Dubai is known for its success stories, but Jason Kwao’s story is one that truly stands out. He started as a pizza delivery boy in the UK and became a successful entrepreneur in the UAE, building a business worth over 1 million dirhams. His journey is a powerful example of how hard work, smart thinking, and never giving up can lead to great success.
Humble Beginnings
Jason grew up in the UK and dropped out of university. He worked different small jobs, including pizza delivery. While this job wasn’t glamorous, it taught him important life lessons — like discipline, time management, and the value of money. Every tip he earned and every delivery he made helped him move one step closer to his dream.
The Big Idea
One day, while scrolling through Instagram, Jason had a lightbulb moment. He saw how people were spending so much money shopping online and thought:
“Why not become a seller instead of just a buyer?”
Even though he didn’t have a business degree, he started learning about selling products online. He chose a simple product to start with — a sourdough bread basket for home bakers.
COVID-19 Turned the Tide
When the COVID-19 lockdown began, many people started baking at home. Jason’s product became very popular, and orders started coming in fast. He handled everything himself — customer service, delivery, inventory — and was soon making thousands every month. He had spotted a trend at the right time and made the most of it.
Failure, Lessons, and a Comeback
But success didn’t last forever. Jason made some mistakes, like ordering too much stock, and lost money. His business started falling apart. But instead of giving up, he remembered something his wife once told him:
“Every setback brings an equal or greater comeback.”
He kept this quote taped to his wall as motivation.
He tried new ideas — like turning a surgical knife into a bread scoring knife for bakers. The idea worked for a while, but then Amazon banned the product due to policy rules. Still, he made a good profit during that time.
Finding Smarter Ways to Grow
Jason also tried working in property, but it wasn’t satisfying. He realized he needed more control over his business — especially the products, prices, and suppliers. So, he began working directly with Chinese manufacturers, which helped him make better profits and manage product quality.
Helping Others Succeed
As he gained experience, Jason started helping other businesses sell on Amazon. He gave advice on product listings, marketing, and supply chains. Some of his clients now earn over €5 million each month.
By January 2025, his own business was worth more than 1 million dirhams.
Now, Jason is focused on mentoring and storytelling. He wants to help other young entrepreneurs succeed by sharing his honest journey — the failures, mistakes, and wins.
His advice to anyone starting out in Dubai:
“Stay focused. Don’t get distracted by the flashy lifestyle. You came here to build something real.”
