We’re two friends and ex-colleagues who spent over a decade working at the same company but came from totally different worlds.
Ksenia’s from Russia and moved to Dubai just 3 years ago. Anam’s from Pakistan but grew up in Dubai. Different journeys, shared challenges and a lot of things no one ever really prepared us for.
That’s why we started This Wasn’t in the Manual, a podcast exploring all the things life and work no one really gave us instructions for.
We’re bringing in real stories, honest advice, and the kind of conversations we wish we had earlier.
Follow along, we’re just getting started.
New Episode Every Monday
Information about about the Hosts:
Anam Amin
Anam never really had a niche and that’s kind of her niche. Born in Pakistan, grew up in the UAE, and made life is as diverse as the country is.
Jumping around various industries landing up as a pastry chef, then finally pivoted to marketing as her day job, while part time hosting a podcast, writing about everything no one taught us and a little more of everything in between.
Ksenia Alekseeva
Hi, I’m Ksenia. I left hometown at 15, earned three degrees, and built a career in advertising and marketing.
Then I packed it all up and moved to Dubai — new country, new language, no roadmap.
My motto? Say yes to the unknown.
It’s gotten me into trouble.
It’s opened the right doors.
And eventually… it led to this podcast.
Because when Anam said, “Let’s start one” — of course, I said yes.
All content for This Wasn't In The Manual Co is the property of Ksenia Alekseeva, Anam Amin and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
We’re two friends and ex-colleagues who spent over a decade working at the same company but came from totally different worlds.
Ksenia’s from Russia and moved to Dubai just 3 years ago. Anam’s from Pakistan but grew up in Dubai. Different journeys, shared challenges and a lot of things no one ever really prepared us for.
That’s why we started This Wasn’t in the Manual, a podcast exploring all the things life and work no one really gave us instructions for.
We’re bringing in real stories, honest advice, and the kind of conversations we wish we had earlier.
Follow along, we’re just getting started.
New Episode Every Monday
Information about about the Hosts:
Anam Amin
Anam never really had a niche and that’s kind of her niche. Born in Pakistan, grew up in the UAE, and made life is as diverse as the country is.
Jumping around various industries landing up as a pastry chef, then finally pivoted to marketing as her day job, while part time hosting a podcast, writing about everything no one taught us and a little more of everything in between.
Ksenia Alekseeva
Hi, I’m Ksenia. I left hometown at 15, earned three degrees, and built a career in advertising and marketing.
Then I packed it all up and moved to Dubai — new country, new language, no roadmap.
My motto? Say yes to the unknown.
It’s gotten me into trouble.
It’s opened the right doors.
And eventually… it led to this podcast.
Because when Anam said, “Let’s start one” — of course, I said yes.
Chasing Flexibility: A Dubai Kid’s Leap from 9-5 to Entrepreneurship
This Wasn't In The Manual Co
45 minutes 57 seconds
5 months ago
Chasing Flexibility: A Dubai Kid’s Leap from 9-5 to Entrepreneurship
In this episode of This Wasn’t in the Manual, we sit down with Nimrah Khan, a true Dubai kid and founder of her own independent marketing agency.
Born in Pakistan and raised in the UAE, Nimrah shares her journey from the corporate and agency world to running her own business. We talk about the realities of building in a city that moves fast, trusting your instincts, navigating unexpected pivots, and showing up when no one else will.
This episode is for anyone building something from scratch without a playbook.
Listen now and follow This Wasn’t in the Manual for more stories of growth, grit, and everything they never taught us.
This Wasn't In The Manual Co
We’re two friends and ex-colleagues who spent over a decade working at the same company but came from totally different worlds.
Ksenia’s from Russia and moved to Dubai just 3 years ago. Anam’s from Pakistan but grew up in Dubai. Different journeys, shared challenges and a lot of things no one ever really prepared us for.
That’s why we started This Wasn’t in the Manual, a podcast exploring all the things life and work no one really gave us instructions for.
We’re bringing in real stories, honest advice, and the kind of conversations we wish we had earlier.
Follow along, we’re just getting started.
New Episode Every Monday
Information about about the Hosts:
Anam Amin
Anam never really had a niche and that’s kind of her niche. Born in Pakistan, grew up in the UAE, and made life is as diverse as the country is.
Jumping around various industries landing up as a pastry chef, then finally pivoted to marketing as her day job, while part time hosting a podcast, writing about everything no one taught us and a little more of everything in between.
Ksenia Alekseeva
Hi, I’m Ksenia. I left hometown at 15, earned three degrees, and built a career in advertising and marketing.
Then I packed it all up and moved to Dubai — new country, new language, no roadmap.
My motto? Say yes to the unknown.
It’s gotten me into trouble.
It’s opened the right doors.
And eventually… it led to this podcast.
Because when Anam said, “Let’s start one” — of course, I said yes.
