Posts in category: Success Stories

Fatema Hussain
Marketing & Business Coach, Founder, Fab Digital Agency
Kuwait, Dubai

“In the midst of challenges, lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

Meet Fatema Ben Hussain, a remarkable women entrepreneur with a story that resonates with determination and transformation. A decade ago, she ventured into the digital realm when social media was still a burgeoning phenomenon. Back then, the digital landscape was a mystery waiting to be unravelled, and she decided to take the plunge.

“At the time, I was successfully running her own product-based business, attracting considerable attention and acclaim. But as I basked in the glory of my achievements, a thought took root – why not share my expertise in marketing with other businesses and help them achieve similar success?”, thought Fatema ben. This was the catalyst for the birth of Fab Digital, a dynamic enterprise headquartered in the vibrant city of Dubai, with a mission to empower businesses through comprehensive marketing strategies.

However, as Fatema ben delved into her work with clients, an intriguing twist occurred. She began receiving requests from individuals seeking not just marketing expertise, but guidance on elevating their personal brands in the digital arena. They were hungry for success, yearning to enhance their online presence, boost confidence, and witness tangible results in the form of increased sales and sign-ups. Fatema ben couldn’t resist the call of their enthusiasm.

This pivotal moment ignited a profound realisation within her – she aspired to be more than a marketer; she wanted to be a coach, a mentor who could steer these personal brands towards triumph. Yet, this transformative journey was not without its challenges. “I had doubts and questions about where to commence, about my coaching style, and whether I possessed the requisite skills”.

Fatema ben recognized that knowledge and skills, while crucial, weren’t the sole prerequisites for success. She needed a well-defined business plan and her own coach to navigate this uncharted terrain. “Even a coach requires coaching, after all!”, she says. She embarked on a path of professional coaching, obtaining certifications and acquiring the skills that would not only transform her clients’ lives but also their businesses.

As Fatema ben immersed herself in coaching and refined her business strategy, remarkable changes unfolded. “I shattered self-imposed limitations, embraced personal development as a daily practice, and crafted a robust business plan that guides my every step”, says Fatema. Confidence surged as she marketed and sold her coaching packages. Remarkably, amidst her thriving career, she successfully balanced the roles of a content wife, a loving mother, a devoted daughter, and a cherished daughter-in-law.

But the journey didn’t end there. Fatema ben boldly constructed her personal brand, AskFatemaHussain, stepping out of her comfort zone to offer more than just marketing strategies. She shared insights on building personal brands, cultivating confidence, and finding clarity. It was a courageous journey that demanded resilience, but it was undeniably rewarding.

In this transformation, Fatema ben discovered her true calling. It wasn’t merely about imparting marketing strategies to personal brands; it was about helping her clients relish life, work with unwavering confidence, and scale their businesses without stress.

Her story is a testament to the power of self-belief and the capacity to transform challenges into opportunities. As Franklin D. Roosevelt aptly put it, “The only thing standing between you and your dreams is your doubt”. It’s an inspiring reminder that every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. Embrace it, confront your doubts, and take bold strides forward. Seek mentors and allies who support your aspirations, for just as Fatema ben found her path and transformed her life, so too can you break free from limitations and blaze your trail.

As a message to fellow women, Fatema ben says, “Believe in yourself, chase your dreams relentlessly, and always remember that the future belongs to those who dare to dream and take action. The journey is yours to embark upon, and success awaits those who dare to seize it”.

The Kusni Purely Bohri
Farida ben Kagalwala
Insiyah ben Salman Vichchiyawala
Coimbatore

In the vibrant tapestry of culinary traditions within the Dawoodi Bohra Community of South India, one name stands out – The Kusni, a culinary venture rooted in the heart of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. For Bohri cuisine enthusiasts, satisfying their cravings can be quite the challenge, as authentic options are often scarce. However, in recent times, a new wave of culinary entrepreneurs, both women and men, have taken up the mantle, bringing the unique flavours of Bohri cuisine to the forefront. Among them, The Kusni – Purely Bohri, a name that holds a special place in the hearts of those who have discovered it.

The origin of this delightful venture can be traced to a time when lockdowns and ample spare hours presented Farida ben Kagalwala with a puzzle – how to navigate these challenging times. It was her husband, Hussain bhai, who lit the spark by reminiscing about the delectable masalawala aloo and chana bateta, a Bohri staple that his father used to prepare. With that cherished memory, a culinary journey began.

Farida ben embarked on her venture with modest aspirations, taking in a handful of orders. Little did she anticipate the tidal wave of enthusiasm that would soon follow as word spread about the mouthwatering Bohri snacks on offer. Gradually, buoyed by her growing confidence, Farida ben expanded her menu to include a variety of dishes, from dal and keema samosas to the irresistible Chicken 65. As Ramadan approached, the demand for iftar treats soared, marking a turning point in their journey.

With this surge in popularity, the brand found its identity – “The Kusni – Purely Bohri.” Farida ben’ sister-in-law, Insiyah Salman Vichiyawala, joined the venture, strengthening the team’s resolve to create culinary delights that resonated with their community and beyond.

From humble beginnings, The Kusni soon evolved, transitioning from snacks to full-course meals tailored for groups. They ventured into weekly lunch subscriptions, an endeavour that saw promising uptake, marking a noteworthy start for this culinary venture.

Fast forward to today, and The Kusni is dispatching 15 delectable lunch packs to various locations across Coimbatore. The team, consisting of Farida ben, Insiya ben, and Hussain bhai, embodies the spirit of dedication and teamwork. Hussain bhai oversees the marketing aspect, while Insiya ben and Farida ben curate menus, whip up delightful dishes, handle packaging, and ensure seamless delivery.

It’s going to be four fortune years of their cloud kitchen reaching people for the different delicacies we are making. Other than Bohri dishes, their snacks and Chaat corner is in demand all the time. Unlike other restaurants, they believe in ready-to-serve Chaat, wherein, every item is packed separately, even the garnish ingredients. Just have to plate the ingredients one by one and serve. 

“We are soon coming up with a commercial kitchen and hoping that we reach the nearby towns and let the whole south of India rejoice in Bohri cuisine”, adds Farida ben.

In the story of The Kusni – Purely Bohri, we witness the remarkable impact that women entrepreneurs can have when they uplift each other and their communities. 

It’s a testament to the power of solidarity and shared ambition. These entrepreneurs exemplify leadership through entrepreneurship, serving as beacons of inspiration and unwavering determination. They are the real wonder women, the heroes of our modern era.

www.maheelapower.com and Biz.maheelapower.com

Samina Lal and Zainab ben Akil of Chennai came up with an e-commerce platform www.maheelapower.com, an online shopping marketplace where handmade/homemade products made by women are sold. This was to help enable home based women entrepreneurs to grow and scale up their business as many had been struggling to make ends meet due to the pandemic.

Samina ben, an experienced home entrepreneur, has been into community service as a part of the Burhani Women’s Association, a Dawoodi Bohra home Industry initiative; she already knew the talent pool around her. Zainab ben earlier worked as a product manager in IIT Madras Research Park. Samina ben and Zainab ben were fellow recreational runners and it was on one of their sprees when they came upon the concept to create an online platform for home-based women entrepreneurs to help them reach out to a wider customer base. And that’s how ‘Maheela (woman) Power’ –  a social digital venture was born.

“Our mission is to build a technology-driven, community-based ecosystem of Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals to strive, connect, empower each other, and grow with every opportunity”, says Zainab ben who has an extensive technology and product development background.

To upskill and build a culture of learning, growth, and success, Maheela Power facilitates a range of professional training and workshops for Maheela Entrepreneurs in various aspects such as Finance Management, Product Photography, Digital Marketing. Meet and Greet sessions, fun Fitness sessions help the members to support and lean on each other through learning from one another’s experiences thereby creating a safe haven to discuss, deliberate and grow. 

Maheela Power undertakes orders for corporate gifting, has participated in exhibitions and various events which has provided not only brand visibility, but also built capacity to scale up for delivery of high-quality products. Maheela Power is associated with various organisations – Burhani Women provides financial help to women for medical, education and home needs with the funds received from the sales of the goods like papads, pickles, masalas which are made by a group of women. 

Another organisation that is supported is Nandri Trust who trains underprivileged women in tailoring. Maheela Power not only promotes the skill and creativity of the talented women but also acts as an encouragement for more women to make/sell unique products and become successful independent entrepreneurs. Currently, 70+ women entrepreneurs are on-boarded including 5+ inspiring senior citizens and have a variety of 400+ products.

In pursuit of empowering more women from various walks of life, Maheela Power has also launched a structured online talent directory to help consumers to easily search, discover and connect with small-sized businesses and professionals – biz.maheelapower.com

All those women who were technologically challenged and had no idea how to market their products, Samina ben and Zainab ben have made this possible through Maheela Power.