By Shaima Al Tamimi
Fatima Al-Noaimi is a bright young Emirati with a strong vision and focused ambition to become a thriving businesswoman. At the tender age of 20, Fatima has already submitted a business proposal to Khalifa Fund to Support and Develop Small & Medium Enterprises (Khalifa Fund). She is simultaneously taking a long distance degree in Finance at Harvard University and a Bachelors degree at the Higher Colleges of Technology. Fatima was picked as Sail’s Feature interview because we believe that she is one to watch out for and here is why…
Where do you find the time to study two degrees at once?
Since the classes I take at HCT are evening based, I realized that I had enough free time to occupy myself with something I will benefit from. I am very focused with what I want in life, and I spend very minimal time mingling in College with peers so I can study and graduate with two degrees once I turn 21 next year.
Tell me more about your business idea “Fraction”.
I love events, and I wanted to incorporate something fresh, useful and fun into Abu Dhabi. Fraction is basically a concept that was derived from my observation of us Emiratis/Arabs being a highly consumerist society. We tend to excessively purchase things we do not necessarily need and a lot of times we also do not end up using these products. This is where fraction comes into the picture. It will allow people to donate second hand or unused items and we will sell them at a lower cost in our premises. The idea is to have something similar to a garage sale but in a way that will be eventful, live with activity and bring children and adults from different neighborhoods together.
How did you go on about researching this?
It took me almost two months to write up a business plan that was comprehensive of research results through studying the market, surveying people and have them fill out questionnaires I designed carefully. It was quite tough getting people to respond and because I set a self-imposed deadline, I had to resort to two extra people to help with surveying people in public.
My main goal at that point was to learn as much as I could on what was needed to start up a business. So I took it as a personal project of my own, later on I thought to myself “why not present it to Khalifa Fund?” and I did.
Are you going through a hard time convincing Khalifa Fund to finance your project?
Frankly speaking, my business plan spoke for itself, and they were very impressed with the proposal. However, there was one point that was overlooked half way through the process. My age! Apparently, I have to be 21 to be eligible and we are trying to figure out a solution. The process of thoroughly reviewing applications that need to be approved in many stages, may itself take time until I turn 21, but I try to stay positive and show them that my age should not stop them from approving my project.
What if they do not approve your project?
If worse comes to worst, this experience will have been a huge learning curve for me either way. Fraction is not my only business idea, and I will definitely move on to the next project. It will not be the end for me. I am still young and there is a lot of room for me to make mistakes and learn from them.
Any plans after you graduate next year?
I definitely want to work and gain experience in the corporate world. However I do not plan on spending my youth trying to climb up the corporate ladder. It is not why I am taking two degrees either, because it is not the certificate that will prove my worth. It is me. I would rather be building and contributing towards my own success in business instead of working for other people. Not that it is a bad thing, absolutely not. However, I have my own dreams and working a lifetime for other companies is not the direction I want to take, if I plan to have my own business.
Interview with Fatima Al Noaimi
you rock Fatima !!!!!!
Fatima Al Noaimo is one of my role models which I would always take advise from and discuss issues with. Other than her educational skills, she has a great personality! It is such a creative idea and would be very useful in a society like ours.
I wish you success and all the best in the coming years.
😀
Great work, Fatima! I wish you the best of luck.
YOU HAVE BEEN IMPRESSING ME YOUNG GIRL MAY ALLAH HELP YOU TO TURN YOUR DREAMS TRUE
I’ve been in the business world for about 4 years the last time I bumped into someone like this is when I read articles about billionaires around the world which share the same vision of this entrepreneur , speechless about the articles perfection , I can only say god bless you Fatima your in the world of success .
I’m so proud of Fatima! What a wonderful lady! Wish you all the best!
Fatima, you are a creative person and I wish you the best in everything. Always I looked at you as a successful person and I am proud of you from all my heart =D
Great work Fatima !!
I wish you all the best (K)
Fatima is such a WONDERFUL inspiration…. I always knew she was an amazing person but after reading this I admire her even more than I did before (if that’s possible). I’m proud to see such a young girl with such an amazing attitude…. She’s a great role model and she is representing the UAE very well!!!! <3333
I don’t know where to start from.. I’m really speechless about everything you do.. It’s true that you r at a young age but your achievements are beyond than the expected.. I’m really proud of you,, you are an ideal inspiration for every young emirati who wants to achieve success..I wish you all the best, success and of course with FRACTION 😉
I jusr knew her for a short period and I was surprised from her way of thinking and skills, she is really brilliant girl and I wish her a life full with business and success 🙂
Congrats on your first step to success, bravo!! .. I’ve always admired your dedication and passion for having you own business .. With your vision and determined well and determined well, I don’t see any reason why you can’t be the next Al Waleed bin Talal;).. I’m really proud to have a friend like you .. Wish you all the best ({}) ..
Stunning, how a young person devotes herself into working night and day on two degrees and still having a social life.
I admire people like Fatima, they clear the path for the blind.
Gd luck and keep goin with gd work .
Impressive work Fatima, I admire your hard work … A real inspiration <3
Well done fatima. Wish you best of luck. You are a great women and I see you as a role model to us.
Keeo it up bint al noaimi.
Love d 2 degrees bit!!~ (I wish I’ve thought of that before. Hahhaha :p} Good luck!!~
Passion always inpire people. And, she shows the world that time is an important essence in life.
Farhaana.
Yes, she is a true inspiration.
Regards,
Iman
you are a wonderful girl.you inspired me very much and such a role model for every one of us.may allah bless you to fulfill your dreams.
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The concept of education is as old as the man himself. The process of learning started with the creation of man. The human beings have focused on the acquisition of information and knowledge since many centuries. The learning is natural process without which no person can survive.