Emirati Spoken Word Artist Afra Atiq On Having An Entrepreneurial Drive As An Artist UAE's first spoken word artist Afra Atiq talked about the hurdles in choosing a career path towards art, and more.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Emirati spoken word artist Afra Atiq is the first poet to win the 2017 ADMAF Creativity Award, and a number of poetry slams and competitions. Atiq has performed at various platforms such as TEDxFujairah, Step Music Festival, NYUAD Arts Center, Sheraa, and other universities and schools. She also serves the community through mentorships and workshops with Untitled Chapters, a hub for Emirati women writers.

Speaking on the sidelines during the 19th Edition of Naseba Global WIL Economic Forum in Dubai, UAE's first spoken word artist Afra Atiq talked about the hurdles in choosing a career path towards art. "I realized that anything worth having, doesn't come easy, it comes with difficulty. You have to embrace the obstacles and figure out what you're gonna do with them."

As a spoken word poet, she also discussed the entrepreneurial trait one needs: "The journey of an artist is not very different from the journey of an entrepreneur," she says, pointing out that you need to be business-savvy to sell your craft and art, and most especially, have that entrepreneurial drive to want to succeed and share your craft. Atiq also emphasizes on how people's stories matter: "Whether you're a poet, you're a writer, or you're an entrepreneur- whatever your field is, you need to use your voice to figure out how you can use your voice to tell your story, in whatever medium you choose." What's next for the spoken word artist? Besides multiple projects, Atiq is keen for the Emirates Literature Festival's 10th anniversary in 2018, which would have a poetry night at Dubai Opera in celebration, where Atiq would be one of the performers.

Related: Emirati Parkour Athlete And Instructor Amal Murad On Going Beyond Your Comfort Zone To Impact Society

Starting a Business

She Spent $1,000 to Start a Business in Her Apartment. Now Revenue Spikes Each Spring — On Track for Over $50 Million This Year.

Courtney Claghorn was a recent college grad when she noticed a gap she wanted to fill.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business Models

How I Built 22 Thriving Businesses United by One Powerful Mission — And How You Can Too

Dr. Christina Rahm discusses how her multiple businesses, all of which offer unique functions and products, come together under one united purpose.

Starting a Business

Solopreneurs Are Quietly Building 6 to 7 Figure Empires — Here's How

Today's solopreneurs are building profitable, purpose-driven six — and seven-figure businesses. But this is not a fallback plan — it's an intentional lifestyle choice.

Starting a Business

These Yale Students Raised $3 Million in 14 Days to Build Their 'Anti-Facebook' Startup: 'I Can See My Childhood Self Looking Up to Me.'

Two 21-year-old Yale juniors are changing digital networking with Series, an AI-powered platform backed by $3 million in venture capital.