"Success does not just come and find you; you have to go out and get it." In a world where success is often measured by external metrics, Lynne Akkawi, Founder & CEO of Prime Owners Association Management Services, offers a refreshing perspective. For her, success transcends mere achievements—it's a deeply personal journey fueled by passion, purpose, and perpetual growth.

Lynne's philosophy on success is as dynamic as the path she's carved in the industry. She believes that success, far from being a one-size-fits-all concept, is uniquely individualistic. It defies rigid definitions and varies from person to person, contingent upon their aspirations and circumstances.

"For me, success is about being happy and fulfilled in life," says Lynne, her words resonating with a quiet conviction. "It's about doing what I love and making a positive impact on the industry I've dedicated myself to."

As the driving force behind Prime Owners Association Management Services, Lynne's journey epitomizes the essence of her beliefs. Founded on principles of integrity and excellence, her company stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to quality and client satisfaction.

But for Lynne, success is not a static destination—it's a fluid, ever-evolving target that evolves in tandem with her ambitions and personal growth. "Success should never be a static target," she asserts. "It grows alongside your aspirations and maturity."

Through her visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence, Lynne has redefined success, not as a destination to reach, but as a journey to embark upon—a journey marked by resilience, determination, and an unwavering belief in one's ability to make a difference.

Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of Lynne Akkawi—a trailblazer in the business world, whose pursuit of success serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.

 

Journey in Community Management

Lynne reflects on her journey founding Property Asset Management (PAM) as not merely a leap of faith but a natural evolution in her career. Inspired by her father's entrepreneurial spirit, she grew up admiring his ventures and imbibing his lessons on embracing challenges and trying new endeavors. This upbringing instilled in her a drive to push boundaries and explore uncharted territories.

When the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) in Dubai introduced the inaugural guidelines governing jointly owned properties, Lynne recognized a unique opportunity in the community management sector. Eager to pioneer in this nascent field, she seized the chance to establish one of the first companies in this domain. However, the path to building PAM was riddled with hurdles, and Lynne encountered numerous challenges along the way.

Despite the obstacles, Lynne remained undeterred, drawing upon her resilience and determination to propel PAM to its current stature. She navigated through the complexities of the industry, learning invaluable lessons and gaining insights that contributed to PAM's growth and success.

Lynne's journey exemplifies her unwavering commitment to innovation and her willingness to embrace uncertainty in pursuit of her entrepreneurial aspirations. As she continues to steer PAM towards new horizons, she remains guided by her father's sage advice and the enduring spirit of adventure that fuels her entrepreneurial spirit.

 

Overcoming Challenges

From its inception as one of the early pioneers post the implementation of guideline Law No. 27 of 2007, PAM encountered numerous hurdles on its path to establishing a strong presence in the market. Initially, every step forward seemed like an arduous battle, with developers hesitant to collaborate and securing building contracts proving to be a formidable challenge. As they ventured into their first contracts, the task of familiarizing owners with their new rights and obligations under the regulation presented additional complexities.

Amidst these obstacles, navigating a male-dominated industry added another layer of difficulty for PAM's founder. Reflecting on those early days, she recalls feeling like an outsider and sensing the need to exert twice the effort to earn recognition. However, with steadfast determination and the support and guidance provided by authorities like RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority), the challenges gradually diminished over time. Through perseverance and resilience, PAM learned that persistence is key, regardless of the adversities faced along the journey.

 

Prime's Data-Driven Approach

Lynne attributes Prime's successful growth to its data-driven approach to problem-solving. Recognizing early on the benefits of incorporating IT technologies into their workflow, Prime aimed to enhance internal and external communications and improve work efficiency by generating data, maintaining records, and measuring performance. This ethos has been ingrained in Prime's culture from the outset and inadvertently helped them navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the widespread impact of COVID-19 on businesses and industries, Prime managed to mitigate its effects and avoid the growing pains associated with rapid digitization. Their tech-first approach since day one played a crucial role in this resilience. However, despite their digital infrastructure, the personal impact on staff morale remained significant, especially for positions requiring physical presence in communities, such as asset managers and supervisors.

Reflecting on their experience during the pandemic, Lynne emphasizes the importance of flexibility while adhering to government COVID guidelines. Additionally, Prime sought to uplift resident spirits by organizing online activities, events, and competitions across communities through PAM's website. This commitment to adaptability and community support underscores Prime's resilience in the face of adversity.

 

Real Estate Landscape

Lynne embarked on her career in the Banking industry before being captivated by the dynamic real estate market in Dubai. Transitioning from banking, she entered the realm of real estate, initially starting in brokerage. Over time, she navigated her way through various sectors within the industry, progressing from brokerage to property development and eventually to property management, culminating in community management.

Reflecting on her career trajectory, Lynne recalls a pivotal moment when she secured her first contract after months of hard work. With just three staff members in a modest office, this achievement stood out as a testament to her dedication and perseverance. "I think that the most standout moment during my career was after months of toil. I managed to sign my first contract with only three staff members in a small office," she states.

 

Evolution in Industry Crossings

Lynne, characterized by her self-description as a 'persistent' individual, emphasizes her discomfort with stagnation in her career trajectory, evident in her seamless transitions across industries from development to management roles. Her professional journey commenced in the banking sector, where she specialized in facilitating syndicated loans for significant regional projects. It was during this tenure that her affinity for real estate burgeoned, nurtured by the opportunities and relationships cultivated in the banking and investment realms.

Prior to establishing Prime Owners Association Management (PAM), Lynne served as a business development manager at Madania, a subsidiary of the Al Tamimi investment company, where she closely collaborated with legal professionals. Reflecting on her journey, Lynne acknowledges the invaluable skills and experiences garnered from her diverse roles, which continue to inform her leadership at PAM. As the proprietor of PAM, she initially assumed multifaceted responsibilities, ranging from legal affairs and business development to operational management.

"While donning multiple hats at PAM, including those of a lawyer, business developer, and operations manager, wasn't inherent to my skill set, I embraced the challenge," Lynne remarks, attributing her proficiency in these domains to the cumulative wisdom acquired through her varied professional experiences.

 

Work-Life Harmony and Team Empowerment

Lynne, a mother of two, acknowledges that learning the importance of work-life balance came later in her career than she cares to admit. Balancing motherhood, personal life, and career aspirations proved challenging in the early years, leading to inevitable strain. However, recent revelations have illuminated the virtues of scheduling time off to prioritize self-care.

"Splitting my weekend in half has been remarkably effective," Lynne shares. This strategy allows her to rejuvenate during the week, clearing her mind for the challenges ahead. She expresses satisfaction in witnessing a growing acceptance of conversations surrounding burnout and work-life balance, recognizing it as a widespread issue deserving more attention.

In her role as a leader of the PAM team, Lynne has consistently maintained an open-door policy, fostering an environment where staff feel empowered to discuss not only their challenges but also their professional growth aspirations. Viewing the PAM team as a cohesive family, Lynne attributes the success of any company to the collective contributions of its staff. As Lynne continues to navigate her journey towards work-life harmony and empower her team, she remains committed to fostering a culture of support, growth, and mutual respect within the PAM community.

 

Market Expansion and Personal Growth

In terms of their future endeavors, Lynne believes they have made a significant impact on the Owners Association market in Dubai and have ambitious plans for further internal and strategic growth within the market. Moreover, they are keen on exploring new, emerging markets to broaden their expertise.

On a personal note, Lynne reflects on their achievements, expressing a sense of fulfillment in surpassing their initial goals. However, they emphasize that success should not be viewed as a static destination but as a journey of continuous growth. "Regarding my current expectations for PAM, while I cannot predict the future, I feel confident that we are moving in the right direction with exciting projects ahead," Lynne elaborates.

For aspiring business leaders, Lynne advises perseverance in the face of challenges and encourages embracing failure as a learning opportunity. They emphasize that failure is not definitive and often provides valuable insights that contribute to future success.