DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE STRUGGLE IS STILL REAL FOR WOMEN WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES?

Honestly, the only challenge I see as a woman advisor is building relationships with my client’s family. I work with a niche market of high net worth individuals, ultra-rich clients and large corporates, and it is important for me to spend time with clients and build trust with their entire family, it’s a slow process. Our work is for generations, therefore I feel quite important to be trusted by an entire family and management team. As a single woman, I have to maintain my lines and succeed with integrity. I maintain a higher standard as a professional. I don’t see other challenges that are gender-specific – both in my professional life and in business. I had to go through the routine challenges every professional and entrepreneur goes through.

I haven’t seen or felt discrimination against women in the workplace in the UAE. In government departments, I see more women at work than men, and several women in leadership roles. That says a lot about women empowerment in the UAE.

How do you think UAE fares when it comes to equal opportunities for women at work and personal front?

The UAE fares very well when it comes to providing equal opportunities for women. Barring a few exceptions, women are doing very well in all walks of life in the UAE – both in the public and private sectors, in government offices and in corporate offices. A number of women have been part of the UAE Cabinet and the Mars Hope Probe Mission was led by an Emirati woman.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK-LIFE BALANCE AS A BUSINESSWOMAN?

It requires strict discipline and I have perfected it over the years. It took a while to come to this level, especially after the formative phase of my business, when I had to dedicate more than 16 hours a day at work to the first three years of my goals. But now I am at the stage where discipline is important. No matter what I do in the evening, I have to work in the morning at set times; similarly, no matter what, I dedicate time to my kids and fitness. We all have one thing in common, 24 hours a day, and if we focus even for six hours a day we can achieve more than working without focus for 12 hours. Organise yourself, that’s what I say to my team as well.

PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR ROLE IN EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH LPH FINANCIAL SERVICE?

I have developed a transparent system of management where everyone is accountable for their tasks. I have a wonderful team and great collaborations, with both men and women, working towards a common goal. Alone you can go fast but with a team, you can go far. We need a perfect balance of both genders to create a healthy environment. My team is rewarded based on their performance and everyone has an equal opportunity for growth. Being a woman myself, I do not favour women over men; for me attitude matters.

As an advisor myself, I worked with a few women clients who had no idea of how a long-term view on financial stability works. I am fortunate to be the key advisor for women business owners and build their succession chart.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY CONSTITUTES WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT?

Financial independence – the ability to live their lives on their own terms. The ability to exercise the freedom to make a choice, to grow on their own, make their own decisions, and to earn and spend money without having to seek approval from anyone.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN BUSINESS?

One of the key challenges is to get transparency from the client. Financial advisory that is linked to the client’s overall health and well-being, I am privy to a lot of financial information.

I deal with individuals who buy large life insurance policies to ensure their successors have additional capital when they are incapacitated. They also tend to have less time so they listen less which is challenging as I advocate educating the client and letting them take an informed decision.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN WHO ASPIRE TO SET UP THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

I haven’t seen or felt discrimination against women in the workplace in the UAE. In government departments, I see more women at work than men, and several women in leadership roles. That says a lot about women empowerment in the UAE.

How do you think UAE fares when it comes to equal opportunities for women at work and personal front?

The UAE fares very well when it comes to providing equal opportunities for women. Barring a few exceptions, women are doing very well in all walks of life in the UAE – both in the public and private sectors, in government offices and in corporate offices. A number of women have been part of the UAE Cabinet and the Mars Hope Probe Mission was led by an Emirati woman.

How do you maintain a work-life balance as a businesswoman?

It requires strict discipline and I have perfected it over the years. It took a while to come to this level, especially after the formative phase of my business, when I had to dedicate more than 16 hours a day at work to the first three years of my goals. But now I am at the stage where discipline is important. No matter what I do in the evening, I have to work in the morning at set times; similarly, no matter what, I dedicate time to my kids and fitness. We all have one thing in common, 24 hours a day, and if we focus even for six hours a day we can achieve more than working without focus for 12 hours. Organise yourself, that’s what I say to my team as well.

Please tell us more about your role in empowering women through LPH Financial Service?

I have developed a transparent system of management where everyone is accountable for their tasks. I have a wonderful team and great collaborations, with both men and women, working towards a common goal. Alone you can go fast but with a team, you can go far. We need a perfect balance of both genders to create a healthy environment. My team is rewarded based on their performance and everyone has an equal opportunity for growth. Being a woman myself, I do not favour women over men; for me attitude matters.

As an advisor myself, I worked with a few women clients who had no idea of how a long-term view on financial stability works. I am fortunate to be the key advisor for women business owners and build their succession chart.

What would you say constitutes women’s empowerment?

Financial independence – the ability to live their lives on their own terms. The ability to exercise the freedom to make a choice, to grow on their own, make their own decisions, and to earn and spend money without having to seek approval from anyone.

What are the challenges you face in business?

One of the key challenges is to get transparency from the client. Financial advisory that is linked to the client’s overall health and well-being, I am privy to a lot of financial information.

I deal with individuals who buy large life insurance policies to ensure their successors have additional capital when they are incapacitated. They also tend to have less time so they listen less which is challenging as I advocate educating the client and letting them take an informed decision.

What advice would you give to women who aspire to set up their own business?