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Female Founders Behind UAE’s Best-Known Brands
Local ideas that became household names.
When people think about the UAE’s best-known brands, they don’t always think about the founders behind them. Yet many of the country’s most recognizable restaurants, wellness concepts, beauty brands and cultural projects were created by Emirati women.
We’ve gathered a few stories across different industries. The result is a reminder of how much of modern UAE life has been shaped by female entrepreneurs and their ideas.
Whether you’re training for a marathon, looking for new friends or simply trying to get more steps in, these clubs have built some of the city’s most active running communities.
We’ve gathered a few stories across different industries. The result is a reminder of how much of modern UAE life has been shaped by female entrepreneurs and their ideas.
Whether you’re training for a marathon, looking for new friends or simply trying to get more steps in, these clubs have built some of the city’s most active running communities.
Asma Hilal Lootah: The Hundred Wellness Centre
Villa 53, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1
Asma Hilal Lootah is an Emirati wellness entrepreneur and nutrition specialist who founded The Hundred Wellness Centre in 2012. The centre became one of the UAE’s early wellness destinations focused on preventive health, nutrition, mental wellbeing and holistic therapies. Today, it offers consultations, wellness programmes, workshops and treatments designed to support a healthier lifestyle.
The Hundred Wellness Centre. Photo credit: Instagram @thehundredwellness
Manar Alhinai & Sharifah Alhinai: Khaleeji Art Museum
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai
Created to celebrate and preserve Gulf art, Khaleeji Art Museum shines a spotlight on artists, stories and cultural movements from across the region. The project was founded by sisters Manar and Sharifah Alhinai, who wanted to create a dedicated platform for Khaleeji creativity and heritage.
Alongside exhibitions, the museum highlights both contemporary and historical works, helping introduce a wider audience to the region’s artistic identity and cultural history.
Alongside exhibitions, the museum highlights both contemporary and historical works, helping introduce a wider audience to the region’s artistic identity and cultural history.
Khaleeji Art Museum. Photo credit: Instagram @khaleejiartmuseum
Noora Saeed: Love Vibe Cafe
Cluster R, JLT
Built around positivity, self-expression and feel-good dining, Love Vibe Cafe quickly became one of the city’s most recognizable cafe concepts. The project was created by Emirati entrepreneur Noora Saeed, who wanted to design a space that felt uplifting, welcoming and visually playful.
Known for its colourful interiors, vibrant dishes and strong social media presence, the cafe has built a loyal following among residents looking for a more light-hearted take on brunch and cafe culture.
Known for its colourful interiors, vibrant dishes and strong social media presence, the cafe has built a loyal following among residents looking for a more light-hearted take on brunch and cafe culture.
Love Vibe Cafe. Photo credit: Instagram @lovevibecafe
Amna Al Hashemi: Mitts & Trays
Bluewaters Island
Dubai Hills Mall
Dubai Hills Mall
What started as a home baking project eventually grew into one of the UAE’s best-known homegrown cafe brands. Founded by Emirati entrepreneur Amna Al Hashemi, Mitts & Trays became known for its desserts, pastries and welcoming atmosphere.
Over the years, the concept has evolved into a popular all-day dining destination while staying true to its original focus on homemade recipes, comfort food and community-driven hospitality.
Over the years, the concept has evolved into a popular all-day dining destination while staying true to its original focus on homemade recipes, comfort food and community-driven hospitality.
Mitts & Trays. Photo credit: Instagram @mittsandtraysuae
Sheikha Eissa: She Burger
Al Khawaneej Last Exit, Dar Wasl
Founded by Emirati entrepreneur Sheikha Eissa, She Burger helped shape a new generation of local restaurant brands in the UAE. The concept became known for its strong visual identity, quality ingredients and distinctly local character at a time when international chains dominated the market. Today, the brand operates in several emirates, including Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah.
She Burger. Photo credit: Instagram @she_burger.
Deem Al Bassam & Amal Al Marri: SALT
Founded in 2014 by Deem Al Bassam and Amal Al Marri, SALT became one of Dubai’s most recognizable success stories. What began as a single food truck quickly grew into a citywide phenomenon, attracting long queues and helping redefine casual dining in the UAE.
Over the years, the brand expanded into permanent restaurants, large-scale pop-ups and destination experiences across the Gulf. Today, SALT operates across multiple countries and is widely regarded as one of the most influential homegrown hospitality brands to emerge from the UAE.
Over the years, the brand expanded into permanent restaurants, large-scale pop-ups and destination experiences across the Gulf. Today, SALT operates across multiple countries and is widely regarded as one of the most influential homegrown hospitality brands to emerge from the UAE.
SALT. Photo credit: Instagram @findsalt
Shiri Abdulrazak: Sisters Beauty Lounge
Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, City Walk, Mirdif Avenue and other locations
Together with her sisters, Shiri Abdulrazak transformed a family business into one of the UAE’s most recognizable beauty brands. Sisters Beauty Lounge became known for combining salon services with elevated interiors, premium products and a customer experience that felt closer to a lifestyle destination than a traditional beauty salon.
Today, the brand operates across multiple locations in Dubai and continues to be one of the leading female-founded businesses in the country’s beauty industry.
Today, the brand operates across multiple locations in Dubai and continues to be one of the leading female-founded businesses in the country’s beauty industry.
Sisters Beauty Lounge. Photo credit: Instagram @sistersbeautylounge_
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Date of the article's release: spring 2026