Supporting the start-up ecosystem in Palestine
For Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day 2023, we celebrate small entrepreneurs from all over the world. Small businesses account for 90% of the world's businesses, 60 to 70% of employment, and 50% of the global economy. They contribute to local and national economies and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dua and Ali, please introduce yourself
My name is Dua, I graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at the Islamic University, majoring in accounting. Ali studied accounting in Al-Azhar University in Gaza. We couldn’t find a job after graduating and decided to establish our own agency.
Tell us about your company
We are a startup accounting agency, employing eight people. We specialize in providing comprehensive financial services to small and medium-sized businesses. We understand the unique challenges faced by startups and aim to offer tailored solutions that help them manage their finances effectively. Our suite of services includes bookkeeping, tax filing, payroll management, and other related accounting work.
What are your needs?
Like any new venture, one significant challenge we faced was establishing our reputation in a competitive market. Building trust and credibility with potential clients required extensive networking, showcasing our expertise, and delivering exceptional service.
We need a strong brand presence, increasing visibility, and reaching the target audience. That requires effective marketing and advertising campaigns, including digital marketing, social media, content creation, and public relations. We also need to build a robust sales team, develop sales strategies to drive revenue growth and expand the customer base.
As a growing accounting startup, our needs primarily revolve around resources. We need funds to invest in advanced accounting software and tools, hire and train skilled professionals, and enhance our marketing and advertising efforts.
What is your greatest success?
Our best success so far has been the consistent growth of our client base. Through our commitment to delivering high-quality services and building strong relationships with our clients, we have been able to attract new businesses and retain existing ones. This success has also been reflected in positive feedback and referrals from satisfied clients even though our agency was established only one year ago. Our reputation has even reached Abu Dhabi.
What message do you have for other entrepreneurs?
You should stay focused on your vision because entrepreneurship often involves taking risks and making tough decisions. In the face of uncertainty and doubt, remind yourself of your long-term vision and the impact you aim to make. You might face trials and challenges, but with determination, passion and effort, you will overcome any obstacles.
