My journey commences in the embrace of an average middle-class family. Within this modest setting, my mother diligently managed the household while my father pursued his occupation.
In the confines of our town, music and dance clubs were but distant dreams. This prompted my parents, when I was merely 6 years old, to enroll me under the tutelage of an English instructor.
Their aspirations reached beyond the horizons, yearning for me to one day tread international shores.
The next summer arrived, bringing along unforeseen challenges. In my pursuit, I reapplied for the same program, only to have my visa denied.
The shock of the situation was accompanied by tears and a profound sense of disappointment.
During this period, I concurrently embarked on a journey with a recruiting company, all while diligently advancing my studies at the university.
Amidst the warmth of yet another summer, a decision led me to Turkey, where I sought a role as an animator. However, within a mere month, the realization struck that this path wasn’t aligned with my aspirations. Without hesitation, I retraced my steps back home.
Enchanted by the Maldives
The Maldives — a realm of paradise that captivated my senses. Yet, my desire for activity and progress remained unquenched, compelling me to seek another foreign haven.
Three years unfolded across the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldives. Within its embrace, I served in three distinct hotels, garnering invaluable experience from interactions with diverse nationalities.
And then, fate intervened, unveiling an opportunity within the Maldives. A dream materialized before me—a chance to dwell in an exotic haven! While the masses gravitated towards destinations like the Emirates and Turkey, I opted for the road less traveled, leading me to the Maldives.
The journey held its highs and lows, as all adventures do. Yet, by the tender age of 23, a realization crystallized—I had stretched the limits of this idyllic chapter, and it was time to direct my course toward fresh horizons.
With conviction surpassing contemplation, I breezed through the interview process and promptly found myself seated on an airplane, holding a one-way ticket to my newfound journey.
Pursuit of Excellence at the Pinnacle
During my time in the Maldives, I immersed myself in learning Arabic, a dedication that eventually led me to an enticing offer: the chance to work at the world-renowned Burj Al Arab, hailed as the best hotel globally.
However, the envisioned fairy tale swiftly gave way to reality’s practicalities. Long hours of labor—12 per day, with only one day off each week—became the norm. While the monthly salary amounted to $ 1500, the compensation package encompassed essential provisions like housing, meals, and transportation to and from work.
My days flowed in varying patterns, aligning with shifts that ranged from early starts at 7 in the morning to late endings at 1 in the night, and even those commencing at 4 in the afternoon. Fixed routines were a rarity; instead, each day seamlessly blended into the next, as work intertwined with the journey back home.
An Unforgettable Turning Point
A life-altering moment arrived, leaving an indelible mark on my journey. Starting at 16, I embraced the workforce. Distributing flyers and serving in a restaurant were just stepping stones; with each role, I aimed higher.
But it was at 18 that destiny unveiled the "work and travel USA" program—a chance to live and explore in the USA.
My excitement knew no bounds.
While Myrtle Beach had been my intended destination for a store job, fate had different plans. I found myself as a domestic helper for a family. This experience would remain ingrained in my memory, reshaping me in ways beyond measure.
Upon my return, I stood as a profoundly changed Lena. This trip had rewritten my essence
Amidst this period, my hotel job grew increasingly demanding. A significant event loomed on the horizon—my best friend’s impending wedding. Astonishingly, the manager extended me a mere three days to partake in this joyous occasion.
The profound realization struck me—this relentless commitment, sacrificing holidays and birthdays, surrendering my existence to the hotel and its unfamiliar patrons—was a path I no longer wished to tread. The need for change surged within me, urging me to seek new horizons.
An Encounter That Altered Destiny
As is common in the Middle East, where men often outnumber women, I too found myself amidst this reality. Despite my busy schedule, I managed to find time for dating, and it was during one of these encounters that my life took a new direction.
I crossed paths with a man whose culture valued relationships primarily within the confines of marriage. Several months later, our connection led us to the decision of getting married, marking a significant turning point in my journey.
Right from the start, my husband stood beside me as an unwavering pillar of support, always believing in my capabilities.
Upon departing from the hotel, I embarked on a series of job interviews, only to face rejection time and again. Despite the setbacks, I persisted in my quest, scouring for remote opportunities and embracing any available freelance work.
Eventually, a breakthrough arrived in the form of a remote position as a travel manager within an IT company. Within this realm, fate introduced me to a Swedish enterprise with aspirations of making their mark in the UAE market.
Partnering with China and Establishing my UAE Company
Recognizing the prevalent demand within this niche, it became evident that the available services were severely underdeveloped. A multitude of entrepreneurs were expressing interest, yet there was a glaring absence of transparent information and a clear understanding of the procedures to establish and relocate businesses to the UAE.
During this period, there were only a handful of companies offering assistance in inaugurating businesses in the UAE. Crucially, their services were affordable, transparent, and devoid of substantial markups, addressing the existing void in the market proficiently. This discrepancy between demand and quality service availability highlighted a valuable opportunity for innovation and development in this domain.
Trials of a Struggling Venture
In this juncture of our journey, our path intersected with a Chinese enterprise. Although their initial intentions didn’t encompass the UAE market, fate bestowed upon us an exclusive opportunity—to serve as the sole distributor of their innovative product: smart garbage bins.
To bring this vision to life, we sought financial backing, as our resources were constrained. With an investor secured, we procured the inaugural batch of products and commenced our venture.
However, the path ahead proved more arduous than anticipated. The project faltered, requiring substantial investments in advertising and marketing. The retail sector’s exorbitant pricing structures and unprofitable partnerships compounded our challenges. The onset of the pandemic exacerbated the situation, casting a further shadow over our endeavors.
Coinciding with these events, my husband faced a job loss amidst the unfolding pandemic. Our endeavors pivoted towards offering remote consultations for entrepreneurial pursuits, but even this avenue was disrupted by the global crisis.
In response, we embarked on a new quest to secure income, eventually venturing into the sale of medical masks. Meanwhile, I maintained my role at the IT company, steadfast in my dedication despite the uncertainties that loomed.
Launching Our Own Company
As the pandemic’s grip gradually loosened, our lives embarked on a journey back to normalcy. A surge of inquiries surrounding UAE business ventures reached us, igniting our entrepreneurial spirits. In response, we ushered in the establishment of our very own enterprise, christened "Polaris," a venture we pledged to nurture and expand with unwavering dedication.
Under the banner of Polaris, our efforts bore fruit. Guided by the bedrock values of honesty and transparency, we dedicated ourselves to delivering exceptional service to our clients. Drawing from six years of experience within the service industry, I had come to recognize the essence of exceptional service.
The ripple effect was palpable—our satisfied clients transformed into enthusiastic advocates, extending recommendations to their networks with increasing frequency.
Our brand, Polaris, holds a narrative of its own. It is named after the North Star, a celestial body known for lighting the way for travelers, symbolizing the guidance and illumination we provide to individuals seeking to inaugurate or expand their businesses in the UAE.
We are proud to be a family-run business, which makes the process of selecting our team a meticulous one. Those who join us aren't merely employees; they are welcomed into the expansive Polaris family, sharing our commitment to excellence and our passion for guiding businesses to their zenith.
You will often spot us at a myriad of business events, as we are ceaselessly driven to refine the caliber of our services and delve into novel business avenues. We firmly believe in continuous learning and adapting to stay ahead of the entrepreneurial curve and ensure our clients receive unparalleled guidance and support.
To discover more about our story, values, and the services we offer, we invite you to visit our website at Polaris.ae. We look forward to being a beacon of support and guidance on your entrepreneurial journey in the UAE.
Ventures into Freelance Terrain
A weekend visit to Starbucks unveiled a bustling scene—individuals engrossed in their laptops, an air of quiet productivity enveloping the space. "Most likely IT professionals," I mused, yearning for a taste of that workstyle. Yet, my expertise was confined to the realm of restaurant work.
Upon returning home, curiosity led me to the virtual realm, where a world of freelancing opportunities awaited. A plethora of jobs, spanning writing to design, beckoned from the digital landscape.
With resolve, I crafted a profile on the freelancing platform and commenced my journey of applications. It was on this path that I secured my inaugural project—a task to compose an article titled "10 Amazing Facts about Burj Al Arab" in English.
Despite English not being my native tongue, I tackled the assignment head-on, triumphantly earning my inaugural $ 100 for remote labor.
This marked the dawn of a fresh trajectory. However, challenges lay ahead, largely owing to my modest rating. Undeterred, I priced my services at $ 5 an hour for administrative duties, dedicating my free moments to the pursuit of suitable opportunities.
Creating my own business is challenging yet exhilarating, and I find myself feeling profoundly at home in this endeavor. I’m dedicating more time to self-improvement—playing tennis, embracing public speaking lessons, and, together with my husband, welcoming a personal trainer into our routine twice a week.
The launch of our business has brought a richer, more vibrant dimension to our lives. We've broadened our horizons through travel and have had the joy of encountering a diverse array of fascinating individuals.
Of course, there are still many paths to forge and mountains to climb, but I can declare with confidence that opening our business was a step in the right direction. Our lives are imbued with a sense of fulfillment and every day brims with the thrill of pursuing our passions.
I’m resolved to persistently progress and refine our business, hand in hand with my husband. Polaris is on a trajectory of expansion, strategically penetrating new markets in Eastern countries. Soon, we aspire to furnish business establishment and residency services in nations like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, we annually pursue increasingly advantageous collaborations with diverse entities in the UAE. At present, we are in the advanced stages of forging partnerships with renowned insurance firms in the UAE to furnish optimal medical insurance alternatives for residents.
In addition to these, we are on the verge of rolling out services aimed at facilitating the acquisition of second citizenship in various European countries.
Beyond the realms of business development, I am also diligently curating our social media presence. My paramount ambition for the near future is to elevate
our platform to the status of the premier business blog in the UAE.
The mission is to disseminate lucid and thorough information about the nuances of residing and operating a business in the UAE, enlightening those intrigued by the prospect of relocation and the commencement of their entrepreneurial journey in this land.