The Woman Redefining the Power Landscape in the Middle East | Interview with Farah Zafar |

Source: YouTube blogger Bill Qian Content Organization: Peter_Techub News

In this episode of "Build It Up," we are honored to invite Farah Zafar, the co-founder and CEO of Lyvely, as well as the Chief Legal Officer and Managing Director of Phoenix Group. Farah is not only a seasoned expert in executing billion-dollar projects in the legal and financial sectors but also a tech entrepreneur who leads her team with faith, resilience, and vision. She shared her fascinating story of transitioning from a law firm in London to Dubai, and how she built Lyvely with a "people-centric" mission, challenging the monopoly of Big Tech and empowering creators worldwide. Below are the key points of the interview, organized around the conversation between host Bill Qian and Farah Zafar.

From London to Dubai: A Faith-Driven Adventure

Farah was born in the UK to immigrant parents. She faced the frustration of 532 job rejections early in her career before landing her first legal job at a law firm in Mayfair, London. Twenty-five years ago, a phone call from a headhunter changed the trajectory of her life. At the time, she knew nothing about Dubai, but her father encouraged her to seize the opportunity and take the leap. She came to Dubai as a senior advisor to the ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and was involved in Dubai's transformation from a desert town to a global economic hub.

Farah recalls that in 2000, Dubai had only a few landmark buildings such as the World Trade Center and the Burj Al Arab. She witnessed the magnificent vision of Dubai transform from blueprint to reality, including the establishment of free zones, the improvement of the real estate regulatory system, and the rise of Emirates Airlines. She remarked, "When you dare to take risks, your life trajectory can change completely." The success of Dubai made her deeply realize that while vision is important, execution is key.

From company lawyer to tech entrepreneur: breaking the ceiling

As one of the earliest female corporate lawyers in the Middle East, Farah has achieved great success in the legal field, providing strategic advice to governments and top companies in the Gulf region and managing billions of dollars in projects. However, the peak of her career also left her feeling constrained. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, while working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, she began to reflect on the meaning of her career: "I have been a corporate executive for 30 years; is this all there is?"

The pandemic has accelerated the global digital transformation and exposed the monopoly of Big Tech on data, identity, and monetization. Farah realized that ordinary creators—especially those in emerging markets like Africa, Pakistan, or Vietnam—struggle to gain fair monetization opportunities on existing social media platforms. She is determined to create a "human-centered" platform, which is the origin of Lyvely.

Lyvely's mission: Challenge Big Tech, empower creators

Lyvely is a creator-centered social and e-commerce platform aimed at breaking the monopoly of Big Tech and providing a "belonging to you, trusting you" ecosystem for users worldwide. Farah's vision is "for the people, by the people," allowing every creator to connect directly with users through content and achieve monetization. She specifically mentioned that Lyvely enables creators to benefit from the platform's advertising revenue through user-generated advertising and token mechanisms, creating a more equitable ecosystem.

Farah shared a touching story: a creator from Nigeria self-funded the production of Lyvely brand T-shirts and shared content on the platform. She was deeply moved by this passion and decided to send 20 pieces of official merchandise to show support. She said, "These moments make me feel that 20 hours of work are worth it." Lyvely chooses to "build in public," inviting early users to participate in feedback and co-create the platform. This human-centered philosophy makes Farah believe that Lyvely's success depends on user recognition and participation.

Balance and Sacrifice: The Real Cost of Entrepreneurship

As the founder of Lyvely and also the Chief Legal Officer of Phoenix Group, Farah's life cannot be described as "balanced." She works 18 to 20 hours a day, wakes up at 5:30 AM to exercise, uses her commute to handle Lyvely affairs, and continues working until midnight. She admits, "I have sacrificed family, friends, and personal time; my life is completely occupied by work." She once confided to her friends and family, "I love you all, but I am fighting for my dream." Fortunately, they supported her choice.

Farah's motivation comes from her belief in her vision and her love for her work. She said, "Without passion, I cannot persist." Although she longs for more efficient time management, she believes that sacrifices are inevitable in the early stages of entrepreneurship. She humorously remarked, "I haven't turned into an AI robot yet, but maybe in the future there will be an AI avatar to help me."

Belief and Failure: The Driving Force of Innovation

Farah views failure and setbacks as "God's way of guiding you to the right path." She recalls her humble beginnings, where her parents never rested to support three children in their education. She said, "Failure is not an option, but when it happens, faith keeps me going." From being rejected 532 times in job applications to becoming a top lawyer in the Middle East, and then to challenging Big Tech as an entrepreneur, each of her steps stems from a belief in a higher power—whether it be God, the universe, or inner energy.

She shared an example: she posted a picture of her pet dog Rocky on Lyvely and received 30 warm comments, while on Instagram, no one paid attention. This genuine interaction within the community convinced her that Lyvely is heading in the right direction. She said, "Success is not in my hands, but in the hands of the people. We build the platform for them, and their embrace determines everything."

Advice for the Next Generation of Leaders: Faith, Hard Work, and Embracing AI

Farah's advice to young people is divided into four aspects:

Enjoy the journey: She admitted that she was too focused on striving and neglected to enjoy the process. She hopes that young people can learn to find happiness in their efforts, as time flies by.

Believe in greater powers: whether it is faith in God, the universe, or inner energy, believing in a force beyond oneself can provide infinite possibilities. She said, "If I only relied on my background, I wouldn't be the person I am today."

Effort and Excellence: She emphasized that success requires effort beyond the ordinary. Her father once taught her, "Be the hardest working person in the room and strive for excellence." Even at the peak of her career, she still prepares meticulously for everything.

Embrace AI: AI is an important tool for the future, and young people should make good use of technology to enhance efficiency, but at the same time, maintain inner belief, because "AI cannot give you a strong heart."

Looking to the Future: Lyvely's Global Vision

Farah predicts that in the next three to five years, Lyvely will compete with top global platforms in emerging markets. She emphasizes that Lyvely's success depends on user support: "We are built for the people, and the people will decide our success or failure." She hopes that Lyvely can become a truly democratized social platform that allows creators worldwide to benefit from it and break the monopoly of Big Tech.

Conclusion

Farah Zafar's story is an inspiration about faith, resilience, and mission. She rose from the difficult beginnings of an immigrant family to become a leader in the Middle Eastern business world, challenging tech giants as an entrepreneur. Her leadership is not only reflected in her strategic vision and execution but also in her commitment to humanity and fairness. Lyvely is not just her dream; it is her promise for the future — a platform where everyone can have a voice, create, and succeed.

As Farah said: "If it were easy, everyone would do it." Her story inspires us to bravely chase our dreams and rewrite our own narrative with faith and hard work.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. The views of guests and hosts in the article are solely their personal opinions and do not represent the position of professional or licensed financial advisors. Cryptocurrency investments carry risks, and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Please be sure to conduct your own research before making any financial decisions.