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SEF backstage pass is a platform powered by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival. Think of this podcast as the behind the scenes pass to the festival experience, the inspiring talks from the keynote speakers, the thought-provoking conversations, and a glimpse into the magic that makes the festival truly special. Here, you will be joining our exceptional guests as they share their personal journeys; the changemakers who abandoned the limitations that others set for them and let only their ambitions dictate what is possible. This is not just a place to get inspired, it’s a community that you will relate to and a platform that will share real strategies and tools to get you closer to answering the question. “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Sharjahef.com
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في هذه الحلقة، يشارك عبدالله الجسمي — رئيس مجلس الأعمال الإماراتي البوسني، ورائد أعمال متسلسل، وباحث استراتيجي — رؤيته حول المعنى الحقيقي لريادة الأعمال، والفجوات التي يواجهها الشباب اليوم، وأهمية تحويل صناعة المحتوى إلى تأثير حقيقي بدلاً من مجرد إعلانات. ويتحدث أيضًا عن رحلته في ترك الوظيفة الحكومية للتفرغ لريادة الأعمال، ولماذا يعتبر أن الشفافية، والإرشاد، والتفكير طويل الأمد هي عناصر أساسية لتمكين الجيل القادم من رواد الأعمال في الإمارات. 🎧 هذه الحلقة من إنتاج بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass ...
Charlie Wright, founder of Humantra, shares his journey from starting a hydration brand in the UAE to building a global business. From the myths around bottled water to the science of electrolytes, Charlie breaks down why hydration matters for everyone — not just athletes — and how Humantra is setting a new standard in wellness. Watch the full episode here now and subscribe for more stories from visionary founders shaping wellness and entrepreneurship. This episode was produced in partnersh...
Patrick Abdo, creator of The Drum Path, shares his inspiring journey from engineering to building one of the most recognized drumming platforms in the region. From turning a viral Mr. Bean video into a global drumming sensation, to opening music schools, scaling online courses, and navigating Lebanon’s challenges before expanding to Dubai — Patrick’s story is all about following passion over convention. Watch the full episode here now and subscribe for more stories from visionary creators s...
For over 23 years, Yasir Khan, founder of TYB (Transform Your Body), has been at the forefront of holistic wellness in the UAE. From mindset coaching to habit-building and fitness, Yasir has created one of the country’s largest transformation facilities — helping CEOs, parents, and everyday people rewire their lives for lasting change. In this episode, he shares why transformation goes beyond weight loss, how to build sustainable habits, and why courage is the first step toward real change. ...
For Emirati designer and artist Hessa Al Zarooni, that story is deeply connected to Sharjah’s heritage. From her graduation project Mazdan — inspired by traditional gypsum patterns in old Sharjah — to designing the Made in Sharjah pavilion at SEF, Hessa shows how creativity can bridge past and present. In this episode, she shares her journey of turning passion into purpose, the role of community support in her growth, and why confidence is the secret ingredient for every creative. 🎧 Watch t...
Every great business starts with a problem. For Yahya Kabbara, that problem was access — and turning something as ordinary as a gate pass into a powerful business model. In this episode, Yahya shares how MyGatePass identified a hidden need, built trust in a new service, and scaled from an overlooked concept into a growing business. 🎧 Watch the full episode here now on our Youtube channel and subscribe for more stories from visionary founders shaping the future. This episode was produced i...
From friendship to fashion — how did Hala Al Gergawi and Soha Mikati turn a shared vision into a thriving brand? In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Hala Al Gergawi and Soha Mikati share the story of how they built a business rooted in culture, style, and purpose. They open up about balancing friendship and entrepreneurship, navigating challenges in the fashion industry, and staying true to their creative vision. 🎧 Watch the full episode here now and subscribe for more storie...
In this episode, Rhea and Nikita Patel share the journey of creating The Bureau — a women-focused co-working space designed to inspire, empower, and connect. From spotting a market gap to designing spaces where women thrive, they talk about challenges, successes, and what it takes to grow a purpose-driven business. 🎧 Watch the full episode now on our Youtube channel and discover how The Bureau is redefining workspaces. #TheBureau #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneurs #CoworkingSpaces #SEFB...
What happens when you let go of control, follow intuition, and build a life around purpose instead of profit? In this episode, futurist and innovation thinker Niki Skene breaks down his unconventional approach to business, creativity, and life. From working with bold ideas to launching inspiration tours across the world — he challenges traditional models and invites us to think differently about success. 💡 If you've ever felt like you're not built for the system — this one’s for you. Watch ...
Dr. Hamad Alawar was pursuing his PhD in engineering when a late-night craving turned into a business idea. What started as a side hustle became High Joint — one of Dubai’s most beloved homegrown burger brands. In this episode, he breaks down what it means to take risks, start scrappy, and grow a brand that stays true to its identity. From flipping burgers to leading a creative food movement — this is a masterclass in bold beginnings. 💡 For anyone who’s ever asked, “Can I really start from ...
From a PhD at Cambridge to co-founding a €11M AI startup, Dr. Ahmed Ghanim Al-Ali shares what it takes to build real-world impact through technology. In this episode, he breaks down the mindset behind great tech founders, the reality of competing with giants like OpenAI, and why persistence is your sharpest edge in fast-evolving industries. Whether you’re a developer, founder, or future entrepreneur — this conversation will sharpen your view of where AI is heading and what it takes to lead t...
🎙 A powerful episode with Mostafa Salameh, world-renowned adventurer, humanitarian, and motivational speaker. From summiting Mount Everest to inspiring thousands around the world, Mostafa shares his journey of faith, purpose, and resilience. This conversation dives into the mindset required to face life’s toughest challenges and emerge stronger. 💡 A must-watch for anyone seeking clarity, strength, and motivation. 📍 This episode is part of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, proudly produced in ...
Meet Suaad Al Shamsi, the UAE’s first female aircraft engineer. In this episode, she shares how a childhood fascination with airplanes turned into a groundbreaking career. From overcoming stereotypes in a male-dominated industry to mentoring young women in aviation and STEM, Suaad reflects on the courage, clarity, and resilience it takes to lead with purpose — both in the hangar and in life. 🎧 This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. 📍 Listen to the full episode and don’t for...
How did FREEJ — a show that redefined animation in the Arab world and gave a voice to Emirati identity — become one of the region’s most iconic cultural creations? In this episode, Mohammed Saeed Harib, creator of FREEJ, SIRAJ, and director of Rashid & Rajab, shares his journey from sketching characters in university to launching Lammtara, the studio behind the UAE’s first animated series. This episode is a masterclass in storytelling, risk-taking, and staying true to your roots. 🎧 This ...
What does it take to go from earning AED 800 as a barista to becoming the founder of a specialty coffee empire? ☕ Maria Eduarda Becker Pavani, founder of Tres Marias Coffee Company, shares her inspiring journey of entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation. 🎧 Whether you're a coffee lover, entrepreneur, or dreamer — this episode will move you. 🔗 Watch till the end for Maria’s powerful message to those afraid to start. 🎥 Subscribe for more inspiring founder stories from the SEF Backstage ...
How does a regional super app evolve into an everything app — and what does that mean for AI, data, and product design? In this episode, Mohamad Charafeddine shares the inside story of Careem’s next chapter: how they’re building for convenience, simplifying experiences, and integrating AI with purpose. 🎧 This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. 📍 Watch the full episode now and don’t forget to subscribe. #MohamadCharafeddine #Careem #SEFBackstagePass #ProductLeadership #Ever...
In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass Podcast — in partnership with Poddster — Canadian band Music Travel Love share their story of independence, passion, and building a global community through heartfelt music. From walking away from major labels to building a lifestyle rooted in music, travel, and love, this conversation is packed with wisdom for creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone daring to go their own way. 🎧 Watch the full episode to learn how to build a meaningful, lasting career on yo...
Traditional education was designed for factory workers — not for a world shaped by AI. In this episode, Dr Abdul Quddus Mohammed shares how Thrive AI is helping Gen Z build mindset, resilience, and purpose in an era of rapid change. 🎧 This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. 📍 Watch the full episode and let us know your thoughts in the comments. #SEFBackstagePass #AbdulQuddusMohammed #ThriveAI #EducationReform #AIandLearning #futureofwork
In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we dive into the journey of Hadil El Khatib, founder of The Broth Lab, The Roost Rotisserie, and Catcha Matcha. Hadil opens up about how she built three purpose-driven F&B brands, the deep personal motivations behind each, and the emotional (and financial) realities of being a founder. From gut health to community-building, this conversation explores what happens when passion, purpose, and business collide — and how failure often fuels the biggest g...
In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we sit down with Mazen Kanaan, the CEO and co-founder of House of Pops — the region’s standout clean-label popsicle brand. Mazen opens up about how they launched the brand with one cart, stayed true to their sustainability values, and built a scalable business with purpose at its core. From the early pivots and lean strategies to the emotional moments of brand growth, this is a story of how staying simple — and intentional — can lead to real impact. 📍...
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