Tammy Urwin is the managing director of Urban Events, a company she set up five years ago when she arrived in Dubai. The Briton, 38, now spends her time organising anything from private VIP parties to gala dinners, music concerts and comedy shows.
Describe your financial journey so far.
I have always strived for financial independence and for me that meant a business of my own, doing something I excel at. When you’re an adult, the decisions you make professionally implicitly impact your family too. Starting a business is a significant step, and it’s very demanding on a personal level. Once I felt I was stable financially, I decided it was the right time to take the leap and get started with my business. I set up Urban Events to create and produce signature events. It’s been an exciting journey for sure. The business was launched without an initial investment, which means I have always kept an eye on our expenses. There have been quite a few ups and downs, but we managed to grow our client portfolio and deliver quality events across the UAE, Qatar, South Africa and the UK. Overall I’m proud of the success achieved so far, and I know my family is proud too.
Would you call yourself a spender or a saver?
I aim for “saver”, but saving money is nothing but easy. On the personal front, there are things I can’t cut costs and would not compromise on, for example when it comes to my children and family life. On the business front, it’s impossible to save when you’re self-funding your business. Luckily, at the moment the business is in a period of consolidation after years of investment. We have big plans for the next few years, but we’re proceeding with caution and constantly reviewing our books to see what we can do differently and smarter.
What is your philosophy towards money?
Old-school I guess: love what you do, work hard and money will come. The reality is that more often than not, it may not come as quickly as you wish it did. Building a successful business takes effort and time.
Did you make any financial mistakes along the way?
Without a doubt, and in fairness any new business comes with its own share of experimentation: we look for new opportunities, we make assumptions and we take risks … Sometimes we win and other times we lose. It’s important to know how to move on; don’t feel defeated, don’t fixate on the failure, but on the lessons learnt that will serve you well next time.
Do you believe in planning for the future?
Planning is essential for life and business. Things will always change, and at times may even be out of your control, but having a plan provides you with a sense of direction and clarity when it comes to achieving your goals, especially as far as finances are concerned. I plan all the time, for the present and for the future, small and big things. In my personal life, it’s the only way I can ensure that I dedicate time and attention to my family and keep in touch with my friends. I also plan in detail my business. Regardless of how small or fluctuating your business may be, you can’t move ahead without a goal or a sense of direction, and you need that to get you motivated.
What is your idea of financial freedom?
Financial freedom doesn’t happen overnight. I need to make a conscious effort to move in the right direction day in and day out. For me, financial freedom is about being bolder and able to take risks in business. On the personal level, it’s about having the luxury of more time spent together as a family, here in the UAE, in the UK or holidaying around the world.
What do you enjoy spending money on?
Travel, without a doubt. Living in the Middle East provides me the unique opportunity to travel to and discover new places near and far. I work very hard and often odd hours, but when I have time off I want to make the most of every minute.
lgutcher@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
UAE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Mohammed Al Attas
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The%20Specs
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Islamic%20Architecture%3A%20A%20World%20History
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eric%20Broug%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thames%20%26amp%3B%20Hudson%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20336%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20September%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Year of birth: 1988
Place of birth: Baghdad
Education: PhD student and co-researcher at Greifswald University, Germany
Hobbies: Ping Pong, swimming, reading
WISH
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
ARGENTINA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez
Company%20Profile
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The%20Emperor%20and%20the%20Elephant
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What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The%20National%20selections
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
65
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Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
Hamilton’s 2017
Australia - 2nd; China - 1st; Bahrain - 2nd; Russia - 4th; Spain - 1st; Monaco - 7th; Canada - 1st; Azerbaijan - 5th; Austria - 4th; Britain - 1st; Hungary - 4th; Belgium - 1st; Italy - 1st; Singapore - 1st; Malaysia - 2nd; Japan - 1st; United States - 1st; Mexico - 9th
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
THE%C2%A0SPECS
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Company%20Profile
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Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
