Business In Gulf February 2016

Gulf

BUSINESS february 2016 VOLUME-10 NO.02 Bahrain:BD 2 - Qatar:Riyal 30.00 - Oman:Riyal 3.00 - UAE:Dirhams 30.00 - Kuwait:KD 3 - Saudi Arabia:Riyal 30.00

BUS ESS a Gulf Business magazine for today’s entrepreneurS

IN Gulf

eat Founder

NEZAR KADHEM

Paving the way for online startups in Bahrain

www.maxmediaco.com

STRONG CONNECTIONS THE ALTERNATIVE TO BUSINESS CARDS THAT ACTUALLY WORKS

PUBLICATION

DISPLAY UNTIL february 20, 2016

February 2016 / Vol-10 No:02

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ENTREPRENEUR he half-English, half-Bahraini Nadia Hijris has been mad about eyelashes for as long as she can remember.

Overwhelmed by the feeling of empowerment she felt wearing her lashes, and wanting to share this feeling with other women like her, she started Arabian Beauty Cosmetics, a company that sells the highest quality, custom-made eyelashes online.

Prior to starting Arabian Beauty, did you have any experience in the fashion or beauty industry?

Well, from a young age, I was always intrigued by make-up.

I was fascinated by watching people’s transformations from natural beauties into glamorous divas. Let’s just say “I was hooked on the power of make-up and beauty”. Throughout my teenage years too, I was always experimenting with my look with numerous amounts of hair colours/styles and really trying to understand how to use make-up properly. By the time I hit 16, I had finally mastered how to wear false eyelashes. This was a special moment in my life and little did I know that 10 years later it would become my passion and career.

What inspired you to start Arabian Beauty?

I’ve been very passionate about make-up since I was young and the favourite part of my look was my false eyelashes. I just felt they completed any look and really made my eyes “stand-out”.

It got to a point where I would never go out without them. But the decisive moment came one day, when I came across a lady who was wearing a traditional gold burqa (traditional Gulf Arab women’s face veil). It almost seemed like she was talking through her eyes, her

powerful look emphasised by her gorgeous, dramatic eyelashes.

That was the pivotal moment when Arabian Beauty was born in my head, and I decided that I would pursue it as a business.

So how many varieties of product do you offer now?

I launched Arabian Beauty with 10 different styles of eyelashes.

The styles of eyelashes I have chosen cater for all aspects of the market, from first time users to everyday make-up junkies who want the thick, dramatic look.

What also makes Arabian Beauty unique is that I am one of the very few suppliers who provides applicator(glue) along with my product. The applicator is a very high quality black latex product which means it’s less damaging to the natural lashes when you take your false lashes off. It also comes with a wand stick, which means you can control the amount of glue you are applying to the lash band as opposed to the glue that comes in a tube where you give one push and the glue comes out uncontrollably. I have also recently launched a home service for private clients, whereby I can come to the comfort of your home and apply the eyelashes as well as giving you a tutorial of application.

How many employees are currently working for the company?

I actually run the entire business myself with the help of my secretary. My aim was to learn all aspects of the business so I could understand and educate myself. I believe that when you do things for yourself then you have a much better understanding of how things work and how to troubleshoot. I have definitely learnt a lot along the way but this is what having a business is all about, learning and growing your business knowledge. Of course things will change soon as I plan to expand further.

Are all your customers Arab, or do you cater to the expatriate market as well?

Although my products are influenced by Arab culture, I still find a lot of expatriate women interested in my products. I believe this is because I have such a wide selection of styles, which really gives customers a range of options to choose from. I mean lets face

it, beautiful, long eyelashes are a very feminine trait. You look at the Disney animations and you see the princesses all fluttering their lashes. At times understated, but eyelashes are perhaps the most distinctive or defining feminine trait for women.

Why did you choose to launch with an online store as opposed to opening a conventional beauty salon or a shop?

Initially, my intentions were to start where I would have minimal overheads and the widest possible consumer base. Plus my product line-up is limited, so starting a retail outlet did not make sense business-wise. Therefore I decided to first develop my online presence, over a period of months prior to the launch. It helped the business gain momentum, so that when I was ready to launch my products officially I already had a following. I also chose online because I felt I could reach a wider target-audience especially since my generation are used to sourcing and purchasing products online from all over the world.

What are some of the challenges you faced when you first started your business?

Apart from the usual red tape for getting a CR, probably the biggest difficulty was having the correct paperwork for importing the glue, as it had to be approved by the Ministry of Health. In spite of the first shipment being returned to the manufacturer due to incorrect labelling, I eventually found someone at the Ministry who was very helpful with regards to labelling requirements. Although frustrating at times, it has been a learning curve that has been all worth it in the end. Another problem I faced was setting up the website – make sure you test it thoroughly prior to your launch, as I encountered some small glitches.

Your company sells around ten different styles of eyelashes.

When developing a new product, where do you draw your inspiration from?

During the brand development phase I was inspired by the traditional beauty of Arab women, especially those wearing burqas. Hence it shows in my packaging - which itself plays a major role in attracting customers. The design highlights a traditional ladies burqa, which I modified into brighter colours and high quality gold foil, to accentuate it further. I have also chosen to use popular meaning names, like Layla, Rania, Eman etc, for the different varieties - a kind of similar concept to the Coke cans; if you see your name on it, you want to buy it or at least buy it for someone else.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?

Research, research, research!

Research everything! That is the key – to know as much information as you can about the market you are about to go in.

This will give you a head start and allow you to understand more of what to expect. Don’t be put off by the constant delays that inevitably happen, especially when dealing with ministries.

When times get difficult, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

What are your future plans for Arabian Beauty?

I am already expanding further into cosmetics especially since there are so many endless options in this particular field!

SO WATCH THIS SPACE! To find out more about Nadia’s work, visit arabianbeautyonline.com

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ENTREPRENEUR

ost of us try our best not to judge a book by its cover, but thanks to people like Najla Qamber, founder of Najla Qamber Designs, that’s not always an easy thing to do. Since starting her own company, Najla Qamber has brought everything from book covers to wristbands to life through her vivid and colourful art.

How did you get into the field of graphic design?

I was actually home schooled for most of my childhood. As I was at home for much of the time, I started working on photoshop, specifically making illustrations or photo manipulations. After years of working on photoshop, my eldest sister asked me if I wanted to work as an intern at a prestigious design firm.

I immediately said yes, and with my portfolio, I got the job, paving the way for a career in graphic design.

What inspired you to start Najla Qamber Designs?

During my internship, I realized that corporate design wasn’t the sub-field I wanted to tackle as a graphic designer.

So, I resigned and went to university to study business with the dream of owning my own design firm with a different scale of work. After a while, I started a segment on my blog that showcased books that I recovered just for fun, as I absolutely love reading. One day on my blog,

a small publishing company approached me and asked, “Hey! Would you like to design book covers for our authors?”

It was this opportunity that eventually led me to where I am today.

What were some of the challenges you faced when setting up your business?

One main challenge was obtaining the clientele. I had to find forums and groups on Facebook wherein I could present myself as a book cover designer. It took a while for me to get a solid client base but once word got out about me, the clients steadily kept coming. Another challenge was time management. Working as a freelancer with a big client base, at first, overwhelmed me. It was difficult working on so many projects in one day. I did however, end up creating a system that helped me manage my time efficiently.

What do you feel makes you stand out from your competitors?

I would say my eagerness to try something new. Many of the other cover designers usually stick to one genre or one theme, while I absolutely love dabbling in other genres, such as historical, sci-fi, autobiographies, even medical books.

What all services do you offer, and what does the majority of your work deal with?

At the moment, I offer book covers, logos, catalog layout design, and book accessories like bookmarks, postcards, pin badges, wristbands, rack cards, etc. I’ve also done tent and packaging design. I can pretty much design anything that gets printed, but I mostly deal with book covers.

Where are the majority of your clients from, and how do you find prospective clients?

The majority of my clients are from the US and the UK. When I first started, I found my clients on several groups all over the internet and forums. But now, most of the clients that find me are all mostly recommendations from other authors, or bloggers as well as general word of mouth through cover reveal posts on blogs and such, etc.

What’s the best part about your job?

I would say creating art and the teamwork that goes into it between me and the author. I absolutely love the process I go through with each author, business owner, and blogger.

They help me create such amazing things and, as a result, get super happy with what I’ve created. The smile and happiness the designs put on their faces (even though I can’t see it most of the time), really do make my job worthwhile!

“I absolutely love the process I go through with each author, business owner, and blogger. They help me create such amazing things.”

Do you have any advice for young people thinking about starting their own business?

Be disciplined! By disciplined, I mean be strict with your time management, and your focus.

You have one goal so work your hardest to get there. Secondly, you have to know your market.

Make sure you know what your future clients would need, what they’re looking for and what your other competitors are doing to get where they are now. And finally, start young.

If you know what you want to do with your life and you’re still in university, freelance! Get a part time job in your field. The experience you’ll get from those projects and jobs will help you see the structure you need to start up your own business.

What future plans do you have for Najla Qamber Designs?

To start with, I plan to work with authors of Children’s books in the future, to dabble in stock photography, audio book recording and even book trailer productions if I can. And hopefully own my own building with a huge ‘Najla Qamber Designs’ sign on it. A girl can dream.

To find out more about Najla Qamber Designs, visit najlaqamberdesigns. com, or follow her on Instagram @ najlaqamberdesigns

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ENTREPRENEUR

uelled by a desire to guide humans back to their natural state of being, professional coach and founder of Tribal Fitness, Craig Heslop, shares his fitness philosophies and views on modern lifestyle with BIG. Located in Budaiya, Tribal Fitness and its team of highly-skilled professionals have thus far helped hundreds of ordinary people reach their peak physical performance.

What qualifications and experience do you have as a professional fitness coach, apart from Tribal Fitness?

Since graduating from the New Zealand College of Fitness, I’ve received over ten different certifications as a personal trainer and instructor.

These include MovNat Level 2 Trainer, RKC Kettlebell Instructor, Bear Grylls 24-hour Survival, and SOS Andvanced Survival certifications.

“I sought to break from the conventions of the fitness industry that, I feel, are failing people.”

What inspired you to start Tribal Fitness?

Having been a part of the fitness industry for fourteen years, I sought to break from the conventions of the fitness industry that, I feel, are failing people. Our programs incorporate an element of fun in them, with a range of different movements and exercises, as opposed to the boring routine of spending an hour a day simply lifting weights in a gym.

Tribal Fitness emphasizes achieving health through ‘natural movement, food and living’, what exactly does this mean?

By natural movement, we mean move well, walk every day and incorporate movements such as lifting, crawling, climbing and jumping. We encourage people to consume food that is locally produced and organic, hence natural. And lastly, natural living; living by the light, getting a good night’s rest, and having great group of friends.

These three aspects are the cornerstones to living a healthy and fulfilling life.

Why do you feel that we, as a society, have lost this (natural movement, food and living)?

Living a city life is incongruent to our primal needs. Most people spend the better part of their day sitting in an office with artificial light and nothing to eat but cheap, poor food.

What are some of the different services, or packages that Tribal Fitness provides?

We do our best to cater to the needs of as many people as possible, regardless of age, and time of day or year. Our programmes include adult group fitness, private training, a junior after-school programme, fitness holidays, and corporate health systems.

What kind of exercises do your programs include?

Our programs include exercises such as lifting, crawling, climbing, rolling, combat training, throwing, catching, carrying, jumping, running, swimming.

Some of the exercises sound quite intense!

What if the person hasn’t worked out a day in his/her life before?

Not a problem at all! Our youngest member is 5. Our oldest member is 78. All humans were designed to perform the movements above.

Of course, we must adapt every movement to the individual’s ability and skill set.

What do the corporate packages entail?

Corporate workers are often faced with chronic stress, poor posture, back problems and weight issues. These issues are caused by spending hours sitting in front of a computer

screen, under constant pressure to meet targets.

In response to this, we’ve developed the Corporate Warriors program; a 12-month system to help anyone regardless of their starting point.

Why should businesses make use of these services?

Employees are looking for more than just money in today’s world. They want to be cared for and respected as an individual. In order to increase productivity at the workplace, employers must realize that their company is only as good as their people.

What has the highlight of your journey with Tribal Fitness been so far?

Our programmes have helped thousands of people improve their health in the past, and continue to do so each day.

We take pride in helping each individual reach his or her target, so it’s hard to choose any case in particular.

What are your plans for the future of Tribal Fitness?

In the coming months, we plan to open a branch at the Financial Harbour as well as start our own certification course.

To find out more about Tribal Fitness, visit tribalfitness.com or follow them on Instagram @ tribal_ fitness_bahrain

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What were you doing before starting “eat”?

I am from Bahrain and graduated from Babson College, in the USA. Following the completion of my studies I moved to China and then France. While in Paris, together with a co-founder, we launched a table management system for nightclubs.

However, we quickly realized we would face challenges scaling the businesses, and that the nightlife industry has a relatively small addressable market size per city. So, I leveraged all the tech we had built for that startup, moved to the Middle East, and started “eat”.

What inspired you to start “eat”?

We wanted to build “eat” because apart from social networks, there was an abundant lack of organization of information for local businesses on the internet in the Middle East. There was no platform that allowed businesses to be discovered, and to display real-time information. We thought restaurants would be a good place to start, as they are the main social activity in the Middle East, and in turn would allow us to create the biggest impact.

What are the services that the app provides?

The main functionality is a cloud-based, iPad powered, restaurant reservations and table management system. The system connects with our consumer-facing app, which is a restaurant discovery and reservations tool for diners, allowing them to browse restaurants by cuisine type, area price range and location before making a real-time reservation that instantly syncs with that particular restaurants’ reservations management system. Additionally, the system provides restaurants with a comprehensive tool to manage all facets of the business, including maximizing table turn over, increasing profits through improved reservations management, generating higher repeat

business through guest data capture and extensive analytics that provide insight into key trends.

How many people are currently employed by “eat”?

The “eat” team presently consists of 24 people based in the Middle East, Europe, USA and Asia.

For customers and restaurant owners respectively, what are the costs involved in using the app?

For consumers there is no cost; the app is completely free to download, sign-up and make reservations. Restaurants who wish to utilise the restaurant management app can take advantage of a 2 month free trial before they are charged a subscription fee of BD49 per month (or the equivalent amount in their local currency).

How did you come up with the idea? Was there a problem you were trying to solve?

We noted local businesses did not cater to the local populations’ tech usage. A quick online search demonstrated both a lack of web-based reservations capacity on restaurants’ websites, as well as very little developments in terms of independent restaurant discovery and reservations platforms, Like Yelp or OpenTable.

The food and beverage industry as a whole seemed to be trailing behind local and regional adoption of technology. Most restaurants still used a pen and paper solution to manage reservations, and many could only take reservations if potential diners went through the trouble of finding their phone number, calling, waiting to speak to the right person and giving their details over the phone; a time consuming and frustrating process.

So we wanted to tackle these issues by providing a technological solution that tackled restaurant management, reservations and online discovery issues.

“WE WANTED TO TACKLE THESE ISSUES

BY PROVIDING A TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTION THAT TACKLED RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT, RESERVATIONS AND ONLINE DISCOVERY ISSUES.” So how did you find funding for this operation? How much have you injected so far into it?

We have raised $700,000 to date, raised in 3 tickets. We have recently closed the last ticket of that round just last week. Tenmou, 500 startup’s Middle Eastern partners, led the round and local angels followed.

How have you been selling the product and what are you doing to achieve further growth?

Our restaurant management system is sold locally and internationally through the use of several sales channels. Our Dubaibased team is primarily concerned with acquiring clients in the GCC region through 54

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