Ashgan Owais
The Beehive
Did you know?
Bees are among the essential creatures that contribute to the growth and reproduction of plants. Their role lies in the pollination process, transferring pollen between flowers, which helps produce fruits and seeds. Through this process, bees play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and increasing agricultural productivity. But their impact doesn’t stop there; bees are a fundamental part of the ecosystem, promoting environmental sustainability.
This vital role of bees closely resembles my work as a business mentor, where I support women entrepreneurs in small businesses, helping them develop their ventures and achieve sustainable growth. Just as bees spread life in the environment, I strive to spread opportunities, guiding women toward success and expansion in their businesses.
In our Palestinian community, I have consistently observed that many women running small businesses face significant challenges in managing their enterprises amidst the harsh political and economic conditions in the country.
Most of these women aspire to succeed in their projects but encounter immense difficulties in marketing and developing their administrative skills, which directly affects their businesses' growth opportunities.
The Challenges
At the beginning of my journey as a coach, I noticed a harsh reality: the opportunities available to women in the community were limited. Most of the programs provided by institutions were short-term and unsustainable, leaving women feeling the need for ongoing support. It was evident that there was a significant gap between ambition and capability. However, the initiative by Ibtikar, the organization I work with, gave us the chance to change these women's lives.
The initiative provided a solid foundation for projects by creating marketing plans, content strategies, and identifying the ideal client profiles, in addition to offering the sustainable support women entrepreneurs needed.
Sustainable Support through Ibtikar
At Ibtikar we believe that genuine support requires ongoing effort. My role as a business coach was to be part of this transformation by equipping women with the tools they needed not just to grow but to sustain their businesses.
In this context, I began offering mentorship sessions that focused on enhancing their marketing and business management skills. The goal was to provide them with fundamental tools to confidently and professionally manage their businesses. Using my expertise in digital marketing, I assisted them in promoting their products through social media platforms. Additionally, I emphasized building self-confidence, as I believe that a woman who doesn’t feel capable of independently managing her project will struggle to achieve success.
Stories of Transformation
I felt a profound impact when one of the participants started applying what she had learned in our sessions and began promoting her products on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, despite previously having no knowledge of how to use technology. Once she learned how to interact with her audience, I noticed a significant change in her approach and the way she dealt with her customers. Her project became an integral part of her daily life.
I firmly believe that the role of a mentor isn’t limited to providing knowledge but should also include inspiring individuals to overcome obstacles and challenges in their path. Thanks to the specialized guidance I provided, these women began enhancing their skills and achieving tangible results in both their professional and personal lives.
Achieving Results
Over time, I began to witness the outcomes I had hoped for. Through consistent follow-ups, we accumulated numerous success stories that I am proud of. For instance, women transformed from simply running stagnant small businesses to owning projects with sustainable growth potential.
From a financial perspective, we saw an increase in sales ranging from 20% to 40% in their businesses after implementing the strategies they learned.
One participant, for example, was selling handmade products featuring Brazilian embroidery and beads. After developing her digital marketing strategies, she was able to expand her customer base and attract new sales opportunities by applying the advice she had received. Her sales had been stagnant since November 2023 due to the country’s political and economic conditions. This success wasn’t just reflected in numbers but also in the confidence she gained after realizing the value of her project. This encouraged her to develop her products and enter new markets.
She even received a grant from a supporting institution to purchase new equipment for her project, thanks to valuable opportunities I shared with her. This allowed her to make significant advancements by diversifying her products and increasing her sales.
Mutual Growth
My personal experience as a business coach has also been filled with growth. Working with these women taught me how mentorship can be a reciprocal process.
I own my own business, which evolved as I learned from these women.
I developed greater patience and understanding of customer needs.
I realized how every mentoring session could make a difference—not only in the lives of these women but also in my professional and personal life.
This program provided me with new work opportunities and valuable experience in project management and guidance.
Voices of Success
The clearest evidence of the program’s success lies in the stories of the women who participated in the mentorship sessions. One participant shared:
"Thanks to the guidance I received, I can now set clear goals for my project, and my sales have been steadily increasing. I no longer feel isolated in my journey; I now have continuous support that helps me progress."
Another noted that effectively using social media helped her attract new customers. This was strong proof that the guidance we provided wasn’t just theoretical advice but had a real impact on the ground.
Looking Toward the Future
If the results these women achieve today are remarkable, I believe the future holds even greater opportunities.
Expanding the Program: To include more women from various regions.
Strengthening Partnerships: Collaborating with other institutions to provide additional resources.
Building a Supportive Community: Creating a platform where women entrepreneurs can exchange experiences and continue to learn.
A Vision of Sustainability
What sets this program apart is its sustainability. The next step is to establish a supportive community where women can share their experiences and enhance their market opportunities locally and internationally. I believe that continuous support will significantly increase the chances of long-term success for women in small businesses.
When I see the impact of the support we’ve provided on these women’s lives, I am reminded that success is only achieved when everyone feels supported and ready to change their reality. This brings to mind a powerful quote by Michelle Obama:
"Success isn’t just about achieving personal goals, but also about lifting others and helping them reach their ambitions."
