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Arabian Business
22-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
AB Majlis podcast: Zeina Khoury on reality TV, Dubai real estate, and finding power in vulnerability
Zeina Khoury may be known to millions as the sharp-witted star of Netflix's Dubai Bling, but her true legacy is being built far from the cameras – in the boardrooms and broker networks of Dubai's thriving real estate sector. In an exclusive interview on AB Majlis, Arabian Business' flagship podcast, Khoury, Founder of Zed Capital and fashion label I Am the Company, spoke candidly about fame, her entrepreneurial journey, and why the phrase 'I am the company' went from being a meme to a movement. From Beirut to the Boomtown Khoury arrived in Dubai in 2006, fleeing Lebanon's political uncertainty for opportunity in a city that was, at the time, still defining itself. 'We didn't even know what real estate meant,' she said. In Lebanon, property transactions were informal, word-of-mouth affairs. But in post-freehold Dubai, it was booming business. She joined the gold rush. 'Some of my brother's friends were making serious money in real estate. They said, 'Why don't you tell your sister to join?' So I did.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arabian Business (@arabianbusiness) Nearly two decades later, Khoury has mastered every phase of the property cycle – from launches and handovers to disputes, marketing, and asset management. This experience became the backbone of Zed Capital, the firm she founded after her husband surprised her with a real estate license as a gift. 'I felt like a big fish in a small pond,' she said. 'So I decided to be the pond.' Building Zed Capital Khoury's business model is full-stack: Zed Capital guides developers from land acquisition through to post-handover rental and resale. 'You buy a plot, and we help you brand, market, launch, sell, manage and flip. It's not brokerage. It's full-cycle development.' Just three months after launching, the firm secured an exclusive project launch. 'We weren't even done setting up the office,' she recalled. 'But we said yes, recruited, and pulled off a major success. Now, we're on our fifth project.' Her early declaration on Dubai Bling – 'I am the company' – wasn't posturing, she said. 'In real estate, it's the people that make the company. Your relationships, your bank of knowledge, your mistakes – these are the assets,' she said. Turning fame into strategy Khoury's entry into reality TV only amplified her business capability. 'Because I entered the show as a businesswoman, that's how I was perceived. It fast-forwarded the verification process. People assume Netflix did their due diligence.' Still, the visibility came with tension. Two major on-screen confrontations with co-star Ebraheem Al Samadi tested her composure and resolve. The first, in Season 1, saw Ebraheem storm into her office, triggering a heated clash that quickly went viral. The second, in Season 3, was more calculated. Ebraheem acquired the UK trademark for I Am the Company, exploiting a technical gap in her global IP filings. 'He did it out of spite,' she said. 'But our sales exploded. We were producing thousands of T-shirts. The community rallied around me.' Khoury chose not to escalate legally. 'I didn't want to make it ugly. It was good TV and even better marketing.' Fashion as identity The brand I Am the Company was born almost by accident. After a clip of Khoury defending herself in the office went viral, fans began asking for merchandise. 'Women told me they wore our jackets when speaking on stage, or during job interviews. They saw it as armour.' The label donates part of its proceeds to cases related to education and tuition support – a nod to Khoury's own journey from modest beginnings to financial independence. Still, she admits fashion is more passion than profit. 'It's my biggest expense,' she laughed. 'But it allows me to be creative and give back.' Business lessons and personal power Despite her assertive on-screen persona, Khoury is introspective. 'People think I'm harsh. But I'm actually a softie. I lead with emotion. I've had to unlearn self-doubt and fear of failure.' She traces this back to her childhood in Lebanon, where she watched her father's business collapse amid currency devaluation. 'I used to wonder, 'why would I succeed? Am I really good, or is everyone else just bad?'' 'The moment you act like you have power, you lose it. My strength comes from the people around me – my team, my clients, my community.' Zed Capital is expanding into a larger office. New projects are launching in Meydan and Dubai Production City. Her fashion line is moving production almost entirely to the UAE. Her short-term rental business, That Living, is growing fast. And her focus remains on empowering her daughter. 'I want her to know that financial independence is freedom,' she said. 'Freedom to choose who to marry, where to live, what to study.' Tune in to a new episode of AB Majlis every Monday To listen to the full episode and gain a comprehensive understanding of doing business in the Gulf region, visit our RSS feed or check out AB Majlis on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms. Episodes are also available on: Tune in every Monday for weekly episodes that will help you stay ahead of the curve and enrich your understanding of the Gulf region.
News18
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Transforming Dreams Into Reality: These Visionary Designers Create Unforgettable Weddings
1/12 Her company, The A-Cube Project, is one of the few design firms to expand into the Middle East so swiftly, opening its Dubai office in 2024 as Apart from destination weddings across the world, she has also designed breathtaking sets for Amazon Prime Video's 'Made in Heaven-Season 2', Netflix's 'Dubai Bling', soft launch of Mona Kattan's brand 'Juice', Gaurav Gupta's set for India Couture Week '24 and Karan Torani's campaign shot at the iconic Red Fort. (Image: Ambika Gupta) 3/12 She is now expanding her expertise to retail spaces, interiors, and events. Known for her memory-laced installations, scent-driven aisle experiences and multi-sensory themes rich in metaphor, Ambika has been featured in the New York Times for her work on Van Gogh-inspired event during Covid. Be it Indian iconography, heirloom-infused tablescapes, mandaps layered with symbolism, theatrical scale or quiet, intimate details, her work has a distinct poetic lyricism that sets her apart. (Image: Ambika Gupta) Janki Desai: Janki is the founder of the event design firm ALTAIR and has designed the weddings of Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar. Since its inception in 2016, Altair has designed weddings across the world with out-of -the-box ideas. Janki's mantra is to bring newness to wedding design and customize it. (Image: Janki Desai) Altair's mission, according to her, is to enhance self-expression, and curate thoughtful events that the clients will treasure. "Contemporary India and Minimalism is our playground," says the team behind Altaire. Janki believes it is the perfect setting that enhances an event without distracting from it and is known for creating stunning wide canvases as well as intimate experiences detailed with Indian design ethos. (Image: Janki Desai) 9/12 Rani Pink designs celebrations through a historical and cultural lens and makes the most of Indian craftsmanship. Be it Rajasthani block prints, vintage chandeliers, pearl-encrusted tassels, marigold-filled courtyards, zari, gota, brocade or Phulkari accents, Anika knows how to create layers upon layers of artisanal textures. (Image: Anika Dhawan) 11/12 Devika is the soulful designer behind the weddings of Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli, Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha, Richa Chaddha and Ali Fazal. She has carved a niche for her sustainability-focused, hyper-personalized and mindful experiences. (Image: Devika Narain)
Campaign ME
14-07-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
JA Resorts & Hotels appoints Shanadi Liyanage as Cluster Director of Marketing
UAE hospitality brand JA Resorts & Hotels has revealed two new appointments with Shanadi Liyanage taking up the role of Cluster Director of Marketing, overseeing JA Ocean View Hotel and The Manor Hotel by JA, while Philip Hardie takes the lead on JA Ocean View Hotel's diverse dining scene as Director of Food & Beverages. Both leaders bring extensive expertise, creativity and fresh perspectives to their roles, aiming to craft moments that truly resonate with guests and carry forward JA Resorts & Hotels' legacy. Now leading the marketing strategy for two of the group's properties, JA Ocean View Hotel and The Manor Hotel by JA, Liyanage brings a creative edge to brand positioning, strategic planning and innovative storytelling within the luxury hospitality space. A passionate lifestyle marketer, she draws inspiration from her personal interests in gastronomy, vibrant mixology, fashion, architecture, music, design and public relations – insights that will prove valuable in continuing to shape JA Ocean View Hotel into a distinctive lifestyle destination in the heart of JBR. Originally from Sri Lanka and having studied Business and Social Entrepreneurship at Antioch University in California, Liyanage has built a career in lifestyle hospitality. Known for her ability to connect effortlessly with people from all walks of life, she has worked with renowned names such as The Dubai EDITION, along with several other five-star lifestyle hospitality concepts. Throughout her career, she's backed numerous impactful campaigns, shaped brand identities, and brought big ideas to life, including collaborations with Netflix's Dubai Bling and Bravo TV's Real Housewives of Dubai. Commenting on the appointments, Tim Quarm, Regional General Manager of JA Resorts & Hotels, commented, 'We are delighted to welcome both Shanadi and Philip to the JA family. Shanadi's creative marketing approach and ability to connect with today's lifestyle-driven traveller, paired with Philip's strong leadership and passion for innovative dining, bring a powerful synergy to JA Ocean View Hotel. Their combined experience will play a crucial role in shaping the guest journey, and we look forward to seeing how they will elevate the experience across both properties and the overall brand.' Since starting his career almost two decades ago, Philip Hardie, Director of Food & Beverages at JA Ocean View Hotel, has developed and led numerous successful dining concepts alongside renowned global hospitality brands, in the UK and the Middle East. Before joining the team, he spent 10 years with Marriott, overseeing F&B operations across several leading properties in Dubai. His previous roles include Mina Seyahi Resort, where he led 16 venues, including the iconic Barasti Beach Bar. Backed by his innovative and guest-focused approach, Hardie aims to elevate each outlet with fresh concepts, operational efficiency and a strong focus on delivering standout moments at every touchpoint.
Khaleej Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
From Launching Virgin Radio in Dubai to Going Global
In this episode, Kris Fade shares his journey from launching Virgin Radio in Dubai to becoming a top media figure, entrepreneur, and star of Dubai Bling. He reflects on hustle, resilience, and building a brand in a fast-evolving media landscape.
News18
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Tejasswi Prakash Shares What She Eats In A Day And It Includes All Her Favourites
Tejasswi Prakash begins her day with a cup of tea made by Karan Kundrra, followed by a refreshing drink on her way to work. Tejasswi Prakash has been a popular name in the entertainment industry. Over the years, she has wowed people with her performances and her competitive skills on various reality shows. Beyond her professional life, the actress also keeps sharing vlogs about her daily life. In the latest, Tejasswi explained in detail about her daily diet. Her meals are a combination of nutritious yet delicious dishes. Tejasswi Prakash begins her day with a cup of tea made by Karan Kundrra, followed by a refreshing drink on her way to work. This drink is made with juice from lauki (bottle gourd), amla (Indian gooseberry) and pudina (mint). She mentioned that lauki and pudina function as cooling agents, promoting digestive health, whereas amla is beneficial for hair thickness. Tejasswi often indulges in sweet lime (mosambi) juice afterwards. For breakfast, Tejasswi likes to indulge in her favourites. She likes idli or samosas for breakfast. After that, she hydrates by consuming beetroot juice and coconut water. Tejasswi prefers cooked meals for lunch, which may include some non-vegetarian options. In her vlog, she noted that she enjoys chicken curry, vegetables, salad, roti, rice and kebabs. Following lunch, she performs the Vajrasana exercise to promote digestion. Tejasswi likes a cup of black coffee without sugar after lunch and some fruits. She often has sukha bhel as her evening snack and some chia seed-infused lemon water. Tejasswi is frequently spotted enjoying dosas and pav bhajis for dinner. Tejasswi Prakash, who last appeared on the cooking show Celebrity MasterChef, is set to make her acting debut with the intriguing web series Bewafa Tera Masoom Chehra. Producer Saurabh Tewari announced the wonderful news to fans last month. Tejasswi is also reportedly set to appear on Dubai Bling with her beau Karan Kundra. However, it is unclear whether Karan and Tejasswi will participate in Dubai Bling or will only make a guest appearance in one of the episodes. Moreover, she recently made a special appearance on Laughter Chef's 2 opposite Karan. First Published:
