Over 10,000 residents call the DQ home. Meet Your Neighbor profiles interesting people in our international DQ Community. Learn about the diverse experience, interests, and backgrounds of DQ dwellers. Read on, and Meet Your Neighbor.
How would you describe yourself? How would family and friends describe you?
I’m an outgoing person. If not busy at work, then I’m busy with indoor/outdoor activities with friends. I am an arts lover and a copperplate/Spencerian calligrapher. I love electronic music and I do travel for it. I like networking, knowing more people and having new friends. People who know me always describe me as energetic, caring, funny and responsible.
Who or what have been the strongest influences in your life?
I am influenced by success. Whether successful people or their stories, these have an impact on me and I always read and follow what can help me grow in business and in my personal life as an individual. That’s why I consider reading and travelling essential in our lives.
What brought you to Riyadh?
As a Lebanese retail professional, I worked in Kuwait for 10 years before moving to Jeddah in 2013, then to Riyadh just last year after being invited by SACO, a big retail store chain. It wasn’t actually planned and I was a bit hesitant to do that move, but I eventually took it because I wanted to go through this big market and huge geographical space experience. Learning retail experience on such a big scale has enriched my knowledge and capabilities. I wanted to also learn the Saudi culture which I found amazing.
What led you to your career and how has Saudi Arabia helped you in your career goals?
I love what I do with passion even though it’s a very tough job to take. For me, the beauty comes from that toughness, especially when it comes to problem solving and turning businesses from losses to gains. Saudi Arabia has helped me a lot by opening the door, by giving that big spot to play and operate and by meeting a huge and diverse number of people from different backgrounds and experiences. It is just like more than a country in one. People whom I met and worked with have taught me a lot to get to where I am today.
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far?
I am proud of participating in the growth of the organization that I work for and to have it as a listed company in the Saudi market, and to hopefully make that Saudi-born brand go international in the very near future. I am also proud of having such great friends and community that made me feel like I am home.
What are your thoughts and insights on being a resident of Saudi Arabia?
I didn’t know that Saudi Arabia has variations, many cities and beautiful spots that I enjoy when travelling domestic. I started to visit all of them ever since arriving and I still have a lot more places to go. On the other side, we have all that we need to live a decent life presented in an easy manner here.
How long have you lived in the DQ?
I am still fresh, almost six months.
What were your first impressions of the DQ?
Coming to Riyadh just last year and searching for a place to live, I was astonished when I first visited the DQ, and it was like yes, this is where I want to live. It is a decent, organized, and lovely landscape.
What do you like most about the DQ?
DQ is a well-established place that has all the facilities, nice landscape, great neighborhood and decent people. You would enjoy the parks, the fresh breeze as you go for a stroll.
What is something you wish the DQ had, but currently doesn’t?
Good fitness centers, pools and a big supermarket. Besides this magazine, which I found as an amazing tool to engage people as a community, I think there are more rooms to have the community gather and connect more often. One important note is having the tenants’ vehicles registered with cards on them to be recognized upon accessing the gates (digital gate pass).
Any tips/recommendations/advice for your DQ neighbors?
I would recommend we gather more and get to know each other more; for these, we need activities and organizers. We can do electronic music, coffee-making, calligraphy or painting events.
Any additional information you would like to share?
Nothing more than wishing well to everyone in and out the DQ. Please be cautious and stay safe all until we get over this pandemic and return back to the normal life where we can socialize more and get together.
