From Fired Twice To CEO: Claire Cruz’s Bold Dubai Rise
When Claire Cruz first landed in Dubai, she had no idea how drastically her life was about to change. What started as a simple visit to see her aunt transformed into a life-altering journey marked by heartbreak, resilience, and ultimately, success. Today, Claire is the proud CEO and founder of Impact Studio FZE Concierge Company and the driving force behind InfluencerDubai.ae, a platform uplifting others while reshaping the events and marketing scene in Dubai.
Her strength, however, was forged long before she ever stepped foot in the UAE.
At just 8 years old, Claire lost her father. As the eldest of three siblings, she and her mother shouldered the responsibility of running their family’s car wash and tire shop business. By the age of 12, she was already working, balancing school and business duties. Despite the hardships, Claire excelled academically — consistently earning top marks and honors while actively playing football. She pursued a degree in Media and Communication, followed by a master’s in Foreign Language. Unfortunately, the pandemic disrupted her plans, halting her master’s studies. Still, Claire believed in forward momentum. After working two jobs in the Philippines, she traveled to Dubai on a visit visa. And that’s where her story truly began.
From Military Discipline To Dubai’s Dazzling Chaos
Before Dubai, Claire’s life was structured and disciplined. As a military air force personnel and later an international call center trainer and live streamer, she was no stranger to pressure and responsibility. Yet, the glittering skyscrapers and bustling nightlife of Dubai offered a stark contrast to her previous world.
“I came here just to visit my aunt,” Claire shares with a nostalgic smile. “But when I saw Dubai’s environment, I realized — this city is a playground for millionaires.”
Inspired by the city’s relentless energy and ambition, Claire decided to stay and see where fate would lead her. Little did she know, she was about to face some of the toughest battles of her life.
Fired Twice In A Year, But Never Gave Up
In her first year and four months in Dubai, Claire was terminated from two different jobs. It was a crushing experience for someone trying to build a new life in a foreign land. But instead of seeing it as failure, Claire chose to see it as a push from the universe.
“I believe God put me in those situations, not to punish me, but to push me toward my true purpose,” she says. That purpose? To become the CEO of her own company and create meaningful opportunities for others.
An Inspiration Born From A Stranger’s Pain
One of the most emotional turning points in Claire’s journey came when a woman reached out to her on social media. This woman had tragically lost both of her sisters in the same year and was on the verge of giving up on life and her travel agency business.
“She told me, ‘Give me hope, I wanna still live and continue my family business because you give me a reason to live again.’” Claire recounts with tears in her eyes.
That message stayed with Claire. Moved by the woman’s resilience, she decided to partner with her in building InfluencerDubai.ae, combining travel, events, and influencer marketing to help businesses grow while offering dignified, well-paid jobs to those who need them most.
Scammed, Overstayed, And Still Standing Tall
As if job loss wasn’t enough, Claire faced another nightmare early in her Dubai journey — she got scammed while applying for her residency visa. The agency ran off with her money, leaving her without legal papers and forcing her to overstay for three stressful months.
“I didn’t tell my parents because I didn’t want them to worry,” she admits. “I knew our businesses in the Philippines were already under pressure.”
So, Claire hustled. She worked as a promoter, studied DJing, hosted crypto events, sold B2B services, became a part-time influencer, and posted her day-in-the-life stories. Each gig, no matter how small, was a step toward a bigger dream.
A Chance Meeting That Sparked A Vision
One evening at Armani Privé in Burj Khalifa, a stranger approached Claire and told her she had the potential to be one of the wealthy elite in Dubai. He shared insider secrets about the nightlife and event scene, encouraging her to get involved.
Inspired, Claire began networking with managers of top restaurants, clubs, and social events. She started organizing events, sending high-spending clients to luxury venues, and helping event managers coordinate exclusive experiences. Slowly but surely, she carved out a niche for herself in Dubai’s hyper-competitive social scene.
From Nothing To CEO In Under A Year
After saving up for a year — without financial help from anyone — Claire founded Impact Studio FZE Concierge Company. The firm specializes in event coordination, influencer marketing, luxury concierge services, and business networking.
“I worked 24/7, with little to no sleep, just to nail the market,” she says. “I was determined to build my empire from scratch.”
Claire’s concierge service quickly gained traction, thanks to her relentless hustle, genuine nature, and extensive network. Today, Impact Studio FZE collaborates with car rentals, yacht charters, real estate brokers, crypto businesses, and travel agencies — and plans to expand beyond Dubai.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
What makes Claire’s story so powerful isn’t just the success she’s achieved — it’s the fact that she’s using her platform to uplift others.
“I’ve met so many hardworking people in Dubai whose salaries don’t match their effort and performance,” she explains. “I want to give them good-paying jobs where they actually enjoy what they do.”
Through her ventures, Claire is creating job opportunities for promoters, hosts, content creators, and event organizers, giving them the financial freedom and recognition they deserve.
Valuable Lessons From A Hard Road
When asked what lessons she’s learned, Claire answers without hesitation. “The most important thing I’ve learned is the power of adaptability,” she says. “Change is constant, especially in a city like Dubai. If you don’t evolve, you’ll be left behind.”
She credits her resilience to staying open to new ideas, embracing failure, and building strong, genuine relationships. “Trust your instincts, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of people,” she advises.
A Legacy Beyond Business
Claire hopes to leave behind more than just a thriving company. She dreams of creating a legacy rooted in integrity, innovation, and meaningful collaboration.
“I want to be remembered as someone who uplifted others, pushed boundaries with purpose, and inspired future professionals to lead with both heart and vision,” she shares.
Words To Her Younger Self
If she could speak to her younger self, Claire would remind her that failure isn’t the end — it’s a teacher. “I’d tell her to be patient with her growth, to trust her gut, and to remember that confidence is built, not born.”
What’s Next For Claire Cruz?
The future looks bright for this rising entrepreneur. Claire is currently working on new partnerships across Dubai and internationally, aiming to collaborate with even more industries, including real estate, travel, crypto, and luxury services.
She’s also exploring ways to expand InfluencerDubai.ae outside of the UAE, connecting influencers and businesses globally — proving that no matter how tough the journey, resilience and grit can turn any setback into a springboard.
As she continues to build her empire, Claire Cruz is proving that no matter how tough life gets, with grit, heart, and a clear vision, you can turn any setback into a spectacular comeback. Do follow her on Instagram.
Read More: Governments Unite for Cybersecurity at GISEC Dubai
