Tell us a bit about yourself and the journey that led you to where you are now?
I am a rare demographic in the world of entrepreneurship. Not in my 20’s or even 30’s. A female who took a career break to raise a family and is now looking to reclaim her spot in the working world albeit as an entrepreneur.
Tell us about your company/organization and the vision behind the launch?
I founded Curate Home in July 2020. The world had come to a stop, our homes had become our refuge, our place of work, our retreat, and our escape.
People were looking to reinvent and redecorate their homes and on the other end, artisans and small businesses were struggling to survive.
We sold out of cotton throws within a week in July and I realized the need to pivot and set up a D2C business.
What have been some of the challenges you encountered while setting up your business?
There was a pandemic raging when I set up the business so the challenges were immense. Disruptions in logistics, costs, traffic, consumer sentiment all of which were unpredictable and unprecedented.
Do you believe gender factors in when you are setting up as well as leading an organization? If yes, is that a positive factor when it comes to the vision?
I don’t think it factors in…it’s just that female founders and leaders do double the work than most of their male counterparts. You never disconnect from your personal life and commitments and there is no such thing as a work life balance for women. Something has got to give at all times, and we need to decide what gives when.
How inclusive is your business and how does it empower your target audience?
Our business tries to be inclusive at every level, whether it be gender or race and the products we stock are a clear representation of this. For example, the handmade dolls we carry come in a spectrum of ethnicities and color and are modelled on real women’s bodies.
What are some of the most memorable milestones – professional as well as related to your company?
Thrilled to be in our newest location – in the art district of Al Serkal amongst some of the leading creatives in the region.
How empowering is it to be a UAE-based company?
The UAE offers a unique geographical advantage, as it puts us at the center of trade between Asia and Europe and we are inspired to use this to our advantage.
Celebrating 50 years of the UAE, what would you like to say?
The UAE is a leading light in Asia and continues to defy odds and deliver the impossible. I am extremely lucky and grateful to be able to call this my home.
Any last words?
I am very proud to be a female entrepreneur and I hope to inspire other women to do and be all that they dream of, no matter their background, age or whether they have children or not.
