Entrepreneurs
Wissam Shawkat – Redefining Arabic Calligraphy
Wissam Shawkat, who fell under the spell of Arabic letters on a blackboard at the age of a boy and later became an internationally acclaimed calligrapher and artist. This man, famous for his innovative calligraphic style, “Al Wissam,” puts traditional Arabic scripts and modern graphic design together like a puzzle. His work breaks cultural barriers. He tests to the extreme boundaries of what is possible with calligraphy, and that is why he is one of the most sought-after artists of the last decade.
Self-taught from Basra, Iraq, Wissam Shawkat of Dubai is an artist whose mastery over Arabic calligraphy has turned it into an art form that can be quite modern yet eternal. His works for large international companies like Tiffany & Co. and Chopard speak to his designs’ wide appeal, and his style has had him become almost a household name in this art and design world. Shawkat’s journey began in simple ways. During the Iraq-Iran war, he found comfort in writing and perfecting his calligraphy on dusty tiles made up of a makeshift shelter. He realises that his parents saw his talent and encouraged him to hone this skill, and Shawkat then becomes his own best tutor.
Nothing is easy in the journey of making someone a great artist. Shawkat graduated in 1996 from Basra University with his professional certificate in Civil Engineering. A stable career as an engineer waited for him, but Shawkat could not ignore the deep passion he felt for calligraphy that came with him through those hot teenage summer letters under the signboard of a shop where he used to work. He spent his summers designing and perfecting his skills while learning the balance between precision and creativity. It finally dawned upon him that his calling was in art and not in engineering.
He has created a new style of calligraphy, known as Al Wissam in the recent years – a hybridization of traditional Arabic scripts used – be it Sunbuli, Jali Diwani, Eastern Kufic, and Thuluth – and modernist design integration. It results in a style once bold, graphic and yet unmistakably contemporary, still deeply rooted in the rich legacy of Arabic calligraphy. Shawkat’s art surpasses simple tradition in that it represents a coming together of old and new, forcing the conception of calligraphy. His handmade paper with reed pens and traditional inks along with a decidedly modern sensibility provoke the viewer to question what Arabic letterforms need be. Liberation characterizes his work because he finds movement within the letters rather than hem it in to literalism.
Wissam Shawkat has actually coined the term Calligraform for that abstract adaptation of the Arabic calligraphy he uses. It focuses on the form and shape of the lettering, dwelling more on the graphic value than on its linguistic significance. For example, the sharp tail of the Arabic letter “ha” can be isolated and reproduced at various angles, turning it into an eye-catching visual element. Shawkat’s work is inspired by such styles and trends of Turkish calligraphy, Bauhaus, Geometric Abstraction, Futurism, and Cubism. His great ability to interpret these artistic trends in Arabic calligraphy makes it possible for him to create a visual language that is totally free from cultural prejudices. Shawkat does not pretend at all to preserve tradition; he reorders it in modern terms.
In the last ten years, Wissam Shawkat’s works spread globally. Beside high-fashion works, Shawkat prints and original pieces can be bought online for home through his shop so that people could take with them a part of his innovative calligraphic art with them. He takes up corporate as well as personal projects, showing how universal his designs are. Being called a “rule-breaker” for his innovative techniques does not come easily to Shawkat. Shawkat’s art invites us to rethink not only what calligraphy can be but what art can achieve when it defies tradition.
Entrepreneurs
Hayla Al Ghazal: The Syrian Content Creator Inspiring Millions
Hayla Al Ghazal is a YouTube personality and blogger from Dubai, born and raised in Syria. Hayla has made a significant intervention into the world of social media. She started making videos in 2013, offering tips and tutorials on the latest fashion and beauty trends in an exciting way. Hayla has the perfect combination of beauty, fashion, and lifestyle features that make her popular. With every passing year, her channel, Hayla TV, appeared to be a harbinger of humor, inspiration, and relatable stories for over 9.3 million subscribers and cemented Hayla as one of the most important YouTube creators in the Middle East. One of the main characteristics that distinguish Hayla from most of the other influencers is her dedication to content that is actually possible to resonate with her audience of Arabs while, at the same time, being appealing to universal audiences. Her videos are mostly funny, satirical, and full of various Arab traditions-calling upon laughter and reflection. Hayla, through discussions about matters each viewer can personally relate to, has been building a large community around her channel.
Her authenticity in content – from day-to-day lifestyle tips to absolutely ridiculous family skits – has made her a household name and a relatable figure for the youths in the Arab world. She has managed to inject positivity and humor into every video she makes, thereby creating a real connection with her audience that inspires millions to live their lives confidently and authentically.
Hayla Al Ghazal has received praise and admiration on international levels for her social media influence. She ranked in the lists of Forbes’ Top 10 Arab Women Social Media Influencers due to her influence in the virtual sphere. This, therefore, is the work of recognition aimed towards and not only the content creation but also a role model for young aspiring creative industry players. Ranked as the #30 Most Inspirational Person in Dubai’s list of 100, a title that says it all about who she is outside of cyberspace, as a speaker at international events such as Cannes Lions Festival in France, Hayla exhibits her thought leadership influence. She has used her platform to express her opinion regarding women empowerment, leadership within the youths and the need to preserve their culture but being current with modernity.
Hayla Al Ghazal is also a businesswoman. She has launched Hayla Couture that deals with bridal and evening gown boutique in Dubai. Here is a synopsis of what will be covered.
Outlook for Entrepreneurship:. If Hayla Couture was born from elegant evening wear, it’s a good thing that its romance and beauty will carry with them into the concrete world. They have come to successfully draw and translate the personal brand of Hayla into business, proving that what she thinks is so magnificent is worth writing home about in real life. The boutique turned out to be a representation of Hayla’s love for fashion, beautiful and of high quality, an array that will take care of the needs of any modern bride or woman looking for statement pieces for their special events. This, therefore, means Hayla demonstrated to her fans and followers that dreams can be realized with a tremendous amount of dedication, creativity, and hard work as she works to build her personal brand.
Hayla Al Ghazal is more than a content creator and businesswoman. She has always been an advocate for positive change. During her career, she has relentlessly inspired young women to fearlessly chase their passions. Through sharing her own journey-the ups and downs, successes, and challenges-Hayla has become a role model for millions of young women in the region. Her openness about her experiences with creating content makes what she does not only entertaining but motivational. Her engagement in global conversations on social media, branding, and the role of women in the digital economy has placed her as a thought leader, giving inspiration to other young content creators to do what she is doing. Whether in presentations at international conferences or life tips through her vlogs, Hayla’s impact is very meaningful and far-reaching.
Hayla Al Ghazal’s journey reflects the true power of social media in contributing to sources of positivity, cultural expression, and empowerment with it as a tool. In this sense, she continues to stand out as one of the major movers and shakers in online life by having learned how to stay relevant with changing times in content creation while remaining rooted to the source. Such virtues as passion for content creation with a meaningful purpose to the audience, entrepreneurial spirit, and very many advocacy works will reposition her as a force to be reckoned with in the digital space.
Hayla continues to inspire aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs due to her continued success on YouTube and the growth of her business with Hayla Couture. Her inspiration reminds people that passion, creativity, and hard work can turn any hobby into a career successful enough to reach many lives.
Entrepreneurs
Affordable Luxury: BFL Group’s Rise as a Global Retail Leader
BFL is short for “Brands for less,” and it was founded in 1996 by co-founders Toufic Kreidieh and Yasser Beydoun in a desire to challenge the traditional retail environment for greater qualities available at reduced prices. BFL Group was initially founded under the initiative to make brand-name products accessible to everyone. Its first store was opened back in 2006. This move paved the way for a long journey that would transform BFL Group from a local discount store to an international retail powerhouse.
Headquartered in Techno Park, Dubai, UAE, BFL Group has played a significant role in the development of the retailing industry in the region. It was positioned in the emirate city of Dubai as a group’s head office in 2000, well set to grab the quick growth and other economic development opportunities in Dubai. Innovative approach and determination to provide affordable products to the consumers over the years helped it expand into a wide range of categories of fashion, home decor, toys, among others. The success story of BFL Group marks the high-profile ambitious growth and international expansion. Today, BFL Group operates over 74 stores in six countries starting from the UAE and Oman and then into Spain and Malta. The aggressive expansion at a large scale can be attributed to the group’s commitment towards providing affordable branded products to a wider audience with a promise of quality and variety for the customers.
In addition to the flagship “Brands for Less” stores, the company diversified its offerings with other brands such as “Homes For Less,” “Toys For Less,” “Mumuso,” and “Tchibo.” Its diversified portfolio enabled BFL to reach a variety of customer needs, from housewares and toys to lifestyle products, through which they could build a loyal customer base in multiple markets. Expansion of the brand into Europe was, however, a major milestone to the company since it reflected the adaptation nature of BFL Group into different markets and helped fill needs across various groups of customers. Expansion of operations to Spain and Malta is where BFL Group proved its position as a global retailer that could do more than just succeed within its home base in the Middle East.
The secret to success for BFL Group is maintaining the affordability, varieties, and quality. As a discount retailer, the company sought to make available to all budgets the most known brands in the market. Stores of BFL Group are varied items, including clothing, sportswear, toys, kitchen ware, and home decoration. The business model of the company is unique since it sells branded products at a small fraction of their original prices. This occurs because BFL Group strategically partners with manufacturers, wholesalers, and other suppliers of branded products so as to acquire them at reduced costs. This again allows the savings to be passed down to customers since it is now possible for them to buy high-quality branded products at costs most competitive.
In particular, through a customer-centric approach, BFL Group has managed to understand its customers’ preferences and adapt those products offered in the market accordingly. Such an approach helped the company maintain its presence and stay competitive within the changing retail environment. The company’s focus on keeping the customer satisfied has not only kept a following of loyal customers but also led to success within the competitive marketplace.
Also, expansion led to the development of various sub-brands targeting specific market areas. The “Homes For Less” outlets offer home furnishings and decorations at low cost for those wishing to have stunning homes not requiring a hole in their pocket. “Toys For Less” caters to family needs with plenty of toys and children’s products at realistic costs. Another successful brand featured in the BFL Group portfolio is “Mumuso,” a lifestyle goods retailer selling goods at reasonable prices, set between affordability and quality, targeting the young fashion-conscious market. The group also joined an alliance with “Tchibo, a well-known German retailer who peddled their wares, ranging from clothing and clothing accessories to kitchen and dining utensils. This would facilitate BFL Group to provide more varieties of merchandise subject to customer demand.
BFL Group has, to date, established itself as the forerunner in the market of discount retailers, not only in the UAE but across the broader Middle East and Europe. The company is now aggressively pursuing opportunity for growth and innovation in response to a more competitive edge in its focus on customer value. With a portfolio of brands growing and with a strengthened presence in major cities, BFL Group is on course to preserve its success story in the retail market. The retail business is ever-changing in character.
The BFL Group proves these elements of resilience and adaptability to embrace new patterns and trends in the market and preferences of consumers. By throwing its focus into affordability, quality, and variety, BFL Group will not only stay ahead of its peers at discount retailing but develop a shopping experience to woo consumers through all walks of life.
Entrepreneurs
How Bayut Became the Leading Property Portal in the UAE
Bayut has grown rapidly and become one of the most trusted property classifieds websites in the United Arab Emirates, part of the Dubizzle Group that is recognized as the first homegrown unicorn in the Arab region, transforming the real estate market with its innovative approach. The company was founded back in 2008 by the visionary brothers Imran and Zeeshan Ali Khan and Bayut is a seamless platform to property seekers. Bayut offers exhaustive listings and data-driven insights to property seekers. Here’s a journey of Bayut and how it has contributed to shaping the landscape of real estate in the UAE.
Bayut was founded in 2008 by Imran Ali Khan and Zeeshan Ali Khan, the two brothers who changed the face of the UAE property market by initiating the property revolution in the UAE. Having found great success with the portal in Pakistan, Zameen.com’s founders decided to bring their expertise to the United Arab Emirates. They launched Bayut, a concept still relatively new to the region, hoping to give more transparent, reliable, and user-friendly property listings. Since its inception, the website aimed to deliver the most intuitively easy property search experience for the buyer, the renter, and the investor. Users can now easily browse residential, commercial, and off-plan properties across all emirates from Bayut’s listings. Its professional photographs along with accurate data make listings comprehensive, thus enabling users to have all the information needed to make a decision.
In 2014, Haider Ali Khan came to Bayut as the CEO, bringing along with him vast experiences of the United States. In Haider’s tenure, Bayut had experienced a milestone as he brought growth strategies through the utilization of data and technology and customer-centric solutions. He envisioned that Bayut should be the leading source of real estate in the UAE market and indeed managed to expand this presence significantly in the market. Beyond Bayut, Haider Ali Khan also contributed to the overall action of the UAE’s real estate market. He was the chief executive officer of Dubizzle, the largest online classifieds website in the UAE, as well as the leader of the bigger Dubizzle Group across the MENA region. Under his leadership, Bayut and Dubizzle became significant digital players in the UAE capable of offering a complete solution for property buying and selling, as well as renting.
Parent company of Bayut, the Emerging Markets Property Group which is now referred to as the Dubizzle Group, declared a merger with Netherlands-based OLX Group in April 2020. The operations merged from a total of operations in several countries, including the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, and Oman. It also included the consolidation of OLX-owned Dubai-based classifieds website, Dubizzle. The strategic merger which Bayut did was a major milestone in the company’s journey since it emerged expanded and better reached out through a more comprehensive and diverse number of listings across the region. Also following the merger, shared technology, resources, and data capabilities also ensued thus helping Bayut provide its users with an even better experience.
Bayut has managed to stay in that long run of top list with its fantastic achievement in January 2022, when the real estate company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dubai Land Department. This same deal is to be confirmed, which will provide a real estate market with interactive data and reports, thereby making the property buying and selling process a transparent and informed one for both parties. The collaboration with the Dubai Land Department proved that Bayut strongly believed in the cause of creating a more informed real estate ecosystem. This potential to significantly assist the buyers, sellers, and investors in finding out everything they could about the prevailing trends in the market, prices of property, and emerging opportunities in Dubai through the interactive data and reports generated during this partnership was impressive.
Bayut stands ahead of the competition with its relentless pursuit of providing a seamless, easy-to-use experience. The Bayut website allows for advanced search filters, interactive maps, and details descriptions of the properties. This makes it easy to have the right perspective on finding exactly what is needed. It may range from a family villa in Dubai, a studio apartment in Abu Dhabi, or a commercial property in Sharjah. More importantly, Bayut is innovative as it is in terms of the incorporation of technology to drive user experience. Virtual tours and video walkthroughs, together with detailed floor plans, afford prospects a first-hand look at the properties all from the comfort of their home. Innovation has, therefore, been a critical imperative for Bayut that has helped it stay ahead of the game and still remain one of the prime property sites in the UAE.
Bayut is a subsidiary of the Dubizzle Group, formerly known as Emerging Markets Property Group. The Dubizzle Group is the first homegrown unicorn in the Arab region. This aspect represents the success that the group has achieved in dominating the online classifieds and real estate markets across the Middle East and North Africa. Bayut being part of the Dubizzle Group, is given a considerable amount of resources and expertise with access to the market as well. This enables Bayut to effectively improve its platform with respect to its constant aim toward getting at the top of the classifieds property industry. The excellence and innovation shown by the Dubizzle Group regarding its vision match Bayut’s ideal in producing a clear, efficient, and user-centric property marketplace.
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