Crossing the Desert: how businesses are setting and growing in the Emirates

Overview

Episodes

Details

This is the first reality podcast about business in the UAE. You're about to discover the journey of an enterprising individual who unexpectedly found himself in Dubai and is now striving to establish his roots here. Prepare for dozens of incredible stories! You'll gain insight into what entrepreneurs discuss when they close their store doors. And what secrets are kept within the archives of the Emirati libraries?

In each episode:

Isaac, the host of the podcast, is attempting to establish his own business and settle in Dubai. His story will unfold before your eyes — he himself doesn't know where it will lead.

To find his place, Isaac will learn the stories of other entrepreneurs: spice and oil traders, craftsmen who create comfort and beauty through food, entertainment, art, and design. He will talk to those who contribute daily to the social fabric of the Emirates.

You will experience everything that Isaac hears on his journey: clatter of shopping carts, shouts of vendors at the bazaar, singing of birds, and, of course, 1001 stories of Emirati entrepreneurs. In these tales, embroidery machines hum, Caribbean spices unveil their flavors, and the attire of Danish kings inspire what you might want to wear tomorrow.

In search of answers, Isaac will delve into the history of the Emirates. He will uncover stories of wise teachers, brave seekers, and staunch leaders. You will be able to learn about the Emirates from information only found in the far reaches of the archives.

Team:

Podcast is hosted by Fortis: https://fortis.world/ a company that assists entrepreneurs in starting their businesses, boosting sales, and building relationships with their customers.

Production by Hatch Up podcast studio: https://hatchupstudio.com/

Thanks:

Ambitious dreamers flock to the Emirates to offer the best of what they have — their ideas, their experience, their hard work — and gradually, they change the world. In our podcast, you'll discover how they conduct their business and what drives them. We are grateful to our heroes — all those who welcomed us into their lives, if only for a few hours.

To record this podcast, we ventured into houses tucked away beneath tree canopies and into industrial zones, secluded from the world by towering fences. We listened to the multilingual chatter in Deira's bazaars, meandered through Satwa's maze of workshops, and captured the cries of seagulls in Jebel. We savored labneh cakes and soaked up the sun on Kite Beach. Everywhere we went, we encountered remarkable, enterprising individuals from all corners of the globe: India, Pakistan, Palestine, Egypt, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Russia.

Even though we all speak different languages, we always manage to find a common one.

This story is just beginning — it's hard to imagine what else we have to discover, who we'll encounter along the way. We hope that you'll journey with us on this path.

Recent Episodes

JUN 20, 2024

Ep5 – How To Manage A Business And A Family – With Mumz And Munchkinz’ Hannah – Crossing The Desert – Fortis

There was a time when Hannah’s business had three directions at once: furniture production, a clothing brand for children, and events for children and their moms. And all of it while being a mom to three kids. It’d been too much so she had to prioritize and rebuild her business. Now her family and her business are growing together in synergy.

If you want to join Hanna’s weekly play sessions for children and social time for moms visit her brand Mumz and Munchkinz.
Listen to us to Podchaser

This podcast is presented by Fortis: https://fortis.world/

We offer you POS and CRM solutions that we made specially for small business needs. It’s easy to start with, it combines everything you need in a small device so you save precious space, and it helps to work with clients personally – the way only small businesses can.

Our social networks:

YouTube
Linkedin
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Instagram

Production by Hatch Up podcasts
Showrunners — Alexandra Volkova, Elena Volkova
Host — Isaac Dalonin
Producer — Darya Sannikova
Editors — Alexandra Volkova, Elena Volkova
History consultant — Alyona Podnebennaya
Sound Engineer — Mikhail Vasilev
Composer — Ksenia Kazantseva
Cover Illustrator — Dina Sami

36 MIN

JUN 7, 2024

Ep4 – How To Build A Side Business While Working A Full Time Job – With Levant’s Wajda Khalidi – Crossing The Desert – Fortis

In the fourth episode of Fortis’s Crossing The Desert, Isaac is joined by Levant's Wajda Khalidi.

Wajda shares her journey of balancing a demanding office career while slowly building her business step by step. She discusses the importance of patience and persistence, the challenges of maintaining product quality, and how she turned personal challenges into opportunities. Tune in to learn how you can successfully manage a side business without sacrificing your day job.

If you want to see the beautiful bright blue bottles we talk about in the episode, or try delicious Palestinian products – visit Levant Food

This podcast is presented by Fortis: https://fortis.world/

Our social networks:

YouTube
Linkedin
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Instagram

Production by Hatch Up podcast studio
Showrunners — Alexandra Volkova, Elena Volkova
Host — Isaac Dalonin
Producer — Albert Olkhovikov
Editor — Elena Volkova
History consultant — Alyona Podnebennaya
Sound Engineer — Mikhail Vasilev
Composer — Ksenia Kazantseva
Cover Illustrator — Dina Sami

40 MIN

MAY 23, 2024

Ep3 – How To Deal With People Copying Your Designs - With Tica's Omar & Dina - Crossing The Desert - Fortis

“So I sad: this is not your design, this can’t be right. And the guy said: what are you going to do about it?”

I am Isaac, an entrepreneur who just moved to Dubai. In this episode, I interview Omar and Dina, the owners of the brand Tica’s . They will tell you what happened when they found their products being copied and the innovative business idea that emerged after they had to shut their shop for three weeks.
Our conversation in Dubai’s Art District was the only good thing that happened to me this week — and changed my approach to challenges completely!
Don’t miss this inspiring story of resilience and creativity.

To see Tikas beautiful products, visit www.thenestegypt.com/collections/ticas and follow them on Instagram @ticasegypt

The podcast is brought to you by Fortis, the omnichannel platform that integrates POS, CRM, orders, payments, and loyalty programs for small and medium-sized businesses.

Our social networks:
YouTube
Linkedin
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Instagram

Production by Hatch Up podcast studio
Showrunners — Alexandra Volkova, Elena Volkova
Host — Isaac Dalonin
Editors — Elena Volkova, Livia Stevaux
Producer — Albert Olkhovikov
History consultant – Alyona Podnebennaya
Sound Engineer — Mikhail Vasilev
Composer — Ksenia Kazantseva
Cover Illustrator — Dina Sami

33 MIN

APR 30, 2024

Ep2 – How To Bring Investors To Your Business – With DK Hot Sauce's Danny - Crossing The Desert - Fortis

“If you respect city it respects you back” In this episode, Isaac interviews Danny, founder of the DK Hot Sause brand, and his wife Maria. Denny will tell you how he opened a business after working at Jimmy Choo and Armani, what working on an international cruise ship taught him, and how Covid had changed his life. Maria will tell how she created a visual for the brand and what she advises for SMM. In this episode, good friendship brings investors, the best design comes from someone who understands you, and hard work and discretion pays off.

All the sauces, amazing recipes, and the brand visuals we talked about in this episode are on the site and Instagram

This podcast is presented by Fortis: https://fortis.world/

Our social networks:

YouTube
Linkedin
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Instagram

Production by Hatch Up podcasts
Showrunners — Alexandra Volkova, Elena Volkova
Host — Isaac Dalonin
Editor — Alexandra Volkova
Producer — Albert Olkhovikov
Sound Engineer — Mikhail Vasilev
Composer — Ksenia Kazantseva
Cover Illustrator — Dina Sami

49 MIN

APR 25, 2024

Ep1 – How To Grow A Sustainability Business In Dubai - With Sustainably U's Simy - Crossing The Desert - Fortis

“Our focus is always that that thing that will happen, but there it's just an imagination. You need to focus on today”. I am Isaac, an entrepreneur who just moved to Dubai. In this episode, I interview Simy, sustainable fashion designer and founder of the brand Sustainably U. She’ll tell you why every business should be sustainable, and how the ideas that led to the creation of her brand are rooted in generations of her family. This conversation in Simy’s beautiful garden has changed my life.

To see Simy's luxary and sustainable fashion visit www.sustainablyu.com/ or Instagram @sustainably.u

This podcast is presented by Fortis: https://fortis.world/

Our social networks:
YouTube
Linkedin
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Instagram

Production by Hatch Up podcast studio
Showrunners — Alexandra Volkova, Elena Volkova
Host — Isaac Dalonin
Editors — Elena Volkova, Livia Stevaux
Producer — Albert Olkhovikov
Sound Engineer — Mikhail Vasilev
Composer — Ksenia Kazantseva
Cover Illustrator — Dina Sami

36 MIN