Podcast Summary: Earn Your Leisure – “Why Stay In America If They Take Half Your Money?”

Hosts: Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings
Guest: Ahmed bin Sheba
Release Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special international episode, Earn Your Leisure hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings travel to Dubai to speak with Ahmed bin Sheba, a self-made Emirati entrepreneur and the world’s largest inflatable water park operator. The conversation delves into Dubai's booming business environment, the differences between the U.S. and UAE in taxes, governance, and entrepreneurial opportunities, and Ahmed’s gritty rise from bankruptcy to global success. The episode also explores Dubai’s real estate market, social structure, and the power of personal branding.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Speed and Philosophy of Dubai’s Growth

(05:53–08:19)

• Ahmed describes Dubai’s breakneck pace of development and the leadership philosophy driving it:

  • “The city of Dubai is run as a business and the president, Sheikh Mohammed, is the best CEO.” (06:42, Ahmed bin Sheba)
  • Rules and infrastructure projects are rapidly updated to suit residents’ needs.
  • Safety and service are prioritized: “I walk around Macasa unlocked wearing jewelry and watches…that level of safety is a huge thing.” (06:15, Ahmed bin Sheba)

• Regarding the expat ecosystem, Ahmed addresses the misconception that Dubai exploits foreign workers:

  • “We just learn from the best. No, they get paid very well.” (06:32, Ahmed bin Sheba)

2. Taxes, Opportunity, and the “Why Stay in America?” Question

(07:25–08:19; 24:47–26:26)

• Directly challenging the American tax system:

  • “You’re paying half your money. So you’re working six months of the year for free. For what? No safety, no amazing education, no proper healthcare and no lifestyle.” (07:31, Ahmed bin Sheba)
  • “Why be somewhere you are tolerated when you can be celebrated?” (07:40, Ahmed bin Sheba)

• Highlights Dubai’s tax landscape:

  • No personal income tax, no property tax, 5% VAT (goods & services), and only 9% corporate tax on profits.
  • For example, healthcare costs are dramatically lower: “Three people will cost me around $700 for the whole year. Private hospitals.” (25:55, Ahmed bin Sheba)

• Ahmed urges Americans to reconsider why they remain in high-tax, high-stress environments.

3. Ahmed bin Sheba’s Entrepreneurial Journey: Lessons from Failure

(08:44–12:20; 13:52–15:29)

• Ahmed’s entrepreneurial path began after a personal setback (a slipped disc) inspired him to create Aquafun Water Parks.

• Resilience in the face of rejection and bankruptcy:

  • “In the last 13 years, I was bankrupt twice, sued 24 times. My first year in business, 617 people told me no.” (10:57, Ahmed bin Sheba)
  • “I just don’t quit.” (11:12, Ahmed bin Sheba)

• He built the brand without outside investors, funded every expansion through sales and relentless hustle:

  • “I made the money myself. I lost my money myself. And then I focus on sales… The emotion I was selling was people having fun.” (11:28, Ahmed bin Sheba)

• Self-taught everything from design to diving, using YouTube and Google:

  • “There’s no excuse. There’s a tutorial for everything in the world. You’re just lazy.” (13:52, Ahmed bin Sheba)

• Embraces mistakes as tuition:

  • “Nothing beats failure. Because, like, I know what will work. Doesn’t work for a second because I did every single mistake possibly you can do—millions of dollars of mistakes.” (14:50, Ahmed bin Sheba)

4. Governance: The UAE vs. US Models

(15:29–17:04; 21:35–22:28)

• Dubai’s government-run enterprises compete on customer happiness, with underperformers fired.

• Quick and efficient handling of problems—e.g., proactive power supply solutions for residents.

• Comparison to Western governance:

  • “We just had a government shutdown. Talk about the differences as far as government and how it’s beneficial for entrepreneurs.” (15:54, EYL Host)

• Golden visa program: investors receive special privileges, including an embassy-like office for assistance abroad.

5. The Power of Social Media and Customer Incentives

(22:28–24:40)

• Early adoption of Instagram to drive both personal and business branding.
• Focused marketing on families, recognizing shifting consumer power among kids and parents.
• Innovative review incentive program for staff:
  • “Ask the customer to give a review for the water park and mention your name, Roy. … I’ll give you an amount of dollars, like almost $10.” Resulted in hundreds of legitimate five-star reviews. (24:23, Ahmed bin Sheba)

6. Real Estate, Social Structure, and Sustainability

(29:56–31:59)

• Dubai’s real estate market is described as robust and rapidly appreciating (25–40% annual growth).

• Variety in housing and dining ensures the city remains accessible for different income brackets despite the influx of the global wealthy.

• Candid discussion of social stratification:

  • “Dubai is like an onion and there’s so many layers… There is affordable housing here. Definitely need more of that. But it’s there.” (31:59, Ahmed bin Sheba)

• A city that exposes true character:

  • “Dubai will show what you are. … This city keeps you competitive, keeps you very strong.” (32:00–33:04, Ahmed bin Sheba)

7. Business Operations and Personal Branding

(33:15–36:29)

• Ahmed manages nine companies and 91 investments, with operations kept hyper-efficient and meetings rarely longer than 20 minutes.
• Personal time is tightly scheduled; little concept of “days off.”
• Uses his personal image as a recognizable, valuable asset:
  • “You need to be very purposeful and very intentional with every single thing you do, everything you say or do anything. Because there’s three levels of people: they will see you, they will smell you, they will hear you. You need to look good, you need to smell good, and you know what you’re talking about.” (35:34, Ahmed bin Sheba)

8. Unique Dubai Culture: License Plates & Status Symbols

(36:42–37:55)

• License plates are bought for millions and serve as status symbols.
• “Sometimes a one digit plate number, let’s say a five for example, that one went out for 15 million... It becomes an asset.” (37:31, Ahmed bin Sheba)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You’re not a tree. You can move.” (07:34, Ahmed bin Sheba)
• “Imagine that hustle, but with no restrictions. Imagine the level of growth you’re going to have in a much shorter span of time.” (08:00, Ahmed bin Sheba)
• “I found a niche and dominated it.” (11:09, Ahmed bin Sheba)
• “If I stop, it becomes a loss. So that L could be a loss or could be a lesson. Lesson for me.” (15:29, Ahmed bin Sheba)
• “The issue is…this whole founder syndrome. It’s like, I’m the founder, I can do the best. … Letting away my ego out of the way is okay.” (12:46, Ahmed bin Sheba)
• “Why not look good? … If you’re authentic…people relate to it.” (36:29, Ahmed bin Sheba)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Speed & Leadership Philosophy of Dubai: 05:53–08:19
• Ahmed’s Outlook on U.S. Taxes: 07:25–08:19; 24:47–26:26
• Entrepreneurial Origin Story & Mindset: 08:44–12:20; 13:52–15:29
• Comparison of Government & Public Services: 15:29–17:04; 21:35–22:28
• Social Media, Reviews, and Business Scaling: 22:28–24:40; 12:20–13:36
• Dubai Real Estate, Social Structure, and Affordability: 29:56–31:59
• Business Operations & Branding: 33:15–36:29
• License Plates as Status Symbols: 36:42–37:55

Final Thoughts

This dynamic conversation intimately compares American and Dubai systems, spotlighting the power of governmental efficiency, tax incentives, and the personal drive to build a multinational business from scratch. Ahmed’s unapologetic approach to failure, learning, and personal branding delivers practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, while his firsthand description of Dubai’s opportunities offers a compelling perspective for listeners questioning the status quo back home.

For aspiring global entrepreneurs, this episode is both a motivational masterclass and a practical window into billion-dollar possibilities abroad.