In the heart of Dubai’s bustling media and business landscape, one man’s voice once stammering and hesitant has become a tool of empowerment, transformation, and influence. Meet Zan Hussain (Instagram: @rjzandubai) former engineer turned voice artist, radio presenter, filmmaker and founder-&-CEO of Flat Earth Media.
His story is more than a career pivot. It is a narrative of resilience, of taking what others might consider a flaw and turning it into one of the greatest strengths of his life. What began as a young man grappling with a stammer has become a mission to give voice to the invisible to businesses, to leaders, to stories going unheard.
Today, Zan stands not only behind a successful media production and storytelling company but also on global stages and landmark screens. His journey from being paid AED 3,000 as a support engineer in 2007, to crafting content showcased at the World Economic Forum in Davos and on iconic buildings in the UAE, is proof that voice properly honed can change your world, and the world of others.
When Zan began his professional life, his path seemed clear: he pursued engineering, worked hard, and climbed the ladder within a U.S. company, gaining experience and prestige. But even as he advanced three positions up the ladder, something tugged at his heart the urge to tell stories. To connect. To be heard.
In his own words: “From a stammerer to a radio presenter and on to the TEDx stage was no easy feat.” That stammer, once his weakest muscle, became his strongest. It forced him to listen, to slow down, to choose his words, to build voice not just in sound but in presence.
Those early years of rejection being mocked for the way he spoke, told that he didn’t fit the mold of presenter or filmmaker might have stopped many. But for Zan, they lit a fire. He knew that if he could break through, so could others whose voices were quieter. The drive wasn’t just about personal success it became something larger.
Despite the comfort of engineering, Zan made a bold leap of faith. He left behind the salary, the predictable path, the safety net. He stepped into radio, voice-work, filmmaking fields where he had to prove himself all over again.
He found that telling stories meant more than broadcasting audio or directing film. It meant building trust. Creating authenticity. Honouring the subject. As he established Flat Earth Media, based in Dubai, the mission emerged: many businesses and leaders had stories that were hidden, diluted, mis-communicated. He would give them voice.
Flatearth began as a full-service events and media company, but today, its focus is centred entirely on storytelling, helping brands express their truth with clarity, authenticity, and impact.
At the core of Flat Earth Media is this belief: that many enterprises have immense potential yet remain invisible. And the reason isn’t the lack of work it’s the story. The way it’s crafted. The way it’s told.
Zan observed this first-hand. Many companies had the substance, yet their narrative lacked conviction. So he built a company that would go beyond aesthetics, beyond superficial content, to storytelling with purpose.
Key highlights of the operation:
These are not vanity metrics alone. They speak to recognition. To the reach of narratives crafted with depth. For Zan, that proof matters it validates the mission: stories, when told with craft and conviction, transcend boundaries.
Zan’s day-to-day life is never static. It moves across radio studios, filmmaking sets, boardroom meetings, live stage appearances. Here’s a glimpse into what he’s up to:
In many ways, his message is consistent: “Stories only matter if they are told with conviction and authenticity.” It’s not just about the voice or the film or the ad it’s about what it says, who it helps, how it shifts perspective.
Zan’s journey resonates for multiple reasons:
In an era when media is saturated, when noise is abundant, his emphasis on clarity over hype stands out. His agency is built not on chasing trends but on telling truth.
If you’re reading this and thinking about your own voice your own story or brand here are lessons drawn from Zan’s path:
Even though Zan has achieved remarkable milestones, his journey is far from over. With Flat Earth Media, the next phase involves expanding global reach, deepening impact, and staying true to purpose. He’s building tools like Spotlight to empower others. He’s taking media out of the echo chamber into boardrooms, into real lives, into change.
For his part, he wants to be remembered not just as a media guy or a presenter, but as someone who “gave visibility to the invisible, amplified potential, and inspired others to tell their stories with courage and purpose.”
The journey has indeed been long and rocky. But those are the tracks that shape your voice, ennoble your narrative, and ultimately prepare you to tell the stories you’re destined to tell.
In a world where so many voices go unheard, where so many stories languish in obscurity, Zan Hussain’s story stands as a beacon. A reminder that one person’s voice even one born of struggle can echo far beyond its origin. That storytelling, when done with authenticity, can unlock recognition, influence, change.
Whether you’re a business owner, a budding creator, or someone who feels unseen, there is something to learn from Zan’s journey. Share your story. Be bold. Craft it well. Because the world needs the voices that dare to be heard.
And if you follow him on Instagram @rjzandubai, you’ll see not just the highlight reel but the journey itself: the early days, the stumbles, the out-of-comfort leaps, and the steady rise. His journey shows us all our voice can matter, our story can matter, and we can make visibility happen.
