A British mother living in Dubai has created an online marketplace to help young mothers balance their careers and family life while supporting local businesses.
Introducing MINT Market Dubai
Sally Maddison, a resident of Sustainable City, launched MINT Market Dubai in November to empower young mothers with flexible work opportunities.
The platform now features 26 homegrown brands, offering handcrafted jewelry, unique home décor, and stylish clothing from small businesses and artisans. With Christmas approaching, shoppers are turning to this e-commerce site for sustainable holiday purchases.
A Platform for Young Mothers
Inspired by her own challenges, Maddison partnered with four other mothers to create a space where parents could find flexible work options. “I wanted a lifestyle that lets me be there for my children while building a career,” said Maddison. She found a gap in the market for opportunities that balance career and parenthood.
Today, 91% of MINT Market’s business owners are women aged 35 to 44, managing their ventures while staying active at home.
From Local Café to Community Hub
What started as a small café initiative evolved into a larger marketplace. The site now connects over 800 small businesses, adding 100 new brands monthly. More than half of the products are proudly made in the UAE.
Support for Small Businesses
Maddison found that 57% of UAE consumers prefer local, sustainable products. Her platform bridges the gap by showcasing these unique brands. “Many of these businesses lacked websites or marketing budgets. I wanted to create a central space where people could easily find and support them,” she explained.
MINT Market offers affordable products, with prices ranging from Dh100 to Dh1,000, making local shopping accessible. The UAE’s booming e-commerce market, which grew 300% in five years, reflects this growing interest in online shopping.
Showcasing Talent
MINT Market highlights businesses like Coppertop Candles by Ceri Jewell. After moving to Dubai, Jewell launched her handcrafted aromatherapy candles from her home workshop, balancing work with parenting. “This marketplace lets me connect with customers and grow my brand,” she shared.
Similarly, CPTN and Dubaiian, founded by James Hamilton and his daughter, showcases colorful, original shirts through MINT Market. Their “Keffiyeh Watermelon Shirt” has gained popularity as a symbol of support for Palestine. “Sally takes the burden of marketing off small vendors and helps them grow professionally,” said Hamilton.
Empowering Local Communities
MINT Market Dubai is more than just a marketplace. It’s a community supporting mothers, artisans, and entrepreneurs, offering them a platform to shine while making sustainable shopping simple and accessible. Whether you’re looking for handcrafted items or supporting local talent, MINT Market is the go-to platform this holiday season.
