In Episode 01 of The Unseen List, we sit down with Tanha Lalwani, Director of OCUBE Services Private Limited, a Dubai-based management consultancy firm.
Tanha shares her journey of relocating to Dubai without a job, navigating uncertainty, and building her career from the ground up.
In this conversation, she discusses:
• The realities of moving to Dubai and starting from scratch
• How she secured her first role and her early salary experience
• Breaking common myths about working and living in Dubai
• Leading a team of 17+ men as the only woman in the room
• Overcoming ego-driven reactions and developing leadership maturity
• The mindset transformation required to grow into executive roles
• A powerful message for women and professionals building global careers
(00:00) - Intro
(02:53) - Arriving in Dubai with no job
(05:35) - Building OCUBE
(07:27) - Early years & the family debate around marriage
(09:44) - The journey to her first job in Dubai: timelines, struggles, and her first salary
(13:44) - What she thought her future in Dubai would look like
(15:47) - Middle-class mindset and the psychology of buying without checking price tags
(18:48) - Climbing the ladder & leadership
(23:24) - Self-Realisation
(25:00) - Self-Transformation: Redefining Identity, Mindset, and Direction
(26:19) - Boss Dreams: Visualising a Bigger Life Before It Existed
(29:55) - From Being Unseen to Trusted
(33:39) - Looking Back Today: Does It Ever Feel Emotional?
(33:55) - When Dubai Finally Started Rewarding the Effort
(34:04) - The Most Painful “No” That Changed Everything
(34:24) - The First “I Made It” Moment in Her Journey
(35:00) - Being Underestimated: Turning Pain into Power
(36:36) - The Turning Point
(38:33) - Being the Only Woman in the Room: Women, Power, and Belonging
(40:48) - One Thing Women Should Never Apologise For
(41:38) - A Message to Her Younger Self
(42:47) - Waking Up Today: Does This Life Still Feel Surreal?
(43:25) - What She Loves Most About Dubai
(44:30) - I Made It Moment: Success, Symbols, and Self-Worth
(46:10) - If Dubai Were a Person: A Note of Gratitude
(46:48) - A Message to Everyone Watching This Podcast for a Better Life
(48:00) - Why She Deserves to Be on The Unseen List
This episode is a candid discussion on ambition, resilience, leadership, and the unseen side of success.
If you’re an entrepreneur, aspiring founder, or professional looking to grow internationally, this conversation is for you.
