{
  "id": 11502134,
  "title": "My Dubai Salary: 'From Dh2,500 to Dh25,000 – I used my monthly income to build a business'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/my-dubai-salary-from-dh2-500-to-dh25-000-i-used-my-monthly-income-to",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-02T18:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/money/2026/10/02/my-dubai-salary-from-dh2500-to-dh25000-i-used-my-monthly-income-to-build-a-business/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Zain Sohail, a 35-year-old Pakistani national, began his career in the UAE with a monthly salary of Dh2,500. After facing a career setback during the Covid-19 pandemic, Zain decided to build his own e-commerce business. Starting with buying and selling home, kitchen, and lifestyle products online, he gradually transitioned to a more structured approach.\n\nWhen the pandemic hit, Zain realized that traditional employment would not provide the financial security he desired. In 2025, he was earning Dh17,000 ($4,630) monthly before making the decision to focus on his business full-time. He launched Xeller, a platform that aids online retailers in optimizing sales and inventory on marketplaces like Amazon and Noon. Zain combines his expertise in operations with his e-commerce knowledge to run Xeller and sell products under his own brands.\n\nToday, Zain's business generates a monthly income ranging from Dh25,000 to Dh30,000, which he reinvests and saves. His major monthly expenses are family, household, and general living costs, amounting to around Dh20,000. The rest of the income is allocated towards inventory, working capital, new products, and future opportunities. Zain is more of a saver and investor than a spender. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between revenue, profit, and cash in a business context.\n\nZain doesn't carry significant debt and has repaid a bank loan that he used to support his business during a cash-intensive growth period. He occasionally uses credit cards but pays off the balance each month. Growing up, his father taught him about money and the stock market at a young age, which sparked his curiosity about handling finances.\n\nZain's primary financial goal is to achieve and maintain financial freedom, allowing him to enjoy geographical freedom as well.",
  "summary": "A career setback during the Covid-19 pandemic was what motivated Zain Sohail to start thinking seriously about building something of his own . The 35-year-old Pakistani national started his career with a monthly pay of Dh2,500 ($680). As his income increased, Zain used the salary to save for and invest in an e-commerce gig . He started buying and selling home, kitchen and lifestyle products…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "My Dubai Salary: 'From Dh2,500 to Dh25,000 – I used my monthly income to build a business'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/my-dubai-salary-from-dh2-500-to-dh25-000-i-used-my-monthly-income-to-11505436",
        "published": "2026-10-02T18:02:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}