Archive for Women Entrepreneurs – Page 19

Who is Amanda Owens?

Amanda Owens is a classic American entrepreneur with a 21st century idea. While still in college, Amanda founded Future Female Leaders (originally Future First Lady). She initially went to Twitter in 2012 to express her concerns and opinions about current events and the political climate of our nation as well as the whirlwind that is the life of the young, conservative woman.

In the past four years, Amanda’s social media presence has grown tremendously through her organization. Through social media she has built a an energetic community of hundreds of thousands of women ready to make a difference in their country. Once she found her niche, Amanda started designing conservative themed apparel and gifts. She then began to process and package orders for her merchandise out of her apartment.

Now, Future Female Leaders is America’s leading social movement for young, conservative women. Their website now boasts a FFL store where all of Amanda’s apparel and gifts are sold. The Future Female Leaders website also contains a blog (one of the best!) and links to some of Amanda’s favorite websites as well as books she recommends. The organization not only supports young women in their conservative beliefs, it offers them leadership positions through its cabinet and contributor programs. The key to Amanda’s success has been her and the organization’s presence on social media and the inspiration and support they offer to young, conservative women.

To visit the Future Female Leaders website, click here.

 

Madeleine Kulab – The Fisherwoman of Gaza

On the shore of Gaza, 1.8 million people are stranded under an Israeli military blockade reinforced by Egypt’s border closure. Gaza is known to many as one of the hardest places to live, and even harder to start a business. The United Nations has said that under the current conditions, Gaza could be uninhabitable by 2020. That didn’t stop Madeleine Kulab from defying the cultural norms and starting a fishing and tourism business a decade ago, when she was only 13 years old. She now gives work to five men and owns two boats, which she uses for fishing and offering tours aimed at women and children. Madeleine saw an opportunity created by the conservative Gazan society – women alone might not feel comfortable on a man’s boat. She took out a loan from the Bank of Palestine, participated in a mini-MBA program, and hired a local artist to paint Disney characters on her touring boat as a marketing strategy. Madeleine now makes between 800 and 1,000 shekels a month – about $250. A typical Gazan family on aid gets only 400 shekels a month.

Madeleine Kulab

Madeleine Kulab Credit: Elizabeth MacBride

Madeleine Kulab has a remarkable story of courage and perseverance. She gets plenty of harassment for her entrepreneurial decision – Gazan culture certainly doesn’t welcome women entrepreneurs with open arms. Many young people are itching to leave Gaza – but the permits and visas needed make it nearly impossible. Madeleine is a wonderful example of learning to make the most of the current situation, pushing the limits of society and economy. Her life isn’t easy, by any means, but her bravery and determination enables her to provide for her family and give work to others in her community. Madeleine hopes to see other women joining her in her efforts. “I’m just as ordinary as anybody else,” she said. “I don’t want to be the only fisherwoman in Gaza.”

For more on Madeleine Kulab, read her story here.