How do you build a luxury event agency in Dubai — from absolute scratch?

 In this episode of CEO Unexpected, Dubai entrepreneur Sofia Sayah takes us behind the scenes of her real startup journey :  from diplomatic dinners and global exposure to building a boutique luxury event agency in Dubai with grit, grace, and unapologetic founder energy

This is not just an event planning story.

It’s a masterclass in entrepreneurship, reinvention, and resilience.

We break down what really goes into luxury event planning — the psychology behind unforgettable experiences, the precision clients never see, and the strategy behind those“effortless” high-end moments.

Sofia also opens up about:

• The hustle years,
• The multiple business ventures that didn’t make it to the finish line
• And how the COVID pandemic became the unexpected catalyst that pushed her to launch boldly instead of waiting for perfect timing.

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a female founder, or navigating a career pivot, this episode is for you!

Hit play if you’re building something bold — or about to ! 💼Tap follow and claim your CEO seat. Heels optional. 👠

00:00 – Teaser

This Is Not the Fairytale You Think It Is

A bold preview of this female founder’s journey:  fromlegacy roots to building a luxury event agency in Dubai. Glamour, grit, pivots, and real CEO energy.

01:17 – The Plot Twist: Becoming Brave Before BecomingReady

An honest look at the entrepreneurial journey,  why couragematters more than credentials, and how stepping into uncertainty is often the first CEO move.

04:31 – Born Into Legacy, Choosing Reinvention

Growing up around entrepreneurship but deciding to carve her own path. The pressure of legacy, identity, and building something that feels truly yours.

11:45 – Hustle Era: Learning Through Service IndustryGrit

The underestimated chapter…  Working in hospitality and service roles that quietly built the resilience, people skills, and stamina needed to lead.

11:47 – Serial Dreamer: Failed Ventures & FindingHer Voice

Multiple business attempts. Projects that didn’t work. Lessons that shaped the founder she became. Why every failed business idea is data, not defeat.

15:05 – The Three Chapters Before Sosai

From diplomatic hosting to hospitality to a fashion detour... How seemingly disconnected experiences aligned to launch a boutique luxury event agency.

17:10 – COVID: The Catalyst No One Saw Coming

How the pandemic became the reset button that sparked action. Why entrepreneurs see opportunity where others see pause.

19:30 – Inside Sosai Events: What Luxury EventPlanning Really Looks Like

Who they serve, what they create, and why event planning is psychology, precision, and storytelling:  not just aesthetics.

22:19 – What People Underestimate About Event Planning

The invisible mechanics behind flawless events :  logistics, emotional intelligence, timing, and perception design.

28:39 – The Hard Lesson: Hard Work Doesn’t GuaranteeSuccess

A raw founder truth about effort, timing, positioning, and luck in business.

29:25 – Leading With Empathy: The New CEO Standard?

Is emotional intelligence the future of leadership? Building teams, managing clients, and leading with grace.

33:13 – Self-Doubt: Weakness or Growth?

Does imposter syndrome ever disappear? Or is it simply expansion in disguise?

35:52 – Redefining Success

What success feels like beyond Instagram ?  Impact, alignment, peace, and legacy.

⚡ Rapid Fire

38:57 – The Legacy Question

What impact does she want her events — and her company — to leave behind?

44:09 – Start Before You’re Ready

Stop obsessing over perfection. Move. Launch. Learn. The ride won’t always be shiny — but it willalways be insightful.

48:50 – CEO Energy Closing

Final reflections on resilience, reinvention, and building boldly — even when the path is nonlinear.

Say No Like a CEO: 3 Scripts That Save Your Calendar

If your calendar is fully booked and your brain is fully cooked – this episode is your reset button. ✨

In this solo episode, we dive into how to:

• Stop treating “yes” like a reflex and “no” like a problem

• Use 3 plug-and-play scripts to protect your time (and your peace)

• Shift from people-pleasing mode to calm, calendar-protecting CEO energy

This isn’t about being cold or unavailable.

It’s about taking your power (and your calendar) back, instead of letting other people book your life on your behalf.

🎧 Hit play to start saying no like a CEO—and yes to the version of you who actually has space to breathe, think, and thrive.

00:00 – Intro

01:26 – Why saying NO feels so hard

02:37 – The “not my job, still polite” no

03:56 – The calendar-protection “no”

05:28 – The personal life “no, I still love you”

06:49 – The mindset shifts behind the scripts

08:18 – Saying no like a CEO is a muscle – how to start training it this week

09:45 – Conclusion

⚠️ Plot twist: most great founders weren’t “born for it”—they chose it.

In Episode 1, Business & Mindset Coach Mira Tabbara spills the glow-up from NYC corporate girlie to Dubai solo entrepreneur—no fluff, only facts.

We dig into the messy middle (hello, self-doubt), the mindset flips that actually work, and the tiny daily moves that stack into big wins.

Expect funny anecdotes, “why did no one tell me this?” moments, and a clean playbook to turn your transitional phase into momentum.

Hit play for your weekly courage boost… spiked with unapologetic CEO energy ! 💼Tap follow and claim your CEO seat—heels optional. 👠

Now let's keep each other accountable :

CEO status roll call—where you at?
A) Brainstorming 🧠
B) Drafting the plan ✍️
C) Soft launching ✨
D) Invoice energy only 💸

Drop your letter in the comment section below ! 👇

#Mindset #FoundersEnergy #CEOUnexpected #JeanieTalks

In today’s episode, we’re talking about that thing that hasblocked more emails, pitches, and DMs than your ex ever could: self-doubt.

If you’ve got big ideas but your finger magically freezesevery time you reach for “send,” this 10-minute ritual is about to be your newbest friend. Let’s get into Self-Doubt to Greenlight. 💚✨

So hit follow and claim your main character seat – heels areoptional, but main-character attitude is mandatory. 💅✨

New series dropping soon in the CEO Unexpected universe 👀✨

Introducing: CEO Energy Weekly – your official weekly dose of “I’ve got this” energy.

No guests, just me, my mic and :
💼 Bite-size CEO mindset boosts
🧠 Real-talk reframes for your biz & career
🔥 Concrete actions to move the needle this week

It’s for the boys and girls building something (a business, a career, a comeback...) and are ready to turn "one day" into "ok ,today"

Hit follow, and drop a 💋 if you’re ready to make “CEO energy” your new Sunday reset ritual.

🎙️ Unexpected CEO is a podcast for the bold, the scrappy, the self-made.

For those who built something real — without the perfect plan, without waiting for permission.

I’m Jeanieva, and I created this show to spotlight the raw, unfiltered journeys behind titles we think we understand.

But this podcast isn’t just for CEOs. It’s for anyone creating, pivoting, or simply figuring it out as they go. It’s for the ones who’ve thought: “This wasn’t part of the plan… but maybe it’s exactly where I’m meant to be.”

👉 Follow the journey

🚀 First episode drops soon!

And if you have an Unexpected CEO story — my DMs are open.

#CEOUnexpected #PodcastLaunch #Leadership #FoundersJourney