EDITOR’S CHOICE

Cashier-turned-businesswoman motivates TFT Awards nominees

Just like most Filipinos who work overseas, Jennette Maderazo Al Alami, TFT Entrepreneur of the Year for 2015, had her own goals to fulfill when she set foot in the UAE: seek for better opportunities and have a better life.
Al Alami came to Dubai in 1999 following two-year stint in Brunei as hotelier, although it was never part of her plan to come to the UAE as she had other places in mind.
But after being a resident here for quite some time, she realized that after all, being here is her destiny.
“I guess it’s destiny that brought me here. When I came here, there were no opportunities for baby sitters, there was no opportunity for cleaning houses because back in Brunei, we were allowed to work part time as sitters or housekeepers to earn more, but it was not the case here. So I ended up working in a long hour shift for a supermarket full time. It was tough,” she said.
As she persevered, she later landed in a better position in the corporate world, working for a huge hotel consortium in 2002. When she believed she had enough savings to set up her own business, Al Alami left in 2009 and founded Bumble Beez Nursery in 2011.
“When I was setting up the business, I was even fasting when I did all the paperwork for Bumble Beez Nursery and Day Care, determined to get things done regardless of any challenge. It took me awhile to set up the business, but eventually, I was able to do it,” she said.
Being a recipient of the TFT Awards, Al Alami is grateful to be recognized for her talents and sacrifices as an entrepreneur.
“I am very grateful for the award I was given because it recognizes me for all the hardship that I had gone through,” she said.
“Somehow, it’s not only about the business that I have set up. But it gives me the feeling of fulfillment. TFT award serves as an inspiration for Filipinos to achieve their dreams seeing that others were able to achieve theirs.”
Al Alami has this message for this year’s TFT Awardees: “Persevere and trust in yourself. If you want something to be done, be very determined to do it. Don’t give up!”

Related Articles

Back to top button