Gulf News and BeingShe launch She Means Business

Gulf News, in association with BeingShe, is set to host She Means Business on October 23, 2026, bringing together some of the UAE’s dynamic women entrepreneurs, founders, executives and changemakers for an evening of conversations, networking and new opportunities.

Designed as a platform to celebrate achievement while looking firmly towards the future, She Means Business will spotlight women who are building companies, leading organisations, disrupting industries and contributing to the UAE’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

The initiative combines the reach and credibility of the Gulf News ecosystem with BeingShe’s focus on giving women greater visibility, stronger networks and opportunities to make meaningful connections.

“Women entrepreneurs today are not simply participating in the business landscape; they are actively reshaping it. She Means Business is about giving these women the visibility, connections and platform they need to take their stories and businesses further,” says Aparna Bajpai, Founder, BeingShe.

At the heart of She Means Business will be the stories, ideas and experiences of women making their mark across sectors.

The event will feature panel discussions and conversations with business leaders and entrepreneurs, exploring the opportunities, challenges and ideas influencing women in business today.

From entrepreneurship and leadership to innovation, growth and building successful brands, the discussions will offer insights drawn from real experiences while giving audiences the opportunity to hear directly from women who have turned ideas and ambition into impact.

Networking will also be an important part of the experience, connecting entrepreneurs, executives, industry experts and professionals in an environment designed to encourage conversations that can develop into collaborations and business opportunities.

“She Means Business is designed to bring accomplished women into the same room not just to celebrate success, but to exchange ideas, build relationships and create opportunities. We want the conversations on stage to continue well beyond the event,” says Tina Bhakthavalsalan, Director, GN Media Events & Specials Features.

The October edition builds on the success of the inaugural She Means Business magazine, launched in March 2026, which put the spotlight on women leading businesses across education, legal services, design, beauty and the creative sectors.

The strong response to the first edition provided the impetus to take the proposition further, developing She Means Business from a magazine showcase into a broader platform where storytelling can lead naturally into thought leadership, conversations and connections.

The new edition will introduce another collection of inspiring women and their journeys, with featured personalities also getting the opportunity to bring their experiences and perspectives to the stage at the October 23 event.

The She Means Business magazine remains central to the initiative, providing a curated showcase for women who are building businesses, leading organisations and influencing their industries.

But their stories will now travel further.

Through the combination of print, digital and live engagement, She Means Business provides multiple ways for these stories and ideas to reach audiences, backed by the established Gulf News media ecosystem.

For participating entrepreneurs and business leaders, it is an opportunity to move beyond simply recounting their success stories and contribute to wider conversations about leadership, ambition, innovation and the changing face of business in the UAE.

“Great stories gain greater impact when they travel across platforms. By connecting the magazine, its digital presence and the live event, we can take the stories and expertise of these women to wider audiences while giving them a credible platform on which to build their voice,” says David George, Director – GN Media Creative Content & Design.

She Means Business comes at a time when women are playing an increasingly visible role across the UAE’s entrepreneurial and corporate landscape.

For established business leaders, the platform offers an opportunity to share experience and perspectives. For entrepreneurs, it creates new avenues for visibility and connection. And for women at earlier stages of their careers and business journeys, it offers access to ideas and experiences that could inspire their next move.

Ultimately, She Means Business is about bringing these different journeys together — celebrating achievement while opening conversations about what comes next.

The initiative also forms part of a wider narrative of collaboration between Gulf News and BeingShe over the past few years. The two organisations have worked together across several initiatives and events, including the Excellence Awards, which reached its sixth edition in 2026, alongside other platforms focused on recognising achievement and creating opportunities for women.

She Means Business adds another dimension to that partnership — and points to the potential for Gulf News and BeingShe to develop an exciting new bouquet of events and initiatives together in the months and years ahead.

For more information and enquiries about the She Means Business magazine and event, visit She Means Business.