Small Business Spotlight: Didizbeadz

During this time (and always!) it is so important to support local and the small business in our communities. Plus it’s great for the economy too! We are constantly inspired by the ambition and resilience of small business founders. We feel that the risks that they take lead to innovation and help in moving the world forward.

Inspired by these entrepreneurs and their stories, we recently chatted with Diren Khalife – owner of Didizbeadz, about being an entrepreneur, running a small business while also running a family, and how she has adapted to the changes that Covid-19 has brought to her business.

What is your business about and why did you start it?

Didizbeadz is a business inspired by kids, catering for the entire family!

I’m a licensed business owner. I make personalized lanyards for masks, phones and glasses. I also make matching pouches with names. The demand has extended to bracelets, necklaces, chockers and anklets.

My lanyards are super practical, handmade with love, every piece is unique and especially made for you.

I use deluxe beads of different materials: wooden, plastic fuse, pearls, glass, acrylic, as well as 100% genuine Swarovski Crystals.  The beads are strung onto a durable elastic string. My objective is to ensure that my lanyards are of premium quality as customer satisfaction is my priority.

My first batch of lanyards were basically for my daughter’s Birthday Party. I had a small spa party for her at home, after the lockdown, only with her closest friends, in line with the government guidelines. The lanyards were the return gifts. I was not expecting the excitement about the lanyards from the kids and the parents. Friends and family started asking about the lanyards when I posted them online, and slowly the demand increased, especially when the children went back to school, to the extent that even my kids’ teachers were asking where they can get them from.

As our ‘new norm’ is to wear masks, I wanted to motivate the children to keep their masks handy around their necks at all times, when not in use. For example: when they are eating at school, using the washroom etc. This gave parents the assurance that their kids won’t lose or swap their masks.

And this where the idea of the business came from. The name of my business simply came from my nickname as all my friends call me ‘Didi’.

What do you love about your business?

I love that my kids are my biggest little fans!

My kids inspire me, they asked me to make them lanyards with their favorite cartoon characters, games, superheroes, and social media applications.  Of course, I love the excitement I see on their little faces when they receive their lanyards or pouches. Every piece is handmade by me with love. It is practical and appealing while catering to one’s own fashion preferences regardless of their age. The lanyards are customized as per their preference for colors, characters, name, initials or catchword.

How do you manage your time between running a business and a family?

I don’t sleep and I believe in magic!

I’ve been working since before I had my kids and I have never stopped. I had a corporate job for many years as a Finance Manager with a multinational organization in Paris and then in Dubai. Things shifted right before the pandemic and I lost my job. As a mother of three young kids, it is not easy to manage their education, homework, activities etc. Every day comes with its own challenges.

However, I am extremely passionate about everything I do, I am super organized, and I have tools that help me with my daily planning. This is how I try to find a ‘balance’ between my professional and personal life.

How has Covid-19 affected your business and how have you adapted?

It’s a Covid-19 Business opportunity!

My business was actually inspired by the pandemic and the need to keep my children protected.  I have of course adapted the packaging and deliveries as per the Covid restrictions in the UAE.

Any piece of advice to other small businesses owners or anyone wanting to start their own business?

Who runs the world? MOMS!!!

If you want to start a business, there is no right or wrong time, as long as you have the passion and motivation. You need to keep going, and there is always a market for you as long as you understand your customer needs and adjust your product/ service to cater to those needs. You have to believe in yourself and where you start your business does not matter, even if you are starting from home. It is never easy, and it takes time, effort and dedication. But that is what moms do!

Be sure to follow Didizbeadz on Instagram!

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