This Omani startup delivers gifts right at your doorstep. Alaa Al-Balushi, founder of Hadaya (translated to gifts in Arabic); speaks to BTW on their startup, challenges and aspiration
Tell us briefly about yourself and your team members?
I am Alla Al-Balushi; Founder of Hadaya App with 8 years experience in sales then on our team we have Ahmed Al-Balushi; Co-founder of Hadaya App aka the Sailor and a fairy
captain, Azza Al-Salmi; a hustler, a believer with a degree in IT also a UN & UNESCO representative, Janna Al-Nabhani; hipster and a dreamer who is also an engineering
graduate from US and lastly Qais Al-Balushi who is also a successful business owner with a graduate degree in business.
What are your guys doing a day job? where do you work?
Three of us work full time at Hadaya while the other two also handle something of their own.
When and how did you get around to developing the idea of Hadaya App?
The idea came around March 2017 when I faced the problem of sending gifts to my family here while I was abroad! During that time I looked for people who faced the same problem and wanted to do something about it. We then came up with a plan and we were able to turn the idea into a working product in less than 3 months.
What have been the initial challenges and how did you overcome them?
Finding the talent is difficult but the challenge that we face to this day is getting the knowledge of online shopping to the people.
How is Hadaya App unique?
It’s the first and only of its kind here in Oman!
Where do you see Hadaya App in the next 3 years?
Expanding regionally! Further; having a bigger variety of businesses.
If you were to list 5 essential qualities of a successful entrepreneur,
what would they be?
Patience, Problem-solving, Resourceful, Patience, And patience again.
How has Hadaya App emerged so far?
By having satisfied customers that recommend us to the people around them.
What is your message to aspiring entrepreneurs in and around GCC?
Ideas worth nothing without execution. When you execute don’t try to perfect!
Keep on executing.