Read some of the kind words our members have shared with us since we launched in 2009:

Sophie Toh, Founder, Toh Public Relations, www.tohpr.com 

“As a 'rookie' on Dubai's business scene, I couldn't have achieved what I have over the past few months without Heels & Deals. I also never knew that networking could be so much fun. In just two months, I've met some great contacts who are helping my business grow as we speak.... an inspirational forum. London: take note!”

Sharon Monteiro, Group Leader, Design Your Life, www.designyrlife.com

“I would like to thank Heels & Deals for making a powerful impact on my talents, attitude, skills, knowledge and style. This has created new visions and future thinking in my maiden attempt as an entrepreneur and has helped me move from good to great. Thank you”.  

Venetia Maunsell, Managing Director, Bareface, www.bareface.com

“Since I started my business in 1998, when I had no experience and needed all the help I could get, I have always tried to find places that I can learn and network – I joined a number of groups. I am so pleased that Heels & Deals has been launched as it has a very different vibe from other groups – the energy is great, the networking is relaxed yet effective and with it being focused on entrepreneurs there are a lot of like minded people to further my learning. Being an owner it is challenging and to have others to share your thoughts, ideas with is great. With Dubai changing as much as it has over the past 10 years I believe there are going to be more and more women starting businesses, I wish when I started I had had a group like this it would have fast forwarded my business.”

Franziska Schwartz, Co-Owner, www.babysouk.com           

"Heels & Deals is doing a fantastic job in providing female entrepreneurs with a professional and vibrant networking platform. As a small business owner, Heels & Deals has helped us meet and eventually work together with several small businesses in complimentary industries while enabling us to further establish and promote our brand.”

Belinda Freeman, Owner, Queen B, www.quenb.com

“During twelve years of working in the fashion business as a designer I always had a dream of starting my own company. I have worked hard to get my trademark approved and the perfect domain name for my greeting card & gifts company 'Queen B TM'. Working alone can be tough with no colleagues to discuss ideas with, no direct access to stationary suppliers (a totally new industry for me) and hard to find answers to my dozens of questions about setting up a business in the UAE.
 
I was so excited to attend the first Heels & Deals event, an opportunity to meet other incredibly motivate women, an environment designed to help you network with the people who you need to meet to make your business a success. I have attended almost every event and enjoy them more and more each time, not only because of what I learn from the speakers, I make valuable business contacts and most importantly new customers.
 
The all female environment provides a very relaxed atmosphere where you can feel comfortable talking to anyone in the room, knowing that you all share the same entrepreneurial gene. I look forward to attending many many more events." 

 Tina Mehra-Joshi, Owner, Splash n Bounce, www.splashnbounce.com   

"I  was very apprehensive about growing my business, just wanted a little something to do and be there for my family. Going to the Heels & Deals forum made me realise how many entrepreneurial women there were in Dubai and how they all managed to strike the right balance and continue to grow their business. Heels & Deals made me realise that I was not alone and also helped me establish some very good contacts and helped me grow my business. It is a fantastic forum and much needed in this part of the world."

Sarah Laws Baerschmidt, Owner, www.thepolomint.com 

“It is a privilege to be part of this group that is successfully structured to motivated and drive individual’s businesses forward. The forum that Heels & Deals offers women, empowered in their business or industry, is an indispensable tool. The ability to networking amongst like minded individuals from all industry sectors in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere creates a unique environment. My own business has certainly benefitted from the advice given from key speakers as well as other member’s services. You will find me at every monthly event."

Corrina Cross, Owner, Strategy Marketing

“It is both encouraging and a credit to women in general to see Claire and Georgie (both mothers, both running their own businesses) not only come up with this great initiative but to walk the talk and make it happen!

The reason behind Heels & Deals was to get businesswomen together, to meet like minded people, to share information and ideas and, where possible, to do business.  The monthly events that Heels & Deals have organised so far have gone from strength to strength.  Claire and Georgie have achieved what they set out to do, and so much more. They have provided world class guest speakers to members and visitors alike and have attracted special offers and discounts for their members by numerous companies around Dubai.  Yet, with these achievements under their belts, they are not sitting on their laurels.  They have many more plans up their sleeve to help women in business in Dubai.”

Bebhinn Kelly, MD, www.Hellwafashion.com

“I found out about Heels & Deals, shortly after it launched and I have attended every event since then. As I run a fashion website, the audience of up to 150 women for me is perfect, I get to meet new designers, who I help by given them some free promotion on Hellwafashion.com and more importantly the women I meet often sign up to receive free fashion e-mails which of course increases traffic to Hellwafashion.com & overall increases awareness of the website which is key when running an online business. I do a lot of networking in Dubai, this is one of my favourite events as it is “friendly with a focus”! It’s a lot friendlier than a lot of networking groups but at the same time everyone is aware they are there for a reason, so everyone gets some help in a friendly environment.

At the first event I attended, the speech was about social media. I was on twitter before I attended the event, however after the event many more business women in Dubai started to tweet, so a sort of mini community formed which has been great for business.

I think the events themselves have improved each and every time, it’s now very focused with a good networking atmosphere and the founders constantly come up with new ideas (such as the wish wall) which add value to the meetings."

Amanda Claire, Style & Image Consultant, www.amandaclairestyle.com 

"I just want to say a huge thank you to all involved at Heels & Deals. After a difficult year I decided that I had to really try to make my business work and when I heard that the speaker topic was ‘Disciplined for life' at the Heels & Deals networking event, clearly aimed at me! I went along and I am so glad I did as I met so many wonderful and inspiring women, including the guest speaker Bob Urichuck. I always had an misconception that networking events would be people trying to sell you what they had however I was pleasantly surprised that most people generally wanted to help and encourage fellow females entrepreneurs. It’s really encouraging to know that during these difficult times we all pull together and support each other and I can’t wait for the next event."

Lucy Roberts, Owner, Plug Communications, www.plug-uae.com

“I have attended every event and I have to say they get better and better, there are always new women attending and it can be a bit daunting going round with a fist full of business cards, but you soon get into the swing of it! For my business, I am a web designer, I have done tremendously out of it, I have got many clients out of it which is wonderful for me! Those happy clients have since gone on to refer me to their business contacts. I don’t know anyone who has attended and has got nothing out of it; some women who have attended have mentioned to me they now have got a whole bunch of new friends from Heels & Deals!"

Emma Kristensen, Co-owner, www.BabySouk.com 

“It has certainly created a storm for young entrepreneurs and opened doors or raised platforms for many. Through its short existence, Heels & Deals has allowed women in Dubai to believe in themselves and go for dreams they might not have believed possible. Personally, I have seen a growth, not only in my business, but also in who I am as a business owner. The Heels & Deals events provide a relaxed environment for women to build new relationships, gain new ideas and make it possible for 'competitors' to have a relationship and swap stories! On top of this, we have a great excuse to leave the kids with their dads and wear some great 'heels’! Thank you Claire & Georgie for making it all happen!”

Susan Castle, Success Coach, www.outwiththedots.com                             

"I really hate going to networking events! I hate the fact that all the time you're talking to someone they're looking over your shoulder to see if there's anyone "better" to talk to, I hate the superficiality and artificiality and the feeling that everyone there knows everyone else and I know no one! So I had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the first Heels & Deals event! Since then I've gone voluntarily every month and always learned something new and met someone interesting. Heels & Deals is a networking organisation that really works. Georgie and Claire have managed to create an atmosphere of support and enthusiasm and above all fun, attracting people who want to learn and meet like-minded business people who seem to understand that we  live in an interdependent world and helping each other to grow our business is the only way to achieve  lasting  success."