Bernadette “Cha” Eslais is a trailblazer in the truest sense of the word. From a humble employee to co-owner of multiple businesses, Cha has inspired women of diverse cultures to pursue their dreams in Dubai. Her unwavering tenacity, passion, and vision have led her to break barriers and defy discrimination, proving that gender and nationality should never be a hindrance to success.
Cha’s journey started when she left the Philippines at the young age of 22, seeking a more promising future in Dubai. Starting her career as a simple employee in a construction company, she then moved to become a pioneer employee at Xclusive Yachts, the largest yacht charter company in the Middle East. Over her 12 years there, Cha brought in progressive ideas and verticals that added tremendous value to the company.
But Cha was not content with just being an employee. She believed that “everything can be learned as long as you put your heart into it” and that when you love what you do, you can achieve anything. With this mindset, she ventured into entrepreneurship, eventually becoming the founder, co-owner, and CEO of Wrap Zone, an interior wrapping transformation company based in Dubai. Notably, she is the first Filipina to operate and venture in the interior wrapping industry in the UAE.
But Cha’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. She also ventured into high-end custom framing services and an art gallery called Art Point. Notwithstanding her limited knowledge in this field, Cha’s fervor and determination prompted her to co-establish Art Point brand along with her local business partners Mohamed Abdulaziz Janahi and Hatem Khalil Al Sayegh.
Art Point recently had its soft launch on March 16, 2023, positioning itself as a leader in the framing industry with a team of over a decade of experience and servicing international famous brands like Karl Lagerfeld for the framing of private art exhibit. It also extends its resource to include an impressive art gallery opening doors of opportunity to budding and successful artists for both local and international artists. Again, this marks yet another remarkable achievement for Cha, as she is the first and only Filipina to open an art gallery in the UAE to date.
But Cha’s success didn’t come easy. Juggling multiple responsibilities was a real challenge, and time management was key. Building a reliable and trustworthy team was the next challenge, especially since she was still learning about the industry. As a Filipina in a foreign country, Cha also faced discrimination. But she persevered and pushed through, proving that with passion and hard work, anything is possible.
Cha’s vision for Art Point is to make a significant contribution to the art scene in Dubai by regularly hosting exhibitions, consignments, and collaborations that promote both established and unrecognized artists. She wants to use Art Point’s offline and online channels to provide a platform for artists to showcase their works and connect them with a wider audience. In the near future, Art Point aims to create a vibrant and engaging art community in Dubai, with a range of events and activities that promote art and culture.
Cha is an inspiration to women everywhere. She is proof that with determination, passion, and hard work, anyone can achieve their dreams, no matter what obstacles they may face. Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to empowering artists have made her a trailblazer in the UAE, and her success is a testament to what can be achieved when you believe in yourself and your abilities.