“We love to listen to our customers and for this reason we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like a bespoke fair trade product made especially for you.”

January 2019 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

January 2019

This January I completed my Social Business Model, Reflective Artifact, attended my graduation ceremony, assisted the NAMA (The Badiri Academy) and the School For Social Entrepreneur London and Liverpool teams to part design the second cohort and enrolled on a play writing course with Alex Broun at the Emirates Literature Foundation.

Social Business Model, Reflective Artifact and Graduation Ceremony

This January I completed my social business canvas my graduation presentation and reflective artifact.

Social Business Canvas

A pdf copy of the Social Business Canvas

Social Business Canvas for The Little Fair Trade Shop - August 2018

SOCIAL BUSINESS CANVAS

PROBLEM

MISCONCEPTION THAT FAIRTRADE IS ‘CHARITY.’

ABSENCE AND LITTLE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ABOUT FAIRTRADE AND THE FAIRTRADE PRINCIPLES.

LACK OF FAIRTRADE OR FAIRLY TRADED PRODUCTS IN THE UAE AND MENA REGION.

CONNECTING CONSUMERS WITH FAIRTRADE PRODUCERS/ARTISANS.

CREATING SUSTAINABLE LONG TERM INCOME GENERATION FOR FAIRTRADE PRODUCERS.

ACTIVITIES

EDUCATING AND RAISING AWARNESS TO CONSUMERS, EDUCATORS, BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

PARTICIPATING AT SPECIALIST MARKETS, EXHIBITIONS AND BOUTIQUES.

VISITING FAIRTRADE PRODUCERS

CONDUCTING AND EDITING INTERVIEWS WITH FAIRTRADE PRODUCERS AND ARTISANS.

WRITING HIGH QUALITY CONTENT BLOGS/VLOGS

DESIGNING PROTOTYPE FAIRTRADE PRODUCTS

IMPORTING PRODUCTS

CONDUCTING PHOTO-SHOOTS

NETWORKING

Below are some of the flip charts I created for my Social Business Canvas

Social Business Canvas Flipchart 1 - Problem. Sabeena Ahmed with Reetu Sood at the Good Hotel August 2018

Social Business Canvas - Problem

Social Business Canvas Flipchart 2 Value Propositions. Sabeena Ahmed with Reetu Sood at the Good Hotel August 2018

Social Business Canvas - Value Propositions

Social Business Canvas Target Segments, Sabeena Ahmed with Reetu Sood at the Good Hotel August 2018 UK

Social Business Canvas - Target Segments

Graduation Presentation Video

I presented or should I say my graduation video was screened at the graduation ceremony hosted at the Sharjah Gof and Shooting Club 21st January 2019.

MY STORY

What inspired you to start the business?

The Situation

During Ramadan 2008 I was poorly and recovering from surgery.

I was reading Islamic Banking and Insurance.

The last assignment illustrated how Islam promoted equal distribution of wealth. This statement made me question inequality and poverty in the world.
This was my epiphany that motivated me to take action .

The Change

I wanted to alleviate poverty, promote equality and justice for the most disadvantaged individuals and communities around the world.

First Steps

Wrote to the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and asked them if I could start a Fair Trade movement in the United Arab Emirates. They responded positively and told me to I should pursue my fair-trade activities.

I visited Fair Trade Egypt, Cairo.

I commenced trading at the Dubai Flea Market and then moved to the Covent Garden Market Jumeirah, Dubai.

Here is my Reflective Artifact

Sabeena Ahmed creator and founder of The Little Fair Trade Shop

Sabeena Ahmed, Fairtrade Campaigner, Educator and

Social Entrepreneur

The Little Fair Trade Shop Brand Logo Butterfly and strap line

Fair Trade Ethical Living

Alistair Wilson - Chief Executive School for Social Entrepreneurs London UK

Alistair Wilson - Chief Executive School for Social Entrepreneurs

London UK

Failure Quote - Failure is when you stop trying!

Failure Quote - Failure is when you stop trying!

Quote - The Greatest Wealth Is Health

Quote - The Greatest Wealth Is Health

Quote - Self-Care Isn't Selfish

Quote - Self-Care Isn't Selfish

Vegard Olson - Life Coach and expert witness for BSEP and SSE London, workshop at the Good Hotel July 2018

Vegard Olson - Life Coach and expert witness for BSEP and SSE London, workshop at the Good Hotel - July 2018

Jen MacKay - Business coach and presentation expert witness for BSEP and SSE London, workshop at the Good Hotel July 2018

Jen MacKay - Business coach and presentation expert witness for BSEP and SSE London, workshop at the Good Hotel - July 2018

Quote - Believe in Yourself

Quote - Believe in Yourself

Quote - Ben Okri

Quote - Ben Okri

Reetu Sood - Business Consultant, Social Business Canvas Workshop with Reetu Sood at the Good Hotel August 2018

Reetu Sood - Business Consultant, Social Business Canvas Workshop with Reetu Sood at the Good Hotel - August 2018

Jo Van Osch - Mentor, Life Coach, Birmingham, UK

Jo Van Osch - Mentor, Life Coach, Birmingham, UK

Visit to ENABLE - Dubai Festival City, September 2018

Visit to ENABLE - Dubai Festival City - September 2018

The BSEP ladies (Badiri Social Enterprise Programme) Pioneering cohort, Cornwall Eden Project UK August 2018

The BSEP ladies (Badiri Social Enterprenerial Programme 2018)

Sabeena Ahmed with Ayesha and Najat - Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall, UK, August 2018

Sabeena Ahmed with Ayesha and Najat -

Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall, UK, August 2018

Sabeena Ahmed with Khadijah (BSEP, NAMA and SSE London) Badiri Social Enterprise Programme Cohort 1 2018

Sabeena Ahmed with Khadijah (BSEP, NAMA and SSE London)

Badiri Social Enterpreneurial Programme Cohort 1 2018

Sabeena Ahmed with Asma and Maryam - Badiri Social Enterprise Programme Cohort 1 2018 (BSEP, NAMA, SSE London)

Sabeena Ahmed with Asma and Maryam Q -

Badiri Social Entrepreneurial Programme Cohort 1 2018

(BSEP, NAMA, SSE London)

Sabeena Ahmed and The Little Fair Trade Shop modelling the gorgeous pink totally bobbles fair trade bag, Dubai, UAE, 2016

As I end this pioneering programme I would like to take this opportunity to wishes to all the ladies on the programme the very best, may your ideas thrive and flourish.

Sabeena X

Supporting NAMA (The Badiri Academy)

and SSE London/Liverpool

Part Design the Programme for the Second Social Entrepreneurial Cohort

Wednesday 23rd January I travelled to Sharjah to assist the NAMA (Badiri Academy) and School For Social Entrepreneurs London and Liverpool teams part design the programme for the second cohort.

I was joined by Mariyam Q, Mariam Hoteit and Ayesha.