Meet Layla Kardan, singer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Contrast Wellness

Layla Kardan has been a fixture on Dubai’s entertainment scene for many years and has built an impressive singing career alongside her own entertainment agency.

But the versatile visionary from Dubai has now ventured into the wellness sector.

Noticing a gap in the industry across the emirate, Layla founded Contrast Wellness last year with her husband Hamdan Al Khafaji, opening a studio on Palm Jumeirah and, more recently, a space in City Walk.

“I have always been passionate about wellbeing from within and noticed that there was a gap in the market for the services we offer,” she explained to GRAZIA. “My goal is to create businesses that are meaningful and have a positive impact on people’s lives.”

Contrast Wellness takes a holistic, 360-degree approach to wellness and aims to restore the body from the inside out, offering a range of different treatments and services – from infrared saunas to ice baths and infusions to massages – to promote general well-being.

As part of GRAZIA’s Career Edit, Layla shares her professional career and goals with us.

My current role is …

Co-founder of Contrast Wellness, Director of VLVT Entertainment Agency, singer/songwriter and mother.

When I was younger, I wanted to…

An actress and singer.

My favorite subject at school was …

Music & Art

My first job was …

A part-time job at an auction house during my school years

My professional career so far has been …

I am dynamic and changeable. I am constantly evolving, trying new ventures and businesses and enjoying every step of this journey.

The role the UAE has played in my career is…

The words I would use for that are ‘crucial’ and ‘instrumental’. I always say that without the UAE I wouldn’t have had half the opportunities I’ve had. Dubai was the perfect platform for me to launch my music career and then evolve into so much more.

I was inspired to get into the wellness field because…

I have always been passionate about wellness from within and noticed there was a gap in the market for the services we offer. My goal is to create businesses that are meaningful and have a positive impact on people’s lives. It felt like the stars were aligned to start this journey and so far it has been fantastic.

My daily routine consists of …

I start my day with warm water and Celtic salts, followed by a copper bristle dry brush and a light body scrub. Every other day I visit Contrast Wellness for a session in the infrared sauna and ice bath. I take daily supplements from Cymbiotics, Health Nag and Erba, aim for at least 10,000 steps and do daily strength training at the gym. I make sure to drink three liters of water and eat healthy. I also love making fresh herbal skin masks at home!

My role as co-founder includes…

Strategy meetings, operational and marketing input, creative direction for shoots. I also handle partner collaborations and business development. As founders, we are very hands-on as we believe we need to be very active to make sure the ship is steered in the right direction.

The biggest hurdle I have faced in my career…

At the beginning of my career I worked in a corporation but soon realised that it wasn’t for me. Although I had great opportunities, I wasn’t happy and knew I had to be my own boss, although I wasn’t sure how I would manage that.

The biggest milestone I have achieved is…

During the COVID pandemic, I was lost and unsure how to diversify my business. Now, just three years later, my husband and I have successfully launched a business that has opened and operated six stores.

A quote I live by is…

“Worry is an abuse of the imagination” I try to turn my worries into creative projects so I don’t go down this winding road that leads nowhere.

What I wish for 2024 is …

First and foremost, I wish that children around the world would live in peace and safety and that more people would make their physical and mental well-being a top priority.