When you’re having one of those days, where you feel like you’ve done it all in k-town, and you’re just about ready to book that ticket out of here, we urge you to stop and call Dhari Al Moawad. If it’s a project or activity you’re craving, he’ll happily oblige. Consider it his social obligation, as he enjoys committing to projects that deliver immediate positive results.
You might already know Dhari from the infamous K-Lue Kuwait. Since 2009, Dhari has been organizing extraordinary treasure hunts on a national, and sometimes regional, level. With K-lue, Dhari managed to offer people a chance to experience a unique and personally customized scavenger hunt for you and your friends to enjoy. At the same time, he manages to involve himself in various creative projects like Select, QortubaME, while carrying out his responsibilities at a morning job. But how does he do it? To which he answers, “I’ve always had a knack for multi-tasking. My time is always occupied with productive projects. Even my friendships are based on solving problems, or coming up with projects, and challenging tasks.”
Since his school years, Dhari enjoyed participating in youth programs like Loyac, and he coincidentally got into planning scavenger hunts during his second year of university while studying Engineering. You can even call him a sucker for game shows. He’s watched shows like The Crystal Maze since childhood and highly reveres The Amazing Race, but the idea of starting a business based on organizing scavenger hunts struck him as a little strange at first. He adds, “An old friend of mine encouraged me, despite my initial concerns of it not becoming a successful business. By the end of the week, I had figured out the logo and branding and planned my first scavenger hunt as a trial for a group of friends.” The rest, as they say, is history. Since then, K-Lue has gained tremendous acclaim. From organizing amazing hunts in the old Mubarakiya Souk to Los Angeles, Dhari is all about elevating the entertainment playing field in Kuwait. With more than 650 events under his sleeve, Dhari still likes to participate in other ‘productive’ projects. How he finds the time is beyond us!
“It’s very tiring and draining, as it’s an extremely detailed process when it comes to K-Lue, but it’s a challenge that pushes me to do better.” Dhari adamantly sticks to the saying ‘time is of the essence’ and in doing so manages to devote his time to other projects as well as K-Lue. Dhari also managed to co-launch an exciting new creative endeavor in the form of the intriguing coffee table book, Select. Working alongside the talented Khalid Al-Bannai, Select serves as a beautiful piece of art and a creative reference at the same time. Starting off their first issue with a focus on photography, Select will go on to include all aspects of the creative arts in Kuwait such as writers, architects, illustrators from the underground scene to famous personalities. He adds, “It’s my honor to feature the works of talented youth residing in Kuwait, and anything to encourage the creative field and give back to our community is a project worth pursuing. Select is an ongoing project and initiative, so look out for the next issue!”
Oddly enough, this productive guy finds the time to take a break! He has just recently returned from a 45-day vacation ‘from his life,’ as he put it, but that’s only because he’s simply rebooted that battery to do more!
bazaar questionnaire:
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Achievement and being around positive people. I deeply dislike the term, ‘I can’t’ so any sense of ‘doing’ or producing gives me great happiness. After all, if you don’t try, you won’t know.
What is your greatest fear?
Failure. It’s my worst living nightmare! Oddly enough, I’ve failed on a grand scale many times before, I experienced it and it made me a better person. I guess that’s the learning cycle. You have to continue failing, to learn more and then succeed, and this applies to all aspects of life.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I sometimes have bouts of anger, or frustration. I believe in ying and yang, and sometimes this anger is the black spot in me and I really dislike it. I’ve lowered my expectations a lot to tone down my frustration, and it’s working!
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Two things: selfishness and judgmental mentalities.
Which living person do you most admire?
Well, even though she recently passed away, Margaret Thatcher. I admire her quiet strength, and she was a fascinating woman whose strength is hard, if not impossible, to come by today.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Traveling, as my trips are sometimes completely out of budget when they are spontaneous. But I can’t help it, I feel like these trips are my reward for working hard all the time.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Ikhtisir, or make it short, get to the point—I never mean it offensively, but I like concise explanations.
When were you happiest?
After each achievement, I feel like it’s the happiest moment of my life. From the small events, to larger ones, whenever an event goes smoothly, I’m extremely happy. Money isn’t a motive of mine, but the sense of reward makes it all worthwhile.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I had the ability to learn multiple languages; I just never was able to! I also wish I had a knack for reading body language signals. I love reading about human behavior, and being able to analyze and collect information about people via their body language.
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
Every challenge that I successfully conquer I consider as my greatest achievement. Whether it’s a new position at work, or carrying out a great scavenger hunt.
Where would you most like to live?
It might sound clichéd, but I would always choose Kuwait. Despite any issues we might dislike, I decided I’m not giving up on my country.
To get in touch with Dhari, check out www.k-lue.com or follow his journey on Instagram @kluekuwait.