
E56: From $500 and a suitcase to COO
From The Unstoppable 5% by Laurie Drummond
November 10, 2025 · 57 min · Season 1 · Episode 56
About this episode
Marlené Brewis shares her inspiring journey from arriving in Dubai with nothing to becoming a COO, discussing her struggles and triumphs along the way.
Marlené Brewis (Marms Hope) landed in Dubai with $500, a suitcase, and no job. She was sleeping on a friend's sofa with no idea what came next. This is the first time Marms has shared her full story publicly. We talk about growing up as the unwanted child, the husband who isolated her, the moment she said yes to the divorce, working 22-hour days while the company crumbled, being nearly homeless, and what it takes to keep choosing yourself when life keeps testing you. If you've ever felt like the outsider or you're standing on the edge of your next big leap, this one's for you. Connect with Marms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marmshope/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marmshope/ About The Unstoppable 5%: Stories of women who restart, pivot, and keep moving forward. Hosted by business mentor Laurie. Subscribe for raw conversations about building extraordinary lives.
People in this episode
Host: Laurie Drummond
Guest: Marlené Brewis
Topics covered
- resilience
- personal growth
- entrepreneurship
- overcoming adversity
- self-discovery
Keywords
- Dubai
- resilience
- entrepreneurship
- personal story
- overcoming challenges
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: LinkedIn, Instagram
Places: Dubai
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