11 Jan 2020: Preeta Sharma, Founder Hand Tied Box, tells Natalie and Neil why she made the decision to leave her job in oil and gas and pursue her flower delivery business. 

11 Jan 2020: Preeta Sharma, Founder Hand Tied Box, tells Natalie and Neil why she made the decision to leave her job in oil and gas and pursue her flower delivery business.&nbsp;

StartingUp is your weekly guide to launching a new business in the UAE. Every Saturday we bring you inspirational stories, business news, and expert advice to help you get your idea off the ground.
Whether you’re tuning in because you’re curious about how the top entrepreneurs made their first million, or you need specific legal advice to scale up your side hustle, join the conversation with Natalie Lindo Taylor and a Virtuzone co-host on Saturday afternoons from 1pm to 3pm.

Starting Up

Dubai Eye 103.8 is the Middle East’s only dedicated English language talk station and the Business Breakfast is the ICC International Radio Show of the Year.

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STARTUPS AND SIDE HUSTLES: Hand Tied Box

A UK GP has been suspended after faking appointments so she could leave work in time for the school run- leaving many parents asking the same question: why does it still feel risky to be honest about childcare at work? Helen asks campaigner Joeli Brearly, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, and workplace culture consultant Lorna King.

Plus, as new research suggests tracking our kids could make them less independent and more anxious, we talk tech and trust with psychologist Mark Samways, while digital educator Philippa Wraithmell is on hand with all the info you need to make your household’s devices work FOR them in 2026.

A UK GP has been suspended after faking appointments so she could leave work in time for the school run- leaving many parents asking the same question: why does it still feel risky to be honest about childcare at work? Helen asks campaigner Joeli Brearly, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, and workplace culture consultant Lorna King.
Plus, as new research suggests tracking our kids could make them less independent and more anxious, we talk tech and trust with psychologist Mark Samways, while digital educator Philippa Wraithmell is on hand with all the info you need to make your household&rsquo;s devices work FOR them in 2026.

Would you lie to make it to pick-up on time?

She’s amassed millions of followers for her kitchen DJ sets. Now, 63-year-old Crazy Auntie Ann is in Dubai to show us how to live it up at any age – while the founders of Please Leave By 10 say you don’t even need to stay up late to have a dance.
Meanwhile, Helen delves into the British Embassy’s updated advice to new arrivals to the UAE, and as the UAE lowers its legal age of adulthood, we discuss the realities of growing up with Dr Thoriya.

She&rsquo;s amassed millions of followers for her kitchen DJ sets. Now, 63-year-old Crazy Auntie Ann is in Dubai to show us how to live it up at any age &ndash; while the founders of Please Leave By 10 say you don&rsquo;t even need to stay up late to have a dance. Meanwhile, Helen delves into the British Embassy&rsquo;s updated advice to new arrivals to the UAE, and as the UAE lowers its legal age of adulthood, we discuss the realities of growing up with Dr Thoriya.

You’re never too old – or tired – to party

BNPL schemes boomed across the Middle East at the end of 2025 - but how many people are now waking up to the reality of putting off costs into the new year with fear? Financial coach Beth Clay talks us through how to get 2026 started out on the right financial foot.

Meanwhile, Ruth Dance and David MacKenzie talk recruitment and team spirit in January, David Harkin of 8 Billion Ideas joins us to discuss motivation and imagination for kids, and we ask Pulmonologist Dr Rachel Kaminski about a new drug bringing hope to asthma sufferers…

BNPL schemes boomed across the Middle East at the end of 2025 - but how many people are now waking up to the reality of putting off costs into the new year with fear? Financial coach Beth Clay talks us through how to get 2026 started out on the right financial foot.
Meanwhile, Ruth Dance and David MacKenzie talk recruitment and team spirit in January, David Harkin of 8 Billion Ideas joins us to discuss motivation and imagination for kids, and we ask Pulmonologist Dr Rachel Kaminski about a new drug bringing hope to asthma sufferers&hellip;

STARTUPS AND SIDE HUSTLES: Hand Tied Box

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