Integrator had an exclusive interview with Jigar Sagar, a UAE-based serial entrepreneur. In this conversation, he shares motivational, strategic, and actionable insights tailored for aspiring entrepreneurs, business professionals, and those passionate about finance and innovation.

Jigar, tell us the story of your beginnings and what is your core area of expertise?

My entrepreneurial journey began quite early, at age 10, working in my family’s retail shop in Sharjah’s Gold Souk. This early exposure was instrumental in shaping my understanding of business fundamentals. The dynamic nature of the gold market, with its constant price fluctuations, naturally drew me toward understanding numbers and financial mechanics. Every day after school, from 6 PM onwards, I would immerse myself in the family business, learning invaluable lessons about customer service, inventory management, and the importance of building lasting relationships with clients.

What started as basic bookkeeping in the family business evolved into a deeper passion for finance and accounting. The gold market taught me early on that success in business isn’t just about sales – it’s about understanding the numbers behind those sales, managing inventory effectively, and maintaining precise financial records. This realization led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance from the American University of Dubai, where I graduated with Cum Laude honors.

My core expertise lies in understanding the intricate relationship between numbers and business success. Whether it’s corporate finance, strategic planning, or risk management, I believe that financial literacy is the backbone of any successful enterprise. This financial acumen, combined with my practical experience in business setup and growth strategies, has been crucial in my journey from the Gold Souk to managing multiple successful ventures. My expertise has evolved to encompass not just financial management, but also strategic business development, risk mitigation, and the creation of sustainable business models that can weather market fluctuations and economic challenges.

Tell us about what inspired you to transition from a finance manager to an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurship was always the end goal for me—employment was a stepping stone in my larger journey. My brief stint at HSBC’s treasury department and subsequent role as Finance Manager at Creative Zone helped me build a strong foundation for my entrepreneurial aspirations.

Employment served multiple crucial purposes: it allowed me to accumulate capital for future investments, provided hands-on experience in corporate operations, and offered valuable insights into both effective and ineffective business practices. I specifically chose to work at Creative Zone, a startup at the time, rather than working with a large multinational, because I recognised that startups offer accelerated learning opportunities and growth potential that established corporations typically can’t match.

In a startup environment, roles are often fluid, and this allowed me to gain experience across multiple aspects of the business. I progressively moved from finance to sales, then to operations, and eventually became the key point person for government relations. This comprehensive exposure was invaluable in understanding how different business components interact and influence each other.

What truly inspired me was the opportunity to build something from the ground up. At Creative Zone, I witnessed firsthand how good business relationships could lead to new venture opportunities. This experience culminated in my acquisition of a minority stake in the company pre-Covid, marking my first significant step from employee to owner.

The transition wasn’t just about changing roles – it was about fulfilling a vision I’d had since my early days in the Gold Souk. I wanted to create not just successful businesses, but entire ecosystems that could support and nurture other entrepreneurs. This desire led me to launch multiple ventures, each addressing specific market gaps and needs I’d identified during my employment years.

How did you approach financial management and scaling Creative Zone to become Dubai’s largest business setup advisory firm? Can you share the (financial) details of your exit from Creative Zone?

The scaling of Creative Zone was built on three fundamental principles I learned from my early days in the Gold Souk: meticulous financial management, customer service excellence, and continuous innovation in service offerings.

In the initial phases, our focus was primarily on robust cash flow management and maintaining lean operations. This meant being extremely mindful of our expenses while simultaneously investing in growth opportunities. Drawing from my family business experience, I understood that customer service would be our key differentiator in a competitive market.

We consistently expanded our service portfolio to address evolving market needs. This included launching Creative Zone Business Hub and Creative Zone Tax & Accounting, which helped create additional revenue streams while providing more comprehensive solutions to our clients. Our approach to growth was always customer-centric, ensuring that each new service offering addressed a genuine market need.

The success of this strategy culminated in a multi-million dollar exit to a fund. This exit validated our business model and growth strategy, while also providing resources for future ventures and investments in the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

You had mentioned that hardworking people are paid the least during the Gladiator Summit in Dubai? What made you say so?

This observation comes from years of experience and studying successful business patterns. While our traditional education system promotes the idea that hard work alone equals success and higher compensation, the reality of modern business presents a different truth.

Don’t misunderstand – hard work is absolutely essential and non-negotiable for success. However, it’s the combination of hard work with smart strategic thinking that truly creates exponential value. I’ve seen countless examples of people who work incredibly hard in their jobs, putting in long hours and maximum effort, yet they remain in the same financial position year after year.

The key differentiator lies in how you channel that hard work. Are you building something sustainable? Are you creating systems that can work for you? Are you developing multiple revenue streams? These are the questions that separate those who are merely working hard from those who are creating lasting wealth.

When I started at the Gold Souk, I could have simply focused on being the hardest working person in the shop. Instead, I used that experience to learn about business operations, customer service, and financial management. I then applied these lessons to build multiple businesses, creating sustainable systems rather than just trading time for money.

The most successful entrepreneurs I’ve encountered are indeed hardworking, but they combine this with strategic thinking, market awareness, and the ability to build scalable systems. They outwork their competition while simultaneously working smart – creating businesses that can grow beyond their personal time investment.

Tell us in what ways are free zones adapting to the needs of today’s entrepreneurs, and what innovations are you bringing to these spaces?

The evolution of free zones in the UAE represents one of the most dynamic shifts in our business ecosystem. Today’s entrepreneurs demand more than just a business license—they need a comprehensive support system that enables their success, and free zones are rapidly adapting to meet these changing needs.

The primary transformation we’re seeing is the shift from traditional licensing centers to integrated business enablement hubs. Free zones are now focusing on making the entire process simpler, faster, and more cost-effective for entrepreneurs. This includes digitising operations, streamlining procedures, and reducing documentation requirements. What used to take weeks can now often be accomplished in days or even hours.

However, real innovation lies in how we’re reimagining the role of free zones in the entrepreneurial journey. Instead of being mere service providers, we’re transitioning these spaces into comprehensive market platforms. This means creating entire ecosystems where entrepreneurs can not only establish their businesses but also find partners, connect with customers, and access various support services.

Through my involvement with various free zones, I’ve focused on introducing innovations that address real entrepreneurial pain points. This includes developing new partnerships that provide value-added services.

You’ve mentioned a goal to empower over 100 million entrepreneurs globally. What drives this ambitious vision?

I believe empowering entrepreneurs is one of the most effective ways to build a better world. While individual inventions can certainly make an impact, entrepreneurs create lasting change by building sustainable businesses that serve society’s needs. They’re not just creating wealth, they’re solving problems, generating employment, and driving innovation across all sectors.

The goal of 100 million entrepreneurs might sound ambitious, but consider the ripple effect. If each entrepreneur creates even just a few jobs and serves a few hundred customers, we’re talking about improving millions of lives. These entrepreneurs will build businesses that not only serve today’s needs but anticipate and solve tomorrow’s challenges.

What really drives me is the long-term impact. When we empower entrepreneurs, we’re not just helping individuals succeed—we’re creating a chain reaction of positive change that will benefit future generations. These entrepreneurs will create the jobs of tomorrow, develop solutions for emerging challenges, and build the foundations for continued economic growth.

This is particularly relevant in the UAE, where we’re transitioning from attracting global wealth to nurturing homegrown innovation. By empowering entrepreneurs here and globally, we’re helping create a more dynamic, resilient, and prosperous world for future generations. It’s about building a legacy of sustainable growth and innovation that extends far beyond our own time.