Here at the ADX we are celebrating Emirati Women's Day. Joining me now is Hamda, Founder of The Knot — an Emirati creative platform dedicated to bringing UAE culture and heritage to life through thoughtfully curated experiences, workshops, and activations. Hamda, welcome to the show.
Thank you so much for having us.
Tell us a little bit more about the company, what is behind it, and how you got started as an entrepreneur.
We are not just a cultural brand. We transfer cultural heritage into experience and products. We believe that culture should not be preserved — it should be shared and lived. The first story behind The Knot is that we started because we wanted to connect foreigners and locals. And then we grew from there — we are now connecting several nationalities and several communities.
What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?
Turning our business into a sustainable business was one of our biggest challenges. But the challenges pushed us to be more adaptable, more flexible, and that has been better for the business. We tried to push ourselves to reach the level we want to reach.
As an Emirati woman, what does empowerment mean to you?
It is an important concept because there are a lot of businesses that need support and a lot of women who deserve to be in higher positions and representative roles. For me, empowerment is a really important thing for every woman who has passion and ambition in life.
What inspired you to be part of this event at the ADX today?
We were inspired first of all by the team at the ADX, who were very generous in giving us a place to present our products and represent ourselves as a brand. I am so grateful to be here with our team. It is a delightful place to be and we are so happy to be part of it.
What advice would you give to other Emirati women watching who want to start their own company?
For me, the main advice I can give to women today is start. Do not wait for perfection. You can start wherever you want, whenever you plan, and then everything will align somehow. Start and do not wait for the perfect time.
What is the big dream for The Knot?
Our goal is to expand globally. We want people to know more about us, to want to know more about our culture in a really meaningful way, to learn more about us and to explore the heritage and traditions.
Thank you so much for coming on the show and sharing your wisdom.
Thank you so much for having us. Thank you very much.
