NEWS AND BLOG

In today's world, where challenges for young female entrepreneurs are truly significant, stories of women who dared to start their own businesses far from home hold a special place. Such stories speak of courage, perseverance, and passion - qualities essential for success in the business world. These women face not only the usual challenges of entrepreneurship but also additional obstacles such as language barriers, adapting to a new culture, and building a network of clients and collaborators in unfamiliar environments. Their success inspires everyone considering starting a business beyond their country's borders.

Selma is the owner of a beauty salon in Munich, operating since 2019. She specializes in permanent makeup and lash-brow lifting, offering her clients top-tier treatments that enhance their natural beauty. Although originally from Bosnia, Selma has earned the trust of women from diverse backgrounds and coming from different places. Her satisfied clients often serve as the best advertisement for her work, as they showcase the quality of her treatments daily, attracting attention and new clients.

Selma’s Journey

Selma's entrepreneurial journey began as a hobby fueled by her passion for aesthetics. In 2019, she started working on eyelash extensions, and by 2020, she completed her first training.

"I've always admired well-groomed women, and I’m a woman who loves looking her best," Selma shares. Her enthusiasm for shaping and beautifying eyebrows initially drew the attention of friends and family, motivating her to complete her first training. "Training after training, client after client, it all brought me to where I am today," she explains.

Family Background and Support

Entrepreneurship has always been a part of Selma's family, though limited by circumstances in their home country. Her father occasionally transported passengers, while her mother baked cakes. Although these were small ventures, they inspired Selma and gave her the push to make her own path.

Overcoming Challenges

Like many women in entrepreneurship, Selma faced numerous challenges. "A lack of confidence and fear of failure were my biggest obstacles," Selma reveals. Securing initial funding was another major hurdle. She started a job she disliked to save money for her business investment. In her free time, she devoted herself to what she truly loved, enhancing women's beauty. Once she had enough funds, she could fully commit to the work that fulfilled her. Her greatest fear was the possibility of failure when she decided to rent her first space.

Women in Business

Women often have to rely on themselves when starting a business. One of the biggest obstacles for women occurs during the process of securing loans or incentives. However, Selma used this as an opportunity to develop a solid business plan showcasing growth potential. Another significant challenge was prioritizing and balancing work with her personal life.

Mistakes as Growth Opportunities

"Unfortunately or fortunately, I’m one of those women who has to do everything on her own," Selma admits.
No one is immune to mistakes in their work. While mistakes are part of every business process, Selma seesthem as opportunity to learn and grow. Through education, practical experience, and support from family and friends, she has learned to deal with naysayers and focus on her professional development rather than the opinions of others.

Maintaining an excellent relationships with her clients, Selma tries to resolve all issues collaboratively. She builds relationships based on trust and open communication, often gaining insights and advice from her clients.

Success Through Effort and Patience

For Selma, the ultimate reward is the happiness on her clients’ faces. "The biggest success in my profession is seeing a smile and hearing 'Thank you, Selma,' after a treatment," she says proudly.

Although she sometimes has doubts about her abilities, Selma actively works on building confidence through education and hands-on experience.

Passion as the Key to Success

For every entrepreneur, time and profit hold different meanings. Selma believes her business is not just about money. She continuously invests in her education to provide clients with the highest quality service and incorporates client feedback to better understand their needs and expectations. She believes that working on her business ultimately means working on herself.

Her passion for her work stems from pure love for what she does, making every satisfied client a reward in her development.

Advice for Young Women Aspiring to Start a Business

Selma emphasizes the importance of confidence and dedication. "Be a woman who carries money in her pocket, intelligence in her head, confidence on her face, and success in her work," she advises. She also highlights the value of education and surrounding oneself with positive, supportive people.

Selma's story proves that effort, commitment, and belief in one’s abilities always yield results, no matter where one is. Through hard work and the courage to follow her passion, she has shown that achieving dreams, even abroad, is possible. Her journey motivates those who may be hesitant to take the first step toward their goals, reminding us that success is not measured by where we work but by the effort we invest and the results we achieve. No matter the obstacles, hard work always pays off.