Innerspace

Steven Pardoe + Samir Ranavaya

It was the spirit of enterprise in the UAE and the ease with which a business could be set up that inspired Innerspace’s founders ten years ago. Initially, Steven Pardoe and Samir Ranavaya were interested in investing in real estate in Dubai, but it was while visiting a show home that the idea for Innerspace grew. Seeing shortcomings in the quality of the kitchen design, materials and workmanship that they viewed, the duo immediately saw an opportunity to add value to properties. “From the start, we wanted to bring excellence in terms of design and customer experience. We wanted to exceed customer expectations throughout the process - from initial concept design right through to installation. We both like a challenge and by raising the bar in these areas we knew that we could realise our own potential too.”

Their pioneering spirit is seen in their choice of timing. When they founded the business, in 2008, it was in the middle of an international financial crisis, with many people advising against taking such a risk in uncertain times. “We actually saw this as a fantastic opportunity: we knew that in a financial crisis, clients are more careful about how they spend their money, their expectations are raised and they are even more conscious about getting value for money.” Nothing could deter them, and in the course of ten years they have established a strong rapport with German brands - in particular Hülsta, Rolf Benz and Kaiser - but it was their partnership with Häcker, the definitive German luxury kitchen company, which began the momentum.