The GRAZIA Career Edit: Meet Maria Galabova, Founder Of Keto Kartel

Maria Galabova is the founder of Keto Kartel, a wellness and longevity lifestyle brand based in Dubai that aims to redefine the relationship between health, indulgence, and balance.

Born in Bulgaria, Maria’s career began in diplomacy and international business before entrepreneurship took centre stage. Drawn to the UAE for its energy and opportunity, she built Keto Kartel from the ground up – driven by a personal conviction that healthy living can be both luxurious and emotionally fulfilling. With a family background in medicine and a passion for prevention and longevity, she is on a mission to change the way people think about wellness. Here, she tells GRAZIA about the journey so far.

Someone independent, curious, and able to create a meaningful impact in people’s lives.

Subjects related to sociology, human behaviour, and international relations, understanding people always fascinated me. I wanted to be a journalist

Working within environments connected to diplomacy and international relations and businesses between Bulgaria and Belgium, which shaped the way I see communication, structure, and global culture.

A journey across different countries from diplomacy to business, experiences, and industries that eventually led me to entrepreneurship and building Keto Kartel from a vision into a growing international brand.

The UAE gave me the space to dream bigger, build fearlessly, and turn an idea into a real business surrounded by ambition, innovation, and opportunity. Dubai was the right place.

A story that started with a personal experience and became a transforming wellness lifestyle proving that healthy living can still feel luxurious, enjoyable, and emotionally fulfilling without compromise.

I truly believe prevention, longevity, and mindful living are the future. Coming from a family of doctors also deeply influenced the way I see health and wellbeing.

Balancing work, movement, wellness rituals, creative thinking, meetings, family time, and always making space for self-discipline and reflection, and sipping my coffee in peace…

Leading the vision of the brand, overseeing strategy and expansion, product development, communication, and making sure every part of the brand reflects our philosophy and standards.

Was building something unconventional and educating people that wellness and indulgence can coexist.

Building Keto Kartel into a trusted premium wellness brand with a growing international presence and loyal community.

An ambitious woman is unstoppable.

Continued growth, meaningful expansion, inspiring more people to prioritise their wellbeing, and taking Keto Kartel to even bigger international platforms and to start my foundation