Find out what led to the decision of starting a business in Dubai
Meet Diva Vasudev, the Co-founder of Varak, The Edible Luxury, a rather delicious dessert brand business
Continuing reading to find out about how Diva started her business in Dubai, where it all began and the decisions behind the business model.
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Can you share a bit about your journey starting a business in Dubai and your background?
I had owned a dessert brand in India for about seven years, In 2019 I got married and moved to Dubai with my partner who had been in the food and beverage scene here since 2017.
My partner and I both come from hospitality backgrounds and always intended to do something together. Dubai was the most ideal geography as it had the best ingredients from every corner of the world. The audience was receptive, making it the most favourable place to start Varak.
What led to your decision to start a business in Dubai, and how has the experience been so far?
My partner and I always wanted to start something together given our backgrounds, and as he was based in Dubai and had been in the food tech scene, and I being a pastry chef, the combination was perfect.
The experience has been great; we realised that if you sell a good product consistently, compounding works beautifully in Dubai.
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How has being an entrepreneur in Dubai influenced your connection to the community and your sense of belonging?
We really call Dubai home. It doesn’t let us miss our neighbourhoods back home, and even when we do, a flight is just three hours away.
The food is all here, our friends are from all over the world, which makes us feel like we don’t belong anywhere else.
Being an entrepreneur has played a big role in me feeling this way because the love from the customers makes me feel like I am doing something big.
Could you highlight someone in Dubai who has played a significant role in supporting your business journey, and what impact did they have?
My husband has had the biggest support throughout this journey, from giving me that push, to making me shine or putting me out there. I recently delivered a baby on 29 Jan 2024, and the support has been amazing for me to get back to work.
What do you appreciate most about conducting business in Dubai, and how does it contribute to your entrepreneurial journey?
The most amazing thing about doing business here is that there is transparency, which leads to me being able to plan and forecast better.
What common misconception about starting a business in Dubai would you like to dispel based on your experience?
The most common misconception is about the local partner being mandatory, which is not the case anymore.
Share a memorable moment where you experienced the genuine hospitality and support of the Dubai community in your entrepreneurial endeavours.
Every year, we do two pop-ups, Quoz Art Fest and Taste of Dubai, and every year, we have people who follow up to show support.
So many of my clients and colleagues in hospitality have become close friends. These are people who were there when I delivered a baby to make sure I had everything I needed. The community in Dubai is everything, and we couldn’t be more grateful for it.
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