'Work hard and, then, work harder'

Mona Ataya, CEO of mumzworld.com, on empowering mothers around the UAE

Describe your work in a sentence.
Empowering mothers to make the most informed purchase decisions for their children and ultimately making their lives easier. 
What is your favourite thing about your job?
When you empower a mother, you empower a child. We are pioneering a new way to shop for mothers and building the largest community of mothers in the region via which they can share, contribute and be empowered to be the best they can be by making decisions faster, easier and more cost effectively than ever before!
What is your #1 personal principle/success mantra
at work? 
There are no shortcuts. Work hard to constantly
innovate and success will follow.
What is one important skill you think every professional should have?
Communication. Great leaders are always great
communicators.
What has been your most challenging experience to date and how did you resolve it?
Finding talent that is skilled and hungry. Great people build great organisations. Mediocre people build mediocre organisations. Finding and surrounding yourself with great people in an industry, where the ecosystem is still young, is a challenge.
Who's your role model as the perfect professional? 
I think it would have to be Rabea Ataya, the founder of bayt.com. He's an inspirational leader who is admired and respected regionally and globally, and is driven to leave a social impact legacy. 
If you had one free hour in the day to relieve stress, how would you use it?
I would spend time with my children, listen to or play music or play a round of sports.
Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you and whose skills are your weaknesses. Work hard and, then, work harder.
What is your greatest dream, professionally?
To reach 20 million mums in the Middle East and make their lives easier.
If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?
The same as I would do with a thousand dollars. Eat, have a comfortable home, educate my children, travel and give to those who don't have. I may buy nicer clothes and a few more shoes too! Gathering wealth is not an end goal to me. It is merely a potential end result of achieving an important social impact mission. It is not about the assets you collect but the freedom to make choices. 
- Staff reporter