Alyssa Mariano co-founded marketplace app Bazaara to help people sell unwanted clothes and accessories or find potential bargains.
The business thrived during coronavirus restrictions as residents sought budget-friendly, thrift store-style shopping online while reducing their environmental impact.
Ms Mariano, now 32, worked in fashion and technology with various New York companies before relocating to Dubai in 2017.
The American lives in Jumeirah with dogs Winston and Hudson, and donates time to mentoring high school pupils and volunteering with stray animal organisations.
Did money feature in your upbringing?
I come from quite humble beginnings in a suburb of Buffalo, upstate New York. My father was a police officer while mum was doing fashion merchandising for a local mall. They separated when I was young and my mother raised myself and three brothers.
Money was definitely tighter. She was working hard at her full-time job and would have to pick and choose where to spend. We learnt the value of money from her, and budgeting.
What were your first earning experiences?
My parents made me do chores to receive an allowance, to learn that you have to work for your money. I was in charge of cleaning bathrooms.
I took my first job when legally allowed at 16, as a customer service person at the mall where my mum worked. I was making minimum wage, $5 an hour. I wanted extra cash to spend with friends, but also enjoyed working, seeing the outcome.
When I graduated from university in 2013, I took my first position in New York City, an events sales associate, before moving into the marketing profession.
How did Dubai happen?
Travelling is my number one hobby and I wanted to get out of the US for a while. I was looking for a position in London, Dubai or Singapore.
An engineering B2B company (here) found my CV on a job board. We had Skype interviews and they sent me a job offer as assistant marketing manager, and a plane ticket.
Why go the entrepreneurial route?
I have always wanted my own business. I had this passion for fashion and sustainability and in the US was using thrift apps, especially Poshmark.
When I moved here, I realised there was a huge gap for this. There were general marketplaces where you could sell just about anything, but nothing dedicated to fashion that is peer-to-peer, truly online.
By 2020, I was ready to jump headfirst, left my corporate career, took my savings and started.
So, you know the power of saving?
It was not huge but having savings allowed me to start the business at the right time and do initial development. If I did not have savings, I would not have been able to leave my job.
I am passionate about sustainability; another reason I started Bazaara was because the fashion industry is a huge polluter, and a secondary reason I have gone down this path is the financial independence you gain if you build a successful business.
How does Bazaara boost users’ finances?
It gives people opportunity, if they have a tonne of stuff in their wardrobe, to sell and earn extra cash. Buying and selling second-hand can be good for the environment, your wallet or your home. There is a statistic … about 80 per cent of a wardrobe is sitting unused.
We are mainly targeting the mainstream resale fashion market. People, no matter how much they are earning, can declutter their homes.
For people who have to downsize homes, especially recently, closets technically get smaller, so a lot will come on and sell. We take a 12 per cent fee on each transaction.
Did the pandemic aid growth?
It worked both ways for us. Our app gave people a way to earn extra, if, for example, they lost their job.
In the first week, 2,500 users registered on the platform. It allowed people to do buying and selling without having to meet someone, so that allowed us to grow as well.
At the same time, there were no networking events happening; meeting other founders, investors and getting mentorship was not available the first year. That led to a slight delay in securing outside funding.
Where are you with saving versus spending?
Coming from the US, you learn from the beginning to save for retirement, so I do. But I also spend, mostly on travel. I have emergency savings as well.
I put a little into the US stock market, exchange-traded funds, and try to diversify. As part of my portfolio, I bought Moderna (biotech company) stock right when the pandemic was happening … probably my best performer.
I also like to collect luxury items, especially gold jewellery, because they retain value and they are nice to wear. I will treat myself once in a while, a birthday gift to myself.
Any cherished spends?
My dogs, both toy poodles. The first, Winston, was a purchase. Now I understand why you shouldn’t buy dogs, so my second dog, Hudson, I adopted. They bring so much joy.
Once I learnt how many stray animals there were, I volunteered with organisations. A couple of times a year, we will find stray dogs and ensure they are adopted overseas.
Money does make the world go round; you need to have money to do things in your life, to live, survive and thrive
Alyssa Mariano,
co-founder of Bazaara
A lot of times people do not anticipate how much it will cost to bring their dog with them when they move back home.
How do you feel about money?
It is good and bad, something to be respected in a way. It does make the world go round; you need to have money to do things in your life, to live, survive and thrive.
I definitely place importance on it, but it is not the main passion that fuels me. It is not the main motivation, but it is definitely up there.
Last week, I was in New York, and Miami working on a beach, so it gives you more independence to work where you want, and live how you want to.
Are you wiser with it?
Definitely, I make a point to save but also to enjoy it. If you are making money, you should be able to.
It is hard not to spend, but I also love to save. I have become much better at it. Shortly after graduating from university, saving was not in my vocabulary, especially living in New York where rent was super high, it was paycheque to paycheque.
Obviously, it is exciting to have it coming through your business, looking at cash flow, balance sheets, matching it to key performance indicators you need to hit, business goals and coming up with plans and strategies.
What are you happy paying for?
Other than the annual gift … travels. You have to take the time to rest, relax and recharge. Then maybe fashion here and there.
I will always look at Bazaara first because I love shopping second-hand, you find cool things that you would not find anywhere else.
I am a big foodie as well. I enjoy dinners with friends every weekend.
Any future goals?
We are launching a new version of the app, which will include an Arabic version that will allow us to launch in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
I will not be retiring early, even if this business is acquired. I will always be an entrepreneur and start companies. I have not set milestones, but probably what is to come is buying real estate.
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
Huddersfield: Otamendi (45' 1 og), van La Parra (red card 90' 6)
Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')
Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Other promotions
- Deliveroo will team up with Pineapple Express to offer customers near JLT a special treat: free banana caramel dessert with all orders on January 26
- Jones the Grocer will have their limited edition Australia Day menu available until the end of the month (January 31)
- Australian Vet in Abu Dhabi (with locations in Khalifa City A and Reem Island) will have a 15 per cent off all store items (excluding medications)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
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Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
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