With Emirati Women’s Day just last week, we couldn’t help but notice what our favourite companies were all doing to honour that important day. talabat, the region’s leading online food delivery and q-commerce platform, continues to amaze us with its evident support for SMEs and home-grown restaurants owned by Emirati women in the UAE.
As talabat witnesses an increasing number of female-owned restaurants on the platform, they aim to continue to support these vendors with the right tools to help them enhance their online presence and brand reach. Tatiana Rahal, talabat UAE’s first female Managing Director said: “It’s been deeply fulfilling to witness the growth of these Emirati female entrepreneurs and their role in building the community around them. Empowering homegrown businesses has always been a priority for talabat UAE. We want to accelerate their growth, by helping them enhance their online presence, bringing them closer to their customers. We are proud to be their partner on their journey to success on Emirati Women’s Day and every day.”
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So, we sat down and we listened. We listened to 9 amazing women tell us about how they created their businesses and what inspired them to do so.
Here are all the things these 9 talabat vendors had to say…
Shaikha Al Marri, owner of O’Nuts in Dubai
“I started this project in 2020 knowing that there was no donut business out there that had an authentic Emirati twist to it. I strive to deliver unique flavors, designs and even product names! I also put a lot of thought into the branding of my business, wanting something modern, bold, and relevant, in order to stand out. Having showcased at Miami Vibes Food Festival earlier this year, I’m excited for our new branch to open in Global Village soon. Along with my business, I am pursuing my passion for flying and building my flying hours in Italy towards receiving a commercial license. I’m proud to be part of a country that supports women in achieving their dreams and showing the world that nothing is impossible. I’m very grateful for the support of my family throughout my journey which motivates me to work harder and break new boundaries.”
Hayfa Aljasmi, owner of Napoli Restaurant in Sharjah
“Being a female restaurant owner and seeing my business grow gives me a sense of empowerment. I am lucky to be in a country that encourages its people, especially young Emirati women, to go after what they want. If you have a dream or an idea that has been keeping you up all night, don’t let it end there, chase your dream. My advice to every Emirati woman is to not think of failure because she will succeed as long as her heart is in it.”
Eman Al Mainaah, owner of L’auberge Restaurant and Lounge in Abu Dhabi
“I own a Lebanese restaurant in Abu Dhabi and I am proud to have been able to introduce new, unique offerings for different tastes. The F&B industry is definitely competitive and it can get really tough to keep up at times, but the secret to success is to make improvement a constant in your business, and this is the biggest investment a business owner will make. I would like to tell every Emirati woman to go after what she loves the most, because anything she loves, she’ll surely succeed in.”
Fatima Alshkeili, owner of Bell Pepper in Dubai
“I started my business as a small home project where I was experimenting with food and flavors. I did have a passion for food and cooking, which continued to develop when I started learning new skills and exploring new flavors, and that is when I felt that I could go bigger and open a restaurant. I wanted others to enjoy my food. It did require hard work, on myself and on my business so that it can continue to grow and expand, and of course the support of family and friends. My advice to every woman looking to start her entrepreneurial journey is to fight the critical inner voices that could hold her back. If you want to do something, you will overcome every obstacle.”
Asma Al Hammadi, owner of Made with Love in Abu Dhabi
“My advice to young Emirati girls is to never stop going for what they want and dream of. If they want to build a business, then they should do exactly that. Of course, I started my business with the support of my family and friends, and I encourage each and every Emirati woman to start her business as soon as possible. You don’t have to wait for the right time because life is short. So, ladies, start your business. Go ahead.”
Suhaila Al Hosani, owner of Atyab Sambosah in Sharjah
“Looking back at when I started, I can’t believe how much I’ve overcome and achieved by myself. That makes me feel so empowered. Since then, I’ve learned that patience, positivity, and perseverance are key to running a business, along with the support of loved ones of course! I’m grateful for the support of my husband, who encouraged me to start my business and take that leap of faith, and my colleagues, who encouraged me to keep marching on. I also look to leaders like Her Highness Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, the first female cabinet minister. She makes me proud to be an Emirati woman! I’ve always dreamed of owning my own business and being independent.”
Aiysha AlAidaroos, owner of Sinless Bakery in Dubai
“When everything was at a standstill due to the lockdown, it strangely set the stage to build something new for myself and my community. Our products provide much-needed solutions for gluten sensitive customers and diabetic patients that struggle with finding healthy options. We noticed a lack of these services and wanted to promote a healthy lifestyle for all. Working with online delivery platforms such as talabat during the pandemic was crucial for our business, allowing us to successfully develop and deliver over 100 specialised products in this year alone.”
Afrah Obaid, owner of Nam Nam Sweet Café in Umm AlOuwain
“Seeing there was demand among customers in Umm Al Quwain for specialty sweets, I was inspired to open my own business and fill that gap. My advice to women looking to start their own businesses – always do your due diligence; cultivate a mindset of learning continually and steadily and look at trends and learn how to become part of them or set a trend. I’m proud to be the Emirati businesswoman that I am today and couldn’t have done it without the support of my community, community-led platforms like talabat, and of course my constant cheerleader, my husband.”
Manar Al Maamari, owner of Home Made in Abu Dhabi
“My business has hit its seventh-year mark and while it has been challenging, it’s also been incredibly rewarding to see my business grow in front of my eyes. I am immensely proud of myself and what I continue to achieve as a self-taught entrepreneur. The premium quality of the services and products that I provide is behind the success of my business and this continues to motivate me to enhance more offerings and even expand my outreach across the country.”