Final Entrepreneurs Monthly Meet-up of the year held at Yamama Café & Bar
The final Entrepreneurs Monthly Meet-up of the year took place on Thursday 14th December and was organised by Richard Leighton from the Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship at the Yamama Cafe & Bar on Parliament Street in the Baltic Triangle.
Hosts for the evening, Futoon Qusairy and Noura Qusairy, of Yamama, are sisters originally from Jordan and set-up Yamama (the Arabic word for a dove found in the region, which represents love, freedom and peace) as an artistic business that supports refugees in Liverpool and provides a creative outlet for them. They work with artisans to produce sustainable fashion and art, but have now turned their attention to include food and drink with the opening of the café that also serves to host refugees creative endeavours.
During the event, the sisters spoke with passion about the initiative they set-up to support the refugee community, helping individuals develop their creativity, craft and culinary skills. They also shared their experiences of setting-up the business and passed on the lessons they both learnt along the way. Futoon commented on her entrepreneurial journey so far, ‘I think the biggest lesson for me when starting-up was to be brave, try and overcome my fears and be patient, believe that I can do it. Try and conquer the fear of learning something new.’
Also commenting on this month’s meet-up and Futoon and Noura’s journey, Chaitanya Sagar (C.S), University of Liverpool Management School MBA graduate said ‘attending the Entrepreneurs Monthly Meet last week was truly an eye-opener. Hearing Futoon and Noura share their inspiration and journey added depth to the experience. Moreover, the food was not just a delight to the taste buds but a testament to the passion and creativity that Yamama embodies.’
The event gave ample opportunity for those that attended to network against a great backdrop at Yamama with delicious Middle Eastern inspired food and refreshments being served!
The Entrepreneurs Monthly Meet-up
The Entrepreneurs Monthly Meet-up is a University HEIF-funded initiative run by the Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship in collaboration with six colleges and universities in the Liverpool city region:
- Hugh Baird College
- The City of Liverpool College
- Liverpool Hope University
- Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts
- Liverpool John Moores University
- The City of Liverpool College
The event seeks to connect and expose both entrepreneurial students and graduates to the very best entrepreneurs and independent businesses in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
Join our next event!
The next Entrepreneurs Monthly Meet-up is taking place on Thursday February 29 from 5.30-7.30pm at the Fröhlich Café in the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre. February’s monthly meet-up is property focused with the founders of Homesure Property, Mark Loughnane and Nick Stott, speaking about the background to their business they set-up while still students and its development today in to Liverpool’s biggest independent residential letting agents - as well as discussing the company’s plans for the future. This will also be an excellent opportunity for informal networking, with FREE food and refreshments.