“A full-time job is security in an unstable world. Do you regret your decision?” is a common question I am often asked by people who are curious as to why I left a high-paying job in the semi-government sector.
What many don’t know is that I have been an entrepreneur at heart ever since I was a child, something I inherited from my late grandfathers.
I organised spring fairs in our garden for our family members, published a small magazine that I printed at home that I sold at our neighbourhood bookstore for Dh5, and came up with my own taglines for advertisements.
I loved being creative and being part of projects that promoted creativity in any form.
I ventured into entrepreneurship more seriously when I was a student at university and continued to manage a couple of ventures on the side while I pursued a full-time job.
I led the corporate communication division for a semi-government organisation for seven years, before I decided to leave to develop my ventures further. It wasn’t the easiest decision to make but it was a decision that, had I not taken it, would have left me wondering for the rest of life.
I often get asked if I miss getting a steady income as I had a high salary and worked at a location that was conveniently close to my home.
When I decided to resign, I made sure that I had enough savings to sustain my standard of living for a minimum of two years.
Fast-forward several years after resigning from my job and navigating through a pandemic that redefined how we perceive work, some are still sceptical about my decision.
A common question I’m asked now is 'how has my entrepreneurship journey been for me, and would I do things differently if I could go back in time?'
One word comes to mind: rollercoaster.
What I like most about entrepreneurship is being able to do work about which I am extremely passionate every day of my life, as well as doing things on my own terms and, of course, the pleasure of seeing the fruits of my labour and inspiring people around me.
The challenging part is that managing a business means your mind is on all the time. Everything is your responsibility, especially at the initial stages, and you need to ensure that all elements of the business are aligned with your overall vision.
During tough times, your team looks to you for guidance and you depend on yourself to make things work. There are times when the outlook is bleak and times when things don’t seem to get any better.
While pursuing individual aspirations is great, there are also elements of the corporate world that I miss.
I miss being part of a big team, collaborating with colleagues on exciting projects and meeting various people in my previous career.
I learnt important lessons and the knowledge I acquired complements my journey as an entrepreneur.
I don’t think I’d be where I am today had I not delved into the corporate world.
That said, I don’t regret moving on from my previous job. Even during times of uncertainty, when progress seems hard, amid the uncertainty, I am grateful for my entrepreneurship journey. I’m grateful for the lessons learnt along the way as an entrepreneur. I am grateful to the people I met, the people I worked with and the person I have become.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer and communications consultant based in Abu Dhabi
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1
Man City: Agüero (25', 35', 75'), Jesus (31'), Silva (48'), Kongolo (84' og)
Huddersfield: Stankovic (43')
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
