Start-up Secrets: Top Tips for Entrepreneurs in the UAE

Her Excellency Sara Al Madani, Board Member at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry shares her recipe for Entrepreneurial Success

Dubai, UAE, August 22, 2016:  The UAE entrepreneurship ecosystem has swiftly increased in the last couple of years. Todays young entrepreneurs across the country are heroes in their own right. From being interviewed by leading newspapers and magazines to having thousands of social media followers around the globe; these heroes have carved their own paths to success.

Her Excellency Sara Al Madani is a well-known fashion designer, entrepreneur and founder of Rouge Couture fashion label, now known as, Sara Al Madani Fashion Design. Following her success as a young entrepreneur and business woman, H.E Sara Al Madani was selected as a board member of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to inspire women in the UAE to be more active and self-confident in order to achieve business success. 

Here are H.E Sara Al Madani's key ingredients in the recipe for success:

• Be Positive

Having a positive attitude will allow you to go above and beyond. It will help you succeed on projects and meet goals.

• Build A Business Plan 

If you're just starting out, a well-thought-out business plan is extremely important. Do all the necessary research right from the beginning, organize and plan your priorities. Business plans give you a clear understanding of how your business is put together. 

• Find The Right Resources  

Once you are ready to take the leap and establish a business; you will require the right advice, resources, and support. Incubator programs such as The (W)hole by ShjSEEN, an initiative by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, can help get your startup off the ground. It provides ongoing assistance to startups throughout their first and second year of operation and covers operational costs such as office rental costs and licensing fees.

• Manage Your Finances 

One of the major reasons for a start-up to fail is cash-flow. You must learn how to manage your finances if you want your business to go beyond the startup phase - this means budgeting for growth and not just initial costs.

• Help Others 

The best way to achieve success is through helping others in meaningful ways. Go out of your way to help a deserving individual; seeing others do well will motivate you to do the same.

• Hard Work 

There are no shortcuts to success; infact shortcuts only cause longer delays. Success comes to those who put in the hard work. Use your strong drive put everything you got into your goal. 

• Be Passionate & Strong-Willed

The only way to do great work and shine is to love what you do. Be genuinely passionate towards your goal.                                                                 Life isn't always easy or fair, and to overcome these obstacles you will need a strong mind. If you have a strong desire to succeed there is no limit to what you can achieve.

• Network

Small or big, networking is crucial for all businesses. Attend networking events around you and meet people from different experience levels and backgrounds. Take advice, get inspired and expand your opportunities.