Suegoli Sirjani and Achasah Weinreb, co-founders of Women Who Thrive, reveal how they transformed a simple gathering into a nurturing platform for personal and professional development for women in Dubai.
For those who don’t know about Women Who Thrive, could you describe what it is?
Women Who Thrive is a vibrant community, women’s club, and networking organisation in Dubai. It serves as a safe space for women from all walks of life, focused on creating connections, friendships, empowerment, and personal development. Recognising the challenges such as loneliness and poor work-life balance in Dubai, our mission supports women in enriching their lives through the eight pillars of wellness. We curate events and provide an online membership platform that offer a supportive environment for women to connect, grow and thrive.
Could you share with us the journey that led to establishing Women Who Thrive? What inspired both of you to launch it? How have your personal experiences shaped your approach to leading Women Who Thrive?
Women Who Thrive emerged from a blend of friendship, resilience, and spontaneity during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this challenging period, we faced a major challenge with our events company, which made us realise the need for finding genuine support. Sue had a lightbulb moment; why not gather some friends and associates for a casual get-together? It was meant to be a simple affair—a chance to chat, network, and support each other through the uncertainty that loomed over everyone. But that small gathering turned out to be the seed that blossomed into Women Who Thrive.
Initially, it was just a meetup for talking business and entrepreneurial ideas. Eventually, we all realised that there was something deeper brewing beneath the surface. We sensed a need for creating a platform for women looking for genuine connections and friendships in Dubai.
So, Women Who Thrive evolved into more than just a networking platform into a space where all women could come together, share their stories, support each other, and, most importantly, thrive.
Do you have any inspiring success stories or significant transformations within the community that you could share, which highlight the impact of Women Who Thrive?
Countless stories of transformation within our community fuel Women Who Thrive. It’s like a bustling marketplace of dreams, where women come to tell their stories, celebrate their successes, and cheer each other on. It’s hard to pick just one or two stories—they are as diverse as the women themselves.
Some have taken the leap from their day jobs to start their own businesses, inspired by what they have learned at our events. Others have found lifelong friends or even business partners and collaboration opportunities in the most unexpected places. But you know what really gets us right in the feels? It’s the messages we get from women who used to feel a bit lost or unsure of themselves. They tell us how coming to our events has given them the confidence to speak up, make friends, and try new things. It’s like watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly right before our eyes, and it’s the most incredible feeling in the world.
Starting and growing an initiative like Women Who Thrive must come with its challenges. Could you share some obstacles you’ve encountered and how you’ve overcome them? What lessons have you learned along the way?
Balancing full-time jobs alongside running Women Who Thrive is not easy, that’s for sure! Time is probably one of the biggest challenges which we try to overcome every day. People often ask us how we manage it all—five events a month, a membership portal, and organising one of Dubai’s biggest annual events, the Women Who Thrive Gala.
Truth be told, we sometimes wonder the same thing ourselves. But somehow, we make it work. We are driven by a shared belief in the power of community. We both come from diverse backgrounds, have a 10-year age gap between us and lived different experiences, we both understand the challenges that women face and the importance of creating a supportive space where they can thrive.
Drawing from our own experiences, we aim to connect with and inspire other women, knowing that even the smallest difference we make can have a big impact. It’s this sense of purpose and the knowledge that we’re making a difference that keeps us going, even on the busiest of days.
Your events focus on authentic connections and providing a supportive ecosystem. Can you give us a glimpse into what a typical event looks like and how you ensure these genuine connections are fostered?
At Women Who Thrive, we are all about creating diverse and engaging events. Each month, we organise five different gatherings, each with its own unique flavour and purpose.
First up, we have Women Who Connect that you can think of it like speed dating, but for friends. It’s a chance for women to mingle in a fast-paced way to build new connections and bond over shared interests and experiences.
Women Who Strive is a professional development networking session where we bring in experts from various fields to share their knowledge on specific topics, empowering women to grow both personally and professionally.
Then there is Women Who Train where we partner with different fitness providers across Dubai to offer exciting and invigorating fitness workshops, catering to all fitness levels.
Women Who Create allows members to tap into their creative sides and explore various hobbies together, from painting to candle making and everything in between.
Finally, we have Women Who Rise that is hosted over morning coffees where members get a chance to host their own workshops based on the businesses or causes, they are passionate about.
To ensure that every woman feels heard and valued, we cap attendance at 30 for all events except at Women Who Connect. Our events are designed to leave women feeling like they have spent quality time with a group of friends, fostering a sense of belonging and support within our community.
Inclusivity and celebrating diversity are core to your values. How do you ensure that Women Who Thrive remains an inclusive platform for all women, regardless of their background?
We don’t believe in having a checklist of criteria for women to join our community. Instead, we’re breaking down barriers and welcoming women from all backgrounds and walks of life. All we ask is that women join our platform with an openness to connecting with others. At Women Who Thrive, diversity is celebrated, and every woman is valued for who she is.
We have worked hard to create a user-friendly platform that allows women to connect and support each other, whether they’re in Dubai or halfway across the globe. In today’s digital age, technology plays a significant role in our lives, and we believe that connecting online is just as important as meeting in person.
How does Women Who Thrive facilitate mentorship opportunities for its members?
One unique feature of our platform is the ability for members to create their own groups based on their topics of interest. These groups serve as virtual communities where like-minded women can come together to share information, knowledge, and experiences. It’s a space where connections are forged, collaborations are born, and friendships are nurtured.
Additionally, we offer opportunities for members to take the spotlight and share their expertise with others. Our monthly coffee mornings provides a platform for members to step into the role of mentors, sharing their knowledge and insights with fellow members. It’s a collaborative environment where learning is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow and thrive.
We are also planning to roll out a new mentorship programme later this year – one which will be inspiring and nurturing the next generation. We can’t wait to share more about this when we are all set to launch it.
Looking ahead, what more do you hope to achieve with Women Who Thrive in the next few years?
We have got something exciting in the works for later this year, and we can’t wait to unveil it. We are determined to see our community grow, not just locally, but globally. We want to deepen our impact, touching the lives of women far and wide. That means launching new initiatives, enhancing our existing programmes, and doubling down on our mission to empower women to thrive in every aspect of their lives.
Credits:
Photography: Antonia Valentine
Production: AV Studios
