The science of entrepreneurship was presentedon Tuesday at the second ever StartUp Academy Sharjah series, an activity for established and aspiring business owners. Organised by the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), operating under Nama Women Advancement Establishment, and ITP Publishing, the event taking place at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce was titled: ‘How to Kick Start Your Business’ and featured four inspirational entrepreneurs who have each achieved huge success in their respective fields.Sharing their entrepreneurial experiences and shedding light on strategies behind their established processes were Bel Pesce, founder of “FaziNOVA”, Mohammed Al Musharrkh, Director of ‘CrossFit Hour Gym’, RabihBrair, Managing Partner at Tandem Partners and Mohamed Al Awadhi, award-winning Emirati filmmaker. The workshop was moderated by Tolga James, investor and philanthropist.
Speaking at her introductory address at the second StartUp Academy Sharjah, Her Excellency AmeeraBinKaram, Deputy Chairperson of Nama Women Advancement Establishment and Chairperson of SBWC, said: “I would like to thank Her Highness SheikhaJawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and the Founder and Patron of SBWC for her unstinting support in creating an environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive. It is due to her tireless efforts in elevating the status of women everywhere that we are able to be here today at this second SBWC StartUp Academy Sharjah.”Special international guest at the forum was Bel Pesce, a Brazilian national and found of “FazINOVA”, addressed established and would-be entrepreneurs about the 10 attributes she said were crucial for business success. One of the most important traits she identified was ‘Show Up’, where she explained how great opportunities can be grasped by the simple expedient and methodologies behindpresenting yourself and your business when required.Her hour-long address proved a big hit with the audience, and a testament to her inspiring oratory skills that have seen her give more than 200 international speeches and presentations.
Mohammed Al Musharrakh, Director of CrossFit Hour Gym,provided a local dimension to entrepreneurship when he spoke about how he has successfully elevated the exciting fitness concept of ‘CrossFit’ in the UAE. Having noticed a gap in the market for a new and exciting workout regime, Al Musharrakh’snatural ability to capitalise on an opportunity saw him launch the CrossFit Hour Gym in Sharjah, a venture that is enjoying great success.
Taking part in a panel discussion at the forum to discuss the requirements needed to launch a successful business were RabihBrair and Mohamed Parham Al Awadhi.The two entrepreneurs agreedthat the key to a successful venture was the need to conduct market research oneself and not hire a third party. This, they said, saves capital expenditure, builds knowledge and imbues additional confidence when pitching a proposition to a potential investor. The pair also stated the importance of creating a circle of positive people who can provide encouragement, as this can help to negate any feelings of loneliness when starting out on a new venture.
AmeeraBinKaram added: “It’s truly remarkable to see such diversity and capabilities that today’s entrepreneurs can project to the world. All four panellists have truly reflected the spirit of entrepreneurship on an international level. They’ve successfully aided and inspired what it means to be an entrepreneur and the tactical approach behind kicking off their own businesses. Their keynotes addressed trending challenges which entrepreneurs face every day, and how to create methodologies in sustain financial growth.I also would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Sharjah Chamber of Commerce for allowing us the use of their facilities today - the Chamber’s forward thinking and their vision for business in the emirate is ensuring the proactive role of women in the development of the UAE economy.”
The ‘How to Kick Start Your Business’ activity merged neatly into a second entrepreneurship event being held today (Wednesday) in Sharjah. Organised by Anwan Pods, the’business incubator’,and taking place at Souq Anwan, Dibba Al Hisn, the ‘How to grow your business using Social Media’ workshop once more featured Bel Pesce. The inspiring young business leader was on hand to dispense invaluable advice accumulated from her experience in reaching 30 million people worldwide through her courses, books and videos and in having more than a million followers on social media. The practical workshop was aimed at entrepreneurs, new start-ups, business owners and employees working in public and private sector marketing departments who wanted to learn more about using social media techniques to grow their business.
BinKaram concluded: “Identifying a solid operational concept with the right market attributes to succeed is the kernel of a good business, but what is needed to get the idea off the ground and up and running are the qualities associated with entrepreneurship – thisis what we aim to show through StartUp Academy Sharjah, a series that is complemented perfectly by Anwan Pods’ initiatives in the same area. Through our combined and concerted energies, we aim to encourage women – as well as men - to take on challenges that are unique and unorthodox but ultimately personally rewarding. We intend to prove that becoming a successful entrepreneur is one of the most empowering things ever.”
SBWC and ITP Publishing’s StartUp Academy Sharjah forms part of SBWC’s efforts to enhance the work environment for women, train and prepare them to enter into private economic activities and increase their participation in social and economic development. Incorporated in its schedule of events are a diverse programme of initiatives; including conferences, seminars, workshops and research activities that are open to both men and women. StartUp Academy Sharjah works to forge partnerships with government entities, private bodies and foundations to facilitate its mission of being an educational and community building series for entrepreneurs in the emirate.
About The Panellists:
Bel Pesce:
Bel Pesce is a Brazilian national and founder of “FazINOVA”, an online educational school that helped people of all ages achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. Aged just 28, Pesce is the founder of four businesses and the author of three best-selling books, with her titles having sold over 100,000 copies and been downloaded more than two million times. She was named one of the ‘100 most influential people of Brazil’ by Epoca Magazine, was included in Forbes Magazine’s ‘30 under 30’ list and was voted as one of the ‘10 most admired leaders of Brazil.’ Recently, Pesce won the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards, bringing the acclaimed award which evaluates projects of entrepreneurial women from around the world to Brazil for the first time.
Mohammad Al Musharrkh:
Having noticed a gap in the market for a new and exciting workout regime, Al Musharrakh’s natural ability to capitalise on an opportunity saw him launch the CrossFit Hour Gym in Sharjah, a venture that is enjoying great success. CrossFit has now been embraced by many of the country’s keen gym-goers, with its popularity enhanced with the UAE’s first ever ‘CrossFit Challenge,’ an event organised by CrossFit Hour Gym and one that saw the participation of professional and amateur athletes from 13 countries.
RabihBrair:
Currently a Managing Partner at Tandem Partners, Brair began his professional career at Andersen in Montreal, where he worked in both corporate finance and audit. After returning to Dubai to continue his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, he joined the FMCG sector and held a number of senior positions in finance at Mars.
Mohamed Parham Al Awadhi:
Al Awadhi is an award-winning Emirati filmmaker, entrepreneur and adventurer whose travel series ‘Peeta Planet’ broadcasts to 50 million homes. In July 2015, he co-founded WePress, a community directory and marketplace app that is embracing the huge growth in freelance journalism. Al Awadhi was a recipient of the ‘40 Influential Emiratis Under 40’ title, an honour which was especially inaugurated for the UAE’s 40th National Day celebrations. He was recently invited by Bill and Hillary Clinton to host the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, making him the first GCC national to do so.