherry on top is the eco-friendly wrapping tissue

and sealing stickers, creating a beautiful unwrapping experience at no cost to the environment. If you’re intrigued, more art prints are currently in the works, with a ‘Teacher’s Collection’ on the way in this fledgling business. Customers can purchase products on www.shoporionstudio.com.

SUGAR-COAT IT! The sweetness of Valentine’s Day is only matched by the sugary rush brought on by desserts; something people cannot get enough of during this holiday. According to a survey, over 53 percent of people in the UAE will gift their beloved candies and confectionery as Valentine’s presents. With a smorgasbord of saccharine delights set to engulf 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Trending us, V-Day is the perfect day of indulgence for anyone with a sweet tooth. If your lover has a penchant for all things sweet (and honestly, who doesn’t?), these dessert connoisseurs are at your service. A humble home-based business whose desserts do the talking, Sweet Home is a Dubai business offering cakes of every variety. One of them is their rendition of the much-hyped 4-inch Korean lunchbox cakes, which have taken social media by storm owing to their convenient, portable packaging and whimsically imaginative designs. These cute cakes are ideal for a couple (or just one person), making them a delightful dessert for

Narrow your search from global to local with these up-and-coming businesses, creating everything from handmade cards to cakes to confectionary a romantic occasion. Along with mini cakes and an array of sweets, Sweet Home is set to launch heart-shaped cakes too, which are a perfect fit for this holiday. “Sweet people deserve sweet things, and it is always nice to give gifts,” says Vida Aghili, the co-founder and the brains behind Sweet Home. The brand has been enjoying high demand all year round, with people seizing every opportunity to enjoy baked treats. Decked in red and bedecked in hearts for all kinds of V-Day requests, Sweet Home is ready to give you and your loved ones a sugar-coated delight that will be remembered  Korean lunchbox cakes: Convenient, portable packaging and whimsically imaginative designs

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after V-Day is long gone. Order their gratifying confectionaries to experience it for yourself on their Instagram handle@sweethome.ae. From one sweet surprise to another, Dulcie offers sweet surprises draped in the choicest of chocolates. Their heart-shaped hot chocolate mixes come in a variety of lip-smacking flavors, including white chocolate, hazelnut chocolate, Spanish latte, caramel latte, and more. For a unique twist, they also offer Umm Ali balls which, akin to hot chocolate balls, give you a warm, comforting burst of sweetness when immersed in hot milk. Dulcie also offers brownies, blondies, popsicles, lunchbox, and brownie box, as well as S’more brownies topped with marshmallow that is sure to give you the feeling of being by a campfire with your friends, sharing stories, and warming up in the wintry night. Of course, far be it from us to recommend you break a heart on February 14, but what if there was a surprise waiting to be discovered inside? This Valentine’s Day, Dulcie is offering a trendy new twist on surprises: Breakable Hearts! Specializing in hearts of hot chocolate, this popular business is decked up for V-Day with more heartshaped options. Dulcie is offering a 10% discount on all their products for readers of ASPIRE! Just use the code “Aspire10” to avail your offer. You can place your order at @dulcie.ae on Instagram.

PICTURE PERFECT MEMORIES If you’ve got yourself a storybook romance, why not immortalize it in the pages of one? Bound in

 Sweet Home is a Dubai business offering cakes of every variety

a Book is a versatile small business specializing in bespoke memory books. Make your memories worth more than a single hurried glance by creating a personalized book filled with pictures and stories of unforgettable moments spent with those you love. Each book is designed for the client keeping in mind even the tiniest of details to make sure that every customer walks away with unique and covetable memorabilia. Although their Valentine’s Day Photobooks are hugely sought-after this time of year, this unique business caters to every occasion you can think of – birthdays, farewells, family celebrations, travel, recipes, weddings or anniversaries, to collections like art portfolios and friendship books – nothing is out of reach for them. So, if you’ve been waiting for ages to get your wedding album printed or bring to life your family trip to Greece, give Bound in a Book a try and we promise you will not be disappointed. You can order from @boundinabook on Facebook or Instagram or visit their site www.boundinabook. com to get your photos off your phone and into your home.

 Specialized and personalized memory books

A PLACE YOU CAN CALL HOME Gifting a new house to your beau might not be on your list this V-Day, but there’s nothing wrong with gifting a miniature version of your dream house! Enjoy the warmth and uniqueness of a Pinterest-inspired, miniature dollhouse customized and hand-crafted just for you and your loved one. IFRMI-minis is a start-up business that specializes in creating and delivering lovely concept dollhouse packages that bring delight to everyone who sees it, be it your child or your partner. “In my mid-twenties, I realized I shouldn’t wait for someone to give me a standard one-size-fits-all valentine present. A fun holiday like Valentine’s Day should be celebrated and enjoyed by everyone,” says Fatima, the founder of IFRMI-minis. Although base-line products are pre-created, every gift is made to be unique to the person receiving them. The little houses can be highly customized to the taste, color palettes, and interests of the person you’re gifting it to, showing that you’ve been paying attention to their likes and dislikes! We could go on and on, but we’d highly recommend you check out their adorable and artistic creations on their Instagram, @ ifrmi_minis. We guarantee this would make a personal and touching gift to someone who wants

 Miniature version of dream house

to keep their inner child alive. Big businesses rake in big bucks on every special occasion, but this day of love deserves that you pay attention to the small businesses around you, working to surpass expectations by creating a Valentine’s experience that is sentimental, tailormade, and often easier on your budget than the offerings from big brands.

For a customized, personal piece that conveys your feelings where words fall short, these businesses are the way to go Considering it all, why not make this Valentine’s Day a success for small businesses too? For a customized, personal piece that conveys your feelings where words fall short, these businesses are the way to go. They persevere day in and day out to curate the best experiences and gifts for all their customers. So, give a miss to the big-ticket items with hype but no heart, and aim to surprise this V-Day and deliver something that is truly one-of-a-kind.  2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Tech love

M ATCH MADE ON AN APP Love has a funny way of entering our lives, and dating apps are fast becoming its most taken route. QIRAAT ATTAR dives deep to understand how these apps work and if technology could indeed play Cupid

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atch made in heaven is your grandmother’s adage; today, it has been replaced by ‘Match made on the app’. Once evoking skepticism and disdain, dating apps have now become an acceptable and trendy way of finding love. Technology aids every part of our life today, so it is no surprise that love is yet another thing you can find online. With the pandemic having caused upheaval in regular societal interactions, people flocked to dating apps instead. In March 2020, at the outset of the pandemic, Tinder witnessed its highest number of swipes on a single day: 3 billion. In the months following this, OkCupid saw a 700% increase in dates. And on Bumble, video calls increased by 70%. From #SwipeStories to digital meet cutes, dating apps have created a niche for themselves in the ‘love economy’ and are here to stay, only set to evolve as the world around

Tech love us gets more confounding and the narrative around love and relationships changes with every passing generation. But for a technology tasked with something as important as finding our soulmate, how does it work? At the end of the day, would an app help us find love when its success would actually mean losing a customer?

A search engine for love

Firstly - every dating app is different. Depending on their initial objective and the end goal, every app employs a different algorithm to find dates you might enjoy. Think of dating apps as search engines, trawling through profiles of other users. Using your information like your location, age, interests, several other factors, as well as your preferences, these apps try to find someone you would have a lot in common with.If you’re thinking of dating apps, you’re thinking of Tinder. Owned by Match group and founded by Sean rad, Justin Mateen and Jonathan Badeen at a hackathon, it’s the flag bearer of the ‘swipe’ to show your interest. Tinder changed the world of online dating. While it may have started as an app for casual dating, today it represents a legion of people who have met their forever person on this app. Tinder’s match system used to be based on the Elo rating system, originally designed to rank chess players. It’s a system of ranking for zero-sum games, where when you win, the other person loses equally. An analogy - in a piece of cake divided equally, if you get a piece, your friend does not get the piece. Profiles on a similar range of attractiveness get banded together under the Elo system. For instance,

 Sean Rad, founder of Tinder

 Bumble founder Whitney Wolf Herde

let’s assume you have a really great profile, leading to a high Elo score. Your profile is floated across people with a similarly high score so that there are high chances of a match. This, in their judgment, mimics real life where people of a similar level of attractiveness tend to be drawn to one another. While Tinder no longer relies on this algorithm alone, the consensus amongst people remains that in order to match with people you’d like, you want to present yourself in a way that would appeal to them. In this way, most dating apps are a network version of the real world, where your persona, your looks, your beliefs, and a certain undefinable ‘X factor’ work together to make you seem attractive to someone. This isn’t the only system around, though. Apps like Match.com, founded by Gary Kremen and Peng T. Ong, collect information about your values system and interests and go a step further by letting

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Tech love

S TATIS TIC S 4 In 2020, the revenue from dating apps globally reached just over 3 Billion dollars (Source: Business of Apps)

4 Of all the dating apps, revenue has increased primarily through the contributions of Tinder and Bumble, which have captured the North American market (Source: Business of Apps)

4 With over 6.5 million monthly downloads in May 2021, Tinder is the most downloaded dating application in the world (Source: Statista)

4 As seen in March 2021, it was found that male users accounted for 76 percent of Tinder’s active user accounts on the Android platform (Source: App Ape)

you specify what you want (or don’t want) in your future partner. For instance, if you don’t like the idea of dating a pet owner, you can specify it as a dealbreaker, and the app won’t bring those users into the mix of people you might like. Just like Coca-Cola has kept its formula secret for decades, apps like Bumble are similarly secretive about their algorithm. They don’t reveal about how people are presented to you apart from by using their filter functions (which let you specify distance, and factors like religion, political beliefs, and other parameters for the premium version) and those who might appeal to you. They also make sure not to show you inactive users accounts, which makes good sense.

Keeping the buzz going

Apps cannot assume that dating becomes easier,

Tinder’s match system used to be based on the Elo rating system, originally designed to rank chess players. It’s a system of ranking for zero-sum games, where when you win, the other person loses equally 14

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safer, or less daunting just because it is online. In fact, online dating has led to the snowballing of catfishing, a term used to define using other people’s pictures to assume a false identity or present yourself as different from who you really are. From the perspective of heterosexual relationships, apps that reign supreme are the ones that have found purchase in the community of women, helping them feel safe and providing protection from ‘creepy’ men. Bumble came as a breath of fresh air on the scene when it was launched in 2014 by former Tinder co-founder Whitney Wolf Herde, where women took the lead. Matches could only lead somewhere when women took the onus to text first, which not just mitigated the safety challenges that women feel in the dating arena but also challenged the patriarchal mantra about love that stated, ‘Women don’t make the first move’. Today, Bumble is equipped with a Private Detector algorithm that flags offensive photos. Users can report people who seem suspicious or have made them feel uncomfortable, and Bumble takes cognizance of the complaints. It is then no surprise that this cheery yellow app is valued at 8 billion dollars as of 2020 and continues to grow exponentially. The popularity and domination of these apps have

4 Based on a survey conducted among 4,860 U.S. adults in 2019, roughly six-in-ten online daters (57%) say they have had an overall positive experience with dating platforms 4 The top 5 countries generating revenue from dating apps in 2021 in order, are USA (33.4%), India (29.9%), China (25%), Japan (6.4%) and the UK (5.4%) 4 Tinder users increased their activity during the COVID pandemic by sending 52% more in-app messages in April 2020 compared to early March of the same year (Source: keyua.org)

led to the business of love being the most lucrative one of them all. Most dating apps follow the ‘Freemium’ model, where certain features are available for free, but you can make a one-time subscription or a recurring one to get the most out of it. So, could you take a guess on how many users opt for these perks? Nearly 57 million people use Tinder, an unfathomable number in itself, of which over 10 percent, or over 6 million people, use the benefits that come with a paid subscription. Match.com pulls ahead with nearly 11 million paid subscribers, while Bumble, reasonably new to the game, logs around 2.7 million paid subscribers on the app.

A play for happily ever after

Over the years, several apps have cropped out, with increasingly different antics and techniques to provide users with an engaging experience to keep dating fun. For example, an app called Hater launched in 2017, intended to match people not based on the things they liked but around the stuff they hated, such as Donald Trump or green vegetables, which didn’t succeed despite its quirky idea. While the USA has apps like eHarmony, which are known as ‘dating to be married’ apps, India saw its own upsurge of matrimonial apps like ‘Shaadi.com’

Bumble is equipped with a Private Detector algorithm that flags offensive photos. Users can report people who seem suspicious or have made them feel uncomfortable, and Bumble takes cognizance of the complaints and ‘Jeevansaathi.com’, which many believe have gained popularity because dating apps eliminated the taboo of meeting and finding partners through online channels. How we view and use these apps is an insight into human psychology. The urge to be pair bonded and to reproduce has been drilled into us by evolution, and the way we present ourselves on these apps - how our pictures are poised to portray beauty, affluence, intellect, or wanderlust - these are not random but an orchestrated dance to the tune of evolutionary biology. Moreover, these apps exist in the same world, offering innumerable portals to satisfy an ever-increasing drive for external validation - the other cogs in this machine being social media, influencer marketing, impulse shopping, and filtered images. This means that if you can’t find ‘the one’, it can be traded for ‘the one available right now’, whose expression of attention has given you a quick and fleeting high. A hyper romanticization of a familiar instinct perhaps makes dating and relationships more complicated than they need to be. If you are obsessed with the idea of finding true love, maybe it inherently stems from a feeling of loss, a loss of one’s sense of self, or that life without love is utterly meaningless. In any case, can love be defined? Love isn’t a mystery; it’s a falling spiral of hormones, circumstances, and compatibility which masquerades as indelible emotions, which could either give your life meaning or create the sort of high-octane drama that has been selling movie tickets and heart-shaped candy since the advent of paper money, likely earlier. It’s hard to denigrate these apps when we’ve been extolling the ease and virtues of so many of them here. Given that the first online dating website, Kiss.com, started in 1995, we have had a few long decades to get used to the idea of meeting someone using technology, placing our trust in a digital Cupid. One thing we can all take solace in - no matter who we are, where we’re from, and how we meet someone - through your friends or your overprotective parents, through a blind date or a carefully picked out candidate from a dating app, everything after is, unsurprisingly, back to basics - two people and a connection. We can thank the apps for helping us find love in hopeless times (like the pandemic), but ultimately, it is your own feelings and judgment that make the final call. J 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Opinion

Reel vs. Real While love reel life gives us certain unattainable goals, AYAAT ATTAR cuts to the chase and tells us what the reality of love is all about

ang in there. Although there are absolutely no signs of it right now, the person of your dreams is right around the corner. For all you know, you could bump into them while walking to the metro on a thoroughly regular workday. Or he might heroically help you catch a running train by holding out his hand; safety be damned. Or she might play your fake girlfriend at your ex’s wedding. Every farfetched scenario ends the same – you’re made for each other, and you

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can’t believe it took you so long to realize it! Easy-peasy lemon squeezy, right? If this narrative seems ludicrous considering your never-ending work-from-home stint, maybe shift your focus on your bothersome neighbor, with whom you’ve had pretty stellar bickering matches on all topics, from loud and clashing music choices to noisy guests. All your annoyance,

of course, will vanish when you realize they’re the one you were looking for! Why wouldn’t you want to share a life and home with someone you hated living next door to? Shh, don’t ask that, or the Gods of implausible romantic comedies will be offended. Well, don’t have a cute neighbor to be annoyed with? Then maybe pray to be stuck in the middle of a storm with a stranger, which 20 years down the line might just be the story you narrate to your kids of how you met their mother. We just walked you through the textual hall of fame of romcom meet-cutes, yet here you are, in the prime of your life, with not a single one of those romantic tropes having happened to you.

Love(sick), actually

As referenced in millennial lingo, a hopeless romantic is someone who holds idealistic and often delusional views on love, despite all evidence to the contrary. Interestingly, unlike any other personality trait like extroversion or anger management issues, ‘hopeless romanticism’ spread as a phase and a personality type only in the 1920s with the advent of literary magazines. “They repeatedly fall in love or chase after love for love’s sake, even when it’s impractical, unwise, or unseemly,” explain psychologists. With the rise of Hollywood, ardent audience members were inundated with more options in the ‘romance-comedy’ genre, bringing impossible love in vogue and sending the number of hopeless romantics skyrocketing. Undoubtedly, romcoms are sweet movie-binge material and make for stress-free entertainment, but its rapid insurgence and lack of self-awareness has stuffed the audience with unrealistic expectations of love, often wrapped up in cliches. Over time, it has left us in pursuit of a seemingly grand ‘movie love’, sometimes at the expense of the real-life story that life is weaving at the moment. It capitalizes on our need to be understood by showing couples who complete each other’s sentences or read the other’s mind, even though communication is the bedrock of good relationships in real life. It idolizes men

and women as mysterious, aspirational and seductive, making the good ones seem boring and uneventful. Finally, with their mediocre writing compensated for with big-budget destination weddings, song and dance sequences, and good-looking heartbreakers, it confuses love with showmanship and extravagance, a mistake the hopeless romantics often don’t realize until it is too late. Biological anthropologist and self-help author Helen Fisher calls romantic love the “mother of all modern addictions with positive influences if returned.” But when it’s projected on a 70mm screen packaged with dopamine-inducing highs and served up with popcorn, it’s hard to refuse its siren call in favor of realism and level-headed love. If you identify as a hopeless romantic, chances are you have completely bought into the myth of romantic love being the most sought-after equation two people can share. That all other accomplishments in life somehow lose meaning if you don’t have a special someone to share them with. And most of all, that love is a resounding,

If you identify as a hopeless romantic, chances are you have completely bought into the myth of romantic love being the most soughtafter equation two people can share operatic emotion, with highs and lows so addictive that you never want to get off the roller coaster. Sorry to burst the bubble, but that sort of love neither lasts nor is it good for you. Both cinema and its ardent audience need an understanding that life is more to life than love, and it does not represent your greatest victory or your inherent worth as a person. Furthermore, your relationship with yourself and your motivations in life take precedence over someone who promises to bring you the moon. So, as far as finding ‘the one’ is concerned, hang in there. Oh, we don’t mean hang in for finding them, rather on being ‘The One’ that you can be proud of. J 2 0 2 1 — F E B — ASPIRE

Events

Regional happenings on the horizon

47th edition of Middle East Energy to unite the global energy community After hosting more than 800 renowned exhibitors and enjoying a 45-year long legacy as the leading global energy industry event in the Middle East, Middle East Energy enables connections and networking through Live, In-person, and Online structures. The event, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and hosted by the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, is set to take place from 7th - 9th March at Dubai World Trade Centre. The event strives to unite the global energy community across five product sectors - Smart Solutions, Renewable and Clean Energy, Critical and Back-Up Power, Transmission and Distribution, and Energy Consumption and Management. In addition, the event helps connect with utility companies and government

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authorities looking to accelerate the path to energy transition while finding innovative solutions and digital initiatives to accelerate your business strategies in 2022 and beyond. With the added advantage of being able to join the events according to your availability, the 2022 event helps exhibitors gain valuable industry knowledge, judge market demand, and develop new areas of business while strengthening existing ones. Registrations are now open on the official website.

The World Entrepreneur’s Investment Forum returns for its 4th edition The leading forum for knowledge based on entrepreneurship, innovation, and impactful investments returns for its fourth edition. As the main Entrepreneurs Investment Forum dedicated by the UN system and backed by its secretariat at UNIDO ITPO / AICEI Bahrain and various partners, the WEIF focuses on the Global Developmental Sustainable Agenda and the UNIDO mandate of inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID). With over 3,500 participants from 100 countries and an estimated investment of $412 million, the forum attributes its success so far to its main theme of “Achieving the SDGs through Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Investment”. WEIF 2022 will be hosted at the world’s largest gathering, EXPO 2020, and drawing on its theme of

“Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, the forum aims to play an important role in creating partnerships to ensure a successful future as well as to create sustainable solutions for global challenges. The event which will take place from 28th - 30th March, will entail 13 sessions on financial inclusion and digital transformation as well as E2E bilateral meetings among many targeted symposiums and workshops.

The Best and Biggest of the Investment World convene at EXPO 2020

Gathering all Beauty-Gurus at the Professional Beauty GCC From Batiste to Lakme, beauty proved to be more than skin deep at Professional Beauty GCC. The go-to event for all things beauty and body care is returning for a two-day special program to reconnect, reunite, inspire, and be inspired by the salon and spa professionals in the region. Showcasing the latest in beauty, hair, spa, and nails to trade professionals from across the GCC region, the two-day exhibition brings together the best and the brightest in the beauty world. Meet the right people, discover the latest innovations, learn new skills, and get updated on the forthcoming trends - all in one place. Launched in 2015, the Professional Beauty GCC exhibition boasted an attractive 5,028 influential salon and spa decision-makers from across the Middle East last year. In addition, only salon-certified suppliers are allowed to exhibit, ensuring that everybody who comes to the event leaves with valuable insight into the world of beauty and wellness.

The World’s leading platform for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the Annual Investment Meeting, is set to host its first-ever hybrid edition at Dubai Exhibition Centre, EXPO 2020. The 11th edition of the investment platform, which convenes global investors, venture capitalists, private & financial institutions, economic experts, and governments from around the world, aims to be a global investment hub that helps anchor new levels of success through personalized engagement. With 150+ countries set to attend, the event helps network, expand businesses, redirect FDIs, and increase knowledge on topics such as the latest trends and global investment destinations for FDIs, SMEs, start-ups, future cities, and foreign portfolio investment. Additionally, set at the world’s hottest, current spot Expo 2020, the exhibition helps gain access to a wide range of entrepreneurs, investors, and venture capitalists. This edition features Country Presentations, an opportunity to showcase each country’s “Investment Roadmap” and spotlight their sectors of interest, along with sessions by established spokespersons, regional focus sessions, pre-conference workshops, and many other erudite events. The event will take place from 29th to 31st March, and registrations are now open on the official website. 

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COVER STORY

• Dariush Soudi

“Eight out of ten people are monkeys because they are not gifted and have to learn to grow with experience. I am one of them”

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STORY COVER COVER STORY

THE MODERN DAY

GLADIATOR When it comes to making millions, DARIUSH SOUDI is no sheer fluke. SHAGUFTA PATEL sits down with the wise and tenacious sales guru to discover why he’s invested in to turning salespeople into gladiators. Written by Qiraat Attar

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COVER STORY

Dariush Soudi is a man who is the perfect example of ‘when life turns sour learn to make lemonade’. Most people realize that their days are numbered when it’s far too late; for Dariush, it has been his reality since his boyhood days. Born in Iran, he learned early in life that time is everything. His father was only 30 when he died of a heart attack, and soon after, his grandfather passed away when the lad was just seven. Not over yet, there were growing pains in store for him, more than what any young boy should endure; pains that have indelibly shaped him to what we see today. On uneven ground as an Iranian refugee in the UK, all of 13, Dariush was bullied mercilessly for his ‘funny’ accent. Dyslexic, beaten down, he eventually left school, which never held much appeal to him anyway. Since traditional jobs never seemed to be a good fit, Dariush felt a pull towards the high-octane, high-stakes world of sales. He loved it instantly. Later in his book ‘Monkey Business’, Dariush attributes his resounding success to the fact that he is not inherently gifted but a lifelong learner and striver. He was never the best, but he won because he worked harder than anyone else. “Eight out of ten people are monkeys because they are not gifted and have to learn to grow with experience. I am one of them.”

THE TURNING POINT

Twists of fate can bring even the strongest man to his knees. Having fought the odds, Dariush rose to phenomenal success in the UK. Anyone would consider their success a guarantee at that stage of life, but a series of unforeseen events snatched it away, and Dariush was tested in the battleground of circumstance. One ordinary night when he was home with his kids, Dariush’s home was ambushed by intruders. Held at knifepoint, he grazed death by a whisper and was only just able to deter the attackers into leaving him and his children alone with the promise of more money. When he gathered his wits, the first thing he did was to put his kids on a plane to the safe haven of their mother’s home in Dubai. Then came a heart attack out of the blue, owing to the overwhelming stress in his life. In the hospital, he broke down. “I remember crying, not because I was scared of death, but because I didn’t want to die alone, looking at the hospital ceiling.” In a flurry, he wrapped up his business affairs in the UK. “I gave one of my businesses to a member of my staff who had been with me for ten years, and she is still running it extremely successfully. Sold another two of my

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businesses, but it so happened that the buyers gave me a 10 % deposit and cheated me out of the outstanding 90%. I left everything as is, burning the bridges because if I didn’t, I would always be tempted to go back.” He landed in Dubai with a measly 750 dollars in his pocket and the knowledge that he had to build up from scratch again. To his credit, Dariush is no quitter.

MAKING THE FIRST MOVE

Gunning for glory, Dariush planned his life down to the minute to achieve his goals. “I sold my soul. I wrote out all my goals on little postcards. One of them was to live in a respectable apartment, and the other was to have a car. I broke my time down by hour, day, week, month.” Every minute was accounted for. The other hurdle was learning the rules of the game, this time around in the UAE. “One that has served me well financially is knowing that a bounced check will land you in jail in Dubai.” “At the time, I was going door to door, copywriting, basically doing anything that could make money. The need of the hour was to get a car, but there was no money for it, so I bought a car on credit and had 30 days to pay it back. Twenty-seven days had gone by, and I didn’t have a single paying customer. With only one prospect - a reloca-

tion company, whom I promised a 30% increase in sales, driving down to his office thinking on a loop, with the fuel dwindling and no money to refuel the car, ‘If I don’t make this sale, it’s jail time’. Despite this, I walked into the boardroom and sat there with more confidence and power than I felt, proposal ready at my side.” In the next 30 seconds that ticked by, Dariush remembers thinking that it would be the end of the world if he didn’t win this. As the client went over his proposal, Dariush made the first move, extending his hand to seal the deal. This move is symbolic of his persona, his whole attitude - that of an initiator, a go-getter, who inspires confidence in people first and foremost because he stands on the solid ground of his own conviction. This entire incident is etched in his memory and with his impassioned rendition, etched in ours. “Sitting in the car after the deal was done, I felt physically sick and may have cried for about an hour. A year ago, I was buying Ferraris with a credit card, now I was begging for 2000 dollars. I made a decision. This too shall pass.”

Speaking to Dariush is a masterclass on the go. His anecdotes are littered with gems through the conversation, and grasping even a few of them could turn your life around. Indeed, he’s a master of sales; there are no two ways about it, but his uniquely challenging life overlapping with his hunger for a better, greater existence makes for a perspective few people possess. One cardinal rule that he lives by - always deliver value. In the beginning, it’s your word against the work of experienced providers, so the odds are pretty slim in your favor unless you turn the tables with your skill. “When selling most prospect would say they wanted to think and get back to you. 99% never do. You have to keep going, knowing that some people will say no. You train yourself anyway to always ask for the sale. I believe I overdeliver. That’s what makes me successful.” Sales is really a people’s skill finessed to an art form, so reading people beyond their words is all part of the game. If you’re insecure, the buyer is going to suss you out. “You have to be hungry, but not desperate. When you know you bring value, you’re confident. I always believe I’m doing the prospect a favor; they just don’t know it yet. I’m conveying, take a risk on me so that you see for yourself that I overdeliver. Next time, you will be begging me to work with you.” Straight off to the next lesson, change the script. The best salespeople have heard the repetitive responses of buyers and know how to respond in a way that reigns it back in their favor. For instance, he noticed that most buyers would thwart salespeople with a rehearsed ‘Oh, I’m just looking’ response when asked what they wanted to buy. So at Dariush’s chain of health clubs he flipped the script. “I would outright lead with - Are you just looking?” he recalls. “Now you’ve thrown them off, and you take the lead. Then, from A to B, lead them with a story. A story educating them about the latest trends, story of how you came up with the name of the business, never try to sell the prospect anything. Always educate them. Only then the buyer sees you as someone who

One cardinal rule that he lives by always deliver value. In the beginning, it’s your word against the work of experienced providers, so the odds are pretty slim in your favor unless you turn the tables with your skill

VALUABLE LESSONS

If you want to make millions, learn from someone who has made the money, especially if he has made it twice over.

knows what he is talking about. The moment they say, ‘Can you help me?’, you’ve got them. When there is trust, then you can make a sale.” Beyond sales, Dariush imbibes some qualities, learned through life and his failures and successes alike, that make him a more upstanding human. For instance, he notes that he lacked humility when he sported a more high-flying lifestyle. All that changed when things took a turn for the worse. “When you fall flat on your face, it 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

In the arena, a gladiator has two choices: win or die. Business is no different. These are the words that introduce you to Dariush’s latest endeavor, ‘Gladiator Mastery’ teaches you to be humble.” Having seen the incredible highs and abject lows of life. Dariush lives a life of gratitude. Nothing is permanent, and nothing lasts forever. This gratitude reflects when he speaks and thus makes him a profoundly inspiring public speaker. “I’m not a professional speaker, but I speak from the heart, and that resonates with people. People feel that if this foreigner who was dyslexic, uneducated, and achieved everything that he did through passion and hard work, I can do it too. If I can inspire people, that’s my legacy.” In business, more comforting or humane qualities are often derided for they are perceived as weaknesses. Nothing, in fact, is more misunderstood than empathy. “When you have empathy, you listen to others instead of simply talking about yourself.” Dariush cautions about balance though. Uninhibited goodness is naivete and will not survive, is his sagely advises. “If you are too humble, you get walked all over. Too egotistic, and you’re a bully whom no one likes. To be successful, you need the right balance of empathy and ego. That balance is what makes you successful.”

DUBAI MEETS DARIUSH

Like most people with vision, Dariush is enamored by the spirit of Dubai. Here, despite the hardships and his eventual triumph, he is happier than he has ever been. “It’s no surprise that so many billionaires come to this land of opportunities. When you can see far, the horizons stretching beyond, it shapes you. Dubai does the same. We have an amazing leader, a visionary. I see potential in Dubai, with its open borders, tolerant behavior, and as a European, no taxes as well. If you treat people with dignity, they behave better. Everyone is very courteous and respectful in Dubai. There’s a rule against public swearing, which may sound like it’s curbing freedom of speech, but it’s really just being respectful to people. In fact, when Gary Vee came to Dubai,even he curbed his swearing, which is very rare.” He also extols the virtues of Dubai’s leader, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. “I have a company with about 100 people, and its so hard managing such a small company. Shiekh Mohammed runs a county, with millions of people which 40 years ago was just desert. Now it’s one of the most desirable cities to live in, superbly planned, methodically laid out. There are roads with hardly any traffic lights, a nine-billion-dollar tram system with not a single human running it. The train system, multiway, and highways are all feats of excellence. And yet, if you ask him, he says he’s achieved about 4% of his ambitions,

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 Some glimpses from Gladiator Mastery Program - a two-day experiential high octane training to up your game in life

and he keeps pushing at it.” I owe him my life.

NOT SALESPEOPLE, BUT GL ADIATORS WANTED

In the arena, a gladiator has two choices: win or die. Business is no different. These are the words that introduce you to Dariush’s latest endeavor, ‘Gladiator Mastery’, a synthesis of the ideas and principles that have made him a victor in the arena we call life. The program is an embodiment of Dariush’s persona himself - A crucible in which courage is forged. This highly exclusive event draws participants who want to up their game in life. The program is designed with activities that trigger our ancient survival skills and employ not just our capabilities but also the instinct that makes humans the most dominant of all species. Goading participants to band together, communicate, rely on each other, inspire trust through a series of activities that teach them how to sell, not just at the job, but intends to inculcate within them a keen eye that spots and grabs opportunities, each time. “Through this course, you will learn to wield your weapons with expertise in the business battlefield, negotiate your way to freedom and close more deals, find the tribe that shares your vision, stand with confidence in the best and worst of scenarios, practice your defense and offense, derive more profit, and finally, look beyond just the now and leave an enduring legacy,” says the master trainer who wants to impart his powerful learnings to as many as he can.

As we seize the opportunity to catch some glimpses from the previous Gladiator Mastery course, what jumps out at us is Dariush’s infectious passion and zeal for life and his calling, transcending through the gladiators-in-training who have joined him. There’s the rigor and thrill on the faces of the groups of people as they go beyond their comfort zone and do the things that terrify us on an everyday basis - freefalling or the simulation of escaping an airplane in peril, but the biggest of all collaborating with strangers, introducing themselves over and over humbly and with no ego, placing hard work over whatever excuse they may want to give themselves to escape the situation.

If you are too humble, you get walked all over. Too egotistic, and you’re a bully whom no one likes. To be successful, you need the right balance of empathy and ego. That balance is what makes you successful It goes without saying that not everyone can withstand such enthusiasm for sales. But if Dariush’s words have resonated with you, find out more about Gladiator Mastery, to be held monthly as an intensive two-day experiential workshop. If you have a spark, this skirmish to mastery will fan it into a flame. And we can guarantee this - when one has lived his life as boldly in the pursuit of passion and excellence, wouldn’t you want to learn the art of the deal from the Gladiator Grandmaster himself ?  2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

INTERVIEW

The Asian Confluence Representing your country in a foreign nation is a matter of great pride and distinction. Pallavi Biju sits down with Fahmy Ansara Dahalan, the Chairman of the Malaysian Business Council in the UAE, to talk about his career so far and forward

famous Malaysian proverb goes, “Sekepal menjadi gunung, setitik menjadi laut,” which translates to “A lump will become a mountain, a drop will become a sea.” This adage reminds us that what is usually perceived as good fortune and good luck is often the person’s hard work and a quest for success. A nonesuch for this proverb is Fahmy Ansara Dahalan, the Malaysian Business Council (MBC) Chairman in the UAE. First visiting Dubai as the Country Head for PETRONAS MITCO, he has carried several positions in the MBC since its inception in 2007. As the 3rd and the 6th Chairman of the MBC, he has over 20 years of experience in the corporate arena through his work with PETRONAS.

Building Relations, 5,579 Kms Apart A part of the Council in the UAE since its inception, Fahmy has seen the establishment grow and flourish. As a trader from 1996 in the Petroleum Nasional Berhad of Malaysia, popularly known as PETRONAS MITCO, he was sent to Dubai to establish their branch office in 2007. “When I came here to set it up, MBC had just started,” he recalls. “We had set up our first committee and had our first Annual General Meeting.” Back then, he was appointed as the Assistant Secretary to the Council, marking the beginning of his long and fulfilling involvement with the Council. “Looking back to 2007, the UAE was all sand and tiny buildings, but it was obviously thriving and growing especially in sectors like construction and finance.” He believes

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that the MBC capitalized on this augmentation body feel like they are home. and grew alongside the UAE. It was a seamless transition for this born-to-be- An “Expo”Nential Growth businessman since he started his association with The Malaysian Business Council is now looking to the Council while being a PETRONAS employee. engage more members. Currently, the Council has “MBC is a non-profit, non-political, organization around 20 corporate companies and about 100 inand so, I didn’t have to leave my job to partake in dividual members, and even if you’re not a Malaythe council activities. It was voluntary involvement, sian, you can join as an affiliate member. The Counbut of course, when you take up responsibility for cil believes in not limiting anybody from joining something huge like this, you have to give it your and wants members who are not only interested in all. You’re essentially carrying the flag of Malaysia, business and networking but also in giving back in so in that context, you are representing your coun- different ways. “We are trying to promote versatile try in a foreign land.” businesses for sure, but we want to know what you, When newly instituted, the Council focused on as an individual, are bringing to the table for the identifying the areas and the businesses that had council or the country?” says Fahmy. He assures the potential to become huge and were quite active that joining the Council is a very transparent and in strategizing these plans. However, establishing straightforward process, as long as you are willing relationships with other entities, be it government to contribute and give back. MBC is all about disagencies, businesses, or private companies, has and cussion and partnerships and is working towards will continue to be the priority of the council. Since bringing more Malaysian companies to the UAE the population of Malaysians helping them through the due in the UAE is very small, Fahdiligence process. “Establishing my believes that building and One thing that has greatly relationships with keeping relations is essence to helped the rise of the MBC in MBC’s success. the UAE is the EXPO 2020. other entities, be it As Chairman, Fahmy is supUAE is the center of attracgovernment agencies, As ported by the MBC’s Executive tion currently, he believes that businesses, or Committee members compristhe global event is highly bening of professional Malaysians in strengthening Malayprivate companies, eficial from diverse backgrounds and sia-UAE relations. One of the industries. As for the future of has and will continue best pavilions in promoting the Council, Fahmy stresses to be the priority of business relations, the Malaythe importance of succession sian Pavilion boasts a meeting the council” planning, which has always place and versatile companies been on his agenda to ensure setting up booths to promote the continuation of the Council’s legacy. products and services. “The engagement we receive just by being a part of EXPO 2020 is strategically Feeling At Home a great step for us, and we have been able to capiFrom Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to Mubadala, talize on this,” says Fahmy. a large number of UAE companies have invested in The Malaysian Business Council acknowledgMalaysia and with a total trade volume of around es that UAE is one of the strongest nations globDhs 21.6 billion since 2008, the UAE has estab- ally and one of the best partners for Malaysia. lished itself as one of Malaysia’s largest trading “We have seen the exponential growth as well as partners among GCC nations. The strong bond be- the vision that the leadership of the country has. tween the two countries has played a considerable We want to grow together with this country,” he part in the lives of many Malaysian expatriates, es- comments. The MBC looks forward to promote pecially that of Fahmy. networking not only with Malaysia but also with Fahmy attributes a lot of the valuable life lessons other countries, and with UAE’s multi-ethnic and he learned to this country. “Just as this country multi-national population, this is the best place for prospers and grows, so do I,” he says with pride. the Council to establish long-lasting relationships. He believes that the UAE’s values of Tolerance, UnFahmy Ansara, who owns multiple disciplines of derstanding, and Respect for everyone have helped businesses in the UAE, from trading commodities, the country’s exponential growth. “Everyone is re- oil and gas, to meat and food business, still ranks spected and welcomed over here regardless of their MBC as his highest priority. “MBC is my heart,” he gender, race, ethnicity, etc.” Malaysians are also says fondly. “No matter where I go, my heart is alknown around the world for their hospitality and ways here, and I will always have one eye on the warm hearts and they get the same feeling here in matters of the MBC. I consider this as part of my the UAE. He truly holds that UAE makes every- service to my country Malaysia.”  2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

INTERVIEW

Promoting Alliance and Business Growth

Set up with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship and leadership between Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, the non-profit organization helps Malaysian businesses who have links to the UAE to promote their interests

he Malaysian Business Council (MBC), established and registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce since 2007, works cooperatively with both the Malaysian and the UAE governments, giving business officials from both countries an opportunity to convene and discuss their vocation. MBC serves under the Patronage of the H.E. Malaysian Ambassador to the UAE and the Senior Trade Commissioner of Matrade Dubai as the Advisor. The Council con-

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sists of volunteers of professionals and prominent business people from Malaysia residing, working, and having businesses in the UAE. These Executive Committee Members are elected and appointed through an Annual General Meeting held every two years. By facilitating regular monthly meetings and events, MBC strives hard to promote alliance and networking among its members, be it individuals or corporations, and to impart valuable information and business ethos that play a vital role in the development and growth of the member businesses.

Corporate and Individual Membership – The Key Players No doubt that the member companies of the MBC have achieved peak success in their business journey in the United Arab Emirates, given the strong ties between the two countries and their even stronger trade relations. Since its inception, MBC has promoted a number of Malaysian Companies under its portfolio, some of which are well known in the UAE, including Prime Express LLC, Power Root Ali Café, Sweet Corn LLC, which continue to excel in the local market and beyond. In addition, its corporate membership is also extended with big corporate names of corporations from Malaysia such as Maybank, Eversendai, Operon, Kenaf Venture Global, and many more. Apart from this, MBC offers individual membership to those professionals who work with local and multinational companies in the UAE. These professionals have the opportunity to contribute and participate through the engagements and networking activities organized by MBC. Additionally, as the Council is looking to grow its profile, ‘Affiliate Membership’ is now opened to foreign-owned companies interested in securing business opportunities with Malaysian companies. The Council has seen many new members join under this portfolio in recent months.

Collaborations For a Bright Future As the key player in promoting business relationships between the two countries, MBC hosts and participates in a variety of events to keep the show going. It has been actively organizing numerous activities for the past years, including sports tournaments, namely golf, Inter Business Council Golf Networking, Asean Business Golf, MBC Classic of corporate golf game, and other sporting events like bowling tournaments for its members. These social engagements will further boost MBC as a platform to engage in more activities and strengthen potential business ties. Since 2020, MBC has been very active, particularly with the ongoing EXPO 2020 Dubai, which has been critical in supporting the ventures of new Malaysian companies setting up their base in Dubai. In addition, its association with Malaysian Pavilion and participating Malaysian Government agencies has helped a lot of Malaysian companies to enter into Understandings, Contracts, and further collaborations with many other companies locally and outside. The previous month, MBC had facilitated the signing of three memoranda of understandings (MoU) between Kenaf Venture Global Sdn Bhd (KVG), a corporate member of MBC, with the United Nations, Ministry of National Development Planning of Indonesia (BAPPENAS), and international universities for research and development of Kenaf as a sustainable commodity. A particularly key event was The Malaysian Digital Economy Week at Expo Dubai 2020 to highlight the role of Malaysia as the Digital Hub of ASEAN countries. MBC and Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the main Government body that oversees this, had earlier entered into an MOU to promote MDEC’s member companies for opportunities in the Middle East.

As the Council is looking to grow its profile, ‘Affiliate Membership’ is now opened to foreign-owned companies interested in securing business opportunities with Malaysian companies MBC had also seen the successful ventures of its new member MediPet in promoting its products in veterinary sectors during the EXPO. These significant milestones that took place in the previous month mark major steps ahead for Malaysia-UAE relationships in all business sectors. Apart from the above, MBC has also signed an MOU with the Zealand Malaysia Business Association (NZMBCA) to promote Malaysian products and businesses in Malaysia, UAE, and New Zealand. In addition, MBC plays the leading role in its cooperation within the ASEAN Business Council Alliance (ABCA), which comprises Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia Business Councils; to promote business within the Asean business community. With the vast business potential opportunities in the UAE, GCC, and the Middle East, MBC is looking forward to entering into more official collaboration with other business councils, CEO Club, and private companies to open more doors for partnerships for everyone in the business circle. With the world being hit by the global pandemic since 2020, MBC has also seen an increasing rate of its members, as the pandemic has brought about a true boom in startups and new businesses. With the stronger relationship between its host country - the UAE, MBC is optimistic that its members will be exposed to new business opportunities in the Middle East and beyond. As the saying goes, in every crisis, there is opportunity. The future is exciting, and MBC looks forward to having a business community that supports creating a sustainable future for Malaysian/ UAE businesses and communities.  2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

INTERVIEW

A Soapy Affair

Pallavi Biju captures the journey of CEO, Founder and now, EXPO licensee Stevi Lowmass who took her business from the comforts of her kitchen to an award-winning business while staying true to her values of Authenticity, Community and Sustainability

he pandemic brought a welcome change in the skincare, beauty, and wellness world. With plenty of time on one’s hands, skincare went from being just skin deep to a form of self-care that everyone deserved due to the lockdowns and protocols. 2021, especially, emphasized natural ingredients and sustainable packaging, which seems to be a consistent trend this year as well. Stevi Lowmass, Founder and CEO of The Camel Soap Factory, has been way ahead of time in keeping up with this trend. Starting her soap-making adventure in the kitchen, she established a factory for her hand-crafted soaps in 2012. Within just one year, the company won the “Small Business of the Year Award” in Dubai, their first award in an impressive line-up that would soon follow.

A Family Matter The choice for creating handmade soaps was a no-brainer for Stevi, who decided to become an entrepreneur after the birth of her daughter. She decided that a work environment where she was not in charge of her own timings was not suitable for her anymore. Also, her concerns and priorities changed as she stepped into motherhood. “I want-

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ed to set a very positive role model for her as she grew up,” Lowmass shares, “But I was also terrified of bringing a child into a world increasingly polluted by chemicals and our modern lifestyle.” Hence began her hunt for developing a product that could be locally manufactured using local and sustainable ingredients. Keeping in mind UAE’s landscape and then conditions, this turned out to be quite a challenge. “Of course, I wanted “Within just one the company to be successful year, the company and profitable, but I realized won the “Small that I also wanted my daughter to be proud of me. I wanted her Business of the Year to know that what I was doing Award” in Dubai, was helping protect the planet for her and her children one day,” their first award in says the concerned mother on an impressive lineher promise to not do anything up that would soon that could potentially sabotage the planet for future generations. follow”

the soaps stay true to their Arabian heritage. From time immemorial, Camel Milk has been used by the people of Arabia. The “bounty of the desert” has been used by Bedouins for both cosmetic as well as sustenance purposes. Milk has been an essential ingredient in skincare for years, and it’s been used in soaps for just as long since soaps containing milk tend to be much creamier and gentler on the skin. Camel milk, considered to be the closest to a human mother’s milk, is the most nutrient-dense due to the fact that camels grow in some of the hottest and harshest environments in the world. Rich in Vitamins A, C, D, and E, and AHAs (Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids) and minerals like Calcium, Potassium, Zinc, and Selenium, this skincare ingredient is your one solution to all skin problems.

A Flawless Journey

“Camel milk, considered to be the closest to a human mother’s milk, is the most nutrient-dense”

The Need For Natural And Local “I have always been fascinated with natural soaps,” says Stevi about her business. “My daughter has sensitive skin, and it seemed like the right testing ground for creating natural soaps. I thought it would be a great idea to see if I could try and create something that utilized local ingredients, and I thought camel milk would be wonderful.” Every week, the factory utilizes nearly a tonne of fresh milk sourced from Al Ain Dairy farms. In addition, ingredients such as lye, shea butter, olive oil, and essential aromatic oils are used in the manufacture of these hand-crafted soaps. The ingredients are sourced locally and from as close to the Middle East as possible, such as the shea butter sourced from Africa and the olive oil from Spain. The production equipment that was previously brought from the UK has now been swapped with equipment produced by local companies, per specification. Apart from the materials and equipment used,

Since its inception, The Camel Soap Factory has been the recipient of many awards, including Manufacturer of the Year, Micro Business of the Year, Sustainable Business of the Year, among many others. Now in the 11th year of its business, it is the world’s largest producer of camel milk-based skin care products with a wide range of hand-crafted soaps. TCSF is now an official EXPO 2020 licensed brand and boasts sales of more than 1 million bars of soap over the last eight years. “Creating natural skincare cosmetics, made from local camel milk has enabled us to bring the benefits of our soaps and products to a wider audience, while showcasing a very niche, ‘only in the Middle East’ proposition and brand story,” says Stevi. The recipient of two awards at Beauty World Middle East 2021, Natural Product of the Year 2021, and Homegrown Talent of the Year 2021, the company stands firm on its promise to always promote sustainability. TCSF takes the impact they have on the surroundings very seriously and understands that one’s actions have long-lasting impacts, that the future generations’ destiny lies in the current generations’ hands. “We are proud of the fact that our factory uses less electricity than an average villa in Dubai. We use less water than an office with a similar number of workers in it. We try to use oils and fragrances that have been made by businesses like ourselves who also care about the environment. Our packaging is 99% reusable or recyclable,” says Stevi with pride. Giving her personal care and concern to every product put out by the company, Stevi is the perfect example of an entrepreneur who has scaled heights by never compromising on her values. “For every product, I ask the question: will my daughter look back in 50 years and be proud of her mother’s legacy?” she concludes.  2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

INTERVIEW

BOSS — BYTES

No dream is too big nor any idea too small… ASPIRE speaks with promising Entrepreneurs on their budding ideas and their growing businesses

SMEs are the backbone of the world’s major economies, they account for 60% of total employment and generate 50 -60% value add to developed economies

William Stenhouse William Stenhouse is the former Vice President of Agility Africa, CEO of Stenhouse & Associates, Founder, and CEO of the UAE Africa Networking Group, and Advisor of African Markets for both Synergate and Joud Investments. A Supply Chain and logistics expert with 35 years of deep experience in infrastructure development, industry standardization, people development, and investments across six Sub-Sahara Africa countries, he is also the co-author of the book ‘Titans of Africa’. William founded The UAE Africa Networking group in 2016. Since its inception, the group has established itself as a business platform, building relationships and promoting collaboration between the UAE and various African markets to encourage B2B and B2C direct sales and business support for all its members. Declaring 2022 as the year of the SME for the group, William says, “SMEs are the backbone of the world’s major economies. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), SMEs account for 60% of total employment and generate 50 -60% value add to developed economies. In Africa, SMEs account for over 80% of all businesses. According to the UAE Ministry of Economy, the SME sector represents more than 94 percent of the total number of companies operating in the country and provides jobs for more than 86 percent of the private sector’s workforce. We believe that we can add value to the SME sector by connecting resources, knowledge,

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and opportunities.” With a global footprint of more than 4,600 members comprising of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), investors, professional service organizations, multinational companies, local companies, government bodies, and young Entrepreneurs, the group connects its members by leveraging its extensive global reach, market intelligence, and business opportunities.

Kai Charles

Kai Charles is an entrepreneur, mentor, speaker and motivational author of self help workbook, ‘I Am What I Say I Am’. Through her own personal journey of self discovery, evolution and experience in business and music as a black female, Kai uses her voice to serve the world and empower people to show up as their true selves as a proclaimed self love advocate. As part of the UN’s decade initiative to recognise people from the African diaspora from 2015 2024, Kai was nominated for the Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent in 2020. Born and raised in London, now based in Dubai, the creative businesswoman has been carving her path in business, passion, and serving her purpose to help women discover the best version of themselves, as the creator of ‘Reclaim Your Power’, a self confidence course created to

tancy with a UK firm, rebranded it, and is now a partner and Managing Director of Mezzle Middle East. Mezzle Middle East is a legal consultancy that is seeking to disrupt the provision of legal services and the way that lawyers conduct their business. Providing a platform through which lawyers can join and continue to service their clients without having to worry about the endless non-billable hours taken up by admin and running a business solo. Being a technology-focused law firm, Mezzle also provides clients with the best possible service Kai was through a team of legal experts who strive hard to nominated for ensure each project gets done right, fast, and efficiently. Mezzle has a lawyer for everyone, with legal the Top 100 Most Influential experts specializing in corporate-commercial work, set-ups, real estate, hotels, aviation, crypPeople of African company to, funds, regulated entities, media and film, startDescent in 2020 ups, arbitration, and more. Henzie always attests to God’s role in the success of her business, which she says was blessed from the beginning and is most excited about the possibilities that Mezzle provides and how it can change people’s lives. It gives lawyers the freedom to work for themselves, earn a good living, and make more time for the important overcome self doubt and live to your true potential. things in life while offering clients an elevated level of Her contagious aura and business acumen can be seen service. Mezzle is the way of the future. Life is short and both on and off the stage in her business and creative entime is precious. “Time spent is time that one will never deavors such as hosting over 700 events in the UAE, or emget back… it should be rationed and used wisely always,” powering the black and African community and businesses she says. Mezzle is for lawyers and clients that are tired through the platform, Black Girl in Dubai, listing over 100 of the old ways and want to be a part of a revolutionary businesses, and hosting events to connect the community. way of doing things.  Connecting, entertaining, hosting and speaking to audiences of all sizes, Kai has built on her international experience with clients and unique venues. Connect with Kai and you will learn how to uncover your strengths, use them to serve the world and build your confidence to go Mezzle Middle after the life you want. East is a legal

Henzie Healley

Responding to the pressing need for a platform where lawyers can join and serve their clients without taking the stress of running a sole business, an accomplished and skilled lawyer, Henzie Healley, has partnered with Raj Sumul and Mel Kang to bring Mezzle to the Middle East. Henzie is a common law qualified lawyer living in Dubai but servicing clients from all around the world. She studied Business Management in Canada before going on to study law in New Zealand, qualifying with an LLB with Honors in New Zealand, and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2014. She then moved to Dubai in 2014 after being offered a permanent role at an international law firm she interned for during her school vacations. In 2019 Henzie founded her own legal consultancy and simultaneously started an organic paint company, both of which have been hugely successful and have grown very quickly. In 2021 she merged the Abu Dhabi legal consul-

consultancy that is seeking to disrupt the provision of legal services

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FEATURE

Across the world brands have made the love game their business. Clarilda Sharon gives you the low-down on which names can make your VDay the day

SAY IT WITH FO

alentine’s Day has been immortalized for couples to flaunt their love and pamper their partner with gifts. Since its first observance in the 6th century BC, it has evolved from a simple tradition into one of the most profitable shopping seasons with significant economic impact. Tens of billions of dollars are spent each year leading up to and on the purported ‘day of love’, making it a significant date for economies worldwide as it generates tremendous revenue in several essential sectors. Marketers have turned Valentine’s Day into a wider celebration by connecting with the consumers through experiential experiences not only for partners but for self, single friends, family, kids, even pets. This has resulted in the conceptualization of vastly interesting campaigns around the theme of love and has chalked out ingenious marketing strategies.

Today, Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk has had a long-standing and fruitful association with Valentine’s Day for almost a decade with its “Say it with Silk” proposition. As words fall short to express our feelings, people turn to this sumptuous sweet instead. Mondelez International Inc., the maker of Cadbury chocolates, designed these based on the pure uninhibited gesture of love. With the brand’s strategy also come consciously designed product bundles, perfectly packed to satisfy one’s sweet tooth cravings. This year, collect one of their V-Day hampers, which contain Dairy Milk Silk, Oreo bars, a customized greeting card, and a photo frame, quite a fitting Valentine’s Day gift that is delightful, fulfilling, and well within a budget.

CADBURY – SAY IT WITH SILK It’s impossible to go wrong with a box of chocolates to enchant the person who has caught your fancy. This sweet treat’s association with courtship and romance dates back to the Mayans around 500 BC. They were the first to brew cacao beans, which eventually came to ritualistic use in marriage ceremonies as the supposed “gift of the gods”. Cut to 1861, Richard Cadbury, a candy-maker, was inspired to sell chocolates for Valentine’s Day. And so, in heart-shaped boxes adorned with rosebuds and cupids, arose a new Valentine’s Day tradition.

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 Richard Cadbury, a candy-maker

BLOOM IT WITH 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Flowers are a timeless motif of love. Every flower conveys a different sentiment, so flowers bound together in a bouquet form a unique, encrypted love language. Red roses are an anticipated romantic gesture today, but it wasn’t until the late 17th century that giving flowers became a tradition. King Charles II of Sweden subsequently introduced the tradition to Europe when he learned the aforementioned ‘language of flowers’ on a trip to Persia. During the Victorian Era, the act of giving flowers spread amongst the populace, chiefly the red rose, symbolizing deep love. Today, around 60% of men and 15% of women purchase flowers on Valentine’s Day, numbers that signify a massive, and

REVER BRANDS  Jim McCann, CEO, 1-800-Flowers.com

dare we say, evergreen business. 1-800-Flowers.com, an international flower and gift retail and distribution company in the United States that delivers to over 195 countries, gets 1 million new customers every Valentine’s Day, needing to hire up to 6,000 extra workers to help with the onslaught of orders. CEO Jim McCann told CNN his company does about 10% of its annual sales in the run-up to Valentine’s Day. Augmenting their service with dozens of Valentine’s Day flowers arrangement and gift ideas, 1-800-Flowers offers something for every taste, not to mention delivering it right to your beloved’s doorstep. With their business tie-ups with complementary establishments like ‘Simply Chocolate’ and ‘Wolferman’s Bakery’ amongst others, all your Valentine’s needs will be met right here!

 Pawan Gadia, CEO, Online and Retail, Ferns N Petals

1-800-Flowers.com gets 1 million new customers every Valentine’s Day, needing to hire up to 6,000 extra workers to help with the onslaught of orders

SHOWER YOUR LOVE WITH FERNS N PETALS

Another flower chain/ retailer, Ferns N Petals, has established a significant footprint worldwide in the flower domain. After solidifying itself as a market leader in India with a network of 320+ outlets across 120 cities, Ferns N Petals forged ahead to build a robust online presence in the South East Asian and Middle East market in addition to a physical presence with three stores in UAE and one in Singapore. Ferns N Petals anticipates a 25 percent growth in revenue in the first 14 days of February, steeply increasing compared to other months. According to Pawan Gadia, CEO, Online and Retail, Ferns N Petals, Valentine’s Day contributes 4 percent to the company’s top line. “We have come up with experiential gifting to celebrate the 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

FEATURE

 Tiffanys’ Co.’s new campaign ‘Blue is the color of love’

tuned a romance founded on passion for its Valentine’s Day campaign this year.

KISSES FROM HERSHE Y ’S

day of love in the most romantic manner. The highlight of this season is a rose category called Forever Rose – this beautiful rose is a classic example of ‘Timeless & Eternal Love’,” said Gadia quoting to Financial Express. Upping the ante on customer service, the brand has dropped its delivery time from four to two hours and now offers the option to customers to pick quotes and wishes for a personalized gifting experience.

TIFFANY & CO. FOR YOUR L ADY We can’t remember a time when jewelry wasn’t the ‘goto’ option for male shoppers as an expression of romance towards their lady love! According to Statista, jewelry ranked as the No. 3 option for Valentine’s Day gifting last year – with candy and flowers occupying the top two. Whether you’re pampering yourself with a big shiny rock or the one who fancies you ‘wants to put a ring on it’, Tiffany & Co. guarantees to have you sparkling with their unique V-Day jewelry collection. Tiffany & Co. partnered with Curtis Kulig, a New Yorker artist renowned for his signature ‘Love Me’ manta, for its 2022 Valentine’s Day campaign, titled ‘Blue is the Colour of Love’, in a conspicuous shoutout to Tiffany itself, whose logo is a gorgeous, almost sun-dappled azure. Bringing an expulsion of passion with the catchphrase – ‘Love Me. Dare Me. Gift Me. Hold Me. Kiss Me. Say it this Valentine’s Day’, Tiffany & Co.’s has fine

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From its small heart-shaped boxes to iconic brand offerings like Hershey’s Hugs and Kisses and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to larger Valentine-themed boxes of Hershey’s premium ‘Pot of Gold’, Hershey’s knows the way to your heart with a variety of offerings. According to a company spokesman, Valentine’s Day is ranked as the company’s fourth-biggest holiday behind Halloween, Easter, and Christmas. This year, the brand has introduced some new sweet delights while bringing back some good old favorites, such as Reese’s and Hershey’s delectable combinations, including Reese’s Blossom-top Miniature Cups. Hershey hails its new offering as ‘the perfect shareable treat all season long’.

WRITE YOUR LOVE WITH HALLMARK Valentine’s cards started off as handmade designs in the 18th century, before mass manufacturing revolutionized the process. Lovers would embellish the paper with delicate motifs such as flowers and love knots, often playing with puzzles and lines of poetry. Factories began assembling paper Valentines in the early nineteenth century, and greeting card companies start Valentine’s Day is ranked as the company’s fourthbiggest holiday behind Halloween, Easter, and Christmas

ma Elsesser, and Yumi Nu. “It’s a love thing. Our favorite time of year is finally here—a celebration of romance, indulgence, and you,” proclaims Victoria’s Secret. The lingerie brand also shared a steamy ad with the models confessing their feelings about love, including first kisses and how they perceive ‘love’ itself. Completing the plethora of offerings with their ever-popular line of fragrances, makeup, and skincare, Victoria’s Secret has undoubtedly stolen the coup as the Valentine’s Day gift that’s tough to beat!

PL AYING THE MIND AND THE HE ART This day of love has emotions soaring with the desire to wear your heart on your sleeve and supersede expectations in the declaration of love. Meanwhile, those who are independent and fancy-free veer towards retail therapy, asserting self-love with purchases like solo trips or indulging in fashion. Ultimately, brands try to demonstrate how ‘love’ is perfectly embodied by their products. As the pandemic redefined shopping for consumers entirely, brands have been forced to rethink their online channel ed cropping up by the 1850s to meet the demand approaches and are for the special day and other holiday cards. Today, learning the trigger these cards have expanded to include family mempoints for a holiday bers and friends in their proclamations of not just as crucial as this. romantic love, but affection and gratitude too. The day isn’t just an According to Statistic Brain, a staggering 144 opportunity to woo million people sent Hallmark cards last Valentine’s someone; it plays Day. For more than 100 years, family-owned Hallinto nuanced human mark Cards, Inc. has been dedicated to creating feelings of worth, a more emotionally connected world. Typically, desire, acts of service, Hallmark designs around 900 Valentine’s Day attentiveness, and greeting cards every year. emotional investment Hallmark sends out their message - Celebrate the in a relationship. ones who make you feel loved. These include ‘for A new study of card According to Mashim, for her, for kids, for us’, with every possible transactions from over 53 terCard, a new study option to convey how you feel. The brand also got of card transactions innovative with a level of personalization never countries worldwide has from over 53 counseen before, allowing buyers to add a personalized revealed that the ‘love tries worldwide has video message using QR codes inside one’s card economy’ is growing five times revealed that the ‘love or have their handwriting printed inside the card. economy’ is growing as fast as the global economy five times as fast as VICTORIA’S SECRET – THE V-DAY SHOP the global economy, Love comes in shades unseen – beautiful and dark, vulnerwith Valentine’s Day spending up 17 percent since 2017. able and secretive. Love is incomplete unless you can trust Candidly spoken, strategic marketing and Valentine’s someone with your deepest confessions. Day are the true ‘perfect match’ because they both play “What will you confess this Valentine’s Day?” became on an imagined and desired reality. the theme of the world’s most renowned lingerie brand, Valentine’s Day, ultimately, is just an excuse to celebrate Victoria’s Secret. The brand leverages its status as a a bond that you deeply care about. From gifts, impromptu pioneer in the fashion space, dominating the game with trips, or confessions of love, there is no limit to things millions of online searches around the holiday. that one can do to celebrate this day. But no matter how Their V-Day campaign features a diverse clutch of one chooses to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the value of models sporting sizzling looks from the new collection, expression doesn’t lie in its price tag but certainly does including Bella Hadid, Adut Akech, Iman Hammam, Paloin its symbolism. J 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

The Power of Paradigms

PRO TALK

RIGHT SHIFT A poorly primed subconscious can lead you away from the life you want and here’s how you can level up to a brand-new version of yourself

Dipak Bhadra

Financial Freedom & Mindset Coach

unning in circles without success? Updating your Paradigm could be the answer to upgrading and leveling up your life When was the last time you updated the operating system of your mobile phone or laptop? Last week? Last month? We know what happens when we procrastinate and ignore the persistent update notifications. The system’s performance steadily declines with slower responses, glitching and hanging at the most inopportune moments. It could even completely shut down. Even when using the latest laptop with all new-fangled features, a decade-old operating system will botch up applications and will often crash - in short, not performing to its full potential. The bottom line is, when you rely on old, outdated systems and practices, it’s only a matter of time before they begin to give way. Everything in life must upgrade.

 Dipak Bhadra with his mentor Bob Proctor

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Seeking a paradigm shift Putting ourselves in perspective - What about updating your operating system? Do you update your habits, paradigms, and beliefs with changing times? How often have you ignored the update notifications you receive from life – your report card, financial statement, medical reports, or other results? Are you content with the results you obtain across your experiences in life – when creating wealth or in health, relationships, business, and overall happiness? Your results reflect your current operating system, also known as Paradigm. Used to describe a mass of information programmed into an individual’s subconscious mind, genetically at the moment of conception and then environmentally through life, the paradigm is expressed in behavioral patterns producing the results a person gets in life. Paradigms, simply put, are nothing but an accumulation of habits that have almost exclusive control over our habitual behavior, and nearly all of our behavior is habitual. They are the software governing the hardware, i.e., your body. Since most people do not grasp the intensity of this, around 90% of people don’t understand that they are stuck in a paradigm and thus obtain the same results year after year. This is as true for students in school as it is for people in business. When the system is stagnant, any improvement is incidental and hence temporary. Most of us are confronted with the same challenge every day. We are stuck doing things we don’t want to do, getting results we don’t

want to get, and strangely, we continue to do them anyway. Some real-life examples of stagnant paradigms you’ll find are: 1. People who are grossly overweight want to lose weight yet continually eat food that packs on more pounds. 2. Smokers who talk about quitting every day, yet they can’t help lighting up another cigarette. 3. Salespeople who complain that they have difficulty selling ignore the patented sales techniques that all the top professionals follow. 4. Managers criticizing someone in front of their peers, despite knowing it’s non-productive and only aggravates the existing problem. All of the above are common examples of the ‘knowing-doing’ gap. In all the above situations, the person knows the consequences of their actions and even knows the better route they should take or the changes they should make. Then why do their actions remain the same? Because their paradigms control them. Paradigms are extremely powerful. They tend to talk you out of doing the very thing that you decide to do or the habit you desperately wish to inculcate. Understanding and changing your paradigms will prove to be a turning point in life for you.

The Brain we see, the Mind we don’t To understand paradigms, how they are formed, and most importantly, how to change them, you need to dive deep into your mind and confront your inner rhetoric. To do so, let’s start from the ABCs and learn about the two levels of our thoughts - the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. The conscious mind interacts with the world around us through our senses. We see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. We have been raised to rely on our senses to gather information, which goes on for our lifetime. The subconscious mind is the part of the mind that expresses whatever is impressed upon it, which we refer to as ‘doing’. So you could infer that the subconscious mind is in ‘Control of the Doing’. The paradigm rooted in our subconscious mind is responsible for the compulsiveness we mentioned before – we do things we do not want to do to get results we do not like. That’s because knowing is not enough; results come from behavior, and behavior is controlled by the paradigm. Paradigms controls all the key

areas of your life— your belief system, ability to earn money, usuage of time, logic, productivity, effectiveness, self-image.

The way to change your Paradigms These steps may seem simple, but you will have to commit to them to really beget a change. Start slow but challenge yourself to be consistent. Step 1: Write one or two limiting habits or beliefs that are holding you back from your goals Step 2: Replace them with uplifting Paradigms control habits and beliefs that help you progress to those big goals all the key areas Step 3: Get emotionally involved with this of your life— your new habit from a benefits point of view Step 4: Act as if those goals are belief system, already achieved. Let that drive you to ability to earn make the change money, usage Step 5: Repeat the process for other limiting ideas/ habits/ beliefs of time, logic, To make a shift in logic and break productivity, out of that box to freedom, one needs effectiveness, and understanding, courage, and determination. This becomes possible with the self-image

WHAT IS MIND

CONSCIOUS MIND

HOW RESULTS ARE CREATED AWARENESS

DREAMS/ GOALS ATTITUDE

SUB-CONSCIOUS MIND

BODY

ALIGNMENT

ACTION

PARADIGMS/ SELF-IMAGE

R E S U L T S

BODY

assistance of a coach or a mentor. Specialized knowledge combined with professional coaching over a reasonable period of time can help shift your paradigms permanently, thus ushering in a new chapter in your life. So, are you willing and committed to shifting your paradigms to achieve your big goals in life? ✪ DIPAK CAN BE REACHED AT dipak@dipakbhadra.com 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

CA, Forensic Accountant, and Accountant Arbitrator

Dhaval Jasani

PRO TALK

Debtonomics:

The Economics of Debt

With so many relying on and eventually getting drowned in the whirlpool of Debt, here is an understanding on its mechanics to help keep afloat at all times

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ebt, as we know, is the amount of monies borrowed by one party from another. Debt as a term is also an acronym – D – Debt E – Earnest (Debt is availed with the sincere intention to repay) B – Burden T – Time (to be repaid within a specified period) If this earnest (trust) is breached as a result of default in repayment of existing debt, the chances of availing new debt often reduce drastically.

The Basics The table on the opposite page summarizes the basics of DEBT. While many of the developed and developing economies of the world are heavily indebted in terms of their borrowing vs their country’s Gross Domestic Product, we will focus on Personal Debt in this article, leaving the Sovereign Countries and the Business Houses to manage their debt obligation effectively.

The Golden Rule of Debt In business, we always maintain a stance Debt should only be availed only if there is more certainty of future profits, meaning, DEBT SHOULD BE REPAID OUT OF PROFITS. Similarly, at a personal level too, individuals should exercise caution and follow a thumb rule before they sign up for debt, be it from a friend or their employer / bank / developer / any other lender. The question then comes to one’s mind, what is the level of debt that an individual can sustain? Here’s a thumb rule that may be tweaked carefully – Annual take-home pay / income: Maximum 20 % of this amount can be considered for debt repayment (including repayment of the principal amount plus interest) Monthly take-home pay / income: Maximum 10 % of this amount can be considered for debt repayment (including repayment of the principal amount plus interest) This THUMB RULE will assist the individual in maintaining a financial discipline that

QUESTIONS

INDIVIDUAL

CORPORATES

GOVERNMENT

Why Debt / Purpose of Loan

For recurring expenses / one-time expenses / for purchase of asset / (refinance existing debt)

For business operations / for purchase of asset / (refinance existing debt)

For Government expenses / for Development / (refinance existing debt)

Type of Loan

Personal Loan

Business Loan

Sovereign Loan

Loan From…

Employer / Banks / Financial institutions / Individuals

Banks / Financial Institutions and Markets

Banks / Financial Institutions / Markets

Cost of Debt

Interest and processing fees or one-time charges

Time Frame

Few weeks / Few months / Few years

Few months / Few years

Longer term generally

Sources of Repayment

Salary Income, interest income / income from investments, business income or Fresh Debt (refinance existing debt)

Business Profits or Fresh Debt (refinance existing debt)

Earnings from taxes and other revenues or Fresh Debt (refinance existing debt)

improves financial health, thereby improving CREDIT SCORE and enhancing the E factor in dEbt, ie. Earnest or Trust.

Sustainability of Debt: Maths Vs Myth Maths and Myth are two sides of Debt, two separate thought processes on each side of the ‘What IF’ wall. The sky will not always be clear and there will be times when clouds spread across the sky, followed by rain. It is this time that the borrowers need to be prepared for this rainy day in any given situation. Remember to stay on the right side of the chart image, the SAFE ZONE. It is easier to approach a friend, employer, or bank at an individual level and seek a loan, be it on a credit card, cash withdrawal, or finance asset purchase / school fees / expenses. However, such borrowing (debt) needs to be sustainable, backed by a source of income. Unless the THUMB RULE (even if tweaked) is followed, Individuals opt for excessive debt at times and fail to honor their repayment obligations, living in the myth that they will be able to avert from default, which may result in duress later. Lenders will not wait for recovery of the outstanding loan amount, and the least that an individual may expect is to default in servicing debt that may result in further consequences. A Word of Caution: No one who lived through and is alive today can ever forget the year 2020 and the impact caused across the globe. The Central Banks across slashed interest rates, which was a sigh of relief for borrowers. Two years ahead, in 2022, we are already seeing signs that Central Banks may raise interest rates, which may lead to a rise in interest rates for loans as well. The increase in

interest rates will lead to a higher obligation in terms of repayment of loans (considering additional interest) that the individuals should plan for.

The Remedy: Examine Your Financial Health Regularly The three aspects of health are Physical Health, Mental Health, and the ignored side Financial Health. Every individual is responsible for their own obligation. For a safe and sustainable living, monitoring Financial Health is equally important as is Physical and Debt should only be Mental Health. At periodic intervals, every availed only if there individual needs to analyze a few is more certainty numbers in terms of, • Fixed monthly income of future profits, • Accumulated cash savings meaning, DEBT • Investments that can be accessed SHOULD BE REPAID at any given time (liquidity) • Assets owned, and OUT OF PROFITS • Fund requirements to honor obligations, be it monthly, quarterly, or yearly Always prepare for a rainy day and place a certain amount of funds aside for CONTINGENCIES. This contingency fund will always help individuals and their families in need of the hour. “If We Fail to Plan, We Plan to Fail” Simple as it may sound, it is a healthy practice to ensure that any debt obligation, at any level, should be sustainable for a healthier financial world for us and the generation in progress. Wishing you the best of Physical, Mental, and Financial Health always.  DHAVAL CAN BE REACHED AT ceo@ztiglobal.com 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Money Talk

How to Start a Start-up

PRO TALK

Serial entrepreneur, Speaker and Author

David Tee

In this series of Being a CEO of a Startup, we look at some of the financial aspects of a business, from funding to cash flow to pricing

he role of CEO / founder in a startup is probably one of the most diverse jobs it is possible to have. But the diversity is also the reward as you see your whole business grow and appreciate what went into that success. In this series I will consider some of the things I have learned over 35 years in and around startups and share some advice for new CEOs. This month, we look at some of the financial aspects of a business, from funding to cash flow to pricing.

Cash up: Cash flow is more important than your mother! I’ll say it again; CASH FLOW IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR MOTHER. Ken Morse, former MD of the MIT Entrepreneurship Center made this statement to ram home just how important cash is to a small business. Startups won’t get credit with suppliers but will have to wait for (sometimes) months to get paid by customers. How do you survive in the meantime? No cash means no staff, no internet, no phones, no parts, no products. Until you can afford a full time CFO, managing cash is one of the

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most important tasks the CEO has to deal with. How much cash you have left is often referred to as your runway. Many startups burn cash fast to develop products fast to get into the market fast. But the cash investment has to be burnt against a development plan. And plans have a nasty habit of going awry.

Hit up: Try to get as much stuff free as possible. In the early days of a startup use other people’s offices, internet, electricity. Find friends and family who will give you any resources without charge. Take your ‘old’ laptop from your previous employer, if they’ll let you. Get potential employees to give some time free of charge. Only when you have some traction with investors or customers should you be looking to sign leases, buy equipment or hire staff. When a colleague and I left to start our first business, I asked the CEO of the company we both worked for, if I could take my computer with me. He replied, “That’s not what I’m worried about, it’s all the stuff Gary is taking!”. Gary had filled his car with an array

of equipment that we might find useful. And he got away with it. It’s always worth asking. The worst case is that you’ll be told, NO.

Cough up: Getting investors to cough-up the cash is one of the hardest problems facing startups. Whilst it is true that there is plenty of money ‘out there’, identifying where, who and how to get at it is hard. Pulling together the first few thousand actually isn’t that difficult. Your own savings plus the friends, family and fools you initially convince to part with a few hundred will get you started. But it won’t last long. My first company actually managed to get a bank to approve an overdraft of £7,000, but only after we deposited another £7,000, and handed over the deeds to my apartment. But this seed money, coupled with all the kit we acquired from our previous employer, was enough to bootstrap us. Our timing was just right. Working with intermediaries, such as incubators, accelerators, or innovation centres, can sometimes give you access to government grants and seed investment. Search out what type of business your local area is trying to attract and see if you can write a suitable proposal. Business Angels are also a good source of funding, and what is known as ‘smart money’: the cash comes with a seasoned entrepreneur who will act as coach and mentor to the CEO. Being introduced is the best way to open a conversation with an Angel. If you don’t know one, find someone in your network who does, convince them your idea is worthwhile and get them to make an introduction.

Jack up: Pricing is one of the hardest things to get right. Everyone knows there is a sweet spot price for every product or service. But finding that sweet spot is incredibly difficult. The old cost-plus model has not been valid for years (see Mark up below). Value pricing is the only way to look at it. How much do your potential customers value your solution to their problem? If this value is less than it costs to make the product, you don’t have a business. That’s why business modelling is so important before you commit to anything. A business model tells you (and your investors) how you are going to make money. Jacking up the price just because you need to make the spreadsheet show a profit is never the way to go.

Mark up: In the old days of ‘cost-plus’, marking up was the way to price your product. What margin did you need to cover your overheads? What profit did you need to reinvest in new products? How much did the investors

The old cost-plus model has not been valid for years. Value pricing is the only way to look at it. How much do your potential customers value your solution to their problem? expect to make? Add all this up and add it to the basic cost to reach the price. With value pricing, marking up is simply not good enough. You have to come at it from the other end; how much is the customer prepared to pay for your product (what is it worth to them)? This is then the price, set by the market. If your product, overhead, reinvestment and profit can all be covered by this price, you are in business. If not, you need to rethink what you’re doing. Why, for example, do people pay thousands of dollars for a watch that simply tells the time the same way as a $5 one? For some people, the value is simply being seen with such an expensive item. It projects an image they want, to them the price is worth paying.

Rack up: Some businesses, some very big businesses have never made a profit - see Uber for more details! However, you are unlikely to start another Uber, and your investors will be looking for your business to make a profit. When a business is sold, the buyer is usually looking to acquire future profits in return for the cost of buying your business. Their rationale is the investment in your business is a quicker way to grow profits than starting from scratch or making other potential investments. Acquisition can also grow the total value of the business. So, making a profit is usually what’s required. You can’t live on investors’ money forever, despite what Uber indicates. J DAVID CAN BE REACHED AT davidphtee@gmail.com 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Mindset and Men’s Coach, Keynote Speaker

Ray Kobeissi

PRO TALK

Balanced Masculinity

ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR ‘MEN’TAL HEALTH

In a culture that expects a man to be assertive, ambitious, competitive, and strong; it is time to set aside the masculinity aspect and let him be expressive of his humanistic side

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ith phrases like ‘Man Up’ and ‘Be a Man’ still popping up in 2022, it’s time that we address the ways in which our collective definition of masculinity is affecting men’s health around the world. But, unfortunately, these phrases are nothing but a narrow-minded representation of what masculinity is about. Most people use these phrases with an intention to ‘encourage’ men to step up to their responsibilities, be stronger and control their emotions, while in reality, it’s just proving to

have a ‘discouraging’ effect on mental health and subsequently physical well-being of men around the world. With every ‘Be a Man’ said, a man is being pushed one step closer to depression, low self-esteem, and engaging in unhealthy activities and behaviors. With every ‘Be a Man’ said, a boy is crying all alone in the bathroom out of fear and embarrassment of being judged and belittled for his emotions. And the fact that “on average one man dies by suicide every minute of every day” tells us that we really cannot afford to continue this dangerous

attitude if we want the generations to come to live a healthy and happy life. From a man losing his job to another struggling from his stressful relationships to a man sabotaging his own success because of his low self-esteem, all of them found it very difficult to communicate about what was stressing them for a long time until they reached an emotional breakdown or a physical burnout. By working together, these men have learned how to love themselves, set boundaries, create a healthy and realistic life-work balance, forgive themselves and others, prioritize their needs, and still be able to be productive and healthy. Mental health issues don’t discriminate. People of all genders can experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. But they may look different in men. Mental health symptoms in men might include: • Anger and aggressiveness • Irritability • Frustration • Trouble focusing • Constant feelings of worry • Engagement in high-risk activities • Unusual behavior that concerns others • Thoughts of suicide They can also have physical symptoms such as: • Changes in appetite and energy • New aches and pains • Digestive issues • Trouble sleeping • Sleeping more than usual • Fast Heart Beats and trouble breathing Mental health can be hard to think about. And identifying that you’re finding it difficult or that you might need help isn’t always easy — particularly for men. But, it’s best to speak out. Whether you open up to a friend or family member or consult your mental health expert, there’s help out there and ways to help manage your well-being yourself, too. Don’t be a man about It. Be a real man and love yourself as you should. Here are some simple tips to help you boost your mental health. All of these tips are time-efficient and cost-effective and are suitable for everyone. Ready to start today? Let’s go! 1. Start your day with a no-phone policy and practice mental health exercises (Journaling, Meditation, Breathing, Stretching, Laughing, Music, etc.) 2. Get a gratitude and achievement journal. (Include three things you were grateful for

Mental health issues don’t discriminate. People of all genders can experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. But they may look different in men and three things you were able to accomplish each day.) 3. Reduce your amount of daily technology use and media consumption 4. Actively set yourself some me-time to do something you enjoy 5. Spend 15 minutes in natural sunlight 6. Be strong and ask for help when you need it (Be it a friend, a family member, or an expert) 7. Make an effort to reconnect and socialize with supportive and loving friends 8. Make a conscious effort to go to sleep at a regular, early time 9. Commit to regular and consistent exercise (daily walks, weekly fitness class, stretch, tennis, etc.) 10. Eat a well-balanced, nutritional diet and cut back on alcohol and junk food It is a privilege to be born a man, and you need to honor yourself for it. It’s your right to be happy and to be in peace, so that you can in your best capacity contribute not only to the financial, emotional, spiritual, physical and mental well-being of yourself and your family; also the community and the world at large.  RAY KOBEISSI CAN BE REACHED AT rahaf@raysyourmentalhealth.com 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

COMMUNITY SERVICE

For Goodness’ Sake

Thrift For Good is led by Jennifer Sault, a powerhouse who has made it her mission to be the guiding light for lives engulfed in darkness. Misbaah Mansuri charts her inspirational journey

n a bid to rehome preloved items to reduce waste and help children around the world, Jennifer Sault – the founder of ‘Thrift For Good’ is relentlessly working towards spreading happiness and light. The second-hand charity shop that donates 100% of its profits to international children’s charities continues eyeing on spreading more love and light, as we go forward. The founder’s vision and unparalleled dedication that has propelled ‘Thrift For Good’ to great heights radiates through our conversation with her.

The dream to spread hope and happiness Jennifer grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and moved to Dubai at the end of 2011 after finishing university. “After ten years, this is home,” she remarks. Ever since she was a child, Jennifer always witnessed family members involved with fundraising for projects, which inspired her to follow the path. When she was 14 years old, she started an initiative with friends in High School called Overseas Educational Fund. She held various fundraisers in the school to raise money to build and sustain a daycare in the Northern Philippines through the International Association for Transformation. “It was a dynamic group of volunteers and quickly became a platform for leadership training in my school. I am so proud that it continues today, nearly 20 years later,” she states. From the joy she found in herself running the initiative, Jennifer knew that she wanted her career to be helping children overseas to see their full

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potential. After high school, Jennifer took a gap year to volunteer in Nepal and Tanzania, and there was no turning back from there. “I studied International Development Studies and a Masters of Philanthropy and Non-Profit Leadership and continued to volunteer and work with a series of non-profit organizations, primarily focused on fundraising and grant-giving,” she shares.

The joy of giving Jennifer’s latest role before Thrift for Good was with Gulf for Good, a local UAE non-profit organization that supports sustainable charity projects for children by promoting wellbeing through life-changing experiences, adventure challenges, and fitness opportunities. “Almost daily, supporters would call offering to gift their items and volunteer their time, which didn’t fit into Gulf for Good’s mission or capacity. Therefore, on the weekends, we started selling second-hand items at flea markets to contribute additional funding to Gulf for Good’s beautiful children’s charity projects. This kept growing until we needed sponsored storage and committed to regular weekend markets,” she highlights. In 2019, she took the decision to leave Gulf for Good and, with the support of many other wonderful volunteers, built Thrift for Good. COVID changed the landscape for the organization and pushed it online. “This was wonderful in a way because it is through Instagram that we found and built our community of support. Soon after, we opened our first retail store on the Palm Jumeirah in the Golden Mile Galleria Building 8, which has been met with wonderful success,” Jennifer contends.

Transforming lives The turning point for Thrift For Good was opening the first store, wherein almost overnight, the monthly revenues went from AED 10,000 to AED 90,000. “We were suddenly able to contribute AED 50-60,000/month. Then, as word got out about us, the support grew: more gifted items, which meant fantastic and quickly moving stock and soon a team of over 100 dedicated volunteers that made all of the magic happen,” she reveals. In November 2021, Jennifer and her team opened the second new store in Times Square Center. “It has enabled us to raise even more. Each month, we are improving and growing. There are so many achievements, it’s difficult to choose just one,” says a chuffed Jennifer. She notes that there are too many wonderful people involved to thank individually. “None of this could have happened without our small but incredible staff, however - Sarah Clements, our Retail Manager, Pao Ying Zhi, our Marketing Manager, and Michelle Haddrell, our daytime Team Leader. Their passion and hard work have inspired so many to be involved, all of our volunteers, donors, and customers. This community initiative truly wouldn’t work without each and every single one of them and the support we receive daily, the enthusiastic founder asserts. Furthermore, she reveals that she gets immense inspiration from the children’s charity projects she is working for. “I am inspired by the individuals that are on the ground taking care of the children and doing such beautiful work. If I am to name just one individual, I am inspired by James Berry, the founder of Larchfield Children’s Home in Tanzania - a children’s home

Noticing that clothing waste in the UAE is still a considerable problem, Jennifer now wants to fuel Thrift for Good’s growth towards successfully operating in every community center to have its maximum impact in Mkuranga Tanzania with 30 beautiful children and growing. He tirelessly advocates for these children and is simply making magic happen. We have to date contributed AED 125,500 to this project,” shares Jennifer.

Shining on The organization has had to pave the way with being a zero-waste organization, but Jennifer’s dedication towards it has only shone on as she has scaled it to great heights despite the various roadblocks that Thrift For Good has had to navigate. “It was difficult to find the right partners for recycling end of life materials in particular, but we found that now with Kiswa UAE,” she adds. Noticing that clothing waste in the UAE is still a considerable problem, Jennifer now wants to fuel Thrift for Good’s growth towards successfully operating in every community center to have its maximum impact. “I’m so proud that we have brought thrifting to the UAE and it has been met with so much love and support. We have rehomed over 65,000 items from our Palm store alone and have contributed over AED 500,000 to Gulf for Good’s projects in Lebanon, Peru, Tanzania, and the Philippines. This has been made possible by over 300 volunteers since we began. Our next small step will be to build our online shop to enable easier access to second-hand online. I hope we can continue to grow and affect change on a wide scale,” a grateful Jennifer remarks.  2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / tr avel

Wow Locales for your Wedding Vows

The grandest of life events deserves a befitting beginning. SREERAM VISWANATH explores the most surreal locations around the globe to lock in your wedding vows

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very culture believes that matches are made in heaven and celebrated on earth as weddings - a sacred, time-honored tradition of the bond between two souls. Shouldn’t an occasion that celebrates such a monumental step in the journey of life between two people have a memory crystallized for a lifetime? This Valentine’s Day, we bring you some of the most breathtaking dreamy destinations from around the globe for a perfect wedding that will mark a milestone in your fabled love story with a ceremony on humble land that will feel like an ascension to the skies.

Lake Como, Italy Percy Bysshe Shelley’s words about Lake Como remain eternal when he wrote to Thomas Love Peacock, “This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty, with the exception of the arbutus islands of Killarney. It is long and narrow and has the appearance of a mighty river winding among the mountains and the forests.” Lake Como is a luxury destination minus the fuss. It offers a form of resplendence that is traditional, authentic, and aristocratic. Newly-weds will enjoy the aura of classic, cinematic romance in their travails to Lake Como amid the scenic allure of Italy. Rachel Birthistle, who is no stranger to the lake’s charm, courtesy of her position as the owner and CEO of The Lake Como Wedding Planner,

firmly states, “I would advise that couples take time to explore the area thoroughly. It is a unique place full of contrasts, which can create an exciting flow of events that, in turn, make for a truly phenomenal and authentic Italian experience.” With its breathtaking sites that offer otherworldly elegance, it’s no wonder that the Huffington Post named it ‘the most beautiful lake in the world’. The magical beauty of the lake coupled with resplendent villas, top-notch hotels, mouth-watering traditional cuisines that are often referred to as the ‘Pride of the Alps’, and unconventional wedding venues like beach clubs that are known for their white-sand shores and impeccable views make this place a heaven on earth for those imagining a new life together. Lake Como has played host to several high-profile weddings in recent times. Given this locale’s vicinity to ‘bucket list’ Italian cities like Milan and Venice, not to mention Switzerland, jetting off to your fairytale honeymoon post your wedding is a cakewalk. Now that’s a plan that works out perfectly!

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India There is no parallel to the resplendent grandeur of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Its storied history, picturesque architecture, regal aura, and princely accommodations make the state’s capital, Jaipur, an austere choice for your wedding. The Pink City is home to many palatial properties that guarantee an extravagantly mounted wedding that leaves

Given this locale’s vicinity to ‘bucket list’ Italian cities like Milan and Venice, not to mention Switzerland, jetting off to your fairytale honeymoon post your wedding is a cakewalk 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Beyond Business nothing to be desired. Jaipur’s many hotspots not only make it a formidable wedding destination but also acquaint you with its rich tapestry of culture. The local pagdi-walas, folk dancers, mehndi artists, and sarangi players will have you swept up in the authentic Rajasthani charm. With its palaces and hotels of erstwhile charm, Jaipur offers newlyweds a fine blend of aesthetics and old-world allure. As though mirroring royalty, couples have an opportunity to tie the knot like Maharajas and Maharanis (kings and queens) of yore, in palatial houses and Mughal gardens, with the Aravali ranges onlooking the jubilations. Treat your guests to a grand banquet of pure Rajasthani cuisine, renowned for its richness and authenticity handed down the generations. For your post-wedding festivities, enchant your guests at the Hawa Mahal, a palace that has romance echoing through its sprawling chambers and architectural symmetry that both inspires and defies imitation. The five-storied edifice combines Hindu and Islamic architecture and is layered with stunning pink and red sandstone. The small-latticed windows are arranged in the image of the crown of Lord Krishna, the token deity of gentle love and romance in Hindu mythology. Its windows circulate cool winds throughout, true to its name literally translating to ‘Palace of the Winds’. Couples will relish that the palace has inspired one of the most formidable romantic novels ever written, ‘The Far Pavilions’ by M. M. Kaye, about a young British native raised in the halls of Hawa Mahal and his tumultuous life, which leads to his falling in love with one of the young Ranis of Rajputana, a

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forbidden love story that still captivates its readers.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States If rustic is your style, these hilly, smoky mountains could make for the most amazing of marital unions. This mountain town is as serene and otherworldly as the heavens may have it, with a sparse population of 5,875 (according to the 2010 census). The city is filled with options that offer a typical Western charm – be it a log chapel made of wood, parks overlooking the verdant mountains, or the incredibly realistic Titanic Museum, paying homage to the luxury cruise as well as the epic romance it immortalized. Pigeon Forge is somewhat of a wedding ‘hall of fame’ destination. The chapels range from small and intimate to sprawling

spaces, all within close vicinity, making scouting locations and planning a breeze. Given its status as a wedding town, every vendor you may need – from bakers, florists, dry cleaners to affordable lodging and other amenities for your out-of-town guests, all is available within the borders of Pigeon Forge. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides a blissful, awe-inspiring background for a wedding away from civilization and into the wilderness. At the same time, the Titanic Museum is perfect for a cinematic ceremony at the grand staircase, replete with movie magic and tinged with the bittersweet aura of star-crossed lovers, Jack and Rose. You can also consider other splendorous venues such as the Cove Mountain Ranch, Honeysuckle Falls, and the Morning Glory Farm.

Cecil Peak, New Zealand Get hitched with the wedding of your fantasies by taking a jaw-dropping flight route over Lake Wakatipu to Cecil Peak, where breathtaking views of the Southern Alps and its incredible drop-offs await you. The swoop in your stomach and a delightful dread at being over five thousand feet above sea level is a fitting mirror to the palpable emotions you feel before taking your wedding vows. The for-

midable mountain ranges and the shimmering waters of Lake Wakatipu are the perfect metaphor for the infinity the two of you will share. There is no dearth of landing options in these snowy mountains. The Ledge on Cecil Peak on the south side of Lake Wakatipu has stunning views of the town across the water and the surrounding mountains. While it is sure to set your heart racing, you want to pray the wind and weather are on your side for such an adventurous spot. You could also go in a different direction and opt for Garden Spurs, with a layer of powdery snow covering the ground, with its back towards The Remarkables mountain range. If you’re lucky, a waterfall or two may have sprung up as the ice melted, taking this dreamy location to the next level.

Jamaica, Caribbean The weather in the West Indies is reminiscent of Bob Dylan’s famous lines, “The sun is shining, and the weather is sweet here.” The Jamaican islands are legendary not only for the aforementioned wonderful weather, the rarified coral reefs, and postcard-worthy beaches peppered with palm trees, but also for being the birthplace of Reggae music, the Rastafarian movement that embodies the

triumph of the human spirit, and the devil-mayJamaica is care attitude of its people. unmissable for Imagine taking your the adventurous vows at the beaches of lot, with Negril against blazing tangerine sunsets or its lush ATV Safaris, rainforests or capturing ziplining, and moments of bliss against horseback the backdrop of the riding in the waterfalls at Ocho Rios ocean waves of with a pre-wedding phothe Caribbean toshoot. Additionally, your offered by most wedding party would have outdoor activity a gala time in the resorts packages of Montego Bay, offering an exciting nightlife and supple white-sand beaches. Jamaica is unmissable for the adventurous lot, with ATV Safaris, ziplining, and horseback riding in the ocean waves of the Caribbean offered by most outdoor activity packages. Yet,

amid the adrenaline-fueled fun and the untainted locales, Jamaica is a blend of romance and thrill. So it’s no surprise that given everything it has to offer, the island of Bob Marley’s “One Love” and the mantra his song made common - Everything’s gonna be all right is ranked the No 1 wedding destination in the Caribbean today.

There’s no Wrong Choice To be frank, any one of these locations is perfect for celebrating your everlasting union. When it comes to honoring your love, people simply want a special place, surrounded by happy faces, with good food and positive vibes all around. These locations promise that feeling and a lot more – the promise of an unforgettable experience and memories to sustain you for a lifetime. But in the end, it’s not the venue or the clothes or the gorgeously posed photographs that matter. All pales in comparison to the person you hope to spend an eternity with. So, pick a location that you love and complements your idea of your wedding, but don’t stress, because any site turns into the one you’ve always dreamt of when you have the person of your dreams standing by you.  2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / health

Love thy Self

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, but have we fostered the love we have for ourselves? Qiraat Attar explores nurturing the tenuous bond we share with our inner self and how we can honor it.

here’s a saying that goes - Love makes the world go round. In our world, the love between couples, with parents, kids, friends, even strangers is celebrated. But we seldom talk about our longest, most enduring relationship, one we carry through our lifetime - and that is our relationship with ourselves. This relationship is to be nurtured with love too but is often forgotten. As we continue to navigate a complex, hyperconnected world where we are scrutinized and judged to the extent that we lose ourselves, self-love becomes harder to cultivate, especially consistently. However, not exhibiting kindness and care towards yourself can have a detrimental impact on your mental health, your perception of the world and your relationships with others. Bestow yourself with the art of self love this Valentine’s Day, and learn to prioritize your bond with yourself through these simple habits.

Embrace the emptiness

The human attention span and focus has fractured since the advent of connected technology. Notifications interrupt any moment of quiet. Meditation, or ‘dhyaan’ has exploded in our world as a reclamation of calm amid the chaos. It doesn’t need you to be a sage; simply make an intention to clear intrusive thoughts which run amok in your mind, and focus

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on your breath. There’s plenty of YouTube videos to ease you into the process. What starts as a tenuous struggle to keep your mind at ease will evolve into you enjoying the stillness it brings. With proven benefits for mental health issues such as anxiety, this practice is a much needed act of self-care.

Flow with Yoga

Most people feel pressed to take on physical activity to look fitter or thinner, but what about how you feel? Instead, opt to move in a way that nurtures your body and fuels your soul. Yoga is a tremendously intuitive practice to feel grounded in your body. It also comes bereft of prerequisites, such as fancy equipment or yoga wear. The various asanas are designed to stretch and strengthen, a surefire way of loving yourself and a great investment in your long term physical

health. Win win! In fact, any gentle movement like walking, jogging, pilates, or swimming is a guaranteed release of endorphins that will uplift you and work your body in a way that honors your spirit.

self-beration is worse than whatever nutritional deficit that food puts you in. Understanding your instincts and honoring them is crucial in the path of self-love.

Put pen to paper

No one has it all ‘figured out’. People’s picture perfect lives on Instagram with fancy vacations and fairytale romances may have you feeling like the ‘odd one out’, but our existence is characterized by challenges, and overcoming them gives our life meaning. There is no shame in seeking professional help when it is all too overwhelming for you. Find a kindred counselor to discuss your issues in confidence and seek solutions. As the burden begins to lighten, you will harbor a renewed appreciation for your own strengths and capabilities.

Hundreds of thoughts run through our head all day, mostly all on autopilot. Over time, we may have let hateful opinions about us take root in our minds without correcting them. What we focus on grows, so you want to make sure it’s positive and constructive thoughts. A great way to do so is journaling! Seeing your thoughts on paper helps understand where they come from so you can weed out those that don’t serve you well. You will notice what aren’t your thoughts at all, are merely projections of fears and insecurities, or judgements of the world that have become part of your internal monologue. Journaling is a great way to replace them with more fruitful affirmations, or simply gain a better understanding of your psyche.

Watch your time

Have you noticed that when you miss a meal, oversleep, or procrastinate on a project, you don’t feel very good about yourself? While it may appear contradictory to gentle self-care, discipline is a potent act of self-love, a gift you give your future self. It is a way of telling yourself that you value your time, your space, and your goals. Inculcate it in the little things - going to bed at a fixed hour or no electronics past a certain point. Plan your upcoming meals or ensure you take time off for yourself for some relaxation without fail, denying the urge to work till a burnout as our culture often subtly demands. Prioritize yourself and allot time to all aspects of your life, and watch your self-love grow rapidly.

Well-fed with love

Nothing hinders one’s unique journey to accepting ourselves more than diet culture. If every meal you eat is focused on losing weight alone, you are probably denying yourself the simple joy of food and being miserable in the process. Instead, eat for joy, nourishment and to celebrate yourself. A great way is incorporating seasonal fruits and vegetables in your meals and avoid patterns of disordered eating to triggers such as stress and anger. Be kind to yourself if you find yourself failing diets or eating so called ‘junk’; the

Seek a helping hand

Give thanks

In part, self-love arises from contentment. It’s not about having everything you want, but rather being content with whatever you have. To consciously bring it into your life, cultivate gratitude. Every morning, list 3 things that you are grateful to have in your life, and soon you will notice everything you are blessed with - a roof over your head, a family that cares about you, or simply the light that comes in the window. Once you shift the focus away from what you lack You will notice what to the abundance you have, it will inspire a aren’t your thoughts at wave of self-love and all, merely projections of contentment in you.

fears and insecurities, or judgements of the world that have become part of your internal monologue

No shortcuts

You may have noticed that none of them are quick-fix solutions. That’s because folks, there is no shortcut to self-love. Every day is different. We are humans with biases, negative beliefs, some passed down over generations or stubbornly held on to for decades, so don’t expect them to be solved in a day. The foundation of this practice is to forgive yourself little things and knowing that self-love is not a constant. True love comes from embracing someone, flaws, and all, and that someone is you, worthy of this divine feeling as you are.  2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / auto

The Lucid Choice

If you’ve fantasized of a car that pairs luxury with the speed, style and all things ‘electric’, looks like your dream just came true. S Deepika takes us on a spin about the 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition

Design

The exterior • With its elegantly efficient design inspired by the diverse landscapes of California, the car places a high emphasis on style from the get-go. • The stainless-steel roof brings a DeLorean deja vu, with a vibe reminiscent of Citroën vehicles. Customers can choose between stunning metallic colors of Zenith Red, Infinite Black, Stellar White, or Eureka Gold. • The 21-inch Aero Dream alloy wheels are crafted with an ultra-aerodynamic yet bold design that marries resilience with performance. • The car’s lean, aerodynamic

Cabin style and interiors • All Dream Editions come with the Santa Monica interior, with soft light and muted colors; a deliberately calm interior invoking a sense of place, created with leather and non-leather variants. • The vehicle comes with rich, luxurious interiors in fantastic materials: wood, leather, metal, Alcantara, quality plastics, and even linen-like fabric. • The car comprises of open and spacious back seats, offering ease of entrance into the vehicle. Seats are stiff and supportive, akin to German car models. They aren’t restrictive and allow the driver to maneuver reasonably freely within the cabins.

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Efficiency and Mechanics

Engine and Performance • Powered by two robust identical motors for its front and rear, each producing an impressive 1000 horsepower (and spinning at 20,000 rpm) for a power density of 4.11 hp per pound that manifests as nearly three times powerful when compared to other vehicles.

aesthetic, smooth frontal area, super clean underbody, and minimized cooling make it ideal for low drag with a coefficient of about 2. • Its long wheelbase of 115 inches gives it an elongated aesthetic and, more importantly, results in quick acceleration, enhancing the vehicle's stability on the road. • The difference in cabin or external noise from the car is highly invisible, except the little motor whine of the engine, which is barely noticeable. • The harder you push, the faster and better the Lucid dream edition gets. It jumps out of corners, much like the way a NISMO GT-R takes spins on the roads.

Price point The Lucid Air Dream Edition is priced at $169,000, thus closely-ranked against the Mercedes S-class.

Safety

• The Lucid takes a two-pillar

approach with prevention and protection upholding the safety strategy. • The weight of Lucid Air’s battery pack gives it a low center of gravity, significantly reducing rollover danger and improving handling in a way that can help a driver better prevent a crash. • With a structure primarily constructed of bonded aluminum — lightweight and strong — Lucid Air offers superior protection to occupants in an impact.

Tech and Infotainment • The horizontal floating

infotainment screen behind the driver’s wheel comprises of an inflated palette of small screens lending the Lucid Dream a futuristic feel. • The distinguishing feature that has all eyeballs is the

Lucid Dream’s identity as a luxury electric vehicle, with no compromise on performance or style. Predictably, this has more traditional drivers stumped, especially the aspect of charging, but the Lucid has that figured out. Its 900-volt architecture reduces the number of times the driver has to recharge this electric beast, so the vehicle has an impressive 500-mile range over a single charge. • A leading efficiency of 4.5 miles per kilowatt-hour reduces the cost of every driven mile.

Nemesis

Closely competing with the Lucid Dream in acceleration and top speed is the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid. However, the Lucid has proven to be an exceptionally high-performing vehicle with an undefeated range, hence both ultimately represent a luxurious ride with off-road and on-road bling, paired with comfort and speed.

X-factor

With electric vehicle (EV) makers conquering range anxiety, often the most stated amongst people reluctant to buy electric cars, this vehicle will be leading the dissolution of this worry for most car enthusiasts. Already, it has pulled ahead of the competition after the Lucid Air received a rating of 520 miles per charge of range from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

When does it launch?

The Lucid Dream Edition has been cruising the lanes since October 2021, so you can head to the website to design your own ‘Dream’. J

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Beyond Business / st yle

Set

the

MOOD

FEBRUARY IS ALL ABOUT ‘LOVING IN STYLE’. PALLAVI BIJU WALKS YOU THROUGH SOME LOVABLE IDEAS THAT WILL TUG YOUR HEART STRINGS

A 56

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As the most romantic day of the year dawns upon us, most couples are scurrying around trying to find ideas for the perfect way to spend quality time together. If you are one of those couples, fret not, as Pallavi Biju lends you a hand in planning the perfect date. Love doesn’t have a calendar date, but if it had one, it’d be February 14! While love in the air may have you floating, the stress of planning a unique and exquisite Valentine’s Day for you and your significant other might

just bring you down. However, we’re playing Cupid’s little helper this year, and with a little bit of preparation from your side and a little bit of inspiration from ours, you will be on your way to a picture-perfect Valentine’s Date. So whether you want to splurge or save, whether you’re a laid-back homebody or a nature-lover, here is a curated list of date ideas to have a magical day with the one you love.

Home is where the heart is A classic idea that has endured, especially in the pandemic, is a comfortable date with your partner in your ‘home sweet home’. The familiarity and comfort of your abode add to the shared intimacy between you. And who said it has to be ‘boring’? Here are a few ideas on how to spice up your romantic date at home:

BRING THE MICHELIN STAR

HOME: Cook yourself and your date a fancy 3-course meal. Pair it with a wine on the side, and light some candles to set the mood. You have got yourself a classic Valentine’s Day date with 10x less stress and more time spent with each other. There are no waitlists, just you and your beau enjoying an evening of conversation and romance. NETFLIX AND CHILL:

With OTT platforms offering more movies than one could reasonably watch in a lifetime, turn your home into a cinematic paradise. Get yourself some snacks and drinks and huddle together to watch a fun film on the ‘flix. To take it up a notch, invest in a projector that turns a blank wall into your personal home theatre and rest assured, even a timeless romance like “The Notebook” will pale in

comparison to the chemistry between your bae and you. A FAMILY AFFAIR: Those

who feel Valentine’s Day is too cumbersome when you have kids are simply not being imaginative enough. Pull up your comfiest blankets, pillows, and the cuddliest toys to build a pillow fort for the family. Add some board games like 'Snakes N Ladders' or 'Monopoly', and you’ll be set for an impeccable Valentine’s Day with the entire brood.

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Beyond Business / st yle An Idyllic Picnic For those idyllic vibes and a chance to embrace the wind and the sun, a picnic is a timeless Valentine’s date idea. Picnics allow you to customize and curate everything, from snacks to setting, and since this isn’t a done to death V-day idea, you and your partner are guaranteed some time away from the crowds. Here is how to take your date on a picnic they won’t forget:

CHANGE UP THE LOCATION:

Forego the typical parks and instead opt for the beach, desert sands, or a mountain top to have a unique outdoor experience. Since February is a cold month, the chill and the swift breeze will give you the opportunity to be snug in each other’s company.

are an aesthetic add-on to set the mood. Depending on how much time you’re planning on spending at the picnic, bring a variety of picnic-friendly meal courses along with you. If you’re carrying wine or juices, a cooler will come in handy to keep them chilled while you keep the romance going.

SITTING PRETTY: Find

LIGHT IT UP: If you’re

a nice shady spot and set it up with some rugs or even recliner chairs to get everyone comfortable and cozy. Balloons and flowers 58

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planning an evening or midnight picnic (which can be super romantic), make sure you have enough supplies to light up your camp. Candles may pose a risk

of fire, so fairy lights or batterypowered candles are the way to go. Even if you plan to leave before sunset, why not have some fun with some sparklers? It is sure to get you both excited and makes the day a little bit more special. Lastly, don’t forget to take pictures. Time distorts memories, but a picture keeps them perfect forever.

Love Is Only Natural If both you and your loved one enjoy being outdoorsy and you have good weather on your side, these activities are the perfect way to crystalize the memory of a gorgeous Valentine’s Day. Here are some tips on spending your day in the wild:

Try Something New If you’re a seeker of the unconventional and want to go for something off the beaten path, here’s your pick of ideas: TAKE A HIKE: Exploring and

wandering in the wilderness together is a fantastic bonding experience. Hiking is a lowpressure date that promotes conversation, the key to every healthy relationship so, strengthen your relationship this Valentine’s Day. TEST THE WATER: Water,

surf and turf, and people you love – it’s the perfect concoction for a splendid Valentine’s Day. If you’re one for water sports like kayaking, wakeboarding, or snorkeling, this is a tailor-made date for you. However, don’t forget to carry a pair of dry clothes to change out into after you’re done frolicking in the water.

PLOT YOUR ESCAPE: Let the

ticking clock and the simulated danger of the escape room offer you an adrenaline-fueled date. You’ll come as a couple and leave as heroes as you battle against time to solve puzzles, overcome challenges, and defeat your doubts.

‘DRIVE-IN’ TO THE SUNSET:

A fixture seen in umpteenth classic movies, this date needs minimal preparation as most locations do provide snacks and drinks, although you could carry your own if you’re picky. Simply layer up, get a blanket and snuggle up with your lover as the opening credits roll.

‘PAINT’ THE TOWN RED: If art is more your style, plan a date that gets your creative juices flowing. While there are plenty of galleries and museums, if you are more of a creator, head down to an art café and create a masterpiece with your partner while enjoying your regular cup of coffee. Most art cafes also let you take your piece of art back home, so keep it as memorabilia of a fantastic day out. With all these amazing ideas for Valentine’s Day, do not forget that regardless of the setting, it is time you spend with your loved one that is the most valuable of all. After all, together is the best place to be. J 2 0 2 2 — F E B — ASPIRE

Beyond Business / a spire+ An entrepreneur needs to know a lot. Way more than the business idea he or she is growing. ASPIRE brings you a range of knowhow to have you effortlessly conversing with everyone you meet. Success is not what you do, it is how you do it…

WATCH it

Kipling’s Daughter

A Ficitonal Love Story

DoctorRamani on YouTube

Who hasn’t had a run-in with a narcissist? They exist everywhere and they are notoriously hard to spot. They can find their way into your life, your home, your finances, and your head with subtle ease with one goal alone… to annihilate your mental health and destroy your life. Those who have been at the receiving end of narcissistic abuse are left bleeding, devastated, and the recovery can take years. The only way to combat it is to learn about narcissism and to spot the signs before that lover, boss, friend, or neighbour is firmly entrenched in your life. Dr. Ramani is a clinical psychologist who has given hope to many. Her YouTube channel is one of the best there is, and her concise, nofrills approach to understanding this mental phenomenon makes her relatable and interesting. Most of her videos are about 15 minutes long, explaining the various aspects of narcissistic abuse and tips for avoidance and recovery. She is a gifted orator who has made it her life’s mission to uncover and demystify an area of human behaviour that is increasingly causing much trouble. Her arsenal of knowledge in this area is formidable, and it is the best life coaching you will get for free. Unsurprisingly she has a massive following and has been featured on various prime-time television talk shows and online ones like Women of Impact. Join her tribe, hit that subscribe button, and start watching. You can thank us later. https://www.youtube.com/c/DoctorRamani/videos

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READ it

50 shades of narcissism

The humdrum of everyday life can be a real drag, and we all need to escape our routines and find a way to decompress. Luckily the world of fiction offers us the most wonderful way of doing so. And this month, Aspire recommends the compelling novel ‘Kipling’s Daughter’ by the award-winning author, playwright, columnist, and poet, Shreekumar Varma. This intricately woven tale tells the story of an author, Ruben, his friendship with the fascinating Molly, and a book that reveals a forgotten and secret tryst between a Nobel-winning author and an Indian heiress. Set across Simla, Bombay, and England, the novel twists and winds its way across kidnappings, family secrets, and myriad plot turns that make the book unputdownable. Yet another gem from the genius pen that gave us works such as Lament of Mohini, Maria’s Room, The Royal Rebel, The Magic Store of Nu-ChamVu, and others, Kipling’s Daughter showcases the storytelling talent of one of the most prolific writers of our time. A must-read for those who love to read. And even those who don’t.

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Beyond Business / a spire+

EAT it The Crossing in Hotel H

A different taste of Indian cuisine

If you’re scouting for a new food joint to try out this Valentine’s Day, The Crossing is a fine dining experience you don’t want to miss. Offering Indian food in a rarely explored avatar, you will experience here varied influences, all coming together in a symphony of flavors on the plate. A celebration of Indian food, The Crossing includes dishes influenced by immigrants and travelers that found a home on Indian soil. Changing up the typical Indian menu by offering fewer traditional curries and more of the soul, comfort food that has nourished generations of Indians from all over the subcontinent, it’s a twist on the standard Indian food fare that is enjoyed the world over. The menu at The Crossing plays upon the nostalgia that wafts from Indian kitchens, with recipes handed down by taste and estimations. The extent of Indian cuisine is truly vast, and The Crossing acknowledges it humbly – from the simple, nourishing food cooked by our mothers to the

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ambitious dishes created in palace kitchens by royal chefs, from the seafood delights courtesy India’s massive coastline to mouth-watering Rajput fares, from hidden gems of North East India to the vegetarian offerings that will amaze you, The Crossing guarantees an experience that may enlighten you as to why Indian cuisine is considered one of the best in the world. A well-executed menu makes a restaurant worth its salt, but it’s the ambiance that makes it the perfect dine-in experience. The Crossing doesn’t disappoint, with its intimate round tables for hushed conversations, flanked by a stately bar, and upholstered long cushion seat for entertaining larger parties. All of this is surrounded by Indian art adorning the walls and draped in gorgeous golden lighting, and it turns this fine dining restaurant so comfortable, you’ll feel as if you were home. Located on the ground floor of the beautiful H Hotel with a stunning backdrop complimentary to its sensationally innovative menu, The Crossing opened with a bang at the start of the year as one of Dubai’s hottest new dining venues. The latest offering of Lemon Butter, a brand dedicated to augmenting the F&B industry, The Crossing carries forward its commitment to creating scalable food and beverage concepts across various segments and leading by example in serving the community and the nation with sustainable business and growth. 

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Beyond Business / the l a st word

The Good Life

ack in the late 80s, in a small town in the South Indian hills, there lived a humble priest. He earned little and his sermons were fairly dull. He looked unremarkable, he dressed simply, and he wore cracked leather slippers that had seen better days. I had a bout of jaundice when I was 12 that almost killed me, and when he found out, he came home and put his hand on my head, he prayed, and I still remember, 38 years later, the gentleness of that compassionate touch. I remember feeling distinctly better the next day. He died in agony from cancer. He suffered in excruciating pain the night before he passed, for he refused to wake my father, his doctor. When my father, who was finally called in the morning, asked him why he had not sent for him earlier to relieve his pain, his reply was simple. “Doctor, you need your sleep.” The line for this humble, simple man’s funeral stretched a couple of kilometers as thousands gathered to pay their respects. Young, old, rich, poor, Hindu, Muslim, Christian… they lined up to say goodbye to a man most of us would not notice. The tribal chief from the hills that was his hometown, tore his own ceremonial burial shroud in half to drape over his coffin. The universal outpouring of grief was real. And it was only in that poignant hour that we, the community, learned of this man’s life. We discovered he had given his meagre monthly salary away to those in need. He had spent every morning, afternoon, and evening, in service, going from home to

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home, on foot, offering love, comfort, and companionship wherever it was needed, uncaring of financial or social privilege. He never told anyone and I guess, people being people, never told each other of his big and loving heart that looked past religion, race, or income. Until the day he died, when they gathered in thousands to mourn the loss of this tiny, frail, seemingly unremarkable man. No, he was not a statesman, he was not a business success, he was not greatly skilled at art or music, he was not particularly handsome. But he did have one rare gift. He performed little acts of great love every single day, seeking nothing in return. His name was Reverend Mangaldass, and he was a long-time pastor at the Garrison Church. Wellington in Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, India. We would all do well to remember this forgotten name from the annals of human history… and we would all be better off if we followed his most excellent example of living what can only be described as ‘the good life’. 

Sangeetha Shinde Tee is an author of four books, editor of 3 international magazines, an acclaimed healer, and reluctant entrepreneur. Also an unconventional traveler, rebellious truth seeker, and inveterate animal rescuer, she is working on her fifth book - a collection of ghost stories from around the world. Find out more about her life, books, and work at www.sangeethashindetee.com

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