Money Moves

In this episode of Money Moves, Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Firas Al Msaddi, Founder and CEO of fäm Properties to share the raw and inspiring story of how he entered the real estate industry and turned a bankrupt company into one of the UAE’s leading real estate firms. From humble beginnings to leading a data-driven, tech-powered agency in Dubai, Firas opens up about the defining moments that shaped his journey.

00:00 Introduction 
00:56 How he got into property
01:49 Starting fäm Properties from a bankrupt company
03:15 Picking the right developments
04:21 Creating value for clients
04:55 Do real estate brokers have a bad reputation?
06:05 Importance of transparency in real estate
08:30 Advice for brokers to succeed
10:03 Is everyone cut out to be an entrepreneur?
11:38 Why everyone should have a goal
12:15 Firas’ relationship with money
13:20 Why Firas has never ever taken a loan
16:16 Personal weaknesses Firas has worked on
17:21 How Firas almost lost his company twice
19:45 Is Dubai’s hot property market going to burst?
21:03 Dubai’s booming luxury real estate segment
23:05 Why Dubai’s property market is so attractive
24:07 How to choose where to invest in Dubai
25:45 Data and Dubai’s property market
26:15 How AI is impacting the real estate sector
30:20 What advice Firas would give his 21-year-old self

We dive into how fäm Properties became known for its transparency and client-first approach, and why Firas believes that creating real value is the only way to succeed in a market often clouded by distrust. He discusses how to pick the right developments, the importance of integrity in real estate brokerage, and what separates truly successful brokers from the rest.
Firas also reflects on his personal relationship with money, why he’s never taken a loan, and the mindset that helped him survive nearly losing his company — not once, but twice. He talks candidly about the personal weaknesses he's worked on, what drives him, and why having a clear goal is non-negotiable for anyone chasing success, especially in entrepreneurship.
We also unpack the current state of Dubai’s property market — is the boom sustainable, or is a correction coming? Firas breaks down what makes Dubai such an attractive place to invest, how data and AI are reshaping real estate, and his advice for anyone looking to invest wisely or start their own journey in the industry. Plus, he shares the one thing he wishes he could tell his 21-year-old self.

In this episode of Money Moves Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Luxury Souq Founder & CEO, Khaled Ebrahimi, and dives into the high-stakes, exclusive world of luxury watch resale, where reputation, network, and deep product knowledge defines success.

00:00 Intro
01:11 Where did Khaled’s journey with watches begin?
01:27 The timepiece that ignited Khaled’s love for watches
01:49 Khaled’s early career days
03:27 Khaled recounts an unpleasant watch-selling incident
05:08 The key decisions that built Luxury Souq
05:53 What does “watches are a currency” mean?
06:49 Are all watches an investment?
08:06 Khaled vs. Dania’s watch
09:51 How does the secondary market drive brand value?
10:41 The role of social media in scaling a luxury brand
11:26 Why do customers choose to buy watches from the secondary market?
12:45 Brands’ strategy of being exclusive: Does Khaled agree or disagree?
13:59 Khaled explains why he believes “only fake people wear fake watches”
15:30 Khaled explains the rationale behind buying expensive watches
16:52 The evolution of Khaled’s relationship with money
18:06 Is everybody willing to spend on luxury watches?
19:32 Navigating the volatilities of the luxury watch market
21:06 Khaled explains the relationship between brands & price fluctuations
22:57 Other standout brands apart from the “Big 5” of the watch industry
24:10 Khaled on his personal watch collection
25:34 What you should always look for when buying a luxury watch
27:18 Khaled talks about his 4 million AED Richard Mille watch
30:07 How does Khaled get hold of limited watch models?
30:36 Khaled & Dania discuss AP’s Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man”
32:09 Khaled & Dania discuss AP’s Skeleton model
33:15 How to decide when to sell your luxury watch?
34:05 Khaled on how Anant Ambani influenced Mark Zuckerberg’s watch choices
35:55 What’s next for Khaled Ebrahimi?
36:18 Why is Khaled such a believer of e-commerce in the luxury watch market?
37:37 Khaled explains why inventory management is so important
38:34 What advice would Khaled give his 21-year-old self?

Khaled traces his passion back to childhood and credits both his father and a strong foundation in banking with fueling his journey from a small Dubai family business to global renown. Khaled recounts celebrity clients and his philosophy that buying watches isn’t just about telling time - it’s about signaling status and financial acumen. He draws a clear line against fake watches, explaining their damage to both individual credibility and industry trust, and identifies leading investment brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille - insisting watches can serve as both currency and asset for the well-informed collector.
Khaled also discusses market trends, inventory risks, and the power dynamics between official boutiques and the secondary market arguing that customer service and trust outrank mere capital when building a luxury business. He explains why some brands excel at exclusivity, and the role of social media in luxury marketing. For budding entrepreneurs, his advice is practical: start with knowledge, leverage reputation, and never overextend to “play status.” Khaled's story reveals that in luxury resale, success is earned by decades of relationship building and keen market intelligence.

In this episode of Money Moves, Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Maaz Sheikh, CEO and Co-founder of STARZPLAY, to unpack the journey of building one of the Middle East’s leading streaming platforms. Maaz reflects on the early days of launching a bold startup in an emerging MENA market, the challenges of scaling operations, and the strategic decisions that led to STARZPLAY’s $420M acquisition.
00:00 Introduction
01:04 The inspiration behind STARZPLAY
02:04 Maaz explains what he meant by the “right time”
02:51 How did Maaz identify a gap in the market to start STARZPLAY
03:53 STARZPLAY’s evolution: Original vision versus current reality
05:57 The challenges & pivots in STARZPLAY’s journey
08:22 How challenges & pivots impacted STARZPLAY’s numbers
09:26 How did Maaz deal with questions & doubts in STARZPLAY’s first year?
11:17 How do entrepreneurs balance conviction & delusion
14:04 Maaz on the first fund raising experience for STARZPLAY
15:35 Does fundraising get easier along the way?
17:02 Maaz’s advice for young founders
17:54 Maaz recalls STARZPLAY’s high & low moments
20:16 Maaz on data projections & scaling STARZPLAY
21:26 Maaz explains STARZPLAY’s Arabic content strategy
23:22 The evolution of the Arabic content ecosystem
25:19 Advantages of being a follower versus a leader
26:57 How data enabled lower risks & costs for STARZPLAY
27:53 The one thing STARZPLAY does better than Netflix
29:08 Why did STARZPLAY decide to foray into sports?
30:39 How to protect business runway & grow in scale
33:43 Maaz on STARZPLAY getting acquired by e& (Etisalat)
35:28 Maaz remembers how he felt when STARZPLAY was acquired
36:56 Maaz reflects on his biggest regret in business
38:21 Maaz lays out his personal bets for the next decade
40:02 AI & its impact on content creation
41:09 Insights into the future of content
41:59 The competition for consumers’ attention
42:52 What is next for Maaz Sheikh?
44:17 Rapid fire
44:56 Maaz explains why one should take risks when young
45:16 Dania & Maaz discuss the influence of parents & risk appetite

He shares how the company carved out a niche by targeting 18- to 34-year-olds underserved by traditional pay TV, offering affordable, on-demand content and exclusive Western series. This customer-first approach drove rapid subscriber growth and set STARZPLAY apart in a crowded field.
The conversation also explores the realities of fundraising, the toll of leadership burnout, and how Maaz kept the team aligned through uncertainty. He emphasizes the power of strong investor partnerships, the importance of adaptability, and the role authentic relationships play in long-term success.
Maaz discusses turning Starzplay into a leading platform, detailing the shift towards streaming services in the MENA region. He highlights how providing local content can challenge global giants like Netflix. He also touches upon the trend of cord cutting and its impact on traditional media.
Whether you're a founder, a media exec, or just curious about the streaming wars in MENA, this episode is packed with insights on growth, resilience, and building a business that lasts.

Once bullied for being different, Hadia Ghaleb turned pain into power and her name into a global brand. In this raw and inspiring episode of Money Moves, she opens up about turning influence into income, finding confidence through creation and building a fashion empire from self-belief. Hosted by Dania Alshowaikh, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the business of being unapologetically yourself.

00:00 — Introduction
01:08 — Who Is Hadia Ghaleb?
03:02 — From Influencer to Entrepreneur
05:27 — The Birth of the Hadia Ghaleb Brand
07:55 — Turning Fashion Into Business
10:18 — Breaking Stereotypes in the Middle East
13:44 — Facing Backlash & Owning the Narrative
17:12 — Authenticity and Influence
20:06 — How Hadia Built a Global Swimwear Label
23:31 — Empowering Women Through Fashion
26:50 — Lessons from the Business Journey
29:45 — Balancing Personal Life and Public Image
33:18 — What’s Next for Hadia Ghaleb
Hadia Ghaleb has built more than a fashion label and a movement. In this episode of Money Moves, host Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Hadia to explore how she turned her social influence into a global business empire. From her early days as a digital content creator to founding Hadia Ghaleb Label she shares the lessons, struggles, and strategic pivots behind becoming one of the Middle East’s most successful female entrepreneurs.
Hadia reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of influencer marketing, how she transformed her following into a loyal customer base and what it really takes to scale a purpose-led brand in today’s digital economy. She opens up about the balance between creativity and commerce, navigating criticism, and building a brand rooted in empowerment rather than perfection.
The conversation also delves into leadership, self-worth, and the financial realities of running a fast-growing brand. From managing her team to making bold investment decisions, Hadia shares hard-earned insights on how to turn a personal brand into a profitable business without losing authenticity.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, fashion enthusiast, or creator looking to build something meaningful, this episode offers an inspiring roadmap to success, resilience, and reinvention.

Emily Abraham shares how she cracked the Hermès resale game, went viral on TikTok, and closed a jaw-dropping 2.8 million AED sale in five minutes.

00:00 Introduction
01:09 The inspiration behind Love Luxury
02:15 What Emily wished she knew before starting off in luxury
03:41 Navigating the husband & wife partnership while building a business
05:30 How is Love Luxury changing the game
07:47 Real vs fake Hermès: How did Emily learn the skill of authentication?
09:14 Emily’s 1.55 million AED showstopper
11:11 Emily Abraham’s tips for young, budding entrepreneurs
11:57 Is finding passion & purpose in business a woman’s thing?
13:53 Will Love Luxury ever consider external investment?
15:37 How Emily & Adam initially financed Love Luxury
18:02 The role her faith played in Emily’s entrepreneurial journey
18:49 Has Emily’s relationship with money changed?
20:22 The impact of Chinese manufacturing claims on the luxury market
22:20 Real brands versus cheap China-made luxury goods
25:14 Leveraging social media for business success
26:53 The story behind one of Love Luxury’s jaw-dropping sale
29:31 Emily’s future plans
30:16 Emily’s message to young entrepreneurs
31:09 Rapid fire
In this episode of Money Moves, Dania Alshowaikh sits down with the formidable Emily Abraham—CEO, co-founder, and unapologetic force behind Love Luxury. Known on social media as the “Birkin Queen,” Emily opens up about her journey from childhood days sifting through pots of gold to building one of the most trusted pre-loved luxury brands in the UAE and UK. With stories that span hardship, hustle, and heart, this conversation is an unfiltered look at what it takes to turn bold ambition into a multi-million-dollar empire.
Emily shares how she and her husband poured every penny—eating instant noodles for eighteen months—into their business, refusing to cut corners even when it hurt. From mastering the art of Hermès authentication to saying no to investors, she reveals the gritty truth behind Love Luxury’s rise. In an industry where trust is everything, she’s made it her mission to out-authenticate the competition, even when accountants begged her to cut costs.
But behind the glamour of white-gold Himalaya Birkins and viral sales lies a fiercely grounded woman. Emily talks candidly about the sacrifices, the strain of being apart from her husband half the year, and how her faith and fearless mindset shaped her outlook on success. Her views on gender, passion, and purpose in business are as refreshing as they are thought-provoking.
You’ll also hear how a viral TikTok presence turned teenage viewers into brand advocates—and their millionaire parents into loyal clients. Emily breaks down how she turned content into commerce, including one jaw-dropping sale worth 2.8 million AED that happened in just five minutes. If you've ever doubted the power of social media, this episode will change your mind.
Emily’s journey is both raw and aspirational. Hit play to discover how she built a global brand from grit, belief, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—and why Love Luxury is more than just a resale brand; it’s a movement.

Real estate runs in her blood, and she’s turning that legacy into a billion-dollar vision. Amira Sajwani, daughter of billionaire developer Hussain Sajwani, leads as Managing Director at DAMAC Properties, one of the Middle East’s most recognized real estate powerhouses.

00:00  Intro
00:58  Why She Joined the Family Business
03:34  Spotting Gaps in Real Estate
05:27  Building Solutions for the Industry
06:17  From Startups to Scaleups
07:37  Entrepreneurship & Motherhood
09:02  Lessons From Failure and Grit
10:13  Proving Herself in a Male Industry
11:24  Her Father’s Influence and Guidance
13:00  Balancing Generations and Leadership
14:42  Finding Purpose and Impact
15:25  The Shark Tank Story
18:00  Investing Insights & Red Flags
20:14  Founders, Markets & Scale
22:06  If She Lost Everything—What Next?
23:35  The Power of “Boring” Businesses
25:18  The Future of Dubai Real Estate

Amira Sajwani grew up surrounded by real estate. As the daughter of billionaire developer Hussain Sajwani, she witnessed firsthand how DAMAC Properties helped define the skyline of Dubai and became one of the region’s most influential real estate names. Today, Amira leads major developments as Managing Director at DAMAC while building her own ventures — PRYPCO, a PropTech platform reshaping property investment, and Amali Properties, a luxury developer creating bespoke homes across Dubai.

In this episode of Money Moves, Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Amira to discuss her path from family business to independent entrepreneur. She shares how she earned credibility in a male-dominated industry, what she learned from her father’s approach to leadership, and how she is using technology to make real estate ownership more accessible to the next generation of investors.

Amira also opens up about her experience as an investor on Shark Tank Dubai, the lessons she carries into every decision, and what legacy means to her as a mother and business leader. Her story reflects the evolution of Dubai itself — bold, forward-thinking, and built on vision.