When I was a student at university, I often daydreamed about becoming a full-time entrepreneur.
After I completed my assignments every night, I would research business inspiration and think about names for my future company.
Like many potential entrepreneurs, I had a romantic idea about entrepreneurship. Growing up, I participated in charity bake sales and other activities for a good cause.
Business seemed easy to my young mind and something I truly enjoyed. I loved interacting with clients and marketing a product. It felt natural to me.
Yet when I graduated from university and ventured into entrepreneurship, things became challenging, especially as my business grew.
If I were to compare my business journey to the seasons, then my early stages would have to be winter. I faced multiple challenges and found running a company harder than I thought it would be.
I put in more hours to manage it every day and eventually learnt key lessons such as the importance delegating and ensuring that I was able to rest well.
As many of us around the world enjoy the warmer weather – and as I enjoy the transition of my business journey to spring – I reflect on the important lessons this season can teach potential entrepreneurs.
Tough times make us stronger
I wouldn’t be who I am today had it not been for the challenges that I faced with my business.
What many of us don’t realise when we celebrate successful entrepreneurs is the tough times they have experienced to reach where they are today.
A successful entrepreneur acquaintance once told me how the challenges she faced toughened her up for the next phase of her business, which required another level of strength that she previously didn’t possess
Manar Al Hinai
Not all of us are exposed to their moments of weakness, breaking points and challenges that may have put their businesses at risk.
A successful entrepreneur acquaintance once told me how the challenges she faced toughened her up for the next phase of her business, which required another level of strength that she previously didn’t possess.
The harsh winter season prepares us for the spring ahead. The great thing about any winter is that it’s temporary and, like clockwork, spring always comes.
Live in the moment
There was a point in my career when I had invested so much time and effort into my business that I did not make any time for myself, my friends or family.
My work came first and last. My laptop was my travel companion and during a holiday with my cousin, while I was typing on the beach, she shook me and pointed at my unhealthy work pattern.
The thing about work is that it never ends. We have a saying in Arabic that goes: “Life ends, but work doesn’t.”
Make time to live in the moment. Everything is temporary, just like spring, so make the most of every moment.
As much as I love my work, I know that there’s more to life. Dedicate some time to doing the things you enjoy. As hard as it may be, aim to create a balance between your work and personal life.
You reap what you sow
In business, you will reap what you sow. If you put 10 per cent into your business, you will receive 10 per cent in return.
You don’t need to work hard, but work smart. You can end up doing less if you have invested in the right partnership, collaboration and the right product that will help you to yield the returns you are looking for.
Spring is the season of bloom and growth. It teaches us that no matter how long winter lasts, spring is bound to come through.
And when it does, we should learn to live in the moment and reflect on what winter has taught us – and how we can use the lessons to prepare us for the seasons ahead.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer and communications consultant in Abu Dhabi
The biog
Favourite hobby: I love to sing but I don’t get to sing as much nowadays sadly.
Favourite book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon.
Favourite movie: The Exorcist 2. It is a big thing in our family to sit around together and watch horror movies, I love watching them.
Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
