Shimaa Jumaa’
The Beginning and Challenges
Shaimaa Juma, an architecture student and a visual artist, leads a life filled with creativity and challenges. Despite her busy schedule juggling studies and artistic pursuits, she decided to embark on a new adventure in the world of entrepreneurship. Her motivation stemmed from a deep passion for developing her skills and serving her community, but the journey was far from easy.
At the outset, Shaimaa faced dual challenges: how to balance the demands of her studies and art with her newfound passion for entrepreneurship, and how to overcome her lack of experience in project management and marketing in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Additionally, she discovered that many of the women she worked with struggled to utilize social media effectively—a critical tool for modern marketing. She also faced hurdles such as delayed responses and a lack of commitment to deadlines from some women, which occasionally disrupted her plans.
Investing in Self and the Transformation
To confront these challenges, Shaimaa joined an exceptional training program with Ibtikar. The program lasted five months and went beyond theoretical instruction, providing practical training to uncover her potential and cultivate entrepreneurial skills.
During the training, Shaimaa learned innovative entrepreneurial thinking and effective small business management. The program included hands-on sessions covering topics such as marketing, management, and building self-confidence. Additionally, she mastered client relations and developed creative solutions for challenges faced by small women-led projects.
After completing the training, Shaimaa emerged with a renewed vision and amplified passion. She decided to share her experiences and become part of other success stories. Over six months, she not only provided solutions for women’s projects but also helped them redefine themselves, instilling confidence and determination to succeed.
Achievements and Transformation
Shaimaa’s impact was not limited to the success of the women she supported; it also profoundly influenced her personal and professional growth.
Personal Transformation: Shaimaa shared, "I never imagined I could make such a significant impact." Through training and interaction with these women, she developed new skills in communication, time management, and problem-solving. This journey shaped a more aware, empowered, and inspiring version of herself.
Project Successes: Shaimaa helped many women improve their businesses innovatively by understanding their markets, competitors, and ideal customers. She guided them on foundational steps to maintain project growth, even amidst changes in the market or competition. She emphasized the importance of leveraging social media for marketing, which, today, often differentiates a project not by product quality or pricing but by marketing strategies.
Tangible Results: Many women experienced noticeable sales growth and an expanded customer base, stabilizing their businesses.
Live Testimonials
The women’s stories were filled with inspiration and success.
Fadia's Guest House Project:
Fadia faced immense challenges, including war, a decrease in tourism since the COVID-19 pandemic, and her lack of expertise in social media and hospitality coordination. Shaimaa and her team helped Fadia enhance her guest house physically, establish a presence on social media, and connect with tourism companies to attract future guests. Contrary to expectations, Fadia’s guest house began receiving numerous tourists, and she delighted them with traditional Palestinian dishes. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Fadia remarked, "I never imagined my project could succeed under these conditions, but persistence made it possible."
Samira’s Testimony:
Samira said, "I learned how to effectively use social media to market my products, something I couldn’t have achieved without the youth business coaches’ support."
Toward Greater Success
After this successful experience, Shaimaa plans to expand her work to reach broader segments of society. She aims to launch a digital platform providing sustainable support to women aspiring to develop their projects. She also hopes to strengthen her partnerships with local and international organizations to offer even greater support to women entrepreneurs.
For Shaimaa, this training journey was just the beginning. Her dream is to create an entrepreneurial environment that empowers women to realize their dreams and turn them into tangible realities.
Documenting Achievements
To validate her success, Shaimaa includes photos from interactive training sessions she led and products crafted by women displayed in local markets. These images capture impactful moments from her journey, whether during training or in hands-on project follow-ups.
A Message of Hope and Inspiration
Shaimaa Juma’s story is not just a tale of an ambitious student; it’s a testament to how passion, commitment, and skill investment can transform lives—hers and those she supports. Despite challenges balancing her studies and work, this journey remains a memorable experience that enriched her profoundly and promises to contribute significantly to her future business endeavors.
"Thank you for this opportunity that has added so much to my life and will continue to inspire me as I launch my own project, God willing."