Local Flair Issue 19: The Gingerbread Box
The latest edition of Local Flair welcomes Safiya Salim to tell us all about the sweetest of boxes. Literally. Safiya is owner of The Gingerbread Box, a monthly subscription box full of desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. Read on to find out more about how the box came to life and what you can expect from it. P.S. Giveaway at the end of the post!
Tell me a little about yourself.
I always find it a little hard when I get asked this… it’s much like the ‘About Me’ section on Facebook yet it feels like you’re in a job interview! Jokes apart, I’ve lived, studied and worked in Dubai almost all my life, so I call myself a ‘Dubai baby’, my background is in Education management (mainly) and I think I’m a bit of a nerd and more of a foodie.
Tell me about The Gingerbread Box.
The idea came about when I was suggesting business concepts for my brother as he wanted to start something, but I liked it so much that I ended up working on it myself.
We pre-launched at Taste of Dubai in March 2016. I was thinking of a unique name for a dessert subscription box and thought of The Gingerbread Box as it has to do with confectionery and Christmas (keeping the Secret Santa theme in mind). The logo is of a snowflake reminding someone of winter (my favorite time of the year in Dubai – minus the snow!).
How do you find regular new inspiration for the The Gingerbread Box every month?
I just like to keep up with the trends and cultural significance of every month – if you see our past boxes you would know how we curate every box and keep the products in line with a new theme every month!
What’s so unique about The Gingerbread Box that makes it stand out from the rest of the food related subscription boxes?
It is the first ever dessert based subscription box in the Middle East.
What’s been the proudest achievement for you in regards to The Gingerbread Box and what’s been the most challenging aspect?
Getting positive feedback from our subscribers – and striving to better their experience in terms of products and service. Sometimes it’s difficult to please everyone and so that is sometimes a challenge but we listen to constructive feedback and take it from there.
What is your favourite sweet treat?
I have a sweet tooth, so it’s hard to pick, also I’m currently on a diet so let’s not talk about it! I do enjoy cakes and brownies!
What’s your favourite pick from the latest box, and an ultimate favourite from all the boxes you’ve created so far?
I love the chocolate Tahini spread from our back to school box! It’s from a little Greek deli called Little Greece. I also love Oushe’s Legendary brownies which we feature regularly!
How do you manage to balance the business with personal life?
It’s really a task – I do a lot of things in a day and no two days are the same. It’s challenging but also the best part.
What’s your advice to other women in the UAE planning to start a business?
Believe in your dream, have a solid concept and go with it! Don’t go all out in the beginning and see how you can make it work, get constructive feedback from your family and friends, but when you do start – give it all your time and effort. No one said it will be easy but it will sure be rewarding – make sure you can work your passion and business around your family as that is very essential as well. It will help you keep sane and not burn out.
Mummy On My Mind’s Opinion
Safiya kindly sent me the September edition of The Gingerbread Box, and I could have exploded from happiness when I opened it. Dessert is very much up my street, as you all will already know, and so the idea of having desserts knock on your door step is like a dream come true! I can still taste the soft Blondie Cookie in my mouth – Mmmm. Read about all the other treats I devoured and how I felt upon receiving it in the Instagram post below!
Guess what?! Now you have a chance to taste the delicious box of happiness too by participating in this giveaway…
Giveaway! *CLOSED*
The Gingerbread Box and Mummy On My Mind are holding a giveaway for your chance to win your very own November edition Gingerbread Box (worth AED 99), full of irresistible goodies. The giveaway will run from 25thOctober to 1st November. All you have to do is:
- Follow mummyonmymind and thegingerbreadbox on Instagram
- Like, comment with the hashtag #TGBgiveaway and tag three friends on the photo of The Gingerbread Box giveaway.
- For extra entries, sign up to The Gingerbread Box Newsletter
The winner must be living in the UAE and have a UAE postcode that the item can be posted to.
If you are interested in ordering The Gingerbread Box, head on over to their website, drop them an email at [email protected] or stay updated through their Facebook and Instagram.
All photographs in this post belonging to The Gingerbread Box are their property, and have been used by the owner’s permission.
Comments
This is my kind of subscription! I have a sweet tooth 🙂
hehe me too! When I first heard of it, I knew I simply had to try it out!