Success Story – Alaa Thawabteh | “Lavender” Project (Green Gold)
From Dream to Planning: The Success Story of “Lavender” (Green Gold) Between Guidance and Persistence Mentors: Qusay & Asalah
“Today, I no longer search for the path… I have drawn it myself, with small but steady steps.” With these words, my journey with the “Lavender” project began—a project that bridges my love for agriculture and my passion for sustainable natural production, turning a simple idea into a practical plan supported by the continuous guidance of my mentors, Qusay and Asalah.
The idea of my project, “Lavender (Green Gold),” stemmed from my deep passion for agriculture and my desire to produce natural aromatic herbs using sustainable, eco-friendly methods. I wanted to cultivate plants like lavender, thyme, and sage to meet local market needs while utilizing them in cooking, skincare, and aromatherapy. At first, I faced significant challenges, including a lack of practical experience in sustainable agriculture, the unavailability of prepared farming land, and the absence of a clear plan to establish and manage the project. Despite these difficulties, I felt from the very first moment that the idea was worth the effort and work to bring it to life.
Mentors Qusay and Asalah shared: “From our very first meeting, we noticed in Alaa a deep passion and immense enthusiasm, but she needed to organize her thoughts and set practical steps to turn her dream into a tangible project.”
Throughout the program, I received comprehensive and continuous support that helped transform my idea into a viable project. I learned how to analyze the local market, understand the demand for aromatic products, and develop a clear business plan ranging from cultivation to promotion and marketing. The mentors helped me understand resource management, financial planning, supplier relations, and how to use social media professionally to promote the project. Their practical guidance had a major impact on refining my skills, enhancing my decision-making abilities, and giving me the confidence to move forward with calculated steps.
Over the course of six months, I began to see the project materialize into reality. I planted samples around my house to gain practical experience and developed my visual identity and project logo. I enrolled in specialized training to enhance my skills in design tools, digital advertising, and utilizing artificial intelligence to create content, images, and product videos. Gradually, I became more capable of focusing on specific objectives, my project plan became clear and structured, and my mindset in managing the project and making decisions evolved to be more organized and professional.
Throughout the program, I gained extensive knowledge in agricultural sourcing, integrated planning and management, and professional social media promotion. I now have a clear and specific business plan, improved organizational skills, and increased self-confidence as an entrepreneur and leader capable of learning and decision-making. This evolution clearly reflected on my personal and professional life, improving my organizational skills and reshaping my self-perception. Furthermore, I felt that my experience became a source of inspiration for women in the local community.
Cultivating samples around my house was a crucial turning point in my journey, where I felt for the first time that the project was a tangible reality rather than just an idea. Similarly, the moment of designing the project logo was a symbol of its identity and the beginning of my personal imprint within it. Every small step reinforced my sense of responsibility toward my project and my desire to pursue it sustainably.
In the coming years, I aspire for “Lavender” to become a pioneer project in clean agriculture in Palestine, offering high-quality natural products and serving as a model for Palestinian women in sustainable entrepreneurship. I dream of expanding the project to include diverse products and reach larger markets, all while preserving sustainable farming methods and protecting the environment.
My message to women wishing to launch their own projects is that every beginning is difficult, but it fades away with achievement and growth, and that persistence and perseverance are the keys to the success of any project.
