BizBahrain Magazine Sep-Oct 2019_compressed

President of the Bahrain
Businesswomen’s Society, Ahlam
Janahi needs no introduction. As
Managing Director and Owner of
Bahrain Horizon, My Bakery and
Managing Partner of Gate Trading WLL and
Damasquinos Trading, she wears many hats.
As the President of the Bahrain
Businesswomen’s Society, she has held the
position between 2012-2016 and is in again
for a second stint. She has also been Board
member at BCCI, Founder and member of the
Inner Wheel Club Bahrain since 1999-2001,
and Member of Election Committee. With
her energy and creative vision, she has
brought about many progressive changes to
the community, and won many international
and national awards for her initiatives.
Back in the spotlight in her second
round as President of the Bahrain
Businesswomen’s Society, Ahlam Janahi
shares her insights about the role of the
Society and what young entrepreneurs need
to keep in mind when running a business.
As the Bahrain Business Women’s Society
celebrates its 19th Anniversary in 2019, what
is your vision for BBWS as President?
The vision of Bahrain Businesswomen’s
Society is to be a globally sustainable,
innovative and recognized network
organization resulting positive change in
the society and contributing to the entire
economy of Bahrain.
How has BBWS helped women business
leaders and entrepreneurs so far?
Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society
(BBWS) is dedicated to supporting the career
progression and success of all women in the
business landscape. BBWS helps to promote
its members’ businesses and empower
female entrepreneurs with best practices
that adequately support and position them
in today’s competitive business world. Over
many years, BBWS has connected women in
the business community by hosting valueadded
events, conferences and seminars,
and by collaborating with strategic partners.
What are some of the upcoming programs
initiated and planned by BBWS?
"World Entrepreneurship Conference" in
collaboration with UNIDO will be in October
2019 and "Business Entrepreneurship"
in November 2019. BBWS will also create
an incubator business center for Bahrain
Businesswomen’s Society members to
sustain their business and work with
accelerators to support growing businesses.
There will be the 3rd edition of the B2B
International Businesswomen’s Exhibition &
Forum and different workshops and events
organized by BBWS committees.
For you personally as an entrepreneur, what
are some of your new business ventures?
Since year 2009, I studied the market
and opened my own Business (My
Bakery), providing Lebanese bread and
oriental Pastries, which is currently one
of the leading bakeries in the kingdom of
Bahrain that delivers delicious bread and
offers a great service to its clients with
professionalism.
Recently I have also set up “The Event
Makers”, in partnership with International
event designers, which is an events
management company.
What is your advice for young business
entrepreneurs in Bahrain?
My advice is that every entrepreneur has
to confront obstacles and challenges in their
journey. Undoubtedly, a single mistake can
turn into a failure. But the true failure is the
one that occurs when nothing was learnt
or changed after the previous mistake.
Learning from your own mistakes is of the
utmost importance if you intend to become
successful.
Consider each new mistake as an
opportunity to learn something and gain
experience. Use them to find out the best
possible solutions to future dilemmas,
and try to avoid errors whenever possible.
Once you gain enough experience, you’ll
positively understand the perspective of
momentary failures, and you’ll make sure
that they do not occur in the future.
Act today to feel motivated and inspired.
If one approach is not working, then shift to
another. Just don’t stop - Keep trying.
September-October 2019
17