They say becoming a mother rewires your soul — and I believe it also reshapes your leadership. As a woman, a CEO, and above all, a mother to a spirited little girl, the journey of entrepreneurship in the GCC has never been just about building a company. It’s been about building a legacy she can be proud of.
Starting from humble roots, I grew up in a family where love and grit were our greatest wealth, and resilience was simply a way of life. My parents taught me never to fear failure, but to embrace it as the prelude to growth. Those lessons, baked into my bones, guided me across borders and into boardrooms where women were once unseen.
When I first arrived in the UAE over a decade ago, the entrepreneurial ecosystem was still finding its footing — especially for women. But I didn’t want to merely ride the wave of change. I wanted to be the change.
Through building Bizzmosis, navigating complex regulations, and working closely with government entities, I found power not in force, but in empathy and negotiation. Today, I have the privilege of helping investors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries from all over the world break barriers and build sustainable ventures across the region.
The most rewarding part? Doing it while staying grounded in the values I hold most dear — integrity, impact, and family.
And along the way, I discovered something just as important: the strength of meaningful friendships. Fellow founders, colleagues, and clients who became trusted allies. These relationships have reminded me that success is never a solo endeavor. We rise because we lift each other.
To my daughter — reading this one day — I want you to know:
You are not defined by expectations.
You are not limited by circumstances.
And you do not need permission to lead.
You will cry. You will fall. And you will rise fiercer than before. That’s your strength. Being emotional is not a weakness — it is your superpower when channelled with clarity.
There is no perfect formula for success in the Middle East, or anywhere else. But there is a path to authenticity: know who you are, never stop learning, and lead with both your head and your heart.
Entrepreneurship is not just a career. It’s a canvas. Paint it with purpose. Paint it boldly.
Because in the end, it’s not the size of the business that matters, but the depth of the impact, the lives you touch, and the courage it took to start.
About the Contributor
Marianna brings over 15 years of expertise in investment and entrepreneurship development across the Middle East. Her collaboration with the UAE government authorities have facilitated numerous special approvals and exceptional cases for attraction of investment in the region. Over the past decade, Marianna built extensive knowledge and expertise in licensing and business restructuring in the UAE and KSA. Recognized as one of the UAE’s most influential networkers in the UAE, she has received prestigious awards including the Women Leaders in the Middle East by Royal Decree 2023, Forbes “Movers and Shakers: People to Watch in 2022” and more.
Marianna participated as a speaker at renowned global events such as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) (Indonesia), Moldovan American Convention (USA), AIM Congress (UAE), Moldova Digital Summit (Moldova), European Economic Forum (Paris), Business Brain Conference (Romania) and more. Her passion for delivering tailored business solutions is supported by a dedicated team, contributing not only to industry advancements but also to community impact and international business collaborations.
This contribution is for the Mother’s Day Initiative #builtbymothers.
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