In a world of next-day delivery and faceless mega retailers, it’s easy to forget the power of shopping small. But every time you buy from a mummy-owned brand in the UAE, you’re doing so much more than ticking an item off your list — you’re supporting a dream, a family, and a local economy.
At Next of Kin, our mission is to champion local, mum-run businesses that are doing incredible things — whether they’re hand-knitting toys during nap time, packing orders after bedtime, or building a brand between school runs.
💡 Why Buying Local Matters
1. You Support a Mum’s Passion, Not a Corporation’s Profit
Behind every order is a real person — often a mum — who’s poured love, time and energy into what she’s created. When you shop local, your purchase helps her grow her business, contribute to her household, and show her children what’s possible.
2. You Keep Money in the UAE Economy
Every dirham you spend with a UAE-based brand circulates locally. It supports other small businesses — from photographers to couriers to packaging suppliers — creating a ripple effect that benefits the wider community.
3. You Get Unique, Heartfelt Products
From handmade teething rings to organic babywear and custom nursery décor, local brands offer something you won’t find in big-box stores: originality, quality and care. Mummy-owned brands design with other Mums in mind, thinking up products that they could not find on the high street.
4. You Help Build a Community
When you shop small, you’re not just a customer — you’re a cheerleader. Mummy-run brands often grow through word of mouth, social shares and loyal repeat customers. Your support helps create a network of like-minded families who value connection over convenience.
5. You Encourage More Women to Start
Visibility matters. When we support women building businesses while raising families, we show others it can be done. That ripple effect is how more UAE mums take the leap into entrepreneurship, knowing they’ll be supported.
👩👧 Who Are the Mums Behind the Brands?
Every brand stocked at Next of Kin is run by a fellow mum here in the UAE — women who’ve started businesses around nap schedules, school pickups, and teething toddlers.
Some were inspired by a gap in the market, some by passion projects turned full-time, and all by the desire to create better, more thoughtful options for families.
Here are just a few examples:
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Beaux Desert: Launched only a couple of months after Next of Kin in 2023, by Mum-of-2 Aisha Bearn, Beaux Desert is committed to creating a sustainable brand by using eco-friendly fabrics and sustainable manufacturing processes.
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Royal Bee: Bazak, the owner of Royal Bee and I have been market buddies, spending many a Wednesday morning sat with our stalls next to each other at Ripe Market eyeing up each others beautiful creations, and on one occasion doing a swap, a Next of Kin Sailor Set for Bazak's little boy in exchange for a Royal Bee Hooded Towel for my little girl. With a passion for handmade, organic baby accessories, Royal Bee makes for a wonderful gift.
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Giraffie: Funnily enough my very first sample for Next of Kin was a wrap-front, muslin, onesie which turned out - well - rather odd looking! So I sighed relief that I didn't need to try to rectify that design when Giraffie launched in 2023 with expertly designed tie-front, muslin outfits which are breathable, organic and totally practical for the UAE heat, and also to easily change the baby. Giraffie's owner Gulnur, has perfectly refined 2 shapes that all parents who are raising their baby in a hot country need; the onesie and the top and trouser set.
