Is this the first company that you have started, and what drove you towards it?
Yes, it is the first.
My husband is employee, his salary doesn’t cover our household's needs, I decided to establish my own business and support him in securing the main needs of our family. My business idea inspired from the available skill which I had, and from the wonderful place where I live. My house is located on touristy road between Solenfeh and Al Kordaha, those two cities are favorite destination for the vacationers in Lattakia particularly, and Syria in general.
How did you finance your start-up operations and how long did it/will it take for the company to become self-sustainable?
Many years ago, I used to work during the harvest time in picking citrus and olives. My saving money from this work covered part of the start-up cost. But this money was not enough for establishing, therefore I submitted a loan application for the Fund for Integrated Rural Development of Syria “FIRDOS”, facilitated by the Village Business Incubator. I used the Loan to renovate the workplace and buy equipments. In so far, I didn't repay the loan.
As the tourism in my country is seasonable, my enterprise is still needs time to become self sustainable.
What are your major products/ services and how are they unique in your business sector? What is your competition?
The unique site of my restaurant gives real value for my services, where the nature is still raw and civilization didn't reach it. My restaurant is the right place for relaxing and disposing of the accumulated burdens.
I serve for the passers-by, traditional bread, and traditional food. In addition, from my restaurant the passers-by can buy healthy, traditional products produced by the villagers in my country, such as Honey and dairy products, which have unique taste.
How are you focusing on expanding your business?
First, I should enlarge the place and offer other kind of services, of course these require money. I'll promote my restaurant and invite the people to my village; this could be done in cooperation with the Village Business Incubator.
What was the biggest challenge in starting an innovative business in your country and how did you overcome that?
The villagers in my country are well aware the importance of the beautiful landscape, and aware that their villages could be destination for the foreign tourists, but they are not confident of their ability to manage such businesses.
For me, I had overcome my fears by encouragements of the Village Business Incubator, I got more confident after attending the Basic Management Training organized and delivered by the VBI team.
How have you benefited from business incubation?
Being beneficiary of the Business Incubator, it means your business is well studied and organized. From the Business Incubator, I learned how to organize and plan my business through the training delivered by the VBI staff. Secondly, the VBI supported me in compiling business plan which is the most important part of establishing business, and which is very important to submit for the financial company to approve your loan application. Moreover, counseling sessions on keeping the records, and support in producing the promotion materials.
What is your message to supporters (financial or otherwise) and what is your message to the users of your services?
I’m asking for support in promoting the wonderful landscapes of my village on the web, and inviting the tourists groups for visit.
As I still need the money to improve my business, I would love to have networking with the companies who have interest in the ecotourism businesses and give grants to fortify this kind of businesses.
My message to the potential users of my services, don't miss this opportunity of enjoying the nature of Al Hajar village, it is grant from God!.
