How did you get started in entrepreneurship?
My family are all entrepreneurs. When I was young, I was not sure what exactly I wanted to be when I grew up, but studying business and becoming an entrepreneur would allow me to explore unlimited fields and industries. This allowed me to explore a few ventures before settling in banking and F&B.
You are the founder and CEO of Bumblebee, a homegrown business of ready-made frozen meals for babies and toddlers, where did you initially get the idea?
One day I was babysitting my friend’s son and noticed that the food being offered was bland and pale. I turned the pack around only to see that it was produced seven months ago, yes, the food was made before he was even born! This is when I identified a gap in the market for fresh baby food and decided to launch Bumblebee.
How has your background in finance helped you with this venture?
It has equipped me with the skills to create detailed budgets and forecasts, ensuring that I allocate resources effectively. Additionally, my finance experience enables me to make data-driven decisions, whether it’s pricing strategies, managing cash flow, or analyzing market trends. This financial acumen not only helps me sustain the business but also positions it for growth in a competitive market.
What makes Bumblee unique in the marketplace?
Bumblebee is the first and only frozen meal plan for babies and toddlers in the UAE. We also recently launched our dry snack range which consists of cookies, crumbles, energy bites, granola, and more. Our menu has been developed by a child nutritionist and certified chef and all our ingredients are locally sourced. We ensure that all our meals offer the nutrients that your child needs for healthy growth without compromising on flavor.
After you noticed there was a gap in the market for healthy and nutritious baby foods for weaning, how did you get started in manufacturing the product and deciding exactly what to sell?
Luckily it came at a time when all of my friends and family were having babies and small children. I started by testing out foods on them. The first few batches were not popular because I was afraid of introducing flavor so I kept bland and simple. I realized soon enough that babies too have sensitive pallets and enjoy good food. I relied on my culinary background to develop more sophisticated blends and those became a success at the test kitchen. I soon realized I had a business and teamed up with a team of child nutritionists and certified chefs to further develop the business but also positions it for growth in a competitive market.
What makes Bumblee unique in the marketplace?
Bumblebee is the first and only frozen meal plan for babies and toddlers in the UAE. We also recently launched our dry snack range which consists of cookies, crumbles, energy bites, granola, and more. Our menu has been developed by a child nutritionist and certified chef and all our ingredients are locally sourced. We ensure that all our meals offer the nutrients that your child needs for healthy growth without compromising on flavor.
After you noticed there was a gap in the market for healthy and nutritious baby foods for weaning, how did you get started in manufacturing the product and deciding exactly what to sell?
Luckily it came at a time when all of my friends and family were having babies and small children. I started by testing out foods on them. The first few batches were not popular because I was afraid of introducing flavor so I kept bland and simple. I realized soon enough that babies too have sensitive pallets and enjoy good food. I relied on my culinary background to develop more sophisticated blends and those became a success at the test kitchen. I soon realized I had a business and teamed up with a team of child nutritionists and certified chefs to further develop the menu and launch the business. Our key mission is to help busy moms and moms on the go to ease the burden of meal planning, which is why our food is frozen. All moms have to do is heat and eat, it only takes minutes.
What has been your biggest challenge from your first idea, to launching the product, to now?
Teaching parents and children about healthy eating habits was a challenge. For example, many parents offer their own adult food that’s mashed such as rice and curry; the problem with this is that it’s filled with oils, butter, salt, and hidden sugars. This not only encourages unhealthy eating habits but studies have shown a direct link between early introduction of salt and childhood obesity. To combat this, I developed engaging educational content and interactive workshops to promote our mission, making nutrition fun and accessible.
What has been your biggest success since launching Bumblebee?
I am grateful to have had many successes since launching Bumblebee. We are currently expanding our presence into more retailers and working closely with strategic partners to grow beyond our goals. I have been featured in over 50 publications and Bumblebee was selected as part of the United Nations Women program. Recently, we were featured in Shark Tank Dubai and secured investments from three Sharks.
What is your mission with Bumblebee?
Our mission is to help children build a healthy and sustainable relationship with food. We believe that by introducing wholesome ingredients and teaching children about the origins of their food, we can empower them to make informed choices. Our products are designed not just to nourish, but also to inspire creativity and exploration in the kitchen.
What advice do you give to female entrepreneurs looking to start their first business in the UAE?
I advise them to leverage the supportive ecosystem here, including networks and mentorship programs specifically for women. Building relationships can provide invaluable guidance and resources needed to navigate your entrepreneurial journey.
What are your future goals?
I envision partnering with schools and nurseries to provide healthy meal options. Our mission is to help children build a healthy and sustainable relationship with food. I plan to increase our green initiatives as we align our goals with the Government’s strategy for sustainability such as Dubai Farms initiative. Our food package is recyclable and reusable, and we have implemented internal KPIs such as being a zero waste kitchen. Find out more about Bumblebee:
