Lucy Gibson is the owner and founder of Sand Dollar, a UAE boutique offering hand-picked luxe resort wear.
Born to British parents in Abu Dhabi, Ms Gibson previously worked in investment consulting, customer relations and launched and marketed projects for developer Nakheel.
Ms Gibson, who also grew up in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UK, envisioned a brand for expatriates seeking garments suitable for “sandy shores to vibrant nightlife”.
Launched in 2010, Sand Dollar has evolved into an online store and eight outlets.
Ms Gibson, 44, lives with her husband and their children, aged 10 and 11, in Victory Heights, Dubai.
Did money influence your upbringing?
My parents had a rough time to start with in the Middle East. Dad was a civil engineer, mum wasn’t working at the time. Cash was tight, but they made the most of what we had. Probably one of my best childhood memories in Oman is we had a little speedboat that was a bit cranky, we used to go camping on the beach, or go into the wadi.
We moved to the UK for secondary school, mum was nursing, doing night shifts. Then the crash happened, mortgage rates went up. There wasn’t cash around just to buy us what we wanted. As soon as I was old enough, me and my sister got jobs because we wanted to buy things.
How did you first earn?
From 15, I worked for Topshop as a shop assistant, a Saturday job and one evening after school, until I went to university. I had a second job selling flowers at a market stall.
I studied international business at university. I wasn’t keen because I was juggling maybe four different jobs, I was keen just to start working. I said university was a waste of time, but I’ve definitely put it to use.
Why return to the UAE?
I went to Spain for a couple of years, but circumstances changed. Mum and dad were still here, in Dubai this time. I had a few temping jobs. Nakheel came up, a really good package, I enjoyed doing it and was there until the (financial) crash happened.
I had to think about what I wanted to do. I love fashion, so I thought I’d give Sand Dollar a go, start doing something for myself and a shop became available at a hotel.
It was just before our first child, so it was a slow start. Luckily, my husband was very supportive on the investment side. He’s had lots of businesses, but his main one is futures trading.
What early life lessons have you applied?
No matter what situation you’re in, to always earn your own money and be independent because you never know what the future holds.
I had to find something to give me flexibility but allowed me to work … it’s gone beyond what I expected. I’ve gone through that really hard phase, building and having to be there, then having to be at school to pick the kids up. I’m at a stage where it all flows easily.
How do you feel about saving?
I ignore it; I work to spend. When I was at university, I spent beyond my means, but now I am earning and spending it. I like nice holidays, nice things.
My husband always said that I don’t need to work, but it’s built in me. That this has really been a success is a bonus. I like to have my own money, to buy presents, contribute to our home.
Are you generous?
I’m not more generous, I’m more able to be generous. I love to give back to mum and dad. They have retired here, we were able to get a house for them to live in and I pay their bills. They’re not so willing to accept because they’re old school, my dad’s very proud, but it’s a nice feeling when I can take mum out shopping and try to make their lives as easy as possible.
How do you grow your wealth?
Any spare cash goes into property investment in the UK and UAE. It’s better than having it in the bank dwindling away. I’ve got my original house from uni and here we have flipped some, but mainly we keep them for the rent. That’s going to be our retirement fund eventually, because we both work for ourselves. Sand Dollar is probably my best investment.
Any bumps in the road?
It cost me a lot of money at the beginning. I didn’t get much advice, I tried and tested a lot, learnt from mistakes. It was about six years ago, it started to go in the right direction and become profitable.
Having a full team of staff to support me now, where I can literally switch off and go on holiday, was a milestone. Before I was juggling and doing everything. There’s 24 of us, and it makes me feel comfortable that they’re comfortable and happy.
How about cherished purchases?
My first car, bought with one of my first Nakheel bonuses, a Mercedes-Benz G Wagon convertible, a car I always wanted. I sold it after I became pregnant because it was not practical. My husband just bought me the same (model) car for Mother’s Day.
Also, we bought a beach hut in the UK. We didn’t use it forever because of terrible weather but we paid £6,000 for it and now it’s (worth) £16,000. I love going there with the kids.
We both work very hard and there have been times we’ve not had cash and remortgaged the houses
Lucy Gibson,
founder and owner of Sand Dollar
Are you wise with money?
No, me and my husband both. We say we should rein it in a bit, but you only live once and if you’ve got the capability to earn, then why not have splurges? We have lovely holidays, cars, material things really, but I could live without those.
We both work very hard and there have been times we’ve not had cash and remortgaged the houses. When we can afford it, we fly business class, we go skiing. It’s not always luxury.
Any spending regrets?
I was a nightmare with store cards and credit cards when I was at uni, living beyond my means. I don’t use them now.
And before Sand Dollar I had another business. I went to Hawaii for my honeymoon. There were these machines called Dance Heads, like a photo booth, it superimposes your head on to a character and you sing.
I flew to Hong Kong to the factory and bought six, imported them to Dubai. It was a nightmare as I didn’t know how to programme the machines, bookings were for parties late into the night for corporate events. One machine we only got rid of last year.
How does money make you feel?
I don’t think money makes you happy, but it definitely helps in life. If you’re in a happy situation, having money makes things a lot easier. It takes away stress and you are going to be happier without stress. People want money … it makes you feel hungry to go out and work and achieve.
The main motivator (for Sand Dollar) would be the success – that it has earned money is amazing. It’s good for me to show my kids how to get out and work.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Company%20Profile
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More on Palestine-Israeli relations
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
RESULT
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 0 Al Ain 6
Al Ain: Caio (5', 73'), El Shahat (10'), Berg (65'), Khalil (83'), Al Ahbabi (90' 2)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 395bhp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: from Dh321,200
On sale: now
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Company%20Profile
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BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
FIRST TEST SCORES
England 458
South Africa 361 & 119 (36.4 overs)
England won by 211 runs and lead series 1-0
Player of the match: Moeen Ali (England)
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
MATCH RESULT
Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2
Jazira: Mabkhout (52'), Romarinho (77'), Al Hammadi (90' 6)
Persepolis: Alipour (42'), Mensha (84')
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Top 10 in the F1 drivers' standings
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 202 points
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 188
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 169
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 117
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 116
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 67
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 56
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 45
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 35
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 26
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
BLACKBERRY
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THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
