< PreviousArabian Business shines a light on the all-important SME sector in the region, from success stories and VC news to expert insights UAE start-up Fruitful Day triples business by remaining agile ENTREPRENE UR OF THE WEEK partner Marie-Christine Luijckx says the company targeted new customers in initial period of the curfew, which saw residents stay at home in a bid to stem the spread of Covid-19. “With the start of the lockdown, we were quick to move in terms of focussing on immunity-boosting boxes and gifts and incentivise new customers to order by waiving delivery fees,” Luijckx tells Arabian Business. “Within a month, we’ve been able to triple our home business.” Luijckx says remaining agile has been important during the onset of Covid-19, and the restrictions that have come with it. “Now is a time when anyone who is a business leader needs to think on his or her feet and act fast to adapt to challenging situations. For us, it’s meant shifting our focus to how we can help homes to snack healthy without leaving their homes,” she says. “Throughout this period, we have not lost our focus on quality, service and cleanliness – now more than ever it’s important to protect our clients, staff and community.” Fruitful Day, which has moved to a new 5,500 sq ft warehouse facility in Dubai, added new product lines and saw double-digit growth as a result. The company recently launched its raising round on equity crowdfunding platform Eureeca, where it has already successfully raised $146,596 of its $250,000 target from 22 global investors, with further funding commitments already in the pipeline from Eureeca’s investor network. Home-grown UAE-based Fruitful Day, a fruit and healthy snacking company, managed to triple its business in the first month of the lockdown, its managing partner says. Launched in 2015 with a mission to make a healthy lifestyle easier and more accessible to all by delivering curated fresh fruit boxes to homes and offices, managing Marie-Christine Luijckx Fruitful Day, which has moved to a new 5,500 sq ft warehouse facility in Dubai, added new product lines and saw double-digit growth as a result 30 Vol. 21/11, May – June 2020arabianbusiness.com 31 $41 The starting price of a ready- to-eat platter from Fruitful Day Starting out Luijckx, after many years of working for corporates, says she saw an opportunity to tackle the problem of unhealthy snacking in the workplace through creating a fresh fruit delivery business. The mission, she says, is to become the Middle East’s premier fruit and healthy snacking company. “From early on, our focus was on building a recognisable brand that exudes positive energy and happiness and is trusted for its commitment to quality and convenience,” she says. “Over the last five years, we’ve built a vertically- integrated business that carries out the end-to-end process of sourcing, preparing, and packaging of delicious fruit and other healthy snacks. These products are delivered in our own refrigerated vans so that the customer experience is exceptional from start to finish.” With corporate fruit delivery service in place, Fruitful Day launched a healthy home and gifting service. “With the start of each new vertical, we always think about health and happiness first. I believe this is what really set our gifting range apart from the very beginning and why it has been such a success,” Luijckx says. The plan to move to a 5,500 sq ft warehouse facility last year – from a 1,300 sq ft facility – was simple, Luijckx says: optimise, grow, and innovate. “By raising money, it not only allows us to aggressively grow our existing verticals, it also means we can expand into new FMCG products. These new products present an opportunity to scale outside of the UAE,” Luijckx adds. q WE HAVE NOT LOST OUR FOCUS ON QUALITY, SERVICE AND CLEANLINESS – NOW MORE THAN EVER IT’S IMPORTANT TO PROTECT OUR CLIENTS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY” q WITH THE START OF EACH NEW VERTICAL, WE ALWAYS THINK ABOUT HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FIRST” q NOW IS A TIME WHEN ANYONE WHO IS A BUSINESS LEADER NEEDS TO THINK ON HIS OR HER FEET AND ACT FAST TO ADAPT TO CHALLENGING SITUATIONS” u Remaining agile has been important during the onset of Covid-19, Luijckx says u Fruitful Day aims to create a business focussed on sustainabilityLiquid assets 32 Vol. 21/11, May – June 2020 Oh Zuma, how I’ve missed you What it’s like to dine out in Dubai’s once bustling restaurant scene during Covid-19 The warm interiors, the maroon lounge chairs, the sound of my heels on the wooden fl oors, the mouth-watering cod, the heavenly chocolate fondant – the comfort that you know exactly what you’ll get when you walk through the doors: oh Zuma, how I’ve missed you. If it’s a Dubai cliche to head straight to DIFC for your fi rst proper meal out after months in quarantine then consider me guilty. If it’s even more of a cliche to head to Zuma, I’ll happily serve my sentence. I regret nothing. And guess what? It felt twice as good. Because now I know my trips to my favourite restaurant will be few and far between – an economic downturn hasn’t exactly left much for splurging. And as I head to my table, I cherish every moment. Finally, some nostalgia of my old life. It feels strange though, I must admit, walking in with gloves and a mask. It’s not exactly a good look, and for a second I feel a sense of loss between my dressed up self and my treasured restaurant, like an old friend who might have jumped up to greet you but instead waves from a distance. The many rules like plastic cups make it all the more surreal and harder to relax, but I feel like a rebel just stepping out of my house, and I’m adamant that nothing’s going to kill my vibe, even if my vibe comes with several safety measures. BY LUBNA HAMDAN “Dim your lights at home and order yourself a Zuma takeout, because it won’t disappoint either”arabianbusiness.com 33 They don’t keep me from enjoying my company. Even the plastic cups look elegant. Why did I expect anything less from Zuma? As a friend put it, it’s a “school in hospitality”. I order my favourites: shrimp tempura, crispy California, cod in hobo leaf and miso, chili tenderloin beef with sesame and fi nally chocolate fondant. If I ever had a last meal, this would be it. You see it has sentimental value as the fi rst meal with my fi rst boss who became a mentor; symbolising a reassuring gesture of guidance into the hectic but wonderful world of business journalism. Pieces of advice and words of wisdom shared over a meal and neither to ever be forgotten. I wouldn’t be surprised if many have shared the same memories in this space where everything seems possible, even the revival of the Dubai nightlife as we know it. If Zuma’s walls could talk, they would tell of deals made over lunches and dinners, and that would ultimately help shape the city we know. It’s not only in high fl oor boardrooms behind closed doors where the biggest deals are made, but in restaurants too, over perfectly cut sashimi. It’s nearly full aside from a few empty tables, but still optimistic for a Tuesday night. It gives me hope that in a few weeks’ or months’ time, my darling Zuma and I won’t have to greet reluctantly with a mask and gloves. I’ll instead be able to sway to its sweet tunes as I sip my favourite drink and watch a thrilled DJ beating a drum on top of its tables. In fact I could argue that my meals at Zuma could become what they should have always been: a special occasion. Many of us have gotten used to the fi ve-star life: after work drinks and dinners, an abundance of social events (many with free drinks and dinners) and a busy calendar that would put New Yorkers to shame (did you know we have more than twice as many dining options per head than the Big Apple?) Oh yes, it’ s the Dubai life and it’s why we love it. But maybe it’ s time we’ve slowed down a little bit – stop and smell the roses, stop and taste the meals, stop and appreciate Dubai, even if for the duration of two hours out. And if you’re afraid of stepping outside, dim your lights at home and order yourself a Zuma takeout, because it won’t disappoint either. I should know, I recreated the setting of my fi rst meal out with my boss for his birthday. It wasn’t quite the same, but the food arrived hot and with it came back the memories. And this takes me to my fi nal point as I ponder over the future of F&B post-Covid-19. Restaurants are not merely places to eat out. They’re the essence of human nature; the need to connect, the need to destress, the need to share moments. Who are we without each other? I’d like to believe this is temporary. Until then, bon appetit to whatever meal you’re having and with whomever you’re sharing it. This is my food for thought. u The DIFC venue is now open after weeks of being closed due to Covid-19 u Zuma is best known for its contemporary Japanese cuisine 2008 The year Zuma Dubai opened its doors. Since then it has remained among the best in the city “If Zuma’s walls could talk, they would tell of deals made over lunches and dinners, and that would ultimately help shape the city we know” 34 Vol. 21/11, May – June 2020 How businesses can support mental health in the workplace Clinical psychologist Dr Saliha Afridi, PsyD, says there is plenty of scope for workplaces to play a part in supporting employees’ mental wellbeing One of the best ways a company can make the shift towards wellbeing is to include mental health care in their medical insurance policy. This, along with mental health awareness and prevention campaigns as part of the company’s internal communications will go a long way, making sure all stakeholders within the company are included and involved. Businesses should consider training HR and individuals within the team to be mental health fi rst aiders. We know that one out of four people worldwide struggle with a mental health problem within their lifetime, but the majority of those will not be detected or treated. Knowing this, we can do our very best to train people to detect mental health problems. Early detec- tion is as close to prevention. Public campaigns to raise mental health literacy and building awareness of mental health issues are a great way to start the conversation and to diffuse existing stigma around mental health diffi culties. Having prominent people championing the agenda can help reduce the stigma. Businesses also play a critical component in shifting any culture. One of the challenges to people accessing the support they need is the stigma in the region that surrounds accessing mental health support. The goal is to raise aware- ness about mental health and holistic wellbeing. It is so clear when people go through a journey of introspection and refl ection that they feel transformed. Over 80 percent of primary care health visits are stress related. Furthermore, stress is related to the top six causes of death that include heart disease. We have all the research but we ignore it because we cannot ‘see the problem’. Therefore, the need for a more employee- centric and positive working environment will enable staff to be more enthusiastic about work. Training staff to be fi rst aiders Building awareness Providing support Creating a vibrant work culture Insurance goes a long wayA CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE IN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT In association with FOR NOMINATION ENQUIRIES, CONTACT: RAJIV PILLAI Editor Tel: +971 4 444 3588 Email: rajiv.pillai@itp.com FOR EVENT NQUIRIES, CONTACT: TERI DUNSTAN Events Manager Tel: +971 4 444 3227 Email: teri.dunstan@itp.com SILVER SPONSORS FACILITIES & CONTRACTING CATEGORY SPONSORS FOR TABLE SALES ENQUIRIES, CONTACT: ANTHONY CHANDRAN Table Sales Executive Tel: +971 4 444 3685 Email: anthony.chandran@itp.com Now in their 13th year, the Facilities Management Middle East Awards will once again bring the FM sector together to acknowledge the region’s top performers. FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES, CONTACT: VINAY RAVINDRAN Group Sales Manager Tel: +971 4 444 3155 Mobile: +971 55 810 1197 Email: vinay.ravindran@itp.com WINNERS TO BE REVELAED ONLINE WEDNDESDAY 10TH JUNE www.FM-middleeast.com #FMMEAwardsNext >