Recently, I had the pleasure of being invited to the Golden Tulip Media City Hotel in Dubai for a two-hour session with a diverse audience of business owners and delegates from the Marshal’s Office of the Podkarpackie Province. It was an enriching experience, giving me the opportunity to share stories from my career and dive deep into how businesses can succeed in the UAE.
After a brief introduction, I talked about my journey in the UAE, explaining the projects I have been involved in and the lessons I’ve gathered along the way. Instead of a formal lecture, I told the behind-the-scenes stories of several businesses, covering their origins, the steps taken to execute their ideas, and how they adapted to challenges. We talked about fundraising, pivots, and strategic shifts, with some businesses achieving major success, while others offered equally valuable lessons through their struggles.
One of the first stories I shared was about NatWeb Solutions, a web development company I led for over three years in the UAE. At NatWeb, we worked on tailored web and e-commerce solutions, building everything from websites to digital strategies for clients across different industries. Some of our key clients included Eyewa, Gothelist, Timepiece360, and Walidia Yachts.
I described to the audience how NatWeb’s value lay in its ability to creatively solve problems when clients faced bottlenecks, meeting challenges with flexibility and resourcefulness. We didn’t just deliver websites; we built complete solutions—including SEO, CRM systems, and even marketing tools. It was a great opportunity to highlight the importance of understanding clients' specific needs and evolving with them as projects expanded or pivoted.
One of the most meaningful stories I shared during the session was about Eyewa.com, a project I was deeply involved in. I walked the audience through the company’s journey from an initial idea—bridging the gap in the regional eyewear market—into becoming one of the most successful e-commerce platforms for eyewear in the GCC.
During the early stages, I supported product development, user experience, and platform strategy, working closely with the team to ensure the platform was easy to navigate. We spent time refining every detail of the customer journey, from browsing to checkout, ensuring it provided the best possible shopping experience. This was a major learning experience, as it required constant communication with the developers, designers, and marketing teams to ensure seamless execution.
Fundraising was also a critical part of Eyewa’s journey, and I explained to the audience how securing investment provided the company with capital and market validation. It allowed us to scale operations, optimize logistics, and expand the product range. However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing—like any startup, Eyewa had to overcome challenges by pivoting strategies and staying ahead of competitors.
I also encouraged the audience to read more about my experience with Eyewa on my personal blog, where I reflect further on my role and the lessons learned throughout the process. You can explore those insights here.
We also discussed The Cloud, a virtual kitchen startup that successfully raised over $17 million USD. The story of The Cloud is a perfect example of how pivoting and addressing new market demands—in this case, the rise of delivery-only food brands—can turn a small idea into a scalable business model. This sparked interest among the audience, as many were curious about how investment decisions and scalability work in the UAE.
The discussion wasn’t limited to success stories. We talked about other ventures like Sprii, previously known as Mini Exchange, which eventually filed for bankruptcy. I explained how such experiences provide essential learning opportunities. Businesses in the UAE operate in a highly competitive environment, where continuous innovation and adaptability are essential.
The final part of the session involved a lively Q&A discussion. The audience asked insightful questions about starting and running businesses in the UAE, ranging from free zone advantages and legal frameworks to cultural adaptability and market entry strategies. These discussions gave me a chance to address specific concerns and share advice tailored to their interests and business goals.
What made this session truly special was the enthusiasm and curiosity of the participants. It was a reminder of how sharing stories and practical experiences can inspire new ideas and foster cross-border collaborations. I left the session feeling grateful for the opportunity to connect with such passionate individuals and share my journey.
Reflecting on the session, I feel thankful for the warm welcome I received from the Marshal’s Office of the Podkarpackie Province and the business owners who attended. These moments reinforce the importance of building connections, exchanging ideas, and learning from one another’s successes and failures. I look forward to staying in touch with the participants and exploring future opportunities for collaboration.
Until next time!