Journeying through Makani Homes and the Power of Community with Nourin Abubaker
Join Nourin's inspiring journey and discover how Makani Homes is cultivating a community rooted in generosity and shared experiences, all while she navigates the dynamic startup scene of NYC.
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We spoke with Nourin Abubaker, Co-Founder of Makani Homes
What are you currently working on?
My startup, Makani Homes, a private members only home-sharing platform for Muslim travelers (Like the movie "The Holiday", but IRL).
We're making travel more inclusive through the power of sharing, at a fraction of the cost of Airbnbs/hotels. Unlike rentals, there’s no financial exchange between guest and host on Makani. We’re building an economy based on generosity, where members give a night to earn a night, and the homes on the platform are listed by real people instead of big management companies. You can also search for "Muslim-Friendly" filters such as "Hijab-Friendly" or "Pork-Free" homes.
What led you to work on this? What's the "origin story" behind your current job?
I'm an ex. Big 4 accountant, and even though I was great at my job, I never felt fulfilled. I started Makani, along with my co-founder Yara, as a way to make a true difference in my community and empower generations of young Muslims to explore the world often and without compromise.
Why are you interested in connecting with MENA's 'global startup community'?
I felt a bit isolated being an Egyptian female start-up founder in the NYC scene. I didn't know many people of my background doing the same thing. That is until I found Viaka! It's incredible to finally see a central place for MENA's global startup community to come together to uplift each other. I strongly believe that we will succeed faster and go further together.
What's your favorite part of the Viaka Network thus far? Do you have any memorable experiences or helpful connections made that you can share with me?
I'm fairly new to the network, but my favorite part has been getting updates about all the cool things others are doing! In the middle of a busy day, I always stop to read the Viaka newsletter to give me a boost of inspo. Always cheering everyone on!
How can members of the Viaka Network (and beyond) be most helpful to you and your work right now?
We're accepting applicants for our 100 founding members, so if anyone is interested in being part of our curated travel community we'd love to hear from you! Apply directly on www.makanihomes.com (Note: Applications are subject to approval on a rolling basis)
Bonus: favorite dish from the MENA world?
I can't pick a favorite because I have so many, but I love Mousakaa — Egyptian style with minced meat :) Or koshary!
📢 Two Days Left!: Viaka Dubai members and those currently in Dubai, this event is for you!
👉 Join Intersect Advisory for an exclusive showcase of their groundbreaking LINK Insourcing Solution.
🔍 Discover how their innovative solutions can transform your business operations. This event is a perfect opportunity to learn about the comprehensive talent and service offerings can enhance your business operations and team dynamics.
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📅 Date: May 8th (In TWO DAYS!)
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Wamda Capital, B208, Building 7, Dubai Design District
register for event
Below is a list of upcoming events from the Viaka Network & beyond over the next couple of weeks:
Viaka Monthly Coffee Hour- May 8th (Virtual)
Coffee Meetup in Boston - May 13th (In-Person- Boston)
Evening Mixer in NYC - May 16th (In-Person- NYC)
Product Market Fit (PMF) to Go-to-Market (GTM) Fit - May 22nd (Virtual)
Broader Community:
Dubai FinTech Summit 2024 - May 6th & 7th (In-Person, Dubai)
Acquiring Talent Without Hassle: LINK Insourcing Solution event- Intersect Advisory LLC- May 8th (In-Person, Dubai)
If you’d like to share an event in this newsletter, we encourage you to join the Viaka Network and share the event with info@viaka.net!
Recent job openings from the Viaka Network & beyond. If you apply, let me know so I can also make a personal introduction.
BCT Resourcing is seeking a Mid-Senior level Product & Portfolio Leader (London)
Duncan & Ross Consulting is looking for a Mid-Senior Microsoft Dynamics Consultant (Dubai)
If you’d like to share a job posting in this newsletter, we encourage you to join the Viaka Network and share the event with info@viaka.net!
That’s it for this week. Thank you! 👋
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