Alia Al Nabooda’s Fiafia Play Area and Café brings learning and delight together for kids

Of all the generational business families, there’s something a little different about Alia Al Nabooda. The mother of four and the creator of Fiafia play area and cafe is an important reminder of the value of intuition in business. Born to a British mother and an Emirati father and growing up in the UAE surrounded by the aura of a successful and expansive business under the authority and able leadership of her father, whose empire ranged from the distributorship of luxury cars such as Porsche, VWs and Audi, construction, education, catering, hospitality, and the Dubai Printing Press, Alia got a glimpse of business life at a very young age.

She recalls sitting under the table while her father conducted meetings, the office being her playground. The home life saw ample dinner parties with Europeans, Arabs, and other potential business partners as guests. Immersed in an overwhelming business culture, it is interesting to note that her playground as a child became her workplace as an adult.

Her stay-at-home mother supported her father every step of the way, handling the affairs of the home. The children were raised with British influences, minding their Ps and Qs, punctuality, immaculate tidiness, and politeness ingrained in their lives. “What’s the magic word?” was a question her mom often asked, she recalls with fondness. When not in UAE, England was a second home, and the family visited London every year during the summer or winter.

It was a different time, and antiquated ideas about women’s education still held sway. Many women did not pursue higher education. Blessedly Alia’s father held no orthodox ideas. All children of the family were expected to go to university, including her elder sisters. “You have to get your education, whether you need it or not.” She acknowledges that the UAE is a flagbearer on this front. Pursuing Bachelor’s in Business with a specialization in Marketing from Dubai’s Zayed University, she later attained a Master’s in International Business.