Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Photo: courtesy of Sarah Jones. Have you found it to be more difficult being a female entrepreneur? Are you a believer that malls will eventually be extinct? Trying to run a business, and a business that’s growing fast, at the same time as raising funds - that’s a challenge for any entrepreneur. Her placement at Deloitte London in the retail M&A team led to an international secondment in the Middle East just a few years later. Interview for RAKBANK with Sarah Jones, Founder of Sprii.com, from the series SHE MEANS BUSINESS! Sprii’s founder and CEO Sarah Jones wrote a letter to stakeholders informing them about the decision. “The first six months of 2019 have exceeded our expectations,” said Sarah Jones, founder of Sprii. She started the online store in the year 2014 with the aim of making Sprii a go-to … Sprii is an online marketplace which connects mums to global brands. Be focused. Sarah Jones, CEO The Founder & CEO of Sprii is recognised as one of the best leaders and business development executives in the Middle East e-commerce space. Sprii is an online shopping destination in the Middle East for Mums. Sprii.com chief Sarah Jones is living proof of this. Four years later, an economics degree at Edinburgh University heightened Jones’s financial acumen and competitive nature. The founder of e-commerce site for mums recalls how the business bug caught her at a young age. Be focused. Making sure you’re planning your hiring and technology automation well in advance is crucial. Founded in 2014 by Sarah Jones, Sprii has grown to become the go-to destination for expectant parents in Dubai and the Middle East. Don’t settle for less than what you want. Introducing Sprii.com- the shopping hub loved and trusted by mums in the Middle East. ‘A true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer’. However, businesses need to understand this market in-depth to be able to cater to it. Sarah Jones was in her mid-twenties when she set up Sprii, an e-commerce platform that retails everything for moms. Sarah Jones, CEO of Sprii, an e-commerce platform designed for mothers, said: “During the lockdown, we saw a lot of shopping spikes come between 7 p.m. and 12 … Be passionate. It’s not on the cards right now, but never say never. Sha has been the recipient of many awards since the business launched including Small Business CEO of the Year Award, a listing in Arabian Business’s 50 Most Influential Brits in the UAE, Latest Sprii Coupons, Promo Codes & Offers. Menabytes cited a letter from founder and CEO Sarah Jones who said: “As a result of our inability to raise further capital to support the ongoing trading of Sprii, coupled with the conclusion of an unsuccessful campaign to sell the business, I have been forced to take significant steps that … We’ve been incredibly fortunate to raise substantial sums from both here and Europe. This excitement has carried through to today. What are the biggest challenges you face? Her phone is never off, her mind is always active and her passion to drive the business forward is unrivaled. I think that the proposed changes to visa rules, and potentially to company formation costs, will continue to help. Bitten by the bug at just 14, Sarah set up a profitable eBay business importing items from across the globe and selling in the UK, igniting a love for e-commerce and developing an acute business mind in … Never one to rest on her laurels, in 2016, Sarah turned her attention to growing the brand portfolio to include- “At Home” and Pre/Post Pregnancy “Get Fit” categories, thus paving the way for Mini Exchange to evolve and become the destination providing Everything For Mums. In the six-year short period since its inception, Sprii has grown into a multi-million dollar business with more than 100 employees. Founded in 2014 as Mini Exchange by Sarah Jones, the startup rebranded as Sprii in 2017. Which is where the Mini Exchange story really begins, and to a point, where Sarah the CEO figure emerges. Sarah Jones – Sprii ‘A true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer’. For me, it wasn’t about making money, it was about “doing business” and from a very young age I loved the thrill of buying and selling and eBay gave me the platform to start. Sprii chief Sarah Jones is living proof of this. June 21, 2018. There was, and still is, a real need in this region, definitely. About Sarah Jones ‘A true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer’. “A true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer”. “A true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer”. It’s an exciting time. Consumers will always enjoy going to the physical shops to see and feel the products and enjoy the experience, too. Sprii chief Sarah Jones is living proof of this. What more needs to be done in the UAE start-up space to support SMEs? What I do: I am the CEO and Founder of Sprii.com, an online shopping hub that’s on a mission to provide ‘Everything for Mums’ across the Middle East. More and more consumers are going online to compare prices as well as having the convenience of items being delivered. © 2021 ITP Media Group. It’s also a challenge for the malls to maintain the prices that the online world can deliver with their heavy rents and, in a vertical like ours where mums are stretched for time, online is going to be a game-changer as it’s never a fun experience dragging kids around the malls to scour out daily essentials. Focusing on customer experience through the use of technology has been key in scaling as quickly as we have done. These kinds of activities also clear my mind. Sarah Jones | Sprii. A letter to suppliers revealed the news that the company was going into liquidation. Sprii has hired Guy Wall of Grant Thornton as liquidator. The E-commerce industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is one of the most attractive growth opportunities in the world at the moment. Sarah Jones, Founder of Sprii.com. ... which will allow us to continue to deliver on our promise to our loyal customers.” said Sprii founder, Sarah Jones. Sarah Jones, Founder & CEO, Sprii: Fundraising is a full-time job. Don’t settle for anything less than what you want”. We Got Funded: Sprii Raises US$8.5 Million in A Series A Round Sprii.com CEO Sarah Jones The marketplace now features more than 850 brands and 44,000 products Have you ever shopped online, say from eBay, to sell it online, on eBay itself - for a profit? Company set-up was harder and more costly, there were less service providers whether that be legal, payment gateways or logistics. The fundraising follows the company’s successful debut into Saudi Arabia earlier this … For more information visit: www.sprii.com, Site map | Cookie policy | © 2019 Naseba, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION & CYBER DEFENCE SUMMIT MIDDLE EAST 2019. GCC. The sole founder of Sprii, Sarah has persevered to help the ecommerce platform … It was founded in 2015 by British entrepreneur Sarah Jones who previously worked … E-commerce platform Sprii.com has raised a further $8.5 million in funding, as it accelerates its expansion across the Middle East and invests in new technology and recruitment to further enhance their customers’ experience. Here she chats about her successful journey and being a mom to 1-year old Willow Here she chats about her successful journey and being a mom to 1-year old Willow Entrepreneur Sarah Jones, of Sprii.com, says the experience gave her a sense of independence she never wanted to give up. {{profile.first_name}} {{profile.last_name}}, Arabian Business: why we're going behind a paywall, Majority of UAE entrepreneurs say banking is the biggest challenge, Emirati entrepreneurs open first coffee shop in Dubai, India says to showcase innovation, start-ups at Dubai Expo 2020, 50 Coders graduates get chance to launch start-ups, Business advice for up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the Middle East, Entrepreneur of the Week: Dawaami's Kamal Al Samarrai. It does not manage inventories directly, instead the site connects directly to partner inventory and provides customer support. Awards & Accolades for Sprii.com and Sarah Jones Small Business CEO of the Year Award, a listing in Arabian Business’s 50 Most Influential Brits in the UAE, the E-Commerce Enterprise Agility Award and was selected for Google’s prestigious BlackBox accelerator program in Silicon Valley in 2015. Sarah Jones is living proof of this. Sprii chief Sarah Jones is living proof of this. Spotting a gap in the market on arrival, Sarah secured funding for Mini Exchange in a matter of months, growing from an exchange platform for parents to a hugely successful e-commerce venture in just two years. Overview; E-commerce market is a growing opportunity. However, over the last two to three years a lot has changed, and it’s become an incredibly supportive and collaborative country to scale a business. Definitely not. Sarah Jones. Sarah Jones is the Founder & CEO of Sprii.com, an award-winning online shopping destination in the GCC providing ‘Everything for Mums’. This specialty e-commerce marketplace is the brainchild of Sarah Jones. Sarah Jones is living proof of this. Bitten by the bug at just 14, Sarah set up a profitable eBay business importing items from across the globe and selling in the UK, igniting a love for e-commerce and developing an acute business mind in the process. How challenging is it to raise funds in the region? Get Extra 10% Off on Kids Fashion, Strollers, Baby Gear, Toys, Diapers & More in UAE & KSA. Be passionate. A placement at Deloitte London followed, which led to a secondment in the Middle East a few years later. Sarah Jones set up the online exchange platform for parents, Sprii.com, in 2014. Checkout Barakatalan for Additional Sprii Discount Codes, Voucher Codes, and Deals. SHARE. In a letter to suppliers, CEO Sarah Jones says the move comes after a failure to raise further capital and an unsuccessful campaign to sell the business Sprii UAE, one of the biggest online shopping platforms “offering everything for mums in Dubai and … Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug at just 14, Jones set up an eBay business importing items from across the globe and selling them in the UK, igniting a love for e-commerce. I wanted to be on the other side of the table. ... all ongoing trading of the business will cease until this assessment is completed,” read a letter by founder and CEO Sarah Jones. We have a lot of very exciting developments that are going to be launched in the next six months”. If you end up being an entrepreneur, you were probably born with it in your DNA. Early life and education Sprii UAE, one of the biggest online shopping platforms “offering everything for mums in Dubai and the Middle East” has been placed in liquidation. Sprii’s founder and CEO Sarah Jones wrote a letter earlier today to different stakeholders informing them about the decision. I much prefer fun pursuits like paddle tennis and wakeboarding than fitness classes to be honest. Sarah Jones, CEO, Sprii; Elie El Tom, CEO, YallaPickUp “With ecommerce sales hitting an all time high and the future looking replete with even better opportunities, this is perhaps the most exciting time for the regional ecommerce industry. Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug at just 14, Jones set up an eBay business importing items from across the globe and selling them in the UK, igniting a love for e-commerce. Be tenacious. The product mix that mums are searching for on a daily basis is almost unlimited. Sarah Jones. 2016 proved equally successful, winning ‘Online Business of the Year Award’ at the Gulf Capital SME Awards and appearing on Forbes Middle East’s ’50 Of The Most Promising Start Ups’ list. Since launching Sprii.com in 2014, Sarah has become a trusted voice within the regional e-commerce space, regularly providing commentary on emerging trends, e-commerce, entrepreneurship, business and of course tech. It’s a huge market and one that is shifting online. Four years later, a degree in Economics at Edinburgh University beckoned, which not only heightened Sarah’s financial acumen, but also her highly competitive nature! Prior to Sprii, I was working in mergers and acquisitions – I was always working for other people, advising inspiring entrepreneurs on how to grow and sell their companies, but when they left I always had a sense of envy. Dubai-based Sprii.com raises $8.5m in latest funding round. From strollers to diapers and maternity wear to nursery furniture and decor, Sprii’s web and mobile-based marketplace, as the startup claims, sells everything for mums. Sarah Jones Sarah Jones is the CEO and co-founder of Sprii.com, an online parenting store that provides everything for mothers – from the latest pregnancy products, baby essentials, prenatal yoga kits, up to creating fun family moments together in the kitchen. To date we have still not taken any institutional money. MY FAVOURITE WORKOUT. However, the main question is where the consumer wants to transact. Be tenacious. A natural extension for the online portal, a brand refresh followed in early 2017 to establish this as the core proposition of the business, focusing on top categories and products required by the modern mummy. Founded by Sarah Jones in 2014, Sprii.com is an award-winning online shopping destination in the GCC providing ‘Everything for Mums’. Jessica Hill. Sprii UAE, one of the biggest online shopping platforms “offering everything for mums in Dubai and the Middle East” has been placed in liquidation.The company, which was founded in 2014 by CEO Sarah Jones and is based in Mazaya Business Avenue in Jumeirah Lake Towers, started with just two employees around a kitchen table, and grew into a multi-million dollar business with a team of … When Sprii launched a few years ago, the landscape for SMEs was very different to what it is today. Scaling incredibly quickly always creates challenges as one needs to maintain the same customer experience whether you have 10 orders a day or 10,000. Described by her friends, as “a relentless enterprise of fresh ideas and innovations” she’s never lost the thirst for clinching a business deal first hand and is a self-confessed workaholic. Bitten by the bug at just 14, Sarah set up a profitable eBay business importing items from across the globe and selling in the UK, igniting a love for e-commerce and developing an acute business mind in the process. June 21, 2018. Sprii has been at the forefront of catering to everything for mothers.The Company pioneered the idea of providing everything for mothers. Bitten by the bug at just 14, Sarah set up a profitable eBay business importing items from across the globe and selling in the UK, igniting a love for eCommerce and developing an acute business mind in the process. Sprii was founded in 2014 by entrepreneur, Sarah Jones. We’re scaling quickly across all GCC markets, localising our product and tailoring our user experience to the local customer rather than expecting one product to resonate with all nationalities. The tagline of the online store, ‘Everything for Mums’ expresses the business objective of Sprii quite clearly. #17 – Sprii. 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