Saudi on Fast Forward: 17 Years Building Creativity & Community in Riyadh | Brandie Janow

Brandie Janow moved from Tennessee to Riyadh in 2009.. long before Saudi’s creative boom, design strategy conversations, or packed cultural calendars.

In this episode, she shares what early Riyadh was really like (when grocery stores were the hangout), how she founded Smuug to celebrate Saudi culture through design, and how she's part of building the foundation of design and the creative economy in Saudi.

We talk about:

The evolution of Saudi’s creative ecosystem

Starting Riyadh Coffee Club before mixing was normal

Launching Kingdom Creatives

Researching and documenting the future of Saudi design

“Saudi time” and life on fast forward

And why being intentional matters more than ambition

If you’re curious about women building careers in Saudi, the creative economy here, or what it’s like to grow alongside a country in transformation.. this one’s for you.

CHAPTERS

00:02:15 Welcome + the Tennessee accent

00:03:20 From Tennessee → Chicago → DC → Riyadh

00:06:25 What early Riyadh was really like

00:07:45 Watching Saudi evolve “like a plant growing”

00:10:40 The origin of Smuug

00:12:45 Why Saudi culture inspired her first brand

00:15:10 Why Saudi is an amazing place for designers

00:15:40 “We’re building a country”

00:17:20 Researching Saudi’s creative ecosystem

00:20:30 Riyadh Coffee Club (and mixing before it was normal)

00:22:25 The first meetup was packed

00:24:35 How coffee culture changed in Riyadh

00:26:30 Why Kingdom Creatives was created

00:30:35 “Saudi time” and life on fast forward

00:33:55 What her role looks like now

00:36:15 Documenting Saudi’s creative growth

00:41:50 Perfectionism and taking your time

00:43:05 Design futures + continuous learning

00:47:00 Why saying yes to everything can hurt you

00:48:05 Living intentionally, not just working

00:50:00 What really matters at the end of your life

00:54:55 Riyadh recommendations: JAX, Diriyah & more

00:59:00 What’s next + Ramadan reflections

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