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lifestyle
Najla Al Ansari, co-founder of NOT a SPACE discusses fostering community through creativity across the UAE.
story
I am a graduate of the American University of Sharjah, UAE. I am a UAE serial entrepreneur and co-founder of NOT a SPACE and other side businesses. As a life explorer, I never wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I always had the courage to take risks. My first business was a day spa built in 2011, when I was only 21 years old and the risk was the greatest. It was hard for me to fall asleep at first with limited resources, but eventually, when you put in the effort, everything falls into place. Now, I’m creating more space and taking more risks has become an addiction and I’m loving it. I believe everyone has a purpose in life, and when you connect with that love, the magic unfolds.
the concept
Launched in 2019, before the pandemic hit, NOT a SPACE focuses on creating a community where you can work and play, eat and shop, and dress up. A space for everyone to enjoy great music, great coffee and create more stories and friendships. This is not your ordinary hangout, not for ego, not for perfection…but a space where you feel free and be you. Simply put, NOT is a space with a heart, a space where wild and kind souls come together. At NOT you can find barbershops, parlors, pet grooming spas and community cafes in the center, bringing together and discussing all humans and pets through the different events we create and host in music, fashion, health, sports, talks and more meeting. During winter and summer, NOT appears in unique locations across the UAE. The most popular is our annual magical pop-up in Al Faya winter, located in the remote desert where you can enjoy the breeze, live activities and peaceful mountain scenery, attracting sunrise explorers, sunset lovers and starry night owls Dotted sky.
creative
I am both creative and business-minded. I can’t run a business without being able to explore and create new ideas, and vice versa. I spend most of my time being inspired by what’s out there and then strategically building it into a plan to make sure it’s viable and makes financial sense. In particular, in our business and space, we rely heavily on creativity to provide new experiences to the community by always being different and ahead of the game, which gives us a competitive edge.
philosophy
I firmly believe that good deeds will be rewarded to you in time. And always pursue your dreams because it is an opportunity you take on yourself, you are the driving force behind your own future. Only you can decide what is good for you, control the speed and be responsible for the choices you make. You are you, and that is your superpower for true happiness.
Suggest
If you have an idea but are not sure if it will work, if you really believe in it, move on. It starts with the first step and the rest will follow. It’s not easy, but if you do what you love, it’s a great journey.
obstacle
When we weren’t generating any revenue, my first business fell so fast it nearly collapsed before I re-strategized and started looking at things differently. This changed my perspective on things and I learned that we need to listen more to the market, invest in the right team, and then build a system, but most importantly, keep going and never stop believing.
milestone
I have been delighted to have gone from starting a business at such a young age to being selected as a board member of the Sharjah Businesswomen Council, to organizing the first and fastest growing Sharjah Startup Festival every year, bringing together thousands of like-minded people Individuals, business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Running my own business in NOT A SPACE is now a full time job and I’ve never been happier!
tutor
Every minute of every day I meet and learn from people from all over the world with different backgrounds, mindsets, cultures and experiences. Always saying yes to new adventures leads you to opportunities, experiences and learning to get better every day.
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Image: Provided
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