Dubai, UAE — Tahany Taher, a former banker-turned-entrepreneur, has successfully carved a niche in the UAE’s food industry with her startup, Hayawiia, which has won the FedEx 'Best Startup Business of the Year' award. Taher, born to an Emirati father and Indian mother, attributes her unique perspective and entrepreneurial spirit to her diverse upbringing in both the UAE and India.
Having led the commercial banking division of a multinational bank, Taher decided to pivot during the Covid-19 pandemic, realizing that she wanted to make a more significant impact beyond her banking career. She drew inspiration from her connections in India’s food supply chain, recognizing issues like corruption, unfair pricing, and the dire situation of farmer suicides. Taher set out to address these systemic issues by creating a platform that would offer fair prices to farmers and introduce their products to more developed markets.
Launching Hayawiia: A Dual-Purpose Venture
Hayawiia was born out of this vision—a gourmet food destination designed for a healthy lifestyle. It quickly gained traction, sourcing products from countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Turkey. Taher also collaborated with women entrepreneurs and small home-based brands, providing them with opportunities to market their products in major UAE supermarkets like Carrefour and Lulu.
In her journey, Taher leveraged her experience from banking to manage cash flow, an essential aspect of her business. She dealt with early challenges like funding by bootstrapping, relying on friends and family, and seeking external support from banks. With strategic moves such as invoice discounting, Taher was able to maintain a stable cash flow and scale her business.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
Despite the initial challenges, Taher acknowledges that being a woman entrepreneur in the UAE has opened many doors for her. She emphasizes the importance of careful planning, cash flow management, and strategic partnerships in driving Hayawiia's success. Taher is now in the process of selling her venture, aiming to start something new and challenging.
Taher's story is not just about business success but also about making a meaningful social impact. She has empowered farmers, women entrepreneurs, and small producers, connecting them to larger markets and creating sustainable livelihoods. As she looks forward to new ventures, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs in the region and beyond.
This blog will showcase the entrepreneurial journey of Tahany Taher, who transitioned from a career in banking to founding a successful food startup in the UAE. The post will explore the challenges she faced in switching industries, her motivations, and how she navigated the highly competitive food business landscape.
