Date: June 12, 2016
Mahfoutha Ahmed Al Baloushi, member of Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC), launched her renovated silver crafting shop in Al Khabourah with a full new look and feel of the place.
The shop launching was inaugurated by Khalid Muhammad Al Zubair, Managing Director of The Zubair Corporation and attended by members from the local community and executives and representatives from The Zubair Corporation and Zubair SEC.
As member of Zubair SEC’s Direct Support Programme for year 2015, Mahfoutha has shared with the Centre’s team of advisors the challenges she used to face in attracting customers to her old shop that did not deliver the required impression and image that is up to the fine silver craft works she offered through the shop. The team hence put an image management strategy for Dar Al Khabourah which started with the design and launching of a new corporate identity and logo last year, and followed by a full design, restructuring and renovation work of the shop that reflects the new brand and image. The renovation work was fully funded as part of Mahfoutha’s membership privileges as winner of the Direct Support Programme for year 2015.
Dar Al Khabourah offers exquisite superbly crafted silver works including daggers, swords, and men and women’s silver accessories. Over the past few years, Dar Al Khabourah has gained immense popularity in the Sultanate as well as in other GCC countries. While the brand preserves a tradition of creativity and breathtaking craftsmanship, it makes it a point to keep every design distinctive, and each creation a piece of art.
What makes Dar Al Khabourah exceptional is that through her business the founder Mahfoutha achieved remarkable social impact. She has enabled and trained local women on crafting silver thereby trying to uphold a skill and craft that has been part of the tradition and custom of the wilayat.
Expressing delight at the opening of the new Dar Al Khabourah, Mahfoutha said, “It has been my long term aspiration to refurbish my shop. With the support of Zubair SEC, I have been able to make my silver craft shop more appealing and attractive. I wanted the products to be displayed in a better ambiance. I am certain that visitors and tourists who come to Al Khabourah will be impressed to see what is on offer now.”
She added, “This has been possible because of the support of Zubair SEC during the last two years. They have helped me in every way possible. They have supported me through funds, strategic advice, logistical support and consultancy services.”
Lauding Mahfoutha’s efforts, Khalid Muhammad Al Zubair said, “It gives us immense pleasure to see Omani entrepreneurs making an effort to sustain our culture and tradition through their business. Such businesses need to be supported and empowered as they have a mission beyond profit generation and that is of cultural preservation and promotion. Young Omanis need to take forward the rich tradition of the country so that it is preserved for future generations.”
While Zubair SEC today has more than 330 members, the Direct Support Programme is one of the strategic programmes of Zubair SEC which has been providing support and guidance to high-potential young entrepreneurs and business owners for the last three years; those who have competed in its annual rounds of applications and have proven high competitiveness and outstanding commitment and hard work. Today, the programme has on board 28 members who have enjoyed several privileges and business development opportunities and support since they joined.
It is worth mentioning that all Zubair SEC members are entitled to the centre’s advisory and capacity building services along with networking opportunities and business development support.