American athletics coach takes entrepreneurial flight in UAE with matchmaking firm

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“I didn’t have a good relationship with money until I started my own business,” said Christiana Maxion, 33, from New York. She grew up in a family of entrepreneurs who inspired her to become their boss and start a business at a young age.

She founded a professional matchmaking business based in Dubai in 2021. “I spent every penny I earned and put more on credit cards. I only learned the value of money when I started earning my own money and relying only on myself.

“After a few months of opening my business, I saw a therapist help me rewire my brain and my relationship with money. The hypnotherapy session worked wonders and helped me save more money. money and to create and attract more opportunities for success and growth in my business.

I only learned the value of money when I started earning my own money and relying only on myself.

– Christiana Maxion

“My current savings strategy is still not entirely clear, as I have a growing business and need to assess and invest in many things at this time. But I have big aspirations to be the leading matchmaking company in the GCC region for the next 50 years and beyond.

Money Rule #1: Treat money with love and care by attracting, saving and investing.

Maxion confessed that she had a terrible relationship with money. “I spent every penny I earned, but now that I am earning my own money and building my empire, I treasure every dirham earned. I now count and know where every dirham goes, and I process the money with love and care by attracting it, saving it and investing it.

“My investment plan now is to save for good times (not a rainy day) and invest more in my business as I am in the early stages of expansion.”

Maxion confessed that she had a terrible relationship with money. “I spent every penny I earned, but now that I am earning my own money and building my empire, I treasure every dirham earned.”

Maxion comes from an entrepreneurial background in his family.

Maxion’s grandfather began his career as a teacher, then later started his security business, which grew into a successful family business with over a hundred parking lots in New York City.

His father was a professional baseball player who played for Major League Baseball. “After retiring from baseball, he dabbled in the family garage, but decided to work his way up working for New York State as an athletic director.”

“He inherited his entrepreneurial spirit from his father, and my parents decided to open a series of pizzerias along the eastern seaboard of the United States.”

She shares her journey towards entrepreneurship with a degree in finance and professional studies in education.

Maxion said: “I started my professional career as a wealth management intern at Merrill Lynch and quickly decided that finance was not the path I wanted to take.”

My accomplishments as an athlete allowed me to coach others at a young age, eventually leading to my career in education.

– Christiana Maxion

“My first job was coaching springboard diving at country clubs in Westchester, New York. I was an athlete for most of my young life and competed as a springboard diver all over the United States. United, Canada and China My achievements as an athlete allowed me to coach others at a young age, eventually leading to my career in education.

“I’ve been an athlete most of my life and loved coaching and working with young kids. I worked as a first grade and kindergarten teacher at a school in New York, before moving to Abu Dhabi in 2016.”

She started her career in the UAE as a kindergarten educator, quickly rose through the ranks and began mentoring and training teachers across the UAE. “While in Abu Dhabi, I also published the children’s book ‘Toby and The Falcon’, which was featured at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and the Emirates Literature Festival.”

Scholarship Teacher School

Maxion began her career in the UAE as a kindergarten educator, quickly rose through the ranks and began mentoring and training teachers across the UAE. (Image used for illustrative purposes)

She moved to Dubai and worked in a similar job before deciding to end her career in education and start the business.

“I know that working as a teacher in a school is a noble profession, but what I learned from this job was that I craved more freedom, finances and authority. I knew that I I had the skills to start a business and I learned all my lessons working in the charter school, corporate and private school sector to hone my leadership and intrapersonal skills.

I know that working as a teacher in a school is a noble profession, but what I learned from this job was that I yearned for more freedom, finances and authority.

– Christiana Maxion

Why did you choose professional matchmaking as a business idea?

Maxion enjoyed helping others through relationship advice, was successful in matching people to careers, connecting others for business opportunities, and helping people find their marriage partners.

“I saw a real gap in the market here for a service like this, which is very popular in the US and South Asian countries. I decided to study and invest in myself and in the trade to start this business here.”

“I consulted a legal team to see if this case was possible. And to my delight, the legal team approved the nature of business as per UAE laws, in September 2021, and I decided to open my business.

“My business has grown rapidly and we are excited to expand our services throughout the UAE.”

Stock Entrepreneur Company

Maxion launched her company ‘Christiana Maxion Solutions’ in 2021, when she was 32 years old.

What were the expenses incurred in your business?

Maxion launched her company ‘Christiana Maxion Solutions’ in 2021, when she was 32 years old. investments thanks to the early success of the company.

Their expenditures were investments in education, programs, mentoring and business development. “I spent on certifications and programs: 26,000 Dh, business mentoring: 49,500 Dh and business creation: 16,000 Dh. The biggest expense was the time, effort and dedication to honing my craft, networking, and priceless adjustments.

Entrepreneur Tip #1: Invest in experts to save time and money.

She said: “Investing in mentors and consultants has helped me succeed in setting up a business in the UAE. With their help, I was able to find real solutions and answers from credible sources that made the process of starting a business here easier. »

I self-funded my business with a small amount of savings and credit cards, and was able to repay all the initial investments

– Christiana Maxion

She has lived in the United Arab Emirates for almost six years. “This country has accelerated my previous career in education in a way that never would have happened in New York. What’s great about this country is that your promotions and titles are based on skills and the merit rather than years of experience or age.

Entrepreneurship Tip #2: Engage in a trial collaboration when considering a business partnership.

She said, “I built this concept and this business from the ground up, and people have been showing interest in partnerships and investments since the second month. Many people are reaching out to collaborate and join in the great success and popularity of the company. »

“I know I have a gold mine in the city of gold. I want to retain that and the uniqueness of my business for as long as possible. Once both parties feel confident, my rule for future opportunities is to engage in a trial collaboration. It is important not to “give the house away” at such an early stage. »

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Maxion: “I self-financed my business with a small amount of savings and credit cards.”

Entrepreneur Tip #3: For a solo entrepreneur, a financial plan is essential.

She recommended starting with a simple Excel spreadsheet that tracks every dirham spent and earned. “It helped me control my budgets, investments and savings and understand the ins and outs of the business. And when I talk to future collaborators and investors, I’m on my A-game.

Currently, she is saving to expand her business and aims to expand into the GCC region by the end of 2024.

“Each month I have different income and expenses, but my general rule is that whatever is not spent, whether it is 50 or 20% of income, immediately goes into my savings account for reinvestment. future in the company. I am also true to the motto: save for a happy occasion and not a rainy day.”

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