Home-based Enterprise Established by Teenager Alongside Mother Following Ras Al Khaimah Initiative in UAE
In the vibrant emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, a 17-year-old entrepreneur named Mouza Ibrahim Al Sharhan is making waves with her popular homemade sweets venture, Mare Sweets. But her journey didn't start in a bustling commercial kitchen; it began at home with her mother.
Mouza's story is a testament to the power of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development's Little Promiser Programme. This structured initiative, designed to nurture young entrepreneurs, combines theoretical learning with practical, hands-on experience.
From Home-Based Business to Thriving Venture
Mouza credits much of her early progress to the Little Promiser Programme, which taught her various aspects of running a business. The programme's long-term goal is to foster sustainable growth in the emirate's business sector.
The Little Promiser Programme is more than just teaching business basics; it aims to transform students' outlook on life and business. It consists of four core stages: Learning and Knowledge Week, Fieldwork Phase, Product Analysis and Feedback, and Project Presentation and Evaluation.
During Learning and Knowledge Week, participants attend workshops on financial management, content creation, and entrepreneurship skills. The Fieldwork Phase involves visits to local and international businesses to observe and learn from real business owners. In Product Analysis and Feedback, students analyze what makes products or services successful. Finally, during Project Presentation and Evaluation, students pitch their business ideas and receive mentorship feedback.
Mouza's journey into entrepreneurship began at the age of 16, with guidance from the Little Promiser Programme. She received her first business license at that age and scaled up from a home-based venture to participating in public events and gaining customer exposure.
A Springboard for Young Entrepreneurs
The Little Promiser Programme acts as both an educational platform and a springboard for young startup founders in Ras Al Khaimah. It fosters entrepreneurship and contributes to the emirate’s economic growth by nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Mouza showcased her sweets at a local event organized by the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development, called the National Touches Exhibition, held at Al Qawasim Corniche. This exposure helped her reach a broader customer base and manage a steady stream of orders, thanks to a partnership with online delivery platform Talabat.
The Little Promiser Programme has been instrumental in Mouza's success. It has not only provided her with the knowledge, mentorship, and support to launch her business but also encouraged her to dream big. Mouza aspires to expand her business beyond Ras Al Khaimah, aiming for global recognition.
In conclusion, the Little Promiser Programme is a shining example of how education and entrepreneurship can be combined to empower young people and drive economic growth. For aspiring entrepreneurs like Mouza, it serves as a beacon of hope and a stepping stone towards a successful future.
[1] Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development. (n.d.). Little Promiser Programme. Retrieved from www.rade.ae/en/services/business-services/little-promiser-programme
[2] Khaleej Times. (2021, March 22). Ras Al Khaimah's 17-year-old entrepreneur Mouza Ibrahim Al Sharhan talks about her home-based sweets business Mare Sweets. Retrieved from www.khaleejtimes.com/life-style/food-and-drink/ras-al-khaimahs-17-year-old-entrepreneur-mouza-ibrahim-al-sharhan-talks-about-her-home-based-sweets-business-mare-sweets
- Mouza's homemade sweets venture, Mare Sweets, is thriving in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, thanks to support from the Little Promiser Programme, which caters to education-and-self-development and business.
- The Little Promiser Programme, under the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development, nurtures young entrepreneurs like Mouza by combining theory with practical experience in fields such as business, finance, sports, health, lifestyle, games, and food-and-drink.
- Mouza started her sweets business at home and went on to participate in public events like the National Touches Exhibition, where she gained exposure and expanded her customer base, and partnered with online delivery platform Talabat.
- The Little Promiser Programme has not only provided Mouza with the tools to run a successful business but also encouraged her to aim high, with plans to expand her business beyond Ras Al Khaimah for global recognition.
- The Programme not only supports the growth of the emirate's business sector but also contributes to lifestyle changes by providing knowledge on business basics and fostering entrepreneurship among young people.
- Aspiring entrepreneurs can find more information about the Little Promiser Programme on the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development's website, including details on workshops, fieldwork, product analysis, and project presentations. [sources: 1, 2]
