Self-made: How Dubai’s Dumyé is in the running to win $1M in funding

Big money isn’t an essential requirement to launch a successful startup. Just ask Dubai-based social entrepreneur Sahar Wahbeh (pictured below). The US-born, Lebanese-Palestinian – and founder of Dumyé – is living proof that you can build a successful brand on a budget.

“I gave up my branding consultancy to set up Dumyé with nothing more than a few thousand dollars [$8,000] and a whole lot of belief,” she tells Wamda. “To date we haven’t attempted to raise any money; however, success for Dumyé is defined by how much we can give. Our ability to empower communities is directly correlated to our financial growth.”

Now, the 34-year-old is in the running to win a major prize that can make a difference to so many more lives in the region, and beyond. And you have a chance to be part of this success story simply through the click of a button.

Early beginnings

Launched in June 2013, Dumyé handcrafts personalized cloth dolls for children, where, for every doll purchased, another doll is donated to an orphan. The idea came about during Wahbeh’s search for a unique toy for her own daughter.

“I wanted to gift my daughter something really special for the holidays,” the founder explains. “Disappointed with what I found available in the market, I decided to create a doll of my own. [Soon enough] I realized the incredible opportunity, I had to use these dolls as a force for good.”

Original article by Rachel McArthur

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Self-made: How Dubai’s Dumyé is in the running to win $1M in funding