Real Talk Dubai

From the tennis courts of Belgium and the US to launching Dubai’s first pickleball-only club, Patrick Chucri’s story is one of grit, reinvention, and passion turned into purpose.
In this episode, the founder of Picklers and former professional tennis player opens up about his journey from sports to entrepreneurship, what it takes to build a community-driven business in Dubai, and how pickleball became one of the city’s fastest-growing movements.
Topics:
Pickleball in Dubai
Paddle vs pickleball
Sports entrepreneurship
Community building and startup lessons
Chapters:
00:00 — Trends vs. movements
00:15 — Meet Patrick and Picklers
00:40 — Early life and tennis start
02:22 — US academy and Ole Miss scholarship
03:49 — Pro tour and Davis Cup for Lebanon
05:20 — Media career in Dubai
08:07 — Launching a touch tennis club
13:21 — Why not paddle; turning to pickleball
21:47 — Rebrand to Picklers; community and programming
24:45 — Global growth: US and Asia; pickleball vs paddle
29:50 — Money lessons, founder advice, future of sport
About Patrick Chucri:
Founder of Picklers, former professional tennis player, Davis Cup athlete for Lebanon, and ex-media executive with over 16 years in Dubai’s entertainment industry. Patrick is known for pioneering the pickleball movement in the UAE and transforming his lifelong passion for sport into a community-focused success story.
Connect & Next Steps:
Learn more about business setup and growth in the UAE: https://virtuzone.com
Follow Real Talk Dubai for more conversations with founders and creators building in the UAE.
New episodes biweekly. Subscribe and hit the bell icon.

Welcome to Real Talk Dubai, the podcast by Virtuzone where we unpack the real stories behind successful entrepreneurs.
In Episode 2, host George Hojeige, Group CEO of Virtuzone, sits down with Tracy Harmoush to explore her journey from a young graduate stepping into Dubai’s finance world to reinventing herself as the founder of Untraceable and co-founder of Mama Booza. Tracy opens up about growth mindset, fulfilment, and the realities of building businesses in Dubai.
Tracy shares how she moved to Dubai at 21, took an assistant role on a Citi trading desk, became a trader, then spent a decade in finance before pivoting into entrepreneurship. We talk growth mindset, fulfilment vs. passion, building a self-optimization brand, launching an ice-cream business without losing authenticity, using a personal platform the right way, and scaling through franchising.
If you’re an aspiring founder in the UAE (or anywhere), this one’s about pressure, pivots, and putting systems in place when life gets loud.
In this episode
Reinventing yourself (student to trader to founder)
Why fulfilment beats work–life balance
What Untraceable actually does (habits, health, productivity)
Handling image pressure while staying authentic
Mama Booza’s origin story and the 80/20 lifestyle
Platforms vs. influencing, and why every operator needs one
Franchising plans (Lebanon first, GCC next)
Tough-love advice for young women building in Dubai
Guest: Tracy Harmoush: Founder, Untraceable | Co-Founder, Mama Booza

Welcome to Real Talk Dubai, the podcast by Virtuzone where we unpack the real stories behind the successful entrepreneurs. In Episode 1, host George Hojeige, Group CEO of Virtuzone, sits down with Kris Fade to trace his journey from a struggling student in Sydney to one of the Middle East’s most recognizable media figures and entrepreneurs.
What Kris opens up about
Falling into radio by accident and building Virgin Radio Dubai from day one
The truth about the Dubai Dream: opportunity, competition, and what it really takes
Launching Fade Fit, scaling FMCG with a tiny team, and turning down an early exit
Handling online trolls, protecting mental health, and setting boundaries
Routine, family, therapy, and learning to be patient with others and yourself
Candid advice for anyone planning a move from the UK to Dubai (or anywhere)
If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or professional considering Dubai for life and business, this conversation delivers practical insight without the sugar-coating.
Chapters
00:00 — Intro: Why “Real Talk Dubai”
02:05 — Kris Fade’s early years & school struggles
07:32 — “Accidentally” getting into radio
14:50 — Moving to Dubai & launching Virgin Radio
22:10 — The reality of trolls and online criticism
27:45 — Routine, burnout, therapy & family
35:10 — Starting Fade Fit & the FMCG grind
45:20 — Product-market fit, patience & team of four
52:30 — Offers to buy the company & expansion plans
58:15 — Real talk advice for founders in Dubai
1:04:40 — Legacy, community, and what’s next
About Kris Fade
Radio host of Virgin Radio’s The Kris Fade Show, founder of Fade Fit, TV personality (Dubai Bling), and long-time Dubai resident.
Connect & Next Steps
Learn more about business setup and growth in the UAE: virtuzone.com
Follow Real Talk Dubai for more conversations with founders and creators building in the UAE.
New episodes bi-weekly — subscribe and hit the bell icon.