LAURINE GAYLE VALES
Handmade crafts and personally curated products made out of passion and love. All available in the DQ!
You’ve tried the popular restaurants and shops in the Diplomatic Quarter, but did you know that in some of the houses in the DQ are residents who are turning their talents and passion into something worth buying? Get to know three home-based businesses that you can find right in the neighborhood.
Cheese ‘n’ Dip
Cheese ‘n’ Dip offers gourmet charcuterie platters and various dips. It was started last March 2021 by sisters Zeina and Nadene Jurdy whose love for incorporating art into their dishes gave them an idea to provide gourmet trays and share it to people.
One of the challenges they faced is that since they are just new in Riyadh, it has been difficult for them to find everything that they needed. But despite that, they still manage to offer their customers charcuterie trays that are not only tasty and fresh, but are also very pleasing to the eyes in the way that everything is arranged.
For those who are aspiring to start something but are still hesitant to do it, this is their advice: “To anyone that has a passion for something, just go ahead and start. The beginning is always difficult, but as long as you love what you are doing, you will succeed.”
Cheese ‘n’ Dip
Contact Number: 055 001 2193
Instagram: @cheese.n.dip.dq
Dear Friend Design
Ana Hilgert, an interior designer and a stay-at-home mom, turned her passion for crocheting into a small business. Around two years ago, she started Dear Friend Design wherein she offers a large variety of crochet products and can even personalized these items to make them more special and one-of-a-kind.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the bazaars she used to join were cancelled which limited her chance of showcasing her products, but with her quality and creative items, we’re sure that more people will patronize her small business.
Her advice to others who want to try their luck in a home-based business is “A home-based business is a very volatile business. When you begin, you need to have in mind that it is important to manage well your investments because that is what will affect your financial income. The advantage is that you manage your own time.”
Dear Friend Design
Contact Number: 053 916 0458
Facebook: @dearfrienddesign
Instagram: @anamatiashilgert
Soaps n’ Stuff
In March of this year, Karma Gharzeddine started her home-based business Soaps n’ Stuff. It was born out of her love for natural products, especially soaps, and after realizing that there is a lack of it in the area, she started making her own and thought of turning it into a business.
She offers a variety of natural soaps and handmade crafts such as jewelries made of resin. Her bestseller is her cloud soaps. People seem to love the shape and colors she used. She can also customize her soaps according to her client’s preference.
For those who want to venture into business, albeit home-based, her advice is to go for it. It is a lot of fun and very rewarding.
Soaps N’ Stuff
Contact Number: 055 001 7528
Instagram: @_soapsnstuff_
