Dina Saoudi, Co Founder, Seven Circles, Empowering Through
Dina Saoudi is the mother of Hashem and Hamzah, who define her purpose to help better the world for all children as much as her own. She co-founded Seven Circles, an investment and consulting agency focused on establishing strategic partnerships, creating new revenue streams, and building sustainable, impactful solutions. She is also the co-founder of its philanthropic arm, Seven’s World. Dina co-founded and heads Empowering through™ (Et™), a new breed of social enterprise with the purpose of empowering ecosystems to enable individuals economically and socially. Et™'s publications, platforms, and events are based on a measurable and scalable model that identifies and connects stakeholders — aid agencies, private and public sectors, academia, impact funds, and civil society — to work together to enable and celebrate individuals.
Since 2017, Et™ has been creating impact in more than 10 countries with a portion of the proceeds committed to giving back. Dina proudly serves two of Her Majesty Queen Rania’s initiatives as a member of the board of directors of The Children's Museum and the board of trustees of the Royal Health Awareness Society. For information on Dina and her work: Dina on LinkedIn. Dina’s TEDx Talk on Empowering through. Dina shares her story in Forbes and TGN Magazine. Dina’s participation in the Narrative PR Summit 2018, Global Summit, Rise Up Summit Impact Event, and Aspen Ideas Festival.
What is your favourite social media platform?
ClubHouse it's new and fun. I love LinkedIn for work. Instagram is for quotes and pictures of nature. Facebook is to connect with my family and friends.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
Impact. I'm blessed to have co-founded a social enterprise that works on impacting individuals in more than 10 countries. Impact for me is providing people with the tools necessary to start and scale their businesses from the comforts of their homes and spaces. Impact for me is for people to be fed, feed themselves and loved ones, and work on building a new system to make sure no one sleeps hungry, ever.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I'm challenged to do better, to be better. I listen to stories every day. Do you want to learn about yourself? Listen to others. I learned that everyone has a lesson to teach us all. I learned that the world will only be sane and safe for all when every voice is heard and every lesson is shared and understood without judgment.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Find joy everywhere. In the midst of a pandemic and too many losses, we forget to take a moment to appreciate the beautiful moments passing us by. This is it. This is the only life we will know. I learned to find joy everywhere I go. In every situation. In every setting.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
People. I'm always in search of mentors. I find them in refugee camps. I find them cleaning the streets. I find them everywhere. I look for artists, chefs, designers, coders... I listen as they share their joys and sorrows. I learn the tools necessary to accept my own pain and live my dreams.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
My sons. I have co-founded multiple companies. However, nothing, not one of my achievements at work compares to the joy I feel when I speak of those two little boys. I'm in awe of their kindness, intelligence, and humour.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Doesn't matter how we meet as long as we have a good conversation.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Kindness. Listening to a lot.
What do you wish you had known when you started?
I wish I knew that I was right to have had those big dreams when no one believed in them or listened. I was right to want more for the people in my life. And that I wasn't alone in the quest for building a better world than this one.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles, and why?
The kind ones. The kinder they are in business, academic or creative circles, the more likely it that I'd want to meet them and get to know them.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Walking in nature. I love nature. I listen to music. I enjoy writing, painting, and cooking. I enjoy spending time with my loved ones and meeting strangers.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you been managing it?
The good? Made us think creatively and come up with new revenue streams. The bad? We couldn't see our teams and hug them. We managed by being very understanding that these are not normal times. We tried to be as kind as we could be. As empathetic as possible.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Yes, and yes. Aren't we always learning? Aren't we always teaching?
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Dream big. Done? Great, scratch what you've thought of and dream bigger. We need the thinkers and innovators of the world today more than ever. So, if you want to build a better world - welcome on board, it will be a tough and exhilarating ride.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Lack of a cushion when they fall. It's expensive to fail so having room to make mistakes and a safe space to keep on trying is how success will be achieved. At times like this, we're already exhausted so we need the community around us to ask "What can we do to support you?" and when the days get dark to say "You're not alone. Now, let's try again. What was the lesson you learned from the last failure."
Is there a phrase, quote, or a saying that you really like?
Let go. Let God. Some battles are too big. Trust in Him.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like, or do you think are getting it right?
Many. All have the same vision: building a better world.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is sleeping well at night knowing you've lived a good day, every day. Success is to love and be loved. Success is to appreciate joys everywhere you go. Success is awareness of others' pain and doing what you can to support them. Success is kindness in every conversation, gesture, and action. I've learned many lessons. I learned from my friend who lost her ability to walk due to a car accident to enjoy dancing while I still can. I learned from my friend who lost her ability to see to listen to music with my eyes closed. I learned from my friend who lost her children to hold mine a little tighter. I learned from my friend who failed repeatedly at work and then built an empire that anything is possible. So, dear reader, live well while you're still living. Life is too short for doubt, anger and confusion. Dream big and do whatever you can to live your dreams as you may be the dreamer we're all waiting for.