Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shahreen Elahi, founder, and CEO of Maktub Mentors, located in Atlanta, GA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Maktub Mentors bring together professionals from a number of fields who are passionate about their careers and driven to pass on their experiences and guidance to members of the refugee community who strive to advance their careers by pursuing higher education or finding job opportunities. While simply adjusting to resettling in a new country can be difficult, there are a number of other obstacles to navigate around, including language barriers, incomplete education, financial pressures, and lack of familiarity with the U.S. education and career system.

Oftentimes, we have found that forming meaningful connections can be the catalyst to getting a step closer to our goals. We curate a plan with our mentees to ensure we meet their needs, whether it is searching for employment or offering guidance and encouragement. Our goal is to achieve lasting solutions for refugees by supporting and empowering them to thrive and become self-sufficient.

Tell us about yourself

Maktub's development is largely in appreciation of the city of Clarkston and the book, The Alchemist. The city of Clarkston is fittingly coined "The South's Ellis Island" as it is known to be the most diverse square mile in America. It is collectively the home to hundreds of ethnicities, including Somalis, Afghans, Bhutanese, Nepali, Ethiopians, Eritreans, Croatians, and Cambodians, all fleeing persecution and starting a new chapter of their lives in America. After spending time in Clarkston working with a few of the local nonprofits aiming to help the refugee population and hearing stories of those people who are the very fabric of such a beautifully resilient community, I was inspired, and I knew that one day, I wanted to contribute.

"Whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on Earth." This is a quote from The Alchemist written by Paulo Coelho. To me, the significance of this quote is that every one of us has a story and a purpose. And as we journey throughout our individual stories, we encounter people and places that touch our lives and play a role in our path to our individual purposes. The Alchemist also talks about "Maktub," which means "It is written" in Arabic and is essentially the idea of fate or destiny. As our stories are already written, it is important to use our passion as fuel and our mentors as a compass to achieve our goals.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our biggest accomplishment is every positive feedback we have received. From our wonderful mentees who have expressed their gratitude for our work to other local nonprofits who have collaborated with us and shed their wisdom - the incredible sense of community is a byproduct that makes this journey all the more worthwhile.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the challenges of being a business owner is facing unpredictability. Though the path is exciting, there will always be unknown variables that you must brace yourself for and navigate with a tenacious mindset. You may never be 100% prepared for the challenges that arise; however, if you develop a disciplined mentality, remain consistent with the work you put in, and surround yourself with those who not only support you but also offer their guidance and wisdom, no obstacle is undefeatable.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Be consistent - Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was any successful business. Trust the process and know that greatness takes time.
  2. Network, network, network - Surround yourself with like-minded people who will push you and your business to grow.
  3. Stay passionate - you will likely dedicate a lot of time and energy to this venture, so it is important to truly and deeply love what you do. Remember to celebrate short-term and long-term accomplishments.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

There is strength in unity, and what better way to unite our community than to share our experiences, skills, and advice with those who would benefit from it most? Several incredible nonprofits are working to make the lives of our refugee friends a bit easier and more comfortable in the US by arranging food drives, tutoring for children, group coaching sessions, and many other valuable resources.

Maktub is unique by bringing together a team of volunteer professionals who want to help by offering one-on-one mentorship, including college application assistance, resume assistance, interview skills development, skill certification search, job search, and networking. We aim to bridge the gap between the ambitious refugee community and the professional community. Ultimately, our mission is to heal difficult pasts by building brighter and stronger futures. Though we are starting our organization in the Atlanta area, we aim to extend our services to the refugee population throughout the nation.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.maktubmentors.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaktubMentors/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maktubmentors/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaktubMentors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maktub-mentors/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.