Can you share your journey of being a young Saudi woman pursuing education in the UK and
how that influenced your career path?
My family moved to the UK when I was quite young, around 10/11 years old so I attended
secondary school there as well as high school and eventually university. When I graduated
university I started working and definitely working in the UK instilled in me good work ethics and
I learnt so much, giving me the confidence to start my own thing.
As a restaurateur, what inspired you to enter the food industry, and how do you bring a unique
perspective to your restaurants?
The initial idea wasn’t to open a fully fledged restaurant as our main concept was indoor mini
golf, however we wanted to ensure that the customer experience was a full one, one that aims
to satisfy all the senses. As we were providing something new to the Saudi market (mini golf) we
wanted to also provide high quality food and drinks along with it and that’s something that is
very important to us, to consistently offer high quality items.
Balancing motherhood and being a businesswoman can be challenging. How do you manage
and prioritize your time effectively?
I’m a new mum so I’m definitely still learning how to navigate everything. It is very challenging
but I have to remind myself that this is an adjusted period and things do not need to be perfect.
The concept of time completely changes when you have a newborn so you have to be
extremely flexible and not let the chaos of it all overwhelm you, especially when you have so
much work to do. The work will get done, you just need to allow more time than usual and also
give yourself credit for getting things done when you already have an overflowing plate.
Co-founding a Golf Range is quite distinctive. What led to your involvement in this venture, and
how do you see it contributing to the community?
Mini golf was one of the activities I did frequently when living in the UK. In recent years there’s
been a mini golf boom if you will and it became so popular so every now and then I would go to
play with different friend groups, it’s also something my husband and I enjoyed doing as well
and when we moved back to Jeddah we wished there was something similar, there wasn’t and
so that was the inspiration behind Groovy Golf. I think its a great activity to have in our
community as it teaches so many different skills and is a stepping stone to pursuing an activity
like golf as well as being a fun and healthy way to spend time with friends and family. Its
something different to do and something that is inline with the Kingdom’s 2030 vision.
Can you highlight a significant achievement or challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how
did it shape your approach to business?
One of the more challenging things I had to deal with when we started our business was the
huge difference in how people here (in KSA) worked and operated in comparison to the UK. The
level of professionalism (or lack thereof) definitely varied when it came to dealing with different
parties such as contractors, suppliers and even some staff members. I had to change that way I
normally work / operated and had to adapt to how things are done here which was difficult for
me initially.
Being in both the culinary and sports industries, how do you integrate your passion for these
diverse fields into your business ventures?
It is because I’m passionate about both these industries that I strive to ensure that everything
I’m providing is of the highest quality, whether it’s the ingredients used in our food and drink
items or the design and materials used for our mini golf holes.
What role do you believe entrepreneurship plays in empowering women, particularly in Saudi
Arabia, and how have you contributed to this empowerment through your endeavors?
I think entrepreneurship gives women the drive or push to pursue their vision, whether it’s an
idea, an invention, a new approach to something that exists already. Entrepreneurship is also
something that is being encouraged by our government which further gives us the confidence
and courage to start our own projects. In Saudi Arabia, especially now more so than in the past,
there is very little we cannot do as women and I think that in itself is empowering.
In your experience, what are some key considerations for young entrepreneurs looking to start
their own businesses, especially in unique industries like restaurants and golf?
I would say first and foremost do not let people tell you you can’t do something or that
something has to be done a certain way and that way only. The second thing I would say is do
not be discouraged or think of throwing in the towel if things are difficult or more challenging
than you thought, perseverance will get you there.
As a UK-educated individual, how has your international education influenced your perspective
on business and entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia?
Business or the way business is conducted in Saudi is certainly different and because of this
huge shift I had to learn to adapt to how things are done here and not get frustrated when things
are done differently to how I’m used to. However when it comes to entrepreneurship, thats a
field where I’d say Saudi is excelling at as there are so many government initiatives that
encourage and aid entrepreneurs.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future, both personally and professionally?
My aspiration is to be successful as a business woman and as a mother. The restaurant
industry in Saudi is huge but it can also be a bit harsh. Restaurants sometimes can be a trend,
they’re hot one moment and the next they’re not, being able to navigate that situation whilst
continuing to provide a fulfilling customer experience to our guests is something I consider a
success.