Hi friend,
When I first decided to start a business in Dubai, I did what any former corporate lawyer would do: I researched everything. I read government websites, downloaded PDF guides, watched YouTube videos, and created spreadsheets comparing free zone costs.
I thought I had it all figured out.
I was wrong.
Not because the information was incorrect—but because in Dubai, the real game isn't played in plain sight. It's played in WhatsApp groups, over coffee meetings in JLT, and through introductions you didn't know you needed.
Here's what starting a business in Dubai actually cost me—and what I could have saved with the right coach.
The Numbers: What I Actually Spent vs. What I Could Have Spent
Expense Category | What I Paid | What I Could Have Paid (With Coaching) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Business License (spent extra making adjustments to the license) | $8,500 | $4,000 | $4,500 |
Office space (6-month commitment I didn't need) | $4,800 | $0 (flexi-desk) | $4,800 |
Visa processing delays (wrong documents) | $2,100 | $1,200 | $900 |
Banking setup (3 banks rejected before approval) | $0 (but 4 months lost) | $0 (but 2 weeks) | 3.5 months |
"Consultants" who didn't deliver | $3,200 | $0 | $3,200 |
TOTAL HARD COSTS | $18,600 | $6,400 | $12,200 saved |
1. The Network Tax
In Dubai, who you know determines how fast you move.
When my business license was stuck in processing for 6 weeks, I didn't know that one email introduction to the right PRO (Public Relations Officer) could have resolved it in 48 hours. I didn't know that certain free zones have "preferred partners" who get applications fast-tracked.
What a coach would have provided: Direct introductions to vetted PROs, banking contacts, and free zone representatives who actually answer their phones.
Real cost of not having this: 6 weeks of delayed revenue, missed client opportunities, and the mental exhaustion of calling customer service lines that lead nowhere.
2. The "Dubai Way" of Doing Business
Here's what the government websites won't tell you:
Bank account opening "requirements" vary
Certain visa categories unlock benefits that aren't commonly known
The cheapest license option isn't always the smartest for tax optimization
PRO services range from $500 to $5,000 for the exact same work—and you won't know the difference until you've paid
What a coach would have provided: The unwritten rules. The cultural nuances. The "here's how it actually works" versus "here's what the website says."
Real cost of not having this: I chose a free zone based on price, only to discover 4 months later that it limited my ability to work with certain government contracts. Switching cost me another $3,500 and 8 weeks.
3. The Loneliness of Entrepreneurship Abroad
Starting a business is hard. Starting a business in a foreign country where you don't know the system, the culture, or anyone in your industry? That's a different level of isolation.
I remember sitting in a Dubai coffee shop at 2 PM on a Tuesday, watching everyone else seemingly know exactly what they were doing, while I was Googling "how to open a corporate bank account in UAE" for the 47th time.
What a coach would have provided: Someone who'd been exactly where I was. Someone who could say, "Yes, Emirates NBD will reject you twice before approving you—that's normal. Here's what to do differently on attempt three."
Real cost of not having this: Imposter syndrome, decision paralysis, and almost giving up three times in the first six months.
What I Learned: Dubai Rewards Insiders
Dubai isn't like starting a business in the US or UK, where most processes are standardized and transparent. Dubai operates on a dual system:
The Official System: Government websites, published fees, standard timelines
The Real System: Relationships, introductions, knowing which rules are flexible and which aren't.
This isn't corruption—it's culture. Dubai is built on relationships and trust. The faster you understand this, the faster you succeed.
A coach doesn't just save you money on setup costs. A coach gives you access to the invisible network that makes Dubai work.
Ready to Start Your Dubai Business the Smart Way?
If you're reading this and thinking:
"I wish I knew someone who'd actually done this"
"I don't want to waste money on the wrong free zone"
"I need someone who understands the legal side AND the cultural side"
"I'm tired of Googling and getting conflicting information"
Then let's talk.
I offer 1-on-1 coaching for expats and entrepreneurs who want to:
✅ Set up their Dubai business correctly the first time (not the third time)
✅ Get introduced to the right PROs, banks, and service providers who actually deliver
✅ Understand the real costs, timelines, and requirements (not the website version)
✅ Navigate Dubai's business culture as a foreigner (especially as a Black woman or minority entrepreneur)
✅ Build a sustainable business while raising a family abroad
Regards,
Jamilia Grier
