Exclusive Trusted Magazine Q&A with Farah Farchoukh, CEO and Founder Let's Graduate®
How could you describe your career path in a few words?
My career path started when I was 15 years old, it was very important for me to build independence to free my soul. Independence from different layers, being able to detach from a specific school, work, social media, etc. Here is when I started my first work as a freelancer private teacher. It made me so happy to help kids of my age reach their goals. At school, biology was always interesting to me, so I specialized in medical sciences at the university and worked in hospitals and clinics for 3 years. At that time, I proceeded as a freelancer as a side business but it was heartbreaking to see kids failing and leaving schools so early, mostly due to a lack of understanding of sciences. That's when I decided to open a scientific academy merging my deep understanding of science and my teaching skills by using techniques and strategies in elaborating complex data.
Let's Graduate is solution-driven on a mission to empower learners with modern education and future skills. It focuses on innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking in a scientific approach that creates competitive learners for a future community, keeping kids in school and preparing them for future in-demand skills. Being an entrepreneur helped me discover my personality skills at the same weight as the need to improve them constantly. As for my current career path, I am working on my tech skills, specifically AI and DS to digitalize my startup and create new ones in medical AI solutions. In the end, the beauty of entrepreneurship is that it gives you the freedom to experience it.
What was your most challenging experience and it has changed your mindset?
The covid-19 era is yet the most challenging experience faced in my business, as my startup was still new and was reaching its first milestones. A disadvantage we faced is that the business wasn't designed to digitally provide services and I had to create quick digitalized solutions. Also, I had more free time so I worked on business legal papers and marketing strategies. Moreover, I invested in my skills and business opportunities, so I enrolled in two extensive programs in Lebanon and New York. Where afterward, I was invited as the only speaker in the Middle East in the New York program. Add to that, I had the chance to join governmental and educational partners and pitch my startup! What I learned is that challenges are great chances to pull yourself from your comfort zone and reach higher levels.
Based on your experience, what skills should an entrepreneur develop in 2023?
An entrepreneur in the fast-paced generation needs to develop his tech skills and find ways to digitalize his product/service. As the tech industries are on the rise, one should find compatibility to meet the market. He will also need adaptability skills as businesses shift constantly depending on circumstances such as health, governmental, economic, safety, and others. During challenges, he is required to make sharp quick decisions that secure his business.
Also, an entrepreneur will require to leverage his digital presence on channels such as, but not only, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and others. As digital marketing became more relevant, a strong presence and the power of SEO is important in 2023. Networking is an important skill as well, establishing relationships with people from the same industry, related, or different helps strengthen your business, as it creates fruitful collaboration and opportunities.
Based on your recent experiences, if you had one piece of advice for an entrepreneur's success in the context of 2023, what would it be?
A 2023 entrepreneur will need to be teachable; and learn self-believing, as the entrepreneurship journey is all about ups and downs and it is being greatly important to believe in your startup by doing everything possible to keep it alive. Learn balance, the more you take care of your well-being the healthier your business becomes.
Learn new skills, as skills are crucial for hiring, based on LinkedIn. Because when your skills are in demand, you're in demand. No matter the setback, looming re-org, or change in strategy, learning in-demand skills can help individuals and teams reach their career goals, even in the face of a tough macro environment. Learn technology and create tech ropes for your business. The more you constantly develop and improve your business, the more you are ahead.
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