Entrepreneurs
The Design Innovator: Salem Al-Qassimi’s Journey of Creativity and Cultural Impact
Over the past decade, Salem Al-Qassimi has been a resident visionary in the worlds of design and education, commanding respect throughout the UAE. As Founder and Principal of the dynamic platform Fikra, which merges design education, entrepreneurship, and cultural innovation, Al-Qassimi has established himself as one of the most influential voices in the Middle East’s rapidly growing design community. His multidisciplinary practice, which was deeply steeped in keen sensitivity and appreciation of contemporary cultural identity, continues to inspire new generations of designers and thinkers across the world.
Salem Al-Qassimi is not just a graphic designer; he is a front-runner who has been pushing boundaries regarding design education and discourses of culture within the UAE. It is his brainchild, Fikra that brings creative people together, giving them a place to experiment, learn, and interact with design holistically and effectively. Al-Qassimi has thus created a multifaceted platform through the Fikra Design Studio, the Fikra Campus, and the Fikra Graphic Design Biennial-celebrating design both as a profession and as a form of cultural activity.
Fikra: A Platform for Design Innovation
Established in 2006, Fikra Design Studio was initially set up as a boutique design house offering branding, graphic design, and creative consultancy. Along the way, Fikra evolved into a full-fledged platform that supported design education and community. The launch of Fikra Campus in 2017 marked a new chapter for the company-it brought together designers, students, and creative professionals under one roof to share ideas, participate in workshops, and work on projects that have pushed the envelope on traditional design.
Probably the most relevant program that comes under Fikra is the Fikra Graphic Design Biennial, which was started in 2018. The Biennial is the first of its type within the Middle East; it celebrates the role graphic design plays in shaping contemporary culture. It gives a unique platform for designers, artists, and cultural practitioners to present their work, have critical discourses, and discuss the intersection of design with societal issues. It immediately placed the UAE on the map of being in the circle of global design hubs, and the Biennial made its mark as a pioneering event in that respect.
Education has always been part of the core at the heart of Al-Qassimi’s mission. A designer who taught the subject for over a decade at leading institutions like the Rhode Island School of Design and the American University of Sharjah, Al-Qassimi is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of designers. His teaching philosophy puts great stress on cultural context to design and allows students to investigate their identities through their creative work. Al-Qassimi’s avant-garde approach makes students realize that design is not about creating something for people to look at; rather, it is a medium through which stories could be told, complex problems solved, and culture expressed.
Thought Leader in Design and Culture
Apart from being a great educator and entrepreneur, Salem Al-Qassimi is a thought leader in design. He frequently speaks at conferences, universities, and exhibitions around the world about issues at which design, culture, and society intersect. His work has cropped up in a number of international periodicals, and he has written numerous articles, reviews and essays on topics as diverse as Arabic typography to the development of design education in the Arab world.
Design is deeply rooted in the mind of Al-Qassimi regarding his notion of creativity as an energetic tool in cultural dialogue. To a large extent, through Fikra and his academic work, he has sought to question the design conceptually conceived conventionally by offering nuance, which is necessary for any kind of historical and rich diversity that has characterized the region of Arabs. His efforts have placed him as a leader in the Middle East’s design community, arguing for Arabic design to be much better known worldwide.
Salem Al-Qassimi deploys design to tell stories, build communities, and bridge cultures. In this respect, through Fikra, he has certainly etched his mark into the UAE design landscape, pushing thinking outside of the box into new realms of possibility in design and education.
Entrepreneurs
Bridgeway’s Visionary CEO: How Jaber Abdul Wahab is shaping the Future
Jaber Abdul Wahab steers the Bridgeway Group from the helm as its chief executive officer. Having led a diversified business conglomerate-from shipping to logistics, engineering, technology, and several others-for close to two decades now, Jaber has not only succeeded in steering Bridgeway toward growth but has been an active advocate for sustainable business models, under whose benefaction economic and social progress have occurred simultaneously. His enthusiasm for novelty, coupled with his engineering background, has brought him to the forefront as a leader who is not just building a business but shaping up the future of industries.
Leadership by Jaber Abdul Wahab as Group CEO of Bridgeway depicts leadership, innovation, and excellence that he attained with this journey. He has led, over the last two decades, Bridgeway-a business house with interests in shipping and logistics, engineering and technology, healthcare, trading, and marketing. Under his guidance, Bridgeway expanded its geographical footprint in India and the Middle East to become a name that commands respect and inspires trust in these regions. Being a mechanical engineer by training, Jaber has always been particularly interested in technology and the betterment of processes. Such a background has been instrumental in his approach toward leading Bridgeway through leveraging technology in adding efficiency and performance to the various ventures of the group. His engineering mind-set makes him see opportunities for innovation at a place where others might see challenges. Be it optimizing supply chains in logistics or integrating new technologies in the field of healthcare, Jaber is always in search of ways to improve and innovate.
But what sets Jaber apart is the fact that his vision has transcended business growth in nature. He invests heavily in avenues of social and economic progress with a sustainable business model. For him, businesses are supposed to have a kind commitment toward society and the environment. This can be reflected in the mode of operation at Bridgeway, where sustainability and social impact are significantly factored into the decision-making process. Whether it was reducing the environmental footprint of the group’s logistics operations or supporting community initiatives in the regions in which Bridgeway operates, Jaber made sure the success of the group extended well beyond the bottom line. Another area in which he is making a significant impact is in education. A holistic approach to education, extending beyond traditional academics, is something very much supported by Jaber. He integrates art, sports, science, and global awareness into education, believing it will provide a well-rounded character that will be prepared for the modern world. Therefore, he has supported initiatives meant to foster a balanced approach to learning so as to help the next generation adequately meet the challenges and opportunities lying ahead.
At the centre of Jaber’s leadership philosophy is his belief in the power of people. He believes that his teams are Bridgeway’s powerhouse to success, and he is committed to empowering them to realize their full potential. Jaber nurtures a culture of mutual trust and collaboration within the group, allowing employees to be empowered in taking initiative with innovative ideas. In this light, his approach has driven not only Bridgeway’s success but has also cultivated an active work environment.
One of the major aspects of Jaber’s leadership is his commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement. He regularly attends programs at world-class institutions so that he is always on top with regard to industry trends and has sharpened skills. Indeed, such a commitment to learning will equip Jaber to consistently lead Bridgeway into whatever the future may hold.
Entrepreneurs
A Taste of the UAE: How Abdullah Al Mazrouei is Bringing Emirati Flavours to the World
Right in the heart of the UAE, a flavorful journey was initiated by one man named Abdullah Al Mazrouei, which gained the attention of kitchens across the world. With a passion for Emirati cuisine and a dream to make the food popular and reachable for anyone, Al Mazrouei launched Danat-a line of spices and ready mixes, celebrating the rich UAE culinary heritage. From his mother’s kitchen to the international display of packed goods, Al Mazrouei’s story is one of tradition, innovation, and deep-rooted love for the flavours of his country.
For Abdullah Al Mazrouei, the founder of Danat, this is a mission-one that urgently needs to share with the world what Emirati food actually tastes like. Less than a month since its launch, the maiden array of spices and ready-to-cook food mixes by Danat has sent ripples within the UAE, and now it’s looking up at its global expansion as visions of Al Mazrouei unfold. With a product line-up of 13 spices and ready mixes in the market, and a declared ambition to unleash 40 more products, Danat is all poised to become a household name not only in the UAE but also worldwide.
Placing the flavors of UAE in every kitchen in the world” was a simple yet profound reason for Al Mazrouei to begin the journey with Danat. Al Mazrouei is very proud of his country’s food and had always been determined to show the Emirati flavours in a way that was modern and reachable. His personal aim is to represent the Emirati cuisine in such a manner as to please both locals, expatriates, and food lovers the world over.
Present products from Danat include a variety of spice mixes, such as Arabic, barbecue, and biryani spices, along with Emirati curry and maternal post spice–an herbal mix for new mothers to add to hot drinks and soups. Three ready mixes are also sold by Danat for preparing traditional Emirati foods, including chebab, or pancakes; Arabic bread, with its additions of saffron and cardamom; and kanfrosh, a spongy, doughnut-like cupcake. This blend will not only make cooking easier but also provide the real taste of Emirati cuisine, even for beginners who have less cooking experience. Add to this mix a few staple ingredients like eggs, oil, and milk, and just follow the simple instructions. One can create delicious, mouth-watering, authentic Emirati cuisine within the comfort of one’s kitchen.
What sets Danat apart from all other local spice companies is the fact that it focuses on ready mixes. “There are plenty of companies selling spices in the UAE, but no one caters for the convenience and authenticity of ready mixes like Danat,” says Al Mazrouei, who is particularly proud of this innovation and considers it something that really sets his brand apart from others in the market.
From ingredients to recipes themselves, Al Mazrouei’s commitment to quality and authenticity can be seen in everything Danat does. The recipes for Danat’s products are all based on traditional Emirati cuisine, much of which is directly sourced from Al Mazrouei’s mother. He sometimes complains about how hard it is to take those recipes, passed down through generations, and turn them into something commercial. Traditional Emirati cooking, he says, is more akin to an art than to a science; ingredients are measured intuitively rather than according to precise measure. It has taken Al Mazrouei countless hours in experimentation to develop all the recipes to perfection, such that each product is certain to deliver the authentic taste of Emirati cuisine.
Al Mazrouei has also given much attention to Danat’s branding and packaging. The name “Danat” means “a group of precious black pearls.” Al Mazrouei likes the name because he sees it as perfectly depicting his products. The logo also contains a traditional Emirati burqa, which had been designed by a friend residing in Italy, referencing the enriched cultural heritage of the country. This is attractive, easy to use, and is targeted to appeal to both local consumers and international markets.
Entrepreneurs
Hamad Al Shaikh Awadh Ahmed Al Daggari: Crafting Legacy through TAM Perfumes
Hamad Al Shaikh Awadh Ahmed Al Daggari is the visionary founder of TAM Perfumes, established in 2004, and has managed to turn his passion for perfumery into a robust business empire. He instinctively grasps the commitment to quality and the art and science of fragrance, placing TAM Perfumes on the map as a leading name in the UAE luxury perfume industry, maintaining the cultural quintessence of Arabian perfumery.
As far as perfumery is concerned with high luxury in the UAE, Hamad Al Shaikh Awadh Ahmed Al Daggari is the name synonymous with excellence. He is the founder of TAM Perfumes Group and brings traditional Arabian perfumery experience with modern business acumen to create a brand that resonates both locally and globally. What started as a small setup in Abu Dhabi in 2004 has grown into a leading company involved in the manufacture and trade of perfumes, lotions, sprays, and traditional Bokhor. The journey of Hamad Al Shaikh into perfumery was deeply enshrined in the Arabian ways of perfume endemic to the culture of the region for many centuries. Hamad had visions of establishing a brand that would pay respects to these traditions, at the same time introducing new products to modern tastes. The success enjoyed by TAM Perfumes speaks volumes about this blend of tradition and innovation. Under Hamad’s leadership, the company is reputed for high-quality perfumes made with precision and care. Every product that leaves the TAM Perfumes facility is testimony to excellence. The use of premium ingredients, coupled with advanced techniques in manufacturing, has ensured that each bottle of perfume or lotion or every spray meets the best parameters of quality.
One of the reasons TAM Perfumes has succeeded is because of the hands-on management by its owner, Hamad Al Shaikh. He was much involved in all aspects of the business right from the outset, from the development and manufacturing to marketing and selling his products. The level of involvement allowed him to ensure stern control over quality and smoothly execute operations of the company. His vast knowledge of the industry, coupled with an acumen for business, helped TAM Perfumes in the United Arab Emirates to establish lasting relationships with their clients, developers, wholesalers, and retailers. These formed the cornerstone of the company’s growth, which has so far enabled TAM Perfumes to reach out to more clients and also be recognized as a name that sustains trust.
Quality is the pivot on which all operations at TAM Perfumes rest. Hamad Al Shaikh is conscious of the fact that in niche perfumery-a fiercely competitive arena-the quality of the product is paramount. He has, therefore, introduced strict control measures right through the manufacturing chain. From choosing the best raw materials to making sure that the finished product is well-packed, nothing has been left to chance. Hamad insists strongly on timely delivery. Fully realizing that meeting client deadlines is of essence, TAM has ensured efficient lines of production and logistics processes in place so as to make sure that its products reach their clients just in time, as it may be required. The philosophy of reliability, therefore, won customers for the company and a reputation for excellence.
Hamad Al Shaikh has ambitious plans for TAM Perfumes. Having been strong in the UAE, he is now setting his eyes on the international expansion of the company. This covers the world introduction to unique fragrances and products TAM Perfumes have to offer, while the quality, tradition, and innovation values are still upheld as set from the brand inception.
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