Ryan Ronel is the co-owner of Trip Expert Business and Marketing Solutions. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

For Ryan Ronel, success in Dubai started with a simple decision made on his 24th birthday: buy the plane ticket and take the risk. That leap of faith would eventually lead him to co-found one of Dubai’s fastest-growing Filipino-led business support companies. Today, Ryan is co-owner of Trip Expert Business and Marketing Solutions, the sister company of Trip Expert International, where he helps aspiring entrepreneurs not only set up businesses in the UAE but also build the marketing systems needed to keep those businesses growing. From social media strategy and branding to events and promotions, Ryan’s role sits at the creative heart of the company. But for him, the bigger goal is not just business growth. It is helping create more business owners.

From home-based freelancer to company co-owner

Before Trip Expert became a recognizable name in Dubai’s Filipino business community, Ryan and his business partner Junie Sorsano were simply freelancers working from home. They created marketing content for travel brands and corporate clients, taking projects one by one while learning what the market truly needed. “At that time, we didn’t plan on starting a company like what we have now,” Ryan says. “But our clients kept growing.” That steady demand led to the launch of Trip Expert International in 2024, a company focused on business setup, visa services, and travel support. It quickly became clear that clients needed more than registration papers and visa approvals. They needed business support after launch. That need gave birth to Trip Expert Business and Marketing Solutions. “Since we started Trip Expert International, we’ve expanded to add services to our customers, which led us to start Trip Expert Business and Marketing Solutions,” Ryan says. Now, the company handles marketing, branding, social media support, events, and promotions for entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves in the UAE. “We do marketing, marketing support, events. As of now, we have a singing contest,” he says, referring to one of their latest entertainment projects. For Ryan, it was a natural next step. Ryan leads the company’s technical and creative side. “My role here is in technical and social media,” he says. It is a role that fits him perfectly. Long before entrepreneurship, Ryan discovered that creativity was one of his strongest assets. After senior high school, he considered Hotel and Restaurant Management but chose a different path. “I discovered I had a skill for cooking and creativity, so I just started working,” he says. Those early jobs taught him adaptability, but it was entrepreneurship that gave him the space to fully use his creative skills. “As a business owner here in the UAE, I have realized that I still have a lot to do and skills that I had previously kept and are now able to showcase in our new business venture,” he says. “I am very happy that this business allows me to practice my creative skills but at the same time allows me to help give jobs to people.” Looking back at the last 12 months, Ryan says the speed of growth still surprises him. “I feel happy and proud of how far we’ve gone,” he says. “We started small and we are getting bigger. This company wasn’t in our plan and we really experienced a big boom within one year, thanks to our team’s dedication and hard work.” From a small office with only a few staff members, the company has grown into a larger operation with expanding branches and a stronger team. One of the newest milestones is their branch in Ras Al Khaimah, opened earlier this year as part of Trip Expert Business and Marketing Solutions’ expansion. That growth represents more than expansion. It reflects trust from clients, many of whom are Filipinos trying to navigate the complicated process of opening businesses in the UAE. “We’re proud that 90 percent of our clients are Filipinos,” Ryan says. “We understand their struggles and we want to help them succeed.” Ask Ryan what he loves most about the business, and the answer comes quickly. “Helping Filipinos open their own business here,” he says. “It amazes me to see the rising number of Filipino entrepreneurs in the UAE.” For him, every successful client feels personal. The company helps people set up businesses, secure self-sponsored and freelance visas, and create legal, sustainable paths for their families abroad. “We help people achieve their dreams,” he says simply. “And when we see our clients grow or finally bring their families here, it feels like we’ve succeeded too.” For aspiring entrepreneurs, Ryan keeps his advice simple. “Don’t rush success,” he says. “The small wins lead you to the bigger goals.” WDL/Expat Media This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine. Grab your copy today at partner distributors across the UAE.
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