Manama: In the heart of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf, a woman with a passion for sweet treats transformed her love for baking into a thriving business. What started as a simple joy of making cookies for family and friends soon blossomed into Brown Sugar, a brand that embodies both her love for desserts and her journey towards independence.
According to United Nations, Eman Fareed, a mother and retired civil servant, shared her story while baking in her kitchen. She expressed her enduring love for sweets and how it led her to establish Brown Sugar. Her journey represents a significant step towards independence, fueled by her passion for baking.
The forum members endorsed the Manama Declaration, underscoring the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with special emphasis on including productive families. Saud Al Mahmood, a public relations specialist with Kaaf Humanitarian, explained that productive families rely on their members' skills to provide for the family and improve their living standards. He emphasized the significance of supporting these families, as it benefits the entire family unit.
Noora Khalid Musaifer, another beneficiary of Kaaf Humanitarian, was inspired by her mother's love for cooking and roasting coffee. After getting married, she began blending Bahraini spices and expanded her offerings to include various spice grades, daqoos pepper, and coffee roasting under the brand name Mallawal. Her business flourished, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to participation in exhibitions and opportunities that emerged during quarantine.
A crucial factor in the success of both Ms. Fareed and Ms. Musaifer was the support of Kaaf Humanitarian, which provided financial backing, packaging materials, and branding assistance. Ms. Musaifer, the breadwinner for her family, has been making spices for 20 years and joined Kaaf a decade ago. She highlighted the financial support that enabled her to procure high-quality spices, some sourced from India through Bahraini companies.
Ms. Fareed acknowledged Kaaf Humanitarian as a pillar of her success in the baking field, emphasizing the importance of technology and digital marketing in today's world. After retiring in 2014, she initially lacked guidance on expanding her business. Kaaf Humanitarian provided training in business management, social skills, and digital marketing, helping her maximize online sales and take professional photos of her products.
At a training session at Kaaf Humanitarian House in the suburbs of Manama, 15 women entrepreneurs gathered to share their products and showcase their mastery of skills. Led by university lecturer Budoor Buhijji, these women, who run small entrepreneurial projects from home, hope to expand their businesses beyond their communities and even go international.
Both Ms. Musaifer and Ms. Fareed have dreams for the future. Ms. Musaifer aspires to open a shop under her name, where she can continue making handmade spices and traditional foods. Ms. Fareed dreams of expanding her business into a factory, confident and empowered, thanks to the support of her family and the opportunities she has embraced. Their success stories are a testament to the strength and resilience of Bahraini women, balancing work and family responsibilities in a traditionally male-dominated business environment.