WMW #24: Fatma Al Madani, former entrepreneur, project manager and mum of 3 girls
"Without facing challenges you will not grow or learn."
Hello!
We are back from India. It was so nice to escape the Dubai heat and spend time at my parent’s home in Pune.
It’s the beginning of monsoon season in India, so Pune was cool, breezy and just the right amount of wet. The kids enjoyed being spoilt by grandparents and uncle (my brother) and splashing in the rain.
I got some work done too. What is that you may ask since I no longer have a job! :)
Well, I have been lucky to score a few freelance projects already:
A positioning project for a close friend, where I’m doing the messaging for her new project (more on that later, because its super cool and close to my heart - both the project and my friend!).
I’m also working on a few ‘solutions journalism’ pieces for Triple Pundit.
I have also signed a contract to do some research reporting with a B2B travel company based out of the US.
Anndddddd I’m working on another project that I’m super excited about. If you are in communications or a writer and interested in how generative AI will change your job, sign up here to be the first to know when it goes live.
Last but not the least, I’ve also been working on my plans for this wonderful newsletter, and have scheduled some calls with some of you about which I am super excited!
In case any of you haven’t had the chance to give me your feedback on this newsletter and / or would like to have a chat with yours truly (me!), please fill out this form (60 seconds) and we can connect!’
Those of you that did respond to my survey said that one of the best features of this newsletter is my interviews with working mums. I was so happy to hear this, as this is also my favourite part of this newsletter!
On that note, I’m excited to bring to you an interview with a dear former colleague Fatma Al Madani. She is Emirati, former entrepreneur, aerial enthusiast and instructor, and mum of 3 girls.
Our paths overlap across worlds: we used to be colleagues, we both like aerial art, and our kids go to some of the same classes (gymnastics and horse-riding).
Every time we have spoken or spent any time together, it has been both a delight and an inspiration, whether it’s about exercise, raising girls, work, personal or professional growth, or life in general.
Meet Fatma Al Madani, former entrepreneur, project manager and mum of three girls
Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am a mother of 3 loving girls who keep me motivated every day.
I am always navigating deeper into a journey of self-discovery, whether it is about how I can use my strengths to be a better mother or what experiences I can explore to learn something new about myself and the people I love.
I am the adventurous friend who would take you on an unplanned road trip, a theme park or skydiving on a girls day out instead of a shopping mall.
Around 6.5 years ago I tried an aerial silks class in a small dance studio in Dubai. This was a time when I was at my lowest when it comes to fitness. I had a full-time job during the day, I was attending university for a masters degree in the evenings and I was commuting daily between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I always enjoyed sport but during this time, fitness became less of a priority and chiropractor visits started becoming common.
After 2 pregnancies and many changes in my body I decided to get back into being active. Being me, I searched for a new experience, something uncommon that is not the list of classes that are offered in almost all the ladies' gyms (like yoga, body combat, and zumba). Dubai is always evolving and during one of my Google search nights I stumbled on aerial classes.
The mental and physical strength I get from aerial practice keeps me motivated to get better, with every new skill I master I feel amazed and proud of what my body can accomplish.
Today, I am still passionately practicing aerial arts (think aerial silk, hoop, straps, pole) and experimenting with new types of apparatus and styles. I am also trained in teaching aerial silk from a well-known international circus training academy.
I am also very passionate about giving back to the community and doing what you can to help people whenever you can. I have been volunteering since a young age and I raise my children to be aware and involved in helping people around them and in different parts of the world.
Q. As an Emirati mum of 3, former entrepreneur, corporate mum, and aerial artist in the making, what is your life mantra?
Without facing challenges you will not grow or learn. Every challenge will teach you an invaluable lesson so I approach difficult situations with a positive mindset. I know that I am strong enough to overcome any challenge and I trust in what God has planned for me.
Q. What is your biggest struggle as a working mum of 3 girls?
Balancing time with my family. I always feel the guilt of thinking that I should be spending more time with them and coming back home from a long day at work it can be challenging to build up the energy to spend quality time with the girls.
Q. How do you manage your time?
By scheduling my weekends and making sure I give myself time to rest, exercise and do adventurous activities with my girls.
Q. Why did you decide to fold your entrepreneurship venture and move back to the corporate world?
Every type of career has its own pros and cons. I personally see myself more in the corporate world and I considered my time as an entrepreneur as the temporary transition I needed at time. I get motivated by working on large scale projects that have a direct impact on the growth of my community and country.
I believe that in life you need to be flexible and open to changes in your career that would suit different phases of your life. When my children were younger I felt that it was time to leave my 9 to 5 job and take a path that would give me more flexibility in managing my own time. Even though as an entrepreneur you have to work harder than ever, the advantages of being able to work when and where I can was what I needed.
3 years ago I felt it was time to adapt back into the corporate world which I missed. The office hours are still a challenge but there are the pros that come with a corporate job that suit my needs better at this stage of my life.
It was a difficult decision letting go of a business* I put so much time and love in, but the biggest lesson I learned being an entrepreneur is to always always trust my gut instinct and have confidence in my decisions.
Who knows, maybe I will venture back into entrepreneurship in the future.
(*Fatma used to run a children’s play area that also did events)
Q. What is your advice to mums looking to start their own business?
Do not be afraid of failure. Success is a process. If something is not working you can always adapt your strategy and evolve your business. The most important thing is to be passionate and truly believe in what you are offering.
Q. What is your ultimate goal as a working mum?
As a mother you are automatically a role model. I want my kids to learn the values of hard work, commitment and the importance of giving attention to their own happiness and personal growth.
Q. Where do you get your inspiration?
Children inspire me. They are extremely creative I love to observe them play in their fantasy worlds and solve their problems with solutions I would've never thought of. They encourage me to wake up every morning excited to learn and explore.
This is something we should never stop doing. Strong women around me inspire me, I love to see women committed to getting mentally and physically stronger, it is empowering.
Q. What is your best productivity hack?
Prioritization for sure. As mothers we constantly have a long to do list on our minds that feels like it is growing each day. I do not go anywhere without my written to do list, every morning I update it and put a star * next to the 3 most important things that I need to get done on that day. This helps with reducing stress and clearing your mind to get the rest of the list done more productively.
Q. What is your best parenting hack?
You probably hear this all the time, but take care of yourself. Having better mental and physical health is a life changer.
Another one for kids who love tantrums, what works best is distraction, change the subject into something they love to talk about or give them an exciting task. An example of something you would hear me say is, “Oh my God I dropped something important and it went under the cabinet, how can I get it out? I need your help!”
Q. What do you do in your 'me-time' and how does it help you?
Definitely work out and practice my aerial skills. It makes me happy, empowers me and de-stresses me. I also love going to the sea; its colours, smells, energy and the sound of the waves is my ideal way to relax and have the best day.
Q. What do you feel most guilty about?
The idea of whether I am doing enough as a parent always comes to my mind and brings around the feeling of guilt. Am I spending enough time with them? Am I being the right example? Am I teaching them the values they need? etc…
I have to keep reminding myself that as parents we try our best and our kids will appreciate it. We cannot do it all.
Q. Favourite tool that makes your life / business easier?
Not a tech tool, but for mothers, having a support system, family and friends who encourage your career and help you with the kids when you need to work at odd hours, or when you need a break is the most important thing.
Q. Favourite quote?
A quote form the Quran: "ويرزقه من حيث لا يحتسب"
It means that God will give you even when you have not planned or do not expect. It’s a humble reminder that we should trust our journey and believe that positive things will come.
A similar quote is “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans” - John Lennon.
Q. Best thing you have read or watched lately
The first thing that comes to my mind is a quote I read recently “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence,” Ted Key.
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If you have any thoughts or questions for Fatma, feel free to leave a comment here for here, or reply to this email with it and I will make sure she gets it.
That’s all for now.
Have a beautiful week!
Love,
Abha
Congratulations on all the freelance jobs!