Dreamweaver: Damac’s Amira Sajwani on Thriving in A Male-Dominated Industry | Harper’s Bazaar Interiors Summer 2023
The Managing Director of Sales and Development is working to make dreams come true left, right and centre. Harper’s Bazaar Interiors talks fact, fantasy and future with this doyenne of DAMAC and Prypco’s dealings…
“I’m living my dream,” smiles Amira Sajwani between outfits on her Harper’s Bazaar Interiors shoot. But it isn’t the glam squad or the luxurious surroundings of the Just Cavalli showroom apartment in Ocean Heights that have her so enthused. It’s thinking about her childhood memories and realising that her life and achievements are so much more than she ever hoped for.
“Looking back at my life, I must say that it has exceeded my expectations,” she continues. “As a girl, I always had a passion for entrepreneurship and creating something that would have a lasting impact on the world. I have my father to thank for believing in my potential and instilling in me the entrepreneurial drive to thrive in DAMAC Properties.”
And thrive she does. As Managing Director of Sales and Development at her family’s business, she takes a hands-on approach to developing properties, overseeing design, construction, sales, marketing and a whole host of other nitty-gritty detail that ensures the brand’s values are met from foundation to roof. And then there’s her other baby — as founder and CEO of fully digital mortgage and property transaction one-stop-shop Prypco, Amira has empowered the UAE buyer with everything they could need to know to make smart and fruitful brick-and-mortar purchases, which is proving to be a boon for first-time buyers and experienced investors alike.
“The concept of Prypco was born out of my desire to create a real estate company that could empower consumers to take control of their transactions in a transparent and efficient way,” says Amira. “It took a few years of planning and preparation, but we were able to launch the company successfully in 2019. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to own and manage their own properties in a way that is fair and accessible. Our platform allows consumers to make informed decisions and take control of the entire process.”
Prypco’s beginnings lie in Amira’s lifelong experience with construction and property, all thanks to she and her three brothers learning the trade from their father, Emirati real estate mogul Hussain Sajwani, since early childhood.
“We were involved in the business since a very young age, discussing it during our family lunch and dinner, when our father would listen to our opinions and insights,” reminisces Amira. “When he went on business trips to the US during the tech boom, me and my brother Ali would wait on the staircase for him to come home on the nights we knew he’d be landing in Dubai. We’d get the toys and gifts he’d brought back for us — and we also got into discussions about his investment opportunities.”
These formative moments paved the way for Amira’s outstanding success in her field, as did her experience of living in the UK for five years while she studied degrees in Economics and Marketing at both the University of Central London and London School of Economics.
“It was my first experience living outside the UAE, and it proved to be a transformative journey for me,” Amira recalls. “I gained invaluable knowledge and experiences during my time there, which I was fortunate enough to bring back home with me. It opened my eyes to different cultures and perspectives, and I gained invaluable experiences that helped me grow in ways both personal and professional.”
Back home in the UAE, Amira was quick to take her seat at the family table, as a fully-fledged member of the DAMAC empire.
“In 2017, at the age of 22, I officially joined the business as the General Manager of Sales and Development,” she shares. “Growing up in a household with three brothers, being the only female offspring of Hussain Sajwani had its advantages. It got me accustomed to dealing with men both at home and in the workplace. To be honest, this male-dominated upbringing helped me navigate my role as a Managing Director in the business and in the industry.
“While the real estate industry is often male-dominated, I believe it is merely a mental barrier that needs to be overcome. I have witnessed numerous successful women in the industry who have shattered these barriers and achieved remarkable success. Similarly, female-dominated industries do not discourage men from entering them. My advice to aspiring women in the business world is to break through these barriers, enter the industry with confidence, and strive for success.”
And Amira’s success doesn’t end in the boardroom — on the contrary, she has a rich family life with her husband and two daughters and recognises the importance of switching off at the end of the day and over the weekend to focus on them. Citing her Emirati upbringing as the inspiration behind both her domestic bliss and career success, Amira is the perfect embodiment of a new generation of successful UAE women.
“My Emirati heritage means everything to me, I was instilled with a strong sense of family values and the importance of hard work and perseverance from a very young age,” says Amira. “Throughout my career I have experienced both highs and lows. Nevertheless, I have consistently felt a strong support system from my family. They have been there for me, providing encouragement and guidance along the way. In this dynamic environment, I have been fortunate to be presented with challenging roles that have allowed me to think outside the box and explore new ideas.
“It didn’t happen overnight,” Amira reminds us. “The journey has been filled with unexpected experiences, but all of them have had a positive impact on shaping the person I am today. I feel grateful for each of them. After all, the journey has just begun, and I do still have a long way to go.”
They say that dreams really do come true — and while Amira may be living hers, her work building dreams with DAMAC and Prypco continues to ensure that others can live theirs, too. One property at a time.
Words by Rachel Silvestri. Styling By Imogene Legrand.
Photography By Aasiya Jagadeesh
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Interiors Summer 2023.