For many professionals, the New Year brings hope for change — a chance to pursue new opportunities, rethink career paths, or finally step outside their comfort zones. But for thousands of expatriates in the UAE, that “fresh start” began the moment they arrived in the country — often by accepting roles far removed from their previous careers. For many, that brave decision has become the foundation of remarkable success stories.
THE GULF TALK spoke to several expats whose journeys reflect how the UAE’s dynamic job market rewards adaptability, learning, and ambition.
One such story is Fatima De Guzman, a former high-school English teacher from the Philippines. When she arrived in Dubai in 2019, she took up a job as an office receptionist. Just a few years later, she now serves as HR and Administration Manager at a company with nearly 400 employees. Fatima oversees recruitment, employee relations, compliance, and company documentation, playing a central role in the organisation’s daily operations.
“I never imagined I would be managing hundreds of employees,” she shared. “But I was willing to learn and take on responsibility whenever the opportunity came.”
Another inspiring case is Ken Barona, who previously worked in IT. When Dubai began recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Ken joined a Japanese restaurant — not as a tech professional, but as a cook. Instead of seeing it as a step back, he treated it as a new beginning. By learning operations, finance, and people management, Ken rose quickly through the ranks. Today, he is a senior management executive handling HR, administration, design, and accounts at the company’s head office.
“I didn’t let my job title limit me,” Ken told THE GULF TALK. “I focused on learning everything I could.”
Then there is Rodessa “Dessa” Marie Alivarvar, a computer engineering graduate who found her passion far from hardware and software. She now leads the creative team for a chain of restaurants, managing branding, menus, advertising campaigns, photoshoots, and marketing materials — ensuring visual consistency across the brand.
A Culture Built on Reinvention
Fatima, Ken, and Dessa all work for Dubai-based TKI Group of Companies, which operates a chain of Japanese restaurants and supplies premium Wagyu beef across the UAE. Their stories closely reflect the journey of the company’s founder, Takahiro Mogi.
Before moving to Dubai, Takahiro was a restaurant manager in Singapore. Instead of seeking another senior role, he deliberately started again — working as a waiter in a Dubai restaurant so he could understand the local hospitality industry from the ground up.
“I wanted to build a business here, but I needed to understand the market first,” he explained. “So I focused on learning customer behaviour, service expectations, and the local business environment.”
That approach paid off. Today, Takahiro runs 10 restaurants and a Wagyu beef import business serving the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Learning as a Growth Engine
According to Takahiro, continuous education is the driving force behind both business and career success.
“We don’t just hire people based on experience,” he said. “We look for those who want to grow.”
The company introduced a structured learning programme where employees are encouraged to choose courses aligned with their career goals. Trainers in management, hospitality, and leadership regularly visit the head office and restaurant branches to conduct hands-on training.
“The goal is not just to improve skills,” Takahiro added. “It’s to build confidence, responsibility, and good judgment.”
This culture has helped employees climb the career ladder at an exceptional pace.
“Our boss paid for our training,” Ken said. “I studied accounting, marketing, and organisational management — that’s what allowed me to move from the kitchen to running head-office operations in less than two years.”
Fatima echoed the sentiment: “We were trusted. That made us grow. We shared responsibilities and supported one another.”
For Dessa, the learning-driven environment boosted both motivation and loyalty. “It made us more confident and productive,” she said.
Another team member, Munsith Ahamed, a 25-year-old Sri Lankan graphic designer, is now expanding his skills into videography and photography — proof that learning opens doors to new opportunities.
The UAE: A Land of Career Reinvention
The journeys of these professionals highlight a powerful truth about the UAE — careers here are not defined by where you start, but by how willing you are to grow.
Their message to aspiring professionals is clear: hard work alone is not enough. True success comes from continuous learning, collaboration, and the courage to step into unfamiliar roles.
At THE GULF TALK, we see these stories as living proof that the UAE remains one of the world’s most dynamic destinations for ambitious professionals ready to reinvent themselves — and rise.
