Abeer Al Tamimi is the founder and chief executive of the Dubai children’s play and activity centre KidsHQ, which she launched in 2014. The Emirati, 35, who studied at the American University of Sharjah, started her career as a corporate banker for Lloyds TSB before deciding to open her own business. The entrepreneur lives in Dubai with her husband and two children – a son, 12, and daughter, nine, who she credits for inspiring her daily creative process.
How do you spend your weekend?
Our weekends are definitely spent together as a family; what we do depends on the time of year. Summers are spent by the pool or beach. Winters we go to the desert and of course it is the Dubai tradition to do a brunch every now and then. My husband and I are very hands on with our businesses, so when it is high season for us, the children will spend it with us at KidsHQ or All Star Sport, an indoor sports centre that belongs to my husband. I love what I do, meeting the parents and children and getting to know them. My daughter is always talking to clients during birthday parties and giving me feedback. I have definitely felt her grow and become a more independent little lady by working side by side with me and the team.
How did you become a chief executive?
With the help and support of my father I founded my dream business. I had been planning and researching children’s centres for a while before we decided to start KidsHQ; he knew how important it was to me. I am truly thankful and blessed that I have the strong love and support of my parents. After working in the banking sector for nine years, my father offered to build me the centre along with a start-up investment. The rest was left to me.
What is your go-to gadget?
My Huawei Mate 7, due to the Leica Camera.
What was the lowest point of your career?
I’ve never had a low in my career; it’s what you make of the situation. Whether I’m being thrown into the deep end or dealing with a tricky scenario, I always remember the very important fact, that it’s a learning curve. Don’t get me wrong, when my children were younger, I had my fair share of long days and early nights, where I’d be falling asleep with them, and let downs due to shipment delays, vendors not delivering what was promised etc, but it only pushed me to exceed my targe t. I was addicted to that feeling. In the midst of all the madness, sometimes I would drop everything just to make it to a recital or a school play. It was worth it every time.
What advice would you offer others starting out in your business?
For the nature of business I’m in, the team is key. Investing in the training and happiness of the staff is paramount. They are the face of KidsHQ. They love what they do and enjoy every minute of it. For me to physically be there is also just as important. Dealing with clients and talking to them, taking time to understand issues and interacting with your clients is crucial. As is the fact that your team can see you do this. It’s important that parents feel comfortable and safe.
What car do you drive?
A Jeep Rubicon.
What is your most indulgent habit?
Oh, I have a couple of these. Lying by the beach. Doritos and guacamole and a cheesy movie at home with the kids and my husband is the best. I love walking the dogs after dropping the kids at school, that is a peaceful moment.
What do you have on your desk at work?
I don’t sit at my desk, I sit with my staff at the reception or in the KidsHQ Café. This is an emotional business, parents and children need to be happy, the staff need to be having fun; and I love being part of that and seeing it happen.
How do you achieve a work-life balance?
By taking at least three hours per week as alone time by the pool or beach.
What can’t you live without?
I don’t think I can survive with out my folder/planner. I have a folder that’s always in my car that contains every essential document you can think of – in addition to having them on a USB. It’s funny really.
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be?
Lenny Kravitz, to be a rock ’n’ roll musician.
arayer@thenational.ae
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