Nora Okail’s The Happiness Factory: A Business Built on Joy

Reimagining Leisure in the Kingdom

As Saudi Arabia races toward Vision 2030, a growing number of founders are rethinking what leisure, learning, and togetherness mean in modern Gulf life. Few embody this cultural transformation as vividly as Nora Okail, founder and CEO of The Happiness Factory. With nearly two decades of entrepreneurial grit across themed entertainment, events, and experiential design, Nora is quietly but powerfully shaping the Kingdom's next-generation social spaces.

Her mission? To build experiences that make people feel something memorable. Her medium? A growing empire of entertainment ventures rooted in both cultural fluency and global standards.

Backstory & Spark: A Carton of Chocolate, A Seed of Ambition

Nora’s entrepreneurial instinct showed early.

“One day I was in the supermarket with my father and instead of buying just one bar of chocolate, I asked if I could get a carton… I told him I wanted to open a supermarket and that I will pay him back.”

— AboutHer

That teenage hustle turned into a pattern of building. After studying marketing and gaining practical experience in business operations, she launched her first venture Squares, an events and brand activation firm that quickly earned credibility with corporate clients and public sector institutions.

What followed was not just serial entrepreneurship, but a methodical construction of Saudi Arabia's budding experience economy. Nora introduced Breakout, one of the Kingdom's first escape room concepts, then licensed Mad Science, an international educational edutainment brand, bringing STEM-focused fun to thousands of Saudi children.

Execution & Growth: From Events to Ecosystems

With each business, Nora refined her playbook: build from cultural insight, execute with operational discipline, and scale only what earns emotional connection.

• Squares taught her how to orchestrate large-scale, culturally resonant events.
• Breakout revealed a Saudi appetite for immersive, problem-solving entertainment.
• Mad Science proved that parents were willing to invest in fun that educates.

Today, as the founder of The Happiness Factory, Nora leads a boutique firm specializing in the design and delivery of immersive cultural, entertainment, and tourism experiences. Her team crafts everything from pop-up concepts to government-backed festivals, merging storytelling with logistics mastery. Each activation serves as a proof point in her broader ambition: building Saudi Arabia's first homegrown, family-focused theme park.

“What excites me is seeing people having a shared and unforgettable experience.”

— AboutHer

What Sets The Happiness Factory Apart?

1. Creative Innovation: Every project is approached with a fresh perspective, ensuring unique and immersive experiences.

2. Comprehensive Services: From strategic advisory to hands-on production, The Happiness Factory provides end-to-end solutions for its clients.

3. Cultural Connection: By celebrating Saudi heritage and modernity, the company creates experiences that resonate deeply with local and international audiences.

4. Mega-Event Expertise: The Happiness Factory has a proven track record in managing large-scale events, working closely with both private and government sectors.

Leadership Style & Culture: Experience as Value System

Nora leads with a belief that emotional intelligence is the real differentiator in business, especially when your business is joy.

Her companies reflect this ethos. Teams are tight-knit, creative, and operationally agile. Decisions move fast, but not carelessly. The goal isn’t just event success, but human connection: Did people laugh? Did families bond? Did a child feel inspired?

By blending global formats with Gulf sensibilities, Nora has created a company culture that values both innovation and heritage. Her leadership isn’t loud. It’s iterative, intentional, and relentlessly audience-focused.

Recognition & Global Relevance

Nora’s work has earned both national and international accolades:

• King Salman Award for Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year (2014)
• Named among Saudi’s 30 Most Impactful Entrepreneurs (2016)
• Ranked 3rd Most Creative Businesswoman in MEA (2012)
• Appointed to the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) EME board
• Speaker at global forums including IAAPA and regional tourism conferences

Her participation on the TEA board connects her to the world's top experience designers, from Disney to independent creatives, bringing a two-way bridge of insight between the Kingdom and the world.

Vision Forward: The Joy Economy

As Saudi Arabia continues its rapid evolution as a cultural and entertainment destination, The Happiness Factory is poised for even greater success. Under Nora Okail’s leadership, the company is expanding its offerings, forging new partnerships, and delivering experiences that inspire and delight.

For Okail, the journey is not just about business success. It’s about contributing to the joy and cultural enrichment of the Kingdom. Her story is a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.

Follow Founder’s Tale for more stories of the visionaries shaping Saudi Arabia’s future.