We never need an excuse to celebrate all the brilliant, women-led businesses in the UAE.
Here are top companies set up by, run and owned by women that you can support in the UAE and for more powerful women in the UAE, and how you can support them, click here.
ALL’E Fashion Boutique
Inspired by successful and independent women who are hardworking and not afraid to take risks, Ella Stapleton set up ALL’E Fashion Boutique with the aim of making trendy, yet affordable fashion available in the region. “The UAE is full of opportunities for both men and woman, and the UAE shows great initiative in promoting the future of female leaders.”
www.alle.ae.
Aventura Parks
Set amid Mushrif Park’s natural ghaf tree forest, this 35,000 sq m adventure playground offers intrepid visitors around 80 activities, including rope walks, log balancing, ladders and zip lines, the largest of which is a toe-tingling 160m long and 10m high. When talking about setting up a business in Dubai, Managing Director of Aventura Parks, Lina Malas says: “There is no discrimination against women and they are treated with respect and care – in fact, women are encouraged by the leadership of Dubai to open and lead businesses. I made the entrepreneurial move because I wanted to create something bigger than myself that has a positive and meaningful impact on individuals and our community. Our vision was to develop an idea that didn’t exist here in Dubai that brings people closer to nature, allows visitors of all ages to live their adventure, and allows individuals, teams and leaders to learn more about themselves and each other.”
Mushrif Park, Dubai, www.aventuraparks.com (052 178 7616).
Beauty Binge
Driven by a passion for clean living, Beauty Binge’s CEO (that’s Conscious Executive Officer, mind you) Minal Siyal founded Beauty Binge after she realised the region needed a single platform for affordable and accessible cruelty-free, organic and vegan products. “To all the budding entrepreneurs out there: listen to all advice but ultimately equip yourself to make the right decision for your goals. The less you rely on others for advice and decisions, the more the failures, successes, and the journey will feel like yours. Keep moving forward with enough confidence to tackle the challenges efficiently and effectively. Tap into the right resources and avenues, be it incubators or other digital platforms that are readily available to foster your aspiration. Believe in your idea; as long as you understand your target audience and you can organically immerse yourself in your journey – success isn’t far behind.”
www.cleanbeautybinge.com.
Bespoke Balconies
Dubai-based Georgina Griffin set up balcony renovation company Bespoke Balconies last year, after losing her job gave her the push she needed. “The lockdown gave me time to do things I was passionate about – designing, styling and learning skills such as sewing and I re-designed our balcony as it was the only outdoor space we were able to go at the time. Setting up a business definitely came with its stresses but you owe it to yourself to at least try, as in the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take.”
@bespokebalconiesdxb
Blank Canvas Community
Founded by sisters Christina Awad and Tanya Awad, Blank Canvas Community (which started in Melbourne and then re-launched in the UAE) was created with the intention to build a spirit of community, or sense of belonging. “Blank Canvas started off as a small and simple concept, it’s because of the UAE and how it has been received here that we’ve expanded into a social enterprise which offers community building activations, creative consultancy, art and wellness programmes and products to governmental and corporate organisations as well as the public. We’re grateful to be here and are looking forward to what’s to come,” said Christina and Tanya. And on what inspires them? “The uniqueness of each individual, and how they carry that with them into the collective. That unique spark that makes an individual a vital piece of the larger puzzle. We all weave in together perfectly. Also, nature inspires us – how perfectly in harmony everything is, each animal, insect, plant, is playing its role, and co-creating our beautiful environment. Can you imagine if each of us played the roles we’re meant to play, and each role is celebrated equally?”
www.instagram.com/blankcanvas.community.
Cloudhoods
Providing mums and mums-to-be with a platform to discover, discuss as well as engage in local initiatives and events that are taking place in the UAE, Cloudhoods’ co-founder Nancy Najm says: “We made the move because we wanted a better work-life balance after becoming mothers; we had aspirations to create our own business and found that now is the right time, especially when we noticed a need for an online support network that empowers women through motherhood.”
www.cloudhoods.com.
Drink Dry
Founding the UAE’s first premium non-alcoholic drinks marketplace during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic was a liberating experience for Erika Blazeviciute Doyle, founder and managing director of Drink Dry. “The pandemic helped people in business re-evaluate what really matters and change the rule book of how business should be conducted. It has all became a lot more result driven rather than simply clocking in the hours at your desk. But most importantly for me, it allowed working mothers to be just that – ‘working mothers’. As a mother of two young girls and a third one on the way, it is important for me to lead by example and show my girls that you can be both – a mother and a business woman at the same time,” she says.
www.drinkdrystore.com.
Dubomedy
Comedy club co-founder Mina Liccione set up Dubomedy with her now husband Ali Al Sayed. “We wanted to build up the local and regional scenes as well as empower aspiring female comedian’s voices with platforms like Funny Girls,” she says. “It’s been incredible seeing it grow. As a comedian, it’s my job and purpose to spread laughter especially during the difficult times. Being a comedian anywhere in the world has its challenges, but I love being a comedian in Dubai,” she says. “There are more than 200 nationalities here so it’s always a fresh and very diverse audience. The last year been really difficult but as comedian, it’s my job and purpose to spread laughter especially during the hard times. With great struggle comes great comedy and art so you just have to keep going, keep creating, see the humour in life and find solutions.”
www.dubomedy.com.
Eggs & Soldiers
This homegrown, family- and eco-friendly brand was set up in Sofi Chabowski. Eggs & Soldiers specialises in stocking all-natural child- and parent-friendly products including toys and clothes. “Setting up Eggs & Soldiers as a woman didn’t bring any real hurdles, but juggling being a mum of four and a business owner is tough,” she says. “The community of UAE female business owners is such a supportive and encouraging one though. You don’t know until you try, but do your homework first. Have your own ideas, identity and uniqueness, that’s what sets you apart from the others around you and find a support team, both personally and professionally.”
Times Square Center Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, www.eggsnsoldiers.com
Hayawiia
Inspired by the Arabic word for health and vitality, Hayawiia is a female Emirati-owned e-commerce platform offering high-quality healthy food and snack alternatives and all-natural beauty care products, all at affordable prices. Aiming to debunk the myth that healthy eating and living comes with a hefty price tag, the one-stop-shop website offers 1000s of products including vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, wheat or grain-free, low-sugar, low-carb and, keto-friendly options. And in line with UAE’s 2030 agenda for sustainable development, Hayawiia offers packaging that is recyclable and notes made with eco-friendly seed paper embedded with flower, herb, or vegetable seeds that can be planted, promoting a greener future. “Our concept is to add convenience for customers looking to make the conscious switch to clean living. We are not a trend, we’re here to make an impact for a healthier and better future,” said Tahany Taher, co-founder at Hayawiia.
hayawiia.com (04 548 9956).
Keto Goodies
Initially, Keto Goodies wasn’t a business at all, but founder Francoise Albrando Crosbie, who is a trained nurse, starting making healthy snacks for herself and friends. Now the company specialises in low-carb, sugar-free treats and snacks.“In a whirlwind of just two years we have transformed from a one-woman bakery to a business serving thousands of customers. There is great positivity here and the UAE is a supportive place where people are usually eager to help others.”
www.ketogoodiesdubai.com.
KidsHQ
KidsHQ (a previous Time Out UAE Kids award-winner) is an incredible soft play area and high-energy kiddos will love running, climbing and jumping as they play on the various slides, in the ball pit, and on the trampolines. “The ability to give back, add value to my community and create opportunities for entrepreneurs inspires me and creating a platform for women and mothers in business has always been at the heart of Kids HQ,” says founder and managing director, Abeer Al Tamimi. “The importance of women in the community, from home to the boardroom cannot be overshadowed. It’s pivotal that we actively uplift, support and motivate the women in our circles and work together as one community.”
www.kidshq.ae.
L’Couture
Combining fitness and fashion, L’Couture was founded in 2019 by Lyndsay Doran and has garnered a strong following worldwide. “At L’Couture we celebrate women every day. We are an all-female team and we are passionate about making women feel good in what they wear, so they are ready to take on the world.” Each collection is designed in-house in Dubai and when talking about setting up in Dubai, Lyndsay says: “To be honest, the process of setting up a company in Dubai as a woman was relatively straightforward. I am extremely driven and as soon as I found my passion for fitness, I knew that I wanted to do something within this field. There have obviously been challenges along the way but this is just all part of the journey as an entrepreneur.”
www.lcouture.com.
Malaak
Malaak, a company that provides professional maternity nurse and babysitting services, was set up by Lily Kandalaft. “We are blessed to be in a country like the UAE, that has so many support ecosystems for women,” she says. “There were, of course, hurdles, like setting up any business but I believe the best way to learn is to just go through it. Especially when it’s a new industry, the best way to learn is to test it and grow as you pass through each hurdle. My business was set up to support women like me who were struggling on their parenting journey. My daily inspiration is creating value and a positive impact in families’ lives in the UAE.”
www.malaak.me.
Nadia Loves
Nadia Loves sells silk, cotton and satin fashion face masks in a range of colours, and was set up by Dubai-based Nadia Budwa after she was made redundant from her job in June 2020. “It started off as an online e-commerce business selling mainly through Instagram and markets. Now my masks and accessories are stocked in salons and studios across Dubai and Abu Dhabi,” she says. “We have to wear them so why not look good doing it? For years I wanted to set up my own business but I never had the courage to do so. I was always concerned what others might think and afraid of failure. When I launched Nadia Loves, I was nervous I wouldn’t even receive one order but you just have to take the plunge, life is too short.”
Nadialoves.zbni.co.
Neon Starfish
This homegrown clothing company sells everything from dresses to jump suits and more. The idea came to Holly Hart four years ago when she was on the beach with her two sons – and as a family they came up with the name. “Having been lucky enough to have lived and worked in four countries, I haven’t found any challenges specific to Dubai that you wouldn’t find anywhere else,” she says. “As a woman, juggling kids / work / life / personal and everything else is always hard. But you have to focus and strive and grow and embrace the support around you. I love seeing how people look in our clothes, but actually, how they feel when they see how they look. That happiness from a feeling is what inspires me every day.
It’s what I think of when I design new additions to the collection.”
www.neonstarfish.com
MMG Events
Events and talent agency MMG was set up by Gosia Golda, who says she set up in Dubai when she say opportunities in the creative field. “It might not be that easy for start-ups at the super-early stage, but things are definitely changing now,” she says. “Remember why you started at any point of running your own business and create a strong unique vision and moral ethics built in within your brand that will keep you going.”
mmgme.com
MOTION Cycling
Making the switch from a background in finance to the Founder and CEO of MOTION Cycling was no easy feat for Amelie Hua but coming from a family of entrepreneur so wasn’t afraid of the challenges that come along with setting up a business. “It can sound a bit cliché, but never be afraid to fail. I come from an entrepreneur family, and I saw them failed and rebuilt themselves, many times and I have myself started many projects before that have also failed (and from the age of 14 years old at that), but when you have this entrepreneurship blood inside of your vein, if you know that this is something that you really want, you can’t be afraid to fail.”
MumzWorld
Offering families in the Middle East one place to search, compare, and buy from a wide range of leading local and global brands, all from the comfort of their homes and offices, MumzWorld, which was founded in 2011 by Mona Ataya, is the go-to website for mums and mums-to-be here in the UAE – but e-commerce is a complex industry. “The region has exceptional talent, but focus on the customer, innovate and success will come. Don’t just follow others – create your own mark – disrupt,” she says.
www.mumzworld.com.
Paintings by Emily Kate
“Painting had always been just a hobby but I was spending most of my spare time creating and painting, to the point that I felt there was a potential to make a business out of it,” says artist Emily Boston. “In this short time period, I’ve achieved a large amount of success in producing unique pieces of artwork, tailor-made to my customer’s preferences. It is such an honour for me to do so and gives me the greatest joy. Most recently, I have held exclusive exhibitions inside the renowned home and furniture store; Jysk and their J Cafes, which has given me a wonderful opportunity to showcase my artwork.
There has been ups and downs but that is part of it.”
@paintingsbyEmilyKate
Play:Date
Play:Date, a social application for kids aged 12 and up which helps parents to set up playdates, was founded by entrepreneur Shamim Kassibawi in 2016. “Technology has given us the opportunity to create a job out of what inspires us. I am inspired by making dreams come true, I hope that I am able to encourage young girls one day to really dream big and give anything and everything a go because they can,” says Kassibawi. “Dubai is the dream when it comes to setting up a business and we have so many fantastic female founder groups within the community who are so supportive and reliable. It’s easier to get things done in the UAE and women are supported and respected in every way.”
www.myplaydateapp.com.
Pop & Toast / The Anna McKeown Collection
Originally creating Pop and Toast in 2018 as a hobby outside of her full-time art-teaching role, Irish artist Anna McKeown has become well-known in Dubai for her vibrant bottle prints. Her portfolio now features luxury perfume prints, hand-painted custom design bubbly bottles, bespoke commissioned art pieces, wallpaper and more. McKeown is now a full-time artist and has rebranded to The Anna McKeown Collection and offers all aspects of an art project from consultation to installation of high-end unique art for individuals, venues and businesses in residential and commercial spaces. “I think Dubai Is a great place to be – especially if you sell internationally,” she says. “Dubai is a hub for new and innovative brands. It’s a place that will support art and culture and is keen to bring the diversity along with it into a city that is bursting with people and creatives from all over the globe.”
www.popandtoast.org, www.annamckeowncollection.com
Pretty WOW
Pretty WOW (AKA one of the coolest salons in Dubai for all things hair, nails and lashes) was founded by Sophie Devine and the venture was all down to timing. “I made the move as always a passion of mine to have my own business, and the timing worked perfectly with being a new mum and opting for redundancy was the perfect opportunity to do something for me and take advantage of the timings in my life. It’s the best thing I have ever done,” she says. “The female is future – as quoted on my salon walls!”
Cluster V, JLT, www.instagram.com/prettywow.ae (04 572 6437).
Pug Whistle
Chloe Ragg started children’s clothing company Pug Whistle last year after making clothes for her own kids. The online store now stocks boys and girls clothes, plus accessories. “I just had the idea and thought, ‘why not?’ I used to get asked a lot where my children’s clothing was from and I thought, instead of telling them, why not design and create a label of clothing I love and can sell? “The actual ‘starting’ of the business wasn’t difficult, but teaching myself about e-comm and starting a fashion label was more intense than I imagined. But I live by the saying, ‘persistence beats resistance’ and think it can be applied to most areas of our lives.”
www.pugwhistle.com.
PureBorn
Founded in 2017 by Dubai-based mum Hannah Curran, PureBorn is a home-grown line of eco-friendly nappies and wet wipes made from plant-based materials such as bamboo. Designed with environmentally conscious families in mind, PureBorn has fast become a market leader and can now be found at major supermarket chains across the UAE including Carrefour and Lulu Hypermarket. And to go hand-in-hand with its ethical ethos, five percent of PureBorn’s annual proceeds go towards supporting children around the world. Plus, the nappies come in the cutest, trendiest designs too.
pureborn.com.
Ripe Market
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Many of us have spent a lazy Friday morning strolling around Ripe Market, picking up trinkets for gifts, as well as fresh produce, while our families run around – dogs included. Becky Balderstone set up the popular market in 2011 when she discovered she couldn’t source all the seasonal, organic and local fresh produce boxes in the UAE like those in the UK and elsewhere.“Something that I try to remind myself every day is that owning a successful business involves patience, time, and determination regardless of being male or female,” she says. “The most important thing to remember is to make sure you always celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small no one can do it on their own.”
Various locations including Academy Park, Umm Suqeim, www.ripeme.com.
Roar
Fifty percent wild, 50 percent tame, boutique Dubai design firm Roar was set up by founder and creative director Pallavi Dean. “Setting up was effortless – building a brand from scratch that was the uphill battle,” she says. “Construction is a man’s world and it’s exhausting having to prove myself every time I show up on site or when I am the only woman in the boardroom. But opinions are subjective and expertise is not. I’ve got to say there are a number of men in the UAE and beyond who are incredibly respectful and supportive and I’m grateful I get to work with them and having my own company means I get to choose my clients, contractors and collaborators.”
d3, www.designbyroar.com.
The Botanist
Ready to ditch single-use plastics, toxins and indoor air pollution? The Botanist stocks eco-conscious cleaning products for every room of the house including dish soap, kitchen sprays and floor cleansers. “I started The Botanist as I was looking for natural cleaning alternatives and wasn’t able to find what I wanted – so I started to develop my own liquid soaps. Then some of my friends started to ask me for products as they have children and wanted to reduce the chemicals in their house. And then some of their friends started asking for products – and now here we are: a small team working non-stop on new ideas and new projects! It’s definitely very fun and an exciting adventure,” says Ruby Giroux, Founder of The Botanist. “A big part of my inspiration come from my family. I always got taught to respect the environment, to recycle, to consume less but more wisely, to read the labels and be careful about my choices, and to go organic each time it is possible. With The Botanist, we try to keep it simple, no chemicals, easily biodegradable and all natural ingredients, reusable glass bottles and very soon, small refillable pods with recycling system for the bottles.”
www.thebotanistdubai.com.
The Edit Dubai
Designed for the modern woman, The Edit is a collective lifestyle space that brings together fashion, accessories, art, beauty, home décor and a coffee bar, all under one roof. “I was working as a lawyer and perceived a huge gap in the market for well-curated concept stores that had a personal touch. The actual set-up was quite difficult and now, relaunching in Alserkal Avenue has been mostly great but there have been a few setbacks. Resilience and adaptability where necessary (while they may seem contradictory) have been key,” says founder of the concept store, Rumana Nazim.
www.instagram.com/theeditdubai.
The Flying DAF Squash Academy
Founded and run by Egyptian-born, Dubai-based USA national champion and world ranking squash player Kanzy El Dafrawy, The Flying DAF Squash Academy is a Dubai-based high-performance squash academy. Offering court hire, group classes, both semi-private and private lessons, and kid-friendly classes, the swish squash centre is based out of Jumeirah Mina A’Salam. “Launching the academy is the culmination of my life’s work, which I have dedicated to the game. After winning titles around the world during my professional years, this is my biggest challenge and I cannot wait to share my expertise and experience with Dubai.”
flyingdaf.com.
The Laughter Factory
Gail Clough set up this comedy club with Duncan Jones 24 years ago, and it’s a huge player on the Dubai nightlife scene, bringing the funniest comics in the world to the UAE every month to entertain comedy fans. Names from Jason Manford to Russell Peters and Michael McIntyre have graced the stage at The Laughter Factory. And in a time where a giggle is needed more than ever, The Laughter Factory has stood firm. “Most of life is mundane and dull. I love to work with people who sparkle and create exciting moments. That’s what makes the whole big mess worthwhile,” she says. “I reckon, if I can make people’s lives a bit easier, this transcends any cultural barriers.”
www.thelaughterfactory.com
The Tasting Class
Looking to put your nose and palate to the test? For nearly seven years now, The Tasting Class has been creating food and drink tasting experiences and masterclasses through hundreds of live events. Founder and CEO Lindsay Trivers says her why has always been hosting grape and food experiences. “We’ve had so much support from like-minded people,” she says. “Without friends who have tucked in with strategy consultancy, marketing, production, to be bums in seats, and to the grape community who come to all the events and are chomping at the bit to step up to the mic when we need help running tastings, we would be in a different situation.”
www.thetastingclass.com.
Shimis Yoga
Shimis is easily one of the coolest yoga and wellness studios in Dubai and according to founder and managing director, Simona Stanton, anything is possible if you never give up. “I decided to open a yoga studio because I simply couldn’t find one that meets all my needs. I wanted to combine my two biggest passions: fitness and mindfulness,” she says. “Having your own business is extremely challenging in many ways but there is no more rewarding feeling in the world than doing things you believe in. And remember – you can never please everyone. Just do what you believe in and never look back.”
Warehouse 42, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, www.shimis.com.
Studio EM
Studio EM is one of the leading interior design firms in the region having delivered projects and designs for many or the region’s leading and international brands such as Wagamama, Marco Pierre White and Five Guys. Founder and Creative Director of Studio EM, Emma Stinson. “I made the move because I was at a point in my life where it made sense. If anything and ironic as it may be for this article, I made the step because of the support, backing and influence of two men in my life, my dad, Terry and my husband, Kristian. I’m also inspired by the woman in our industry who raise other woman up and don’t cut them down, sadly there’s so much more of the latter rather than the former, but it’s up to us as woman and leaders in the industry to shift that balance,” say says. “In terms of setting up as a woman, I mean, it was pretty easy. Being born and brought up in Dubai my whole life, it’s remarkable how much easier things are for woman now, compared to the old days, that’s something that I don’t take for granted.”
www.studioem.net.
That Hair Tho (THT)
Founded in 2018 by entrepreneur Kate Darling, That Hair Though in JLT focuses on ethical beauty by offering a wide range of treatments that are all vegan, sustainable and gluten-free. “I saw a large need for new concepts and innovations, particularly in the beauty industry as this is something that I spend a lot of time and effort in, as do many women,” she says. “Dubai is the place that attracts a lot of go-getters: the ones that
take risks, that work hard, and that create new pathways.”
Cluster N, JLT, thathairtho.me.
You Beaut
“I had an idea that I really thought would be meaningful to the Middle East consumer so decided to take a leap of faith. I wanted to offer access to unbiased beauty expertise and then allow customers to test beauty products in the comfort of your own home before buying them,” says Founder of You Beaut, Alexys Mackenzie. “I think setting up a business no matter who you are is difficult, but it is oh so rewarding. Being able to have the freedom to run experiments, trial and error (a lot of those!) and being exposed to all facets of a business has been amazing. I’ve been able to grow enormously both personally and professionally.”
www.youbeaut.me.
