Many young Saudis bank on self employment

(MENAFN- Arab News) DAMMAM: With the rate of unemployment reaching 651000 standing at 11 percent as the latest statistics show many young Saudis find self-employment or heading small projects as the best alternative to ensure a steady income or increase their monthly earnings.
Based on this fact the Saudi economic and trade arena has recorded the emergence of many successful youths employing modern technology and marketing thanks to social media which has focused on this.
Speaking on his experience Abdul Majid Al-Azmi said: 'In 2013 I was traveling to Turkey for tourism where I purchased some household utensils which earned the admiration of all. Many people asked me and my two friends to bring such utensils for them next time with a small commission. Thus the idea of starting a small business project started taking shape.'
Al-Azmi said: 'We started with only SR20000 using the online social network for marketing the products until we had 4000 customers and some partners joined us. Now we are working to open an electronic store to import household utensils from Turkey Belgium Canada and Italy.'
On a similar note Afnan Al-Juhani a 21-year-old college student here said she was interested in her childhood to combine colorful tapes and fabrics together to make beautiful dresses for dolls. 'When I grew up my parents encouraged me to implement a project to design and make dresses as I had started with a small capital to design the first collection.'
She said that this success encouraged her to make the next collections by avoiding any previous mistakes. She wants to continue with this project after graduation.
'Success comes after many failures which pushed me up toward the top' Al-Juhani said.
A different experience was narrated by Eisa Al-Eisa who headed with friends to work on a project which involved organizing events using contemporary and unique decors as against traditional ones.
'After gathering information and studying the local market we started to implement the project idea with confidence and a new vision.' Al-Eisa said.
He said that despite many obstacles they succeeded in planning and organizing various events. 'We are keen to have an integrated Saudi crew to oversee the organization's coordination and hospitality.'
Kholoud Al-Kathiri said: 'After I succeeded in marketing home-made cakes and desserts I formed an integrated team so that every member was specialized in certain dishes and now we have achieved a great success.'
Another project idea was sparked when Kauthar Hussain observed the importance of coffee at all Saudi events so she traveled around the world to find the best kind of coffee and cardamom. After that she has been making a special coffee with special ingredients and a distinctive taste.
She went to the Social Security Office which supported her project with some money and then she expanded the project by offering her products at a series of exhibitions where she earned the trust of many clients.