Farah Al Qaissieh is a woman with an endless drive to achieve – and time to give to those she inspires along the way.
The 25-year-old Emirati epitomises the UAE’s push for innovation, and despite a challenging childhood as a result of a stutter, she’s well on the way to achieving her goals.
“Until I went to university, I was a person who would not say a single word. I was an introvert [who] didn’t want to socialise,” Al Qaissieh says. “I realised by the time I graduated high school that being the quiet person wasn’t me.”
She decided to embrace stuttering, and started every new meeting with peers with the words: “Hi, I am Farah, and I stutter, please bear with me.”
“The second I started saying that, I started stuttering less,” she says.
She graduated from Zayed University with a finance degree in 2011. In February, she won a government-led entrepreneurship competition, which provided her with the tools she needed to start her own business, with a grant and support from the Tourism and Cultural Authority.
Her Discover AE app, which has been in development since, will soon be available.
“It’s a mobile-app-based treasure hunt that lets people discover the hidden gems of the city,” she says.
When not working for the Abu Dhabi Government or with the app developers, or meeting with her stuttering support groups, Al Qaissieh loves sharing her business knowledge as an ambassador for the We Are the Future organisation.
She says she finds it fulfilling to see things being achieved.
“What I really want to try to achieve through my mentorships is that if you have the ability to help someone, help them. Even if it means they surpass your achievements.”
What’s your favourite book?
It is very difficult to pick just the one. I enjoy reading anything that gets me thinking about my surroundings and understanding human behaviour. If I were to choose however, my top three would be the Quran, Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet and The Madman.
Who inspires you?
My mother. It might sound like a cliché, but she truly inspires me in everything that she does. She’s the perfect balance of emotion and rationale.
What is your dream destination?
Africa – in a heartbeat. Not just for the wildlife (elephants specifically), but I believe it’s the ultimate hidden jewel of the world. OK, maybe just for the elephants.
Favourite pastime?
For me, nothing beats the opportunity to meet new people. However, when I have a quiet evening, I drive around Abu Dhabi looking for the next hidden gem – I love discovering new places.
What styles of music do you listen to?
I listen to everything really, but if I were to choose a specific genre, it would probably be deep house. The combination of house with jazz and soul puts me in the right mood, whether it is to relax or get work done.
What’s your greatest accomplishment?
I don’t want to sound egotistical, but being able to manage between my day job, my start-up, my social initiative, and still have time for family, friends and mentorship, is a huge accomplishment.
What’s your favourite movie?
I’m a comic fanatic – Marvel movies specifically.
What’s your advice for young Emiratis?
Follow your passion and work towards it. Start by realising what you wish to achieve. Where is your end destination? What role do you see yourself playing in society? From there, understand what steps and actions you need to take to get you closer to achieving your dream destination, then just head in that direction. Don’t be afraid to ask – you can’t do everything yourself. I know because I tried. Plus, you’ll be amazed with the amount of help you receive the second you ask for it.
mhealy@thenational.ae
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