In our regular feature looking at how the UAE's most interesting people spend their Fridays - the best day of the week, let's face it - we speak to Mumzworld founder Mona Ataya. With a massive family close by, it's a day of bonding.
'We created Mumzworld because of an obsessive desire to empower mothers to make informed purchases during their pregnancy and for their children – from newborns up to pre-teens,' she says. 'We fundamentally believe that when you empower a mother, you empower a generation. More importantly, we’ve experienced first-hand the many frustrations mothers have in accessing the best products at the best prices in the region and their frustrations in not knowing who and what resources to turn to when they are stuck.'
FUN IN THE FAMILY
Friday is family day: we start the day with some form of exercise, usually bike to the neighbouring coffee shop with the kids and have a morning breakfast. The bike ride is a 45-minute ride that is enjoyable and gets us active. My four siblings and my parents all live nearby – in fact, my sister and brother live on the same block, so we all meet up with the family and children (10 cousins, all the same age) for lunch at one of our houses. Children swim, adults catch up and we have a relaxing time.
UNLIKE ZUCKERBERG
Being an internet entrepreneur is likely the least glamorous job around especially when you operate in an ecosystem that is still in its infancy – in the first few years we had to struggle with slow deliveries, payment gateway issues and more. I work 18 hours a day, 365 days a year and never switch off. I am constantly creating, innovating, problem solving. That’s why I have to love that the vision for the brand is a social impact vision because that makes the sacrifices worthwhile.
THE DAY THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
The day I was told I was going to have twin boys changed my life forever – it’s my favourite memory. Spending a games night with the children with jazz or classical music in the background and a cup of tea and yummy snacks is my idea of bliss.
HORSE AND SOUND
I love horses and I love music. If I were taken to an opera or a classical concert every day and was surrounded by horses, I would be the happiest person. I was an avid show-jumper as a child.
RETAIL REGRETS
I regret spending money on half of my closet. As an entrepreneur, my mind is always bouncing around dozens of decisions at any one point that the last thing I want to think about every morning is what to wear. So, I end up wearing the simplest black pants and a jacket or work top. The last time I laughed out loud was when I discovered that I had gone to work with a blue shoe on one foot and a beige shoe on the other foot. I’m not sure if I was laughing out loud from joy or exhaustion.
ALL IN FOR MALDIVES
I’d fly to the Maldives in a heartbeat. We have gone there every year for the past 12 years and it’s our escape. The untouched beaches, the stunning sunsets, the underwater world of colour and the escape from the noise and bustle of the city life recharges you and gets you back in focus. We usually go with extended family as well – siblings and their families.
ACHIEVEMENT IS A PROCESS
I don’t feel like I’ve achieved it all. I am at the beginning of the stretch. I will always continue to achieve as long as I am learning, contributing and sharing. I hope I will always have the health, strength and ambition to never stop learning and giving back.
CHANGE OF COURSE
I am a proud Palestinian. We were born and raised in Kuwait which was a wonderful home for 16 years. I then moved to the US for college and work, and then to Dubai. If I wasn’t an entrepreneur, I would be an educator, a teacher. I always admired and respected teachers and educators; it’s one of the noblest professions out there. As a young student, my ambition was to become a doctor. That is ironically the direction I started in college but I pivoted when the Kuwait invasion happened and had to steer my career in a different direction.]
PLEASURES AND TERRORS
I am terrified of cats. The TV series Survivor is my guilty pleasure and I never miss an episode.
BE THE SOLUTION
Proactive problem solving is a skill my work taught me that I’d love to pass on to my kids. Don’t wait for others to give you answers, go out there and set your own path and solve your own questions.
ACCOUNTING FOR TASTE
I am a starch lover, I love all types of bread. I usually carry a bag of Arabic bread with me all day and munch on it. I love cooking and I am a fast cook; I can typically make simple Arabic dishes in minutes and more complex dishes equally fast. Restaurants I love eating out at are the Beach at the Royal Mirage and The Farm.
IF THERE’S A GENIE LISTENING…
Can I please have my takeaway super strong coffee delivered to my door every morning at 6am?
