Emirati award winner prefers the entrepreneurial life

Young Emirati entrepreneur, Souad Al Hosani, explains how she likes to unwind after a long day running her business services company.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. January 14, 2014///Souad M. Al-Hosani, President of Nexus and youngest Emirati female entrepreneur. Mona Al-Marzooqi/ The National Reporter: Lianne Gutcher Section: Business
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Souad Al Hosani founded Nexus Business Services five years ago in Abu Dhabi at the age of 21.

The inspiration came from an internship at the British embassy when she realised that many businesses looking to set up in the emirate did not know how to navigate the system – both the business bureaucracy and some of the finer points of the culture.

The business services company now employs 20. Last year, she was given the youngest achiever award by the American Chamber of Commerce.

The tireless Emirati, now 26, fitted in a job at Mubadala Petroleum while Nexus was still in its infancy but she preferred the entrepreneurial life.

“Having a government job is nice but at some point you just want to go outside of the box,” she says. “Starting a business is not something you can learn; it comes as a gift from God.”

What are your favourite things to do on the weekend?

I like to relax, spend time with friends and family, go out for a nice dinner. We go to see new movies when they are out, have a nice BBQ. We go for nice family gatherings, also with friends, to the St. Regis hotel.

What do you consider to be your favourite hobby?

Networking and travelling, really … But I also like to play badminton. I have played since school days and we have a badminton court at home but I haven’t been that active lately, I have to admit.

What can’t you live without?

My family, of course, but I also have to have my black coffee. I am a coffeeholic. Before I do anything I have to have my strong black coffee or I can’t function.

What do you consider the secret of your success?

My willingness to take a risk and the fact that the service Nexus provided is always needed in the market. When I worked at the [British] embassy I realised that there are a lot of companies that want to come and do business in Abu Dhabi but just didn’t know what to do. When I started I had a steep learning curve. What you learn is that you really have to have patience, you have to have contacts. There are always ways to get around things, even for women starting businesses in the Emirates.

At some point we all believe we have to fight for what we want to be able to do ... something we love.

I used to work for Mubadala, from 2011 to 2013, while still running my business, but you can’t do both. I preferred to run my own business and despite giving up the security of the government job I took the risk, made the leap.

What advice would you offer others starting out in your business?

It is quality not quantity of clients and relationships and having a good network is a big factor in success in the business services sector.

Financing is important, of course, and I got a loan from my family and zero interest financing from the Khalifa fund. There are more women starting their own businesses and there is a lot of government support. I think women are better than men in business. They are more serious and determined.

How do you achieve a work-life balance?

I switch off during the weekends when I can and when I am travelling. Sometimes it’s hard because our services are required 24-7. But I get a lot of support from my family too and I like to spend time with them. I have nine brothers and three sisters, ranging in age from 14 to 35.

How do you relax after the working day?

I like to go to the St. Regis on the Corniche, go to the spa, get a massage, go to the Jacuzzi. I also like to chill with the family and watch TV. I love the show Scandal.

If you weren’t running your business what else would you be doing?

I would be a diplomat. It’s great because you get to represent your country, to reflect the objectives of your country and to represent the ideas you have.

amcauley@thenational.ae

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