Fathiya's micro bid to cut it!

Bahraini hairstylist Fathiya Hussain is proving to be a cut above the rest with her enterprising skills as well as her talent with the scissors.

She has converted part of her house into a salon to cater for the demand for her services in the local community, thanks to a boost from a fund set up for entrepreneurs.

Enty Al Ajmal 'You Are the Most Beautiful' salon was opened just a year a go and is located in Galali.

"I studied hair and make-up styling five years ago at the Red Crescent Society and since then I have been waiting for the right time and opportunity to open my own salon," said the mother-of-four.

"My house consists of three floors so I was able to convert the ground floor with a separate entrance into a salon. In addition to hair and make-up, I also do facial treatment, manicure and pedicure, threading as well as waxing.

"The salon is a one-stop place for women who want to feel good about themselves and look pretty."

So successful has the venture been that Fathiya, 38, now has three other ladies helping her run the salon.

"I have one Egyptian and two Filipino stylists working in the salon and they are all very friendly and expert in the field," she said.

"After a year of providing our services to many locals and expats, I believe we have succeeded in pleasing our customers which was always our goal. There is no point in opening if you don't know how to do the job properly and be nice to customers."

Fathiya's salon has been supported by a micro-finance project. "I started with BD50 loan and now my loan has reached BD800 which I have to pay off in a year," she said.

Micro-finance was formed by the United Nations Development Project (UNDP), The Social Development Ministry and Ahli United Bank.

The project, entitled 'Provisions of Sustainable Micro-Finance Credit and Services to Needy Citizens of Bahrain', aims at providing small, short-term loans to low-income individuals, especially women.

This project is the second of its kind, following a successful project called the Micro-start which was initiated in 1999.

"I am very grateful to the Micro-finance service because without it I don't think I would have been able to achieve my dream," said Fathiya. "The income I get from the salon is definitely helping me to cover my expenses - we all know how costly everything in Bahrain is.

"My husband married another woman and I needed to make sure that I was financially secure - that is why I did something for myself, in case I have to face more hardship in the future.

"My next goal is fashion designing. I would love to design abayas, children's clothes and party gowns. I am good at it too! I am always designing clothes for my sisters and friends and they love them."

Watch this space for Fathiya's next project! She can be contacted on 39316426.

For further information about the micro-finance project call Awal Women's Society on 17678974 or visit any branch of

Al Eslah Society.