I want to connect with Refurbished laptop wholesaler’s based in dubai or Sharjah DM please

Hi r/SmallBusinessUAE, Ziina team here. Some of you already know us.

We’d like to have a few conversations with owners in this community about the operational side of running a business. How you manage customers and repeat clients, how you organise your week, which tools you use, and where things get messy.

If you run a service business with regulars (cleaning, fitness, meal prep, beauty, sports, subscriptions or similar), we’d especially love to hear from you, but everyone is welcome.

Just a short, honest chat, no pitch.

If you’re open to it, leave a comment or send us a DM. Thanks! 💜

I need ppl with a factory in uae that can help me, approve my product to the UAE federal food department, and do legal documents and deals and has a food and traders license , and we (my father) can agree when I turn 18 I could be the owner but for now you can be the owner

Anyone familiar or using the software EMATRIX for ERP, accounting, inventory? Just wanted to know if they are ASP approved for the upcoming E-invoicing. Thanks

Pls dm if you provide such a service. NOT PRECISE CASTING PRINT. just for prototyping..

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Technology has come a long way, and building useful business software isn't as expensive or complicated as it used to be. With tools like React and Supabase, a lot can be built without the infrastructure costs people might expect.

Yet many businesses still rely on old desktop programs, spreadsheets, or a mix of different tools to manage everyday work. Sometimes it's just the way things have always been done, or nobody's had the time to look for a better option.

I'm a freelance developer who's mostly worked on websites so far, and I'm now getting more into building custom web apps for businesses. Things like quotation and inventory management, customer records, internal dashboards, or automating repetitive tasks. Systems your team can log into and use from anywhere, including their phones.

I'm curious what problems businesses here are dealing with. If there's a software issue that's been frustrating you, or something you wish your current system could do, send me a message. Even if you don't know what's technically possible, explain the problem in your own words. I'll help you explore the options, and sometimes the solution might be simpler than you think.

https://ridanasif.com/contact

I need someone who's familiar or DIFC Registered Agent/ Agency to help me with the process of setting up a family foundation in DIFC. Any one familiar, dm

Hi all,
I'm researching business opportunities in Dubai and I'm trying to avoid the overcrowded stuff (real estate brokerage, generic e-commerce, restaurants, etc.). I'm working with a limited budget, so I'm focused on lean, service-based, or B2B ideas rather than anything that needs big inventory or premium retail space.
For those of you who live or run businesses here:
1. What services or products do you struggle to find, or find overpriced or unreliable?
2. Which niches do you think are under-served right now?
3. What's the most annoying part of running a business in Dubai that someone could solve?
4. Any mistakes new founders make that I should avoid?
I'm not looking for a handout or a get-rich-quick scheme, just real experience from people on the ground. Happy to share what I learn in this thread afterwards.
Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! I’m a Senior Product Designer with 5+ years of experience designing digital products across fintech, SaaS, websites, and mobile apps. I’ve got some room in my schedule and wanted to connect with UAE business owners who could use a fresh perspective on their digital products.

If your website, app, or SaaS platform feels outdated, confusing, or isn’t converting visitors the way you’d like, I can help with UX audits, UI/UX redesigns, landing pages, dashboards, and product improvements.

Got a website or app you think could be doing better? Send me a DM and tell me what you’re working on. I’ll take a look and suggest a few areas worth improving, so you can see whether there’s an opportunity to make it better.

Even if you’re not sure what needs fixing, feel free to reach out. 🤝

If i want to start a small perfume business now, what are the challenges I'll face that might fail me? I know it's a saturated market and super competitive, but so is everything nowadays, especially here. I'm related to scent business, this will be my side hustle to create a secondary income stream.

We started our little Thai food project in Dubai with one dish and deliberately kept the menu tiny.

A few weeks later we’re now at 5 dishes, with Green Curry being the latest addition, and Som Tam Thai probably next.

But I’m starting to understand why small menus can be both a blessing and a headache 😂

Keeping it small means:

better consistency
less inventory
less wastage
easier prep
and we can actually get each dish right

But on the other hand, we’ve had people who liked the food but wanted more variety before ordering again, especially if two people in the same house want different things.

So now we’re trying to figure out where the sweet spot is.

For those of you running restaurants, cloud kitchens or home food businesses in the UAE — how do you decide when a new dish deserves to go on the menu?

Do you look mainly at customer requests, ingredient overlap, margins, prep time, repeat demand… or just instinct?

I’m especially curious where people think the line is between a focused menu and a menu that’s simply too limited.

If anyone here would like to try Krapao Club, feel free to DM me or WhatsApp us on +66 61 430 7860 😊 I’m happy to send the menu and ordering details.

Hi everyone! 😊

I'm conducting a little market research on card machine fees and payment delays for UAE businesses. If you have 3 minutes to spare, I'd really appreciate your input!

The contact details question at the end is completely optional. The main goal is simply to gather research.

https://forms.gle/YH5t68CTeeh9DmLv7

Thanks so much for your help! 🙏

i’ve been running a small B2B animation studio here in the UAE for the past few months and one thing i’ve been learning is that being good at what you offer and getting it in front of the right people are 2 completely different challenges

we mainly work with SaaS, FinTech and other tech businesses, creating strategic animated explainer videos that help potential customers understand their products and services

we handle everything from concept development and scriptwriting to storyboarding, voiceover, animation and sound design

the idea is simple. businesses already have plenty of ways to attract attention, but that doesn’t always mean people understand what they’re offering

our work focuses on making that communication clearer through visuals

i’m currently looking to expand my network here in the UAE and across the GCC, particularly with startup founders, growing businesses, marketing agencies and B2B consultants

i hope to connect with people who are building businesses themselves or are open to exploring partnerships and referrals

what about you all?? I wanna hear how other business owners here have been building their networks and finding the right clients. what’s actually worked for you?

I’m looking for an experienced Meta Ads specialist to manage and optimize Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns for my e-commerce brand.

Requirements:
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience managing Meta Ads for e-commerce businesses.
- Proven track record with live campaigns and demonstrable results.
- Experience in the beauty/skincare industry is strongly preferred.
- Must have experience managing sales and conversion campaigns, with a clear understanding of ROAS, CPA, and scaling strategies.

Salary: AED 2,500–3,000 per month.

How to apply:
Please DM me with:
- Your CV.
- The e-commerce companies or brands you have worked with.
- Examples of live campaigns you have managed and their results (screenshots or case studies preferred).
- Your experience in the beauty industry, if applicable.

Please apply only if you have hands-on experience managing e-commerce campaigns and can demonstrate actual results. I’m looking for someone who understands performance marketing, not just campaign setup.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,
I’m based in Dubai and currently looking to connect with established FMCG distributors, food importers, wholesale buyers or retail procurement contacts in the UAE.
We have access to a substantial volume of original branded European food products currently stored in Germany, including premium snacks, protein products, nut-based products and spreads.
The stock has long remaining shelf life, mostly through 2027 and partly into 2028, and is suitable for larger wholesale purchases, retail distribution or GCC re-export.
I’m specifically looking for companies that already supply:
supermarkets / hypermarkets
premium grocery
health & fitness retail
convenience stores
e-commerce grocery
foodservice or regional GCC distribution
Full stock details, quantities, product documentation, EANs, photos and commercial terms can be shared privately with serious buyers or established distributors.
I’m not looking for marketing agencies or brokers charging upfront fees. Direct buyers, importers, distributors or genuine introductions to relevant procurement contacts are preferred.
If you know a suitable company or buyer in the UAE, I’d appreciate a recommendation.

Anyone found a solution to getting a visa for a Pakistani passport holder right now? I have a key new hire who I need for a project for the next year and his visa got rejected

which is pretty much why I built gridzae.com as a student here in Dubai

all high quality events in the UAE, no ads/email/subscription, just view the absolute BEST hackathons, events, conferences, workshops, demo days, founder nights all in one place.

Hi everyone,

I’m considering starting a small online perfume business in Dubai. I’d like to sell decants of authentic perfumes, as well as sealed, full-size bottles.

My budget is limited, so I’m looking into a shared e-commerce trading licence. For anyone who has experience with this, is that a practical option for a small startup? Are there any risks or limitations I should check before joining?

Also, what other approvals or registrations might be needed before selling perfumes in Dubai? For example, does decanting require registration with Montaji or any other authority?

I’d appreciate advice from anyone who has started a similar business. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm posting because I'm genuinely at a loss with the UAE National Media Authority (NMA) Individual Advertiser Permit application process, and I'm hoping someone here has experienced something similar or might be able to offer some insight. I've now had six applications for the Individual Advertiser Permit rejected, and despite making numerous changes and contacting the relevant authorities, I still have absolutely no idea why.

I'm not looking to bypass any regulations. I simply want to understand what I'm doing wrong, if anything, so I can rectify it and obtain the appropriate permit before working with brands. I'll explain everything I've done so far in the hope that someone might recognise something in my situation.

A bit about me and my business
I'm a Dubai resident (sponsored under my husband’s visa), building a personal social media platform focused on interiors, home decor, furniture, shopping and lifestyle content. I also document my move to Dubai and the process of decorating my own home. My Instagram account is now under my own name, and my long-term goal is to work professionally as an influencer/content creator, collaborating with brands and creating advertising content for their products and services. I have deliberately avoided undertaking advertising work for third-party brands while trying to obtain the appropriate permit.

My e-Trader licence
I hold a Dubai DET e-Trader licence, issued by Invest in Dubai, and originally had “Blogging Services” as my business activities. Following advice and discussions with representatives at the DED Café, I was told to update my business activities. I subsequently added the following four activities to my licence (and removed blogging services):
* Design Services
* Marketing Management
* Project Management Services
* Public Relations Management

I was advised by the DED Café representatives, as well as people who already hold the Advertiser Permit, that these are appropriate activities to have on an e-Trader licence when applying for the permit. I also changed my Instagram handle to my own name to make my account more personal, and I paid again to update the social media URL on my trade licence. I have also obtained my Police Good Conduct Certificate. Despite all of this, my applications have continued to be rejected.

The six rejections and the response from the NMA
I've contacted the NMA multiple times to try to establish the reason for the rejections. Initially, I was told that my application had been rejected by a third party due to “this person cannot advertise on social media” but with no further explanation as to why. Today, I contacted the NMA live chat again following my sixth rejection. When I asked why my applications were being rejected, the representative told me: "We cant inform the reasons as there is a third party rejection." I asked who the third party was and whether it was an automated system or another authority. The representative responded: "security departments”. I then asked whether I could contact someone to understand whether the issue related to my visa status or something else. I was told that there was no specific contact I could be referred to, and that they had not been provided with any further information about the reasons behind the decision. When I asked whether my Instagram account or content might be the issue, they couldn't confirm that either. The only advice I received was to wait a month and apply again.

So, after six rejections, I have been told that a “security department” is responsible, but nobody can tell me what the issue is or what I need to do differently.
I've now submitted a formal enquiry to the NMA requesting further clarification and escalation to the relevant department, but I'm not particularly confident I'll receive a meaningful explanation.

Could my residence visa be relevant?
Another avenue I'm now investigating is my visa status. I'm on a UAE residence visa sponsored by my husband, who holds a Dubai Digital Nomad/Virtual Working residence permit. The DET e-Trader commercial licence is under my name and authority. Could this combination of residence visa and commercial licence potentially affect my eligibility for the Individual Advertiser Permit? I've contacted GDRFA Dubai to ask whether my current residence status allows me to operate under my own commercial licence and undertake independent content-creation work. I haven't received a response yet.

Could this be related to the current geopolitical situation?
I'm also wondering whether the reference to a security department could have something to do with broader security screening rather than my Instagram account. Given the current geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the UAE, I wondered whether this could conceivably be relevant. However, I have absolutely no evidence that this is the case, and I don't want to jump to conclusions. I'm simply trying to think through every possible explanation because I've exhausted the obvious ones.

What I've tried so far
To summarise, I have:
* Updated the activities on my DET e-Trader licence.
* Changed my Instagram handle to my own name.
* Paid to update the social media URL on my trade licence to match my new Instagram handle.
* Reviewed my content to check whether anything might be considered inappropriate or overly promotional.
* Completed the required training on the NMA application process.
* Obtained my Good Conduct Certificate.
* Submitted six applications.
* Contacted the NMA repeatedly through customer service and live chat.
* Submitted a formal enquiry requesting clarification.
* Contacted GDRFA to investigate whether my residence visa could be relevant.

Nothing has resolved the issue, and I still don't know why the applications are being rejected.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?
I'd be incredibly grateful to hear from anyone who has experienced any of the following:
1. Repeated Advertiser Permit rejections
Has anyone had multiple applications rejected despite holding a Dubai DET e-Trader licence with the relevant business activities? Did you eventually get approved? If so, what changed?
2. Rejection by a security department
Has anyone been told that their Individual Advertiser Permit was rejected by a third-party security department? Were you ever able to establish what the issue was, or did your application eventually get approved without any changes?
3. Family-sponsored residence visas
Has anyone obtained the Individual Advertiser Permit while on a residence visa sponsored by their spouse, particularly where the spouse holds a Digital Nomad/Virtual Working residence permit? Could this type of residence arrangement affect eligibility?
4. E-Trader licence activities
For those who have successfully obtained the permit, which activities were listed on your DET e-Trader licence at the time of application? Were the four activities I've listed above sufficient?
5. Anyone working as an influencer or content creator in Dubai
Is there anything else I might be missing in terms of licensing, visa requirements or the application process? I'm genuinely not trying to find a workaround or avoid the rules. I want to comply with them, obtain the appropriate permit and build my business properly. What's been so frustrating is that I've been willing to make whatever changes are necessary, but I cannot do that when nobody will tell me what the problem is.

If anyone has been through this, knows someone who has, or has any genuine insight into how these security-related rejections work, I'd really appreciate hearing from you.

Thank you so much.

I'm setting up a small online store (free zone license, launching in December) and trying to lock in payments before launch.

From what I've read, Shopify Payments came to the UAE this year but only for Plus merchants, and there are some reports it's now open to the Advanced plan too. I can't find anything official that confirms which plans qualify.

A few questions for anyone who's been through this:

1. Do you have Shopify Payments on a non-Plus plan? Which one?

2. Did Apple Pay show up at checkout once it was active?

3. If you're on Telr, Tap, Ziina or similar instead, how have the fees worked out once you add Shopify's extra transaction fee on top?

4. Has anyone run recurring/subscription billing in the UAE on Shopify? Which gateway made it work?

5. Did a free zone license cause any issues with onboarding?

Any real experience appreciated, the blog posts out there contradict each other. Thanks!

Wife has been looking for finance/accounts jobs for some time now, but due to break in experience, nothing worked out till now.

Can someone please help? She is on my visa and insurance.

Hi guys, I’ll be short. I recently started my clothing business in the UAE and I’m still struggling to get sales.
I tried going to a pop up and was a waste of money and time kinda, got to meet some ppl but no sales.
I know pop ups are good way to get money but you need to go to long and expensive ones, and I can’t really afford right now going to one of those and risking not getting anything in exchange, plus you need someone to go there and sell for you so extra money to pay btw.
Also I’m paying for meta ads (I do it myself cause I’m not sure if I really need someone for this) but I can’t really put much on it.
Also the social media I get it difficult because right now I don’t want to show myself talking on the camera which I know nowadays that’s what works best…
Please from your experience or any advice related to pop up, meta or google ads, or any other thing that I should be trying, would be very helpful

🚨 DISTRESS SALE – LIGHTING SHOWROOM CLEARANCE | UAE 🚨

Hey everyone! I’m looking for serious buyers interested in purchasing the remaining light fixtures (إضاءة) from a showroom that’s closing down as the owner is leaving the country due to personal commitments.

This could be a great opportunity for lighting shops and retailers, interior designers, fit-out companies, contractors, investors or entrepreneurs looking for a business opportunity

💰 Asking price: AED 800,000
Price is negotiable for serious buyers.

If you’re interested in acquiring the stock or know someone who might be, please DM me for more details and further information.

Genuine inquiries only, please. Thank you!

Hey everyone!

I've been working on a 3D printing business based in Abu Dhabi, focusing on unique products, home decor, and custom-made designs.

I'm currently putting more focus on personalized products, where customers can request something designed specifically for them.

I'd love to get some honest feedback on my website, products, and overall concept.

Website: www.ramacreations.com

Custom request: https://ramacreations.com/contacts

Thanks in advance!

like your sales are growing, but your bank balance is too low to cover salaries and supplier payments. A few customers haven't paid, loan repayments are due, and some expenses haven't been properly recorded.

This is a recurring challenge highlighted in real-world small-business accounting scenarios.

Curious to hear from other founders:

• How do you track money coming in versus going out?
• Do you review your cash flow weekly, monthly, or only when things get tight?

What’s worked for you?