#421 Innovating Gifting: Vera Modenova on AI, Social Commerce, and Empowering Local Sellers

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the evolution of Flowwow, a global gifting marketplace, with COO Vera Modenova. Vera shares her inspiring journey, starting as a student in a five-person startup to scaling Flowwow across 30+ countries. We explore how Flowwow leverages AI, adapts to a mobile-first market, and empowers local sellers while navigating cultural diversity in the MENA region. If you’re curious about e-commerce, leadership, and market expansion, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Quote: “Just start. The UAE market is vibrant, full of opportunity, and always ready for innovation.” – Vera Modenova About the Guest: Vera Modenova is the COO of Flowwow, a global gifting marketplace connecting customers with local sellers. Starting her career with Flowwow 10 years ago, Vera played a pivotal role in scaling the company to over 500 employees and expanding into new markets, including the UAE, UK, Brazil, and Turkey. Passionate about women in tech and empowering small businesses, Vera balances leadership with her advocacy for local sellers and cultural inclusivity. What Listeners Will Learn: • How AI is reshaping the gifting marketplace. • The importance of a mobile-first strategy in the MENA region. • Practical advice for businesses looking to enter the UAE market. • Insights into balancing family, leadership, and business success as a woman in tech. Resources Mentioned: • Flowwow Website: flowwow.ae Episode Highlights: • [00:01:00] Vera shares her early journey with Flowwow as one of five team members. • [00:06:00] AI in action: how Flowwow helps sellers generate content and filters using AI. • [00:09:00] The impact of a mobile-first strategy: 80% of Flowwow’s orders come through mobile apps. • [00:12:00] Why Flowwow focuses on influencers over social media shopping integrations. • [00:13:00] Adapting to cultural diversity in the UAE: celebrating global and local holidays. • [00:15:00] What’s next for Flowwow: plans for 300% growth in the UAE and expansion into Saudi Arabia. • [00:18:00] E-commerce trends in the UAE: opportunities in a $17B market. • [00:20:00] Vera’s leadership style: trust, open communication, and empowering ambitious team members. • [00:24:00] Flowwow’s successful marketing collaborations with local artists during Women’s Day and Ramadan.