Some people don’t mess around. They don’t sit on a couch and say I can’t, I don’t know how, I shouldn’t, I won’t. They get an idea and they get up and they run with it. They run, and they run and they run until they show themselves and everyone else around them that they should, they can and they did!
Such a person is Layla Naseh. In 2004, at the tender age of 21 she came to Sweden from Iraq and after just two months decided to start the cleaning company Hygienteamet AB. Not only did she manage to support herself but a mere two years later she has 8 employees and an annual turnover of 2 million kronor. On Tuesday October 14 she received royal recognition for her efforts in the form of the Årets Nybyggare – Nystart 2009 prize (ground breaker of the year – new start) from the King of Sweden and a cheque for 100,000 kr.
The jury’s motivation, if not already obvious,
"She came to Sweden just 21 years old. Her language abilities, drive and her honesty have resulted in her now leading a successful company.”
Clearly she has drive and determination that deserves recognition! Not too much sitting around thinking about what she can't do for Layla!
In order to start she sold the family’s car as well as borrowed money from friends. Her partner was unemployed and they had a young child to consider. “Her winning concept has been her focus on a particular niche and her early understanding of the importance of caring for her staff. This resulted in doubling her turnover and profit as well as going from two to ten employees.”
The prize Årets Nybyggare goes to a person of foreign background, living in Sweden who, in a short time and with limited resources, has started a company. The prize has been awarded annually by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav since 1999, not only to a clever Swedish business person of foreign background but also to pay tribute to all newcomers to Sweden who have chosen self-employment as a way to support themselves. The award also aims to highlight particular difficulties these businessmen and women have faced and overcome. The award winners should inspire others and show that it is possible to be a newcomer to Sweden and be a successful businessperson.
Approximately 6000 newcomers choose every year to start their own business, despite difficulties and a lack of contacts. Even though we have over 70 000 people of non-Swedish descent contributing to the Swedish economy in the form of their own business, IFS (International Entrepreneur Association) want more to take the step to self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Layla Naseh was not alone in receiving a prize. Årets Nybyggare includes category A – New Start and category B – Pioneer. Shadi Bitar and Ninos Malki of Earbooks AB were chosen as this year’s Pioneers.
Shadi Bitar was born in Syria in 1978 and came to Sweden in 1989, Ninos Malki also born in Syria in 1978 came in 1990. While studying at KTH Shadi was keen to make his study time more effective and free up time for other activities. He got an idea that would make it easier for students to learn – there was currently no market for audio books for course literature.
Despite challenges during the early stages he managed to bring in external capital in 2006, justify his business idea and make the company profitable. He now also has a subsidiary to Earbooks AB, selling audio books in another format, Book2Go.
Jury’s motivation:
“Shadi Bitar and Ninos Malki with their company Earbooks AB represent a new Swedish entrepreneur’s generation. They are you, well educated and choose to start a company rather than accept secure employment. They have in the last three years gone from a turnover of 1.5 million kronor to 15 million.”
Congratulations to Layla, Shadi and Ninos! They have not only dramatically changed their lives but are truly fantastic role models who simply decided to say I should, I can, I will. And they did!
Ever wonder why there is so much talk about the challenges non-Swedes face as entrepreneurs?? Perhaps the answer can be seen in the fact that only one of the newspapers covered this event - thanks Aftonbladet!
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