Interview with Joud Outry
Joud Outry is a Syrian woman from the city of Aleppo. The city of civilization, culture, and history. Joud studied Interior Design in Aleppo and was a teacher at the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Aleppo. She was also part of the Syrian Girl Scout and participated in the World Conference of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) in Switzerland in 2011 representing Syria. In 2011, she decided to start her journey and move to Dubai in order to search for success.
Who is Joud?
I am a Syrian woman from the city of Aleppo, the city of civilization, culture and history. Studied Interior Design in Aleppo and then began teaching at the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Aleppo. I was also part of the Syrian Girl Scout since I was a kid and participated in the World Conference of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) in Switzerland in 2011 representing Syria. I am an artist by nature and have an immense passion for arts and music and have been painting, drawing, and playing the piano for more than 25 years.
In 2011, I decided to start a new journey and moved to Dubai in order to expand my horizons, discover the new “ME” and search for success in this city of unlimited opportunities. During my first 2 years in Dubai, I earned two diplomas in Sales & Marketing and Business Management. I have worked with a couple of companies and in different domains since my arrival until today and also advised and worked as a freelancer for a few projects in Qatar between 2011-2014. In my spare time, I give piano lessons to a few of my neighbors.
Despite having horses and dogs on our farm in Aleppo, I wasn’t a big fan of pets. However, with COVID and lockdown, we adopted a Pomeranian dog, aka Twix who added joy to our house.
Tell us more about who you are and what you do?
Creative individuals need an attorney to help them build their dreams. Someone whom they can trust to provide them with a sustainable platform and guide them through the complicated maze of making their own identity. Having studied Interior Design and topped that with 2 diplomas in Business Management and Sales Marketing, in addition to my extensive experience in the field of lighting, interior design, and regional markets, the entrepreneurial side of me started taking over and I started a few platforms to share my knowledge with everyone.
My passion for success and helping others led me to establish MyFkra (@myfkra / www.myfkra.com) which is a non-profit platform dedicated to empowering creative Arab women. I launched my career in Dubai in the field of lighting and became specialized in decorative lighting design. The past 10 years combined with my interior design degree enabled me to become one of the outstanding experts in the field. I also developed extensive expertise in market and business development over time and became a brand ambassador for two Italian suppliers for the past 4 years.
In 2016, I had another idea and this time it was in the form of a blog, InsideUrBox (@insideurbox / www.insideurbox.com). It’s all about tips tricks and creative ideas. Since then, I’ve become a home personal shopper for VVIP in 2018.
Despite being busy and life taking us in different directions, I always make sure to find time to take a break from the busy life and indulge myself in my beloved hobbies such as painting, creating dazzling calligraphy arts (Check out @al__jeem on Instagram), and playing the piano. Music is my soul-soothing activity when I am looking to get inspired or simply get a break from life.
"HAVE the will. Do what you truly love"
I have received a few awards in the Middle East, become the face for a magazine, and have been chosen as one of the top 12 entrepreneurs in 2015 and selected as one of the best businesswomen most fashionable awards in 2020.
Who should hire/work with you?
Three type of clients:
Creative woman with a talent: A talent of creating products/art and looking to turn it into a real project/business. As we aim to support and empower the creativity of Arab Women and encourage creative projects, develop it and expand its scope further.
Any client who is looking to refresh his/her space. Ever wanted your own interior stylist for the day to help you pick out items for your home. We hang out together and shop till we drop.. I am here to put together a shopping list that suits your budget and your home style and turn your space into a fashionable one just by hiring me as your Personal Home Shopper.
Clients who are looking to light up their space. With more than 10 years of experience in the domain of lighting, I can provide you with specialized tips and give you access to products that otherwise would’ve been difficult for you to find on your own.
What is your big goal? Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?
I am a very motivated and positive person and my motto is to shoot for the moon when it comes to goals and dreams.
"Striving to accomplish big goals is not easy. Most people will give up on their dreams in order to have a clear path."
As an entrepreneur, my goal is to achieve greater efficiency in all aspects of my organization. Right from speeding up processes, quicker delivery of services, weaving in improvements in offerings with changing times, be updated with the latest technology, and pursuing excellence in every way.
As an expert, what is your top 3 free advice to get a more "elegant" touch in my home?
Crown Molding – Details Matter It’s all in the details. When it comes to decorating your home and making it look high-end and custom-made, details are key. In this instance, the detail is crown molding. Crown molding has a way of making a room look complete or finished; it brings the ceiling and the walls together, giving them an elegant appearance. Without this finishing touch, rooms tend to look cheap or unfinished.
Paint – Color Matters Paint color is perhaps one of the most difficult decisions to make when decorating a room, especially when the remaining décor will be based on the color palette. However, if elegance is what you are after, there are certain colors that add instant glamour to your home. Choose one of these two color options—bold and dramatic OR soft, understated hues
Lighting Makes a Difference Most contractors will choose standard lighting fixtures, which are probably the same they have used over and over again in all the homes they have built. However, designer light fixtures will add more elegance to your home than the standard chandelier and give it a customized and special feel.
What is the most important factor that has contributed to your success?
First of all, surprisingly, the fact that I am an expatriate and because of it, I am always seeking new opportunities. Everything I do and all the risks I might take are a result of trying to find something that makes me stronger.
"In the end, the fact that you are trying is a success by itself. It’s enough that you seek. If you keep on trying and believing in yourself, you will absolutely succeed and reach your goals."
I see so many people trying to succeed for all the wrong reasons, even though some of them do succeed, but others fail. In the end, the fact that you are trying is a success by itself. It’s enough that you seek. If you keep on trying and believing in yourself, you will absolutely succeed and reach your goals. You cannot buy happiness with money, and because of that, I feel like I cannot fail, because as long as I do things that make me happy, I do the right thing. What would you say is the biggest challenge you faced?
To prove myself in this city of opportunities as an entrepreneur and not as an employee
What would you say is your main characteristic?
Success means to believe in your capability. With passion, you turn your conception into reality.
10 fast with Joud
Work alone or with a partner? - Alone
Single or married? - Single
Mountain or sea? - sea-beach and sun
Risk or routine? - Risk
Drama or romance? - Romance
Neural or Placid? - Placid
Problematic or pacified? - Pacified
Money or Love? - Love with money :)
Spring or Autumn? - Autumn
Apartment or house? - House
"You cannot buy happiness with money, and because of that, I feel like I cannot fail, because as long as I do things that make me happy, I do the right thing." - Joud Outry
Follow Joud on Instagram, and visit MyFkra and Insideurbox for more information!
