Dubai’s F&B and nightlife scene has become a global benchmark for innovation, luxury, and experience. But behind every full house, flawless show, and Instagram-perfect venue lies a story of hustle, risk, and resilience. In this episode of Real Talk Dubai, Rabih Fakhreddine, CEO and Founder of Seven Management, joins George Hojeige to share his journey from Beirut to Dubai and how he built one of the region’s most successful hospitality groups behind some of the city’s most iconic venues including February 30, The Theater, and YUBI. Rabih opens up about his early beginnings, the challenges of scaling during Lebanon’s economic crisis, and how he bet everything on Dubai, launching six venues in just 18 months during the pandemic. He also discusses why reputation is his greatest investment, the sacrifices behind success, and how homegrown brands from Dubai are now expanding globally. This episode goes beyond the glamour to reveal the real business behind hospitality in the UAE. If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, brand building, or the F&B world, this is a must-watch. Guest: Rabih Fakhreddine, CEO & Founder, Seven Management Host: George Hojeige, Group CEO, Virtuzone Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction to Dubai’s nightlife industry 01:10 — From Beirut roots to building global venues 02:45 — Early struggles, lost investments, and lessons learned 04:20 — Why only 30 percent of venues truly thrive 06:05 — Founding Seven Management and taking the leap 08:15 — Balancing nightlife success with family and values 10:30 — Expanding during COVID and betting on Dubai 12:40 — Homegrown brands competing with global names 14:20 — The business behind reputation and trust in F&B 16:10 — The future of Dubai’s nightlife and hospitality 18:00 — Advice for young entrepreneurs entering the F&B world Connect & Next Steps Learn more about business setup and growth in the UAE: virtuzone.com Follow Real Talk Dubai for more conversations with founders and creators building in the UAE. New episodes biweekly. Subscribe and hit the bell icon.

Dubai is obsessed with cars and so is our guest, Thibaut Ruchon, founder of 918 Car Care and Just Drive It. In this Real Talk Dubai episode, we get real about starting and scaling a car business in the UAE: the glamour vs. grind, how pricing pressure really works, the truths of PPF, resale value, and a practical strategy for financing used cars without getting burned. Thibaut also shares: Why he believes EV isn’t the long-term answer, and why e-fuels & hydrogen might be. The Dubai vs. Europe buyer mindset (price vs. product). The rise of classic cars in the UAE. A wild Bugatti Veyron delivery story (yes, really). If you care about car culture, buying smarter in Dubai, or building a service business that actually lasts — this one’s for you. Guest: Thibaut Ruchon — 918 Car Care | Just Drive ItHost: Real Talk Dubai (Virtuzone) Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 — Dubai’s car obsession: Why the city’s energy, culture, and lifestyle are built around cars. 00:10 — Meet Thibaut Ruchon, founder of 918 Car Care and Just Drive It, and how his passion became a business. 01:00 — Early life, first trip in 2005, and what made him fall in love with the city. 02:20 — Building his first detailing business, learning from setbacks, and moving to Dubai full-time. 04:00 — How he grew from one detailing shop to a car trading and care brand. 06:10 — Dubai’s car market: The ongoing battle between quality, price, and customer perception. 08:00 — The Bugatti Veyron deal: One of Thibaut’s wildest and most memorable trades. 10:00 — Shady truths of the PPF industry: Fake brands, cheap materials, and how customers get misled by “premium” claims. 12:30 — EVs, hydrogen, and the future: Why he believes electric cars are overrated and where he sees real innovation happening. 15:00 — The cost of entrepreneurship: Balancing two businesses, long hours, and time away from family. Connect & Next Steps: Learn more about business setup and growth in the UAE: https://virtuzone.com Follow Real Talk Dubai for more conversations with founders and creators building in the UAE. New episodes biweekly. Subscribe and hit the bell icon.

From the tennis courts of Belgium and the US to launching Dubai’s first pickleball-only club, Patrick Chucri’s story is one of grit, reinvention, and passion turned into purpose. In this episode, the founder of Picklers and former professional tennis player opens up about his journey from sports to entrepreneurship, what it takes to build a community-driven business in Dubai, and how pickleball became one of the city’s fastest-growing movements. Topics: Pickleball in Dubai Paddle vs pickleball Sports entrepreneurship Community building and startup lessons Chapters: 00:00 — Trends vs. movements 00:15 — Meet Patrick and Picklers 00:40 — Early life and tennis start 02:22 — US academy and Ole Miss scholarship 03:49 — Pro tour and Davis Cup for Lebanon 05:20 — Media career in Dubai 08:07 — Launching a touch tennis club 13:21 — Why not paddle; turning to pickleball 21:47 — Rebrand to Picklers; community and programming 24:45 — Global growth: US and Asia; pickleball vs paddle 29:50 — Money lessons, founder advice, future of sport About Patrick Chucri: Founder of Picklers, former professional tennis player, Davis Cup athlete for Lebanon, and ex-media executive with over 16 years in Dubai’s entertainment industry. Patrick is known for pioneering the pickleball movement in the UAE and transforming his lifelong passion for sport into a community-focused success story. Connect & Next Steps: Learn more about business setup and growth in the UAE: https://virtuzone.com Follow Real Talk Dubai for more conversations with founders and creators building in the UAE. New episodes biweekly. Subscribe and hit the bell icon.

Welcome to Real Talk Dubai, the podcast by Virtuzone where we unpack the real stories behind successful entrepreneurs. In Episode 2, host George Hojeige, Group CEO of Virtuzone, sits down with Tracy Harmoush to explore her journey from a young graduate stepping into Dubai’s finance world to reinventing herself as the founder of Untraceable and co-founder of Mama Booza. Tracy opens up about growth mindset, fulfilment, and the realities of building businesses in Dubai. Tracy shares how she moved to Dubai at 21, took an assistant role on a Citi trading desk, became a trader, then spent a decade in finance before pivoting into entrepreneurship. We talk growth mindset, fulfilment vs. passion, building a self-optimization brand, launching an ice-cream business without losing authenticity, using a personal platform the right way, and scaling through franchising. If you’re an aspiring founder in the UAE (or anywhere), this one’s about pressure, pivots, and putting systems in place when life gets loud. In this episode Reinventing yourself (student to trader to founder) Why fulfilment beats work–life balance What Untraceable actually does (habits, health, productivity) Handling image pressure while staying authentic Mama Booza’s origin story and the 80/20 lifestyle Platforms vs. influencing, and why every operator needs one Franchising plans (Lebanon first, GCC next) Tough-love advice for young women building in Dubai Guest: Tracy Harmoush: Founder, Untraceable | Co-Founder, Mama Booza

Welcome to Real Talk Dubai, the podcast by Virtuzone where we unpack the real stories behind the successful entrepreneurs. In Episode 1, host George Hojeige, Group CEO of Virtuzone, sits down with Kris Fade to trace his journey from a struggling student in Sydney to one of the Middle East’s most recognizable media figures and entrepreneurs. What Kris opens up about Falling into radio by accident and building Virgin Radio Dubai from day one The truth about the Dubai Dream: opportunity, competition, and what it really takes Launching Fade Fit, scaling FMCG with a tiny team, and turning down an early exit Handling online trolls, protecting mental health, and setting boundaries Routine, family, therapy, and learning to be patient with others and yourself Candid advice for anyone planning a move from the UK to Dubai (or anywhere) If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or professional considering Dubai for life and business, this conversation delivers practical insight without the sugar-coating. Chapters 00:00 — Intro: Why “Real Talk Dubai” 02:05 — Kris Fade’s early years & school struggles 07:32 — “Accidentally” getting into radio 14:50 — Moving to Dubai & launching Virgin Radio 22:10 — The reality of trolls and online criticism 27:45 — Routine, burnout, therapy & family 35:10 — Starting Fade Fit & the FMCG grind 45:20 — Product-market fit, patience & team of four 52:30 — Offers to buy the company & expansion plans 58:15 — Real talk advice for founders in Dubai 1:04:40 — Legacy, community, and what’s next About Kris Fade Radio host of Virgin Radio’s The Kris Fade Show, founder of Fade Fit, TV personality (Dubai Bling), and long-time Dubai resident. Connect & Next Steps Learn more about business setup and growth in the UAE: virtuzone.com Follow Real Talk Dubai for more conversations with founders and creators building in the UAE. New episodes bi-weekly — subscribe and hit the bell icon.