FAMILY LIFE
In addition to Stella and the Stars, you manage a growing portfolio of investment properties in Dubai. Can you please tell us more about the properties and how you earn a return on your investments? Sitting together with our oldest friend, now our business partner, we had an idea to create a business where we would buy small properties that needed a lot of TLC and turn them into fun, modern, stylish apartments for people who have just landed in Dubai and are looking for temporary accommodation that reflects the vibrancy that there is now in Dubai. The main objective is to turn them around quickly with cosmetic alterations that make a massive difference aesthetically. That’s why we don't do complete renovations, so we don't have to deal with expensive and lengthy developers' permits and approvals. We use a lot of cabinet and door wrapping, removable floorings and lots of modern accessories. “It's amazing what you can do to take a typical Dubai flat with dark brown doors and golden handles and turn them into white with matte black hardware, and everything suddenly becomes more modern and desirable.” Commercially, Dubai is a brilliant place to buy because the return on investment is so high compared to other countries. We looked at the UK, France, and Spain, all areas with which we had connections, but there was nothing suitable for us. Dubai's Business Bay, where we invested, is an excellent area to buy for a mix of reasons, in no specific order: budget, central location, and higher yields in terms of locations. The investment apartments are already worth much more than a year ago. The fact that we bought several smaller flats for me was less pressure and also allows us to try different rental strategies between long-term and holiday lettings. I feel more secure if something goes wrong with one property, we can learn and adapt much more quickly. Dubai is a known for being a great international hub, with many wonderful places just a short journey away. Do you use this to your advantage and travel with your family? Recently, while our three kids are still very young, we have tended to avoid long-haul, logistically over-complicated family trips and instead started to do micro trips each with one or two kids in tow. We find it much more enjoyable because you get quality time with each child and don't have to worry too much about finding a hotel room large enough. Alternatively, Dubai is close to many great places in the region; for example, we love to go to Oman. It is perfect because even though it is a long drive, we don't have to worry about airports. Our go-to is the mountains in Jebel Akhdar. It's beautiful and 15 degrees cooler in the summer. The kids love it. I started practising yoga a few years ago, and I try do one retreat each year. Last year, I went to Thailand, and this year, Sri Lanka. It's lovely to go somewhere more exotic, but for me, it's more about being by myself, going at my own pace, and being part of a fantastic group of friends. I am incredibly lucky to have the support at home to be able to enjoy those trips, with a spiritual focus on self-care, and I always return feeling renewed. I have progressed more in yoga and emotionally in a different place.
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