Lara Tabet is a seasoned professional with a degree in Hospitality Management from Switzerland, boasting a successful career in the hospitality industry. With a recent role as the Business Development Manager for Hospitality in the UAE, she contributed to the success of authentic high-end restaurant concepts. Beyond her expertise in hospitality, Lara has made a mark in the media landscape as a television presenter and producer. Hosting her own show, Societe, and co-hosting the live daily morning show, City Women, she interviewed top celebrities from Hollywood, Bollywood, and Arab cinema. Lara has covered prestigious events like the Dubai International Film Festival, Dubai Air Show, and the Dubai World Cup, showcasing her versatility. Currently, Lara is the Brand Ambassador for Michael Bruggler Watches, Margy’s Skincare, Valeur Absolue fragrance, Speedometer official, Uzurii luxury footwear, William Wagner Pendulum clocks, and Esmeralda Luxury Villas. As the Official Spokesperson for the Arab Fashion Council, Lara is dedicated to fostering Arab talent in the fashion world. She is also a notable supporter of the Emirates Red Crescent Society, a high-profile charitable foundation.
Can you share more about your journey from receiving a hotel management degree in Switzerland to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the UAE? What inspired you along the way?
My journey began after I graduated from Institut Hotel Cesar Ritz in Switzerland and joined the family business my father owned a chain of hotels and remained in that industry for over 15 years until I was approached by the first English Language TV station setting up in Dubai known as InTV which later became City7 TV, where I had nine shows of my own that I was either producing or presenting. I started getting approached by top luxury brands from different parts of the world looking for a brand ambassador to set themselves up in Dubai as a hub, and that is how I started Luxurywithlara. Today, I am the founder of Arabfashionpreneur which is a platform for startups as well as established businesses that are looking to take their business to the next level. I help them achieve their target and goals through introductions to investors, buyers, and partners as well as hosting local and international workshops, conferences and seminars. I am also involved in charity organisations and the UNHCR.
You mentioned your initial involvement in the hospitality industry. How did your experience in this industry shape your entrepreneurial mindset and career trajectory?
As you know, the Hospitality industry is a people’s industry and I love people. In the hospitality industry and the media world no two days are the same. It is all about meeting new people daily from different walks of life. On the other side of the hospitality industry, it is all about detail, precision, organization, and performance continuously and I believe all these skills helped me to hone my mindset in all my activities.
Hosting TV programs and interviewing thousands of celebrities must have been an exciting experience. Can you tell us about a particularly memorable or insightful interview that left a lasting impact on you?
I had many memorable interviews with including George Clooney, Sharon Stone, Oliver Stone, Morgan Freeman, Lawrence Fishburne, Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Amitabh Bachchan, and the King of Bahrain, however, the most memorable one was His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who is one of the greatest personalities I have ever come across.
Setting up your brand, LuxurywithLara, as a brand ambassador for various companies is quite impressive. How did you transition into entrepreneurship, and what motivated you to represent these specific products?
What motivated me the most to represent these brands in Dubai, was their desire to get into the market over here as well as the brands themselves, seeing the potential that they had for Dubai and my personal belief that there would be a great demand for these brands. So, the transition was very simple.
Could you describe some of the challenges you faced in establishing LuxurywithLara and how you overcame them?
Fortunately, I did not face any challenges that could not be surmounted by sheer hard work and passion for what I was doing.
Your involvement with the Arab Fashion Council and the Friends of Emirates Red Crescent showcases your philanthropic endeavours. How do you balance your business and philanthropic interests, and what drives your commitment to these causes?
My involvement with the Arab Fashion Council was due to the passion I have for the fashion industry, trying to help local as well as international designers showcase their collections on the catwalks of Dubai. Concerning my philanthropic activities, I think it is very important to give back to society, especially when it comes to homeless children, orphans, and children with cancer as well as to disaster relief.
Hospitality is another facet of your career. Can you share your vision for the future of the hospitality industry and how you are contributing to it?
The future of the hospitality industry remains very positive, especially here in the region however it is extremely competitive. The industry is growing with Dubai becoming one of the world’s largest tourist destinations and all the famous brands are either here or on their way to opening something here. This means that one has to compete with local and international brands which is great for the consumer but tough for some operators. However, competition is healthy and very important to create innovation.
What advice do you have for aspiring women entrepreneurs who wish to follow in your footsteps, especially in the dynamic and evolving landscape of the Middle East?
My advice for all female entrepreneurs is to have a passion, have a dream, work hard, be self-motivated and driven, be consistent and persevere, and remain resilient and determined. Realistically set your targets and goals and do whatever it takes to make them come true. That is equal for women and men.
In your career, you've embraced various roles, from TV hosting to entrepreneurship. How do you see your diverse experiences influencing your future endeavors and projects?
For now, I am focused on what I am already doing which I enjoy tremendously. I feel I have a long way to go before I achieve my ambitions. You only know how far you have gone when you look backwards and see the long path you have covered. But I see the mountain in front of me and I aspire to reach the pinnacle.
As a global influencer, what trends and opportunities do you see emerging in the luxury and media industries, and how do you plan to stay at the forefront of these developments?
As a global influencer, it is important to be up to date with the latest trends and to be in touch with everything going on in the world and every sector. Be extremely interactive with your followers who are your supporters, and post your content that is relevant, informative, and inspirational. Be always true to yourself and genuine.
What is family for you and how do you value their opinion?
Family is everything to me. It is my priority and I value their opinion tremendously on what I do. I am blessed to have my family’s support, otherwise, I would not be able to achieve what I aspire to do. They support me all the way.
Have you ever considered collaborating with Greek businesses in Greece? What do you think of Greek tourism?
Greece is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with an ancient history and culture. As a Mediterranean, we have many shared values in common and share a similar way of living as communities. I believe Greece is the leading summer destination for tourists from all over the world, but it is still rooted in its own culture, tradition, and values. It would be a privilege and a delight for me to learn more about Greece and to collaborate with Greek businesses.
