Dubai's entrepreneurial landscape is brimming with innovation, as numerous individuals are launching businesses from the comfort of their homes. Ranging from culinary enterprises to fashion lines, entrepreneurs are converting their passions into thriving ventures through home-based businesses. Alia Al Marzooqi's Olah exemplifies the fusion of family traditions with contemporary needs. Inspired by her grandmother's hair oil formula, Alia established Olah to provide natural and effective haircare solutions.
"I battled with unhealthy hair, and my grandmother's traditional recipe yielded remarkable results," Alia shared with Khaleej Times. Alia emphasized that her brand prioritizes 100% natural ingredients, aiming to differentiate itself in a competitive market. Overcoming regulatory hurdles and building consumer trust were significant obstacles, but Alia's robust digital footprint has been pivotal to her success. "Engaging with customers via social media and maintaining a strong online presence has been essential," she added.
Salma Abutaha, founder of Catering by Salma, initiated her business in October 2022, driven by a yearning to break free from the routine of a 9-to-5 job and pursue her lifelong passion for cooking. "I've harbored a passion for cooking since I was 11 years old," Salma disclosed. Her emphasis on appetizers and mini food caters to the rising trend of bite-sized, elegantly presented dishes at events. By operating from a separate kitchen and upholding high standards of food safety, Salma has achieved success in a competitive market.
"Social media and word-of-mouth have been crucial in promoting my business," she noted. Olfat Yousef launched Loqma Hnia in February 2023, utilizing her time as a stay-at-home mother to transform her love for traditional Middle Eastern cuisine into a business. "I aspired to share the rich flavors of Middle Eastern food with others," Olfat explained. Despite lacking formal culinary training, Olfat's experience and family recipes have been key to her success.
Currently, she manages her home-based business by maintaining a dedicated cooking space and sourcing fresh ingredients locally. "Balancing family duties with business demands can be challenging, but staying organized helps," she said. Amani Essaam's AlHabiba Shop embodies a blend of contemporary fashion and traditional modesty. Inspired by a gap in the market for stylish, modern abayas, Amani introduced her line to merge contemporary designs with traditional values.
"I aimed to create abayas that are both fashionable and respectful of traditional modesty," Amani told Khaleej Times. Despite lacking formal fashion training, her passion and meticulous attention to detail have steered her success. Managing her home-based fashion line involves overseeing design, production, and customer service, with an emphasis on high-quality materials and craftsmanship. The surge of home-based businesses in Dubai mirrors a broader trend of personalized, niche entrepreneurship.
From Salma's mini foods to Olfat's Middle Eastern delicacies, Amani's modern abayas, and Alia's natural haircare, there is an increasing demand for authentic, locally-produced products, and the potential for home-based businesses to flourish in a dynamic market.
