Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 26, 2024 – Huda Kattan, the CEO and Founder of Huda Beauty, captivated audiences at the Global Women’s Forum Dubai with her journey of creating one of the world’s most influential beauty brands. Speaking in a session titled ‘The Million Dollar Business Journey’, moderated by Khuloud Al Omian, CEO of Forbes Middle East, Kattan emphasised the role Dubai played in her success and shared her insights on entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and resilience.

Dubai: a land of opportunities

Kattan, who was ranked among the Middle East’s Most Powerful Businesswomen by Forbes Middle East, described Dubai as a city where individuals with passion and vision can truly thrive. “Dubai is, in my opinion, the land of opportunity. If you have the drive and passion, you fit right in,” she said, highlighting how the city’s supportive environment has been instrumental in her journey to global success.

She spoke about how Dubai provided the perfect launchpad for her brand. “We started Huda Beauty here, launched in Sephora Dubai, and from there expanded to Sephora Europe and the US,” Kattan said.

Building Huda Beauty from scratch

Kattan’s journey began as a beauty blogger and makeup artist at a time when blogging was still an unfamiliar concept. “When we started, I had no clear path to follow, but I just took the next step and kept going,” she shared. Launching Huda Beauty in 2013 with a line of false eyelashes, she quickly disrupted the market and became the first influencer-led beauty brand to launch in Sephora.

Empowering women entrepreneurs

Throughout her speech, Kattan encouraged women to trust their instincts and pursue their dreams without fear. Reflecting on her own challenges, she spoke about moments of doubt and the importance of resilience. “You don’t always need to know the entire plan; just take the next step. Be kind to yourself and embrace who you are,” Kattan said.

She also highlighted the unique qualities women bring to leadership roles, such as empathy and intuition, while urging them to avoid apologising for taking charge. “Women are amazing leaders because of their empathy and ability to connect. But we often apologise too much or hesitate to take charge.”

Kattan’s vision extends beyond creating products. “I want Huda Beauty to be a brand that challenges perspectives and empowers people to feel confident in their skin. Makeup is the icing, not the cake—you are the cake,” she said.

On authenticity in business, Kattan underscored the importance of staying true to her brand’s values, emphasising the need for innovation and originality in a competitive market. “I don’t want to create anything that already exists. If it’s not different or doesn’t have a point of view, we are not doing it. Listening to our community is key, but we must stay true to our vision,” she stated, highlighting her commitment to authenticity in every product launched by Huda Beauty.

Encouraging the audience to overcome self-doubt and pursue their dreams, Kattan shared an empowering message: “The only thing stopping you is you. It doesn’t matter if you’re starting at 18, 55, or 85—believe in yourself and take the leap.”

-ENDS-

 

About Dubai Women Establishment

Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) was formed as a statutory body of Dubai Government in 2006 under law no. (24) by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. DWE aims to enhance the professional and leadership capabilities of women, increase their participation in the comprehensive development journey, and strengthen their role in shaping the economic and social future of Dubai, by proposing and developing relevant and impactful policies. DWE is headed by Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of DWE and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court. DWE’s strategic plan for 2023-2027 includes three pillars: creating an enabling environment for women in the labour market, developing women leaders, and enhancing the quality of life for women in society, through which DWE seeks to achieve its vision of “Dubai as a pioneering model for women-friendly cities.” The new strategic plan focuses on contributing to the strengthening of supporting legislation and policies, consolidating partnerships and allowing women to influence locally and globally.

About Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024

The Global Women’s Forum Dubai (GWFD) provides a platform to explore new strategies for enhancing gender balance and raising women’s participation in the economy and society worldwide. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, GWFD reflects the UAE’s leadership in advancing gender equality and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5: Gender Equality. Since its inception eight years ago, the forum has become a leading international gathering for fostering dialogue and collaboration to address challenges and opportunities for women worldwide. With a rich agenda featuring diverse discussions, transformative workshops, and impactful speakers, GWFD brings together thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators to inspire progress toward building a more inclusive and sustainable future. The 2024 edition of GWFD, themed The Power of Influence, takes place on November 26-27 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, gathering over 6,000 participants, 250 speakers and 25 prominent figures and ministers from across the globe. The 130 panel discussions at the forum centre on three pillars: Future Economies and Societies, Collective Engagements and Actions, and Impactful Technologies and Innovations.