DUBAI // A growing community of women are coming together to bring their passion and knowledge in health, fitness and well-being under the group, Fit Girls In Business.
Nadine du Toit, founder of GloryGirl Fitness, has reached out to bring together personal trainers, nutritionists, yoga teachers and other inspirational women to begin a community of women to help share and spread the message of healthy living.
Having been in Dubai 10 years, Mrs Du Toit said such support networks were vital.
“We are inundated by the media with the culture of cattiness and women pitted against women. It takes one person to break that mould and to create a new model,” said Mrs Du Toit.
Every event has a guest speaker, a possible new business connection for the group’s members, this week it was Liesa Euton, race director of the annual Dubai Women’s Run.
Members partner up and get to know another entrepreneur to be able to highlight that member on her blog, website or social media platforms. “So often I find that my clients are in need of services that I can’t provide and would love to know who to refer them to, and these getting to know each other moments are wonderful for us to know how we could potentially collaborate our businesses,” said Mrs Du Toit.
“I find that women are sometimes hesitant to share what they know or what they have with other women, especially in this region where everyone tells you how superficial everyone else is. There is a big and warm beating heart in Dubai and I want to reveal that heart to others.”
There are now more than 50 female entrepreneurs as members of the group, growing at each event.
One of the event’s sponsors is women’s activewear brand Lorna Jane. Its UAE founder, British expatriate Kerrie Alder, said: “In the Middle East in particular, there is a huge hunger for education, support and sharing of expertise on matters that we as westerners have taken for granted in our lives. If we can join together and share this wider, then more women and the community overall benefits.”
She said it was vital to offer such communities in the UAE and to help empower women to change their lives. “All of the women involved so far have one common interest and that is sharing their enthusiasm, experience and passion to help women lead healthier and active lifestyles. The wider we can spread this, the healthier the community becomes. Women are the centre of any family and it is important for them to be happy, healthy, fit and full of life.”
Reyhana Sallie, a personal trainer in Dubai, said: “The group is filled with energetic, dynamic and inspiring women. I think it’s a great opportunity for the community to get together to learn more about each other and more about what is happening in the fitness industry. Networking is such a vital tool when running your own business. It creates so much awareness and exposure among the community.”
She said in Dubai, especially, it was vital that women were empowered, not least, when running their own businesses or working as freelancers.
“In Dubai, culturally, women are looked down on and are constantly underestimated in whatever they do, whether it be sports or managing your own business. Gone are the days when women stay home while their men are the bread winners. Nowadays women have empowered other women and have become so much more independent.”
mswan@thenational.ae