'I think I'd have fit right into New York in the 1970s'

Sian Rowlands, CEO & Chief Storyteller of retail space RETOLD, has many stories to tell

What is your best childhood memory?
It's a bit of a running joke in my family that I haven't stored any childhood memories! At any family meal where someone starts a story with "do you remember when.", everyone turns to me and we laugh!  That being said, I do have some memories from before I first moved to Dubai (28 years ago!) of feeding the swans on the river near my gran's house, and listening to her stories about bringing up my mum.  
If you could move anywhere in the world, what place would that be?
At the top of my list is Lake Tahoe in America. It's an absolutely stunning place, and I would love to have a little lakeside chalet where I could ski in the winters and enjoy hiking in the summer. The lake itself is a bit too cold for water sports, but it's only a three-hour drive from the Californian coast.
The biggest learning point in your life.
There are so many!  I really love learning - I'm always trying to take courses, attending seminars, listening to educational podcasts and things like that. But I would have to say that my Everest Base Camp trek was such a life-changing experience. I learnt a lot about my own capabilities and it gave me an opportunity to appreciate my strengths a bit more. There was a very tough day, the day after reaching Base Camp, when we watched the sun rise over Mount Everest. It was stunning, but so physically and mentally challenging. I really had to pace myself, battle a few inner demons (like the incessant need to 'win') but I persevered through the mental, emotional, and physical barriers and I reached the summit. One of the lessons I took away from that trip was being able to 'switch off' - it was the first time in seven years that I was away from my computer for more than a week - in fact I was offline for over two!  That was definitely a challenge. 
What is the one skill you'd love to learn?
Surfing or skateboarding. Not a particularly a grown-up answer, but it's a skill I never really picked up as a youngster. I have good sea-legs (as I'm a sailor) but never learned to surf, and I envy people who look graceful riding waves. So, it's on my list for this year.  And skateboarding since I got my niece a skateboard a couple of Christmases ago and I tried it out and promptly fell on my bottom!  So, I really need to get some 'street cred'. 
What advice would you give your younger self?
Look after your finances! As a young adult in Dubai with a healthy disposable income, I was quite frivolous, but it's also how I ended up opening my business, RETOLD, so I can't regret the journey too much. But I would advise myself to be more cautious about my spending, and prioritise saving.    
If you could go back to any era in time, which one would it be, and why?
I would head back to either Tudor / Elizabethan England as I am fascinated by that time in history. I would be a spectator at the royal court as all the drama unfolds (but would obviously try to avoid being part of it!). Alternatively, I would go back to 1970s' New York, which was pretty pivotal to the birth of modern art. It was a very creative time and I think I'd fit right in!
Your greatest fear.
Losing my family. I am very close with them and have been lucky to not lose any of my direct family other than my grandparents. I am dreading having to deal with the unimaginable grief that comes with losing a parent or a sibling, I have witnessed friends handle this and they are so much braver than I would be.   
If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day, who would it be and why?
I would say Oprah Winfrey, and I would announce my candidacy for President (of the US). Whilst I'm not particularly a political person, I think there is  room for improvement in the political landscape in the US and I think it has an effect on the rest of the world. The US would benefit from a strong, philanthropic leader, and in my books, that's Oprah. 
Favourite movie character of all time .
Leeloo from The 5th Element. Not only does she have a pretty awesome outfit most of the movie, she's a special character - funny without meaning to be, strong and sassy. 
If you were President of your country, what is the first thing you'd do?
I would ban all single-use plastics (straws, bags, water bottles, coffee cup lids, containers, packaging), and create grants and tax cuts for all companies that invest in R&D of alternative materials. Our plastic addiction is such a huge problem, but it starts at the supply. Policy-makers and corporations need to change their ways, and seek more degradable alternatives, so I would make it compulsory to do so. 
- Staff Reporter