Business has traditionally been seen as a male dominated world. However, the UK is currently experiencing a shift in a niche area of the entrepreneurial world.
Say hello to a rising crop of female Muslim mumpreneurs who are shattering stereotypes and inspiring confidence in fellow women to start new businesses.It is estimated that females currently form 50% of start-ups from the Muslim community – with this figure set to rise further in the future.
Next weekend, Manchester will be home to a wide range of female exhibitors showcasing their businesses to an estimated crowd of over 10,000 at the Muslim Lifestyle Expo 2016 – the UK’s biggest showcase of the trillion-dollar global Muslim consumer industry.
In fact, 60% of the 130 exhibitors taking part will be female entrepreneurs including companies showcasing mocktails, greeting cards, luxury prayer mats, Islamic toys, fashion, accessories to cosmetics.
“The stereotype of Muslim women stuck in the kitchen and carrying out household chores are long gone,” said Tahir Mirza, founder of next weekend’s Expo.
“When we announced this year’s dates for MLE2016, we were inundated with enquiries from Muslim women from not only the UK but across the world wanting to exhibit.It is refreshing to see how these mumpreneurs are shattering the myth that Muslim women are held back and oppressed.
“It’s a booming industry and these mumpreneurs are working hard in their 9-5 jobs and in their spare time are setting up successful businesses in a wide range of sectors.According to our research, Muslim women represent 50% of the start-up business community and this figure is set to grow further over the next few years.
“Furthermore, the biggest inspiration for these mumpreneurs is other Muslim females. Who better than up-and-coming female entrepreneurs with similar cultures and backgrounds to have as role models?”
The Muslim consumer market is now one of the biggest in the world growing at nearly double the rate of the global economy. According to a report by Thomson Reuters, the Muslim consumer spending on food and lifestyle products and services has been estimated at $1.8 trillion in 2014 and projected to reach $2.6 trillion in 2020.
To highlight the growth and success of Muslim businesswomen, the expo will host, as part of its MLE Connect seminar sessions, a panel discussion titled ‘The Rise of the Muslim Mumpreneur’ featuring international make-up artist Zukreat Nazar and Sabiha Ansari, co-founder and VP of the American Muslim Consumer Consortium.
One mumpreneur who will be exhibiting next weekend is mother-of-two Shahin Hussain from Watford who started The Mocktail Company just three months ago.
The business, which makes non-alcoholic mocktails, has already sold 19,000 bottles and is stocked in over 50 outlets. It is now looking to launch two new flavours by the end of the year, alongside its debut product – a non-alcoholic mojito called Nojito.
“I noticed that there was huge gap in the market and got the inspiration from there.” says Shahin.
“I had no experience of manufacturing at all but we started to do some taste tests and within a few weeks we were up and running. I have two small children, so it does get difficult to juggle everything but I’ve managed so far and I’m looking forward to promoting the Nojito at MLE next week.”
Over 10,000 visitors are expected at MLE2016 with exhibitors including Turkish Airlines, ASDA, Al Rayan Bank, RAF, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Manchester Art Galleries, London Beard Company, Abaci, Modestly Active and Human Appeal.
Exhibitors from over 20 countries will also be represented including USA, Qatar, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Russia, Turkey, France, Austria, Germany and UAE.
The expo, at EventCity Manchester, will also feature a live modest fashion show with leading brands, a dedicated health and kids zone, live food demo theatre featuring Great British Bake Off’s Ali Imdad, comedy by British Muslim comedians like Aatif Nawaz and BBC Three’s Guzzy Bear and performances by renowned artist Khāled Siddīq.
Thought leaders and established entrepreneurs will highlight the growth of the Muslim lifestyle markets and share business insights at the MLE Connect seminars.
“The traditional working class Muslim woman doesn’t often get the support to start a business and they don’t use traditional crowdfunding methods” adds Tahir Mirza.
“It is one of the main reasons why we created the Muslim Lifestyle Expo 2016 to allow Muslim female entrepreneurs the platform and confidence to showcase their products, network and connect with the wider business world.”
MLE2016 has attracted Turkish Airlines as the main sponsor and Human Appeal International as the chosen Charity Partner. MLE will also partner with brands such as restaurant chain MyLahore, AHDB who work with the meat industry and global organisations such as the Islamic Fashion & Design Council.
MLE2016 takes place at Manchester’s EventCity on October 29th to 30th. For further information about the event or to register as an exhibitor email: info@muslimlifestyleexpo.co.uk or visit www.muslimlifestyleexpo.co.uk
