When I first moved to Dubai in 2015, I had one clear objective: to succeed. But as I reflect on that goal nine years later, I find myself reconsidering what ‘success’ truly means. It’s a simple word, yet it carries so much weight.
As both a woman in the advertising industry and a female entrepreneur in the Middle East, it’s hard not to bring gender into the conversation. Especially when, on paper, you might be led to believe that female entrepreneurs are significantly less successful than their male counterparts.
Today, only 5 per cent of formal firms in the Middle East are led by women. Numerous studies have also highlighted that women-led companies in the region attract significantly less investment compared to those led by men.
An OECD report found that female founders receive 23 per cent less funding than their male counterparts, despite delivering 35 per cent higher returns on investment and generating, on average, 12 per cent more revenue.
Definition of success
When you look at the data, it’s hard to ignore the perception that women are ‘less successful’. Even though global research has proven time and time again that women have the potential to be just as – if not more – accomplished than their male counterparts. However, these metrics fail to capture the full picture.
While men often define success as achieving higher profits, women – regardless of their background – tend to associate success with having control over their destinies. This can mean creating work with real-world impact, for example, or achieving a better work-life balance.
But this more subjective and nuanced view of success, focused on personal fulfillment and happiness, makes it harder to quantify what a ‘successful’ female-led business looks like compared to the more fiscally-driven approach of men.
Success on your own terms
Looking back, I used to equate success with working hard to the brink of burnout. Late nights, sacrificed weekends, and saying yes to everything and everyone (no matter how much I felt disrespected or devalued) – almost to prove how much I could take on, and how much I could achieve.
Perhaps this was influenced by the male stakeholders in my life; perhaps this was a naive interpretation of success; perhaps this was the industry expectation almost a decade ago. Either way, it was a learning experience and one that has since shaped how I’ve built my business.
Nowadays, for me, success is about enjoying every single day and, most importantly, being able to share that with a team I genuinely care about. These past experiences have informed my approach to business, and have taught me some crucial lessons in how to harness – and embrace – success on my own terms.
Cultivating a positive working culture
Creating a supportive work environment is key. The creative industry, unfortunately, has a reputation for toxic workplaces, and I have made it my mission to change that.
Over the years, I’ve had to make some tough decisions to protect our company culture, which sometimes meant parting ways with clients and team members who didn’t align with our values.
But these decisions have been crucial in maintaining an environment where everyone feels happy, valued, respected and supported.
Be the change you want to see
Having the power to inspire change is a privilege. As an independent agency, I have the flexibility to evolve continually and adapt quickly – but also have the freedom to learn and re-learn, make informed decisions about how we operate as an individual company and as a representative for the industry.
This also means that I have the opportunity to lead by example, particularly in advocating for important issues such as better support for working mothers.
Balancing this passion with purpose allows us to create a meaningful impact within the industry, and drive positive change – which, for me, is a marker of success.
The power of authenticity
However, while adapting is crucial, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of staying true to yourself. In our fast-paced industry, it’s easy to get caught up in fads, wins, appointments and acquisitions. But I’ve found that true success comes from focusing on what matters to me and my team – and embracing that daily.
The takeaway? Don’t be afraid to define your success on your terms. As women, we often have a heightened sense of empathy and concern for others, which can sometimes lead us to care too much about what people think. But in entrepreneurship, it’s essential to turn these challenges into strengths.
This more nuanced definition of business success is helping to reshape our industry’s future. By staying true to their values and looking beyond the numbers, the clients and the accolades, female entrepreneurs are paving the way for a more vibrant, equitable and sustainable business landscape. This, for me, is the true measure of success, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
By Charli Wright, Managing Director at JWI
