The Half Brick

27/01/2026

From Singapore to Dubai, and now to Europe

Raw Stories is expanding as the world’s first inclusive people’s platform a global space where human journeys matter more than titles, and storytelling becomes a bridge between cultures.

At a time when India and Europe deepen historic ties, I’m reminded that the strongest connections are always human.

This expansion goes beyond geography.
It is a movement.

A movement where stories move freely, empathy travels faster than borders, and people are seen, heard, and valued.

✨ Europe Raw Stories building bridges through human stories.

31/12/2025

18/11/2025

Yes, Brick by Brick! Its hapenning !!
Adissia Developers

14/03/2025

Happy Holi

14/08/2024

Yes, Brick by Brick! It's happening!!

Highlights of our Dubai Raw Stories.

Relive the memorable moments from the "Glimpse of Dubai Raw Stories" event held on 26th May 2024 at the prestigious Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai, UAE.

This highlights video offers a sneak peek into the emotional, inspiring, and thought-provoking moments that made this event unforgettable.

Balasubramanian Jayam | Suaad Al Suwaidi | Anuradha Dhawan | Soha Chahine- CIPD, CHRMP, MSc HRM | Ghenwa Habbal | Faten El Ayache PCC Executive Coach, Positive Psychology, NLP,TEDx | Jazeela Banu MBA, Grad IOSH | Ayesha Khan | Dr Anita Yadav | Sheila Jeya Balan | Veer Shandilya | Madhampatty Rangaraj | Ramshankar C S | Khwaja Saifuddin | Deepak Garg | Vijay Pravin Maharajan | Paras Barot | Prateek Tosniwal | Jason Jiang | Dr. Leelaram J P | Rajasekaran Gnanamoorthy | Sajeed Khan | Abdul Jabbar | Dr Karunaikumar

Relive the memorable moments from the "Glimpse of Dubai Raw Stories" event held on 26th May 2024 at the prestigious Starlight Ballroom, Dubai, UAE. This high...

13/08/2024

Raw Stories™ of Ms Ghenwa Habbal, Regional Talent Management Lead/ Manager, MENA Ford, Middle East and Africa.

My life took an unexpected turn 27 years ago when I was kicked out of my home and school, leaving me with nothing. But I chose to fight back, inspired by my parents' startup mindset. I joined my father's business, went back to school, and failed several times before succeeding. I worked hard, faced discrimination, and learned to listen to my inner voice. Today, I'm a global HR professional, and I want to share my story to show that with every challenge, there's a chance to grow and glow.

Raw Stories™ of Ms Ghenwa Habbal Regional Talent Management Lead/ Manager, MENA Ford, Middle East and Africa.My life took an unexpected turn 27 years ago whe...

12/08/2024

Raw Stories™ of Mr Rajasekaran Gnanamoorthy, Co-founder – Codify Group, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Born in Coimbatore, a textile city, I grew up in a family of textile mill workers. It was expected that I would follow in their footsteps, but I dreamed of something different. I pursued higher education in engineering, though I initially struggled with English, I mastered the language with determination. One day, I was persuaded to attend a campus interview, not expecting much. To my surprise, I impressed the interviewer with my unconventional answers and landed a sales job. My career took off as I embraced challenges, moving across India, learning new languages, and gaining valuable experience. Eventually, my success in sales led me to the IT sector, where I played a key role in expanding eBay’s presence in India. My work caught the attention of Soop com in Dubai, where I was tasked with helping the company grow into a billion-dollar business, which later led to its acquisition by Amazon. Despite my success, I couldn’t ignore the entrepreneurial spirit within me. I decided to leave my comfortable position at Amazon and move to Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, I started my own e-commerce company, continuing to innovate and push boundaries.

Raw Stories™ of Mr Rajasekaran Gnanamoorthy, Co-founder – Codify Group, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Born in Coimbatore, a textile city, I grew up in a family of tex...

11/08/2024

Raw Stories™ of Ms Jazeela Banu MBA, Grad IOSH, Entrepreneur, Writer, Vlogger, Dubai.

I was born into a traditional Muslim family as the fourth daughter, expected to be a "half brick" - undesirable and lacking purpose. But I had other plans. At 12, I started small businesses to earn my own money and gain financial independence. My father, a photographer, secured me a job as a DTP operator at a Tamil news daily in Chennai at 17. I sacrificed my traditional college life to gain work experience and studied for my BBA through correspondence. In Dubai, I climbed the corporate ladder to become a distribution manager. In 2018, I founded three companies, venturing into occupational health and safety. My passion for writing led me to author books on equality, feminism, and social justice. I've learned that I shouldn't let society define my worth or destiny. Instead, I write my own story and pave my own path.

Raw Stories™ of Ms Jazeela Banu, Entrepreneur, Writer, Vlogger, Dubai.I was born into a traditional Muslim family as the fourth daughter, expected to be a "h...

10/08/2024

Raw Stories™ of Mr Jason Jiang, CEO, Darkblue Technology LLC, Dubai.

I am Jason from China, I've been in Dubai since 2016, and previously lived in Southeast Asia. My career started in a state-owned food company, a comfortable but low-paying job. Seeking better opportunities, I joined a telecom firm in Southeast Asia despite my environmental science background. This leap forced me to learn quickly, reading documents daily to catch up. Soon, I was managing a $50 million project with just 1.5 years of experience. It was challenging but rewarding, culminating in recognition by Alcatel-Lucent. Later, I moved to the Middle East with Huawei, developing new business ventures from scratch. In 2021, I co-founded Dark Blue Technology LLC. This proactive step out of my comfort zone has been fulfilling, with the company achieving positive monthly ROI in just 1.5 years.

Raw Stories™ of Mr Jason Jiang, CEO, Darkblue Technology LLC, Dubai. I am Jason from China, I've been in Dubai since 2016, and previously lived in Southeast...

30/07/2024

Raw Stories™ of Paras Barot, Program Director, Regional Head of Strategic Programs, Marsh MacLennan, Investor, Dubai.

Born in London, I moved to India as a teenager, where I developed a strong foundation and a broader perspective on life. Despite coming from a privileged background, I chose a different path, starting my career at 18 and working full-time while pursuing my studies. My journey took me from London to Canada and eventually to Dubai, where I now thrive in my role as a program director and regional head of strategic programs at Marsh MacLennan.

Raw Stories™ of Paras Barot, Program Director, Regional Head of Strategic Programs, Marsh MacLennan, Investor, Dubai.Born in London, I moved to India as a te...

29/07/2024

Raw Stories™ of Ms Sheila Jeya Balan, Senior Entertainment Lawyer, Theatre Actor, Keynote-Women Speakers Directory, Singapore.

Recalling my childhood dream of playing Princess Jasmine in a school production in Penang, Malaysia. Instead, I was cast as a clown, a painful experience that left me feeling humiliated. But I showed up for every performance, determined to make the most of my role. As a successful lawyer, I faced bullying and discrimination, feeling isolated and alone. Yet, I refused to give up, showing up every day to make a difference. Through my journey, I learned valuable lessons, emphasizing the importance of building meaningful relationships and finding supportive people. I realized that even in difficult times, I could rewrite my story and take control.

Raw Stories™ of Ms Sheila Jeya Balan, Senior Entertainment Lawyer, Theatre Actor, Keynote-Women Speakers Directory, Singapore.Recalling my childhood dream of...