Sally Alshakarchi founded Bumble Bee Nursery, in Sharjah, 10 years ago and added Honey Bee Nursery, in Dubai's City Walk, last year. The 38-year-old was born in Baghdad, an only daughter with two younger brothers, and moved to the UAE 12 years ago. She previously lived in Egypt, and Jordan, where her parents remain. A single mum, Ms Alshakarchi now lives in Mirdif with daughter Yara, 13, and son Yamin, seven. She says she got her entrepreneurial spirit from her father, although he would, she adds, rather her have an "easy life". Here she talks to The National about her attitude to money.
How did upbringing shape your attitude towards money?
I have a wealthy family. My mum was at home; she didn’t work. My father has his own company in Baghdad, Jordan and in Jebel Ali. He started in 1975, a franchise for Toshiba in Iraq and the UAE, brought the brand over. My dad is not the kind who would give me everything, but we lived a good life in Iraq. We travelled. Now, every summer, we go around Europe or the UK as a family. My dad supports me but doesn’t want me to work, especially when I’m running two businesses as a single mum. He said it’s better ‘You stay at home, enjoy life, go to the spa’. He’s 65, still wakes up at 7 or 8am and runs his business, but believes women need to rest and enjoy life.
So why not have an easy life?
I needed to find my career. When I finished my university bachelors degree in computer engineering, even when I got married, I said I would never sit at home; either I work or do my masters degree. My dad helped me with some amount when I opened (the nursery) in Sharjah. And then left me to it. I want to continue to show I can do something. I don’t want someone telling me I’ve failed.
Why did you start your business?
I love children. I wanted to open something that can improve them. I was looking for a nursery for my daughter. I wasn’t really satisfied with ones I visited. I felt there was something missing. I needed a place where parents could feel like it was a home, so the children will love it like home. Now we have 120 kids in Sharjah and 25 to 28 staff. After five years it was my dream to open in Dubai. I believe this is a service. I want people to know the quality, not feel it is a business.
Was it difficult to turn your idea into reality?
At the beginning anybody could open a nursery. I wanted to but I didn’t have the knowledge. I studied a lot, attended around 50 workshops and seminars. I’d finish class and then implement new things. When I got my diploma in early years education I was crying because I wanted to quit for the first three months. I didn’t have time to do homework and be in class, but teachers kept pushing me. I’m willing to finish more qualifications because it’s really helped the business. Bumble Bee has built a reputation.
What did you get paid in your first job?
I’ve only worked for myself. When I opened the nursery, it was my first job. Maybe because between me and my youngest brother there is 11 years, when he was born I took care of him, played with him. Maybe that’s why I love children. But a part-time job … no.
Are you a spender or a saver?
I spend. On myself, for sure; clothes, travelling, shopping. Like all women I feel happy if I’m doing shopping. But I also spend on my children. And I spend for the quality of the business. I want parents to feel there is quality in everything, the training, the staff, equipment. I could save half the money, but I want to give a good salary, good equipment and hygiene. My auditor said, ‘One year I hope we will save something.’ I didn’t open to save.
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Where do you save?
I don’t. Maybe because I know my family is always there to support me. They remind me, ‘We don’t want you to work.' They find any excuse to tell me 'Close the business and enjoy life’ but I’m happier than if I have a million dollars. When I do have savings, it’s for a holiday, although I wish I could save to buy a house.
What is your philosophy towards money?
I like a normal life. Money is for enjoying, not saving. In Dubai with all this entertainment … I want to enjoy it. I am not here for saving. I’m not sure how long I will stay in this life so I want to enjoy every moment and buy anything I really like. I tell my children, ‘Even if we have money, you need to work and find yourself.’ It doesn’t matter if you’re a doctor or engineer, it is important you do what you love. It doesn’t matter if you have money or not, the more important thing is how you improve yourself. It gives you value. If you have money and don’t do anything, one day the money will be finished.
What is your most cherished purchase?
I’ve never bought something to make me feel happy. When I change my car I feel like it is value for me. I feel happy if my son finishes his swimming class and achieves something in karate class. You purchase everyday shopping, you feel happy for a while. But when we achieve something … I feel happier.
Do you prefer paying in cash or by credit card?
About the same. I have one credit card. I had four before and within a month I cut them up. I kept on purchasing online and received a lot of bills. I don’t carry a lot of cash so I use debit card. Sometimes my daughter tells me if we’re going to Dubai Mall, 'Can we hide the credit card – don’t bring it with you.'
What is your best investment?
The business and my studies; my diploma. I like to improve myself. If one day I close my business, with my qualifications I can work anywhere. When I spend money on my studies, I get something from it; any workshop or seminar is improving skills. In September I start my masters degree in early years education. I love to invest in myself and my children; to improve us.
Do you plan for the future?
I have a lot of dreams. One is that I open many nurseries. I’m thinking after five years I will go to the UK because I want my daughter to finish in university there and I’m going to continue studying. I want the business here to get settled so I can monitor from afar. I went to the UK three years ago. My friends try to convince me to open a nursery there.
What would you raid your savings for?
My children. Every time I spend money I’m thinking at least save something because you don’t know what will happen or where they will be [when older]. I want them to feel happy. We need to invest in our children, their school and activities.
Brief scores:
Toss: Rajputs, elected to field first
Sindhis 94-6 (10 ov)
Watson 42; Munaf 3-20
Rajputs 96-0 (4 ov)
Shahzad 74 not out
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Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
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Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich 1
Kimmich (27')
Real Madrid 2
Marcelo (43'), Asensio (56')
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Draw for Europa League last-16
Istanbul Basaksehir v Copenhagen; Olympiakos Piraeus v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Rangers v Bayer Leverkusen; VfL Wolfsburg v Shakhtar Donetsk; Inter Milan v Getafe
Sevilla v AS Roma; Eintracht Frankfurt or Salzburg v Basel; LASK v Manchester United
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
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2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Revival
Eminem
Interscope
MATCH INFO
Bayern Munich 2 Borussia Monchengladbach 1
Bayern: Zirkzee (26'), Goretzka (86')
Gladbach: Pavard (37' og)
Man of the Match: Breel Embolo (Borussia Monchengladbach)