Country’s newest crop of entrepreneurs meet in honor of International Women’s Day

Products hailing from specific regions much like the patterned offerings from Kashmir Crafts were popular items at many of the stalls.

Accidentally included this please cut

Traditional style head dresses, cuffs, earrings and chokers. The jewelry features brightly colored stones and are fashioned in styles associated with northern areas of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: There were smiles, laughter and optimism when Womenx Pakistan and Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce joined forces to throw the Women in Business Festival at Lok Virsa on Sunday, March 11.
Womenx, a program by the World Bank, is a training camp for budding entrepreneurs that targets women from Pakistan and gives them the skills to create and sustain successful businesses and platforms. The program aims to help women to take a strong leap toward empowerment and self-sustaining work.
Maryam Javed, who started Oonies, a non-profit knitcraft and clothing organization, is a trainee in Womenx.
“I am learning not only how to build a platform for myself but how to do it for others, and to create a social network to help them boost their own personal businesses,” she said.
Hina Gul, who started Mahabas, an edible fruit bouquet line, said: “I am enjoying being a woman business owner. Everyone is amazed that I am doing this.”
Like Javed, she trains at Womenx and, like many of the women present, spoke of the undeniable opportunities the festival brought for networking and meeting other female business owners.
“WomenX encouraged me to participate in this. Platforms like this really work — I am talking to you and all the other women here today, and it’s because of the platform afforded to me just by being here,” said Gul.
Sofia Akthar is a partner in Rani Runs Artisans Work, a business that curates craftwork from around the country. She said: “For me, it isn’t so much about the money but about building connections. When I tell my family I am off to a festival like this, I say I am off to see my friends.”
For many of the business owners it was one of the very few times, if not the first time, they came out from online where many of their businesses are growing.
“I am online-based like most of the people here, and that means a lot of people are yet to know about my brand,” said Tayyaba Khan, who operates Whimsy Skincare. “When I am here I can physically represent my brand — that was the main aim. It’s a great opportunity for people like us to promote our products.”
When asked about being a woman in business in Pakistan today, many of the business owners, including Khan, felt resistance.
“It was tough (starting out),” said Khan. “The thing is when you’re a woman, people don’t take you seriously. When I started out no one was supportive. Most people said that these products wouldn’t sell, let alone sell out, you’ll be wasting your money and time. But when you have good-quality products, and you have talent — it speaks for itself.”
Ayesha Chaudhry of Lahore, who runs a branch of Al-Rakham, a marble home decor line that makes coasters, trays, and decorative pieces, has also had a tough experience.
“It’s kind of hard at times — you definitely need male support to get stuff done, but it’s been good. Our society is finally making a shift into the lane in which we support our females and their endeavors. It’s a good thing.”
The festival drew in women from far and wide with participants coming from Karachi, Lahore and Baluchistan.
Bolan Ladies Boutique is an in-house shop set up by Nazia Asif, who calls Baluchistan home. The Women in Business festival was her first time bringing her wares out to an event of this scale.
“I can sew five different types of salwars — whatever you want I can make — but what I truly love is frocks. I love traditional work and I want to promote the work that you can find in Baluchistan.
“I’ve been running this business on the money out of my own pocket for the past eight months. This is the first time I’ve brought my stuff out from my house — I love being here and seeing the effort and time everyone has put into their businesses is inspiring. Everyone here is working hard.”
The day was an inspiring end to a weekend that saw a lot of focus on women empowerment throughout the country.
“This isn’t just a business, it’s my happiness. In running my happiness I make money and I lose money, that’s just how it is — but it is mine,” said Asif.