Yara Abou Dalha once lived by the mantra that success meant chasing nonstop achievements. As a dedicated marketer and brand manager, she thrived in a fast paced, goal driven world until the birth of her son changed everything. Suddenly, success was not just about work; it was about joy, balance, and being the kind of role model she wanted her child to see.
That shift in perspective did not slow her down, it transformed her direction. She continued excelling in her brand manager role while launching Nomad Workshops AE in the UAE and daring into a new field altogether: stand up comedy with Dubomedy. Because she realized, when she is happy, everything around her including her family flourishes.
How Motherhood Rewrote the Playbook
Life took a dramatic turn for Yara in October 2019. She had just started a new job in Lebanon when the country’s crisis escalated. She lost the position and knew she had to pivot, both for her career and to join her future husband in the UAE. She took a job in category management in Dubai, not for the pay but to plant her feet firmly in a new land.
Starting over at 28 was not easy. Suddenly, she was “junior again,” climbing the corporate ladder from scratch. Yet she embraced it with faith: “Everything happens for a reason, and God always has the best for each and every one of us,” she says.
That sense of gratitude and resilience gave her the courage to rebuild her professional life in Dubai, a city known for its high energy, competition, and limitless opportunities. Slowly but surely, she regained her confidence and stability. Today, she looks back at those tough days as the foundation that built her strength.
Launching Nomad Workshops AE: A Dream Takes Shape
Yara Abou Dalha always dreamed of launching her own business and when her friend Serge suggested partnering on Nomad Workshops, she immediately jumped in. His creativity blended perfectly with her skills in marketing, strategy, and project management.
Nomad Workshops was born in the UAE with a simple mission: to create immersive, out of the box learning experiences for both children and adults. These workshops are not just classes; they are interactive, engaging environments where people can unlock creativity, build skills, and connect with others.
From art and storytelling to team building and innovation, Nomad Workshops quickly set itself apart with its high quality instructors and customized approach. The concept resonated strongly with a region eager for creative, hands on learning opportunities.
Today, the venture is expanding, with Yara and Serge aiming to partner with government entities, schools, and global brands to scale the idea further. Their vision is ambitious yet rooted in quality: to be the most innovative and qualitative workshop provider in the region.
People First Leadership: A Core Belief
Yara’s corporate experience taught her that no matter how innovative a business is, its success depends on people. “Employees come first. Salary is not everything. We are human, we need connection, guidance, and leadership,” she explains.
Her approach to leadership emphasizes empathy, mentorship, and creating a supportive environment. She knows firsthand that a good manager can transform an employee’s career, while a poor one can crush their motivation. For her, it is simple: when people feel valued and guided, both they and the business thrive.
The Comedy Stage: Finding Light Through Laughter
As if launching a company while being a full time mom was not enough, Yara added another surprising role to her life: stand up comedian. She joined Dubomedy, the UAE’s pioneering comedy school and platform, to explore her passion for humor and storytelling.
Comedy, for Yara, is more than entertainment, it is therapy, a release, and a way to embrace authenticity. On stage, she transforms everyday struggles into stories that make people laugh and connect. “Comedy reminds me not to take life too seriously. It keeps me grounded and joyful,” she says.
Performing comedy while juggling so many roles also gave her something invaluable: confidence. Being on stage, making strangers laugh, and owning her truth allowed her to carry that same courage back into her business and personal life.
The Balancing Act: Mom, Marketer, Founder, Comedian
With so many roles on her plate, how does Yara manage it all? The secret lies in clear priorities and intentional balance.
Her children always come first. She ensures her professional commitments never overshadow her time with them. Whether it is bedtime routines, school activities, or simple playtime, she carves out space to be present.
At the same time, she recognizes the importance of self care and mental health. She avoids burnout by setting boundaries, saying no when necessary, and creating non negotiable time for herself. For her, a thriving business or career means nothing if her well being is compromised.
Her daily routine often involves juggling early mornings of family duties, structured office hours, late night brainstorming sessions for Nomad Workshops, and rehearsals for comedy. But instead of seeing it as overwhelming, she treats it as a rhythm, one where every role feeds into the other.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Through her journey, Yara has distilled some core lessons:
- Authenticity is non negotiable: “Just be yourself. Never be tamed or abide by the rules that corporate or society inflicts on you. It is okay to be different. No one achieved by fitting in.”
- Your joy matters: “Do whatever is best for you without caring about others’ opinions.”
- Faith fuels resilience: She strongly believes that setbacks happen for a reason, often leading to better opportunities down the line.
These lessons, drawn from her own struggles and triumphs, shape the way she leads, parents, and performs.
What’s Next for Yara and Nomad Workshops AE
The road ahead looks exciting. Nomad Workshops AE is gearing up for larger, more ambitious projects. Plans are underway to collaborate with schools, multinational companies, and cultural entities to design experiences that blend education, creativity, and innovation.
On the comedy front, Yara is determined to keep honing her craft. She wants to use humor not only as entertainment but also as a tool for empowerment and awareness.
Above all, she envisions a future where she continues to grow without sacrificing joy or balance. Her philosophy is simple: if she thrives as a person, her family, business, and community will thrive too.
Final Thoughts
Yara Abou Dalha’s journey is proof that success does not have to follow a straight line. It can twist, pause, restart, and evolve, just like life itself. From losing a job in Lebanon to restarting her career in Dubai, from building a company to stepping onto a comedy stage, she shows what resilience and authenticity look like in action.
Her story is also a reminder to every parent, professional, or dreamer: balance is possible. Ambition does not have to cost joy. And happiness, far from being a distraction, can be the very foundation of success.
In her world, when she is happy, her family, her business, and her community all shine brighter. That is not just success, it is legacy.
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