Taking the Leap – Interview with Alia Al Banna, Co-Founder of RollDXB

WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

Taking the Leap

Alia Al Banna, Co-Founder of RollDXB on pioneering a revival of roller-skating

What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine? Being a mother of four, my day usually starts with spending time with my children. There are many things to complete on our to do list that are often left unfinished, but my intention of being there for my kids and connecting with them on a deeper level is what those first 30 minutes usually look like.

What inspired you to start RollDXB and how did your previous roles support this? My love for roller-skating followed by my passion to create something for the intended audience. I feel grateful to be a part of something that has my undivided attention and adds importance in the region to ignite freedom and braveness. After several pop-ups you opened the first permanent location in Dubai. What motivated you to make such a pioneering move in the leisure space and how did you know it would be so popular? I take an active interest in being a part of the ever-growing roller-skating community and create something more for those around me. With RollDXB and its launch in the region, it taught me so much about the industry, and also about myself which further shaped the epitome of success to the roller-skating concept. Which other individuals in the region or globally are pioneering in their fields to you and who do you most look up to? Captain Aisha Al Mansoori – UAE’S first Emirati captain. It brings me so much happiness and inspiration to explore more talents in the region and shaped me to strive for more each day. What piece of advice would you give to your younger self? To indulge in the meditative energy of nature and open-air between the fastpaced life and perfectionism. Ever since I was a kid, between learning how to skate, study and perform, it’s so important to have moments of solitude and silence amongst the craziness. This is The Pioneer Issue – what does this mean to you? Being consistently fearless and inventive that isn’t overpowering. A devotion to the effortless classic intuitions that represent individuality and authenticity.