Despite the lingering stigma surrounding mental health, the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) is actively changing this reality by upskilling and empowering female business owners and entrepreneurs who are introducing incredible resilience-building products and tech-driven solutions to boost the mental, emotional and holistic well-being of members of the community.

SBWC has over 2000 members in Sharjah, the UAE and beyond. The council is dedicated to supporting its members in turning their business and entrepreneurial ideas into successful, profitable businesses and start-ups in over 35 diverse market sectors, including non-traditional sectors like agritech, food security, STEM solutions, tech and innovation, and mental health, to name a few.

The council believes that by integrating more women into the economy who aspire to lead mental health and wellness-related businesses and investing in their development, a ripple effect will be created. This effect will not only benefit individual women but also families, communities, and nations around the world.

Committed to breaking the stigma around mental health: SBWC member success stories

The Barakah Studio – the first-of-its-kind space for focusing on the body and mind designed exclusively for women in Sharjah – was Bashayer Al Obeidli’s response to Covid-19. Since its opening in 2020, the studio has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of women, allowing them to focus on themselves and embrace holistic wellbeing through the practice of yoga, pilates, barre and other wellness therapies in a free, open and calming space.

For Dr. Muna Obaid Aldhabbah, the visionary behind Hala Jary, her social neighbourhood network application was a response to the apprehension and unfamiliarity experienced by individuals moving into new areas. By leveraging shared interests and mindsets, Hala Jary connects and matches people within their neighbourhoods, fostering vibrant interactions, networking opportunities, and long-lasting friendships. Going beyond social connections, the app also offers recommendations for nearby amenities and includes a feedback section where users can actively shape their communities by voicing their opinions and concerns.

Yasmin El Mouallem’s desire to create an online platform that can specifically address maternal mental health needs was realised with Maternally. She received great acclaim on the Expo Dubai 2020 pitching stage where her idea was lauded by global leaders, investors and experts. Co-founded by Ramzi Qannati and Vijaysarathi Kallam, the app has stood firmly behind several expectant mothers by offering them access to professional therapists, evidence-based articles and a social support network of other mothers. Maternally caters to women’s mental health needs from the moment they decide to conceive until two years postpartum.

Dinara Zhumabek’s vision was to enable people to overcome hurdles in their fitness and wellness by making it affordable, accessible and personalised for everyone. To fulfil her mission, she founded myfitbaby.com, which is part of Tech Hive and one of the best global online platforms to connect with top personal trainers and nutritionists. The platform connects users to top personal trainers in the world who provide 60-minute sessions.

SBWC’s approach to emotional resilience for professional success

Since its inception in 2002, SBWC has held the firm belief that success is closely tied to a positive emotional state, and therefore, has always focused on ensuring the same for its members while training, mentoring and upskilling them to realise their fullest business potential. An illustrative example of this commitment can be seen in the Council’s response to the global pandemic in 2020. During a time when businesses worldwide faced significant disruption,, the Council guided its members through their numerous challenges with unparalleled agility, deploying a host of digital transformation strategies to ensure business continuity and advancement.

SBWC also launched three virtual initiatives on social media platforms, namely, #SBWCEntrepreneursTips, #SBWCReads, and #SBWCDictionary, to keep members virtually connected during lockdowns and continue thriving with a sense of community, while also benefiting from key insights and practical knowledge on varied aspects of conducting business from home and maintaining work-life balance.

As part of their commitment to prioritise the mental and emotional well-being of its members during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Council organised a series of online workshops. These workshops covered various topics, including colour psychology and techniques for utilising primary colours to harmonise personal energy. By offering these workshops, the Council aimed to provide valuable knowledge and practices to help members maintain a healthy mindset and emotional balance in challenging times.