Interview with Joumana Saber

1. What inspired you to pursue your career?

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My career has taken many different turns over the last decade. In my early twenties, I decided to pursue teaching yoga full time and to make that possible, I opened the first Ashtanga yoga studio in the UAE called the Yoga Room. Fast-forward to 2017, I launched the Hippy Deli, which was a virtual restaurant that served plant-based foods. My mission with both the Yoga Room and Hippy Deli was to serve a community that longed for another way of life, In 2019, I chose to seek employment at an organization because I believed that was the next move for me to grow and develop my skillset. I am now part of the Marketing team at Virgin Mobile UAE. My biggest inspiration for making the career switch from entrepreneurship to corporate employment was my firstborn. 

2. What is the best part about your job?

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With the Yoga Room, the best part was that I got to share a yoga tradition that is very close to my heart with anyone who visited the studio. With Hippy Deli, I got to explore a creative side that I didn't know I had - by developing and creating recipes that were both wholesome and delicious. With my current job, I get to work with and learn from very talented and experienced people.

3. What difficulties have you endured to get to where you are today? 

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In all honesty, my experience with entrepreneurship meant there were a lot of sleepless nights, stressful days, too much money spent and not enough earned. Once I transitioned from being an entrepreneur to an employee, the adjustment was a bit challenging. For years, I worked by myself and for myself. Now, that is no longer the case. I love being part of a team and reporting to a line manager, but it took some time to get used to the change. 

4. What are your plans for the future?

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My plan is to take things one day at a time. My focus now is on my growing family. My daughter is almost 4 years old and I am pregnant with my second child, who is due to be born in November. I plan on spending as much time as possible making memories with my family and sharing the things I am passionate about with my children. I want to travel the world with them! One day, I will go back to teaching yoga full-time - it's a good retirement plan! For now and the near future, I will spread the message of yoga through social media and sessions in collaboration with Nike Training Club

5. What advice do you have for women across Dubai who are in pursuit of their dreams?

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My advice to women across Dubai in pursuit of their dreams is simple - keep going.

6. If you were stranded on a desert island for a week, what (or who) would you want to take along with you?

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I'd want to take my husband, daughters, and dog with me.