In this sizzling issue, Grazia’s international beauty editor Kaniz Ali interviews and styles Dubai Bling’s richest star Ebraheem Al Samadi. Highly known for his eccentric persona, witty comments and his iconic style in fashion Ebraheem opens up to Kaniz and talks about work, life and balance.
Kaniz: Talk to us about you background
Ebraheem: Born in Kuwait and raised in the U.S., I started my entrepreneurial journey at 14, selling items on eBay from my mom’s Florida apartment and earning a “1000 Power Sellers” award. In 2010, I moved to Dubai to launch Al Samadi Group and expand its retail presence. After merging it with my family’s hospitality business, we grew the company across the Middle East. In 2015, I acquired Forever Rose London, transforming it into a $21 million luxury brand with seven stores in the UAE, KSA, and Qatar.
Kaniz: What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Ebraheem: My main inspiration for becoming an entrepreneur was the drive to support my family and create a positive work environment. Global travel exposed me to innovative ideas and products, which I use to bring the best to the UAE by adapting successful business models to local needs.
Kaniz: How did your Forever Rose begin?
Ebraheem: In 2015, my entrepreneurial drive led me to acquire Forever Rose London, a brand known for its long-lasting flowers in 34 colours. Recognizing its potential in the Arabian market, I moved the business from London to Dubai, where it quickly grew it into a $21 million luxury brand. It became a top gifting boutique with forever roses, premium chocolates, perfumes, and jewellery, now with seven stores in the UAE, KSA, and Qatar. Building on this success, I launched Forever Rose Café in 2020, the UAE’s first 2D café, known for its Instagrammable design. We now have three café locations, two in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai. The 2D café gained TikTok fame and became a must-visit spot in Dubai, especially after my appearance on Dubai Bling in 2022, which boosted its popularity further.
Kaniz: What are the pros and cons of becoming an entrepreneur?
Ebraheem: Pros: Being an entrepreneur offers the freedom to pursue your own vision, control over your work, and the potential for significant financial rewards. It also allows for creativity and flexibility in solving problems.
Cons: It comes with high risk, including financial instability and long stressful hours. The pressure to constantly innovate and the responsibility for all business aspects can be overwhelming at times.
Kaniz: You are highly renowned for being in the reality TV series Dubai Bling? How did that journey begin?
Ebraheem: My journey to Dubai Bling was completely unexpected! A dear friend of mine, Nina Ali, was asked if she knew any successful businessmen. She recommended me, and I had a few Skype meetings with the team! None of the cast members knew it was called Dubai Bling or that it would be aired on Netflix! The day I got the call, the only piece of information I had was that the show will be a story about successful businessmen, and it’ll be on one of the world’s largest streaming networks. To be very honest, I was thrilled about this as I felt like I finally had the chance to speak about my story and how I grew my business successfully in the region.
Kaniz: Who’s your favourite person in Dubai Bling?
Ebraheem: I have two favourites’ people on Dubai Bling. One of them is Mona Kattan, who is both a highly successful beauty mogul and an incredibly kind and beautiful person, both inside and out, she’s a real friend. & Danya Mohammed, aka Divadee, is my gifted sister and my other favourite person from the show! We both went through trauma, bullying, and had some trouble with other cast members. But the way we supported each other and stood up for one another even though we only met on the show is a true testament of our friendship. Plus, Danya and I teamed up to create our own café, The Besties Café, which has been another fantastic venture.
Kaniz: What do you personally love about the show?
Ebraheem: Every scene that I am in! ))) the show has lots of drama for the viewers to watch and I absolutely love how it highlights Dubai’s top attractions and unique experiences in a creative and mesmerising way.
The experience opened my eyes to things that you never think about when watching a show or a movie! I have a new appreciation for directors, filmography’s, and the production team as they are so hardworking, talented and go through a lot to get one simple shot. Most importantly, I appreciate how some of the cast members became like family to me by the end of the show and that’s what makes me so happy today.
Kaniz: What are the pros and cons of becoming a reality tv star?
Ebraheem: Pros: Increased visibility, new opportunities, networking, and financial rewards.
Cons: Loss of privacy, public scrutiny, pressure to maintain an image, and potential strain on family life, relationships, friendships.
Kaniz: If Ebraheem was not a tv reality star or entrepreneur, what would you like to be?
Ebraheem: It was always my dream to be like James Bond, since I was a kid I loved this movie, just loving doing something for higher cause and working hard to do something that someone else couldn’t do, I just love the idea of James Bond.
Kaniz: You are known to be one of the most entertaining cast members on the show. What makes you different from the others?
Ebraheem: I think what makes me different than others is that I don’t have filter and I just things as it is and I never hold back, I bring reality to back to reality, nothing is fabricated and I am who I this is who I am and I don’t care what people think… they like it or they don’t like, its not my problem.
Kaniz: What is the best advice you can give to an aspiring tv star?
Ebraheem: I think it’s important to be unique and to not to change who you are based on what people think about you, because your own audience will love you for who you are, so chasing more audiences just because you think they will like you and to change who you are , I don’t recommend it & I always recommend being yourself, people will like you more if you’re authentic and original.
Kaniz: Name your two favourite countries you love and why?
Ebraheem: My two favourites’ countries are South Africa and United Arab Emirates.
I love UAE as it’s my home since more than 14 yrs. & for its incredible blend of modernity and tradition, its vibrant and diverse culture, and the remarkable leadership, hospitality of its people. The country’s innovation and stunning landmarks make it truly exceptional.
I love South Africa for its beautiful, kind people and culture & for their strong humanitarian support for Palestine.
Kaniz: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? –
Ebraheem: In next 5 years I see myself growing my business, possible making a movie and I love the idea of making people happy, so if it’s trough a movie or a reality TV or through my business I’m a peoples person and I love serving people and I wanna also explore higher cause in life like I wanna help as many people as I can, I wanna do charity, I wanna be part of UN and I have lots of dreams .. becoming a better person.
Kaniz: What are your favourite hobbies?
Ebraheem: I love travelling, I just love being in airplane and to be on the move as I’m learning so much when I’m traveling. I love all types of sports.
Kaniz: You are renowned for fashion and style. What is the best self-grooming advice you would give to your audience?
Ebraheem: For me I’m very much American, I love comfort, comfort comes first , style comes second. I always like to wear something comfortable. My favourite outfit it’s just wearing a kandoora because it’s the most comfortable in our region and I love comfortable cloths and I always like to be immaculate, perfect, clean and neat.
Kaniz: What makes you stand out from the crowd?
Ebraheem: I think what makes me stand out of the crowd is that I’m different and I know it, my confidence it’s so high and being different and always having people ‘‘attacking’’ me for being different is makes me who I am today and I don’t need to change for anyone , I’m confident for who I am and I will never change myself based on what people think of me and I have so many people who loves me and I love them, so I’m ok with people who are not accepting me, if 1 person it’s not accepting me , 1 mil people will accept me.
