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Determination is key to his success

ABU DHABI - He worked as office boy, did some odd jobs, got fired several times, but ultimately ended up becoming a millionaire.

Talal Khouri, a 36-year-old UAE national, said since childhood he has been striving to garner a million dirhams, which he now has.

“I was 14 years old when I started working as an office boy in my father’s contracting company. I didn’t pursue my studies as my father wished and was satisfied with evening classes. My only concern was to work hard and have my own companies one day,” Khouri, a father of five boys and a girl, told this reporter.

He said his father tried to persuade him to complete his education and even offered him a chance to go to the United States for studies, as his brothers did.

“I decided not to waste a single moment but rather work hard to fulfil my dream. I did several minor jobs in the company where I worked as a PRO, a labour supervisor and an assistant foreman. My salary was Dh3,000.”

Khouri said he was sacked three times for administrative mistakes and no one was there to save his neck.

“My father was fair and straight with everyone in the company, including his son. I didn’t give up and convinced him to help me out financially to set up my own project.”

He said with his father’s help in 1998, he opened Al Ramz Shares and Bonds company and began dealing in shares.

“The market was full of challenges at that time. I lost millions of dirhams in the beginning. Even though my father was a rich man, I struggled hard like any poor man does,” recalls Khouri.

“Thank God within a few years my profits crossed Dh4 million and I was free of all my debts. My project expanded and I garnered millions of dirhams in return.”

On how he assesses his journey to the millions, Khouri reminisces, “I can say that I didn’t enjoy my childhood. I was full of ambition and determination. I believe that my belief in the Almighty Allah, being independent and loving benevolence were the key to my prosperity.”

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• UAE