Nadine and Maria are 2 entrepreneurs behind KeepEatReal, a UAE-Based Nutrition and food consultancy specialising in menu optimisation, nutrition analysis, recipe development and corporate and group wellness. They work with restaurants, cafes and groceries to create tailor-made nutrition solutions that suit their business needs and improve long-term health and well-being.
Interview with Nadine Tayara and Maria Abi Hanna
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What inspired you to pursue your career?
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Nadine: I’ve always had a passion for health and fitness, and I remember when I applied to university I was truly hoping to get in, and luckily, I did as the program was exactly what I wanted! I am blessed to have been in this field for over 15-years now; helping individuals live healthier and happier lifestyles.
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Maria: The drive to help people on a health and wellness front and of course the love of good food!
2. What is the best part about your job?
Nadine: The fact that it’s never really the same! As we currently own a nutrition consultancy firm, our projects are so vast and interesting and that’s the beauty of being in the field of nutrition…you don’t feel boxed into one category. As a person, I have also evolved from being just a dietitian to now wearing many different hats as we take on different roles in our business from operations, to marketing, to accounts and so on! When you own your own business, you pretty much do everything and I am blessed to have a co-founder that balances things with me!
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Maria: The best part of my job is that it is so diverse, every project we work on is different and there is a lot of room for learning, growth and innovation
3. What difficulties have you endured to get to where you are today?
Nadine: There have been many – of recent, we walked away from a start-up we co-founded and it was a huge learning curve from understand the legal side of business, to financials and even personal struggles during this period.
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Maria: There’s been a few road bumps along the way especially when it comes to financial
security and instability. It has also been difficult dealing with unexpected things that
happened along the way as well as making hard decisions such as closing one of our
startups.
4. What are your plans for the future?
Nadine: We are looking at ways to digitize the business, as that’s the way forward as well as looking at getting into the F&B industry with a healthy food concept.
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Maria: Our future plans include moving our business online and getting into the F&B space by launching a food concept of our own.
5. What advice do you have for women across Dubai who are in pursuit of their dreams?
Nadine: If you truly believe in your dreams, then go for it! Listen to your gut and take calculated risk! Have good mentors to help you along the way!
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Maria: Go for it! Believe in yourself, work hard and find the right network to help support you.
6. If you were stranded on a desert island for a week, what (or who) would you want to take along with you?
Nadine: Peanut Butter!
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Maria: Probably French fries!