Nadine Chammas Bekhaazi, 34, is an actress and a jazz singer who is just about to open her second business in Dubai, Super Dooper, an entertainment centre for children aged five to 15. She speaks about what she learnt first-time around and how it has made it easier to launch her second enterprise.
You started a business in Dubai with your sisters in 2001. What was it?
We ran a production company called Scenez Group. We specialised in entertainment for kids and activities for kids. And we used to work in the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises for nine years providing all the activities and entertainment. Our first play with the Dubai Municipality was very successful, because we created productions for them in Arabic. It's still operating, but not here. It's in Lebanon. My sisters got married and moved there.
What did you do after that?
When … I stayed alone here it was for me like a depression, because I felt I lost my creativity and artistic side. I took a project in Abu Dhabi to keep myself busy. It was in movie production. But I didn't like working for someone else. And my kids challenged me. They used to go with me to the festival and they used to go with me when I was performing. They asked me why I was not doing anything any more.
How was it setting up a business for a second time? What did you learn that you were able to apply?
Lots of shortcuts. I skipped lots of the things we went through before nine years back. Now I know how to get permits very quickly. It was really tough last time. The second thing was to find the right suppliers. And you have a clear idea of what you want to deliver, your mission. At the beginning when we started, we wanted to do everything and anything with everybody. Now I'm doing my second business alone I am very much aware of what I really want to do.
Is it easier or harder doing it on your own?
For me it's easier. When you mature, each one grows differently and you have situations … Before I was not independent. I was with them all the time. Now I have a balance in my life. I have my family side and I have my career side and I am managing my time.
Have you encountered any specific challenges setting up the business?
The challenge is how to compete with lots of places for kids now because before you couldn't find any. But what I did was create a place for kids from five to 15, because you don't usually find a place for this age group. I know this from experience with my friends and kids. This will fill this need.