Hello! Ladies and Gentlemen, I happily welcome you all to GV’s Talk – a series of interview with inspiring people across the globe.
Gokul: Welcome to GV’s Talk, Nada!
Let’s Kickstart the interview.
1) How was the whole idea of Wanderwithnada born? That initial spark?
Nada – I almost always have friends visiting Dubai for vacation or on business travel who I love to show around. We usually wander all over the city exploring all of Dubai’s bucket list experiences and its historic sights which have given the city its own unique flavour. I was always fascinated by the city, and so to watch my friends experiencing countless moments of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ and amazement at the city’s diversity of cultures, this was an eye-opening moment for me. So I worked on finding a way to make those experiences accessible to other culturally curious travellers who travel the world, seeking educational and interactive adventures.
2) What makes Wanderwithnada stand out from the rest?
Nada – Wander With Nada is all about creating and capturing moments of culture, people, and authenticity in unexpected places. The tour experiences offered are unique in the way they are designed to be transformative to the traveller. Guests who arrive will see, learn, interact, and later depart with an expanded worldview. This is where the innovation lies, and falls far from the standardized tour offerings which may be targeted towards bulk travellers, and are designed to be more of the ‘point-and-see’ type which is often less informative and less personalized.
3) Your favourite part of the city?
Nada – Dubai is a city brimming with gorgeous sights, architecture and culture spread out in both its old and new districts. I find that its magic is best captured from the heart of the city: the Dubai Creek.
4) How do you see Dubai in the next 20 years?
Nada – It’s hard to even imagine tomorrow let alone the next 20 years. The city’s growth is unrivalled in terms of its gravity and velocity. I often joke around saying that we’re going to be living like The Jetsons in a futuristic city with flying cars and jetpacks, but some of these technologies are actually real and are in development today. So who knows? In 20 years, we could be living our very own actual version of the show.
5) Being a woman entrepreneur- How do you feel about it?
Nada – Female entrepreneurs are founding companies at an increasing rate across the world, and the MENA region is no exception. I think that starting the business here in the UAE was an advantage that many others in the industry may not have, simply because of the country’s focus on empowering individuals, whether they are women, men, or youth and ensuring that everyone is treated equally and fairly. That certainly levels the playing field. There are still a few bumps that I experience along the road which I manage to resolve simply because of my perseverance, but some shouldn’t be there in the first place. Hence why dedication is crucial.
6) The biggest challenge that came your way in building Wanderwithnada and how you overcome?
Nada – Challenges come in various shapes and forms. When you’re facing one, it often seems like the biggest thing you’ve ever had to tackle. So looking back, I’d say I’ve had several big challenges which I’ve worked to overcome throughout the different stages of the business. My best advice, in this case, is to not rely exclusively on your own opinions and expertise but to also seek others from more experienced individuals to avoid being blindsided.
7) The real essence of walking tours?
Nada – There’s nothing like experiencing a city on foot and immersing yourself in the local way of life topped with a dramatic narrative along the way.
8) The fairy question! If a fairy grants you a wish. What would you ask for?
Nada – Ask the fairy never to let me give in to any fears so that I can keep following the yellow brick road.
9) A message to the upcoming woman entrepreneurs in Dubai? How can they find assistance and guidance?
Nada – With any entrepreneur, I think the best way to find assistance and guidance is to seek a mentor(s) who is from outside your usual circle. Target individuals who have skills that you seek and spend time learning from them. Keep in mind that they’re not there to give you answers and solutions to the problems that you may be experiencing, but to share their expertise and even play the devil’s advocate and encourage you to become curious along every step of the way.
10) Wanderwithnada – Future expectations?
Nada – Being in this industry and city, the word ‘future’ isn’t 3 or 5 years down the line. It’s tomorrow. So I see the next day as an opportunity for growth. My growth plan centres on my vision for the company which is to provide immersive cultural experiences. This entails capturing a wider share of the market, offering a wider variety of local experiences, expanding the brand’s footprint into other emirates, and investing in a wider portfolio of services that are a part of the tourism industry.
Thank you so much for having your time Kristin. Wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Blogwithgokul©
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You can follow Nada on her Instagram handle.
Instagram: Wander With Nada
Don’t forget to watch her mini travel series telecasted on CNN Arabic named ‘Tajawal Ma’a Nada’.
To book walking tours with Wander With Nada in Dubai !! Just head onto this website: http://wanderwithnada.com/
Hola! So keep reading as I bring new guests to the hot seat of GV’s Talk. You can also write to me on gokulvijay484@gmail.com for business inquiries and suggestions.
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