Born in Tanzania, Rahma Himid moved to the UAE as a young girl when her father was recruited by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum to work on the newly opened Port Dubai.
Now a successful businesswoman and an Emirati citizen, the 42-year-old owner and director of Dubai’s Grace & Garbo public relations is in her professional element.
“Since I left high school, I’ve been working constantly,” she says. “I’ve done everything. I built myself that way – I started from the bottom up. When I started working in advertising, I finally found what I was really, really passionate about. A lot of entrepreneurs aren’t lucky to have the 360-degree experience that I had.”
Himid has had a busy few years. After a successful first series last year, she's currently working on the second series of the food TV show Served, which explores the history and influences of foods from around the world.
"I like to be creative all the time – we are constantly coming up with different ideas," she says. "Served isn't your typical cooking show, because they are overdone really. It's about the history of food and the influences on different foods around the world; is it the geography, the climate, or is it the imagination of people from different parts of the world?
“We are blessed with people from different cultures in the UAE, but, honestly, we hardly sit down and exchange cultural stories. We don’t take advantage of our backgrounds.”
Himid, her siblings and mother followed her father to Dubai in 1977. Growing up in the UAE, she says, has given her a unique perspective as both a national and an expatriate.
“I grew up here, so I can relate to a lot of things; both on the Emirati side as well as the expatriate side. It has taught me the ability to adapt to any situation.”
Do you collect anything?
Vinyl records. Every time I travel, I always go to the markets where I can buy them. Or I ask friends to pick them up for me. My favourite song is All Night Long by Lionel Richie.
How do you relax outside of work?
My life revolves around my work. I work every single day for 14 to 16 hours – I just love it. When it’s time to unwind, I like to hang out with girlfriends – nothing intense.
Where do you like to travel?
I went to Iceland and it was amazing. The people were very funny and the food was amazing. We went to Reykjavik and a few other areas. It’s not a very popular tourist destination, but I’d love to go back.
How do you like to keep fit?
I go through bursts of “I think I need to do something” and recently I’ve started going jogging. But I love Bikram yoga, I really, really love it.
Where is your favourite place to eat?
There’s a place on Sheikh Zayed Road near my work called Shang Thai. I could eat there every single day of the week. The steamed fish with hot sauce is to die for.
What do you like to read?
Recently I needed some inspiration, but I didn't want to do the clichéd Richard Branson thing. I picked up The Miracle in the Ant by Harun Yahya. Ants have such structure and everything is so basic. People think it's weird, but if I'm going to learn something, it's OK.
Who gives you inspiration?
This might sound clichéd, but I’m tuning into the way Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum thinks. He is a visionary and we have seen the kinds of things he promotes and the energy that he tries to bring to the people.
What sorts of music do you like?
Old-school music, when music was music. I love MC Hammer, LL Cool J and Luther Vandross.
MUnderwood@thenational.ae