Transforming Professional Communication: The Klaster* Journey in Dubai

The Public Speaking Coach and Language instructor, Leyla Baymaganbetova is the CEO and Founder of Klaster*. She has a degree in Linguistics and a wealth of experience in the business landscape of Russia, the US, and UAE.

Founder's Journey: Share why and how you started Klaster. What challenges did you face? What motivated you?

I started Klaster* in late 2024 after exiting a previous business with $2.5 million in annual revenue. Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I noticed a consistent issue—professionals weren't being held back by lack of knowledge, but by how they communicated.

My own journey shaped this insight profoundly. I started learning English at 14, and thanks to dedicated tutors and strong intrinsic motivation, I eventually studied in the United States. This experience taught me firsthand how communication can level the playing field in competitive environments.

After moving to the UAE, I transitioned from classrooms to boardrooms—teaching first, then training corporate professionals. It was during this transition that I realized just how powerful soft skills can be in unlocking confidence, credibility, and leadership potential. Working with executives across Dubai's diverse business landscape, I observed brilliant minds struggling to command attention or express complex ideas effectively.

For many professionals, especially those from India working in Dubai's global business environment, these communication barriers created invisible ceilings to career advancement. This observation, combined with my personal journey, inspired me to build Klaster—a training institute dedicated to helping smart professionals speak so they're truly heard.

Impact & Growth: What kind of traction is Klaster gaining with its Public Speaking, Negotiation Skills, and Accent Reduction Training?

In just six months, Klaster* has trained over 200 professionals across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Our impact has been particularly significant among the Indian professional community in Dubai, who bring exceptional technical expertise to the region but sometimes seek to refine their communication skills for maximum effectiveness in global business settings.

We've delivered high-impact programs in three key areas:

• Public Speaking: Helping professionals command the room with confidence, whether in boardroom presentations or industry conferences.
• Negotiation Skills: Delivered in both English and Arabic, teaching professionals to navigate business discussions effectively across cultural contexts.
• Accent Reduction Training: Designed to help non-native English speakers achieve greater clarity and impact in their professional communications.

On the partnership front, we've secured valuable relationships with PwC Academy and DMCC, and we're currently in talks with Richemont to become an official training partner. These institutional endorsements have validated our approach and expanded our reach throughout the region.

On the B2C side, around 25% of leads convert into paying clients—a rate that exceeds industry standards. We're particularly encouraged by the strong repeat business and referrals we're receiving, which suggest high satisfaction with program outcomes. Many of our individual clients are Indian professionals working in Dubai's finance, technology, and consulting sectors who recognize that communication skills can accelerate their career trajectory.

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What insights can you share with fellow entrepreneurs about building a niche education business in Dubai?

Dubai is indeed a dynamic, multicultural market—what works in one context may not land here. For entrepreneurs looking to serve the professional development space in this region, I've learned several valuable lessons:

I've learned the importance of listening deeply to the specific needs of professionals in this market. Many training programs fail because they import methodologies that don't account for Dubai's unique business culture, which blends Western practices with Middle Eastern values.

Adapting quickly to feedback has been crucial. We continuously refine our programs based on participant outcomes, focusing on one clear outcome: helping smart people speak so they're heard. This clarity of purpose has been essential to our growth.

Building local partnerships has accelerated our expansion. By collaborating with established institutions like PwC Academy and DMCC, we've gained credibility and access to professional networks that would have taken years to develop independently.

Being culturally attuned to the diverse backgrounds of our clients has set us apart. Moreso, delivering results that matter has been the foundation of our success. We measure outcomes not just in participant satisfaction but in tangible improvements to their communication effectiveness.

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Bigger Vision – Where do you see Klaster in the next few years?

In the next 3–5 years, I see Klaster* becoming the go-to brand for executive communication in the region. Our expansion strategy includes several interconnected initiatives:

We're building a subscription-based public speaking club to foster in-person learning and continuous improvement. This model will provide regular practice opportunities, expert feedback, and valuable networking for professionals committed to developing their communication skills.

We're strategically expanding across the GCC, with particular attention to locations with significant Indian professional populations. Building on our success in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, we're identifying entry points into Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

We're developing a network of certified Klaster* coaches to scale our programs and impact while maintaining quality. This will create entrepreneurship opportunities for experienced communicators while extending our reach throughout the region.

For Indian professionals in Dubai or those considering the move, Klaster* represents more than just a training provider – we offer a pathway to elevating their professional presence in one of the world's most dynamic business environments. By mastering communication skills tailored to this unique context, these professionals can fully leverage their technical expertise for exceptional career growth.

As founder, my vision extends beyond building a successful business. I aim to transform how communication is taught and valued in professional settings, replacing generic advice with evidence-based methodologies that produce measurable improvements in how professionals present themselves and their ideas.

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