Dr Katrin Jahn, founder and head vet at Abu Dhabi’s German Veterinary Clinic, has always felt strongly about creating her own wealth and legacy. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dr Katrin Jahn, founder and head vet at Abu Dhabi’s German Veterinary Clinic, has always felt strongly about creating her own wealth and legacy. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dr Katrin Jahn, founder and head vet at Abu Dhabi’s German Veterinary Clinic, has always felt strongly about creating her own wealth and legacy. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dr Katrin Jahn, founder and head vet at Abu Dhabi’s German Veterinary Clinic, has always felt strongly about creating her own wealth and legacy. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Money & Me: ‘I won’t take funds out of an investment to buy something frivolous’


Deepthi Nair
  • English
  • Arabic

Dr Katrin Jahn, founder and head vet at Abu Dhabi’s German Veterinary Clinic, wishes she had given herself small treats when she was younger for achieving life and career milestones. The Abu Dhabi resident recently gifted herself a Porsche Macan for completing 18 years of being an entrepreneur.

As well as being a veterinary surgeon, 51-year-old German national Dr Jahn is an animal psychiatrist. Having founded the German Veterinary Clinic in 2008, she recently became a double board-certified specialist in veterinary behaviour medicine. This involves the treatment of pets who have mental and emotional disorders.

She also owns Trinity Veterinary Behaviour, a global online platform designed to educate pet owners, vets and other pet care professionals on all elements of animal behaviour.

Born in Germany, she moved to London at the age of four. Dr Jahn later returned to Germany to study for her veterinary degree in Munich. After university, she worked in the UK for a few years and moved to the UAE in 2006.

Dr Jahn currently lives in Golf Gardens, Abu Dhabi, with her husband and two fur babies. The couple recently purchased a four-bedroom villa on Al Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi.

Did wealth feature in your childhood?

My parents came from ordinary backgrounds and my dad was a role model in that he worked his way up in his career without many qualifications. He was a self-made man. He worked for Mercedes Benz. In terms of wealth, my parents taught me the importance of being self-made. I've always felt strongly about creating my own wealth and legacy.

How did you first earn?

I asked my parents if I could do a paper round at the age of 10. There was a newspaper shop in our community and the owner allowed me to do a paper round, which was supervised by my parents. I was paid a couple of pounds for it.

Very early on, I was keen to earn money, and as I went through my teenage years, I worked a number of different jobs in shops. Even when I was at university, I always had part-time jobs that helped me to earn extra money. My parents supported me through university, but I always worked. I can't remember a time where I didn't work.

Any early financial jolts?

I was very lucky in that I didn't have any student loans. Obviously, my biggest investment was when I opened my clinic. That was a big financial risk. I carried that all on my own. But I had a couple of financial guardian angels who popped up at the time.

But I’ve never had any setbacks because I did not take on debt to create wealth. I didn't walk into a fully set up clinic. I opened the clinic with what I had and then waited to earn money before I could reinvest it. That's how I built my business over 18 years.

Dr Katrin Jahn says she has never faced any setbacks because she does not take on debt to create wealth. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dr Katrin Jahn says she has never faced any setbacks because she does not take on debt to create wealth. Chris Whiteoak / The National

How do you grow your wealth?

I had a couple of property investments in Germany, which I sold to buy the Al Jubail Island property. I have two businesses, which are investments as long as they're managed well.

I have a couple of investment funds in Germany, and a few independent pension funds as well.

Are you a spender or a saver?

I'm more of a saver but I spend on things that have value to me. So, I spend on travel and experiences with my family. I recently bought a new car, a Porsche, that was a reward to myself for passing my exams last year.

Have you been wise with money?

Yes. I think I'm very considerate when it comes to money. That doesn't mean I won't splurge on things like a new car. But I will only spend on things that I know I can afford, that are within my pocket money fund. I would never take money out of an investment for something frivolous or a pleasure like that.

What has been your best investment?

I'm hoping it's going to be the property on Al Jubail Island that's already proving to have been a sound investment because it was bought off-plan for Dh5.8 million ($1.58 million) and has already appreciated by around 30 per cent.

Also, I also think investing in myself has been a big investment, in terms of my education, personal development, growth and mentors. I think investment in oneself is not something to be overlooked.

Any cherished purchases?

Currently, it’s my Porsche Macan. I have a few items of jewellery, but I they're hand-me-downs.

I will only spend on things that I know I can afford, that are within my pocket money fund
Dr Katrin Jahn,
founder and head vet, German Veterinary Clinic

Any financial advice for your younger self?

I’ve never felt the lack of money or been afraid of it. I would tell my younger self to occasionally treat myself to things that bring joy, more because I felt the happiness that my new car bought me. It is materialistic, but it represents more. It represents 18 years of working hard and taking the risks as an entrepreneur and building and managing a business. It is not easy to do.

But on the whole, I appreciate the mindset I've been able to develop around money.

Any key financial milestones?

Purchasing the Al Jubail Island property was a big milestone. I've been in the UAE for almost 20 years and it was only in the last couple of years that we decided to invest in property here. Before that, we had rented for a long period of time because as an expat, you're never sure when you might be leaving. But there was a moment where we made a commitment to the UAE and decided that this was going to be our home for at least the next five or 10 years. So, that was a big milestone, both financially and emotionally.

There have been various milestones throughout running my business. The first time we turned over Dh1 million a month was a massive milestone.

What luxuries are important to you?

The luxury of travelling comfortably. Since my sister was a captain at Emirates airline, I got used to being able to travel business class. When she quit the job, I decided that if I'm able to afford it, I'm going to treat myself to the luxury of comfortable travel. As you get older, you start to value it more. You learn to value the convenience and quality of rest that you get on flights, especially on a long-haul route.

Also, I want the luxury of being able to afford holiday experiences such as diving and going on a safari … things that create memories, but that come at a cost. Those luxuries are important to me.

What are your financial goals?

To be financially free, although I have already attained it. I want to allow financial circumstances or my wealth to create more freedom in my life. When you own a business for a long time, you're a slave to achieving targets and making sure you can pay your team at the end of each month.

Having a feeling that there is abundance, which doesn't need to look like a big amount, and the freedom that comes with it; being able to release the pressure of responsibility − especially for my team − by being a bit more financially free. That would be my goal.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained

Defined Benefit Plan (DB)

A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.

Defined Contribution Plan (DC) 

A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS

5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m

Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)

5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

About Karol Nawrocki

• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.

• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.

• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.

• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.

The specs

Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors

Transmission: two-speed

Power: 671hp

Torque: 849Nm

Range: 456km

Price: from Dh437,900 

On sale: now

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Co%20Chocolat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Iman%20and%20Luchie%20Suguitan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Food%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241%20million-plus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fahad%20bin%20Juma%2C%20self-funding%2C%20family%20and%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

 

 

KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJuly%205%2C%201994%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jeff%20Bezos%20founds%20Cadabra%20Inc%2C%20which%20would%20later%20be%20renamed%20to%20Amazon.com%2C%20because%20his%20lawyer%20misheard%20the%20name%20as%20'cadaver'.%20In%20its%20earliest%20days%2C%20the%20bookstore%20operated%20out%20of%20a%20rented%20garage%20in%20Bellevue%2C%20Washington%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJuly%2016%2C%201995%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20formally%20opens%20as%20an%20online%20bookseller.%20%3Cem%3EFluid%20Concepts%20and%20Creative%20Analogies%3A%20Computer%20Models%20of%20the%20Fundamental%20Mechanisms%20of%20Thought%3C%2Fem%3E%20becomes%20the%20first%20item%20sold%20on%20Amazon%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E1997%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20goes%20public%20at%20%2418%20a%20share%2C%20which%20has%20grown%20about%201%2C000%20per%20cent%20at%20present.%20Its%20highest%20closing%20price%20was%20%24197.85%20on%20June%2027%2C%202024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E1998%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20acquires%20IMDb%2C%20its%20first%20major%20acquisition.%20It%20also%20starts%20selling%20CDs%20and%20DVDs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2000%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20Marketplace%20opens%2C%20allowing%20people%20to%20sell%20items%20on%20the%20website%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2002%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20forms%20what%20would%20become%20Amazon%20Web%20Services%2C%20opening%20the%20Amazon.com%20platform%20to%20all%20developers.%20The%20cloud%20unit%20would%20follow%20in%202006%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2003%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20turns%20in%20an%20annual%20profit%20of%20%2475%20million%2C%20the%20first%20time%20it%20ended%20a%20year%20in%20the%20black%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2005%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20Prime%20is%20introduced%2C%20its%20first-ever%20subscription%20service%20that%20offered%20US%20customers%20free%20two-day%20shipping%20for%20%2479%20a%20year%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2006%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20Unbox%20is%20unveiled%2C%20the%20company's%20video%20service%20that%20would%20later%20morph%20into%20Amazon%20Instant%20Video%20and%2C%20ultimately%2C%20Amazon%20Video%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2007%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon's%20first%20hardware%20product%2C%20the%20Kindle%20e-reader%2C%20is%20introduced%3B%20the%20Fire%20TV%20and%20Fire%20Phone%20would%20come%20in%202014.%20Grocery%20service%20Amazon%20Fresh%20is%20also%20started%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2009%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20introduces%20Amazon%20Basics%2C%20its%20in-house%20label%20for%20a%20variety%20of%20products%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2010%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20foundations%20for%20Amazon%20Studios%20were%20laid.%20Its%20first%20original%20streaming%20content%20debuted%20in%202013%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2011%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Amazon%20Appstore%20for%20Google's%20Android%20is%20launched.%20It%20is%20still%20unavailable%20on%20Apple's%20iOS%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2014%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Amazon%20Echo%20is%20launched%2C%20a%20speaker%20that%20acts%20as%20a%20personal%20digital%20assistant%20powered%20by%20Alexa%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2017%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20acquires%20Whole%20Foods%20for%20%2413.7%20billion%2C%20its%20biggest%20acquisition%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2018%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon's%20market%20cap%20briefly%20crosses%20the%20%241%20trillion%20mark%2C%20making%20it%2C%20at%20the%20time%2C%20only%20the%20third%20company%20to%20achieve%20that%20milestone%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

West Asia rugby, season 2017/18 - Roll of Honour

Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain

Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles

UAE Premiership - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

No more lice

Defining head lice

Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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AndhaDhun

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18

Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan

Rating: 3.5/5

Teams

Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi

Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag

Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC

Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC

Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan

Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes

Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals

While you're here
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
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Updated: May 09, 2025, 6:02 PM`