Advice to Ambitious Mothers: Muslim Lifestyle Expo 2016

Can we have it all? 

Can we be devoted mothers, beloved wives and have a career of our own? 

How do Muslim businesswomen manage to juggle all their responsibilities?

It was an honour, to be invited to the Muslim Lifestyle Expo 2016 as an on of their Official Bloggers. I had planned to scour the MLE arena, looking for innovative new toys or books that my readers would be interested in. 

However, in addition to the incredible products I saw there, what moved me the most, was speaking to the Muslim businesswomen. I was intrigued how they managed to run a business, take care of their home, the needs of their husband and children and themselves. I wanted to know, what motivated them when they started the business and what keeps them going?

I met so many incredibly strong and ambitious Muslim women at the MLE, and I want to share their story and the advice they gave me here.

To see my vlog of the Muslim Lifestyle Expo, and hear from these women yourselves, 

WATCH THIS VIDEO:

Advice to Ambitious Mothers: Muslim Lifestyle Expo

The organisers of the MLE announced that more than 60% of exhibitors were women. Many of these women had children and were running their business from home.

Here are just a few of the inspiring women I met there:

Nazia Nasreen: Ibraheem Toy House

When I arrived, I knew exactly who I wanted to meet first; Nazia Nasreen, the Founder and CEO of Ibraheem Toy House!

Ibraheem Toy House is the U.K.'s first and largest online Islamic Toy Store.

Nazia began her business at home when her children were very young. Having begun with only 4 products and a Facebook page, she now, only 2 years later, sells more than 200 products from her website, has international clientele, and was recently featured in the Times, Business Quarterly, and the Guardian.

When I spoke to Nazia about what advice she would give mothers, who want to start a business she said,

“Go for it! Don’t think that starting your own business means that you wont be a good mum….You’re actually setting a really good example for your children because you are showing them that you can get good things in life by working hard.”

To hear the rest of this interview, WATCH THE VIDEO!

Sabah Nazir: Islamic Moments

Sabah Nazir, the founder of Islamic Moments, began her business in 2004 selling mainstream greeting cards; and then later venturing into Islamic products.  

Her company, sells a range of Islamic greeting cards, Eid and Ramadan décor, and stationary. They recently launched a line of beautiful mugs for Muslim homes, and an Arab-inspired fragrance collection.

Sabah’s advice to mums who want to start a business from home was, 

“Time-management is the key to everything! Be super, super organised...Believe in Allah and insha’Allah things will be right.”

To hear more from Sabah, WATCH THIS VIDEO!

The Sweet Board

The wonderful thing about the MLE, is that you get introduced to amazing products and services that you never knew existed! 

Sister Saadia, managing director of The Sweet Board, runs her confectionery business from home. 

She said,

“It has always been a hobby of mine to do party favours…and now its expanded!”

Her stand was so beautifuly presented mashAllah! To see it yourselfe and hear more from Saadia, WATCH THIS VIDEO!

Zukreat Nazar – AOM Cosmetics

If you don’t know who Zukreat is…where have you been?!?!? 

Zukreat Nazar, is the Founder and CEO of Artist of Makeup Cosmetics, and has a Youtube following of more than 300K and Instagram following of more than 570K!

She was part of a panel of Muslim business women, talking about how they started their businesses, what their motivation was, and how they juggle their many responsibilities.

Zukreat said,

“ If you’re planning to have a business, have good people around you to give you confidence….If you have a passion for something, and you feel you’re good at it, just pursue it!”

For more advice from Zukreat, WATCH THIS VIDEO

Zanib Mian 

– Author and Founding Director of Muslim Children’s Books and Sweet Apple Publishers

I met Zanib Mian on the Ibraheem Toy House stand, where she came to do a book signing and read from her book “Migo and Ali”. 

What struck me most about Zanib, were her manners mashAllah. She is so polite and humble, despite her many achievements, and is very approachable and easy to talk to.

Sweet Apple Publishers was set up in 2004 to truly represent the world we live in with diverse characters taking the main roles in their books. Her second publishing house, Muslim Children’s Books, publishes books with the aim to inspire a love of Allah in young children’s hearts, through vibrant illustrations, quirky wording and a sprinkling of humour!

Coming away from the event, I felt almost euphoric! It was as if my eyes had been opened to so many possibilities! 

Perhaps it is possible for a mother to pursue her dreams and ambitions, and still manage all her other responsibilities. Perhaps it’s not just those untouchable “superwomen” who can do it…maybe I could do it…maybe you could too!

I have heard many people speak about business in a negative light; it is just chasing the dunya (the temporal world), and it is for people who are only interested in money. 

However what motivated the inspiring women I met couldn’t have been further from that! Their motivation was not amassing money (although that was a perk!), but rather it was to make a positive impact on the world, and help people in someway. 

Ultimately, these lofty intentions have turned running their businesses into a form of worship. May Allah accept their efforts and reward their intentions.

I cannot wait for the next Muslim Lifestyle Show! The atmosphere was amazing, and we all left the event feeling positive and proud to be Muslim! I hope I'll see you all at the next event :)

What do you think about mother's running a business? 

Do you think women can juggle it all, or is it an unnecessary pressure that modern women put upon themselves? 

Are you a stay-at-home mum who works from home? How to manage everything?

Or are you choosing to wait until your children are older before you begin?

Lets have a discussion in the comments below! (Keep it polite please! )

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In need of your duaas.

Peace and Love xx

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