Hamed Eslamian is the founder of Black And Blanc Fleur, a UAE online delivery service for premium flowers, candles and sweets .
Born in the Middle East and living in Dubai since childhood in 2004, he began his career with his family's petrochemical trading company.
Mr Eslamian, who is 28 and owns a home in Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates, holds an entrepreneurial business certificate from Harvard Business School.
He launched his e-commerce platform in 2017.
Were you brought up around money?
My dad has been an entrepreneur all his life, creating multiple businesses around the world. I was raised in a wealthy family. I had friends who had everything they wanted, but my father never gave us that feeling that we had everything. From a young age, he made us work for whatever we wanted.
I used to go to his office in summer, to do simple tasks. I wanted a PlayStation PS1, so that was my payment at the end of summer. This taught me that things were not going to come easy. I didn’t appreciate it at that point, but I do now.
What was your first salary?
After university, I applied to different companies and got a couple of offers but, due to some visa problems, I could not start working. So, I ended up coming to the family business against my wishes seven years ago. I don’t like to put myself in a comfort zone.
My father paid me the exact amount I was offered, Dh12,000. I was initially paid lower than other people. I was considered an entry-level employee in the purchasing department. I didn’t feel like I was being treated differently. I liked that.
You should always dedicate a percentage to high risk [assets] but, for the other 90 per cent, it is better to go with safer options that have long-term returns
Hamed Eslamian,
founder, Black And Blanc Fleur
Why launch a flower delivery company?
I was not going to be the final decision-maker (in the family business). I wanted to make sure my ideas and perspective were applied 100 per cent, so looked for an opportunity to start something.
I always enjoyed the online part of business, offering products and services from a B2C (business to consumer) perspective. After a couple of years, when I had savings, I saw potential in selling flowers. A flower business could be the same all around the world; what makes the difference is the marketing you put into it.
We started our own marketing company and IT infrastructure so that, no matter what products you put into it, it could turn into an online business. Black And Blanc was a starting point.
How did you feel committing your savings?
You are counting every cent you are spending and making sure everything is being put into the business properly. Sometimes you have to make sure you are working harder, but when you have something of your own in the business, the amount of effort, time and thought you put in is different than when you bring an investor from outside. If it succeeds, you succeed.
Are you a saver or a spender?
In general, I’m a saver but I can be a very big spender. When it comes to technology, I don’t really have much control over myself and make sure I have the latest products for work.
I make sure that money I’ve earned is not going to waste. I rarely spend on things I consider unnecessary, but never sacrifice quality of life for saving. At this point, I have the quality of life I’m expecting for myself to perform at the highest level.
One thing I do to avoid burnout, no matter how busy my schedule, is go to the gym from six to eight every morning. Travelling, whenever I get a chance, is also my escape.
How do you grow your cash?
I have investments in properties in Dubai and elsewhere in the Middle East. I made my first investment in cryptocurrency before the Covid-19 pandemic – before it was so hot. I’m trying to put eggs in different baskets.
You should always dedicate a percentage to high risk [assets] but for the other 90 per cent, it is better to go with safer options that have long-term returns. I’ve seen people put 100 per cent of their investments into cryptocurrencies.
What investment are you most proud of?
A townhouse in Brooklyn, New York. The price has risen rapidly. When I bought it in 2018, Brooklyn was not considered an interesting investment place, but now it is one of the fastest-growing communities. I was there with a friend who suggested this, looked at the numbers and we bought it, did a renovation and it’s rented out.
Making that decision, at that point in life, was very important. It was risky, but turned out to be a good investment.
Did it increase your risk appetite?
It’s had a better result than expected, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to get lucky with future decisions. Sometimes, the market goes in a way you don’t expect – it doesn’t mean you are lucky or unlucky. I’m still using the same logic I did at that time to make new decisions. Having success in that investment is not going to increase or reduce risk in my current decisions.
How do you view money?
I consider it a tool that can facilitate things that improve life. I never work for money. I’m always trying to do the kind of work that makes me happy in the best manner I can.
At the end of the day, I don’t think money is the prize for what you are doing. Instead, it is the experience you gain from that work (that is important). Money is an indication of how successful that experience has been. It’s a measure; it’s never been the final goal for me.
Are you wise with money?
Over the long term, I make sure I’m putting money into areas that could help me and my business to grow. I try not to be reactive when it comes to spending, never do emotional purchases or make irrational investments. I measure every aspect before taking action when it comes to expenditure.
Do you spend on luxuries?
You should call something luxury when maybe it is a bit out of your budget. If I travel five times a month, maybe that’s a luxury, but when it’s necessary for me to have in my life to make sure I’m performing at my best … luxury and necessity really depend on where you are in life. Good food … usually, I’m very careful in terms of what I’m putting in my body. Something luxury for you could be a necessity for me.
What impact has the pandemic had on your business?
There were not that many businesses selling flowers online and our figures increased maybe 300 per cent over a week. People could not see each other, so by sending flowers they were sending a message.
The pandemic taught us all a lesson: no matter how smoothly everything is running, it could stop in an eye blink.
Do you think about retirement?
Never, but I’ve been thinking about a point in life where I don’t need to work anymore. This was my main aim, to make sure I have businesses that are self-sufficient so that I have the option to step back. I don’t see myself not working, but my goal is to make the businesses reach a point [where] they don’t require me anymore.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
MATCH RESULT
Liverpool 4 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Liverpool: Salah (26'), Lovren (40'), Solanke (53'), Robertson (85')
THE%20SPECS
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Poacher
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20several%20factors%20for%20landlords%20to%20consider%20when%20preparing%20to%20establish%20a%20holiday%20home%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3ERevenue%20potential%20of%20the%20unit%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20location%2C%20view%20and%20size%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesign%3A%20furnished%20or%20unfurnished.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Is%20the%20design%20up%20to%20standard%2C%20while%20being%20catchy%20at%20the%20same%20time%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20model%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20will%20it%20be%20managed%20by%20a%20professional%20operator%20or%20directly%20by%20the%20owner%2C%20how%20often%20does%20the%20owner%20wants%20to%20use%20it%20for%20personal%20reasons%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuality%20of%20the%20operator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20guest%20reviews%2C%20customer%20experience%20management%2C%20application%20of%20technology%2C%20average%20utilisation%2C%20scope%20of%20services%20rendered%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Adam%20Nowak%2C%20managing%20director%20of%20Ultimate%20Stay%20Vacation%20Homes%20Rental%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
In%20the%20Land%20of%20Saints%20and%20Sinners
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERobert%20Lorenz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Liam%20Neeson%2C%20Kerry%20Condon%2C%20Jack%20Gleeson%2C%20Ciaran%20Hinds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Company%20Profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
15. West Ham 39
16. Brighton 37
17. Watford 36
18. Bournemouth 36
19. Aston Villa 32
20. Norwich City 29
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
GOODBYE%20JULIA
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
