Born in the UAE to an Emirati father and an Indian mother, Tahany Taher's formative years in both countries profoundly shaped her perspective. "My childhood was a bit of a journey," she reflects. "I was born in the UAE and spent a few years here before moving to India. I witnessed poverty and hardship firsthand. Those years truly molded me, influencing my thoughts, my drive, and my approach to every project."
Returning to the UAE, Tahany embarked on a successful banking career, eventually heading the commercial banking division for a multinational bank. However, the onset of Covid-19 led to a period of introspection that would change her trajectory. "During that time, I had the chance and mental space to reflect on what more I could do beyond caring for myself and my family," Tahany explains. "Covid made me realize how fragile life is. You start thinking, what if you don’t make it to 50 or 55? What can you do now to make a difference?"
The answer came through her connections in the food supply business in India. Learning about the systemic issues—corruption, unfair pricing, and the alarming rise in farmer suicides—she pondered, "How could we change this?" Collaborating with friends who worked closely with farmers, they devised a plan to bring products to more developed markets, buy directly from farmers, offer fair prices, and support those in desperate need of a market to survive.
This initiative, named Hayawiia, was not just about social impact but also addressed inflated prices in the UAE market. "It felt like I was contributing to both parts of my identity—being half Indian and half Arab—and helping both countries in the process," she says. Hayawiia, a gourmet food destination promoting a healthy lifestyle, quickly gained traction and was honored with the FedEx Best Startup Business of the Year award in 2021.
Initially sourcing products from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Turkey, Tahany also began working with women entrepreneurs and small home-based brands. "We started with our own online platform and then expanded to other channels like InstaShop, Amazon, Gipson, and supermarkets," she says. "That’s how we grew—sourcing products, creating brands, and supplying them to the UAE market. From there, we expanded into the GCC, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and created new brands that gained recognition."
Tahany acknowledges the unique advantages of being a woman entrepreneur in the UAE. "Being a woman has actually helped me quite a bit because it opens a lot of doors. Everyone wants to support women entrepreneurs and startups, which is amazing," she shares. Major companies like Carrefour and Lulu have played pivotal roles in her journey, providing invaluable support.
Despite these advantages, the road to success has not been without challenges. Early on, cash flow management proved to be a significant hurdle. "The biggest issue was funding," she admits. "We were buying everything with cash because the suppliers we worked with were so small that they couldn’t offer us any credit." Correctly pricing products, forecasting cash flow, and planning execution were crucial to Hayawiia’s success.
Tahany’s experiences as a banker proved invaluable as she navigated startup life. "As a banker, I highly recommend keeping at least 18 months of runway to keep things going," she advises. "You often need to rely on friends and family in the beginning. That’s how you bootstrap—by getting support from those who trust you." While this strategy is vital, it comes with its risks; Tahany admits, "There’s a risk of losing some friends if things go wrong."
As her business grew, she sought external support from banks like RAK Bank, which assisted her through invoice discounting. This facility enabled her to receive payments much sooner—an essential factor when dealing with larger retailers that typically take longer to settle their invoices. "For example, Carrefour pays after 90 days, but with FAB’s discounting facility, I could receive my money in just two days instead of waiting the full 90. That really made a difference," she adds.
Now that the tough part is behind her, Tahany finds herself seeking new challenges. "Ultimately, the goal is to sell the business, which we are currently in the process of doing. It’s a successful venture, and hopefully, I’ll start something new afterwards," she says. Identifying herself as the type of entrepreneur more intrigued by launching fresh initiatives, she isn’t particularly fascinated by the idea of merely sustaining and scaling her current business. "I've tackled the toughest part, and honestly, it can get boring after that. That is why I prefer to move on, and that is why I’d like to get paid."
Balancing her role as a mother with the demands of her business has not been easy, Tahany admits. "Honestly, I believe my kids deserve an award more than I do," she laughs, acknowledging the stress of managing both her startup and her responsibilities at home. "I’ve been constantly stressed and on edge—managing salaries, monitoring cash flow, and keeping up with my key performance indicators (KPIs) at work," says Tahany, who continues to serve as Vice President of Citibank, heading corporate banking for the country, while working on her startup. "I don’t even know how I managed it all, but when you’re in it, you just feel like you have to make it work. Giving up wasn’t an option for me."
Despite the pressures, Tahany finds immense joy in her work, particularly in connecting with other women entrepreneurs. "The women I was meeting, who were creating these brands, were fantastic," she recalls. "Some would tell me, ‘Tahany, people only know my brand in a small city outside Bengaluru, and now you have it in Dubai!’ They could never have imagined it."
The journey has been filled with ups and downs, but through it all, Tahany has learned to embrace the chaos. "You definitely have both good days and bad days—more bad than good at first. Then you realise that chaos is normal," she says. "The real impact—and the true sense of fulfilment—comes from helping someone you don't know, expecting nothing in return, especially when they have no other means to help themselves." Recognising the value of mentorship and community building, she encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to seek guidance from those experienced in their fields. "If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to partner with or at least find a mentor who has experience in the same field, rather than making all the mistakes yourself."
As she looks to the future, Tahany envisions not only the growth of Hayawiia but also the potential for broader social impact through collaboration among women entrepreneurs. "The alumni network here at the Emirati Women’s Achievers is crucial," says Tahany, who was recently recognised at the 2024 Awards Ceremony at NYU Abu Dhabi. "All the women who won awards today have a social impact through their work. Just imagine what we could achieve if we combined our connections and brainpower. The potential is phenomenal!"
