supported entrepreneurs

amera - homemade food

Address: Syria- Lattakia- Al Karas

Enterprenure's Name: Amera Nawfal                        

Business sector:  Services  

Business format: Sole Trade

Year of establishment: 2009

Date of the interview: 12/ 10/ 2009

Is this the first company that you have started, and what drove you towards it?

Being one of the target for the VBI, this urged me to establish my own business.

My business idea inspired by the astonishing scenery in my village which is located in the beautiful Karas valley, and supported by the long experience of my husband who had worked in a famous restaurants in the city.

Slonfeh is a summer area that receives huge number of visitors, specially the people from the gulf. Visitors on this way to Slonfeh cross the valley. Me and my husband decided to establish a restaurant to serve different kinds of food and drinks for the valley visitors and passer- by.

How did you finance your start-up operations and how long will it take to become self-sustainable?

Funds needed to my start up operation was covered through the credit program of the Fund for Integrated Rural Development of Syria "FIRDOS". This is the only credit program in our area that disburses loans to rural communities with a fairly low interest rate and a grace period of six months to start repayment.  I used the loan in preparing the restaurant place, where I bought tables, chairs, utilizes, etc. I also used promotional signs along the road from Slonfeh to my village.
since my business is seasonal, I believe that I will need one more year to become dependent on myself.

What is your major service and how it is  unique in your business sector? What is your competition?

People can enjoy the refreshing view of the mountain around and taste the homemade traditional Syrian food.

There are three restaurants on the main road, but my restaurant is the only one in the valley solely possessing the amazing scenery there. In addition, the restaurant succeeded in developing its own network of regular quests. 

Who are your customers and how are you focusing on expanding your business?

The location of the restaurant is considered the destination of the Syrian  people during the weekends and vacations, where  they can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful landscape. Moreover, it is the destination of the tourists  from the  Arab gulf. I always careful receive feedback customers, My plan in the short term is to promote my services targeting tourists in Salah Adien Castle which is close to my village.

What was the biggest challenge in starting an innovative business in your country and how did you overcome that?

Due to the lack of infrastructure in my village, it became almost desolated, as most of its inhabitants left to the city, which represented a big challenge. Another challenge was the competition. I got over these challenges  through the support of the Village Business Incubator (VBI) in promoting my restaurant among visitors and partners, there was also the support of my husband using his relationships inside and outside the area. 

How have you benefited from business incubation?

The VBI adopted My  business idea and started with me from the beginning. First I received the VBI Management Training, then the VBI did market study to my business and the business plan that followed, and after that I received the loan from FIRDOS.

That was not all, the VBI continued my process and provided advise whenever needed.