עברית
In honor of International Women’s Day, the female entrepreneurs of Western Galilee Now share their winning tips for women who want to start an independent business. Get a tip from woman to woman.
Efrat Sade — The Secrets of the Kibbutz Miracle
“Connect with your heart and intuition. Feel what’s right for you and don’t be afraid to take the necessary steps even when it is challenging, and don’t be afraid to admit when it doesn’t feel right. The business should reflect you, and when you are authentic to yourself, the business feels authentic as well — and that authenticity attracts people.”
Sharon Perez — Yodfat Cafe & Havat Rom Bistro
“When I think of independent women in business, I think of our uniqueness as females and mothers in the world. Women and men alike can run successful businesses – for both sexes, it is challenging and requires diligence, dedication, and strength. But women hold a special place as mothers, which gives them natural instincts when it comes to inclusion and mediation, and this also holds true for women who have chosen not to be mothers. Our evolutionary place as women, bearers of life, protectors, and peacekeepers for our children also helps us in business. I see big differences between female and male management, but my restaurants have both male and female managers and this is extremely important for my organization and employees. As female entrepreneurs, we bring with us the gifts we received from nature to our businesses, and it benefits almost every aspect – from hiring, problem-solving, disputes, negotiations, and management. It is important to remember to connect with your feminine side, especially during difficult times in your career. Trust your instincts!”
Avirama Harris — Tour Guide
“When I became a tour guide, I was afraid. At the age of 50, the memory is already starting to weaken and the body is no longer as young as it once was. A mentor I consulted with told me “you can’t make a living as a tour guide”, and I thought to myself maybe he was right, also who would want a 50-year-old guide? More than 10 years have passed and I have since flourished in the profession. I studied all the respectable frameworks and experimented in various fields. Today I make a living from guiding tours, learning, and enjoying the amazing profession and path I have chosen. So my advice is to do what you love, with the passion and dedication you have for that dream, and be precise along the way.”
Nohad Bisan — Sweet Moments
“My name is Nohad, a confectioner and independent female entrepreneur who hosts meetings and guided tours surrounding cooking and Druze cuisine. I grew up in a place where nothing is taken for granted — the local culture, economic hardship, and mentality helped shape my personality. These traits brought me to the central insight on which I have focused my private business: although the environment has the ability to shape a person, the same person also holds the ability to improve themself, their occupation, and personality. With the belief that I, and only I, can provide my own happiness and self-fulfillment, along with the realization of my potential and passions, I began to fulfill my childhood dream. Today we celebrate all women and the strength they hold within! Happy Women’s Day!”
Safta Maha — Authentic Druze Experience
Safta Maha calls out to her female sisters, “Within each and every female lies talent, and on the journey to find it you will feel the intoxication of success, the magic touch that exists along the journey and experience an elevation of your soul upon completion. From my experience as a grandmother, in order to succeed, you have to break the glass ceiling and the barrier of fear. There is no room for doubts; belief in your natural abilities as a female. As a woman approaching the age of 60, I believe that only you can define yourself: instead of cursing the darkness, it is better to light a candle to guide the way. You can do anything dear.”
Shula From Shtula — Home Hospitality & Authentic Kurdish Food
“There are so many businesses of all kinds and styles — people today are more daring and less afraid to open a business. Unfortunately, not all of them survive and sometimes even after years of success, it becomes too expensive. In order not to reach these places with your business you need to proceed carefully, and gradually, while learning how to be flexible to reach a winning formula for a successful business. This consists of several components: content, experience, service, motivation, and a little something special. I wish you the best of luck!”
Orly Coffler — Oroca Handmade Jewelry
“My tip in one word is persistence. There are those days when it seems that nothing is working but you must continue to sow the seeds of your dream. Talk about it, your feelings, and continue to make plans of action.”
Orna Rothbert Nitzan — Styling Therapy Tours in the Galilee
“My tip is persistence, try not to listen to the noises in the background. Continue doing and creating what your love and every day do something that makes you happy – movement, charity, or creation. This is how we exercise the muscle of experimentation and open ourselves to new ideas.”
Adi Shmuel — Adush Food Workshops, Meetings & Experiences
“Dear and beloved women, Happy Women’s Day to each and every one of us! The advice that comes to mind is to listen to your heart and trust your gut feeling. I feel the fear inside and turn it into motivation. I believe in myself because that’s the most important thing! I wish for you to believe in yourself and embrace your strengths because you have female power!”
For Additional Details, Call 072-3941119
Karmit Arbel Rumbak — Tour Guide
“Even water that shapes the world looks for the simple and easy path to flow through and does not climb uphill by force. If they need to reach the top they will change shape, evaporate and find them simplest way to reach their destination. If something comes to you naturally and easily, it does not mean that its importance should be underestimated, remember that it may be your special gift. Do not underestimate the importance of the good and the light you have to bring into the world.”
Yael Netanel — Sculpture Studio, Classes & Workshops
“My advice is a bit complex… but it’s worth understanding and internalizing. At times it can feel like our business defines us, it is our “baby,” and so every time a difficulty arises we feel that we are unworthy. The key is to realize that our business is not us, it is a separate entity. Once you manage to separate the two, everything will become simpler. Because when there is no emotional involvement we are much more matter-of-fact and professional. I suggest you imagine your business separate from yourself and view it as someone might from the outside. Sometimes a new perspective is all that is needed to put things into perspective.”
Miryam Shafir — Aura-Soma in the Galilee
“Today we are in the month of Adar and with it comes to joy. Even in the promotion of your business, joy can serve, and when you are happy, you will influence the environment around you. Set short, achievable goals for yourself on a weekly basis – sales target, amount of new customers, marketing promotion on social networks, and more. Adjust the goals to yourself. You know yourself, your abilities, and your time frame better than anyone! When you reach the goals you set, you will experience joy, and your motivation will increase for the following week! Those little goals, when achieved, feel like small gifts to your soul.”
For Additional Details, Call 072-3941123
Miryam Eik — Yasmine House Authentic Hospitality & Cooking
“A woman can make any dream come true with her own willpower. Women have the mental strength that breaks boundaries. Even if it seems that there is no chance of success, no money, and no one to lend a hand… her willpower will lead her to success.”
Ayelet Bar Meir — Tour Guide
“I don’t really see myself as a businesswoman, yet I do have a tip for independent businesswomen. First, do what you know, in my case leading, in the most interesting and clear way. Second, to build unique products tailored to you, in my case routes, which are built from the topics that fascinate me the most. It is always good to have in the basket of options some products that distinguish you different from others. For example, I instruct all the subjects that my profession requires and at the same time focus on life stories, plants, cultural diversity, and women because these are the subjects that are closest to my heart and I am drawn to them out of love. The love and interest I share can be felt by my participants, and that is what sets me apart from the rest.”
Paula Rykin — Tin-Time Studio for Art, Imagination & Sustainability
“To establish a successful business you need talent and luck, but above all – perseverance! Is it easy to persevere? It is when you are doing something you love… find what excites you, and put your energy there.”
Basma Hino — Noor Galilean Druze Restaurant
“Even if my path becomes dark, I will rise and find the spot of light.”
Hagit Stern — Brioche Catering & Picnic Baskets
“I learned that my most glorious failures helped me during my greatest successes. I learned that my feminine intuitions will always lead me in the right direction. I learned that other successful businesses similar to mine are the best professional advisors that money can never buy. I learned that anything that can be bought to assist in my business is worth the money because the additional time it provides me is priceless. I learned that female power is the strongest substance in nature, stronger than a diamond and enticing too. Above all, I learned to be kind to myself.”
Cathy Raff — Beit Elfarasha Authentic Akko Cooking
“My advice is to initiate an activity that allows you to fulfill a dream. In my case, it was social action with women and multicultural companies. When the action fulfills a dream and is done out of passion, the result is much more than a livelihood or a job.”
Varda Yatom — Sculpture Gallery & Studio
“The tips that seem self-evident to me are first to choose a partner who respects and of course allows for the space, especially mentally, that you need to create. The second is to maintain the initial source of motivation that inspired you in the beginning.”
Dr. Shelley Anne Peleg — Hands On Heritage Tours
“My most important tip for an entrepreneur is – do what you love!”
Salma Assaf — Chateau du Roi
“My winning tip for women is don’t think about failure, your dreams are as true to you as you are to embrace them. The second tip is the forget about age, it is just a number! I fulfilled my dream at the age of 68, and as an integral part of its fulfillment, my next dream was born within me.”
Rima Khoury — Rima House Cultural Center, Workshops & Gallery
“My tips for a better tomorrow? Dreaming is the most beautiful thing, hope is the next best, and while those are important getting up and accomplishing something is the most important! So dream and hope, but most importantly make those hopes and dreams come true.”
Ya’arit Stern — Taste of Art Baking Workshops
“How to make a dream come true? First, start by dreaming. Think big, and don’t be afraid to set big goals, or what might seem like an unrealistic target. We need to understand that we can achieve so much more than we think. Sometimes the greatest barrier lies within your own head. Don’t stop on the way to fulfillment, or be afraid to make a mistake. It is okay to fall because some of our greatest lessons can be found there. Most importantly, always listen to your heart. We know best what is right for us.”
For Additional Details, Call 072-3941161
Tina Khativ — Malabi House & Traditional Sweets
“Dear women, no matter what the goal or target you set for yourself, to reach them the most important thing is this: your belief that it is possible and that you can do anything. Remember it’s like a marathon, when it gets hard it means you’re getting closer to the goal. All you have to do is believe in yourself. You can.”
Hasi Naveh — Hasi Fiber Fabric & Patchwork Studio
“The choice to be independent resulted from my attempt to find a place for my passion for creation and the need to create an island of peace for myself alongside the need to be available as a full-time mother. I didn’t want to go back and be an employee, I was looking to create my own way and a daily schedule that would suit me. My tip is to find great love and passion for what you do – my love is for creation, people, and hospitality.”
More About the Hasi Fiber Studio
Aviva Khoury — Home Cooking
“For a successful start, you need to love yourself. To be successful, love what you do in order to do what you love. You can choose the events in your life and make your dream come true.”
