Emily Leyva Group of Companies CEO Emily Leyva. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

From working as a cleaner in Dubai to becoming the owner of the Emily Leyva Group of Companies and a partner at West International Employment Agency and Businessmen Services, Emily Leyva’s journey is one of resilience, grit, and an unwavering commitment to creating a better future for her family. Growing up in the slums of Calamba, Laguna, Emily was no stranger to hardship. She was the middle child in a family of five siblings, raised with military-style discipline. “I always wanted to be a policewoman,” she shares. She pursued criminology in college and passed all the exams, but financial constraints forced her to drop out and find work instead. Life took a dramatic turn when she married at 18, hoping for a better life. Instead, she found herself a single mother of four, struggling to make ends meet. She juggled multiple jobs in the Philippines—buy-and-sell, electronics repair, and dressmaking—but none were enough to provide for her growing children.

The Dubai dream

At 33, Emily took a leap of faith and moved to Dubai on a tourist visa, leaving behind her four young children, then aged 5, 7, 9, and 11. Her older brother was already working in the UAE, and she hoped to join him at Modern Bakery. However, by the time she arrived, the company had stopped hiring. With no other choice, she accepted a job as a cleaner. “The hardest part was missing my children’s milestones—graduations, birthdays—I only saw pictures,” she recalls. “But I reminded myself I was doing this for them.” Earning a meager salary of Dh1,500 per month, Emily took on part-time cleaning jobs during her days off. She would leave early in the morning and return home late at night, exhausted but determined. Her earnings went straight to her children’s education, leaving her with barely enough for herself. She endured harsh working conditions, even surviving a near-assault by a male client, which she bravely reported. Despite the hardships, Emily never stopped looking for opportunities. “Whenever I saw Victoria’s Secret on sale, I would buy and resell the products online for profit,” she says. This entrepreneurial mindset would soon change her life. Emily’s breakthrough came when she discovered the business of recruitment. She started as a freelance agent for manpower agencies, bringing in skilled workers to the UAE. “The commission was good, and I realized I could do this full-time,” she says. After gaining experience and growing her network, she decided to set up her own manpower business. It wasn’t an easy road—her first venture failed when competitors in a shared office space poached her applicants. Another business deal fell through when her partners demanded an unfair share of her earnings. Then, in 2022, she was offered a partnership at West International Employment Agency and Businessmen Services. The Filipina owner saw her potential and gave her a rare opportunity to join with minimal capital. “If not for her trust, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” she says with gratitude.

A leader with a heart

Today, Emily’s business helps job seekers find employment in the UAE as household workers and caregivers while ensuring ethical treatment of workers. “We check on our deployed staff to make sure they are safe. If an employer mistreats them, we step in. I tell them, ‘Sir or madam, they are human beings. If you can’t treat them well, we will take them back and return your money.’” Her own experiences fuel her compassion for workers. “I’ve been in their shoes, so I understand them completely,” she says. Emily’s biggest achievement is the establishment of the Emily Leyva Group of Companies. Her son, younger sister, and nephew now work alongside her, helping run the business. Looking ahead, she plans to bring all her children to Dubai to join the family enterprise. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Never lose sight of your goals. Don’t just dream—work to make them a reality.” Reflecting on her journey, she laughs, “If I could change one thing, I wish I didn’t marry so young!” But despite the challenges, she wouldn’t trade the life she has built. “Business changed my life. Before, we lived in the slums. Now, we own a two-storey home, and my children have everything they need. I don’t have to work part-time jobs anymore. That, to me, is success.”

Through the eyes of her family and team

Emily has touched the lives of many, but those who work closely with her have witnessed her journey firsthand. Here’s what they had to say about her: Melissa, sister: “I joined the company in January this year after working for another firm for nine years. I handle Facebook ads and recruitment handovers. It was an easy decision—I wanted to do something new, and I saw the potential for profit. But beyond that, I love being part of a company that truly helps people. We stand out because we’re a business with a heart. Working with my sister is interesting because our personalities are completely different! Coming from a corporate background, I push her to meet deadlines.” Gerald, son: “I moved to Dubai last year to help my mom. It was both nerve-wracking and exciting. She left when I was 12 to work abroad, but I always understood it was for our family. When I was in Manila, she trusted me to manage our travel agency. I’m proud of her—she went from being a cleaner to owning a group of businesses. Now, I’m learning as much as I can so she can be proud of me, too.” Aaron, nephew: “I started working for my aunt in September 2024, creating TikTok content to invite job seekers. Coming from a simple life in the Philippines, I was shocked at how big her company was! As an aunt, she’s very caring, but as a boss, she’s methodical. I admire her determination—she never gives up, no matter the challenge.” A condensed version of this story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine. Contact West International via +971 588768122 or email elgcleyva.08@gmail.com
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