Post Category - Family LifeFamily Life - Post Category - That MamaThat MamaDanielle has many hats – as owner of CSPR Group, a boutique PR agency focusing on female brands, founder of charity The ZB Foundation which has introduced newborn screening tests to Pakistan and mama to Amara aged 2.5 and 18 month old twins Rio and Sienna, she is busy busy busy! A Dubai resident for 19 years, Danielle knows the city inside out both from a business and fun perspective – she breezes from meeting to school gate to dinner date with style and without fuss!
BASIC PROFILE
Name: Danielle Wilson Naqvi
Occupation: Owner of CSPR Group and Founder of The ZB Foundation
Children: Amara, 2.5 years and Twins, Rio 1.5 and Sienna 1.5
Nationality: British
How long have you lived in Dubai? 19 years
1) Tell us about your businesses and why you started them.
I started a boutique PR agency 6 years ago called CSPR Group, which focuses on female brands and females in business. We have launched many of Dubai’s successful brands and Dubai’s celebrity faces. I am also one of the co-founders of Sassy Mama Dubai, which I love as I’m a mum of three – I believe the site’s exactly what Dubai has been missing.
Two years ago, my husband and I founded a charity in our first daughters name The ZB Foundation in Pakistan. We are the pioneers for providing all babies born with a newborn screening test, otherwise known as a heel prick test. Our charity means so much me as it keeps me close with my daughter, because of her many babies daily will be saved.
2) What do you feel have been your biggest achievements both in your personal life and career so far?
On the career side its been running my own business and setting up the foundation as both have grown from passion and hard work. In my personal life being a mother of four children, three of which I see growing up in front of me daily.
3) As a child what did you dream of being when you ‘grew up’?!
Something to do with travel: working as cabin crew or a hotel reviewer! (Don’t we all want the latter?)
4) If you had three wishes, what would they be?
That my children are constantly healthy, The ZB Foundation is a huge success and my husband and I continue to have a strong marriage. If I have these three wishes, then I’m sure everything else will work out too.
5) What does being a Sassy Mama mean to you?
Someone who is hard working, has fun yet dedicates her time to her children.
6) What’s a typical day in your life like?
It’s crazy and starts at 6am! Luckily, I have the most amazing nannies who help me get three kids ready, then it’s nursery drop off, work, nursery pick up, entertaining the kids, work, eat, sleep and at least one night a week out for wine and dinner. (My recipe for happiness: wine!)
7) What’s your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate, cake and wine!
8) What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given in your personal life and career?
My father told me when I moved to Dubai 19 years ago, “Always remember your roots and keep your feet firmly on the ground!” My husband also tells me daily, “Always think big!”
9) What do you most enjoy doing as a family in Dubai?
Going to the beach club – we all get to enjoy spending time together, swimming and relaxing.
10) Which three words best describe your personality?
Loyal, caring and hard-working.
11) What advice would you have for a new mama?
Time goes by so quick! Enjoy every second with your child, never rush them to grow up and treasure every memory.
12) What advice would you give to a mama who wants to go back to work or start her own business, but is worried about juggling her family and career?
It’s not easy, but we can do it. I would say structure your days. Time management is key. Your children feed off your energy, so happy parents equals happy children. Work as hard as you can, but when you are with your children, dedicate that time to them only!
13) If you were on an island and could bring only three things (family not included) what would they be?
I would say shoes, but we wouldn’t need them. I guess chocolate, an iPad (with a back up solar battery!).
14) Top three books?
The Secret, a book about angels and the one I’m reading now: The Towering World of Jimmy Choo.
15) Describe your style.
Comfort, classy and chic is what I aim for!
16) If there was a movie produced about your life, who would you choose to play you and why?
Angelina Jolie or Charlize Theron – powerhouses!
17) Tell us something funny that your kids have said or done.
My eldest, Amara, talks constantly and repeats everything you say in the right context!. She says so many things that make us laugh and so many adorable things that bring tears to our eyes, but right now she has this posh little British accent which she plays on as she knows she makes us laugh.
images of our Sassiest Mamas 2014 are courtesy of Jo Cole www.jocolephotography.com
