Media Release

Dubai, May 21: Konkan Yuva, the youth wing of the Konkani Catholic community in Dubai, successfully hosted a transformative workshop titled Unlock the Edge: From Money Mastery to Entrepreneurial Success on Saturday, May 17, at the Bishop Paul Hall, St Mary's Catholic Church, Dubai. The event drew over 150 aspiring professionals, students, and budding entrepreneurs from across the UAE.

The workshop was presented in collaboration with Kanara Entrepreneurs – KEL, a prominent network that promotes entrepreneurship among the community. Together, both organisations created an engaging platform to equip participants with practical tools, real-world strategies, and expert insights for financial planning and entrepreneurial success.

A thoughtful and engaging programme

The event began with a prayer and traditional lighting of the lamp. Jovita Rebello, joint secretary of Konkan Yuva, compered the programme, while Ashwin Pinto, president of Konkan Yuva, welcomed the gathering and the resource persons.

The first session featured Maria Pramila, a chartered wealth manager and financial wellness expert. Drawing from over 15 years of experience, she shared insights on personal finance, investment planning, and income allocation. Her session focused on the power of compound interest, long-term planning, and enjoying life while building a financially secure future.

The second half of the event was a panel discussion on entrepreneurship, moderated by Ivan Fernandes, managing director of Regent Technologies Ltd and founder of Kanara Entrepreneurs. With over 30 years of experience in banking technology and entrepreneurship, he led a thought-provoking discussion that both informed and inspired attendees.

Under his moderation, the panel offered a dynamic exchange of ideas among accomplished business leaders who shared their journeys, challenges, and key lessons from their entrepreneurial paths.

Real stories, real lessons

The panel featured industry leaders who brought varied and practical perspectives:

• Desma D’Souza and Elrona D’Souza, managing partners of S&K HR Consulting and hosts of The HR Sisters Podcast, spoke on identifying business opportunities and standing out in competitive markets.

• Sunny Fernandes, vice president of Konkan Yuva and founder & managing director of Sunshine Blinds, shared how life’s turning points led him to take a leap into entrepreneurship. He stressed the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and building meaningful relationships in achieving success.

Their personal stories offered attendees an in-depth look into the entrepreneurial mindset, networking, and the courage required to take bold steps beyond comfort zones.

Empowering a generation

The workshop covered a wide range of topics, including:

• Financial planning and wealth creation

• Investment strategies

• Entrepreneurial thinking

• Opportunity identification and business modelling

• Branding, marketing, and networking

• Personal success stories with actionable insights

In his concluding remarks, Sherul Nazareth, general secretary of Konkan Yuva, expressed gratitude to all speakers, participants, and the organising team for making the workshop a resounding success.

About Konkan Yuva

Founded in 2005 under the spiritual guidance of St Mary's Catholic Church, Dubai, Konkan Yuva is a youth-led community organisation supporting the personal, spiritual, and professional growth of Konkani Catholic youth aged 18–35 in the UAE. Living out its motto Home Away from Home, the group continues to empower youth through events that unite faith, community, and career development.