Money Moves

MONIIFY

Money Moves is a deep dive into the minds of the most successful and influential entrepreneurs in frontier markets, shaping the conversation around money and innovation. Each week we bring you exclusive insights from the sharpest minds in business, tech and investing in high-potential markets. From crypto and AI to startups and global giants, Dania and her guests deliver the ideas and tools you need to seize opportunities and grow your wealth.

Episodes

  1. 30 Apr

    Dubai Real Estate King: ‘Dubai’s infrastructure is UNBEATABLE’| Firas Al Msaddi

    In this episode of Money Moves, Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Firas Al Msaddi, Founder and CEO of fäm Properties to share the raw and inspiring story of how he entered the real estate industry and turned a bankrupt company into one of the UAE’s leading real estate firms. From humble beginnings to leading a data-driven, tech-powered agency in Dubai, Firas opens up about the defining moments that shaped his journey. 00:00 Introduction  00:56 How he got into property01:49 Starting fäm Properties from a bankrupt company03:15 Picking the right developments04:21 Creating value for clients04:55 Do real estate brokers have a bad reputation?06:05 Importance of transparency in real estate08:30 Advice for brokers to succeed10:03 Is everyone cut out to be an entrepreneur?11:38 Why everyone should have a goal12:15 Firas’ relationship with money13:20 Why Firas has never ever taken a loan16:16 Personal weaknesses Firas has worked on17:21 How Firas almost lost his company twice19:45 Is Dubai’s hot property market going to burst?21:03 Dubai’s booming luxury real estate segment23:05 Why Dubai’s property market is so attractive24:07 How to choose where to invest in Dubai25:45 Data and Dubai’s property market26:15 How AI is impacting the real estate sector30:20 What advice Firas would give his 21-year-old self We dive into how fäm Properties became known for its transparency and client-first approach, and why Firas believes that creating real value is the only way to succeed in a market often clouded by distrust. He discusses how to pick the right developments, the importance of integrity in real estate brokerage, and what separates truly successful brokers from the rest.Firas also reflects on his personal relationship with money, why he’s never taken a loan, and the mindset that helped him survive nearly losing his company — not once, but twice. He talks candidly about the personal weaknesses he's worked on, what drives him, and why having a clear goal is non-negotiable for anyone chasing success, especially in entrepreneurship.We also unpack the current state of Dubai’s property market — is the boom sustainable, or is a correction coming? Firas breaks down what makes Dubai such an attractive place to invest, how data and AI are reshaping real estate, and his advice for anyone looking to invest wisely or start their own journey in the industry. Plus, he shares the one thing he wishes he could tell his 21-year-old self.

    31 min
  2. 23 Apr

    Khaled Ebrahimi Decides the Price: “If I Say $5 Million, It Has To Be $5 Million”

    In this episode of Money Moves Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Luxury Souq Founder & CEO, Khaled Ebrahimi, and dives into the high-stakes, exclusive world of luxury watch resale, where reputation, network, and deep product knowledge defines success. 00:00 Intro01:11 Where did Khaled’s journey with watches begin?01:27 The timepiece that ignited Khaled’s love for watches01:49 Khaled’s early career days03:27 Khaled recounts an unpleasant watch-selling incident05:08 The key decisions that built Luxury Souq05:53 What does “watches are a currency” mean?06:49 Are all watches an investment?08:06 Khaled vs. Dania’s watch09:51 How does the secondary market drive brand value?10:41 The role of social media in scaling a luxury brand11:26 Why do customers choose to buy watches from the secondary market?12:45 Brands’ strategy of being exclusive: Does Khaled agree or disagree?13:59 Khaled explains why he believes “only fake people wear fake watches”15:30 Khaled explains the rationale behind buying expensive watches16:52 The evolution of Khaled’s relationship with money18:06 Is everybody willing to spend on luxury watches?19:32 Navigating the volatilities of the luxury watch market21:06 Khaled explains the relationship between brands & price fluctuations22:57 Other standout brands apart from the “Big 5” of the watch industry24:10 Khaled on his personal watch collection25:34 What you should always look for when buying a luxury watch27:18 Khaled talks about his 4 million AED Richard Mille watch30:07 How does Khaled get hold of limited watch models?30:36 Khaled & Dania discuss AP’s Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man”32:09 Khaled & Dania discuss AP’s Skeleton model33:15 How to decide when to sell your luxury watch?34:05 Khaled on how Anant Ambani influenced Mark Zuckerberg’s watch choices35:55 What’s next for Khaled Ebrahimi?36:18 Why is Khaled such a believer of e-commerce in the luxury watch market?37:37 Khaled explains why inventory management is so important38:34 What advice would Khaled give his 21-year-old self? Khaled traces his passion back to childhood and credits both his father and a strong foundation in banking with fueling his journey from a small Dubai family business to global renown. Khaled recounts celebrity clients and his philosophy that buying watches isn’t just about telling time - it’s about signaling status and financial acumen. He draws a clear line against fake watches, explaining their damage to both individual credibility and industry trust, and identifies leading investment brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille - insisting watches can serve as both currency and asset for the well-informed collector.Khaled also discusses market trends, inventory risks, and the power dynamics between official boutiques and the secondary market arguing that customer service and trust outrank mere capital when building a luxury business. He explains why some brands excel at exclusivity, and the role of social media in luxury marketing. For budding entrepreneurs, his advice is practical: start with knowledge, leverage reputation, and never overextend to “play status.” Khaled's story reveals that in luxury resale, success is earned by decades of relationship building and keen market intelligence.

    38 min
  3. 16 Apr

    STARZPLAY CEO Maaz Sheikh: "We Do Local Content Better Than Netflix"

    In this episode of Money Moves, Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Maaz Sheikh, CEO and Co-founder of STARZPLAY, to unpack the journey of building one of the Middle East’s leading streaming platforms. Maaz reflects on the early days of launching a bold startup in an emerging MENA market, the challenges of scaling operations, and the strategic decisions that led to STARZPLAY’s $420M acquisition.00:00 Introduction01:04 The inspiration behind STARZPLAY02:04 Maaz explains what he meant by the “right time”02:51 How did Maaz identify a gap in the market to start STARZPLAY03:53 STARZPLAY’s evolution: Original vision versus current reality05:57 The challenges & pivots in STARZPLAY’s journey08:22 How challenges & pivots impacted STARZPLAY’s numbers09:26 How did Maaz deal with questions & doubts in STARZPLAY’s first year?11:17 How do entrepreneurs balance conviction & delusion14:04 Maaz on the first fund raising experience for STARZPLAY15:35 Does fundraising get easier along the way?17:02 Maaz’s advice for young founders17:54 Maaz recalls STARZPLAY’s high & low moments20:16 Maaz on data projections & scaling STARZPLAY21:26 Maaz explains STARZPLAY’s Arabic content strategy23:22 The evolution of the Arabic content ecosystem25:19 Advantages of being a follower versus a leader26:57 How data enabled lower risks & costs for STARZPLAY27:53 The one thing STARZPLAY does better than Netflix29:08 Why did STARZPLAY decide to foray into sports?30:39 How to protect business runway & grow in scale33:43 Maaz on STARZPLAY getting acquired by e& (Etisalat)35:28 Maaz remembers how he felt when STARZPLAY was acquired36:56 Maaz reflects on his biggest regret in business38:21 Maaz lays out his personal bets for the next decade40:02 AI & its impact on content creation41:09 Insights into the future of content41:59 The competition for consumers’ attention42:52 What is next for Maaz Sheikh?44:17 Rapid fire44:56 Maaz explains why one should take risks when young45:16 Dania & Maaz discuss the influence of parents & risk appetite He shares how the company carved out a niche by targeting 18- to 34-year-olds underserved by traditional pay TV, offering affordable, on-demand content and exclusive Western series. This customer-first approach drove rapid subscriber growth and set STARZPLAY apart in a crowded field.The conversation also explores the realities of fundraising, the toll of leadership burnout, and how Maaz kept the team aligned through uncertainty. He emphasizes the power of strong investor partnerships, the importance of adaptability, and the role authentic relationships play in long-term success.Maaz discusses turning Starzplay into a leading platform, detailing the shift towards streaming services in the MENA region. He highlights how providing local content can challenge global giants like Netflix. He also touches upon the trend of cord cutting and its impact on traditional media.Whether you're a founder, a media exec, or just curious about the streaming wars in MENA, this episode is packed with insights on growth, resilience, and building a business that lasts.

    47 min
  4. 9 Apr

    The Girl Who Made Burkinis Cool: "You Have to Be a Little Crazy to Make It" | Hadia Ghaleb

    Once bullied for being different, Hadia Ghaleb turned pain into power and her name into a global brand. In this raw and inspiring episode of Money Moves, she opens up about turning influence into income, finding confidence through creation and building a fashion empire from self-belief. Hosted by Dania Alshowaikh, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the business of being unapologetically yourself. 00:00 — Introduction01:08 — Who Is Hadia Ghaleb?03:02 — From Influencer to Entrepreneur05:27 — The Birth of the Hadia Ghaleb Brand07:55 — Turning Fashion Into Business10:18 — Breaking Stereotypes in the Middle East13:44 — Facing Backlash & Owning the Narrative17:12 — Authenticity and Influence20:06 — How Hadia Built a Global Swimwear Label23:31 — Empowering Women Through Fashion26:50 — Lessons from the Business Journey29:45 — Balancing Personal Life and Public Image33:18 — What’s Next for Hadia GhalebHadia Ghaleb has built more than a fashion label and a movement. In this episode of Money Moves, host Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Hadia to explore how she turned her social influence into a global business empire. From her early days as a digital content creator to founding Hadia Ghaleb Label she shares the lessons, struggles, and strategic pivots behind becoming one of the Middle East’s most successful female entrepreneurs.Hadia reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of influencer marketing, how she transformed her following into a loyal customer base and what it really takes to scale a purpose-led brand in today’s digital economy. She opens up about the balance between creativity and commerce, navigating criticism, and building a brand rooted in empowerment rather than perfection.The conversation also delves into leadership, self-worth, and the financial realities of running a fast-growing brand. From managing her team to making bold investment decisions, Hadia shares hard-earned insights on how to turn a personal brand into a profitable business without losing authenticity.Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, fashion enthusiast, or creator looking to build something meaningful, this episode offers an inspiring roadmap to success, resilience, and reinvention.

    37 min
  5. 2 Apr

    Love Luxury CEO: ‘We Earned 2.8 Million AED In 5 Minutes’

    Emily Abraham shares how she cracked the Hermès resale game, went viral on TikTok, and closed a jaw-dropping 2.8 million AED sale in five minutes. 00:00 Introduction01:09 The inspiration behind Love Luxury02:15 What Emily wished she knew before starting off in luxury03:41 Navigating the husband & wife partnership while building a business05:30 How is Love Luxury changing the game07:47 Real vs fake Hermès: How did Emily learn the skill of authentication?09:14 Emily’s 1.55 million AED showstopper11:11 Emily Abraham’s tips for young, budding entrepreneurs11:57 Is finding passion & purpose in business a woman’s thing?13:53 Will Love Luxury ever consider external investment?15:37 How Emily & Adam initially financed Love Luxury18:02 The role her faith played in Emily’s entrepreneurial journey18:49 Has Emily’s relationship with money changed?20:22 The impact of Chinese manufacturing claims on the luxury market22:20 Real brands versus cheap China-made luxury goods25:14 Leveraging social media for business success26:53 The story behind one of Love Luxury’s jaw-dropping sale29:31 Emily’s future plans30:16 Emily’s message to young entrepreneurs31:09 Rapid fireIn this episode of Money Moves, Dania Alshowaikh sits down with the formidable Emily Abraham—CEO, co-founder, and unapologetic force behind Love Luxury. Known on social media as the “Birkin Queen,” Emily opens up about her journey from childhood days sifting through pots of gold to building one of the most trusted pre-loved luxury brands in the UAE and UK. With stories that span hardship, hustle, and heart, this conversation is an unfiltered look at what it takes to turn bold ambition into a multi-million-dollar empire.Emily shares how she and her husband poured every penny—eating instant noodles for eighteen months—into their business, refusing to cut corners even when it hurt. From mastering the art of Hermès authentication to saying no to investors, she reveals the gritty truth behind Love Luxury’s rise. In an industry where trust is everything, she’s made it her mission to out-authenticate the competition, even when accountants begged her to cut costs.But behind the glamour of white-gold Himalaya Birkins and viral sales lies a fiercely grounded woman. Emily talks candidly about the sacrifices, the strain of being apart from her husband half the year, and how her faith and fearless mindset shaped her outlook on success. Her views on gender, passion, and purpose in business are as refreshing as they are thought-provoking.You’ll also hear how a viral TikTok presence turned teenage viewers into brand advocates—and their millionaire parents into loyal clients. Emily breaks down how she turned content into commerce, including one jaw-dropping sale worth 2.8 million AED that happened in just five minutes. If you've ever doubted the power of social media, this episode will change your mind.Emily’s journey is both raw and aspirational. Hit play to discover how she built a global brand from grit, belief, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—and why Love Luxury is more than just a resale brand; it’s a movement.

    33 min
  6. 26 Mar

    Amira Sajwani: How I Built My Own Success Beyond DAMAC’s Family Legacy

    Real estate runs in her blood, and she’s turning that legacy into a billion-dollar vision. Amira Sajwani, daughter of billionaire developer Hussain Sajwani, leads as Managing Director at DAMAC Properties, one of the Middle East’s most recognized real estate powerhouses. 00:00  Intro00:58  Why She Joined the Family Business03:34  Spotting Gaps in Real Estate05:27  Building Solutions for the Industry06:17  From Startups to Scaleups07:37  Entrepreneurship & Motherhood09:02  Lessons From Failure and Grit10:13  Proving Herself in a Male Industry11:24  Her Father’s Influence and Guidance13:00  Balancing Generations and Leadership14:42  Finding Purpose and Impact15:25  The Shark Tank Story18:00  Investing Insights & Red Flags20:14  Founders, Markets & Scale22:06  If She Lost Everything—What Next?23:35  The Power of “Boring” Businesses25:18  The Future of Dubai Real Estate Amira Sajwani grew up surrounded by real estate. As the daughter of billionaire developer Hussain Sajwani, she witnessed firsthand how DAMAC Properties helped define the skyline of Dubai and became one of the region’s most influential real estate names. Today, Amira leads major developments as Managing Director at DAMAC while building her own ventures — PRYPCO, a PropTech platform reshaping property investment, and Amali Properties, a luxury developer creating bespoke homes across Dubai. In this episode of Money Moves, Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Amira to discuss her path from family business to independent entrepreneur. She shares how she earned credibility in a male-dominated industry, what she learned from her father’s approach to leadership, and how she is using technology to make real estate ownership more accessible to the next generation of investors. Amira also opens up about her experience as an investor on Shark Tank Dubai, the lessons she carries into every decision, and what legacy means to her as a mother and business leader. Her story reflects the evolution of Dubai itself — bold, forward-thinking, and built on vision.

    31 min

About

Money Moves is a deep dive into the minds of the most successful and influential entrepreneurs in frontier markets, shaping the conversation around money and innovation. Each week we bring you exclusive insights from the sharpest minds in business, tech and investing in high-potential markets. From crypto and AI to startups and global giants, Dania and her guests deliver the ideas and tools you need to seize opportunities and grow your wealth.