Exclusive Trusted Magazine Q&A with Rita El Khoury , Co-Founder @Cultivo
How could you describe your career path in few words?
My career path can be described as diverse and dynamic. It is diverse because it encompasses a range of experiences, both within and beyond my job, that have allowed me to continually grow and develop personally and professionally, within only few years. It started with my final year project in Chemical Engineering at university and my high academic records, which were the bridge to my job. For almost 4 years, I have succeeded in managing and delivering several projects in the field of environment, chemical and production industries. Along the way, I pursued more than 7 entrepreneurship programs, online courses, workshops and Training-of-Trainers (ToT) sessions that honed my skills and allowed me to develop the right entrepreneurial mindset, resulting in successfully launching a new startup company called CULTIVO – Cultivating the Future. I had also the opportunity to be invited as a guest speaker to a panel discussion held about women in sustainability, and to be one of the participants in the regional focus group about sustainability in the MENA region. Also, I have been an active volunteer within my community as I enjoy giving-back, especially to youth. The volunteering activities ranged from being youth peer mentor, to peer jury member in more than 3 entrepreneurship competitions and programs. Last but not least, I got selected to be among the EU Jeel Connectors in Lebanon, where I am being exposed to new opportunities and engaged with bright young change-makers from different areas. Through this path that I am pursuing so far, I have sought to learn, grow, make an impact and continually challenge myself to take on new and diverse challenges and opportunities.
What was your most challenging experience and it has changed your mindset?
As a fresh graduate entering the workforce, I faced some challenges as I had to learn new tasks, not taught on a university level, and navigate the demands of the job. At first, I struggled to keep up with the pace and complexity of the work. But, since I do love my major and the work field that I started in, I was determined to learn and grow in my role, so I put in extra effort to develop the skills needed. Also, I was fortunate to be in a work environment that is supportive, collaborative and that showed me the potential I didn’t see in myself. I was always encouraged to take on new challenges and push myself outside of my comfort zone, which helped me in shaping my skills and improving my performance. This experience changed my mindset from one of fixed-mindset thinking to one of growth. I realized that anyone’s abilities and skills are not fixed, but rather could be developed through effort, dedication and perseverance, and above them all, they are fostered in the right environment and with the right like-minded people around, that will allow you to grow and be an asset to any team or organization. Also, the growth-mindset that I have developed so far has been a valuable asset in my entrepreneurial endeavors. Specifically, it fueled my passion for side-hustling, enabling me to successfully grow a startup company within my family's business in the agro-industrial sector.
Based on your experiences, what skills should an entrepreneur develop in 2023?
As an entrepreneur, there are several skills that you should develop to be successful. In my perspective, it is a combination of both interpersonal and technical skills that are indispensable for establishing and maintaining a thriving business venture. Interpersonal skills are essential for building relationships with customers, employees and partners. Some of the most important skills to me are communication, teamwork, leadership, and empathy. Being empathetic as an entrepreneur is the key for being able to understand and relate to the needs, existing gaps and perspectives of others, especially potential customers, and provide solutions accordingly. A successful entrepreneur should be able also to effectively articulate and communicate their vision and goals to others, inspire and motivate their team, and listen to constructive feedback and suggestions from others. Additionally, having strong leadership skills can help an entrepreneur lead the team to achieve the company's goals, navigate difficult situations and make tough decisions. On the other hand, technical skills are also important for entrepreneurs. The skills that I found essential throughout my journey so far are related to financial management, digital marketing, market study and of course, the specific skills that will depend on the industry and the individual business. Having a strong understanding of the market from one side, and of the business financial management from the other side, can help an entrepreneur make informed decisions about their business, conduct feasibility study and keep their finances in order. Digital marketing skills are increasingly important nowadays with more and more businesses operating online, having the social media and ecommerce platforms being the main channels for promoting and selling the products or services. Overall, by honing these skills, an entrepreneur can increase their chances of succeeding and creating a thriving business.
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?
In recent years, our generation has faced unprecedented challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic to the economic recession and beyond. So, if I had one piece of advice for an entrepreneur's success in the context of 2023, it would be to remain agile and adaptable. This means being open to new ideas and willing to take calculated risks. It also means being willing to experiment and iterate on your products or services until you find the right fit for your target market. In addition, it means staying up to date on new technologies and trends that may impact your business, and being willing to embrace them when appropriate. As we move forward into the future, it is clear that these skills or mindset will be essential for success, particularly for entrepreneurs navigating the rapidly changing and evolving business landscape. By remaining agile, adaptable and by embracing the different changes facing you as an entrepreneur, your ability to continuously pivot and adjust your business strategy in response to changes in the market is critical for success and sustainability.
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