Muslim Business Owner Reveals Her Two-Word Mantra for Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs in Birmingham
Sajida Parveen, a 39-year-old Muslim business owner from Sparkhill, has opened up about the realities of being a female entrepreneur in Birmingham, more than a decade after launching her first retail venture. The founder of The Perfume Closet and Hooriyat's Jewellery Boutique on Stratford Road has become a prominent figure in the local business community, demonstrating to young women that it's essential to "back yourself" when pursuing entrepreneurial dreams.
Overcoming Challenges in the Business World
Despite now running two successful businesses for ten years, Sajida candidly admits that her journey hasn't been without significant obstacles. The devoted mother, who studied psychology and business at Aston Business School, revealed that her "biggest challenge" initially was "being taken seriously" in business environments.
"When you're dealing with setting up a business and need certain things to go right, it's about being taken seriously in that moment when all you're dealing with are people who look different to you in terms of gender," she explained to BirminghamLive.
Sajida reflected that her entrepreneurial path had perhaps "taken a lot longer" than necessary, suggesting that gender dynamics may have played a role in the extended timeline. She specifically mentioned difficulties securing prime retail locations, noting that landlords and agents sometimes questioned her seriousness as a businessperson compared to potential male tenants.
Evolution of Support for Women Entrepreneurs
Despite the challenges she faced earlier in her career, Sajida emphasizes that significant progress has occurred in recent years. "I think a lot has changed. People are willing to champion women once they believe they've already done a good job," she observed.
The business owner acknowledged that while support exists within the community for women entrepreneurs, female business owners often feel they must "go a longer way to prove things" compared to their male counterparts. "Our community has come a long way, but I think you have a lot to prove and I think that's what the issue is," she added thoughtfully.
Empowering Advice for the Next Generation
Sajida's central message to young women considering entrepreneurship is remarkably simple yet powerful: "Back yourself." She elaborates that aspiring business owners should "not be afraid to choose yourself" and follow through on their innovative ideas.
This year marked a significant personal milestone for Sajida as she decided to become the public face of her business, modeling for a fragrance campaign that subsequently featured in Caprice's new Birmingham-based film, An English Christmas Wish. This experience reinforced her belief in self-advocacy.
"You need to get behind yourself, because you won't go away and you will champion and you will go the mile for yourself," she emphasized. "It's taken me a full circle to realize that, but that's what I'd say to people - don't be afraid to choose you and back yourself."
Sajida Parveen's journey from psychology student to successful business owner serves as an inspiring example for Birmingham's diverse entrepreneurial community, particularly for Muslim women navigating the business landscape while balancing cultural expectations and professional ambitions.
