Mariben Christine Tan Eustaquio is the founder and managing director of EZONE. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

In a world where success stories often begin with adversity, Mariben Christine Tan Eustaquio is a refreshing outlier. “I don’t have a sob story,” she tells Expat Media with a smile. “I lived a comfortable life. But when you come to the UAE, you don’t have your usual network, no family. You rely mostly on yourself—and maybe a few good people in the community.” Today, she is the founder and managing director of EZONE, one of the fastest-growing business setup consultancies in Dubai—with over 600 clients, most of whom came through word-of-mouth. But long before she became the businesswoman trusted by hundreds of entrepreneurs, Mariben was a young girl in Zamboanga City, Philippines, learning the values of resilience, simplicity, and resourcefulness.

Triple-degree achiever

Even before she truly knew what being an entrepreneur meant, Mariben was already in business. “I started buying tops, dresses, accessories—everything from Divisoria—and reselling them to classmates,” she says. “Eventually, I joined bazaars. It wasn’t about building an empire; it was about being resourceful and independent.” She carried that same fire to Manila, where she earned not one but three bachelor’s degrees: Legal Management, Psychology, and Nursing. “I’m actually a registered nurse in the Philippines—but I’ve never practiced,” she shares. “I did it because I was a good girl, and I come from a family of nurses,” she adds, laughing. After graduation, she passed a tough exam to become a general securities representative qualified to trade in the US market. She got married, became a mother, and followed her husband to Dubai in 2010. At first, it was just supposed to be a trial. “I honestly didn’t expect much,” she recalls. “I thought we’d stay for a short while and eventually move to the US or Canada.” Fifteen years later, she has not only stayed—she’s thrived.

The accidental start in business setup

Mariben’s first job in the UAE was…unexpected. “Not many people know this, but I worked in a car garage that serviced Porsches and BMWs. I was the only woman, surrounded by tools and testosterone.” She laughs, remembering the chaos of her short stint there. “The weekend work didn’t help either.” But her breakthrough came when she moved to an admin role in a business setup firm in Downtown Dubai. “That role changed everything. I quickly fell in love with the job and the industry.” She climbed the ranks, eventually becoming director. “I treated the company as if it were my own. The trust and mentorship from my boss shaped not just my career, but my character.” And yet, she knew deep down that something more awaited her. When she eventually left corporate life, Mariben had no plans to start a competing company. “I didn’t want to burn bridges. I owed it to the people who helped me grow.” She ventured into F&B, consulting, and training. But the calls never stopped. “Every day, people would ask for help: to start a business, restructure, or just get honest advice.” That’s when she knew—this wasn’t just a job. This was her calling. In 2021, she launched EZONE with just two employees and herself. “There was no fancy launch—just experience, relationships, and a reputation built over a decade.” Today, EZONE has grown into a 20-strong team with a reputation as a firm built on trust, not transactions. What makes EZONE different? “We don’t give generic advice. I guide clients as if it were my own business, my own money,” she explains. “I’ve worked not just with clients but with free zones, regulators, and government authorities. I know the industry from every angle.” EZONE provides end-to-end business setup support—from licensing and visa processing to accounting and tax advisory. And it’s not just about ticking boxes. “We deliver solutions. We’re here for long-term relationships. That’s how we’ve grown.” In fact, 95 percent of EZONE’s business comes from referrals, Mariben says.

Leading with community and compassion

As a Board Director of the Philippine Business Council in Dubai, Mariben makes time for her fellow Filipinos. “There are over 2,000 Filipino-owned businesses in the city. We need collaboration, not competition. I joined PBC to be part of a community.” She’s also a humane boss. “I always put myself in my employees’ shoes. If they’re thriving—buying a house, investing, traveling—then I know I’ve done something right.” Her three children, now teenagers and young adults, have grown up watching her build EZONE. Her youngest daughter even interns at the company. “She gets paid!” Mariben laughs. “Though she did once say, ‘I think what you do is so boring.’ I told her, ‘You don’t know half of it!’” A night owl, Mariben works late and swears by her color-coded calendar. “When friends invite me, I send them a meeting invite. I’m not being corporate—I just need to block time or my team will take it!” Her self-care? “Sometimes I just sit in my car, listen to music, and do nothing for 30 minutes. It’s how I recharge.” She also recently launched a podcast, Entrepreneurship Is Not For Everyone, sharing the unfiltered reality of the entrepreneurial life. “It can be lonely. I want to create a space where people feel seen and supported.” As a proud Filipina, staying grounded is non-negotiable. “Being Filipina isn’t just about where I’m from. It’s about how I show up—with heart, humility, and hard work.” Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Start with gratitude. Know your why. Build slowly if you must, but build right. And choose community over competition. One shining star can’t light up the sky. But many stars together—that’s what creates brilliance,” she says. Over the next five years, Mariben envisions expanding EZONE’s services beyond the UAE, diving deeper into the startup ecosystem, and creating even more impact—not just in business but in society. “I want to build companies, communities, and opportunities. Because when we rise, we take others with us. That’s the kind of legacy I want to create,” she says. CAM/Expat Media This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition Magazine. Want to connect with Ezone Business Setup or learn more about business setup in Dubai? Visit e.zone
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