At just 26 years old, Sarah Al Janabi has built a life that is anything but ordinary. Born and raised in Mauritius with Palestinian and Iraqi roots, Sarah Al Janabi’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and determination. Her journey from a small island where she often felt like the only Arab person in the room to becoming a leading entrepreneur, poet, and corporate leader is both inspiring and deeply human.
A Complex Identity on a Small Island
Growing up in Mauritius, a multicultural island nation in the Indian Ocean, Sarah Al Janabi experienced firsthand what it means to feel different. With Palestinian-Iraqi heritage, her identity was not something simple or clear-cut. It was a constant process of questioning and rebuilding. Being the only Arab person in many social and professional settings was challenging, but it also became the spark that fueled her creativity.
For Sarah Al Janabi, poetry was the first space where she did not have to choose which part of her belonged. It was where she could be fully herself. At 18, she published her first collection, Meraki, a word meaning to put a piece of your soul into your work. Two years later, her second collection, More Than Pretty Words, followed. These books were not just career milestones; they were survival tools, helping her make sense of a world where she often felt like she did not fit.
From Family Café to Business Leader
While her artistic side was growing, Sarah Al Janabi was also deeply involved in her family’s café, Lea Café, which opened its doors when she was just 15. Lea Café was not any ordinary café. It was the first in Mauritius to serve Middle Eastern dishes, connecting her heritage to the island’s food culture. The name “Lea” is especially meaningful — it is her mother’s name, a tribute that made the business even more personal and rooted in family.
By the time she was 20, Sarah Al Janabi was running Lea Café, expanding it to multiple locations, building processes, hiring teams, and steering the business through tough times, including the uncertainty brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Sarah Al Janabi did not stop there. She moved beyond the café business by launching a large-scale corporate and private catering service, now known as Lea Catering. With limited resources but strong determination, she built this new business arm alone. In just two years, the company became one of Mauritius’ leading catering providers, serving big corporations, government ministries, and major events.
Balancing Education, Business, and Creativity
While growing a business, Sarah Al Janabi also pursued higher education. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship and Marketing, graduating top of her class. Not content to rest, she dove into a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, balancing academia, business, and creativity with an impressive focus and passion.
For Sarah Al Janabi, these different paths are not separate. They form one identity. Entrepreneurship taught her leadership and resilience, psychology gave her insight into human behavior, and poetry offered a voice for self-expression. Together, they shaped her into a multifaceted leader.
Creating Spaces for Writers and Artists
Noticing the lack of platforms for creative voices in Mauritius, Sarah Al Janabi created the island’s first English poetry open mic nights and creative writing workshops. These events became gathering places for writers and artists who, like her, were searching for belonging and connection.
Sarah Al Janabi mentored many emerging poets who eventually published their own collections, often launching their work at Lea Café. She spoke at events about creativity, mental health, and identity, helping build a vibrant artistic community. Her efforts earned her recognition as one of Mauritius’ leading young entrepreneurs and creative leaders.
A Bold New Chapter: Moving to Dubai
In 2024, Sarah Al Janabi made a life-changing decision to move to Dubai. This shift was her biggest reset yet. She enrolled in a second Master’s program, this time in Business Psychology, and again graduated top of her class, this time across an international cohort.
In Dubai, Sarah Al Janabi reignited her creative roots by organizing open mic nights and workshops that brought together writers, musicians, and performers from diverse backgrounds. For Sarah Al Janabi, it was about building community and offering a space for others who, like her, were searching for belonging in a fast-paced, global city.
Today’s Vision: Humanizing Leadership
Sarah Al Janabi currently works as Head of Marketing at ICAN MENA, where she focuses on organizational development and leadership psychology. Her work aims to humanize leadership by reminding companies that culture and performance are not abstract concepts but lived experiences shaped by real people.
Her approach blends psychology, creativity, empathy, and structure. Sarah Al Janabi believes leadership should be about empowerment and humanity, not hierarchy. She wants people to feel seen and valued in environments where they often feel invisible.
Lessons from an Unconventional Path
Sarah Al Janabi’s career is far from traditional. Starting young as an entrepreneur gave her hands-on experience in business management before stepping into the corporate world. She learned marketing, operations, crisis management, and client relations early on, developing emotional intelligence and adaptability that continue to guide her.
For Sarah Al Janabi, reinvention does not mean losing oneself. It means evolving while holding on to core values and embracing every chapter, even the uncomfortable ones. She believes every struggle and success is a story worth sharing, a guide for others on their own journeys.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Sarah Al Janabi’s story is one of courage, creativity, and persistence. From the small island of Mauritius to the dynamic city of Dubai, she has shown that it is possible to embrace complexity, break barriers, and lead with heart.
Her vision is clear: to create inclusive spaces where identity is celebrated, creativity is nurtured, and leadership is human-centered. Through her poetry, business, and psychology work, Sarah Al Janabi continues to inspire those who feel they do not quite fit, showing them that they not only belong, but they can thrive.
Sarah Al Janabi is a powerful example of how passion, hard work, and authenticity can transform lives and communities. Her journey is a reminder that we can all reinvent ourselves without losing our essence, and that leadership is about lifting others up, not just climbing the ladder.
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