Qatar’s Trailblazers |
ecosystem and enabling
entrepreneurs certainly inspired me
to form a team to solve the struggle
of exercising outdoors for many
women.
“My hope is to impact the
health and wellness of the
next generation. Giving
women access to outdoor
sports means their children
and younger relatives
will join in too. This will,
hopefully, have an impact
on their lifestyle, making it
more healthy.”
“While forming a communi ty
around outdoor sports, I used lessons
learned from forming a community
of entrepreneurs in Qatar and
globally.”
She adds: “I grew up believing
the sky is my limit, thanks to
my upbringing and the support
available for us in Qatar. My family
encouraged me to learn, explore and
pursue what I enjoy.
“Their support, coupled with the
incredible support we get from the
government in terms of education,
career development opportunities
I got through Qatar Foundation,
as well as the incubation of Qatar
Business Incubation Center, all
paved the path to get Oola to where
it is today.”
After a rigorous process of sketching,
multiple visits to factories around
the world to identify suitable trade
partners and numerous prototype
iterations, a first collection of Oola
sportswear was produced.
to outdoor sports means their
children and younger relatives will
join in too. This will, hopefully, have
an impact on their lifestyle, making
it more healthy.
It included various sport headpieces,
and a multi-sport top. This was
followed by other styles, including
trousers and jackets. “Given the link between physical
activities and metabolic diseases,
such as diabetes and obesity,
encouraging healthy lifestyles should
make the next generation healthier,
more active and more productive.
Haya says: “Modesty is a relative
value that varies from one person
to the other. We want to provide
modest sportswear options to as
many women as we can. Providing
variety is something we aspire to –
this is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution.
Women need a range of clothing to
suit different needs. “I’m proud of Oola every time I
see a woman wearing our outfits,
working out outdoors and sweating.
This brings pure joy to my heart
and makes me forget about all
the challenges of setting up a new
business.”
“I want Oola to become the
comfortable, stylish option
for women seeking function
and fashion.” These energetic
businesswomen hope to inspire and
empower a new generation of Qatari
women to get fit.
And, of course, there is another
upside to Oola’s continuing success.
Haya says: “Now my sports bag is
lighter, and I get the coverage I want
and look fashionable. It is win-win.”
Haya says: “My hope is to impact
the health and wellness of the next
generation. Giving women access
ABOUT OOLA SPORTS
Oola means ‘the first’, or ‘the pioneer’. The young entrepreneurs believe every
woman is a pioneer in her own life and Oola reflects this ethos.
Oola Sports sells clothes specialising in cycling, hiking, running, golf and tennis.
You can buy their products in stores in Qatar and the UK – and online
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around the world.