Nitesh Seebran, 43, is co-founder and chief executive of Dubai-based affordable gym brand Metrofitt.
Mr Seebran began his fitness career in South Africa before becoming the recreation manager at a Kuwait hotel. During his 15 years in Dubai, he’s been area business manager for Fitness First and chief operating officer of Gold’s Gym.
Mr Seebran lives in Jumeirah Park, Dubai, with his wife, 10-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son.
How did your upbringing shape your attitude towards money?
I grew up in a very typical South African family. We had a roof over our head, food on the table. We went through a bad patch in that my dad owned a trucking business, which he lost at one stage. He recovered enough to provide for the family but not for the luxuries everybody would love to have. Going on vacation was a luxury for us. I never flew until my move to Kuwait and never concentrated on money in the sense of always looking where it is coming from, but once I started studying, I had to get a part-time job.
How much did you earn?
I was 17 and working as a cinema usher during college, taking home 3,000 South African rand a month (less than Dh800). Every pay cheque was a wow; I appreciated that I was able to earn. I wasn’t a spender. Having that job was more about providing for home, to help mum and dad.
It was hard work and I saved for the right things, to buy my first car. I’m still more of a saver than spender in many ways.
Why switch to the fitness sector?
There was a health club looking for membership consultants. I knew people in the position, so took a risk and 21 years later, here I am. I wasn’t big into body building but enjoyed keeping healthy. It wasn’t a field I thought I’d get into, but as a consultant you could earn fantastic commission, so I was putting in 12 hours a day.
The basic salary was 3,500 rand, but I was earning around four times that in commission. An opportunity came to go to Kuwait, I was 22 or 23 and left with my fiancée.
I think twice before I spend. I don't go for brands
What was the motivation for Metrofitt?
The most important thing for me was to create a brand that is not available. I knew what was needed because I’ve got years of experience in the Middle East; a world-class facility at an affordable rate. We are not a budget club, we are affordable fitness. We wanted to make sure we’re accessible to a larger population.
Were people seeking better-value gyms?
That’s the most important thing. It shouldn’t break the bank to become a member. Once upon a time in the UAE, you could only take membership if you paid the annual fee upfront. We don’t want to be targeting 10 per cent of the population, we want to give fitness and wellness to 95 per cent; the ones who don’t want to pay annually but can afford to pay monthly. And we’re not only attracting members earning on a lower scale, we’ve got chief executives, directors, all types. We took away the frills and you pay for what you use.
What is your attitude towards spending and saving?
I think twice before I spend. It’s not that I don’t. I like to spend on assets I know will grow for me, rather than buying a Dh10,000 pair of shoes that will sit in my drawer for a year. I don’t go for brands. I do things for myself, not because someone else is doing it. In our house, we have what we need.
Do you teach monetary values to your children?
We had to think twice before asking mum or dad if we could have something. I’m proud to say because of that upbringing, my kids understand the true value of money. They know we could afford what they’re asking for, but they’re not spoilt in that just because they’re asking for something, they will get it. They have to earn it by doing little jobs around the house. We give incentives, instill in them to do well in school and be kind to each other first.
How do you grow your money?
My dad always said, "When you get a chance to buy property, buy it" … the first advice he gave me from a financial point of view. So, I am buying properties whenever I can and I’ve recently started looking heavily into cryptocurrencies. I’ve got bonds in South Africa and shares in companies. I tend to have some liquid (cash). You never know what could happen from a job point of view.
And your best investments?
I’ve invested more in property in South Africa than the UAE and, touch wood, it’s worked to our advantage. I own the house we live in and an apartment. When I first moved to the UAE, we looked at living here for a long time, so said: "Why pay rent, let’s look at paying that towards our mortgage and have an asset instead."
What is your philosophy towards money?
It’s good to have, but it shouldn’t dictate the way you live. I am thankful the UAE has given us more than we expected. Forget the money side of it, it has given us family, has opened doors. But I always look to the future. My wife keeps telling me, "Live life today".
I agree, but you also need to understand what happened with Covid-19. We didn’t expect this, people have lost a lot. I’ve always had a Plan B. I learnt the hard way. If you don’t, you’re going to get stuck in the mud. I analyse my life and business on a daily basis.
Are you wise with money?
Everything is on paper to remind me what’s gone in, what’s gone out. I enjoy the good life, but I’m not driving the car I’ve always dreamt of. I tend to change cars quite often. I don’t go for expensive ones and I’ve always bought pre-owned cars and when I sold, never lost cash.
I do my homework on everything. It generally takes a month or two to finalise what I want and then I go for it.
What are you happiest spending on?
What really makes me happy is taking my family on vacation. That’s something I never grew up with. We save up, decide as a family where we’re going and have a good time.
How has the pandemic impacted Metrofitt?
After the lockdown, we lost members – because people were working from home, we didn’t tie them down, allowed them to cancel and we’re getting a good percentage of them coming back.
Our goal is to get to 10 clubs. We’re on five at the moment. We could have been on seven by the end of this year, but want to see how long this pandemic is going to last.
Do you plan for retirement?
I would love to retire when I’m 50, at an early age to enjoy my kids more, have enough assets to create a passive income. That’s the goal. I don’t think I’ll get there. Even if could afford it, I’d probably continue to work.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000, 2,400m
Winner: Recordman, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000, 2,200m
Winner: AF Taraha, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Dhafra, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000, 1,600m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Fernando Jara, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000, 1,600m
Winner: Optimizm, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Company%20Profile
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
UAE Rugby finals day
Games being played at The Sevens, Dubai
2pm, UAE Conference final
Dubai Tigers v Al Ain Amblers
4pm, UAE Premiership final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Tathoor, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 1,000m
Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: Aiz Alawda, Fernando Jara, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohammed Daggash
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Winked, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ain Mile Group 3 (PA) Dh350,000 1,600m
Winner: Somoud, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Al Jazi, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
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
