Home-Based Business Blossoms for Teenager in Partnership with Mother, Thanks to Ras Al Khaimah Programme in UAE
The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development's (RAK DED) Little Promiser Programme is a comprehensive initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs. This structured programme, which consists of four core stages, aims to boost confidence, life skills, and entrepreneurial spirit among young people, encouraging them to start businesses and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Ras Al Khaimah.
The programme begins with the Learning and Knowledge Week, which offers workshops on financial management, content creation, and entrepreneurial skills. Following this, the Fieldwork Phase sees students visiting local and international businesses for direct learning from business owners. The Product Analysis and Feedback stage involves students analysing these businesses to understand success factors, while the Project Presentation and Evaluation stage provides an opportunity for participants to pitch their ideas and receive mentoring feedback.
For 16-year-old Mouza Ibrahim Al Sharhan, the Little Promiser Programme was instrumental in enabling her to start and license her homemade sweets business, Mare Sweets. With the support and guidance of the programme, she gained not only business knowledge but also practical exposure through public events and customer interaction. Mouza, now 17, aspires to expand her business beyond Ras Al Khaimah, aiming for global recognition.
Mouza's business has quickly gained popularity in Ras Al Khaimah, and she showcased her sweets at a local event organised by the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development called the National Touches Exhibition. Aisha Obaid Al Ayyan, Director of the Business Development Department at RAK DED, emphasises that the programme is about more than just teaching business basics. It exposes students to real-world experiences, including visits to restaurants, coffee shops, and small businesses.
Mouza credits much of her early progress to the Little Promiser Programme, which taught her the fundamentals of running a business. Through the programme, she learned about logistics, product design, and the practical challenges of entrepreneurship. The Little Promiser Programme's aim is to nurture ambition and scalability in young entrepreneurs like Mouza, encouraging participants to obtain business licenses and launch small enterprises.
In conclusion, the Little Promiser Programme is a testament to Ras Al Khaimah's commitment to fostering sustainable growth in its business sector. By nurturing young entrepreneurs like Mouza, the programme is not only contributing to the local economy but also inspiring a new generation of business owners.
[1] Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development. (n.d.). Little Promiser Programme. Retrieved from https://dedra.gov.ae/en/services/business-services/licensing/little-promiser-programme
[2] Al Khaleej Today. (2021, August 3). Emirati teen launches homemade sweets business with support from Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development. Retrieved from https://www.alkhaleejtoday.com/news/emirati-teen-launches-homemade-sweets-business-with-support-from-ras-al-khaimah-department-of-economic-development-2021-08-03-1
- The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development's Little Promiser Programme, aside from educating young people on business basics, also focuses on introducing them to real-world experiences in various sectors such as sports, education, news, food-and-drink, lifestyle, home-and-garden, and small-business.
- This programme also offers workshops on personal-growth and self-development skills, including financial management, content creation, and entrepreneurial skills that are crucial to any business.
- In addition to learning from business owners, students in the Little Promiser Programme can gain insights by visiting restaurants, coffee shops, and other businesses, thereby broadening their understanding of the industry landscapes.
- The programme promotes the growth of young entrepreneurs not only in business knowledge, but also in cuisine and culinary arts, making it an ideal platform for exploring the world of cooking as a small-business opportunity.
- The Little Promiser Programme's impact extends beyond the realm of commerce, as it nurtures ambition and scalability in its participants, encouraging them to pursue education and self-development avenues such as lifelong learning and professional development.
- By contributing to the business growth in Ras Al Khaimah and inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs, the Little Promiser Programme mirrors the values of education and innovation, as it upholds the principles of sustainable development, fostering personal and economic growth.
- The Little Promiser Programme signifies Ras Al Khaimah's dedication to not only economic development, but also to the holistic development of its youth, aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are equipped to thrive in various fields such as business, education, and entrepreneurship.
