It surprises many people to discover that there are significant numbers of women entrepreneurs and business owners in the Middle East. The fact is that there are many enterprising women all over the region who are actively involved in entrepreneurship. Some are solopreneurs, taking something which maybe started as a hobby to the next level, others are actively involved in the tech sector and serial entrepreneurs in the retail sector. There is lot to celebrate and many role models to emulate.
Over the last few months I have been working on a project with Qatar Foundation Radio, co-hosting a series of programs which spotlight issues and topics aimed at women entrepreneurs. Of course, these topics are equally valid for male entrepreneurs, but the program is aiming to profile women entrepreneurs in Qatar and the region.
Globally we are seeing more women becoming entrepreneurs. Not only does this benefit the economy, but the journey as an entrepreneur is one of amazing self-development – and this is one of the major benefits women in Qatar are finding from participating in specific initiatives. There are lots of opportunities for entrepreneurs across the region, and a need in many countries to find new solutions to old problems. By encouraging women to contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, we gain more ideas and hopefully more creative solutions.
I have always been passionate about the opportunities entrepreneurship gives to women, and once invited to join the Qatar Foundation Radio and Gulf Marketing team, I was delighted to be able to share my network of contacts and hopefully we will be able to spotlight more women and encourage others.
The radio show will have additional events and links to opportunities to support some of the ideas discussed on the show. We have many links with global entrepreneurs who are also interviewed on the program, giving an international perspective. The new website will enable entrepreneurs to link to mentors and potential investors, there will also be conferences and events where face-to-face networking can take place.
We have had a varied list of guests to date, some from Silicon Valley including Ari Eisenstat, the 27-year-old CEO and founder of DRÆM VENTURES, an idea-stage impact venture fund with the mission of funding the next generation of socially, environmentally and technologically conscious entrepreneurs.
As an entrepreneur himself, Ari talks passionately about the opportunities for startups and shares some of the pitfalls to steer clear of. We’ve featured tech entrepreneurs, educational sector entrepreneurs, and inspiring women from Qatar such as Aysha Al Mudahka, CEO of Qatar Business Incubation Center, and recently we interviewed Noura Alamri, who with a full time job and eight children, has successfully launched a tourism business focusing on giving local women and children guided tours and overseas holidays.
Noura has a passion for traveling and tourism and intends to change the Arab Women’s perspective on tourism. She began organizing the trips in 2006 with the Ministry of Arts and Culture, the British Institute and the U.S. Embassy. In 2014, she opened Tartebkum and has organized trips to Europe, Japan, Malaysia, America and Australia. Noura is just one example of many successful Qatari women entrepreneurs that will be profiled as the series progresses.
Show episodes will be posted on Sound Cloud on the QF Radio account, and updates will be featured online at elaine-gold.com.
Photo credit: Flickr