It is not widely known whether Muna AbuSulayman is a fan of or is inspired by Spider-Man. However, when in the Sam Raimi films the superhero is told by Uncle Ben that with great power comes great responsibility, the old man might well have been talking about this eternally boundary-pushing America-born Saudi entrepreneur.
AbuSulayman, a well-known Saudi journalist and entrepreneur, has a long track record of achievements in development and women’s empowerment. She has led many firms and organizations to success, garnering a reputation as one of the region’s most influential figures.
And not without reason. She has used her fame and influence to, among other things, change the way public discourse on problems faced by women — she co-hosted Kalam Nawaem — and as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador championed humanitarian causes like the Tetanus Shot Campaign in 2011 for Yemen.
In an exclusive interview with TRENDS, AbuSulayman described her journey, which began spontaneously with “uniqueness.” She said she never chased fame and recognition, but her distinctive skill to help people, and the activist and observer characteristics linked to her personality led to her being recognized by international organizations.
“My journey began because there was a need, not because I wanted it to,” she explains.
“I’m more of a person who values well-executed work. I believe in justice and that everyone should be treated fairly. When I was in the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia, I acquired a variety of perspectives. I’ve discovered that I can help people and that I have a unique vision.
“At the time, there weren’t as many Arab women as possible who could speak and convey their messages effectively. So, I was a little bit different, especially because I spoke English and was quite comfortable with the Islamic, Arab, and Western worlds, which wasn’t the standard at the time”.
Influence on social media
Being in the spotlight has never appealed to AbuSulayman, who dislikes the 24-hour celebrity culture.
“I got well-known during the television era, which I believe is a lot easier. As a result, I did not become a star because of the social media craze,” she says.
“Everyone who follows me on social media knows I am pretty limited in what I post except on Twitter. Consumption and confessionalism are the social media pillars. I believe that these two forces are harmful to a person’s mental, family, and social well-being.”
She continued: “We’re all addicted to social media. We’re all watching the reels. But I’m not obligated to take part in it. What we need to figure out is how to create important and meaningful content for this new world and the new generations”.
Challenges for women entrepreneurs
Being an entrepreneur and owning a business is one approach for more women in Saudi Arabia to become more independent and acquire equality in the business world.
The challenges that AbuSulayman had faced as a female entrepreneur have almost disappeared in Saudi Arabia, she claimed.
According to her, things are constantly changing, and hence Saudi Arabia from five years ago is not the Saudi Arabia today.
However, one issue that continues to be a point of conflict in the Arab and international regions is access to capital.
“While some venture capitalists have shifted their focus to female entrepreneurs to create a level playing field, women entrepreneurs continue to be pushed into micro and tiny firms,” said AbuSulayman.
“Transitioning from a small to a medium-sized business acquires substantial networking, which most women in Saudi Arabia and even worldwide lack.”
Additionally, women are still not encouraged to join on the boards of directors of most large companies, and thus these are the points that she believes are critical to making.
She added that many people are unaware that Saudi women have been involved in technology and hard sciences for an extended period due to segregation.
However, with remarkable of in Saudi Arabia, “we are now having a flow of women in these domains,” she said.
“We are currently seeing women in the sector within Saudi Arabia and the Western world due to the investments made over the years by the government, families, community, and educational sector.”
Advice for starting a successful business
On the other hand, women interested in entrepreneurship should know that they will be serial entrepreneurs until they succeed. Therefore, they should not be afraid of failure, said AbuSulayman
“Make sure to do your study, such as understanding the financials of how to run a firm, and comprehend them,” she urged.
“Gather a team and do not undertake it on your own. Collaborate with co-founders. It is always preferable to have companionship. Entrepreneurship requires a great deal of perseverance.”
AbuSulayman however, does not view young entrepreneurs in good light since they lack experience working in firms for an extended period and learning from others.
“I always say learn with other people’s money first, so that when you work in a company for five to 10 years. There is a reason the most successful entrepreneurs are over 35. They spent 10-12 years of their lives working in companies, learning the systems, and figuring out how to manage teams and resolve conflict.”
Young entrepreneurs who have never worked before struggle tremendously, and then their business collapses early on, forcing them to either close the door or remain in debt for an extended period, she said.
“Defer your entrepreneurial endeavors until you’ve gained the experience of working in a company and gained a great deal of knowledge,” explained AbuSulayman.