why I'm leaving Dubai after 2 years (& where I'm going next...)

Summary

In this video, a young entrepreneur reflects on his decision to leave Dubai after two years. He explains that while his time there was valuable for personal and business growth, he's now seeking a change for both personal reasons and business strategy. He highlights the challenges of being associated with the 'Dubai entrepreneur' image and aims to rebrand himself. Moving back to New Zealand, he plans to build a more traditional business structure, with a focus on AI and automation. He expresses gratitude for his Dubai experience but is eager for the next phase.

Takeaways

• ✈️ The speaker is about to leave Dubai after living there for two years, with their life packed into three suitcases.
• 🤝 They made a small circle of close business friends in Dubai, many of whom are also leaving around the same time.
• 🌍 The decision to leave was partly driven by a desire for more community and nature, as well as limitations related to their business in Dubai.
• 👤 The speaker feels that being associated with Dubai entrepreneurs can carry a stigma and create negative perceptions about their personal brand.
• 🧳 Moving to Dubai at 22 was initially a proud achievement, but as the speaker got older, they realized the associations weren’t always positive.
• 🧑‍💼 Their business has grown significantly, with over 40 part-time and full-time staff, but they feel the need to create a better company culture with a physical office.
• 🏢 The speaker and their business partner are planning to relocate their company to New Zealand to build a 'real' business with employees and a proper office.
• 💼 They aim to scale the business, which focuses on AI and automation, and create a stronger impact in New Zealand and Australia.
• 💡 The speaker believes New Zealand offers a unique advantage for their AI company, helping them build stronger relationships and gain recognition.
• 🌱 Dubai has been a place of personal and professional growth for the speaker, and while they are grateful for the experience, they are excited for the next chapter.

Q & A

Why is the speaker leaving Dubai?

The speaker is leaving Dubai after a two-year stint for both personal and business reasons. He feels he's accomplished his goals in the city and is looking for more community and nature, as well as a new chapter for his business and personal life.

What did the speaker achieve during his time in Dubai?

During his time in Dubai, the speaker achieved personal growth, developed a small circle of friends, and built a successful business. He feels he leveled up professionally and personally while there.

What concerns does the speaker have about being associated with Dubai as an entrepreneur?

The speaker is concerned that being associated with Dubai can carry a certain stigma and cause others to make quick judgments about his values and identity. He believes this can be a disadvantage, especially in the online space, as it may prevent people from engaging with his content and ideas.

What impact has Dubai had on the speaker's personal identity?

Initially, the speaker saw his move to Dubai as a major achievement and part of his identity. However, over time, he realized that while it was a proud moment, there were also negative perceptions associated with being a 'Dubai entrepreneur,' which influenced his decision to leave.

What is the speaker’s business focus moving forward?

The speaker's focus is on building a more traditional business with a strong company culture, in-person collaboration, and an office. He is moving his company, Morningside AI, to New Zealand to further develop it and create a solid foundation for future growth.

What reasons did the speaker give for moving his business out of Dubai?

The speaker mentioned that it’s difficult to establish and maintain a strong company culture in Dubai, especially with a growing team. He and his business partner believe they need an office and in-person collaboration to scale effectively and eventually sell the business.

Why is the speaker returning to New Zealand?

The speaker is returning to New Zealand to build a real business with a local community and a more stable environment for personal and professional growth. He believes this move will provide better long-term benefits, even though it means giving up the tax advantages of Dubai.

How does the speaker feel about the future of his business?

The speaker is extremely excited about the future of his business. He believes that by moving to New Zealand, they will benefit from stronger relationships, compounding advantages, and better growth opportunities. He plans to continue pushing the AI-focused work of his company.

What is the speaker's advice for other entrepreneurs?

The speaker encourages entrepreneurs to find their 'unfair advantage' or 'unique edge,' suggesting that business success comes from identifying what sets you apart from competitors. He feels that moving back to New Zealand will give his company a unique positioning.

What does the speaker appreciate about his time in Dubai?

The speaker is grateful for the opportunities Dubai provided, acknowledging that his time there led to significant personal and professional growth. He feels that Dubai was the right place for that stage of his life, but now it’s time to move on to the next chapter.