Welcome to the Womenpreneur weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
This week Womenpreneur speaks to Jazie Suwaidi, Founder of Flaunte*. Founded in 2020, this next-gen beauty and wellness app aims to simplify booking appointments and amplify brand partners and clients alike. As a beauty enthusiast from the beginning, the Abu Dhabi-based Emirati founder was encouraged to build her company upon noticing a gap in the market. Ultimately, she decided to take the leap to strike out on her own.
What was your favorite subject at school?
Literature. I write in my free time and have been doing so to de-stress from a very young age.
What was your first job?
Interning for a media publication, they are known for creating documentaries – and that has always been a dream of mine.
What inspired you to enter the beauty and wellness space?
I was always so passionate about it from watching my big sister get ready and putting makeup on me to binge-watching YouTube makeup tutorials as a teen. I’d fantasize about owning a makeup brand or salon, so it’s cool I get to do something that revolves around all that.
Talk us through the concept of Flaunte*.
Flaunte* is an innovative and solution-oriented mobile application that houses businesses and service providers in the beauty and wellness industry. By building a full-scope business management and client-servicing app where our partners can easily access and book wherever and whenever they want, we are able to create a business environment where prospective customers can access the beauty services they require without leaving their comfort zone. Flaunte* was created in 2020 and has gained the partnership of many brands in the beauty, wellness, and fitness industries, cementing our position as a top avenue for business promotion and enriching experiences.
Our aim is to focus on initiating radical innovations that change the rule of the game and the realities of the marketplace. My team and I approach everything in unexpected ways, and we are focusing on enjoying this brand-building journey to create memorable experiences. My team and I strive to be brave in all our actions and go the extra mile for our clients and partners with confidence that we can deliver our promises to them.
Our values revolve around being passionate in digitalizing self-care, making it accessible for everyone in our community. We truly focus on creativity and innovation because that leverages the skillset of our team to build a platform that is unique and easy to navigate. Most importantly, we believe in safety when it comes to innovation, because our aim is to make sure to protect our partners and clients no matter what with things like advanced payment getaways which leaves space for Flaunte* to grow and serve our community better.
What are the key elements of your role?
I basically, put forward all the features of the app, look over the different departments we have from development to sales as well as coming up with marketing strategies. A bit of everything but a lot of us at the office wear different hats which is why startups are so much fun.
Talk us through your daily routine.
I can’t start the day without coffee, have my dogs and cats around me, and have a long brainstorming session about what needs to get done. I then get ready for the day and usually spend it taking calls, discussing, and planning with the team. No workday is the same and the work never really stops. I love working out, so you’ll find me at the gym when I have free time. I’m a night owl and it’s when I feel most creative, so I’ll spend the rest of my night watching podcasts and coming up with new ideas.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
Dream big, risks are scary but necessary, do a lot of research, and having the right team is absolutely everything.
“I’m a perfectionist and can be too hard on myself but I must remember that good is good enough and getting stuff done and starting somewhere is more important.”
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Someone I look up to said this to me: “Perfect is the enemy of good.” I’m a perfectionist and can be too hard on myself but I must remember that good is good enough and getting stuff done and starting somewhere is more important. Mistakes are inevitable, especially in the industry I’m in, and using them as a learning curve instead of punishment is what’s been motivating me.
What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
I outsourced a company to create the app and it resulted in wasting almost two years of my time, with no finished product. It was so stressful and I almost quit but I’m so glad I didn’t. I started my own tech team in-house where I can overlook everything and watch as my supportive team build it all back together with me.
What are your future goals and plans for your brand and your career?
We live in one of the world’s biggest hubs for the beauty and wellness sector and people really underestimate the power of going digital. I plan on becoming a pioneer in the industry and simplify the way people book and purchase everything self-care. There are big things coming that we think will revolutionise the beauty tech world. For now, we’re starting in the UAE but we’ll be expanding to the GCC soon and hopefully, worldwide someday.
