SEF Backstage Pass

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival
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  • Entrepreneurship
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SEF backstage pass is a platform powered by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival. Think of this podcast as the behind the scenes pass to the festival experience, the inspiring talks from the keynote speakers, the thought-provoking conversations, and a glimpse into the magic that makes the festival truly special. Here, you will be joining our exceptional guests as they share their personal journeys; the changemakers who abandoned the limitations that others set for them and let only their ambitions dictate what is possible. This is not just a place to get inspired, it’s a community that you will relate to and a platform that will share real strategies and tools to get you closer to answering the question. “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Sharjahef.com

  1. The Truth About Leaving Your 9–5 | Harith Al Midfa

    2h ago

    The Truth About Leaving Your 9–5 | Harith Al Midfa

    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

    24 min
  2. أكثر الأخطاء شيوعًا بين مؤسسي المشاريع الناشئة

    1d ago

    أكثر الأخطاء شيوعًا بين مؤسسي المشاريع الناشئة

    كيف يحوّل رائد الأعمال فكرة إلى مشروع يستمر؟في هذه الحلقة من بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass، نستضيف شما سعيد بن لاحج، مستشارة معتمدة في ريادة الأعمال، ومؤسسة Sahab Vacation Homes وUnleash، للحديث عن رحلتها في تأسيس المشاريع، واتخاذ القرارات، والتعامل مع التحديات، وبناء مشروع قادر على الاستمرار.تشارك شما تجربتها في الانتقال من مشروع القهوة إلى تأسيس أول شركة لتشغيل بيوت العطلات في إمارة الشارقة، كما تتحدث عن أهمية وضوح الرؤية، والتعامل مع الفشل، والمخاطرة، وأبرز الأخطاء التي يقع فيها رواد الأعمال في بداية رحلتهم.إذا كنت تفكر في إطلاق مشروعك، أو تعمل على تنمية مشروع قائم، فهذه الحلقة مليئة بالدروس العملية والتجارب الواقعية. المحاور 00:00 المقدمة 00:25 من هي شما سعيد بن لاحج؟ 02:07 كيف بدأت رحلة ريادة الأعمال؟ 03:13 البرامج الريادية التي ساهمت في تشكيل شخصيتها 04:12 كيف يبدأ رائد الأعمال... وكيف يستمر؟ 05:12 كيف تكسب ثقة العملاء والشركاء؟ 06:26 أبرز التحديات التي تواجه رواد الأعمال 07:34 كيف تتغلب على التردد قبل إطلاق المشروع؟ 08:29 أهم المهارات التي يحتاجها رائد الأعمال 09:24 التعامل مع الفشل دون فقدان الثقة بالنفس 10:24 قصة تأسيس أول شركة لتشغيل بيوت العطلات في الشارقة 13:03 أهم الدروس من إدارة بيوت العطلات 14:05 المخاطرة واتخاذ القرار تحت الضغط 15:28 متى تستمر... ومتى تغيّر المسار؟ 16:07 لماذا أصبحت مرشدة لرواد الأعمال؟ 17:12 دور المرأة في ريادة الأعمال 18:03 ما الذي يحتاجه رائد الأعمال أكثر من التمويل؟ 19:21 أهمية مهرجان الشارقة لريادة الأعمال 20:24 كيف يبني المجتمع نجاح رائد الأعمال؟ 21:04 ماذا يعني النجاح بالنسبة لشمة؟ 22:11 الخاتمةاشتركوا في القناة لمشاهدة المزيد من الحوارات مع رواد الأعمال وصنّاع التغيير ضمن بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass.تم إنتاج هذه الحلقة بالشراكة مع بودستر.Follow SEF:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahefTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahefLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festivalWebsite: https://sharjahef.com

    22 min
  3. How Nadine Mezher Built Trust in Fintech

    3d ago

    How Nadine Mezher Built Trust in Fintech

    How do you convince people to trust a startup with their life savings?In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Nader Aboulhosn sits down with Nadine Mezher, Co-Founder & CEO of Nawa and Co-Founder of Sarwa, to explore what it really takes to build trust, launch a fintech startup, and create brands people genuinely connect with.Nadine shares the lessons behind Sarwa's growth, why education became its biggest marketing advantage, and how she approached branding differently in an industry built on complexity. She also discusses her transition into building Nawa, balancing creativity with business, hiring exceptional teams, leadership, resilience, and why entrepreneurs must continuously learn what they don't know.Whether you're building a startup, growing a brand, or interested in entrepreneurship, marketing, fintech, and leadership, this conversation is packed with practical insights.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:44 Welcome to the podcast01:25 From finance to fashion school03:39 Why Sarwa looked different from every fintech brand05:03 Making investing simple for everyone06:57 How Sarwa earned customer trust from day one09:10 Fintech, trust, and surviving difficult markets11:02 Lessons from COVID and entrepreneurship12:04 Motherhood, resilience & leadership15:00 Being a woman in finance16:45 Building Nawa after Sarwa19:05 Fashion, manufacturing & building resilient economies22:26 Learning what you don't know as a founder23:29 Hiring great people & building strong teams29:57 Leadership, delegation & scaling a business31:00 Final thoughtsSubscribe for more conversations with founders, innovators and changemakers from the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival.

    31 min
  4. Ashraf Ghori on CGI, AI & Creating the Middle East's First CGI Sci-Fi Film

    6d ago

    Ashraf Ghori on CGI, AI & Creating the Middle East's First CGI Sci-Fi Film

    Ashraf Ghori, Founder & CEO of Xpanse CGI, joins the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast to discuss creativity, filmmaking, entrepreneurship, AI, and the future of content creation. An award-winning artist, filmmaker, and one of the region's pioneers in CGI filmmaking, Ashraf shares how a recession in 2008 became the catalyst for creating the Middle East's first CGI science-fiction film, why he chose to grow his business organically, and how AI is reshaping the creative industry. He also discusses artistic integrity, intellectual property, standing out in a world of templates, and why creators should focus on producing exceptional work rather than fearing technological change. Timestamps: 00:00 – The recession that changed everything 01:05 – Introduction to Ashraf Ghori 01:32 – Creating the region's first CGI sci-fi film 02:46 – The story behind Zero Error 04:10 – Being ahead of your time 05:16 – Why the film became a short instead of a feature 06:05 – Building a CGI production with limited resources 07:06 – Why he chose filmmaking 07:29 – Turning a recession into an opportunity 08:33 – Using downtime to create something meaningful 09:03 – Creativity and entrepreneurship 09:51 – From artist to entrepreneur 10:32 – Why he chose slow, sustainable growth 11:18 – The dangers of growing too fast 12:12 – AI and the future of creativity 13:29 – Becoming an early AI adopter 14:48 – How AI is changing content production 15:30 – His new AI venture 15:40 – Starting as a young illustrator 16:05 – How one initiative opened doors for a decade 17:42 – What creators should do differently today 18:00 – Why average work won't stand out 18:56 – The importance of giving 110% 19:32 – Why templates don't create memorable creators 19:58 – The opportunity AI creates for the next generation 20:23 – Can AI help create the next Spielberg? 21:33 – The future of filmmaking with AI 22:00 – Will AI replace creators? 22:57 – Protecting your intellectual property 23:26 – Why creators shouldn't fear being copied 24:14 – The future belongs to those who adapt 🎧 Watch the full episode now on YouTube. 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

    25 min
  5. Fatima Alloghani on Solo Motorcycle Adventures, Depression & Finding Yourself

    Jul 2

    Fatima Alloghani on Solo Motorcycle Adventures, Depression & Finding Yourself

    Fatima Alloghani, the first Emirati woman solo adventure rider, joins the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast for a powerful conversation about courage, identity, mental health, self-discovery, and the journey that took her across continents on a motorcycle. After years of professional success, Fatima found herself asking a difficult question: what happens when everything looks perfect on the outside, but you still aren't happy? That question led her to leave behind comfort, ride thousands of kilometers alone, and embark on a journey of healing, growth, and self-discovery.In this episode, she shares lessons from the road, her battle with depression, being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, the kindness she found in strangers, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is take the first step. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why she never felt like she belonged 00:55 – Meet Fatima Alloghani 01:47 – Why she didn't want anyone to know about the trip 03:01 – The pain that inspired her journey 03:43 – Leaving her job and riding to nowhere 04:43 – Why she chose to travel alone 05:32 – Feeling different her entire life 06:22 – Finding herself in solitude 07:07 – Success didn't make her happy 08:02 – Why she left everything behind 08:33 – "It was less scary than not wanting to be here anymore" 09:13 – Depression, ADHD, and mental health 10:33 – What silence taught her 11:05 – Learning to trust people again 12:18 – The country that surprised her the most 14:16 – Breaking expectations as an Emirati woman rider 15:02 – Her daughter's reaction to the journey 16:06 – Telling her family the truth 18:18 – The million-dollar question: Who are you without your achievements? 19:22 – How success can change your relationships 20:17 – The conversation that changed her relationship with her mother 21:53 – Healing old wounds 22:28 – The advice every woman needs to hear 22:33 – "You don't need a big leap. You just need the first step." 🎧 Watch the full episode now and discover the remarkable story of an Emirati woman who rode across continents to find herself.

    24 min
  6. Bin Swelah on Comedy, Social Media & Building an Entertainment Industry in the UAE

    Jul 1

    Bin Swelah on Comedy, Social Media & Building an Entertainment Industry in the UAE

    Bin Swelah joins the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast for a candid conversation on stand-up comedy, content creation, acting, social media, and the future of entertainment in the UAE and the Arab world.From starting in theatre in 2014 to becoming one of the region's most recognizable comedians, Bin Swelah shares how he used social media to build an audience, why stand-up remains his first love, and what it takes to make people laugh while respecting cultural values.He also discusses the future of Arab cinema, the challenges of local comedy, and why creators need to think bigger than their immediate audience.Timestamps:00:00 – Why local stand-up comedy is so difficult01:08 – Meet Bin Swelah02:17 – How his comedy journey started03:03 – Why he moved from stand-up to social media03:53 – Stand-up comedian or content creator?04:23 – Why social media matters for entertainers05:49 – What Will Smith understands about social media07:02 – Can the UAE build a comedy and entertainment industry?08:17 – Carrying the future of local stand-up comedy09:24 – Why Arab comedy is different10:03 – The four topics he won't joke about11:04 – How roasting became his first form of comedy13:27 – Learning humour from his father14:04 – The moment his daughter made him laugh15:14 – The art of making people laugh16:00 – Why knowledge makes better comedians18:18 – From stand-up comedy to acting19:01 – Can the Arab world create global cinema?21:17 – Why every stand-up comedian can act22:09 – The future of filmmaking in the UAE23:32 – Creating films for a global audience24:45 – Final thoughts🎧 Watch the full episode now and discover how Bin Swelah is helping shape the future of comedy and entertainment in the UAE.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

    26 min
  7. Why the UAE Is Becoming the World's Startup Capital | SEF Backstage Pass Podcast

    Jun 29

    Why the UAE Is Becoming the World's Startup Capital | SEF Backstage Pass Podcast

    What makes the UAE one of the best places in the world to start and scale a business?In this episode, Greg Pearce, Senior Vice President at du, shares his perspective on entrepreneurship, SMEs, customer experience, technology adoption, and the role public-private partnerships play in helping businesses thrive.From the UAE's vision for economic diversification to the rise of AI-powered businesses and the future of entrepreneurship, Greg explains why small businesses have become a critical part of the country's long-term growth strategy.Timestamps00:00 – Why the UAE is an example for entrepreneurs worldwide00:22 – Introduction to Greg Pearce01:00 – Why SMEs became a major focus after COVID02:50 – Comparing the UAE and UK startup ecosystems04:05 – Why the UAE is built for entrepreneurs04:57 – Public-private partnerships and innovation06:00 – Upskilling 10,000 entrepreneurs across the UAE07:10 – Why SMEs matter more than ever07:58 – The UAE's vision for becoming a startup capital09:10 – How AI is helping small businesses compete10:30 – How telecommunications has evolved over the years11:25 – Why connectivity is no longer enough12:35 – Building an ecosystem for entrepreneurs13:05 – How du measures success beyond revenue14:15 – Creating better customer experiences through technology15:20 – The importance of customer trust16:00 – Why customer experience drives business growth17:05 – Putting customers at the center of every decision18:00 – Removing friction for entrepreneurs18:55 – Helping turn the UAE's vision into reality19:20 – Final thoughts and closing remarks🎧 Watch the full episode to learn why entrepreneurship, technology, and customer experience are shaping the future of business in the UAE.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

    20 min
  8. الشيف مريم المنصوري | مؤسسة والرئيسة التنفيذية لمونتاك القابضة | بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass

    Jun 26

    الشيف مريم المنصوري | مؤسسة والرئيسة التنفيذية لمونتاك القابضة | بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass

    ماذا يعني أن تبني مشروعاً أكبر من مجرد شركة أو مطعم؟في هذه الحلقة، تروي الشيف مريم المنصوري رحلتها من هندسة البترول إلى أن أصبحت واحدة من أبرز الشيفات ورائدات الأعمال في دولة الإمارات. تتحدث عن العائلة، والإرث، والهوية الإماراتية، وأهمية الحفاظ على التراث من خلال الطعام، وكيف يمكن للشغف والرؤية الواضحة أن يصنعا أثراً يمتد لأجيال.الفصول00:00 - الوعد الذي قطعته على نفسها منذ الطفولة01:01 - التعريف بالشيف مريم المنصوري02:46 - من هندسة البترول إلى عالم الطهي03:34 - لماذا أصبح تمثيل الإمارات رسالتها04:25 - بناء إرث لأبنائها وعائلتها05:18 - ماذا يعني أن تكون "بنت زايد"؟07:16 - لماذا تصف نفسها بأنها "بنت الحكومة"09:16 - الوصول إلى العالمية كشيف إماراتية10:53 - قصة تأسيس كشتة أمينة12:00 - كيف ألهمتها وصفات والدتها13:05 - الحفاظ على التراث الإماراتي من خلال الطعام15:04 - الطعام كلغة للحب والذكريات16:46 - نقل المطبخ الإماراتي إلى العالم19:06 - نصائح للراغبين في دخول قطاع الأغذية والمشروبات20:33 - لماذا لا يجب أن تركض وراء الترندات23:53 - أهمية اختيار الشريك المناسب25:40 - بناء علامة تجارية قائمة على القيم والرسالة28:31 - لماذا تبقى العائلة أساس النجاح🎧 شاهدوا المزيد من الحوارات مع رواد الأعمال والمبدعين وأصحاب الرؤى عبر بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass.تم إنتاج هذه الحلقة بالشراكة مع بودستر.Follow SEF:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahefTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahefLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festivalWebsite: https://sharjahef.com

    30 min
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About

SEF backstage pass is a platform powered by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival. Think of this podcast as the behind the scenes pass to the festival experience, the inspiring talks from the keynote speakers, the thought-provoking conversations, and a glimpse into the magic that makes the festival truly special. Here, you will be joining our exceptional guests as they share their personal journeys; the changemakers who abandoned the limitations that others set for them and let only their ambitions dictate what is possible. This is not just a place to get inspired, it’s a community that you will relate to and a platform that will share real strategies and tools to get you closer to answering the question. “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Sharjahef.com

Information

  • Creator
    Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    112
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival
  • Show Website
    SEF Backstage Pass

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