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Amal Almo’ti

"From Hesitation to Achievement: Inspiring Stories from the World of Women Entrepreneurs" 

    In a society grappling with growing economic and social challenges, many women with small businesses find themselves facing limited resources, weak managerial skills, and difficulties in marketing their products. Despite these challenges, they are often forced to enter the labor market without sufficient experience. While there are numerous programs aimed at youth empowerment, most lack sustainability, leaving participants in need of continuous support to achieve their dreams. 

   This is where the Youth Business Coaches Program, implemented by Ibtikar for Social Entrepreneurship, came into play. As a part of this program, I had the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges and provide innovative, sustainable solutions. I initially believed my experience as a business trainer and entrepreneur in Jordan would suffice, but I faced personal challenges that pushed me to grow further. This program became a catalyst for me to be actively involved in women’s projects and work toward their development. 

 

Bags and Creativity 

     As a business coach, my efforts focused on empowering women by turning challenges into real opportunities. I worked with three women who had different projects, each facing unique challenges. 

    One of the projects involved handbag-making. The business owner had been working on this for seven years but only began taking it seriously two years ago. When we started collaborating, we emphasized content marketing and storytelling. We integrated narratives about Palestinian heritage and the meaning behind each thread in her bags, showcasing her passion for her products, which were genuinely crafted with love. 

    We were delighted to assist her and saw significant progress. She expressed her gratitude by saying, “The project has developed significantly thanks to your guidance. I always think about Amal’s advice.” This positive impact on her project and mindset, as she began thinking creatively and valuing our advice, inspired me to work even harder. 

Funding Before Planning 

    The second project involved cake-making. In this case, the business owner had received funding and purchased equipment before even defining the project idea or deciding what type of desserts she wanted to specialize in. Essentially, she started with funding without a clear plan for her project. 

    We worked with her from the ground up—choosing a name, designing a logo, and shaping the concept. This was particularly challenging because she was unsure about her goals. Our role was to guide her in shifting her perspective, helping her identify the project best suited to her and setting clear objectives. 

   We were thrilled to see her progress: her social media following grew, her sales increased significantly in recent months, and she began focusing on and developing her project with greater determination. 

Confusion and Balance 

   The third project was particularly challenging. The business owner was torn between her expertise in cooking, where she had specialized, and her passion for resin art, influenced by her background in interior design and artistic vision. 

   We worked on helping her find her focus, avoiding distractions to achieve the best possible results. Ultimately, she chose resin art and began excelling in it. Her creativity blossomed as she developed unique products that stood out from competitors, achieving remarkable success. However, she later returned to her career as a chef, adding the challenge of balancing full-time work with her personal project. Despite this, we saw outstanding results in her work. 

The Mentorship Journey 

     Throughout this journey, I conducted individual mentoring sessions, focusing on building confidence, enhancing marketing skills, and developing business management strategies. The outcomes were deeply rewarding, with significant personal and professional impacts. 

    I built relationships of trust and support that ensure the sustainability of these projects, keeping communication open for future guidance. With the support of Ibtikar and other sponsors, I remain committed to expanding this program to empower more ambitious women. Together, we can continue to bridge the gap, helping female entrepreneurs achieve successful, sustainable ventures.