Emilia Ohrtmann is a Dubai-based website designer and author who co-hosts the podcast Mums In Biz, which helps other mothers and female entrepreneurs launch their companies.
The mother of four from Germany launched her debut book, It's Your Life, in November, aimed at empowering women to follow their passions in life and business via her own experiences, including living in four different countries.
Ms Ohrtmann, 42, lives with her husband, an oil transport industry executive, and their two sons and two daughters, in their home in The Lakes, Dubai.
How did your upbringing shape your attitude towards money?
I was born in Hamburg. My dad was a self-employed doctor, which shaped my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Mum was a freelance sports journalist. At that time, she was one of the few women who had three kids and a career. That shaped me as well in wanting to have my own career and be independent.
I know we were pretty well off, but my parents had to be careful where they were spending. My dad had his own practice so was paying off those debts, they bought a house and were paying off that, too. Like me, dad was putting money into his entrepreneurship dream. They were savers and because they were careful, we all were. I kind of had to learn to spend money.
When did you first start earning?
We had pocket money and all worked pretty early on. My first job when I was 13 was delivering newspapers, then as a waitress, then delivering laundry, pizza. In every job, I felt great. Suddenly, I had my own money.
When I had my first corporate job after university, at 22, as a junior buyer at German sportswear brand Tchibo, I felt like the richest girl on the planet. I had my own apartment, a car and was totally independent of my parents.
What brought you to the UAE?
My husband’s job. We moved from London to America because he got a really good offer, then another offer here, nine years ago. I had to reinvent myself multiple times, first in America. It took a while to get my work permit. Not having my own income was the biggest shock to the system.
My parents were savers and because they were careful, we all were
What was your first business venture?
I met a German friend who is a fashion designer. I’d done fashion design evening studies. We started our business selling children’s clothes. I set up in Germany and employed my mum sending out orders. My friend continued it in the US. Then I came here and carried on handling orders for Germany until I sold my part of the fashion business to my partner and started another business. I had done websites, trained myself and there were lots of mums coming here who all had business ideas and they needed websites. That was five years ago.
Did you value self-employment more than a corporate salary?
Yes, having the freedom of being my own boss and making my own decisions, definitely.
It’s so easy to get lost in everybody else’s life, especially when you’re a mum. I learned to listen to myself and what I want. Taking ownership of your own life … that’s what I’m sharing with my book.
What prompted you to write the book?
I started blogging to support my website design business. People resonated so I started sharing more. I wrote the book during the lockdown. It’s motivational, I guess it falls under the “self-help” category. I want to inspire people, women in particular.
I’m starting another business selling fashion, for women this time. My businesses, podcasts, everything is about supporting women, whether in business or motherhood, to become confident and choose their own life.
Are you a disciplined saver?
Because you don’t have any pension here, my husband and I started saving more consciously, putting away money at the beginning of each month; for our future but also our dreams, like travelling. That doesn’t have to be expensive, luxury travel. Then even affording flights for six people … we save for trips we want to make.
I’m also into stocks, something I learned from my parents; individual shares and exchange-traded funds.
What are your best-performing equities?
Apple and Facebook are my big wins. I did Apple about 11 years ago, Facebook shortly after their initial public offering. Another win was Louis Vuitton, LVMH; I invested very little when I was in Germany 20 years ago, then more over the years. I also have blue-chip companies that pay good dividends and have monthly income through that. I’ve lost as well, but overall the stock market has been good for me. The only regret I have is I didn’t invest more during that (pandemic) stock market fall. At the time, I was too busy writing, working, home schooling. Then I didn’t dare.
Do you have a cherished purchase?
What also shaped me financially was living in different countries. When we moved to Germany, we rented as people don’t buy there. But with renting, the money is gone. We bought the house we are living in here. It was a good decision. The money stays within the family. You have family memories. If you think you are staying long term, buy.
What is your philosophy towards money?
Money is not the most important part of life. If you have money, life is a lot easier, of course; the safety net, the possibility of realising your dreams. Having four kids, it’s important we can give them a good start in life. Plus, the more I earn, the more I can give back. There are many things in this world I would like to support. I have two “god children” in Zimbabwe I support and other charities I believe in.
Do you have a spending regret?
I bought a lot of clothes I’ve never worn. But I don’t regret anything, because out of every penny I’ve spent and misspent, I learned something. From a shoe business that I started and lost money on, I learned a lot. You have to make mistakes sometimes in order to learn. It’s part of life to make mistakes, to fail again and stand up again. The same is true of money.
Has the pandemic impacted your outgoings?
During the lockdown, at the beginning, it was good to see where we were spending our money. We realised how much we were spending on “other things”. And what is not necessary. Apart from school fees and food, we didn’t spend on after-school activities. Obviously, it didn’t last as everything is open again.
How do you pass on money awareness to your children?
If they want to earn money, they have to do little jobs in the house. And in order to explain to them the concept of shares, we bought them a McDonald’s share each because they like to eat at the fast-food restaurant. Now they can look how it’s developing and whenever they go, we explain to them in a way they are investing in their own company.
What would you raid your savings for?
To travel the world. And to buy a house in the south of France.
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
The%20specs
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Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
PSG's line up
GK: Alphonse Areola (youth academy)
Defence - RB: Dani Alves (free transfer); CB: Marquinhos (€31.4 million); CB: Thiago Silva (€42m); LB: Layvin Kurzawa (€23m)
Midfield - Angel di Maria (€47m); Adrien Rabiot (youth academy); Marco Verratti (€12m)
Forwards - Neymar (€222m); Edinson Cavani (€63m); Kylian Mbappe (initial: loan; to buy: €180m)
Total cost: €440.4m (€620.4m if Mbappe makes permanent move)
Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
