Nada Qureshi, an accomplished digital marketing manager, has embarked on an extraordinary journey from scaling renowned brands to becoming an influential entrepreneur dedicated to empowering professionals to achieve success in their own ventures. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, Nada’s strategic expertise has played a pivotal role in the growth of several prominent organizations within the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC).
“I have had the privilege of joining three different startups as the digital marketing in charge, and in each instance, I played a pivotal role in transforming these companies into household brand names. Through innovative digital marketing strategies, I propelled their growth and success, leaving a lasting impact before moving on to new endeavors,” remembered Nada.
“Continuing my journey, I had the opportunity to work with two multinational companies renowned for their dominance in the real estate and luxury fashion industries where I was recognized for multiple campaigns, both locally and globally”
Having worked with startups as the digital marketing lead, Nada has been instrumental in transforming these companies into household brand names. Through innovative digital marketing strategies, she has driven their growth and success, leaving a lasting impact before moving on to new endeavors. Nada also thrived in roles within multinational companies in the real estate and luxury fashion industries, where her employee engagement campaigns earned recognition, including a Guinness World Record, and showcased her expertise in delivering innovative marketing campaigns.
Transforming Careers Across the Region
Born and raised in Dubai, Nada was always passionate about entrepreneurship, but it remained a distant dream. However, she couldn’t ignore her entrepreneurial spirit for long. In July 2008, she made a bold move to join forces with her business partner to democratize entrepreneurship and make it accessible to all skilled employees. This led to the inception of The Startup Factory UAE, a comprehensive agency that serves as a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs, providing them with complete support to plan, start, and grow their dream businesses and design the lives they aspire to lead.
Through its range of professional services, mentorship programs, and supportive community, The Startup Factory bridges the gap between corporate professionals and the exciting world of entrepreneurship. Under Nada’s leadership, the organization has fostered a culture of innovation, collaboration, and growth, empowering countless aspiring entrepreneurs to take the leap and build their ventures.
The more Nada got coached by experienced entrepreneurs, the more she realized that a lack of support was a major factor contributing to the high failure rate of startups within the first five years.
This realization fuelled Nada’s passion for entrepreneurship even further, and she took it upon herself to assist students, professionals, mothers, and even retired individuals in transforming their unfulfilling careers into purposeful journeys they could be proud of.
“Over the years, I have noticed that this mindset shift isn’t restricted to ‘employees becoming entrepreneurs’ because many people have what it takes to be successful entrepreneurs but lack the financial literacy and tools to take the leap. That’s why, this year, we have dedicated significant resources towards creating defined programs and mentorship packages for this purpose,”- Nada said proudly.
Tackling Challenges
Nada strongly believes that the current entrepreneurial landscape is entirely saturated with excessive market noise mainly generated by individuals and entities who lack the necessary expertise to consult and educate entrepreneurs effectively. This noise often comes from so-called ‘marketing gurus’ and ‘marketing agencies’ who make massive promises but fail to deliver on their claims or provide no substantial value at all. Sadly, this phenomenon has created a sense of distrust and disillusionment among aspiring entrepreneurs, widening the gap between people and their confidence in their abilities to succeed in the world of entrepreneurship.
Prioritizing Diversity and Inclusion
A Pakistani/Egyptian by heritage, Nada had the privilege of growing up in the vibrant and diverse city of Dubai. She profoundly values and embraces diversity, considering it an integral part of her identity. She deeply recognizes the strength and richness that diversity brings to professional and personal experiences.
In a fortunate turn of events, Nada decided to transition The Startup Factory to a remote work model two months prior to the global COVID-19 lockdown. This foresight proved immensely beneficial for the organization during the challenging period of lockdowns and travel restrictions. As the world shifted towards remote work and remote opportunities became more prevalent, The Startup Factory was able to tap into a talent pool beyond geographical boundaries.
As a result, The Startup Factory now boasts team members in six different countries. The hiring criteria for the company are solely based on the individual’s personality and skill sets rather than their physical location. This approach allows The Startup Factory to assemble a diverse team of professionals who bring unique perspectives, talents, and experiences to the table.
Mission and Vision
Under Nada’s leadership, The Startup Factory’s vision extends beyond business success. She firmly believes that entrepreneurship can bring about meaningful change and enable people to design their dream lives, set their own boundaries and create a lasting legacy through their ventures.
The Startup Factory aims to make entrepreneurship and financial freedom accessible and effectively support every skilled individual.
The Startup Factory’s mission is to empower individuals with the needed knowledge, resources, and support to unlock their entrepreneurial potential. They foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence while promoting social impact and sustainability. By democratizing entrepreneurship and providing comprehensive education, networking, and mentorship opportunities, The Startup Factory strives to create a thriving ecosystem where aspiring entrepreneurs can build successful businesses that drive innovation, create positive change, and shape a better future.
Future Roadmap
Looking ahead, Nada Qureshi and her team at The Startup Factory are committed to making entrepreneurship accessible to all aspiring individuals. By creating affordable and standardized courses and programs, they aim to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
Through Nada’s vision and leadership, The Startup Factory is transforming lives, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating a positive impact in the business world.