Anul Mundra: From Corporate Leader to UAE’s Largest Expat Community Founder
A Leap of Faith into Entrepreneurship
For many, leaving a stable, well-paying corporate job after 13 years would be unthinkable. But for Anul Mundra, it was the start of an exciting new chapter. Having earned her degree as a software engineer and climbing the ranks to senior leadership roles in multinational corporations and banks, Anul had a successful career by all accounts. However, something was missing. “I knew I wasn’t happy from within or 100% satisfied,” she admits. The COVID-19 pandemic, a time of uncertainty for most, became a period of deep realization for Anul. It was then she took the courageous step to leave the corporate world and explore entrepreneurship.
“I made a courageous decision to come out of a well-paying job and into something totally different from my existing industry,” Anul recalls. This leap into the unknown wasn’t easy, but the confidence started to build once she saw the positive response from people. “The kind of response we received gave me the belief that I was on the right path.”
Creating UAE’s Largest Expat Community
What started as an idea has now grown into something Anul takes great pride in. Today, she runs the UAE’s largest community of over 300,000 expats, while also managing her self-owned marketing and event company. “Running a community of this size and mapping it with my company to offer marketing, advertising, PR, and event services is something I am very proud of,” she says.
Anul’s company, Xpatzhub, has become a one-stop solution for all marketing, branding, PR, and event management needs. Despite the rapid growth of her business, she remains humble about her achievements. “I don’t know if it’s big or not, but it’s something I take pride in and have been very happily running.”
A Vision for Growth and Creativity
For Anul, entrepreneurship isn’t just about business success. It’s about passion, creativity, and building something that aligns with her goals. “I am working on some exciting projects with leading perfume and diamond companies,” she shares. Supporting these brands with community and influencer marketing, while curating out-of-the-box events, fits perfectly with her vision of creating a large-scale company.
Her upbringing played a significant role in shaping her mindset. “From the start, my parents emphasized how important it is to have a good education, career, and financial independence,” she says. Creativity and thinking outside the box were also integral parts of her upbringing, and these values have carried into her entrepreneurial journey.
Challenges and Lessons Along the Way
Starting a new venture is never without its challenges, and for Anul, breaking into entrepreneurship from a corporate background had its unique difficulties. “When I converted my career, socially run communities were never taken seriously for professional growth,” she recalls. Gaining recognition and respect in the business world took time, but her consistency and resilience paid off.
“I’ve been blessed not to fail majorly so far, but there have been ups and downs. Not all months are the same,” she reflects. In challenging times, Anul believes patience and resilience are key. “When you know there’s a low phase going on, keeping patience and having resilience helps.” She credits her success to consistency and hard work, principles that have guided her through both the good and tough times.
Anul also emphasizes the importance of giving your best effort, regardless of the outcome. “Results are beyond our control, but our efforts should be 100%,” she advises. This mindset has helped her navigate the uncertainties of entrepreneurship with confidence and determination.
Defining Success on Her Own Terms
For Anul, success is not just about personal happiness; it’s about building something bigger than herself. “I am doing decently well, but success is still far-fetched,” she admits. Her definition of success involves building a big empire, one that is financially successful and widely recognized. “Success is directly proportional to contentment, and for me, that comes when I see myself commercially successful. So for me, yes, money gives that kick.”
Looking back on her journey, Anul is grateful for the lessons she learned during her corporate career. “I’m thankful for my 12-13 years in the corporate world, but only if I knew I had such capabilities, I would have gotten into entrepreneurship much earlier.”
Looking to the Future: Xpatzhub’s Growth and Legacy
Anul’s vision for the future is clear. She wants Xpatzhub to be remembered as a leading name in marketing and event management, and she plans to grow the expat community to millions. “I just want people to remember our brand, Xpatzhub, as the one-stop solution for all your marketing and events needs,” she says.
As for her personal legacy, Anul hopes to inspire future generations. “I want to be remembered as someone who never gave up and is completely self-made,” she reflects. Through her journey, she has proven that hard work, creativity, and perseverance are the keys to success, no matter how unconventional the path may be.
Anul Mundra’s story is one of courage, resilience, and the drive to create something bigger than herself. In building UAE’s largest expat community and running a successful marketing company, she has not only transformed her own life but is also creating a lasting impact on the business world. Her journey serves as an inspiration to those who dare to follow their dreams, no matter how different or challenging they may seem.