From Struggles to Success: Sarah Alkahery’s Mission to Support Arab Women Entrepreneurs
At UAE Times, we are dedicated to spotlighting inspiring voices that are shaping industries and communities across the region. In this exclusive feature, we speak with Sarah Alkahery, founder of SAK Academy, SAK Marketing, and host of the Latte Podcast. As a trailblazer in supporting Arab women in business and organic marketing, Sarah shares her journey, challenges, and vision for the future.
What motivated you to embark on a career in your industry?
I wanted to start SAK Academy, the first academy that supports Arab women in business and organic marketing, because I really struggled when I launched my own business. I wanted to make the process more accessible and empowering for women.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I usually work with clients from SAK Marketing, where we manage accounts. I then respond to questions from my students in SAK Academy, and later, I review listeners’ feedback on our new project, Latte Podcast by Sarah Alkahery.
How is your industry evolving, and what trends do you foresee?
AI is a major trend right now, and many people worry that marketers may no longer be needed. In reality, we need to integrate AI into our daily work. At SAK Marketing, we’ve used AI to support customer acquisition. We also developed a tool that helps clients find the best UGC creators for their content—something that has been a huge success for small businesses.
What challenges have you overcome, and how?
The biggest challenge I faced—and one I believe many women face—was balancing personal responsibilities with growing a business. Most business owners and coaches are men, and they often approach growth from a male perspective. Women, however, have different energy cycles and unique responsibilities. Balancing daily life with business stress while managing three businesses and creating content across four different platforms can be demanding, but it’s also very rewarding.
Can you share any pivotal career moments?
For me, one of the most pivotal moments was reducing our working hours at SAK from 8 to 6 per day. Many business owners measure success through revenue, awards, or high-profile clients, but my focus has always been on ensuring the business works for us—not the other way around. I want my team to enjoy a strong work-life balance and true freedom. That’s why I started SAK. All of our employees are women, and I strongly advocate for building businesses that support both professional and personal growth. This is also a central theme of the Latte Podcast, where I share how entrepreneurs can build thriving businesses without constantly being in survival mode.
How do you define your leadership style?
I would describe my leadership style as empathetic and kind. In the beginning, I struggled to find the right management approach, and our turnover rate was quite high. Now, five years later, the average time an employee stays with SAK is about two years—which is impressive considering we’ve only been operating for four years.
Is your organization leveraging AI or other emerging technologies?
Yes, we use AI strategically within the business. While AI can never replace humans, it’s a valuable tool that helps with repetitive tasks and efficiency. At SAK, we use AI to guide customers toward the right products, conduct market research, and analyze data.
What are your long-term goals for your career or business?
I aim to support female entrepreneurs across the GCC in growing their brands and businesses. Equally important, I want to help women achieve balance between career and wellness.
Sarah Alkahery’s journey reflects the evolving spirit of entrepreneurship in the region—empathetic, inclusive, and forward-thinking. Through SAK Academy, SAK Marketing, and the Latte Podcast, she is not only breaking barriers for women in business but also redefining success. Her leadership and vision continue to inspire female entrepreneurs across the GCC, proving that with balance, resilience, and innovation, growth is truly limitless.
