You go public because you want access to capital in the form of debt and equity.

If I had high-ticker 10 percent financing, which would probably be the market rate, I would have to dump stuff. The interest payments would be killing me.

Properties have different characteristics, like companies, and the market throws up more opportunities because it is inefficient.

I suppose I was a frustrated artist. I like fitting things together, and there are plenty of different ways to do that with real estate.

My father, who was a hair colourist, died when I was young, so my mother had to work very hard. But at the same time, I do believe that if you have everything, it is easy to make a dinner. When you only have flour and water and olives and potatoes, you have to be much more creative, and that's what my mother is all about.

We have so much poverty in our country. Not every parent can afford to buy their kids all the frills and perks, but teenagers still demand it, and are we responsible for it!

Today in Saudi, women are either at the mercy of their husbands or at the mercy of judges who tend to side with the husbands. The only circumstance that a woman can ask for a divorce or a 'khali' is when her husband is in total agreement with her or if she comes from a very powerful family who decide to back her up.

My whole family could sing. My family harmonized without any instruments to accompany them.