Exclusive Interview Archives

Hisham Hammoud: Leading the Way to Economic Success

Backed by an eminent and respected group of shareholders, Aafaq Islamic Finance was established in 2006 to provide innovative Islamic financial services and products that comply with Islamic Sharia across the UAE and the Region. Headed by its CEO, Hisham Hammoud, Aafaq stands on the list of many prominent financial organizations delivering high-quality financial services for a wide range of institutions.

Hisham is a business leader and a banking professional with over two decades of experience in business execution strategies, consumer banking, investment and wealth management, treasury and capital markets, operations, technology, risk management, business process re-engineering, profit, and cost optimization.

Over the years, Hisham has worked in Senior Executive roles across organizations like Citi Bank, Dubai Bank, Dubai Tadawul Brokerage, Dubai Resources, Al Tagdeer Company, Bank Islami Pakistan Limited, Network International Group, and Ajman Bank.

Hisham also holds a Risk Management and Advanced Leadership Skills certification from the state-of-the-art International Leadership Programs in the US, EMEA & AP regions. Besides that, he has an in-depth understanding of auditing and the associated regulatory issues in both local & global banks.

As the Group Chief Executive Officer at Aafaq Islamic Finance, Hisham drives the group strategy to maximize shareholder value and achieve market-leading business growth while building customer relationships and loyalty. Hisham’s relentless ambition and energy have driven him to achieve and exceed targets, goals and attain objectives.

A Key Player in the Financial Services Industry

With a proven track record of delivering innovative and Shariah-compliant financial solutions to its customers, Aafaq Islamic Finance has established itself as a strong player in the UAE.

Aafaq Islamic Finance recognizes that today’s youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and it is committed to empowering them through its products and services. By providing exceptional financial education and support, Aafaq aims to help the younger generation achieve their goals and contribute to the growth and development of the UAE.

On the other hand, SMEs play a crucial role in UAE’s economy, contributing significantly to employment and economic growth. However, these SMEs often struggle to access financing due to their size and lack of collateral. So, by supporting SMEs, Aafaq Islamic Finance aligns with the UAE government’s effort to promote economic growth and diversification through supporting small businesses.

“We are also exploring new market segments traditionally underserved by the financial industry. Through our innovative solutions, we aim to bring financial inclusion to these segments and help them realize their full potential,”- explains Hisham. “Digital transformation and innovation are also key elements of our new vision. We recognize that the world is changing rapidly, and we must adapt and evolve to stay ahead of the curve. By embracing technology and innovation, we aim to transform how financial services are delivered and revolutionize the industry.”

Due to its commitment to innovation, Aafaq Islamic Finance strongly focuses on AI and its potential to transform the financial services industry. Through its investment in digitalization, Aafaq Islamic Finance aims to offer its customers personalized and intelligent financial solutions. The organization’s digitalpowered solutions will better understand its customers’ needs and preferences and tailor its products and services accordingly.

Hisham and his team at Aafaq Islamic Finance also believe it can help the organization improve its risk management and compliance process, leading to a more secure and transparent financial system.

Creating a Diversified and Sustainable Economy

Being a leading Islamic financial institution, Aafaq is extremely proud to contribute to the UAE’s efforts to create a diversified and sustainable economy. The organization’s initiatives are aligned with the UAE’s vision of promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion, and it is committed to supporting the government’s efforts in achieving these objectives.

Through its products, partnerships, and services, Aafaq aims to support UAE’s vision of becoming a hub for innovation, a leader in sustainability, and a model for economic growth and development.

With the contribution of Aafaq’s customers, employees, and partners, Hisham is hugely excited about the organization’s new vision and looks forward to working together to create a better future for all.

“Our focus on digitalization is key to our new vision and initiatives. We are excited about the potential of this technology to revolutionize the financial services industry, and we are committed to being at the forefront of this transformation,” – states Hisham.

A Leading Provider of Islamic Financial Services

Founded with the goal of providing innovative and customer-focused financial solutions in accordance with the principles of Islamic finance, Dubai-based Aafaq Islamic Finance is now a leading provider of Islamic financial services.

Some of the products and services offered by Aafaq Islamic Finance include:

Corporate finance: Aafaq Islamic Finance provides various corporate finance services, including project and trade financing.
Retail finance: The company offers a range of retail financial products and services, including personal loans, credit cards, and deposit products.
Investment deposits: Aafaq Islamic Finance provides Shari’a compliant Wakala investments. On maturity, Corporates can enjoy several renewal options, from rolling over the principal amount & profit to rolling over the principal amount and collecting the profit.
Corporate guarantees: The company offers several types of corporate guarantees with flexible margin options and simple & fast processing. Aafaq provides the following types of Corporate Guarantees:

- Bank Guarantees
- Labor Guarantees
- Establishment Guarantees
- Financial Guarantees
- Bid Bonds
- Advance Guarantees
- Performance Bonds
- Retention and Maintenance Guarantees

Motivating Innovation and Creativity in the Workplace

In today’s dynamic and fiercely competitive business world, the key to success lies in being creative and innovative. Hisham recognizes this fact and is determined to cultivate a culture of creativity and innovation at Aafaq Islamic Finance to keep the organization ahead of the game in the financial industry.

Promoting creativity and innovation in the workplace can also help Aafaq Islamic Finance attract and retain exceptional talent while creating a conducive and positive work environment that inspires employees to generate fresh and inventive ideas constantly. Hisham firmly believes that this is an indispensable aspect of the organization’s success and continues to work towards enhancing it. After all, creativity and innovation are essential for any company striving to excel in today’s competitive landscape.

Tackling the Pandemic

The global financial industry, including Aafaq Islamic Finance, has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in significant economic disruptions, creating various challenges for financial institutions.

To overcome these challenges, Aafaq Islamic Finance, along with other financial institutions, had to adapt its business model to ensure the safety of its employees and customers. This involved adopting digital and remote services, reducing branch operations, and implementing health and safety protocols. Additionally, the company has prioritized supporting its customers during these unprecedented times by providing flexible repayment options, offering financial education and advice, and implementing measures to alleviate the pandemic’s impact on the communities it serves. Despite these challenges, Aafaq Islamic Finance remains committed to providing the highest level of service to its customers while ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees.

The Gender-Pay Gap Challenge

The gender pay gap is a persistent issue that continues to plague societies worldwide, representing a sobering reminder of the disparities that still exist between genders. Despite concerted efforts to promote equality and fairness, women continue to earn less than their male counterparts for the same work, with the gap sometimes widening. This insidious form of discrimination erodes women’s financial independence and reinforces negative gender stereotypes, perpetuating a cycle of inequality that undermines progress and undermines the potential of half the population.

Being an organization committed to empowering and encouraging women, Aafaq Islamic Finance believes the pay disparity can have long-term effects on women’s financial condition.

“Unfortunately, despite advances in equality and anti-discrimination laws, the gender pay gap persists in many countries and industries. Women often earn less than men for doing the same work. This disparity can have long-term effects on women’s financial stability and economic independence,”- explains Hisham. “But one thing is for sure, that we at Aafaq Islamic Finance do not have a gender pay gap, but on the contrary, we always encourage and empower women while we also have an internal equal pay policy set in place to ensure that women working in Aafaq receive equal rights.”

Preparing for a Better Future

As Aafaq Islamic Finance enters 2023, the company has set its sights on enhancing the customer experience, embracing digital transformation, and fostering greater financial inclusion, all while promoting sustainable and responsible investment practices. The year 2022 was dedicated to building a sturdy foundation enabling Aafaq to navigate new challenges and seize emerging opportunities, thereby securing a leading position in the industry.

Elena Schildgen: An Iconic Business Woman, Offering Core Legal Solutions at Meyer-Reumann & Partners

Dream big: “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney

When more and more women concentrate on strategic business areas, they motivate other women to shatter the glass ceiling and grow. To ensure that women receive the equal opportunity, career development, and advancement, businesses are attempting to promote and profit from their potential. In the past ten years, there have been a number of incredible female entrepreneurs who are not just transforming their industries but also the globe as a whole. Elena Schildgen, the managing partner of Meyer-Reumann & Partners, is a leader with such biblical qualities.

A highly educated and driven lawyer with over 30 years of experience practising law in the GCC region, the leading lady focuses on Wills & Probate, Family Law, Labor Law, Company Creation and Structuring, as well as managing a successful law firm. Setting her sails in 1995, Elena has played a crucial role in strategically expanding Meyer-Reumann & Partners, ensuring that it is now sized to provide advice on complex corporate legal issues, such as multijurisdictional corporate restructurings like carve-outs and mergers and acquisitions, without sacrificing the level of individualized attention provided by the attorneys working on the cases. She has developed into more than simply a successful businesswoman; she is now a role model for others and a seasoned professional in the field of international law.

Meyer-Reumann & Partners at a Glance

“We are a renowned name in the legal industry for delivering personalized legal assistance!” Elena Schildgen

Meyer-Reumann & Partners is a boutique legal company founded in 1989 that handles the majority of corporate and commercial business law issues. It was created by Mr. Rolf Meyer-Reumann, a maritime law expert who began his career in Saudi Arabia. He spent a few years working there in the 1980s before relocating to Dubai in 1989.

Meyer-Reumann & Partners acts as a legal partner and handles matters on a very individual basis, with the client always having direct access to the lawyer in charge. The firm has a small number of highly skilled and devoted lawyers who respond to the very particular needs of the client.

Clients mainly approach them if they wish to establish a legal entity, and following this, they assist them with all day-to-day legal issues such as the drafting and revision of contracts, handling employment matters, registering IP, and making sure they fulfil all the local compliance regulations. Also, they support private individuals in a variety of family, real estate, inheritance, drafting, and registration related problem.

Elena and her team’s primary focus is to ensure that clients leave their offices smiling, and this is how they measure success. In the future, they intend to diversify their clientele by adding markets like Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar.

Elena’s Begining: Towards a Victorious Endvour

Elena first arrived in Dubai in May 1990. She had initially applied for a position as a law trainee with Mr. Rolf Meyer-Reumann, the firm’s founder, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She received a response from Dubai, where he had moved the office in the interim in September 1989.

Elena applied for the internship because she had a strong interest in international private law, a subject she had always prioritized in her legal training and education because it presents a challenge in determining which law would apply when different nationalities are involved, assets are held in different countries, etc. Elena also applied for the internship because she wanted to learn more about how to become a lawyer. She was assigned a task to complete that involved an international family and inheritance as early as the first week.

From the beginning, Mr. MR and Elena got along well. He even left the office in Elena’s care while she was on an internship in 1990, and when he came back, he offered her the position to come work for him as a lawyer. A few years later, he proposed a partnership to the aspiring lady. Over the years, Mr. MR mentored Elena and also grew to be a close friend. The support that she has received from him at all times later on, including being able to combine business and family, has been amazing and invaluable.

Elena has recently taken on the role of Managing Partner, continuing to manage her own caseload while focusing on Wills & Probate. She also works to strengthen the firm’s footprint throughout the GCC region so that the team is capable of supporting local courts with their Shariah law specialists.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Company

Meyer-Reumann & Partners present a team of 11 legal professionals, where they have 6 different nationalities and 6 women; of the 7 lawyers working for M&P, there are 5 women. The firm can serve customers of all nationalities and religious backgrounds thanks to this. The firm also specializes in inheritance and family law cases where women and children need extra protection and assistance.

Jewels in the Crown

While moving along her path, the magnificent woman has helped several successful firms get started, de-registered an agency in the UAE, which was a difficult process, and won favorable outcomes for her clients in an ICC arbitration.

“I had a terrific team, and everyone was really helpful in guiding the workplace through this trying time. We got closer as a family rather than just as coworkers at the office. We worked hard on our web marketing strategy and visibility, and we established ourselves in the market”, Elena quoted.

Elena’s Take on Woman Leadership in the Male-Dominated Industry

I was able to rise in my legal career far more rapidly as a woman than I would have in Europe since I was given early responsibility for my own clients and cases.

I have always cherished Dubai’s diversity, the worldwide nature of the clientele, my involvement in a wide range of legal issues, and my interactions with people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds.

I was already a member of a group of friends when I first moved to Dubai. We were all lawyers from various nations, including Germany, Lebanon, Russia, South Africa, and Denmark. During that time, women already held in-house legal positions with national and local law companies, as well as owning their own firms. Once more, I think that Dubai’s major advantage is the fact that it offers opportunities in all spheres and industries.

Working as a lawyer, especially in Dubai, presents a challenge but also the chance to participate in what I called a “work in progress.” You are constantly involved in new legislation being introduced, new plans, new developments, and new goals, which gives you the sense that you are advancing the legal system and the community.

Iqra Khan: Creating Unforgettable Experiences, One Event at a Time

Meet Iqra Khan, the CEO of Talkingly, a Dubai-based Event Management company. With a wealth of experience and a passion for creating positive change, Iqra has not only succeeded in building a successful business but has also become an advocate for women’s empowerment. Iqra’s leadership style fosters collaboration and encourages her team members to think outside the box. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and determination to overcome challenges have earned her respect and admiration in the industry. Iqra inspires women worldwide to pursue their dreams and break barriers in their respective fields through her work. She is a true testament to the power of female leadership and a role model for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

Recently, we had an opportunity to sit down with Iqra and learn how she is changing the world of events with Talkingly.

Below are the highlights of the interview .

Q) Please tell me your story. Or How did you get your start?

Iqra) Thank you for considering Me for such an Amazing ‘magazine! I have been living and making life in Dubai, UAE, since 2015. I started my career here in Marketing with an Events Company and then moved into my own business in 2020, during the Covid times.

I felt that I was stuck in the Corporate world and wanted to start something of my own, through which I could challenge myself and support other young women entrepreneurs in UAE too, and Talkingly began.

Q) Please tell us about Talkingly and how it serves its clients.

Iqra) Talkingly is a Business Events Company that helps the business community and individuals coming to Dubai to learn about the market Norms and Business Terms. We Assist them in Connecting with Right Partners, Colleagues, and Business Aquantices through Events. We also assist our clients in establishing their business in Dubai from scratch through Events.

Q) What distinguishes Talkingly from its competitors?

Iqra) As I said, Talkingly assists New Businesses in Dubai through Events, which is unique. We provide a platform for the clients to join and get the business running through events, which no one else in the marketing is offering for now. We have successfully connected and educated many businesses so far, while many found partners through our network and community.

Q) How do you motivate creativity and innovation in the workspace while maintaining a healthy work environment?

Iqra) Talkingly believes in new ideas and listens to everyone who has something to share regarding business, we always welcome new Collabs that can support both sides, but one thing we make sure of is to execute.

Q) How do you focus on Diversity and Inclusion in your organization for success?

Iqra) Well, Dubai is a very diversified market itself, and it’s not very difficult to bring on multiple nationals to work together, so even in our company, you will find 4-5 different regions’ resources working together; that’s the beauty of UAE. We focus on having the best resources no matter which region or nation they are coming from

Q) Please explain the pandemic’s effect on Talkingly. And how you tackled it?

Iqra) That’s a funny story, during covid when talkingly was started, it was EXPO2020 time, the WORLD BIGGEST Show of Businesses, and luckily Covid was not a problem for us, as Dubai was doing the work of bringing the world together and the business in that time in Dubai was High. Lots of events were happening, and we were able to get good action in that period of time.

Q) What does success look like for you?

Iqra) Success is a never-ending journey. You make and achieve goals, and these small achievements make you successful. Never giving up is success too. I think it’s a journey, and not one thing can confirm that now I am successful cause the meaning of success will keep on changing.

Q) What are your plans for 2023 and beyond?

Iqra) In 2023, we are planning to focus on one-to-one events and big conferences in ‘Business Expansion in Dubai to capture New Businesses.

Q) What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Iqra) Teamwork.

The Success Trajectory of Angelica Sirotin: Accelerating Business Growth through High-Impact Messaging Solutions at Sirotin Ventures

This time Tycoon Success shines the spotlight on a founder, venture entrepreneur, and strategic global advisor who is on a mission to make a difference in the business world by helping entrepreneurs, startups, and enterprises alike reach their goals. Yes, it is none other than Angelica Sirotin, CEO of Sirotin Ventures, who has emerged as an influential and strong entrepreneur in the global business.

Pursuing her passion for helping small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs achieve their goals, the businesswoman laid the foundation of her own consulting firm, Sirotin Ventures, which focuses on business strategy and high-impact messaging. She additionally works as a strategic adviser for investment and management consulting companies that have helped businesses all over the world secure over $1 billion in equity and debt funding.

Angelica is a co-founder of the Digital Pioneers Network (DPN), a think tank with a community focus that includes CXOs from notable organisations like NASDAQ, Bloomberg, Verizon, and Lloyds Banking Group. She also participates actively in a number of organisations, including the World Economic Forum, the B20 Digitalization Taskforce for Indonesia in 2022, and the Council for Good of the AI For Good Foundation. She was also earlier chosen as Swiss Cognitive’s Global AI Ambassador for 2022. Lastly, she serves as a startup mentor for VC and fundraising for Gener8or’s gBETA St. Thomas Cohort 2022, an accelerator programme ranked 11th out of more than 150 in the US.

Sirotin Ventures at a Glance

Sirotin Ventures, a professional consulting company founded in 2018, provides executives, SMEs, venture funds, and startups with customised business communication services. They have seasoned company owners on their team who are aware of the particular difficulties faced by organisations in various industries. They can develop messaging strategies that persuasively attract the target audience and produce outstanding results by thoroughly analysing the business models, products, and market positions of their clients.

Sirotin Ventures’ white-glove service goes beyond creating messaging strategies. Additionally, the team can help with go-to-market strategy, board of advisor’s formation, investor relations, and other related areas. With its deep understanding of the startup ecosystem, Sirotin Ventures is uniquely positioned to help companies navigate complex communication challenges and accomplish their goals. Sirotin Ventures’ services are particularly beneficial to startups, venture funds, executives, and SMEs that need to effectively communicate their value proposition to investors, customers, and other stakeholders.

The Journey So Far

The Founder & CEO of the company, Angelica Sirotin, shed some light on her overall entrepreneurial journey so far!

From a young age, I was determined to blaze my own trail instead of following in anyone else’s footsteps. As a first-generation American born to immigrant parents, I had a unique perspective on the world, which enabled me to see things differently and realise that taking a risk could lead to the discovery of a wealth of resources and opportunities. I made the decision to explore entrepreneurship and forge my own path rather than work a 9–5 job.

I came to understand during my middle and high school years that my true strength lay in my ability to communicate information in a manner that inspired others to act. How can I profit from this skill set, I thought to myself. The answer was pitch decks, business plans, and marketing and sales strategies. I created my first pitch deck for a local customer when I was 16 years old, and the rest is history; I never looked back.

During my undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2018, I co-founded Alpine Esports (now Torrent) with my brother, Jonathan Sirotin. Jonathan had the hearts and minds of the community, but needed help structuring the business side of the venture. This involved creating business models, investor presentations, and developing digital strategies for the organisation. We sold the business later that year, and it was my first profitable exit. Under our leadership, Torrent became one of the most sought-after professional Rocket League esports teams in the United States. The success of this venture eventually led me to the next and I found Sirotin Ventures.

Edge in the Realm: What Makes Sirotin Ventures Stand Out?

High Impact Copywriting, Investment Materials, and Business Communications are the three messaging services offered by Sirotin Ventures. This allows them to provide a comprehensive approach to high-impact messaging, with each service created to effortlessly complement the objectives of the clients.

Their white-glove services are designed to provide clients with the highest level of support. They can develop a tailored messaging plan that supports them in achieving their goals and expanding their firm by taking the time to comprehend their specific demands and ambitions.

Sirotin Ventures fills the gap in the market by providing white-glove services that promote business growth under one constant pattern of high-impact messaging, whether a fund manager needs assistance with investor relations or a startup wants to launch a successful social media campaign.

Overcoming the Major Industry Obstacles

The emergence of new technologies, such as AI and automation, is one of the biggest issues the business communication sector is currently facing. Even though these technologies have the potential to improve productivity and streamline procedures, their implementation could lead to a decline in quality. In order to ensure that all communications are of the highest quality and optimised for maximum impact, the team at Sirotin Ventures tackles this difficulty head-on by combining their data-driven approach with experienced subject matter experts.

They also leverage cutting-edge AI tools such as natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) to identify KPIs, trends and insights that can further improve the quality of the client’s messaging. This combination of human expertise and AI-driven analytics allows them to deliver high-impact messages with accuracy and speed.

The Trailblazer’s Insights into “Gender Pay Gaps”

According to a recent study, there can be a 3% increase in labour productivity for every 10% decrease in gender income inequality. It is obvious that closing the gender wage gap is advantageous for businesses from an economic and ethical perspective.

Sirotin Ventures is proud to be a 100% woman-owned and operated business, and they believe in fostering a culture of equality. They adhere to the principles of equal pay for equal work and have put in place procedures to ensure that everyone is paid equally, regardless of gender or other personal traits. Angelica is passionate about supporting women in taking leadership roles in the tech sector, and she is confident that her work will contribute to closing the gender pay gap in all sectors of the economy.

A Radical Future Ahead

The dynamic leader has been exerting every ounce of effort to advance towards development with high optimism and deliberate strategies. She plans to establish an early-stage venture capital arm of Sirotin Ventures with a headquarters in Minnesota.

Here, the team will concentrate on investing in startups that add value to society in the areas of health, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

On a personal level, Angelica wishes to elevate the craft beer market to new heights. “There is no better launchpad for my ambitions than the vibrant beer scene in Minnesota, which boasts over 180 craft breweries. This would serve as a complete pivot from my former venture in esports into a completely new market—a challenge that I am naturally keen to take on”, the leading lady quoted.

Parting Words

Angelica’s advice for entrepreneurs entering the business world is to stay focused, be persistent, and never give up. Understand that it will take time to achieve your goals, and there will be obstacles along the way. Create a growth mindset by accepting failure, learning from mistakes, and using them as stepping stones to success. Embrace change and view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Have a plan, but don’t be afraid to pivot and adjust as you move forward.

Rasha Abusaif : Top 10 Inspiring Business Leaders in MENA 2022

People working with Rasha recognize her by her “persistent focus on quality and efficiency combined with a genuine concern and commitment for all who work with her.” These attributes have been the characteristics of Rasha Abusaif’s career. Representing true Jordanian entrepreneurship whose success in the ICT sector; Ms. AbuSaif is a well-rounded business leader equipped and driven to turn challenges into opportunities.

A crucial bit of advice I give people when they ask how to bounce back from failure is to always stay focused and mission aligned.

The pandemic accelerated the speed of technological change and, in turn, showed us that the capacity to be dynamic, agile, and ready to change direction at a moment’s sight will be more important than ever. Indeed, the companies that succeeded during this time were the ones that aligned their strategies with these three essentials.

Being a C-level expert, or having any stake in the business world, means you must be prepared to take risks. As Garry Kasparov, the great chess champion, once said, “If you don’t take risks, you don’t drink champagne.”

Since then, that was the philosophy I’ve adopted throughout my entrepreneurial journey, and it’s what’s enabled me to be dynamic- the essence of which lies in always looking forward, not back. I always say never be completely satisfied because this can quickly evolve into complacency, and complacency is the death rattle for any business.

Through the combination of my passion for technology and vision, I was able to grow different international, local, and startup companies not only by size, geographic representation, and revenue, but also in technological innovation and in the application of technology in various fields. Some of my successful journey in innovations included the development of the Arabic artificial intelligence parser and the creation of an electronic data interchange solution, implemented in many large European institutions, in addition to market one of the top education solutions, EduWave®, which currently holds the largest base of countrywide deployments and users worldwide.

“I believe that information professionals need to navigate these ethical issues effectively because they are likely to use AI in delivering services as well as contribute to the adoption of AI more widely in their organizations. In this context, I always attend podcasts and AI global and local events and podcasts to empower using AI semantic solutions that embrace CX.”

When an AI solution can switch between languages, this can answer any user inquiry and keep the customer engaged. A full-fledged AI Arabic robotic solution will be able to answer millions of requests in real-time with zero downtime. Also, understanding Arabic dialects will create a semantic automation to users’ requests and, eventually, will lead to the end of a successful request -whether this request is conversational or transactional. This will lead to creating success factors in enterprises or SMEs- including but not limited to:

Increase Customer Satisfaction.
Improve Sales and Leads
Decrease Complaints and obtain more Customer Loyalty
Boost Real Data (Historical Data) to understand customer behaviors
Accomplish Intelligent reports and dashboards to analyze users’ UI/UX to come up with better enhancements in the proposed solution.

“A major roadblock standing in the way of the rapid uptake of AI technology is a lack of trust in AI solutions,
which often operate in black boxes. In the MENA region, AI designed to acknowledge this fact is essential to
improving human comfortability with these solutions to automate customers’ requests in Arabic within multiple
dialects. Through better communication, collaboration, and enhanced processes, artificial intelligence will help
decision-makers act quickly when encountering unexpected situations.”

Education is essential to grow, thus I always believe in work experience yet, obtaining professional certificates to lead by example. In 2002, I received my bachelor’s degree in engineering with a specialization in architecture from the University of Jordan. However, my passion for education never stopped, and I continued my studies and obtained a professional certificate in marketing as a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM®) from the American Marketing Association (AMA). In 2019, I also obtained an advanced diploma certificate in Business Administration from Cambridge College, UK. Lately, I am joining Harvard Business Online to achieve a strategy implementation certificate.

With more than twenty years of experience in different companies in Fintech, Edutech, Healthtech, AI solutions ,and IT companies, and as an expert in the fields of Business and Partnership Development, including strategy implementation, marketing and communications, public relations management, projects planning and management, budgeting and commercial modeling, events, campaigns planning, customer experience (CX), and business growth, I was able to motivate cross-functional teams to be more efficient toward providing state-of-the-art solutions that generate more revenues and increase MENA outreach. Thus, I manage, lead, direct, and oversee the activities and operations of the business with excellent client relationship management to maintain a great customer experience impact.

Through joining FINCA in 2014, an international microfinance company located in 22 subsidiaries, I accomplished many assignments and target sets for the business through handling multiple tasks simultaneously and managing successful solution implementations in market intelligence functions, new procedures, and research, accomplishing over-indebtedness analysis, and client satisfaction surveys. Moreover, I was nominated as the top leader in all FINCA international organizations for leading CX from the inside-out and inspiring the team to achieve a growth of 35% by the end of 2016.

Naturally, moving from country to another, I learned to adapt, to appreciate not only the differences between cultures, but also the similarities between them. Above all, I learned to empathically listen to the words said by others. These invaluable skills I picked up, combined with my global experience, provided me with the perfect preparation for an entrepreneur in today’s fast-globalizing world.

In 2020, I joined WideBot , a startup company founded in 2016 and MENA’s No. 1 Arabic NLP cognitive AI business communications solutions provider, as Head of Business and Partnership, who was responsible for planning, developing, and implementing WideBot business strategies and MENA market growth. After a successful year of business growth, I was promoted to lead the company as WideBot Managing Director by offering quality end-to-end Arabic AI solutions and services worldwide. Rasha is also responsible for all development, communication, and physical facilities, leading the effort to enhance WideBot brand and increase its revenue in the MENA region.

WideBot is an intersection between scalable AI cognitive services and a customer experience (CX) platform. Founded in 2016, WideBot embraces building Arabic-focused AI solutions in the MENA region with the mission to empower businesses through AI-powered solutions that chat like human beings, so they can build strong relationships with their customers and maximize their outcomes through a seamless personalized experience.

“As Managing Director, I am glad to be engaged in supporting prospects towards using Arabic NLP AI solutions to increase customer experience (CX) and automate services seamlessly.“

Ashwin Chawwla : A Revolutionary Leader transforming Digital Escrow payments

Digital payments in UAE have experienced tremendous growth. With digital adoption ascending to its peak, the number of digital payment transactions grew at an annual rate of more than nine percent between 2014 and 2019.

Currently, with the increasingly digital-savvy population in the Middle East, the payments industry revenue in the UAE is expected to grow to $18.7 billion by 2031.

According to a new Boston Consulting Group report, revenues are expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 7.7% in the upcoming years.

With such whopping numbers, the business world needs to put its best foot forward and up its game. Helping small and medium-scale businesses along the way and paving an excellent road map ahead for smooth and secure digital transactions is the one-of-its-kind platform- Escrowpay.

The Hook

Moving contingent money across payment rails is still broken, especially if one of the endpoints is an emerging SME. However, in B2B, there was no platform enabling a feasible solution, so there was a great need to innovate. Hence, this real challenge needed a solution and that’s how Escrowpay was born.

Meet Ashwin Chawwla

A serial entrepreneur in wealth management with over two decades of experience. Ashwin is the Founder and CEO of Escrowpay . He is a passionate learner and an avid reader, who is keen on discovering new things and getting to learn from them.

Education and Career Deets

His education qualification includes: completed graduation from Delhi University, MBA in marketing from the University of Liverpool, executive education from Universoty of Texas, Yale University and Stanford University.

His career in wealth management spans insurances and real estate before etering payments in 2015. He started his career as a corporate insurance agent in 2001 with Tata AIG and Birla Sunlife then moved to global real estate in 2004. Ashwin has hit many milestones in his career. Some of the most lauded ones include, he has successfully closed over $3B in transactions on behalf of his clients. He was instrumental in bringing Coldwell Banker, an over 100 years old real estate brand to India.

He also closed the largest land deal in India of over $500 M way back in 2013 from where the escrow idea was seeded. Ashwin has also travelled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Germany. He is a member of three panels on entrepreneurship & technology with Confederation of Indian Industry.

Currently based in Dubai, Ashwin is onboarding a new banking partner for expanding Escrowpay in GCC. Understanding the need of the hour, Ashwin reckons that the payment industry and the development of a FinTech ecosystem are among the growth drivers of the future economy.

The Foundation of Escrowpay

One hot afternoon in Mumbai, two leading developers DLF and Lodha Group were struggling to close a $500M land transaction. Ashwin happened to advise both companies. While trying to find a solution, someone suggested ‘Let’s escrow” and that rang a bell and that is when the Escrowpay idea was seeded.

Every day small and medium-scale businesses struggle to get paid on time. Litigation with your client is never really an option.

So, one day while sketching the product, he realized that the puzzle in front can be stitched, and a solution can be offered. His company then tied up with largest banks in india. With such an effective system, businesses now can enable trust in their transactions for ‘collecting on-time to payments on-time’.

At Escrowpay, the team was able to digitize the escrow piece 100%. Today, it offers an escrow account nearly instantly. It is the first company in the world to successfully open escrow accounts on WhatsApp.

Additionally, the perks of having an escrow account certainly help to make investing in the primary market a lot safer.

Core DNA of Escrowpay

In the business world, small and medium-scale businesses are creating an impact and marking their presence. They are equally important as the large-scale business

Hence, Escrowpay is fully aware of the requirements of SMEs and hence supports such businesses to succeed. This is at the heart of what Escrowpay does, helping small and medium-scale businesses to hit milestones and accelerate growth.

Until recently, only the big players could enjoy escrow, However, with its latest technology now, it is making digital escrow available for everyone, giving SMEs the chance to get ahead and aim for higher and timely revenues.

It endeavours to make life better for an SME. It is focused on the growth of SMEs worldwide, by helping them collect and pay on time.

An Overview of Escrowpay

Its Indian Banking Partners

ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, YES Bank & RBL Bank

Team

Escrowpay’s team handles escrows of over $1.5 billion and is a team that didn’t need “more money” to show PMF and growth

Problem

The problem Escrowpay is trying to solve is that banks today need 2-3 months in opening an escrow account with about 400 pages to sign.

Solution

Founded in 2015, ESCROWPAY is an all-in-one payment platform. Be its high-value, once-in-lifetime purchases, milestone-based transactions, long-dated sales, or even recurring regular transactions, the company protects the interests of stakeholders in all contingent-based transactions by creating a safe, secure, transparent, and smart digital escrow-centered ecosystem of payments. It has dropped the number of pages to sign to just 20. A platform with No hidden fees, No minimum balance, No ‘lock-in’, and No stress.

Better Experience

The need for ‘on demand’ trust in transactions is a booming business as businesses would always desire to collect and pay on time

Technology

Today, Escrowpay’s technology allows opening an escrow account faster than any bank in minutes, with complete checks and balances and the money in your account. Smooth, convenient, transparent, and delightful. It has married banking software as a service and API connectivity making transactions seamless and simple.

Product Suite covers:

Payment Gateway Services
Digital Banking Solution
Debit Cards
Trusteeship services
Identity checks
Digital signing capabilities
Digital ledgers
Digital escrow
eNach for recurring payments
POS business

Pivot

Escrowpay is today a digitally native business serving a large number of clients in different cities, no feet on the street, no DSAs, and no branches, and it offers an escrow account to every SME.

Why this – Discovering a Huge Gap in India 65M SMEs today run their businesses without an escrow account and run the risk of closure on account of delayed payments. As per an Ernst and Young report, $200 billion is stuck in delayed payments – A HUGE GAP in the 65M SME market

Why now – Digital transformation

When Escrowpay was founded a few years back, even the adhaar stack was not available. The company has walked a difficult path but continued to hold against all adversities. Demonitisation and all government initiatives for digitising payments like UPI stack etc has worked very well for Escrowpay.

In-house built technology

The platform build was completed in June 2020, taking all product development risks away from investors. In 2021, the team secured strategic partnerships, built white-label versions of the platform, and refined the application before achieving staggering results. While we all use payment gateway every day, Escrowpay is a ‘Digital Trust’ Payment Gateway.

Medulla – Escrowpay’s nerve centre

A powerhouse in the cloud helping onboard clients faster than ever. Backed by security protocols from AWS and Escrowpay’s proprietary algo, this is by far the biggest innovation Indian payments and banking industry has seen.

Awards

Technoviti Award, CII Innovation award, incubated by the US State Department and the University of Texas at Austin.

Key Insights about Ashwin’s Personal Life

Morning Rituals

Ashwin wakes up at 7 am, in the prayer room by 8 am. He starts his day by thanking the universe for all health, wealth, and happiness. He starts work by 8: 45 am, the meetings are largely online and have a great team to tide over all his requirements. Listening to music while working helps Ashwin relax and focus at the same time.

Favorite book

Rich dad poor dad

Favorite Quote.

“Failure is only when you quit”

Ashwin’s take on Women Entrepreneurs in Business

Women are great leaders and can build their empires as beautifully as they have built their homes. Ashwin has collaborated with some inspirational women in business.

Vani Kola from Kalaari Capital, Padmaja Ruparel from Indian Angel Network, Rema Subramaniam, Ritu Verma, Kamakshi Rao from Ankur Capital, and Vasudha Wadhera from Elevation Capital are some of the leaders in the funding space

Escrowpay’s Future Goals

As new specialized payment players bring the bigger picture to reality, the GCC will experience real-time advancements. Escrowpay is at the forefront of this opportunity including the CEPA deal which both India and UAE signed recently. With new and optimal solutions, Escrowpay aspires to become a blockchain-based fully digital bank for business owners with having global presence.

Romina Guglielmetti: Innovative Businesswoman, Administering Success in Corporate and Commercial Law with Starclex

Revolutionary indeed, both Romina Guglielmetti and her venture, Starclex, continue to set the pace in the legal industry while breaking new ground and innovating world-class solutions.

Today, Starclex holds a significant position in the market as a name associated with a company offering excellent service in all areas of business and commercial law. The Starclex team, which consists of knowledgeable professionals from various industry sectors with a strong international background and exceptional skills, continues to put in the effort and make a name for itself in the sector by providing support that is supported by its extensive industry knowledge, which is well-known in the Italian and international business community.

Headquartered in Lombardia, Italy, and under the supervision of Romina Guglielmetti, who founded the company in 2013, Starclex specialises in providing ordinary and exceptional support to listed and non-listed companies in the fields of corporate and commercial law, corporate governance and compliance, banking and financial law, internet law, intellectual property, and innovative start-ups and SMEs. Emerging in the legal space, Romina Guglielmetti’s privately owned law firm has been dealing with complex issues every day, developing innovative solutions to meet the needs of the customers.

The visionary leader

Romina Guglielmetti, Founding Partner of Starclex, is a lawyer with expertise in corporate governance, corporate law, banking, and capital markets law. In addition to lecturing in university courses and master’s programmes with a corporate governance focus, she has developed substantial competence in advising listed and private organisations in several business sectors. She was a founder member of Starclex in 2013, and from 2007 to 2013 she served as a partner at Studio Santa Maria; from 2000 to 2004 she was a senior associate at Studio Legale Bonelli Erede Pappalardo (now BE); and from 2004 to 2007 she was of counsel at Studio Notarile Marchetti.

The inspiring lady was also involved in the corporate governance of financial institutions, listed companies, and state-controlled businesses, with a focus on control systems (at the individual and group level), succession plans, related party transactions, and the appropriateness of the composition and operation of boards of directors.

Sharing more about her persona and goals, the magnificent woman asserted, “I would like to be remembered for professionalism and competence, together with the capability to assist clients in complex operations (M&A, IPOs, takeover bids), or in delicate corporate governance issues. “I would like to be remembered for the capacity to combine, with a tailormade approach, the experience I got in the professional and academic field with the experience I gained as a board of directors and control member of primary listed companies, operating in different sectors (e.g., Enel, Italgas, MPS, Tod’s, Compass Banca, ITA Airways, Fondazione Milano-Cortina 2026, Pininfarina, Dea Capital Investment Funds SGR, etc.).”

The Exclusive Service Portfolio of Starclex

The young and dynamic law firm, with high technical skills and united by a deep passion for their work and for legal Starclex, deal with complex issues every day, developing innovative solutions to meet the needs of the customers on the following issues:

Ordinary corporate matters: helping boards and other company functions with governance issues, compliance and control systems, and developing, analysing, and restating bylaws, internal policies, and regulations (such as compliance, control, and internal dealing procedures, ethical codes, and the structuring and functions of board committees).

They support publicly traded businesses with regard to the legal and compliance aspects of their interactions with shareholders and regulatory bodies, with a focus on the accuracy, completeness, and coherence of their communications to the market and to oversight bodies. In dealing with the Bank of Italy and Consob (in relation to extraordinary corporate operations, regulatory penalties, etc.), structuring their control and governance procedures, dealing with fit and proper tests, and board evaluation processes, they support businesses and financial intermediaries.

Starclex specialises in assisting governance bodies with planning and recording meetings, providing legal advice, and, more broadly, advising businesses on difficult corporate decisions (public market transactions, situations involving conflicts of interest, transactions involving correlated parties, etc.); extraordinary corporate matters: advising companies and financial intermediaries on complex extraordinary transactions such as IPOs, tender offers, M&A, spin-offs, and demergers.

The Strong Clientele

The clientele that can benefit from Starclex’s service includes Italian and internationally listed companies as well as private firms in every phase of their companies’ lives. Additionally, Starclex offers legal assistance to businesses, banks, financial organisations, and groups during board and shareholder meeting activities. This assistance extends even to businesses with control system profiles.

In fact, Starclex’s goal in assisting clients is to foster a cultural evolution so that the obligations imposed by industry regulations are not perceived as mere bureaucratic burdens but rather as tools for creating value for the company and all its stakeholders. The company helps businesses both before and after they list, offering a variety of qualified services spanning from daily assistance to the organisation of board and shareholder meeting proceedings, from extraordinary transactions to relations with the authorities and the market.

Standing at a Distinctive Stance in the Legal World

With years of expertise in intricate, global operations and a thorough understanding of the Italian market, Starclex is a dynamic reality that can provide its clientele with a flexible, constantly-evolving approach. Starclex works in full judge independence to provide clients independent assistance and supplies finalised consulting services to the client’s objects and needs. Associated with in-depth knowledge of the issuer and its management, this perspective allows the team to be ready and effective in assisting the client in ordinary activities, in structured capital transactions, or in the acquisition of complementary third-party companies that are strategic to the growth path. Several businesses have asked for the continuation of the collaboration relationship with our company, in part due to the strong bond of confidence that has been established.

The Latest Tech Evolutions

Starclex is adapting to the changes in its market sector, which is distinguished by a significant amount of competition, by investing in young, motivated personnel, valuing unique attitudes and competencies, and enhancing the client’s approach in terms of professionalism, service accuracy, dedication, costs, and the sensitivity of new technologies.

Talents and diversity Valorization, flexibility, and digitalization are aspects that have an impact on the sustainability of legal firms, and Starclex, although a specialised boutique, is spotting emerging needs in the legal consulting sector that may be of interest to its clients even in the future.

Overcoming the Hurdles

Along the Way The major challenge to face has been to establish itself on the market. Starclex is a young company that was founded by my partner Carlo Riganti and Romina when they were only thirty and forty years old, respectively. As a result, it took a lot of energy to gain the trust of clients, expand the network, and be able to generate the money needed to invest in structures and sources quickly. Being a woman was initially a possible disadvantage, but this has been greatly overcome.

Future Outlook

When questioned about her future ambitions, Romina stated, “In the coming years, I will see myself committed to consolidating and further enhancing our outcomes, both in terms of business and in terms of developing the firm’s structure, confronting more worldwide perspectives.”

“From a personal standpoint, I wish to make up for my family’s tolerance by giving it more time. They have always supported me in my decisions. I have always been fascinated by the idea of striking the appropriate balance between work and family, and I have never done so unless it was absolutely necessary.

Ran Rachlin: An Ardent Leader with a Magnificent Mindset, Spearheading Ubertesters to Deliver Excellent Testing Solutions

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” By Walt Disney

Tycoon Success is back with another story of ‘scratch to success” – by introducing our readers to Ran Rachlin, Co-founder & CEO, of Ubertesters.

An accomplished, multi-talented senior executive with extensive global experience in developing and managing innovative initiatives from conception to implementation, making major sales, and directing large global businesses across different nations and industries. Ran is a hands-on business owner and leader with excellent sales and management abilities and an ideal example of strong will and dedication.

Spearheading as the CEO, Ran is the man behind the victorious journey of Ubertesters, embarking on a successful journey to deliver the best software testing solutions. Ran held a number of prominent management positions in P&L, general management, and operations before founding Ubertesters. Together with remarkable performance in deal negotiating and closing in any business environment, he possesses tremendous expertise in sales and marketing, strategic business planning, new business creation, market analysis, and strategic alliances.

Sharing what empowered his inspiring journey, the visionary leader stated, “My travels throughout the world and the fact that I spent more than ten years in a different nation molded my cross-cultural experience. Additionally, having managerial positions in large international organizations has given me the required knowledge to oversee both foreign clients and international teams throughout the globe.”

“Surviving the global economic crisis of 2008 while guiding my organization to a “safe harbor” was another significant step. This gave me insight into how to ensure that businesses survive a recession (like the one we are currently experiencing,” he continued.

Ubertesters and its Exclusive Service Portfolio

“We help our clients sleep better knowing they can launch their digital product with confidence, convinced it was well tested by real users in their actual target market and it’s bug-free.” – Ran Rachlin

Incorporated in 2014, Ubertesters is the pioneer in crowd-testing or on-demand software testing. The program enables businesses to use remote, globally validated testers with devices only when it is necessary to outsource the power of the public for their own digital testing or QA needs.

Ubertesters offers a platform that connects businesses with a global network of professional testers who can perform various testing tasks such as functional testing, compatibility testing, security testing, and more. Ubertesters aims to assist companies in enhancing the quality of their software and providing their customers with high-quality products.

The main advantages of employing crowd-testing for businesses are access to a sizable and varied tester pool, lower testing expenses compared to traditional testing methods, and a speedier time-to-market because bugs are found and fixed more quickly.

The Initial Setbacks, Ubertesters Suffered

In the beginning, the team experienced two significant difficulties. In order to succeed, they first had to outperform a single industry titan by offering a special value proposition. The second issue was how to create a sizable global network of QA specialists who matched the description and were eager to test in their spare time for extra cash.

Ubertesters have to give customers more value in order to get past the first obstacle. So, they made the decision to develop a “boutique” style of service that provides more distinctive and tailored testing solutions along with excellent and attentive client support. They overcame the second obstacle by heavily utilizing social media and paying the testers slightly more than their rivals did and much more quickly.

Healthy Work Environment: UberTesters’s Focal Point

Innovation and creativity must be encouraged if a business is to succeed. Setting a clear vision and objective for the organization is a first requirement. Encouraging open communication is the second. The intention is to foster an atmosphere where everyone feels at ease offering recommendations and thoughts.

Every time Ran gets new, creative suggestions from staff members that help the business succeed, he acknowledges and rewards creativity. He first celebrates the concept privately with the employee before doing so publicly through an announcement to the entire organization. He also provides a financial award. He is a proponent of setting an example. He makes an effort to showcase his own originality and inventiveness. Ran does his best to demonstrate his own creativity and innovation. This can help inspire employees and create a culture where everyone feels empowered to contribute their unique ideas.

Surmounting Entrepreneurial Hiccups

The high-tech industry is characterized by rapid innovation, constant change, and intense competition. There are two major challenges: rapid technological change and talent acquisition and retention.

Technology is evolving rapidly. To keep ahead of the competition, businesses must constantly develop and upgrade their products. Yet doing so also necessitates a substantial investment in engineering, which may be costly and dangerous. Second, there is fierce rivalry for talent in the tech business, which demands highly qualified staff with specific knowledge.

Painting Ubertesters’s Future Canvas

The inspiring CEO envisions himself developing his business through innovation, creativity, and the “voice of the customer” over the coming few years. He also wants to establish a new business to discover a product that will benefit society by extending life expectancy and enhancing the quality of life.

From a personal perspective, Ran focuses on improving his work-life balance. This can be done through better time management and boundary settings.

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Start with a solid plan and take care of your team. Before starting your business journey, it’s important to have a solid plan in place. This plan should have a distinct vision for the company, a target market, a business model, and a strategy for long-term financial viability. Without such a plan, it will be impossible for you to assemble a solid team. Then, build a strong team with complementary skills and values, and provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed. The business world is very dynamic. Be willing to pivot your business strategy if necessary and be open to new opportunities.

Jennifer Marcus: Assisting Small Business Owners to Operate their Businesses in the Most Cost Effective Way

Jennifer Marcus is a highly sought-after entrepreneur, youth keynote speaker, and empowerment coach. After earning her master’s degree in Accounting and Finance with honors, Human Resources Management, and MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, she went on to work for a couple of accounting firms before establishing Marpalms in 2016. In addition to owning Marpalms LLC, Jennifer is also the CFO of Tour Décor and co-owner of Beau Diamante LLC, CEO and President of You Can be You, Owner of Jepriv Fashion, Paint Me Sassy, One Winged Incorporated, Marcus Brands Incorporated, One Winged Steel, One Winged Studios, One Winged Speaking, One Winged Literature, One Winged Presentations, Jennifer Marcus LLC.

Since childhood, Jennifer has tackled racism, physical and emotional abuse, and child abandonment. These life experiences eventually created expectations that nearly exceeded her abilities, such as finding employment to pay rent while being a full-time student at thirteen. Unfortunately, at this point of time, Jennifer’s mother also suffered from drug addiction and used the household’s limited income to feed her drug habit.

At fifteen, Jennifer reached a pivotal stage in her life after moving to California with a few older friends. She was then shot in a random drive-by and immediately taken to the hospital. While lying in bed, attached to several monitoring devices, Jennifer thought she deserved much better. Upon her exit from the hospital, she immediately set a course to be on the right path and got involved in sports programs, clubs, and other initiatives that helped her to use her time wisely. These decisions eventually developed her self-confidence and led to a range of achievements, including earning three master’s degrees, owning twelve successful businesses, and identifying her purpose to make an impact on youth and students internationally.

In 2016, Jennifer founded Marpalms, which has since grown into a sophisticated business providing much more than simple bookkeeping services. Proud of the educational focus of her company, Jennifer is incredibly enthusiastic about the consulting work and the relationships she builds with other individuals and organizations. Jennifer is an open book of tools and strategies which can be used to improve efficiency, be successful, and effectively empower small business owners. Jennifer’s philosophy is to offer the highest quality services at affordable pricing.

Finding Opportunities

While working for other accounting firms, Jennifer noticed that entrepreneurs and small business owners were struggling and being taken advantage of. They were being charged exorbitantly for bookkeeping and accounting, which they couldn’t afford. Although they needed the help but were spending everything they had, leaving nothing to grow their business further. So, many would go out of their businesses for lack of capital.

So, she formed Marpalms in 2016 to give those businesses a greater opportunity to grow while still receiving the needed service.

“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased”- Maya Angelou

“Marpalms is built on the philosophy that we try to start with our clients early and set the fees so that they are affordable. As the client’s company grows, the fees increase, so we grow together. Doing this leaves more money in their business and, in turn, creates a long-term partnership versus a company out of business and a client lost,”- Jennifer explained.

She also went ahead and started Jepriv fashion, offering clothing at a price that everyone could afford. Later she opened Beau Diamante, offering both fine and fashion jewelry, Paint Me Sassy carrying nail wraps and nail supplies, One Winged Studios offering a podcast studio, a video studio, and a photography studio under one roof.

When the Going Gets Tough

Jennifer feels the main challenge she has faced in the Accounting and Bookkeeping industry is not being taken seriously. Several larger firms have questioned her abilities, as her fee structure is different than others, that she loves to work with new businesses, that she does not take any of the large companies, and that she will not conform to the way that they want Jennifer to run her company. However, she prefers to operate her company in a way that can cater to those that others do not want to take care of, those that need the services the most to grow their businesses and thrive.

“If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.” – Zig Ziglar.

“Honestly, when it comes to business, I do not think that I have had many roadblocks related to being a woman. I think this is because I don’t let them bother me, and I refuse to let them deter me from helping others and staying on the path set forth,”- she said.

As we all know, the pandemic had many major effects on all businesses worldwide, and Jennifer’s businesses were no different. Her retail businesses almost completely came to a halt, and there was a massive drop in her clients, as they no longer had their businesses or could not afford services. Jennifer and her team worked with her clients in any way they could.

“Luckily, when it came to my retail businesses, I was able to ride it out and withstand. This is because years ago, I decided that when I started a business, I would ensure that I had enough money to pay for the inventory, the costs, and any other fees that are not just basic day-to-day. By doing this, I had no expenses, allowing my companies to hold tight until sales started coming in again,”- Jennifer remembered.

Future Priorities

In the future, Jennifer seeks to grow her business with the addition of the nonprofit You Can Be You, continuing to speak to business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals to help them create and maintain their own business empires. She plans to do this through public speaking, podcasts, and educational classes. In addition to those projects, Jennifer will also continue to speak with high school students regarding the importance of choices, their ability to make decisions, and that regardless of background, where they came from, or what they have been through, they too can make choices that can set their life on the path towards the future they desire.

Advice for Future Leaders

As a serial entrepreneur, youth keynote speaker, and empowerment coach, Jennifer advises future business leaders that they should not give up. She says, “I know that it seems insignificant and redundant but never give up. No dream, no goal, no job is too small. I started out working for others now; I stand here with three master’s degrees, twelve businesses, one nonprofit, and a passion and fire not only to teach others but to ensure that they are also able to inspire and teach others.”

Henry Lukenge: Helping you Find the Perfect Caregiver

Healthcare staffing companies provide temporary and permanent staffing solutions for healthcare facilities, including clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other medical institutions. These organizations specialize in recruiting and placing healthcare professionals in various roles, including registered nurses, physical therapists, medical assistants, etc.

Founded by Mr. Henry Lukenge in late 2009, NEXIM Healthcare Consultants Inc. is one such countrywide provider of contingent, planned, and un-planned health and social care staff to hospitals, community living organizations, families with individuals who have developmental delays, and homecare through its Retire@home program for seniors retiring at with their homes. Other value-added services Nexim Healthcare provides include, but are not limited to, call assurance, home modifications to enable elders to stay in their homes, non-ambulatory transportation, and wheelchair-accessible transportation.

The Steadfast Leader

Born and brought up in a family of entrepreneurs, Mr. Lukenge has seen his father run one of the first indigenously owned construction companies in Uganda during the mid-70’s. Initially, Mr. Lukenge worked at his father’s construction company and learned various skills.

In the late 80s, he moved to England with his eight siblings and parents after surviving the conflict and displacement from Uganda. Mr. Lukenge completed his high school in England and joined the University to study Mathematical statistics, a career he had little interest in, but with limited command of the English language, his choices was limited. Later Mr. Lukenge went back to school for the professional accounting exams at the Association of Chartered certified accountants-UK- which combined his great love for numbers, problem-solving, and people engagement. With his outstanding performances in the CA program, he was then hired to join the articling program at one of the Big 4 Accounting firms in the U.K. Eventually, he rose through the ranks to become a junior tax partner – leading larger tax compliance, audit, and financial risk analysis projects across Europe, South East Asia, and Africa before being headhunted for an investment banking role in Canada’s one of the largest Trust Funds as a Director of Investor Services.

So, in 2006, Mr. Lukenge relocated to Canada. He served the Trust Fund for nearly three years until he got disillusioned and unhappy with his career and decided to walk away from the finance and accounting industry to start his own business.

Initially, Mr. Lukenge wasn’t sure about the nature of his new business. So, he took his time out and visited his mother in Kampala, Uganda, who advised him to set up a healthcare staffing company focused on providing thought staffing solutions to help leading sector players in the health and social care sector fulfill their staffing needs.

Eventually, in late 2009 Mr. Lukenge returned to Toronto, sold all of his real estate, prepared a business plan, and established NEXIM Healthcare as a business.

Revolutionizing Healthcare Staffing

When Mr. Lukenge founded Nexim, he wanted to create a company that would revolutionize the healthcare staffing industry while using some of its net income and technical expertise to advance access to education, wildlife conservation, and the fight against climate change in the third world. Mr. Lukenge’s life journey began in Iddi Amin’s Uganda, East Africa via South Africa where he overcame apartheid and a refugee camp to become a CA, enter the largest board rooms, and achieve the enormous success he never imagined possible because he was able to attend school when the majority of the children he was displaced with failed to do so. This is one of the main reasons why Mr. Lukenge established NEXIM more than a decade ago. Through NEXIM, Mr. Lukenge offers internships to inner-city kids who are starting their careers and have no places to find internships, so they don’t have to go through what Mr. Lukenge went through when starting his career in 1990s South London, England

“The day NEXIM Broke even is the milestone I’m most proud of, but my greatest career achievement to date was the day I retired from my career as an Investment Banker leaving a whole life to start a new one. Best decision I have ever made in my life.”- he states.

Primary Challenges of the Healthcare Industry

As NEXIM Healthcare’s founder, Mr. Lukenge always prefers to call challenges opportunities for growth. According to him, the primary challenges lie in the lack of qualified and employable candidates and longer wait times for internationally educated healthcare professionals to be integrated into the Canadian healthcare system because there are no updated and precise professional competence requirements for IEHPs entering the country. Also, the incompatibility between the provincial and federal immigration policies with healthcare professionals’ credential accrediting organizations and the less than adequate supply of amenities like transit and short-term rental units in the hard-to-serve areas of the provinces poses a significant challenge for the industry.

However, Mr. Lukenge and his team at NEXIM are working with all levels of the government, professional accrediting agencies, hospitals, and various stakeholders to help capitalize on these opportunities. Presently, NHCI is setting up its own private career college with a focus on controlling access to training opportunities for healthcare staff and helping with faster integration of IEHPs into the labor force.

NEXIM is also working with the government and other professional accrediting organizations to simplify protocols so IEHPs coming to Canada can be granted shorter wait times to appear for the practice compliance tests. Additionally, with its facilities management unit, NEXIM is building a unique ecosystem consisting of short-term accommodation, site-to-site transportation, and several other amenities for staff who are willing to relocate for projects in hard-to-serve areas. In the process, the organization has created an entirely new business unit through which it has built a substantial real estate portfolio for its stakeholders while providing reliable services to its clients.

“Our vision is to become a leading healthcare manpower planning leader across North America through a combination of local and international healthcare human capital talent acquisition, placement, and career development in partnership with public, private, and Inter -government stakeholders,”- Mr. Lukenge explains.

Assisting Clients During the Pandemic

Overall, the pandemic proved advantageous for NEXIM and gave the business an ideal balance of risk and reward to expand its services. During the pandemic, NEXIM Healthcare grew its service area to the entire province and became a province-wide provider of its services. Due to its ability to combine lodging, site-to-site transportation, and the creation of isolation hubs for staff supporting various clients, NEXIM Healthcare quickly established itself as the go-to business for anyone in its region experiencing a COVID-related staffing crisis.

“Through earlier preparations and a solid business plan that prepared us for the pandemic without us actually knowing it was coming, our operation and logistics units fit perfectly in the country’s drive to lower community spread; hence we experienced rapid growth and grew our business by 150% year vs. year during the pandemic,“- remembers Mr. Lukenge.

Building An Unique Ecosystem to Support Remote Regions

With the help of Mr. Lukenge’s visionary leadership, NEXIM has become one of the very few healthcare staffing firms that have created a distinctive ecosystem to support organizations in remote locations with third-party staffing services without passing on high costs for short-term stays and logistics. NEXIM assists its clients in reducing their costs while still maintaining margins for itself by combining its expertise in real estate, vehicle fleet management, and management services.

NEXIM is one of Canada’s very few 24/365/7 days completely staffed healthcare staffing organizations. It provides seamless scheduling, intake, and timesheet tracking via a technology suite that combines scheduling, payroll, and accounting into one. This enables NEXIM’s clients to monitor staff on shifts from the comfort of their homes to the site with digital time cards used for payment and invoicing.

Looking at The Future

Presently NHCI is diversifying around its core services of providing third-party services to the healthcare industry. NHCI is also planning to set up a countrywide PCC network to help train both social and healthcare workers and to help quickly integrate IEHPs into the Canadian labor force.

Also, through NEXIM’s philanthropic program NIDO, Mr. Lukenge intends to increase the number of scholarships for East and South African students to 10k yearly. Presently, through its 4E framework, NIDO provides scholarships to 400 students. Additionally, through the NIDO program, Mr. Lukenge aspires to help healthcare organizations with their international healthcare staff recruitment plans while helping them craft faster integration protocols for IEHPs.

“We are taking NEXIM Canada-wide though remodeling a dilapidated commercial unit which we are equipping to become a large Hub in the city of Hamilton, which will contain operations, shared services, and logistics unit hired based on the different time zones In Canada ,”- he says.

Entrepreneurship is a Game of Patience

Mr. Lukenge believes entrepreneurship is a game of patience, persistence, discipline, and comfort in loneliness; for the most part, an entrepreneur will work alone toward a business and idea. So, he suggests that young entrepreneurs should never forget it’s a long journey whose results can even take years to manifest, so when things do not work on their time, they should not despair.

“For those starting out, I can say that– our society or world has many needs or problems; find a way to solve one at a price that few can beat and let everyone know about it. Be disciplined and patient in a delay while working hard but find time to play. Remember to bring as many people with you as you can. The rest will take care of itself,”- he concludes.