Buoyed by a Boutique

Three years back when Hazar al Zadjali and her sister started Boutique Muscat, all they were equipped with was passion. Today both concede that passion is the foremost, but not the only requirement. And this understanding is behind their ‘Take a Leap’ initiative for aspiring and home-based business owners.

“We have seen a lot of ups and downs and it is not easy starting one’s own business and understanding the market. So we thought that it would be a good idea to help other small businesses get exposure through Boutique Muscat, Omani or non-Omani, by providing them space. Ours is not an easy market to venture into.

“This project aims to give people a chance to test the market for their product without taking the risk of setting up a business,” said Hazar.

The idea stemmed from a visit to the Higher College of Technology where Hazar met many talented designers. “The thought of them having no place to showcase their work disappointed me.

"It is really difficult for them to just graduate and get started. We (Muscat) are not like any other place where you can join a fashion house or get similar experience,” said Hazar. From exhibiting the products to selling them to conducting marketing activities, Boutique Muscat will take up all activities for the new business.

To begin with, eight businesses will be given help for six months, for which the boutique will charge RO80 monthly.

“This is a minimum fee and is nothing compared to what goes into setting up and running a business. The products will be put up online on Boutique Muscat’s website, Facebook and we will include them in publications or interviews given to help them draw the benefit of our network.”

After the last date (February 27) of receiving applications, the two plan to discuss the feasibility of the product with the entrepreneurs.

Hazar doesn’t expect people to sign up immediately. The sisters plan to discuss the products and pricing with the budding entrepreneurs to arrive at strategies.

“I won’t take a product that I think wouldn’t work. Although our monthly fee isn’t much, it does mean a lot for those who are starting out,” said Hazar.

The boutique has received quite a number of applications and work on changing the layout of the store has begun.

“A lady with beautiful party rental equipment approached us and we realised that the range of products could vary and not just be apparel or accessories. We would be taking care of product display and are merging office space with the rest of the store to accommodate the products.”

Hazar calls training the staff a big task ahead, as the product owner won’t have to manage customers.

Hazar is confident of the project’s success. “We have placed a few brands at our store in the past and know that it is an amazing feeling to see some entrepreneurs starting their own set ups after this.”