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Layla Kardan has been a firm fixture on the Dubai entertainment scene for many years, having carved an impressive singing career for herself alongside her own entertainment agency.
But ever the multifaceted visionary, the Dubai-based mum-of-one has made her foray into the wellness space.
Noticing a gap in the industry across the emirate, Layla went on to launch Contrast Wellness with her husband, Hamdan Al Khafaji, last year with the opening of a studio on Palm Jumeirah and more recently with a space in City Walk.
“I’ve always been passionate about wellness from within and noticed there was a gap in the market for the services we offer,” she explained to GRAZIA. “I aim to create businesses that are meaningful and positively impact people’s lives.”
Taking a 360-degree holistic approach to wellness, Contrast Wellness aims to help the body recover from within offering an array of different treatments and services – from infrared saunas to ice baths to IV drips to massages which promote overall wellbeing.
As part of GRAZIA’s Career Edit, Layla shares with us her career journey and aspirations.
My current role is…
Co-founder of Contrast Wellness, Director of VLVT Entertainment Agency, Singer/Songwriter and Mom.
When I was younger I wanted to be…
An actress & singer.
My favourite subject at school was…
Music & Arts
My first job was…
A part time role at an auction house while I was still at school
My career path so far has been…
Dynamic and ever-changing, I’m constantly evolving, embracing new ventures and businesses, and loving every step of the journey.
The role the UAE has played in my career is…
The words I would use are pivotal & instrumental. I always say that if I wasn’t in the UAE I wouldn’t have had half the opportunities I’ve been lucky enough to have. Dubai was the perfect platform for me to start my music career and then grow into so much more.
I was inspired to enter into the wellness space because…
I’ve always been passionate about wellness from within and noticed there was a gap in the market for the services we offer. I aim to create businesses that are meaningful and positively impact people’s lives. It felt like the stars aligned to start this journey, and it’s been fantastic so far.
My daily routine consists of…
I start my day with warm water and Celtic salts, followed by dry brushing with copper bristles and a light body exfoliant. Every other day, I visit Contrast Wellness for an infrared sauna and ice bath session. I take daily supplements from Cymbiotika, Health Nag, and erba, aiming for at least 10k steps and a daily weight session at the gym. I make sure to drink three litres of water and eat healthy. I also love making fresh herbal skin masks at home!
My role as Co-Founder entails…
Strategy meetings, operations & marketing input, creative direction for shoots. I also take care of partner collaborations and business development. We are very hands-on as founders as we believe we need to be very active to ensure the ship is steered in the right direction.
The biggest hurdle I have experienced in my career…
Early in my career, I worked in corporate, but soon realized it wasn’t for me. Despite having great opportunities, I wasn’t happy and knew I needed to be my own boss, even though I wasn’t sure how to make that happen.
The biggest milestone I have achieved is…
During COVID, I was lost and uncertain about how to diversify my business. Now, just three years later, my husband and I have successfully established a company that has opened and operated six businesses.
A quote I live by is…
“Worry is a misuse of the imagination” I try to convert my worries into creative projects, so I don’t go down that windy road, which leads to nowhere.
What I hope for 2024 is…
First and foremost, I hope for children all over the world to live in peace and safety, and for more people to prioritize their physical and mental wellbeing.
