Luke Morris set up Wild Wood - an eco-friendly accessories brand specialising in sunglasses and watches - in Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
Luke Morris set up Wild Wood - an eco-friendly accessories brand specialising in sunglasses and watches - in Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
Luke Morris set up Wild Wood - an eco-friendly accessories brand specialising in sunglasses and watches - in Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
Luke Morris set up Wild Wood - an eco-friendly accessories brand specialising in sunglasses and watches - in Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Money & Me: 'I don’t care about the car I drive or the labels I wear'


  • English
  • Arabic

Luke Morris owns and runs Wild Wood, a Dubai-based eco-friendly accessories brand specialising in sunglasses and watches handmade from reclaimed wood. Mr Morris, 33, first moved to the UAE six years ago for a career opportunity in digital media before quitting in 2015 to set up his company. From the southeast of England, he now lives in Dubai Marina.

How did your upbringing shape your attitude towards money?

My dad was always pretty careful with money. He had a decent job as a brand manager for British American Tobacco, but we were not rich; he had to support a family of four so veered on the side of caution, financially. My sister is two years younger and we moved around a lot as kids. When I was seven we lived in Hong Kong before moving to New Zealand, when I was nine. Eventually my parents thought it best I go to boarding school in England to get a more consistent education. The following year Dad got made redundant. My family moved back to the UK and pulled me out of boarding school because he couldn’t afford the fees. Although we were spoiled a bit on birthdays we certainly didn’t get everything we asked for and we did not get a lot of pocket money. I’m appreciative of this as spoilt brats are the worst.

 How much were you paid in your first job?

I got my first job at the UK supermarket Sainsbury's at the age of 15. My main task was to stack shelves for Dh16 per hour; earning double on Sundays and bank holidays. I've always wanted to make my own money, take control of my present and future.

 What brought you to Dubai?

I was fed up with working and living in London and wanted a lifestyle change. I’d been in the media industry for just over four years and decided to take six months out to go travelling in South America. it reinforced my desire to move and work abroad - somewhere with more sunshine and a more outdoors-based lifestyle. Friends had recently moved to Dubai. After a few recommendations and Skype interviews I had a job with Mindshare in Media City to handle digital media activity for a couple of top clients.

What prompted you to launch Wild Wood?

I’d been in Dubai almost three years and was a bit restless, frustrated with my job. I’d always wanted to start my own thing and at that time was running an outdoor adventure community, Wild Arabia. It was essentially a platform - website and social media channels - that inspired people to get out and explore what the rest of the UAE and Oman has to offer. I did a lot of camping trips into Musandam, posting about them on Wild Arabia. I started getting enquiries, as to whether people could join our trips, so thought about monetising it. The trips went fairly well but were a lot of work for quite minimal return. I decided a product line that ties into the values of Wild Arabia, namely adventure, nature, the outdoors, could work well; that a wooden sunglasses product brand would be a great fit. Not only is it sunny here almost 365 days a year but I believed there was a gap for more sustainable and homegrown brands. I did more research and couldn’t find existing wooden accessories brands in the UAE, so the development phase began.

Are you a saver or a spender?

I’m a saver; always have been. I love a spreadsheet and to set goals. The two are mutually beneficial when it comes to planning what I’m passionate about; adventures and travelling. Travel doesn’t come cheap so understanding the value of money, how to save and set it aside for your goals, is important. I’m also unmaterialistic. I don’t care about the car I drive or brand of clothes I wear. My personal money goes towards food, gym clothes and travelling. The rest is reinvested into my business, saved for a future trip, venture or the long-term savings pot.

Where do you save?

In a UAE savings account, an offshore savings account and property.

What is your best investment?

Probably my business and my apartment in Dubai Marina; a one-bedroom Emaar development in a great location with excellent facilities. Paying off my mortgage is way better than paying an astronomical amount in rent.

________

Read more:

Money & Me: 'I spend up to Dh5,000 a month on beauty and pampering'

Money & Me: 'Getting on the property ladder gave me peace of mind'

Money & Me: 'I have two start-ups to manage - my business and my baby'

Money & Me: 'My luxury is Dh500,000 worth of plastic surgery'

_________

What is your philosophy towards money?

Money is a by-product of your passion and work ethic. Find out what you love to do, work your backside off at it and money will eventually flow. It’s important to understand the value of money, but don’t get fixated by it.

 What is your most cherished purchase?

Pretty much every trip I’ve been on. My girlfriend and I recently did a trip to Uganda, trekking to see gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitat; a once in a lifetime experience.

 Is there anything you regret spending on?

Sometimes I get invited to meals at fancy Dubai restaurants where the food is average, but the bill is anything but. It plays on my mind because I think that would’ve been much better going into the travel pot.

What are you happiest spending money on?

Travel and outdoor experiences. I spend quite a bit on camera equipment but not so happily as booking a trip somewhere new. I’m quite into health and fitness so I spend on gym membership where I can learn new skills, improve myself and stay healthy.

What has been your key financial milestone?

Landing my first job out of university, in a global media agency in London, and buying my first apartment, in east London; bought as an investment and renovated myself to make a fairly healthy profit. Quitting my job and starting my business in Dubai is right up there too.

Do you prefer paying in cash or by credit card?

I use both. For anything of larger value I prefer credit card as it contributes air miles. I pay it off every month.

Are you wise with money?

Generally, yes. Ever since I travelled around East Africa when I was just 18 and basically had no money, I’ve been quite frugal. I learned to live off virtually no cash. Changing my ways to allow myself to spend a bit more, not just on myself but family and loved ones, is something I’ve tried to work on. I’m more balanced now.

What car do you drive?

A Ford Ranger. It’s good for transporting loads, but also affordable, pretty efficient. The only time I’d consider spending more on a car would be for an electric one.

 Do you plan for the future?

Constantly, both professionally and personally. I’m personally invested in what I want to do with my life; if you make plans to enjoy your work then they become one and the same thing effectively. Saving money is like drinking water. It’s just something I do; not to be rich or spend a load on a motorhome when I retire at 65, it’s to be financially and geographically independent as soon as possible.

What would you raid your savings for?

A trip or experience of a lifetime, a property investment, a new venture or a family emergency.

Abaya trends

The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.

The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

If you go

The flights

Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.

The hotels

Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes. 

FA Cup quarter-final draw

The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March

Sheffield United v Arsenal

Newcastle v Manchester City

Norwich v Derby/Manchester United

Leicester City v Chelsea

The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman

Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870

Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder

Transmission Seven-speed PDK

Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm

Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km

SHAITTAN
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVikas%20Bahl%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAjay%20Devgn%2C%20R.%20Madhavan%2C%20Jyothika%2C%20Janaki%20Bodiwala%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Traces%20of%20Enayat
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Iman%20Mersal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20And%20Other%20Stories%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20240%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE SIXTH SENSE

Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: 5/5

Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta​​​​​​​
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)

Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Tim Paine (captain), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner

The biog

Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico​

In%20the%20Land%20of%20Saints%20and%20Sinners
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERobert%20Lorenz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Liam%20Neeson%2C%20Kerry%20Condon%2C%20Jack%20Gleeson%2C%20Ciaran%20Hinds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

Profile box

Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D 
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.