Every business has an ecosystem that is distinct from another, yet it works with a certain value system that ties them together. Understanding the features of a business ecosystem, its interconnectedness, and its intricacies require strategic partnerships and initiatives.
A strong foundation is needed for its development which comes from experience and leadership. This ensures favorable industry positioning that benefits business owners, entrepreneurs, pioneers, and visionaries alike who want to establish their identity, and their business in the country.
Being the Founder and Managing Director of EZONE, Mariben Christine Eustaquio is a passionate entrepreneur who sees success in her client’s success. Through EZONE, she desires to create a platform in which she can guide different companies to accomplish their objectives and growth in time.
As a business setup consultancy in the UAE, EZONE offers bespoke solutions for different kinds of businesses to move forward in the region. Eustaquio and her team of specialists provide end-to-end business setup solutions that are time-efficient and cost-effective.
Through this interview, we learned a lot about her and how she helps other businesses establish themselves in the country with EZONE. Not only that, but she is also trying to create a better presence for all the Filipinos and break the stereotypes. Learn more about the Filipina Founder and her successful startup below.
Explain the background of you and the company in detail.
I am the Founder, and Managing Director of EZONE, a business setup company in the UAE, started in 2021. I have, however, been in the business setup industry for 10 years now, since 2012. As this was my first job in the UAE, I started in an entry-level position in one of what was then a startup and now is one of the biggest business setup companies in Dubai. By the time I left the company, I had worked my way up to a director position.
While I was passionate about my work, in 2017, I decided to venture on my own. I provided consultancy, training, and strategic advice to various business setup companies and law firms. Last year, I launched my brand – EZONE – where I could share my expertise through a personalized approach.
Since I understand the struggles of starting a business in the UAE, I wanted to make it easier for everyone who wishes to set up their business in the UAE and share my first-hand advice from an entrepreneurial perspective with them. To me, that is what EZONE is all about. Our customized solutions set us apart from the hundreds of other business setup companies in the UAE.
Our goal is not just to support our clients in launching their business but for them to be able to maintain it and grow in time. We feel success in our client’s success. Their success is our success, and their failures are our failures. Their growth as a person and company goes hand in hand with our growth. I am pleased when I see them reach great heights. It takes a lot of time and effort for a vision to come to life, and through EZONE, I want to help them bring that vision to life.
What are your goals?
My goal is to promote entrepreneurship for all. With a decade of industry experience, I have seen dreams turn into reality and ideas come to life because of pure passion and hard work. When I started EZONE, my main goal was to support entrepreneurs. I wanted to create a business setup company that understands their struggles and eases their journey towards business ownership.
I wanted to give every entrepreneur a chance to realize their potential. Setting up a company does not need to be expensive or difficult. Instead, I wanted our company to provide bespoke solutions to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) so that they can focus on starting their business with reasonable support services.
Moreover, I wanted EZONE to be part of the long-term entrepreneurial journey of every client. I want to be part of each business owner’s goals as their goals are our goals. Their problems are our problems. By being part of their present, we, at EZONE, become part of their future.
What was the path you/your company took to get to where you are today?
There was a gap in the market, which inspired me to move forward and create my own brand. I wanted to simplify the setup process for entrepreneurs and give them the best options. Setting up a company is not about the sale of a product. It is creating a unique experience for the client that makes them feel at ease with us. From initiation to execution, every step is visible. There are no hidden costs or unwarranted delays.
I know that we have more to do, but it is just the beginning for us. I am proud of where we are today. It’s an exciting time for us as we are continually growing. We celebrated our first anniversary this April. It has been a challenging journey for us, but we are getting closer to our vision together and making it happen as a team. I am thankful for what we have achieved in a year and excited about where we are going.
Why did you start (or want to be the head of) this company?
Growth and people inspire me. Everything around me inspires me. I feel motivated when I hear people’s ideas and see their plans transpire. Some of the best and most successful companies I have dealt with have had the craziest concepts, but somehow, they succeeded. They made it in the industry, and it is an exciting and gratifying time for me.
I love seeing companies flourish and establish themselves in the industry. Since I am an entrepreneur myself, I believe in other entrepreneurs. I believe in what they are doing. That is why I encourage everyone to look beyond employment and aim for financial freedom. Through EZONE, I’m grateful that I have the ability to build awareness among people and create an entrepreneurial mindset that is beneficial to them.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a Filipina Entrepreneur, I had to face several challenges along the way, but I never gave up. I am proud of my heritage. My Filipino values and culture have made me who I am today.
With thousands of Filipinos residing in the country, there is still that stigma of being a Filipino. We are still thought of or looked at as inferior. I want to correct that and elevate the image of the Filipinos. My goal is to raise awareness and bring hardworking Filipino entrepreneurs into a more positive light. More than that, I want to help our community and other nationalities establish their business in the country through EZONE.
EZONE is created for every entrepreneur and business owner and doesn’t discriminate among people. Our company is made to realize visions. It is an instrument to make entrepreneurial dreams come true. Whatever the nationality, we treat everyone as an equal and want to be treated as an equal.
Give us one word that describes you the best.
PASSION. I am a very passionate person who gives my best to everything I do. From start to finish, I see things through. I give my 100% and believe it is better to do things with your whole heart than half-heartedly.
I believe that once we put our whole heart and mind into what we do, there are no regrets but experiences. These experiences make us better at what we do. I continue to defy the norm and pave the way where everyone can flourish with me. Success is multiplied when it’s shared and I want everyone to partake in my journey and be successful in their venture.
What makes you excited about Mondays?
They say that the secret to happiness is doing what you love. Waking up in the morning, dressing up, and driving to work excites me. It makes me happy. The moment I enter and see my team and meet my clients, a big smile is on my face.
I love talking to people and understanding what they need. I love giving them the best advice and supporting their vision. It energizes me, keeps me going throughout the day, and makes me look forward to not only Monday but every day.
What do you value most about your culture and vision?
A company is nothing without its people. At EZONE, what I value the most is my team. Everyone here is passionate about working together towards one goal of growing our company and giving our clients the best experience.
All of us share the same vision of not only wanting to set up more businesses but also creating more entrepreneurs. We understand the needs of our clients and aspire to spread more awareness about the right business setup opportunities.
We want to guide them through our teamwork and be a part of their decision-making process. Together, we aim to inspire them by providing them with an avenue to boost their confidence in starting a business in the UAE.
Tell us about a project that forced you to be innovative and creative.
For me, every client is important. Their needs and objectives of starting a business are unique. With each client, I am innovative and creative. It’s not just one project I focus on, but every project gets my undivided attention. That is why I am in the industry of setting up businesses. I take my own initiative and encourage my team to surpass expectations.
I want all of us at EZONE to create the best solutions for our clients and give them more than what they have asked for.
What are your company’s strategies, and how do they stand unique from your competitors?
Our strategies are very client-centric, which makes EZONE stand apart from the rest. Our clients are our greatest asset. We care for our clients and focus on their well-being through our bespoke services and packages.
For us, it is not about selling a product but providing them with an experience that makes them feel energized and relaxed at the same time. By placing ourselves in their situation, we are able to provide them with the right advice that proves to be encouraging and business-saving.
What we promise is what we deliver. We create resilient relations with our clients that go beyond our office hours. We become their friend and immerse ourselves in their lives so that we can give them value-added services that suit their requisites. It is because of them that we are here today, and we want to be there for them every step of the way.
What are the key values that helped you overcome the roadblocks/challenges in your career? Tell us something about your memorable incident in your leadership?
I believe that humility and resilience are very significant values in overcoming any kind of obstacle or roadblock. No matter what curveball life throws at us, we must know how to bounce back from our difficulties and take every setback as an opportunity.
In the face of adversity, a leader should set a good example to their team because as much as a leader may possess a wealth of expertise and skill, if they lack humility, they will struggle to manage their team and get the best out of them.
It is impossible to demonstrate resilience unless one has gone through a challenging phase in their leadership. But I believe that the true grit of a leader is not shown in how they perform during the good times but rather in how they display flexibility, emotional stability, and professionalism during the trying times.
How do you see the company changing in two years, and how do you see yourself creating that change?
In two years, I want to see EZONE evolve as an ecosystem that supports the needs of small to medium businesses (SMBs). I want to cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship. I want to generate a network of various entities that support entrepreneurs and offer them services that allow them to focus on the growth of their business. I strongly believe that as our clients grow, we grow with them. I want to continue my stride and be a driving force toward change.
Where is your leadership going? What benefits are your clients getting from your company in this competitive world?
For any company to succeed, you need to be credible. I lead by example. I do what I say and ensure that I keep my word. When I commit to a task, I make sure that I accomplish it 100%.
At EZONE, we focus on the welfare of our clients and provide them with complete support. We are not just setting up businesses for them, but we are here to give them a productive experience. Moreover, we want them to be comfortable with us and trust us with their undertakings. In short, our clients are assured of a lasting relationship and persistent support.
That is why I believe in open communication. Our team coordinates with our clients and all the necessary departments to ensure that their requests are fulfilled on time. As a result, they are able to share their concerns with us for direct, fast, and long-term solutions.
What are the services/solutions or products offered by your company at par with the current industry standards? Tell us something about your upcoming products or services?
EZONE is a startup builder that believes in creating entrepreneurs. I believe that entrepreneurship can be for everyone. I know there are certain challenges in setting up a company, but with the right advice and guidance, we can take the appropriate step to go in our desired direction to make our vision a reality.
Aside from company formation, we provide support in running their businesses by offering them a comprehensive list of activities that are not only connected to PRO assistance but also accounting, and marketing, among other services we intend to roll out.
To know more about our corporate services, offers, and packages, please feel free to connect with us on our social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter) or visit our website https://e.zone/. You can also contact us at 800-EZONEUAE where our team will be ready to assist you with all your needs.