Happy Saturday everyone!

For our main stories, Fix founder Sarah Hamouda told Gulf News “We’re not nepo babies. We built this from scratch,” as she reflected on turning a pregnancy craving into a global brand. Elon Musk has been officially invited to Lebanon by President Joseph Aoun after expressing interest in the country’s ailing telecom sector — a move that could bring Starlink’s satellite internet to one of the region’s most underserved markets. Meanwhile, Dubai Airports COO Majed Al Joker spotlighted the human force behind airport operations, calling them “living systems powered by people.”

But before that: For quick daily updates, follow us on Instagram, and you can watch our Smashi Business Show live every weekday from 10AM onwards (UAE time). Also, you can join our Whatsapp channel to receive updates from the business world.

Elon Musk Invited To Lebanon As Starlink Eyes Entry Into Crisis-Hit Telecom Sector

📞 What Is It About

• Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk called Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday, expressing strong interest in Lebanon’s struggling telecom and internet sector, according to a statement from the president’s office.

• During the call, President Aoun invited Musk to visit Beirut, with Musk promising to accept the invitation “at the first appropriate opportunity.”

• The conversation follows a May meeting in Beirut between Aoun and Starlink’s global licensing chief, Sam Turner, to explore launching satellite internet services in Lebanon.

⚠️ Why It Matters

• Lebanon’s telecom infrastructure is expensive, unstable, and severely underfunded, with years of economic crisis and war damage holding back modernization.

• Starlink’s entry could revolutionize internet access by bypassing broken infrastructure and delivering high-speed connectivity via satellite.

• The move comes as Lebanon faces urgent reconstruction needs after the Israel-Hezbollah war, and amid a dire lack of investment in public utilities.

• Musk’s involvement, even symbolically, adds global attention to Lebanon’s economic recovery efforts.

🔮 What’s Next

• Starlink’s potential rollout in Lebanon would depend on regulatory approvals and licensing, with discussions already underway.

• A future visit by Musk could accelerate interest and investment in Lebanon’s digital economy, provided political and financial hurdles are addressed.

• If successful, Starlink could provide a lifeline for Lebanese institutions, including schools, banks, and hospitals, suffering from unreliable internet access.

Ziina Is Making It Easier Than Ever to Get Paid in the UAE

Managing payments shouldn’t slow your business down — and with Ziina, it doesn’t.

Ziina is a first-of-its-kind financial platform built in the UAE for today’s entrepreneurs, freelancers, and growing brands. Whether you’re selling online, in-store, or over Instagram DMs, Ziina makes it easy to accept payments instantly using Tap to Pay, QR codes, or shareable payment links — all from one simple app.

No monthly fees. No hardware. Just fast, secure money movement tailored to the way modern businesses actually operate. Plus, you can cash out for free and receive funds straight to your bank account in no time.

Best of all? Smashi readers can try Ziina with zero fees on the first AED 7,000 in payments. Claim the exclusive offer here.

Markets

Airports Are Living Systems Powered By People, Says Dubai Airports COO

✈️ What Is It About

• Majed Al Joker, COO of Dubai Airports, has emphasized the critical role of people in ensuring uninterrupted operations at one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.

• In a LinkedIn post, Al Joker described the airport as a “living system” powered by coordination, resilience, and human dedication, especially during challenging times.

• He credited the “oneDXB” spirit—a term used to describe the collaborative culture at Dubai Airports—for sustaining operational continuity.

⚠️ Why It Matters

• Airports are often seen only as transit points, but Al Joker highlights the behind-the-scenes complexity and round-the-clock efforts that keep them running smoothly.

• His remarks underscore how operational resilience is not just about infrastructure, but about human readiness, leadership, and teamwork.

• With global travel facing increasing pressure from geopolitical, climate, and operational disruptions, Dubai Airports presents a model for how to build and maintain resilience through people.

🔮 What’s Next

• Dubai Airports is expected to continue investing in its people-first operational culture, leveraging the oneDXB model to adapt to future disruptions.

• The COO’s message may also influence industry-wide conversations about leadership, preparedness, and workforce empowerment in aviation.

• As travel demand grows, the focus on safety, service, and human-centered planning is likely to become even more central to airport strategies worldwide.

“We’re Not Nepo Babies. We Built This From Scratch,” Fix Founder Sara Hamouda tells Gulf News

🍫 What Is It About

• British-Egyptian entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda, co-founder of viral Dubai dessert brand Fix, told Gulf News her business was built on sacrifice, savings, and conviction — not connections or capital.

• In a defining moment, she and her husband chose to invest their home deposit into launching Fix during the pandemic, starting with a pistachio-stuffed chocolate born out of a pregnancy craving.

• Today, Fix is a cult dessert brand with global imitators, known for its gooey textures and gold packaging — but even more so for its founders’ resilience and integrity.

⚠️ Why It Matters

• Hamouda’s story challenges the myth that success in Dubai requires privilege or deep pockets, offering a blueprint for self-made growth in a city that celebrates ambition.

• Fix went viral not because of aggressive franchising, but because of quality, community focus, and authenticity— values often overlooked in the race to scale.

• Her candid stance on avoiding debt and embracing slow growth offers a rare voice in a startup world obsessed with rapid funding and exits.

• Amid a market filled with knock-offs, Hamouda champions integrity in food entrepreneurship, warning others: “Replicate it — but replicate it with dignity.”

🔮 What’s Next

• Fix continues to expand at its own pace, prioritizing customer experience over aggressive scaling, with Hamouda and her husband still at the helm.

• With Dubai’s diverse, creator-friendly ecosystem, the brand’s story is a symbol of what’s possible for other self-funded founders across the region.

• As more women and mothers explore turning homegrown ideas into businesses, Hamouda’s journey could inspire a new generation of intentional, people-first entrepreneurs.

• For Fix, the next chapter isn’t just about chocolate — it’s about keeping it real, doing it right, and staying rooted in purpose.

🔍From Smashi Business’ Desk

• American journalist-turned-social media personality Candace Owens Says She’s Being Targeted with Smear Campaign Over Her Criticism of Israel

• Dubai-based House of Pops responded after an e-commerce partner added sugary drinks to customer orders — without consent.

• Abeer Alessa, Saudi co-founder of The Bold Group, shared a defining early-career moment — pitching her very first major project to Saudi billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal.

• Dreamers: From selling lashes with her sisters to building a million-dollar fragrance empire — Mona Kattan is reshaping what modern luxury smells like.

🔍In other news…

• UAE-based fund invests $100m in Trump's crypto project

• 'We don't want another Hiroshima': Japanese shift to action after Israel's strikes on Iran and Gaza war

• “We had to choose — either pay the deposit on our home, or launch Fix. We chose Fix,” FIX Chocolate founder tells Gulf News.

• UAE Overtakes Saudi Arabia in Project Awards as Kingdom Eases Up

• Sheikh Mohammed: UAE among top 7 global destinations in international tourist spending

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