These Dubai teens are making money through social media

Rashed Belhasa, who often features on the Rich Kids of Instagram page, has his own clothing line (left) and Moe Jabry manages social media influencers in Dubai (right)

Running a business in Dubai can cost you an arm and a leg, but for a 15-year-old, social media was more than enough.
Well, social media and perhaps his sneaker collection - considered the most expensive collection in Dubai.
Rashed Belhasa spoke to BBC about how social media helped him take his brand - called Money Kicks - to an international level.
Belhasa often gets featured on the Rich Kids of Instagram page, where he is usually seen photographed with celebrities such as Lionel Messi, Mariah Carey, Akon to Niki Minaj. Besides his extensive sneaker collection, he has his own clothing line.
"Money Kicks is my name on social media. And me, I really love money too and I love kicks. So, Money Kicks," he said in the BBC interview. "I started my Money Kicks clothing line, this is like for my fans and for supporters. Young Belhasa credits all his success to social media.
"Social media changed my life. It made me more confident. Before, I was so quiet. But now, I can do anything because now I build my contacts. It's all about relations you know? So, now all the big business, all the big companies on the market, they contact me to do business.
"Social media helped me do business. It helped me to be more famous. It helped me to do everything. My numbers are going up. If you want to do something, just work, it's fun. Just think about the future or the present."
Another rich kid, Moe Jabry, was featured in the two-minute BBC video. He talked about how he manages social media influencers in Dubai, including the channel Mo Vlogs.
"I decided - 'you know what, it's time, It's time do your own thing'," he said.  "My name is Moe Jabry, AKA Moe Money. I highlight everything that Dubai has to offer. All eyes are on us as social media influencers and we are the ones who are promoting Dubai.
But Moe has other, grander plans too. "My plan is to widen that and travel around the world, go live in different hotels, drive different supercars, of course, you got to roll in style. I'd like to just have 'Moe Money' as a brand name, and make people know me around the world."
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com