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What if confidence isn't about becoming someone else—but reconnecting with who you've always been? In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we sit down with Asmaa Al Kuwari—Leadership Coach, author of Back to THAT, and Founder of the "You're Not Alone" community—to explore the confidence paradox and what it truly means to lead with authenticity. Asmaa shares her journey from being a lifelong people-pleaser to helping women reconnect with their authentic selves. Together, we discuss quiet confidence, self-awareness, people-pleasing, boundaries, perfectionism, impostor syndrome, and why the strongest leaders don't seek validation—they lead from within. Whether you're navigating a career transition, questioning your purpose, or looking to build confidence that lasts, this conversation offers practical insights into leading yourself before leading others.  Chapters * 00:00 From people-pleasing to authenticity * 00:44 Meet Asmaa Al Kuwari * 01:20 What is the Confidence Paradox? * 02:17 Culture, identity, and confidence * 04:07 The moment everything changed * 06:05 Breaking free from societal expectations * 07:12 Why so many women lose themselves * 08:08 Returning to your authentic self * 10:00 The power of quiet confidence * 11:30 Validation, fear, and self-worth * 13:52 Boundaries and the "good girl" syndrome * 15:33 Why you need to fill your own cup first * 16:44 Perfectionism and unconditional self-worth * 18:38 Impostor syndrome and authentic leadership * 19:42 Building the "You're Not Alone" community * 21:26 One message for every woman * 22:22 Daily practices to reconnect with yourself * 23:31 Where to connect with Asmaa Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers from across the region. This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. Follow SEF: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival Website: https://sharjahef.com

What if doing everything society tells you to do still doesn't lead to financial security? In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we sit down with Malu Marsault, Founder of This Mama Invests, to discuss financial education, investing, and building generational wealth. Malu shares how an unexpected pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic became the turning point that transformed her family's financial future. She explains why traditional education rarely teaches us how money works, why investing isn't only for experts, and how financial literacy can create lasting freedom for families—especially women. Whether you're just beginning your investing journey or looking to build long-term wealth, this conversation offers practical insights that can change the way you think about money. Chapters 00:00 The pregnancy that changed everything 00:45 Meet Malu Marsault 01:18 Why financial security became her mission 02:40 Why schools don't teach us about money 03:55 From financial struggle to financial education 05:07 Building an emergency fund and investing basics 06:20 Why women invest differently 09:08 Marketing, money, and financial psychology 10:18 The biggest barrier to financial independence 11:02 Do women outperform men at investing? 12:27 How Malu started investing 14:00 Her first investment and surprising returns 15:44 Building generational wealth 16:36 Stocks vs. crypto investing 18:18 How much should you invest each month? 20:58 Planning for retirement and financial goals 22:03 Why every couple should have "money dates" 24:01 Malu's mission to empower women financially Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, investors, and changemakers from across the region. This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. Follow SEF: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival Website: https://sharjahef.com

Why do so many people feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and creatively blocked—even when they're doing everything "right"? In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we sit down with Dan Stoker, Polarity Performance Coach and Sound & Light Therapist, to explore how our modern environment affects the nervous system. Dan explains how constant screen time, artificial light, digital overload, and chronic stress quietly disrupt our natural rhythms, impacting sleep, creativity, focus, and overall well-being. He also shares practical ways to regulate your nervous system, improve sleep quality, reduce burnout, and create healthier daily habits. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creator, leader, or simply feeling constantly switched on, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on performance and recovery. Chapters 00:00 Why we're constantly feeling switched on 00:43 Meet Dan Stoker 01:06 What does it mean to reset your nervous system? 02:19 How sound and light therapy works 03:01 Understanding brainwaves 04:12 What stress really is 05:13 Relaxation is a choice 06:46 How to unwind during stressful times 08:42 What is digital pollution? 10:10 How light affects your brain and sleep 11:35 Better sleep habits for burnout 12:58 Creativity begins with recovery 13:55 The nervous system is designed to self-regulate Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers from across the region. This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. Follow SEF: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival Website: https://sharjahef.com

How do you build a brand people never forget?In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we sit down with Amal Al Beiti, Creative Director and Founder of Tiny Toaster Design Studio, to explore the intersection of creativity, branding, and storytelling.Amal shares her journey from working in design agencies to founding her own studio, why every great brand starts with a story rather than a logo, and how meaningful design creates emotional connections that last.She also discusses building brands across the hospitality, F&B, lifestyle and government sectors, the importance of purpose in branding, supporting young creatives, and why the UAE is becoming one of the region's leading creative hubs.Chapters00:00 What is creativity?00:43 Meet Amal Al Beiti01:24 From designer to founder03:30 Why every great brand starts with a story04:50 What actually makes a strong brand?06:35 The story behind Tiny Toaster08:55 Building memorable F&B brands10:18 A branding project that changed everything12:23 Branding founders vs. corporate clients14:18 How do you measure a brand's success?15:39 Advice for young designers18:00 The rise of the UAE's creative industry20:40 Building a studio with purpose21:49 Final thoughtsSubscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers from across the region.This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.Follow SEF:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahefTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahefLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festivalWebsite: https://sharjahef.com

هل نرث الصدمات... أم نرث القدرة على الصمود؟ في هذه الحلقة من SEF Backstage Pass، نستضيف د. رنا الدجاني، عالمة وناشطة اجتماعية، وأستاذة في الجامعة الهاشمية، للحديث عن رحلتها في البحث العلمي، والفضول الذي قادها إلى الاكتشاف، وأبحاثها التي تتحدى المفاهيم التقليدية حول الصدمات المتوارثة والمرونة الإنسانية. كما تتحدث عن أهمية القراءة، ودور الفضول في بناء أجيال قادرة على التعلم، وكيف يمكن لفكرة بسيطة أن تُحدث أثراً يمتد إلى ملايين الأشخاص حول العالم. في هذه الحلقة: 00:00 هل نرث الصدمات أم الصمود؟ 01:23 التعرّف على د. رنا الدجاني 03:00 كيف بدأ شغفها بالعلم والفضول؟ 05:04 لماذا درست اللاجئين وعلم التغيرات فوق الجينية؟ 08:00 الاكتشاف الذي غيّر نظرتها إلى الصدمات المتوارثة 12:00 لماذا يجب أن نتجاوز عقلية الضحية؟ 16:00 الهوية والثقافة ودورهما في بناء الإنسان 19:20 كيف بدأت مبادرة "نحب القراءة"؟ 22:00 كيف تصنع القراءة جيلاً من صناع التغيير؟ 26:00 فكرة صغيرة... وأثر وصل إلى الملايين 27:15 رسائل أخيرة اشتركوا في القناة، وفعّلوا جرس التنبيهات، ولا تنسوا مشاركة الحلقة مع من قد يجد فيها الإلهام. تم إنتاج هذه الحلقة بالشراكة مع Poddster.

What separates companies that scale from those that stay stuck? In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Shukri Eid, Vice President and General Manager for IBM across the Gulf, Levant and Pakistan, shares decades of leadership experience helping organizations navigate growth, transformation, and technological change. From scaling startups and building resilient organizations to AI, leadership, delegation, and institutionalizing a business, Shukri explains what founders must do to grow beyond themselves—and why the best leaders eventually make themselves unnecessary. Whether you're building a startup or leading an established business, this conversation offers practical insights on scaling with clarity, purpose, and long-term impact. Chapters 00:00 Why founders must make themselves redundant 01:00 Meet Shukri Eid 03:08 Why scaling a startup is harder than it looks 05:03 The transition from founder to scale-up leader 07:20 What should—and shouldn't—scale 08:40 Mentoring founders through growth 10:42 Managing complexity as your business grows 15:07 Expanding products and serving customers better 18:28 What corporates can learn from startups 23:28 AI, business models, and competitive advantage 26:47 The one piece of advice every founder needs 31:27 Final thoughts The SEF Backstage Pass Podcast brings you inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, innovators, and changemakers from the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival. This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. Follow SEF: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival Website: https://sharjahef.com

Can you build a successful career doing what you truly love? In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, comedian and content creator Maha Jaafar shares how a viral video changed the course of her life—from studying and practicing dentistry to building a career in comedy and content creation. Maha opens up about choosing an unconventional path, staying authentic online, balancing creativity with commercial work, and why purpose matters more than chasing numbers. She also shares practical advice for aspiring creators looking to build sustainable careers on social media. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Meet Maha Jaafar 02:01 From dentistry to content creation 04:00 Choosing comedy over a traditional career 05:16 The power of authenticity on social media 06:54 What makes creators succeed long-term 08:24 The biggest mistake creators make when monetizing 08:50 Balancing creativity with commercial work 10:32 Advice for aspiring content creators 11:38 Maha's first impression of SEF 12:28 One final piece of advice for creators Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, or simply considering a different path, this conversation offers valuable insights into turning passion into a profession. This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers on the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast. Follow SEF: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival Website: https://sharjahef.com

Shahzad Younas left a successful investment banking career to build Muzz, now the world's leading Muslim marriage app. In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Shahzad shares the realities of leaving a six-figure salary, building a startup from his bedroom, creating a product for millions of Muslims worldwide, navigating criticism from different communities, and the legal battle that forced Muzmatch to become Muzz. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:08 Leaving Investment Banking to Become a Founder 08:21 Building Muzz & Early Growth 11:41 Designing a Product for Modern Muslims 17:57 19 Million Users Across 190 Countries 20:50 How Muzz Makes Money 24:34 Building Trust & Safety on the Platform 30:11 Lessons from Scaling a Global Startup 36:18 When Match Group Tried to Acquire Muzz 37:17 The Trademark Lawsuit That Changed Everything 43:49 Rebranding from Muzmatch to Muzz 46:08 Advice for Entrepreneurs The SEF Backstage Pass Podcast brings you conversations with world-class entrepreneurs, founders, creators, and innovators recorded at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival. This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. Follow SEF: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival Website: https://sharjahef.com

هل يمكن لحلم واحد أن يغيّر حياتك بالكامل؟ في هذه الحلقة من بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass، تتحدث منال رستم، أول مصرية تتسلق قمة إيفرست، عن رحلتها من الأحلام إلى الإنجازات، وكيف واجهت الخوف، والرفض، والفشل، والشك بالنفس حتى أصبحت واحدة من أبرز الملهمين في المنطقة. تشارك منال قصصاً من رحلتها في تسلق أعلى قمم العالم، وما تعلمته عن مواجهة الإخفاق، وبناء الثقة بالنفس، والرفق بالذات، إلى جانب دروس ملهمة يمكن لكل رائد أعمال، أو قائد، أو صاحب حلم أن يستفيد منها. المحاور00:00 المقدمة01:02 من هي منال رستم؟02:00 لماذا قررت تسلق جبل إيفرست؟05:15 هل ننتظر حتى نكون مستعدين؟06:10 كيف أقنعت عائلتها بتحقيق حلمها؟09:25 دعم الأهل وتغيير القناعات12:35 لماذا فشلت في تسلق بعض القمم؟15:00 كيف غيّرت طريقة تفكيرها لتنجح؟17:45 ما الوجه الآخر للإنجاز؟20:35 التعايش مع الأنيميا أثناء تسلق الجبال22:40 لماذا يجب أن نكون ألطف مع أنفسنا؟25:00 حب الذات والتعامل مع الآخرين27:15 متى يجب أن تقول "لا"؟29:10 الجيل الجديد ووضع الحدود الصحية30:20 الامتنان والرضا عن الذات31:05 الرسالة الأخيرة اشتركوا في القناة للمزيد من الحوارات الملهمة مع رواد الأعمال، والمبتكرين، وصناع التغيير عبر بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass. تم إنتاج هذه الحلقة بالشراكة مع Poddster. Follow SEF:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahefTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahefLinkedIn: Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival | LinkedInWebsite: Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival

Why are so many women confused about their health? In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Layla Al Naif, Holistic Nutritionist, shares her personal journey with PCOS and explains why understanding hormones, nutrition, and women's health requires more than one-size-fits-all advice. From overcoming her own health challenges to helping women better understand their bodies, Layla discusses common nutrition myths, hormone health, and practical ways to build sustainable habits for long-term wellbeing. Whether you're navigating hormonal health, PCOS, or simply looking to better understand your body, this conversation offers valuable insights backed by both personal experience and professional expertise. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Meet Layla Al Naif 02:03 Layla's PCOS diagnosis and health journey 05:10 Why women's health is so misunderstood 08:15 The biggest nutrition myths for women 12:30 Understanding hormones and metabolism 16:05 Protein, weight loss, and common misconceptions 20:15 Building sustainable eating habits 24:40 Practical advice for better health 28:30 Final thoughts Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers on the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast. This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. Follow SEF: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival Website: https://sharjahef.com

What does it really mean to be a man today? In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Ali Ilyas, Clinical Psychologist at Monarch Health Centers, explores modern masculinity, grief, emotional resilience, relationships, and the importance of building healthier conversations around men's mental health. Drawing from both his personal experiences and years of clinical practice, Ali shares why vulnerability is not weakness, how childhood experiences shape adulthood, and why meaningful human connection is essential for long-term wellbeing. Whether you're navigating relationships, leadership, or personal growth, this conversation offers valuable insights into emotional health and what it means to thrive in today's world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Meet Ali Ilyas 01:10 How losing his father shaped his life and career 03:02 What people get wrong about modern masculinity 05:30 Why are young men drawn to Andrew Tate? 06:15 The mental health crisis facing men 08:00 Why men struggle to open up emotionally 10:34 Anger, emotions, and mental health at work 12:18 What are men really carrying? 13:25 How to support the men in your life 15:00 One simple question that builds better conversations 16:10 The everyday pressures men face 18:05 Why a man's worth is more than what he provides 20:20 How Ali protects his own mental health 22:00 Practical techniques for reducing stress and anxiety 24:00 The most rewarding part of working with men 25:05 Social media's impact on men and mental health 26:00 Final thoughts Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers on the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast. This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster. Follow SEF: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival Website: https://sharjahef.com

What if your body has been trying to tell you something all along?In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Natasha Rudatsenko, Founder & CEO of Health Nag, shares the personal health journey that transformed her life and inspired her to build one of the UAE's fastest-growing wellness brands.From overcoming chronic health challenges to rethinking nutrition, stress, entrepreneurship, and personal responsibility, Natasha explains why lasting health starts with understanding your body—not simply treating symptoms.Whether you're building a business, pursuing better health, or looking for practical ways to improve your wellbeing, this conversation offers valuable lessons on resilience, discipline, and creating lasting change.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:24 Natasha's health diagnosis at 2101:24 Meet Natasha Rudatsenko & Health Nag02:22 How her health journey began04:14 Taking responsibility for your health06:02 Can the body heal itself?08:15 The biggest misconceptions about wellness09:54 Functional medicine explained11:45 Building Health Nag from personal experience14:18 From entrepreneurship to Shark Tank15:48 Why entrepreneurship is never easy18:00 Building brands with purpose20:18 The future of health and wellness22:02 Final advice and closing remarksSubscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers on the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast.This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.Follow SEF:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahefTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahefLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festivalWebsite: https://sharjahef.com

How do you build a robotics ecosystem from the ground up?In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Mohammed Saeed Al Mazrouei, Founder of Maztech Robotics, shares how a passion for robotics competitions evolved into a UAE-based company empowering the next generation of engineers.From transforming a global robot football concept into a locally built educational experience, to developing open-source robotics and building a long-term vision for innovation in the UAE, Mohammed discusses what it takes to create technology with lasting impact.Whether you're passionate about robotics, engineering, education, or entrepreneurship, this conversation offers valuable insights into building products, ecosystems, and future talent.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:56 Meet Mohammed Saeed Al Mazrouei & Maztech Robotics01:28 How Maztech Robotics began03:29 Why robotics, electronics & 3D printing work together04:29 The story behind Robot Football05:37 Teaching robotics through hands-on learning06:42 Why plug-and-play robotics isn't enough07:02 Maztech's long-term vision for robotics education07:39 "Investors don't like us" – building an ecosystem first09:03 The future of robotics in the UAE10:02 One piece of advice for young founders10:54 Mohammed's SEF experience11:48 Closing remarksSubscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers on the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast.This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.Follow SEF:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahefTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahefLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festivalWebsite: https://sharjahef.com

Can empathy build a successful business?In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Mallek Walid sits down with Nand Kishore Chaudhary, Founder & Chairman of Jaipur Rugs, to explore how compassion, purpose, and unconditional love became the foundation of one of India's most respected social enterprises.Known as the "Gandhi of the Carpet Industry," Nand shares the philosophy behind empowering more than 40,000 artisans, why empathy creates stronger leaders, balancing family and business, hiring people based on purpose rather than resumes, and how businesses can create lasting social impact while remaining profitable.This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, entrepreneurship, culture, and building organizations that put people first.Chapters00:00 Why empathy is the foundation of leadership00:54 Meet Nand Kishore Chaudhary01:39 Why he's called the "Gandhi of the Carpet Industry"03:32 From selling shoes to building Jaipur Rugs05:07 Empowering artisans through entrepreneurship06:17 Building a family business with purpose07:41 Balancing family and business08:57 Leading with kindness without compromising standards11:12 How to handle employees who want to leave13:03 The "Search for Divine Souls" hiring philosophy15:07 Nand's advice for every entrepreneur15:56 Closing remarksSubscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers on the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast.This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.Follow SEF:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahefTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahefLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festivalWebsite: https://sharjahef.com

When is the right time to leave your corporate career and become an entrepreneur? In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Ann Marie McQueen sits down with Harith Al Midfa, Managing Partner of Recovery Island and Founder of Kayan Textile Manufacturing, to discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, leaving corporate life, building purpose-driven businesses, and creating long-term impact. Harith shares the story behind leaving a stable career, the philosophy of "burn the ships," balancing profit with purpose, building strong teams, overcoming uncertainty, and why entrepreneurs should focus on systems rather than doing everything themselves. Whether you're starting your first business or scaling an existing one, this conversation offers valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and sustainable growth. Chapters 00:00 Burn the ships: Taking the leap into entrepreneurship 01:09 Meet Harith Al Midfa 01:22 Why he left corporate life 03:08 The moment everything changed 04:25 Recovery Island and creating social impact 06:17 Why Harith founded Kayan Textile Manufacturing 07:52 Building businesses with purpose 09:43 Balancing profit and purpose 10:05 Building systems that scale 11:40 Standing out from the competition 13:10 The value of strategic partnerships 15:07 Lessons from building multiple businesses 17:02 Why founders must learn to delegate 18:35 Choosing the right people 19:48 The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make 21:09 Why founders need passive income 21:37 Dealing with uncertainty 22:35 Entrepreneurship in Sharjah 23:15 Final advice for entrepreneurs 24:08 Closing remarks Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers on the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast. This episode was created in collaboration with Poddster. Follow SEF: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival Website: https://sharjahef.com