In this episode of the Fantastic Females podcast, Kalyani and Rupali, finance experts and hosts of the show, introduce their special guests Selma and Susan. They dive into the story behind the evolution of Dirham Stretcher, a small community group that started on Facebook. The group was initially founded as a platform for exchanging deals, offers, and money-saving tips. When the group’s founder moved away, Selma took over and reached out for help. That’s when Susan joined as a co-moderator, bringing fresh ideas and energy to the project. Together, they expanded the community and turned it into something more than just a Facebook group. They focused on engagement, interaction, and providing valuable information and answers to members’ questions. As the community grew, they realized the need for a dedicated website to consolidate all the information and make it easily accessible. They launched the website, sum.ae, which serves as a couponing platform where users can find verified discount codes without the hassle of misleading information or expired offers. They also introduced a blog section where they shared their experiences, tips, and recommendations, particularly on activities for kids and affordable outings. Additionally, they started a “Shop Local” section on the website to support and promote small businesses. They would feature local businesses, tell their stories, and provide reviews to help them gain visibility and customer support. During the conversation, they also discussed the challenges they faced, such as convincing brands to collaborate and provide discount codes. They emphasized the importance of trust-building and proving the value they bring to the brands’ image and exposure. Over time, as their community and online presence grew, they started gaining recognition and securing partnerships. To diversify their income and reduce reliance on discount codes, they ventured into selling affordable workout gear under the brand name Ukiyo. They aimed to provide good quality products at a reasonable price, filling the gap between cheap but low-quality options and expensive brands. They put a lot of effort into perfecting the products, branding, and website before launching. Throughout the conversation, Selma, and Susan highlighted the challenges of balancing their work with family life. They acknowledged that while money is a factor, they started their entrepreneurial journey without leaving a job, allowing them to focus on building their projects without immediate financial pressure. The episode ended with a teaser for the second part, where they would discuss time management strategies and share more insights. They encouraged listeners to follow them on social media, share the podcast, and leave reviews and comments to support their mission of providing valuable financial information.