Speaking at TEDxDubai Woman
HUDA BEAUTY | DUBAI EVENT
By Huda Heidi Kattan
Hi guys!!! Today I had the most amazing experience!! I got to speak at Zayad University of TED Women Dubai! I was really honored to speak at such an amazing event!! Donna Karen and Sarah Jessica Parker were speakers at TED in the states! I told my story of how I started my career in beauty! I want to share my speech with you guys! It’s kind of long, but I hope you all find it inspiring!! It was really adorable!! I got to meet so many fans and they were so sweet!! Love you all so much!!
“I would like to consider myself an extremely modern woman, not because I always need to have the latest gadgets or because I tweet or I use Bing, and definitely not because I know the lyrics to the most downloaded tracks on the internet. No! I am a modern woman because I understand that with respect, integrity, and persistence I am able to achieve absolutely anything.
For those of you who know me, I’m a Hollywood trained makeup artist, and I am a beauty blogger. Now it might seem funny, that I am here as a makeup artist speaking at a University, when my career has nothing to do with education. That’s not to say I don’t have an education, I have one. But I chose to pursue a career beauty. Why? Because it made me feel fulfilled. Which is something Finance could never do for me.
Now it wasn’t all peaches and cream all the time
When I decided to start my career in makeup it was one of the riskiest things I had set out to do in my life, but for some reason, it felt so right. I felt this level of comfort, like I knew exactly what I was doing, even though I had no plan, no money, no idea how to get started, I felt like I was doing the right thing. I knew one thing, My previous job in the DIFC, which payed extremely well, left me feeling unhappy and just tired. There was no spice in my life and that was what I was searching for.
My whole college career consisted of making calculated decisions, doing the absolute best in my classes and making sure my curricular activities were completely full. I did everything I could to make sure that when I left university my CV would be incomparable to any out there for fresh grads, I did an internship, I was an honors student at an outstanding universities in the states, I helped found and was president of the largest student organization in the business school, I was PR Director for the largest honors society on campus, and I was the speaker at my graduation. I did everything I thought needed to be done to be successful. Funny, how a big part of success is happiness, and I somehow forgot that most important ingredient.
For most people, it might make complete sense for someone to go study makeup, but if you knew me while I was in university, If you knew how hard I worked, it might sound crazy that I would invest so much into my education and into my CV, and then leave to Hollywood to pursue a career in Beauty. But to me, I wasn’t throwing away my college education, because I am not just a makeup artist, I am beauty professional who is creating a beauty empire. And all the education, mentoring, after school projects, all of those things are helping me create that empire.
Now when I left to Hollywood, I had little experience in working for myself. I knew it was risky. I was no longer going to work for someone else. There would be no security. But when I left and I when I decided to do what I love, my life changed. I became a more passionate person. You could feel my energy. I would always ask everyone what do you love to do? And they would look at me like, are you saying I should do what I love? It’s not what we’re taught, is it? We’re taught to be secure, go to school, study, work, work hard, work for a corporation and climb up the corporate ladder. For any of you who may have read Rich Dad Poor Dad, one of the things the author says in the book is you don’t go up the corporate ladder, that’s tradition, no! You buy the ladder. it’s my belief, that if you can buy the ladder, great. But if you can’t, you build your ladder, but what you don’t do, you don’t climb up someone else’s ladder. Especially if the reason is you feel it’s the easy way out.
What we need is a sense of fulfillment. Nothing can replace being fulfilled. Imagine waking up with a sense of purpose every single day. Being fulfilled means that you truly feel you are doing something that you are happy doing. The minute you decide to do what you love to do, you have made a life plan for yourself, and a career choice. But what you also do, is inspire everyone around you. When I decided to change my career, my friends around me were very much influenced by the passion they could feel radiate from me. My Best Friend recently decided to leave her very secure job to pursue a career in photography. I have never seen her more secure than now. She is so happy and her outlook on life has literally become even more positive than before. Why? Because she’s feels happy.
I’m not saying quite your studies, and become a makeup artist or photographer, no! We need people who work in settings like Finance, and Accounting, but if you are going to do a job in that industry, pursue it because you love it! And Love whatever you do! If love to cook, please I would love to come to your restaurant, if you want to become a an artist, I would love to visit your gallery, if you want to become a doctor, please help the children of this world, if you want to become a teacher, build a relationship with the those you teach and truly inspire them. You owe it to this world, we all do! As members of this universe to pursue with our entire soul, and every beat of our heart what we love to do.
I want to ask you. What would science be today without Albert Einstien? or Art without Leonardo Da Vinci? What about Music, What would Pop Music be without Michael Jackson? create your own Mona Lisa and share it with the world.
I would like to share with you a quote that you have all heard, but it holds a lot of meaning and truth. It was written by Marianne Williamson and used by Nelson Mendela in his Inaugral Speech
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Thank you very much for your time today. I look forward to seeing you all very successful and fulfilled in the very near future.”
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Filed under: huda beauty | 38 Comments
Tags: beauty, blog, blogger, Business, cosmetics, Fashion, heidi, hollywood, huda, hudabeauty, kattan, Leonardo Da Vinci, makeup artist, Marianne Williamson, Michael Jackson, Rich Dad Poor Dad
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U were Amazing Huda .. U ROCKED .. ! U really Inspires me ..
.. I was happy to the MAX to see you .. ! Luv u dear .. And wish always the best of the best ..
God bless u Huda <3
It was great meeting you today!
Enjoy our magazine..
your speech is so inspiring,thank you for sharing it with us..all the best
ur speech was wowie .. nd u looked th0o th0o pweety girL .. ..
ur tlk was wowie .. nd u looked th0o th0o pweety girL .. ..
WOW…..So inspirational, u have no idea!!!!!
I relate to all of what u said, I have a degree in an industry i realised i dont want to work in and i always wondered if that was ok and whether it was a waste… I still haven’t found something that I love doing but after seeing how you’ve made a career out of something u love I’m positive and hoping that i will.
U deserve all the best xxxx Loads of love
Wow. I quit my job because I hated it too…and what was I telling my sister once I was venting about it? That it wasn’t ‘fulfilling’. And do you know what my sister sent me and told me to print out and read every single day? That quote you mentioned at the end of your speech. I’ve taken it upon myself to think positively and happily about EVERYTHING…I’m still exploring what I want to do with my life…and I’m happy that I actually REALIZE that what my sister said and what you’re saying now is the RIGHT way to think!
Way to go! And hopefully sooner than later I’ll find what I want to do… =D
WOWW!!! love your speech!
its a real blessing to be passionate about something and make a career out of it…..we spend a major part of our lives at work and if you’re stuck in an unfulfilling job, it can make you a very unhappy person…..your speech was really inspiring! Wish you all the best in building your beauty empire
exactly wat im goin thru myself, i hate studying business so i dropped, and next year will start my international studies
wish me luck
Thank u for sharing. you are beautiful inside and out!!!
love you
U are so smart and beautiful!)) mwahh
adorable ! love u huda & thank you for sharing everything with us
god bless u Xxxx
This is why we love you Huda
x
OMG!!!!! I LOVVVVVVE YOU!!!! This was amazing!! Read this in front of a few people and they saw me with tears in my eyes!!! You’re the best and truly feel every single word you said! Follow your dreams and they’ll be no limit <3
Your speech is truely inspirational
Great speech!! Life is about doing what you love and love what you are doing…
Very inspiring and touching.. it’s so so true. I very much believe in each and every word you said.
I did the same myself; I quitted a job that wasn’t fulfilling at all, and stayed home for a while till I figured out what my true passion is and what I like to do. As you said we were raised and taught that education and studying hard will guarantee us a good and secure living. Well it’s not always the same.
I believe that one should do what they love to do, what they are passionate about regardless what it is, and they will definitely excel in it.
My true inspiration was a friend of mine who quitted her career in finance just like you (She was a CFO) and she started studying to become a life coach. She’s absolutely doing great now, she is a happier and a more stable person and she’s the best personal life coach I would ever recommend to anyone.
keep up the good work Huda
your speech is totally inspired me
you are amazing girl
God bless you
(f)
Hey Huda, such an inspiring speech, because I feel the same way, I am not doing what I love.
Thanks:)
Huda,
I’ve met you once, and i liked you so much,, i liked this glow and positivity you have around you…
after reading your speech, i felt so happy knowing someone like you, so inspiring, so passionate, caring, and positive positive positive…
Good job huda really i wish u all the best..
XX
Thank you for posting this. Everyday I struggle to find what I love, and that’s photography. You are such an inspiring woman, and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to get to know you. Love you girl!!!
Wow i wish I was there to listen it coming from you…. Very very very inspiring and breath taking! I am sure made many of us think about very important things in life. Thank you Huda xx
omg !
im speechless !
ur speech was full of positibe energy , love , happiness !!!
i have a degree in business but i know my self & i would never even think about working in business !
i need passion & i need to love what i do !
i understand that u wanted to say : whatever u love , u should do !
some ppl love business , some love finance , some love teaching !
but they’r not aware of it !
ur speech was a reminder ! i loved it & i love u !!!
thanx for being u huda <3
So true! Love this! and that you’re following your dreams!
Nothing makes life better than waking up everyday and doing what you love.
It’s not a JOB anymore it’s a passion…
xo
http://rocksmystyle.wordpress.com
Your Speech was a total Inspiration to me,, wish you all the best
truly inspiring! its been a while i read such an amazing speech! m impressed!
Hi Huda,
I am sure this speech must have cast a spell on the audience when you were reading it in your own amazing accent and expressions. It is worth reading it again and again. I personally like how you have describe to make our own ‘ladder’ and to create our own Mona Lisa and share it with the world!
I am in total awe with you. You seem to be exhibiting tremendous potential and radiating positive energy around you and to the people who gets in touch with you! Thats what I feel about you.
Keep it up!!! Wish you Tons of Success in every field you choose. I am sure you will always give your cent percent attention and devotion in whatever you do in life.
It will be my honor to get associated with you as your “Business Strategist” and to know more about your unexplored skills!
Regards,
Schez
your speech has the most beautiful words i have ever read
, very inspiring
from time to time we need a reminder that at the end of the day all what matters is our happiness and our sense of fulfillment
This was a great morning motivation for me. Thanks! and keep doing what you love.
hey huda!
it was nice reading your speach but do u have a video of it somewhere?!
please do post that if u do
I wish I was there… Great Job Huda *muah*
Huda I respect you SO much more now! I’ve always loved you, your videos and blog but I’ve come to find you’re a very educated, clever and talented woman. I hope you very far in your career honey!
Awww babe, you literally brought tears to my eyes!! You’re so sweet! I love your blog too!!!
Wow it is so enlightening to learn more about your educational background – had no idea you were in business before! Really very inspirational speech and congrats on being one of the speakers! But how is one supposed to know what they love?
You are very brave to make such a changes in your life! Very nice and inspirational speech
Thank You!
Just awesome! You’re gorgeous inside and out <3