She Leads, She Inspires: Marissa Safe’s Journey to Success 

Marissa Safe, Chief Executive Officer of FDC International and recent recipient of the Woman in Tech Award at the Technology Awards 2024, has established an impressive career. From her early days navigating challenges in the field to ensuring the availability of original and high-quality tech products in the Middle East, Marissa’s journey highlights resilience and innovation. In a conversation with Rabab Zehra, Executive Editor at TECHx Media, Marissa discusses her path in the tech industry, her commitment to “Only Originals” at FDC, and her focus on fostering a company culture centered around mentorship, integrity, and authentic connections. Her story offers valuable insights for professionals and many women across the industry. 

TECHx: Could you start by sharing some background about how you found yourself in the tech industry? 

Marissa: My background is in engineering, which I pursued with a bit of defiance. My father believed mathematics and engineering weren’t suited for girls, so to prove him wrong, I chose this path. That decision has greatly shaped my career journey. Later, after marrying Dr. Safe, who has been a mentor and guide, we decided to move to Dubai. It was a choice inspired by our shared goal for our son to learn Persian culture, but it ultimately opened doors to a career here in the Middle East. 

TECHx: What drew you to the Middle East, and particularly the UAE? 

Marissa: When I arrived in Dubai, I noticed a major gap: the market was flooded with counterfeit computer components. Given my background, I knew these products well and saw the potential to bring in original components instead of refurbished and remarked products. Our first campaign at FDC was “Only Originals,” and while challenging, it was essential to educate customers on why investing in genuine products was worthwhile. This focus on quality built our reputation across the Middle East, and to this day, people associate us only with genuine products. 

TECHx: Over time, FDC has transitioned from being a reseller to a distributor. How did that change come about? 

Marissa: The transition to distribution came from our passion for growth and our technical expertise. Both my husband and I have a technical background, which helped us not only build our business but also enabled us to teach others. We’re proud that many of those who have worked with us continue their journey with FDC, hold positions in other companies, or have even started their own businesses. This knowledge-sharing and fostering growth in others has been a rewarding part of our journey. 

TECHx: You’ve led the company for years in what is traditionally a male-dominated field. How has it been as a woman leader in this industry? 

Marissa: I was raised in a household mostly with boys, so I was used to being in male-dominated spaces from a young age. This background helped me when I entered the workforce. The Middle East presented its own challenges, but I never felt particularly out of place. It’s all about adapting and proving yourself through your work. 

TECHx: For young women who aspire to build careers in tech, what advice would you offer? 

Marissa: Pursue what you genuinely enjoy. Although money is important, don’t chase it; instead, focus on finding satisfaction in your work and success will follow. Happiness in your work environment and feeling fulfilled by what you do is far more important than how much money you make. True success is defined by personal satisfaction and the positive impact you make, both in work and in life. 

TECHx: You’ve mentioned mentorship as a big part of your journey. Who has been a mentor to you? 

Marissa: I have had many mentors in my life: my mother, father, and siblings. One of them is my sister, Pouran Eshghi, who made a success story in the beauty and fashion industry with her husband. They built their successful business in the USA from scratch with hard work and dedication. 

TECHx: Is there any story from your professional life that has left a lasting impact on you? 

Marissa: I want to share a recent experience that made me realize that sometimes we can gain good experiences in difficult times. This happened during the Covid pandemic. I learned that the most valuable asset in life is having time to pause, think, and ask yourself, “What can I do better for my family and the FDC family?” During that time, I also learned about AI technology from my son, Farbod Safe, which has helped me a lot in making better business decisions going forward. 

TECHx: Outside of work, who is Marissa? What’s life like beyond FDC? 

Marissa: I lead a simple life. Sometimes, I take the metro home, and I enjoy being among people without the fuss of luxury. Family is central to me, and that sense of care and connection extends to my work at FDC. At FDC, we believe in our employees. We allow them to learn and share their valuable thoughts for the growth of our organization, which ultimately leads to their personal and professional growth. It’s the care and trust we share that has driven FDC’s long-standing success.