Tweet
7DAYS, United Arab Emirates
June 24 2005
Me and my job
Written by 7DAYS | Friday, 24 June 2005
Annie Thomassian
Annie Thomassian is French Armenian and opened the Nailstation, a
nail bar, waxing and tanning salon at Jumierah's Town Centre mall two
years ago. `I've been in Dubai four years now, but I know the place
really well as my father had a business here when I was younger and I
would spend my summers in the UAE.
It was hard opening up the business as I sorted out all the paperwork
and visas myself, but in a way, being a woman made it easier because
government offices don't allow women to wait in queues.' Initially,
says Annie, her working hours were very long, but now she has more
balance to her life.
`In the first year we opened, I worked a seven day week from 9am
until midnight. It was really tough. But now the business is a little
more independent, I spend more time working from home,' she explains.
`I'll usually get to the salon at around 11am. Then I go home at
lunchtime and cook for my husband and two of my daughters. My third
daughter is studying in Paris. Our time together in the middle of the
day is very important because in the evenings, I'm away at the salon
again.'
But, she says, this comfortable routine will not continue for too
much longer as she has also opened up another branch of Nailstation
in Paris. `In some ways it's very good because it means I get to
travel to Paris quite often and so spend time with my oldest
daughter, but life is more hectic with two businesses to run. The
Nailstation products that we use in the salons are also our own brand
so this line of the business also keeps me busy.'
The best thing about running her own business, says Annie, is the
satisfaction of a good day's work. `I had my children very young, so
now it's nice that I'm able to have my career and enjoy it. The
feeling you get from a profitable day that has run smoothly is really
satisfying.'
But, she says, businesses take a lot of work and things don't always
run to plan. `I have to make sure I'm on top of things because if a
customer has a problem, it's always my responsibility at the end of
the day. Hygiene is a huge issue for me because our reputation has
been built on our immaculate cleanliness.
`When you have staff who don't carry out their duties properly, that
is the worst issue and is always difficult to deal with. Luckily,
things have progressed quite smoothly for me so far.'
June 24 2005
Me and my job
Written by 7DAYS | Friday, 24 June 2005
Annie Thomassian
Annie Thomassian is French Armenian and opened the Nailstation, a
nail bar, waxing and tanning salon at Jumierah's Town Centre mall two
years ago. `I've been in Dubai four years now, but I know the place
really well as my father had a business here when I was younger and I
would spend my summers in the UAE.
It was hard opening up the business as I sorted out all the paperwork
and visas myself, but in a way, being a woman made it easier because
government offices don't allow women to wait in queues.' Initially,
says Annie, her working hours were very long, but now she has more
balance to her life.
`In the first year we opened, I worked a seven day week from 9am
until midnight. It was really tough. But now the business is a little
more independent, I spend more time working from home,' she explains.
`I'll usually get to the salon at around 11am. Then I go home at
lunchtime and cook for my husband and two of my daughters. My third
daughter is studying in Paris. Our time together in the middle of the
day is very important because in the evenings, I'm away at the salon
again.'
But, she says, this comfortable routine will not continue for too
much longer as she has also opened up another branch of Nailstation
in Paris. `In some ways it's very good because it means I get to
travel to Paris quite often and so spend time with my oldest
daughter, but life is more hectic with two businesses to run. The
Nailstation products that we use in the salons are also our own brand
so this line of the business also keeps me busy.'
The best thing about running her own business, says Annie, is the
satisfaction of a good day's work. `I had my children very young, so
now it's nice that I'm able to have my career and enjoy it. The
feeling you get from a profitable day that has run smoothly is really
satisfying.'
But, she says, businesses take a lot of work and things don't always
run to plan. `I have to make sure I'm on top of things because if a
customer has a problem, it's always my responsibility at the end of
the day. Hygiene is a huge issue for me because our reputation has
been built on our immaculate cleanliness.
`When you have staff who don't carry out their duties properly, that
is the worst issue and is always difficult to deal with. Luckily,
things have progressed quite smoothly for me so far.'