Entrepreneurs

60 seconds with Satish Sanpal, chairman of ANAX Holding

April 4, 2025, 1:40 AM

Satish Sanpal: 'Luck might place you at the foot of the ladder, but without hard work you won’t climb very far'

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Satish Sanpal established ANAX Holding in Dubai in 2018 as a diversified investment entity. Today, ANAX Holding operates across multiple sectors, including real estate development, hospitality and financial services.

ANAX Developments, one of its key subsidiaries, has emerged as a prominent real estate developer in Dubai, delivering high-demand projects across the city.

What one piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you were starting out?

I wish I had known earlier how important it is to focus on personal wellbeing alongside professional success. In the long run, maintaining a healthy balance between work and life is crucial, and it’s something I am prioritising more now.

What do you look for when hiring talent?

We look for candidates who align with the company’s core values and ethics. Skills can be learned and we see it as our responsibility to help develop them. But when it comes to qualities like behaviour and integrity we don’t compromise.

What counts for more – luck or hard work?

Luck might place you at the foot of the ladder, but without hard work you won’t climb very far. Success comes from putting in the effort to rise and the perseverance to stay ahead.

What was your biggest ‘lucky’ moment?

Luck isn’t about a single moment. It’s in every day that I wake up, surrounded by the people I care about and able to embrace the beauty of life.

How have your priorities changed from when you first started?

When I first started, my priority was simply to get my foot in the door and gain experience. Now it’s about creating something lasting that will make a meaningful impact, whether in business, investments or philanthropy.

Describe the moment when you felt like you’d ‘made it’

I don’t think that moment exists. Every time I reach a milestone, I set my sights on something bigger. Success is about continuous progress rather than a single defining moment.

What one thing do you wish you’d done differently?

I wish I had placed more emphasis on developing discipline earlier in my life. While I focused on gaining experiences and opportunities, I realise now that self-discipline is more important for the wellbeing of both the body and soul.

What factors do entrepreneurs misjudge about the Gulf market?

Many entrepreneurs assume that nine out of 10 startups in the region fail because of intense competition. In reality, the market is evolving fast and survival comes down to a company’s ability to adapt and endure.