Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Got a solution that can help others? Or perhaps an idea that can add value to people's lives? Go for it and start a business.
Young Emirati entrepreneurs who took the plunge say all it takes is some guts, hard work and a little help from social media to get a business off the ground.
For Alreem Al Breiki, 29, the idea emerged from what she observed was an unmet need. She founded a mobile salon service called Mimar Spa because she wanted to "create a unique and enjoyable salon experience" for children.
"I planned the services, bought the required equipment, conducted market research, and began promoting the business through social media until it became a real brand," she said.
The early days weren't easy. Al Breiki said drawing in clients and establishing credibility were her biggest early hurdles, compounded by tight startup costs and a limited marketing budget.
What turned things around, she said, was staying focused on customer satisfaction, a strategy that helped her build a loyal following over time.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: start with a problem worth solving, and don't wait for the idea to feel perfect. "Stay consistent, put in a lot of effort, and be prepared to learn from mistakes."
Wadhha Al Katheeri's path began with her university capstone project, which gradually evolved into Ethos, a sustainability-driven brand now producing bags, T-shirts, cups, and coats.
"I decided to continue developing the idea because I saw its potential," the 25-year-old said. Sourcing affordable, high-quality eco-friendly materials proved to be her toughest challenge, alongside the difficulty of earning trust as a new, unfamiliar brand.
"It was challenging at first to manage production, marketing, and finances simultaneously," she said. Persistence and flexibility got her through it.
For 33-year-old Ali Hassan Ahmed Al Hosani, the throughline has been consistency. "I started with a simple idea, worked on developing it step by step, and through consistency, learning, and believing in the vision, I turned it into a real business," he said.
Al Hosani runs Qatrh, a coffee business offering pop-up services for events and other occasions. Like Al Breiki and Al Katheeri, he struggled early on to build recognition and win over customers.
The Power of Social Media
Social media proved to be the key to success in all three journeys together.
For Al Breiki, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat allowed her to share client experiences and engage directly with her audience. "This fosters relationships and raises brand awareness," she said.
Al Katheeri relied on polls, direct messages, and comments to build a genuine dialogue with customers, calling it a way to "create meaningful connections" with her audience.
And for Al Hosani, it was consistent engagement and word-of-mouth that helped him "grow and reach more people".
