March 2026 Edition

Welcome to The Journal

This is The Journal —Crunchmoms’ monthly space to connect, reflect and move forward — together.

But this month, forward looks different.

March arrived with interruption. Across the UAE and beyond, routines shifted. Plans paused. Nights felt heavier than usual.

And yet— something steady emerged.

We watched this community show up instinctively. Checking in. Sharing information. Supporting one another without being asked.

Not loud. Not performative.

But constant.

It reminded us of something essential: Crunchmoms isn’t just what we build. It’s what you carry — and how you show up for each other when it matters most.

To those in the UAE.

To those temporarily away.

To those holding both at once—

You are part of this.

This edition isn’t about pushing forward.

It’s about staying connected.

Take this as your pause. And your reminder: you’re not navigating this alone.

What’s New

SMEs make up over 94% of businesses in the UAE—and this month, they’ve felt the pressure first.

Rising costs. Disrupted supply chains. Slower footfall.

And still—women-owned businesses across our community continue to build.

This month, we’re spotlighting them through Women Who Build: Share your Story —because behind every business is more than income. It’s stability. Independence. And something built quietly, against the odds.

If you’re building, we want to feature you.

Share your story. Be seen by the community that understands what it takes.

Complete this form and we’ll feature you: https://forms.gle/mnywSicsdp9pmyxq9

Community, In Action

For the first time in four years, we hosted no events in March.

And still—this may have been one of our most connected months.

In place of planned gatherings, our private WhatsApp group became the space. Real-time updates. Steady check-ins. Immediate support —shared faster than most official channels.

But what stood out wasn’t just communication. It was action.

Members recognized each other in transit — connecting in airport lines across countries.

Homes were offered without hesitation.

Conversations that started within Crunchmoms continued across new cities — over dinners, across borders.

This is the community at its core.

Not events. Not moments.

But access. Trust. And real-life support — when it actually matters.

Work in Progress

Anonymous. Real moments. Shared forward.

“I was in the middle of job hunting—and then everything paused.

At first, I didn’t know what to do with that. It felt like I had lost momentum just as I was building it.

But after a few days, I realized maybe this wasn’t a setback. Maybe it was space.

So I went back to basics. I looked at my bank statements. I asked myself what I actually want to build—and what I’ve been avoiding.

Two things kept coming up: AI and investing.

I started small. Playing around with ChatGPT and Claude, just to understand, to stay relevant, to feel like I’m moving again. And honestly—it’s been fun.

Then I did something I’ve put off for years. I faced my fear of numbers. I signed up to an investment platform and made my first ETF investment.

It wasn’t big. But it felt big.

For the first time in a while, I felt in control again.

I keep telling myself—baby steps are still steps.

Maybe not every pause is a problem.

Maybe some are an opportunity to build something quietly, before everything starts moving again.”

Pivot to Power

Clara Keiffer — The standard she sets

Some women don’t just show up—they set the tone for everyone around them.

Clara Keiffer is one of them.

From the moment we met her, she has led with consistency, generosity and intention. Whether it was showing up for a community event, staying connected beyond the moment, or giving back without being asked—her presence has always been felt.

All while navigating the demands of raising two young girls, moving through personal transition, and holding a level of professionalism that never wavers.

She is, without question, one of the most dedicated women we’ve had the privilege of working with. Thoughtful in every interaction. Clear in her communication. Reliable in a way that builds trust—over and over again.

Her work extends into some of the region’s most recognized spaces—Amazonico, Bar des Prés, Il Gattopardo, 1920, and Horizon 52—but what stands out most isn’t where she works.

It’s how she shows up.

Consistent. Grounded. Generous.

A reminder that power isn’t always loud—

sometimes, it’s built quietly, through how you lead every single day.

In Brief

Quick pulse from the Crunchmoms community

Your network isn’t who you know—it’s who shows up when it matters.

This month made that real.

Your network is one of your highest-return assets—yet most women underinvest in it.