How the City Became My Second Home
Dubai had just celebrated its National Day with color, pride, and a powerful sense of unity. For many, it had been a day of parades, fireworks, and shared joy. For me, however, it became something else entirely. It was a moment to pause, reflect, and truly appreciate how far I had come since first arriving here.
Back in 2017, my first trip to Dubai was nothing more than a work assignment. At the time, it was a trade show stand, a training session, and a short-term project. Nothing more. I never imagined that one day I would call this city my home. Back then, Dubai was simply a stop along my path. Today, in contrast, it is one of the places that has shaped me the most.
A Turning Point in 2021
Several years later, in 2021, everything began to shift. I found myself sitting in a seminar with Dominik Kettner, Marc Friedrich, and Dr. Max Otte. Together, we discussed opportunities, challenges, and above all, the importance of choosing the right environment.
At the same time, my personal life was in upheaval. I had just gone through a divorce. Meanwhile, I was preparing to relocate with both of my children. Looking back, I realize that I had no idea how much strength the years ahead would demand. What I did know, however, was simple. I could not stop. I had to keep moving forward.
Two Homes, One Heart
Over time, my children, now almost 25 and 16, began building their own lives in Germany. Although that distance was not always easy, it slowly became part of our reality. Then one day, my daughter said something that stayed with me. She told me she had two homes.
In that moment, it hit me straight in the heart. It perfectly captured how it felt. Even though we lived in different countries, we remained deeply connected. We saw each other whenever time allowed, and because of that, I learned to value every single moment even more.
Building a New Life in Dubai
Meanwhile, here in Dubai, I was busy rebuilding my own life. Step by step, I cleared heavy stones out of my way. Despite the challenges, I managed to build a company that eventually grew to five employees. Each of them worked with their own AI agent, something that still amazes me today.
Sometimes, I could hardly believe how fast everything developed. More importantly, this country offered me opportunities I had never dared to imagine. As a result, I began to see what is possible when the environment truly supports growth.
A Milestone I Never Expected
One of those opportunities carried especially deep meaning. Only a few days after National Day, I officially received the title Doctor PhD. Years ago, this would have felt completely unreachable. Yet here it was, suddenly real.
For me, this milestone confirmed one simple truth. Your environment shapes your character. My own development stands as proof of that. Because of this belief, I started learning Arabic and practiced whenever I had the chance. Over time, my favorite place to practice became the taxi. The driver could not escape, and I could not hide. In my own way, it became a small but meaningful step toward becoming part of the culture.
More Than a Celebration
In the end, National Day was not only a celebration for the UAE. It was also deeply personal. It marked a moment to honor my journey, acknowledge the struggles, and feel genuine gratitude for everything that carried me here.
The Birth of Skillionaires Magazine
Driven by that same feeling, I officially launched my magazine Skillionaires on National Day. It was a project that had lived inside me for a long time. Finally, it was ready to enter the world.
From that point on, readers were invited to explore it, share their thoughts, and tag someone who they believe should one day be featured in the magazine.
