5 Lessons from Growing a Loungewear Brand in Dubai
After launching TB Project in Singapore, expanding to Dubai this year has been a whole new experience. Running a small loungewear brand here has taught us lessons we didn’t quite expect.
Coming from a corporate finance background, stepping into product design, manufacturing, and local sales in the UAE has been both challenging and deeply rewarding
1. Every partner is a small business too
Working with small manufacturers and suppliers in Dubai has reminded us that business here is personal. Timelines vary. Motivations differ. Unforeseen delays happen, from busy schedules to customs or shipping hiccups.
Patience becomes your superpower, and you quickly learn to respect the whole person behind each brand or workshop you collaborate with.
It’s a level of authenticity you rarely encounter in corporate life — and it’s refreshing
2. Community is everything
The UAE has a tight-knit creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem. There’s so much to learn from people who’ve walked the path before you.
Competition exists, but rarely directly. Products, audiences, and marketing approaches all differ. Sharing experiences, tips, and challenges strengthens everyone’s journey.
In Dubai, we’re proud to be part of Female Fusion, which has been an incredible source of support and inspiration. Connecting with fellow founders here has been invaluable
3. Offline experiences are irreplaceable
Nothing beats seeing your products in real life. Talking to customers, letting them try on your loungewear, and getting immediate feedback is a reminder of why you started.
Our first TB Project pop-up in Dubai this year was unforgettable. Meeting people in person showed us how much physical interaction still matters, especially for comfortable, tactile items like cotton pyjamas and ikat kimonos.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by — it made all the planning and late nights worth it.
4. Expect to be humbled daily
Running a brand in a new city means you do everything yourself — from printing flyers to troubleshooting Shopify payments.
In corporate life, you rarely face so many unfamiliar tasks at once. Here, you’re constantly learning, often by failing first.
It’s humbling, exhausting at times, and endlessly educational
5. Feedback shapes the brand
Never assume your own taste matches your customers’. You’d be surprised how much you discover by asking, listening, and adapting.
Every comment, DM, and conversation helps us refine our loungewear for the Dubai market. Audience feedback has been one of our most valuable tools for growth.
Looking ahead: Expanding into Dubai has been a lesson in adaptability, patience, and connection. We can’t wait to continue exploring the local creative scene, hosting more pop-ups, and learning from the incredible community here