Fathiya Ahmed started Heritage for Henna in 2003 from the lobby of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Nine years later, it is in hotels and shops in the UAE and overseas. We last spoke with Ms Ahmed in March last year, and caught up with the 44-year-old Emirati this month to learn how her business has been doing since then.
Where do you plan to open this year?
Our master franchiser in the United Kingdom will open in Harrods by the end of the year and I plan to open one in Saadiyat Island. We also plan to enter India, Oman, Jordan and Qatar this year. I am attending a franchise exhibition in India this November.
In India, where henna is already popular, how do you plan to stand out?
I can open 150 franchises in India easily. Two to three clients have shown interest already. We have different designs and different quality of henna.
We do not use black henna. We do both Arabic and Indian designs. We have new designs every two to three months. Nowadays, young people like tattoos in henna, too.
Competition must have grown over the years.
Yes, but our line is different than salons and we do not do safaris and events.
They make henna fun, but it is an artistic job. Many people at the events do not do a good job, but they ought to show the real quality of henna because some people are using it for the first time in their life.
What happened to your plans to open in Egypt last year?
We had plans, but after what happened in Egypt, we have not yet opened any.
Last year, you said you operated from luxury hotels such as Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai, Burj Al Arab and Le Royal Meridien, as well as near the entrance to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Have you opened any outlets in the UAE this year?
This year, we are going slow because the financial crisis is still there. But we opened in Dubai airport Terminal 1, Kempinski Hotel in Mall of the Emirates and Copthorne Hotel in Dubai.
Have you had an increase in employment since last year?
We now employ 66 people. Last year, it was around 40.
Does Heritage for Henna still operate as a franchise system?
Yes. I am focusing on franchises currently. I give training to staff of the franchises. We service more than 85 hotels and I run 32 shops of my own in the UAE. In 2006-2007 we had over 55 shops. I did not close any shop, but maintained the relations with the hotels where we go twice a week to service clients. We also opened five branches in the UK, including ones in Cambridge and Oxford, and one in Kuwait.
How much does a franchise cost?
You can buy the name for US$26,000 (Dh95,498), not including the product and training. The price has not increased. My people give training to the franchisees for nine days.
[ ssahoo@thenational.ae ]
VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
