Three Emirati entrepreneurs share how cultural inspiration and personal experience have shaped their growing businesses.

A gemstone, an abaya and a familiar scent may seem like very different starting points. Yet for three Emirati businesswomen, each became the foundation of a contemporary brand shaped by identity, creativity and personal experience. Working across fine jewellery, fashion, fragrance and skincare, the founders draw on nature, heritage and memory to create products with a distinctly local perspective.

All three are members of the Sharjah Business Women Council, connecting them to a wider community of entrepreneurs as they develop their businesses and explore new opportunities.

Nature, set in stone

Ebtesam Al Marzooqi’s passion for diamonds, rare gemstones and the beauty of nature began more than 15 years ago, eventually evolving into 530 Carats, her fine jewellery brand.

Each creation draws inspiration from nature’s intricate forms and the distinctive character of rare stones, reimagined in gold, diamonds, and gemstones. “To me, fine jewellery is a form of storytelling. Shaped by nature, brought to life through exceptional diamonds and gemstones, and created to carry meaning beyond generations. At 530 Carats, every piece is designed not simply to be worn, but to become part of a woman’s story and, ultimately, her legacy.” She says.

As 530 Carats evolved, its focus expanded from establishing a distinctive design identity to reaching a wider audience. Through SBWC, Al Marzooqi has built new professional connections and gained opportunities to introduce the brand to new audiences and expand its presence.

Reworking an Emirati staple

Maryam Al Hammadi’s starting point was one of the Gulf’s most recognisable garments. Since founding Maroon Design in 2013, she has sought to give the abaya a contemporary character while retaining the cultural identity at its core.

“I wanted every piece to be a genuine expression of a woman’s individuality and character, while bringing elegance, modesty and comfort together in a single design,” Al Hammadi said. “Our collections combine precise tailoring, fabrics, colour and considered detailing, while responding to changing tastes and lifestyles.”

Through exhibitions and platforms facilitated by SBWC, Al Hammadi has presented her collections to wider audiences and used customer feedback to inform future designs and business decisions.

“These experiences are extremely valuable for a designer because they allow us to listen to customers, understand their preferences and identify the details that attract them to a product,” she said.

Bottling memories

Moaza Al Suwaidi’s brand, Ateeq, grew from the idea that scent could preserve memories of the past and reinterpret them for a contemporary audience.

“The idea for Ateeq came from the simplicity of the past and the beauty of the scents connected to our memories and local identity.” She said. “Through SBWC, we were able to connect with institutions and companies, which helped us develop our corporate and personalised gifting offering and bring our products to new events, occasions and customer segments.”

The brand specialises in natural skincare and fragrance products, with personalised gifting becoming an important part of the business. Al Suwaidi now hopes to take Ateeq further afield while retaining the Emirati character at its heart.