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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| The rise of the Muslim female entrepreneur | The rise of the Muslim female entrepreneur |
| (3 days later) | |
| Business is often said to be a male-dominated world, and in the Muslim community - where female modesty is held at a premium - one might think that was doubly the case. | Business is often said to be a male-dominated world, and in the Muslim community - where female modesty is held at a premium - one might think that was doubly the case. |
| However, a new crop of female Muslim entrepreneurs is defying this stereotype while cashing in on the rapidly growing market for Muslim-focused consumer goods. | However, a new crop of female Muslim entrepreneurs is defying this stereotype while cashing in on the rapidly growing market for Muslim-focused consumer goods. |
| Take Sabah Nazir, who started her company Islamic Moments in 2004, designing and producing mainstream greeting cards. | Take Sabah Nazir, who started her company Islamic Moments in 2004, designing and producing mainstream greeting cards. |
| In 2011 she had an epiphany when she realised the market was not catering for the modern Muslim consumer, and decided to redesign all her products "around the Muslim market". | In 2011 she had an epiphany when she realised the market was not catering for the modern Muslim consumer, and decided to redesign all her products "around the Muslim market". |
| The company now has a portfolio of more than 300 Islamic design-led products from greeting cards to notebooks, and its products are sold in over 20 countries. | The company now has a portfolio of more than 300 Islamic design-led products from greeting cards to notebooks, and its products are sold in over 20 countries. |
| "I was determined to create a platform where we became that aspirational lifestyle brand for young Muslim consumers to meet their lifestyle and aspirations in accordance with their faith," she says. | "I was determined to create a platform where we became that aspirational lifestyle brand for young Muslim consumers to meet their lifestyle and aspirations in accordance with their faith," she says. |
| Buoyant market | Buoyant market |
| According to a report by Thomson Reuters, Muslim consumer spending on food and lifestyle products and services was estimated at $1.8 trillion (£1.5tn) globally in 2014 and is projected to reach $2.6tn in 2020. | According to a report by Thomson Reuters, Muslim consumer spending on food and lifestyle products and services was estimated at $1.8 trillion (£1.5tn) globally in 2014 and is projected to reach $2.6tn in 2020. |
| And in the UK, around three million Muslim consumers contribute about £21bn a year to the economy. | And in the UK, around three million Muslim consumers contribute about £21bn a year to the economy. |
| Major brands such as Mango and DKNY have begun to adapt to this audience by introducing more modest clothing ranges, but it has also inspired a raft of new start-ups from within the Muslim community - many of them formed by women. | Major brands such as Mango and DKNY have begun to adapt to this audience by introducing more modest clothing ranges, but it has also inspired a raft of new start-ups from within the Muslim community - many of them formed by women. |
| Sabah's husband Tahir is co-founder of the Muslim Lifestyle Expo 2016, a showcase for Muslim-friendly brands being held this weekend in Manchester. | Sabah's husband Tahir is co-founder of the Muslim Lifestyle Expo 2016, a showcase for Muslim-friendly brands being held this weekend in Manchester. |
| He says that 60% of the 130 exhibitors taking part will be female entrepreneurs, showcasing everything from luxury prayer mats and Islamic toys, to fashion, accessories and cosmetics. | He says that 60% of the 130 exhibitors taking part will be female entrepreneurs, showcasing everything from luxury prayer mats and Islamic toys, to fashion, accessories and cosmetics. |
| "The stereotype of Muslim women stuck in the kitchen and carrying out household chores are long gone," he says. | "The stereotype of Muslim women stuck in the kitchen and carrying out household chores are long gone," he says. |
| "According to our research, women represent 50% of the [Muslim] start-up business community and this figure is set to grow further over the next few years." | "According to our research, women represent 50% of the [Muslim] start-up business community and this figure is set to grow further over the next few years." |
| Gap in the market | Gap in the market |
| One exhibitor will be the Mocktail Company, a producer of non-alcoholic drinks for Muslims founded in Watford this year. | One exhibitor will be the Mocktail Company, a producer of non-alcoholic drinks for Muslims founded in Watford this year. |
| Founder Shahin Hussain told the BBC: "I'd always known growing up in Britain that the culture of being British and being Muslim sometimes conflicted, particularly at university when a lot of my friends were drinking. | Founder Shahin Hussain told the BBC: "I'd always known growing up in Britain that the culture of being British and being Muslim sometimes conflicted, particularly at university when a lot of my friends were drinking. |
| "And as I grew older I saw no-one had filled the gap in the market for non-alcoholic drinks aimed at Muslims." | "And as I grew older I saw no-one had filled the gap in the market for non-alcoholic drinks aimed at Muslims." |
| The firm only launched three months ago and claims to have already sold 19,000 bottles of its non-alcoholic mojito, the Nojito. It is also planning to release two new flavours including a strawberry daiquiri-inspired drink. | The firm only launched three months ago and claims to have already sold 19,000 bottles of its non-alcoholic mojito, the Nojito. It is also planning to release two new flavours including a strawberry daiquiri-inspired drink. |
| A challenge | |
| However, it is not all plain sailing for female Muslim entrepreneurs. | However, it is not all plain sailing for female Muslim entrepreneurs. |
| "The traditional working-class Muslim woman doesn't often get the [financial] support to start a business and they don't use traditional crowdfunding methods," says Tahir Nazir. | "The traditional working-class Muslim woman doesn't often get the [financial] support to start a business and they don't use traditional crowdfunding methods," says Tahir Nazir. |
| And being a mum can be a big challenge, says Shahin Hussain. | And being a mum can be a big challenge, says Shahin Hussain. |
| "It is hard because my little ones are only two and four and obviously they demand all my attention. | "It is hard because my little ones are only two and four and obviously they demand all my attention. |
| "But obviously my business is like a third child, as I have to put so much energy into it. Often I have to follow up emails and orders late at night after they've gone to sleep - and I'm never getting enough sleep." | "But obviously my business is like a third child, as I have to put so much energy into it. Often I have to follow up emails and orders late at night after they've gone to sleep - and I'm never getting enough sleep." |
| Still, with Muslim consumer demand growing so quickly, these female entrepreneurs look like they are in a good place right now. | Still, with Muslim consumer demand growing so quickly, these female entrepreneurs look like they are in a good place right now. |