The Girl Who Made Burkinis Cool: "You Have to Be a Little Crazy to Make It" | Hadia Ghaleb

Once bullied for being different, Hadia Ghaleb turned pain into power and her name into a global brand. In this raw and inspiring episode of Money Moves, she opens up about turning influence into income, finding confidence through creation and building a fashion empire from self-belief. Hosted by Dania Alshowaikh, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the business of being unapologetically yourself.00:00 — Introduction01:08 — Who Is Hadia Ghaleb?03:02 — From Influencer to Entrepreneur05:27 — The Birth of the Hadia Ghaleb Brand07:55 — Turning Fashion Into Business10:18 — Breaking Stereotypes in the Middle East13:44 — Facing Backlash & Owning the Narrative17:12 — Authenticity and Influence20:06 — How Hadia Built a Global Swimwear Label23:31 — Empowering Women Through Fashion26:50 — Lessons from the Business Journey29:45 — Balancing Personal Life and Public Image33:18 — What’s Next for Hadia GhalebHadia Ghaleb has built more than a fashion label and a movement. In this episode of Money Moves, host Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Hadia to explore how she turned her social influence into a global business empire. From her early days as a digital content creator to founding Hadia Ghaleb Label she shares the lessons, struggles, and strategic pivots behind becoming one of the Middle East’s most successful female entrepreneurs.Hadia reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of influencer marketing, how she transformed her following into a loyal customer base and what it really takes to scale a purpose-led brand in today’s digital economy. She opens up about the balance between creativity and commerce, navigating criticism, and building a brand rooted in empowerment rather than perfection.The conversation also delves into leadership, self-worth, and the financial realities of running a fast-growing brand. From managing her team to making bold investment decisions, Hadia shares hard-earned insights on how to turn a personal brand into a profitable business without losing authenticity.Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, fashion enthusiast, or creator looking to build something meaningful, this episode offers an inspiring roadmap to success, resilience, and reinvention.