Took a Leap at Alaan: Turns Out, I Can Fly!

People often celebrate milestones like two or three years at a company, six months, or a year. But here I am, celebrating and looking back on my three months at Alaan—and not just any three months. I was lucky to join right at the beginning of our second quarter, which turned out to be one of the most successful ones, resulting in the highest number of transactions and more than 100M AED saved by our customers.

While this was a big step towards our mission (to save companies time and money), it has been an extraordinary personal journey that brought me growth and learning. 
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Everything, Everywhere, All At Once 

Just a few months ago, I found myself at a crossroads, contemplating a new opportunity that seemed simultaneously exciting and intimidating. It was that point in my career when I needed a shift, a change, and was longing for growth and new challenges. This personal quest brought me to Alaan. Although I liked everything about the role, accepting this offer meant three things: a) starting a position I had never worked in before, b) transitioning from full office to fully remote work and c) focusing on the new market I knew nothing about.

I was really excited about the new opportunity and eager for the challenge, But as the reality sank in, I started to doubt myself. I remembered how changing a company could be stressful, and now, this felt like everything, everywhere, all at once. I began thinking of numerous scenarios about one thing or other going wrong and an infinite number of questions like, could this be too much? Am I overestimating my capabilities? Am I making a mistake? Suddenly, saying yes to this felt like throwing myself into a frightening unknown. But still, I jumped.

In for a surprise

At first, it all felt a bit overwhelming, but boy, did Alaan surprise me! They enrolled me in a course to help me enter my new role smoothly. That gesture meant a lot to me. I have always seen companies investing in people's growth. But the fact it was this early came as a pleasant surprise to me.

Joined for the mission, stayed for the people.

I joined Alaan because of our product and mission. But once I got in, I realised what truly makes Alaan shine is the people. I found myself surrounded by many passionate individuals who not only have each other's backs but also push one another to grow and excel.

Being part of this diverse (we’ve over 20 languages among 50 of us) and supportive team has been nothing short of amazing. We've created a safe space to learn, laugh, and grow together. Everyone has the freedom to work independently, yet there's always a helping hand. when needed.

Alaan isn't just about the job; it's about the journey we're all on together. Seeing the impact of our collective efforts and knowing that I'm contributing to something meaningful fills me with immense pride and joy. 

Seeing it in hindsight

After spending three months here, I can confidently say that Alaan not only meets my professional expectations but also aligns with my values and aspirations. It's a fast-paced environment that challenges me to learn and evolve every single day.

One lesson I've learned from this is the importance of embracing new opportunities and trusting in my ability to adapt and thrive. Stepping into the unknown can feel daunting and terrifying, yet those moments of uncertainty lead us to the most transformative experiences. So, to anyone finding themselves in a similar situation when making a certain decision feels like jumping off a cliff, I have a movie line to quote: 

"When it feels scary to jump in, that is exactly when you jump, otherwise you end up staying in the same place your whole life, and that I can't do." (A Most Violent Year)