Baram
Step by step
Nasser Saleh Hamed Al Broumi’s gradual yet strategic approach to adding value to the business has enabled him to achieve a larger market share.
Many of us spend countless hours on social media platforms, browsing for entertainment, latest news and updates, or just to keep in touch with friends and family. However, entrepreneurs use these channels as a means of establishing new businesses by creating an online presence to sell products and services without the need of a physical store. Nowadays, it is common to see businesses display products on Facebook, Instagram and other social media channels, through which customers can find and order a specific product. What is truly remarkable about the following story is that its champion was inspired by a trader on Facebook, which in turn led to the creation of this new business.
Commenting on the inception of his new business, Nasser Saleh Hamed Al Broumi from the Wilayat of Izki says, “A few years ago, while using Facebook, I came across a contact who works in beekeeping and I contacted the business owner to learn more. The man proceeded to tell me about his business and the difficulties he faced marketing and selling the large amount of honey he produced. I offered him to become a partner and help with promoting the honey on my personal Facebook page. Eventually, the business boomed and demand increased, so I proposed a partnership and bought the produced honey from the owner. With his approval, I began marketing the produce under the brand of my own business”.
After this progress, Nasser began envisioning further developments by opening his own store. During his search for advice and support, one of his friends encouraged Nasser to join Zubair SEC. “After becoming a member at Zubair SEC, I learnt about their Direct Support Programme, which would be a great benefit to my new business, so I decided to apply, and I was privileged to be chosen as one of the ten Programme members for 2017. At Zubair SEC I was able to gain the support, guidance and advisory that I needed to further develop my business, as well as a financial aid to open my own new store. With the right consultations by the Centre’s advisors, and my participation in many of the Centre’s workshops, and the knowledge gained from different business experts during those functions, I was able to learn innovative ways to enhance my business, and started retreating on the idea of opening my own store and look into alternative channels to reach the market”, says Nasser.
With a rapid increase in demand for ‘Al Broumi Honey’ in Muscat, Nasser was faced with the challenge of delivering products for individual customers outside the Wilayat of Izki. To overcome this challenge, Zubair SEC team advised Nasser to enter into business partnerships with existing outlets to reach to wider customer base and increase the chances of selling his products; he notes, “I approached an Oud store owner in Muscat to collaborate together by providing me a small area in his shop to display my product. He kindly agreed and welcomed me to the store as a form of support to my small business, and at the same time, this opportunity presented a win-win situation as my honey customers coming to his store helped boost his business as well”.
Nasser’s approach to adding value to the business included adding new varieties of honey, by mixing it with nuts, and using it in bakeries and biscuits instead of sugar. He also began offering original olive oil, imported from Palestine, as a step to achieve diversity in his product offerings and provide products that complement each other in the formula of healthy eating.
Al Broumi adds, “Zubair SEC also supported me in attending the Apimondia International Apicultural Congress in Turkey, as a way to help me get access to experienced beekeepers to further develop my knowledge and experience, and to build business relations in the field”.
Nasser advises owners of small enterprises to join Zubair SEC or similar organisations, to gain guidance for developing their business and learn about best approaching in running business. Nasser adds, “It is really important for entrepreneurs to get sound advice, attend workshops and meet experienced people, all of which can be obtained for free under one roof at Zubair SEC. Lastly, I would like to remind business owners that no matter what hindrances they may face throughout their journey, to always keep hope and ambition steadfast and it will ultimately bear fruit”.
“The Centre has worked with me on a number of aspects regarding my business development. They provided me with a new brand design for ‘Al Broumi Honey’, as a first step in enhancing the competitiveness of my business and products. Additionally, they assisted in preparing new and creative packaging options to reflect the new brand and help my products be more attractive to the various requirements of the market. Packaging options now include corporate gifts packaging that would help introduce my products to a new and important market segment. I am also working with the Centre to launch my products in hypermarkets, as part of the marketing strategy we have put together”, says Nasser Saleh Hamed Al Broumi.