Syeda Amtul

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — The US Consulate General in Jeddah hosted a two-day entrepreneurship workshop delivered by Zeena Altalib, founder and owner of PrimoModa, an online company that specializes in modest Islamic clothing for women.



More than 20 local entrepreneurs attended the event, which was conducted entirely in Arabic. “I think there are a lot of opportunities here.



As we all know, the young Saudi population is very enthusiastic and they are really looking forward with lots of passion to start new businesses with innovative ideas,” said Altalib.



“New opportunities for them are perfect in Saudi Arabia, so it’s nice to be able to undertake that using a US business startup model … I started my online business in the USA as a Muslim woman a decade ago and I am successful, even though we are trying to spread the idea of modesty in a market where it’s contrary to the norm,” she added.



Participants said the event was useful. “This was an opportunity for Saudi youth to know about the international business market, and how they can establish, develop and expand their businesses.



I think if these kinds of workshop could be organized more, then Saudi youth would receive huge benefits,” said participant Zain Alabdin Fallatah.



Asked about the capabilities of Saudi youth in starting businesses, Altalib said, “I am amazed by the amount of enthusiasm that they have and especially the ideas that women are bringing to the table.



They have a lot of energy and abilities, but the system has to work in tandem in order to bring their dreams to reality. Here you have in the youth the future of Saudi Arabia, and they can advance the nation’s economy.”



She also said that funding is not an issue in the Kingdom. “But going to the next step in formalizing a business is where they are encountering difficulties … There are a lot of roadblocks for them.



My workshop was very applicable to any business that any entrepreneur might embark on, and because it went into each business need it gave them a basic understanding of starting a business and also a roadmap to improve a future business,” she added.



“I introduced ways for young entrepreneurs to start their own business and how to go about entrepreneurship the best way … our step-by-step workshop is on how to start a business, how to create a vision, mission and goals.



We covered writing a complete business plan in order to create a functional working document for them to go on to the next level of their businesses,” she said.