https://eg.linkedin.com/in/ameersherif https://www.dopay.com/blog/entrepreneurship-in-egypt-10-influencers-you-should-know http://riseupsummit.com/speakers/ameer-sherif/ https://eg.linkedin.com/in/ameersherif 2 2

http://www.endeavor.org/entrepreneur/laila-sedky/

https://vimeo.com/135832608?ref=em-share Diwan English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKD3YbwcR_c&sns=em https://vimeo.com/135832608?ref=em-share Flat6Labs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxrfzapGeB0&sns=em http://schools.aucegypt.edu/business/aucvlab/Pages/default.aspx Dr. Ayman Ismail AUC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE7KO5hK6Do&sns=em

Describe a small business that you would like to own Describe a small business that you would like to own. Describe the business, how you would start/open this business, and explain why you would like to run this kind of business. Well that's an interesting question. Quite frankly, since I am still a University student, I cannot realistically open my own business anytime in the near future. Nevertheless, since I am majoring in business, I have definitely given this goal much thought. First of all, entrepreneurship is my dream. I love books, reading and the “coffeeshop culture”. Hence, creating a business centered around “knowledge and learning” in a relaxed environment is definitely a part of my personality. I have traveled to both Europe and the United States and dream of opening a bookstore that has the same “atmosphere” as Barnes and Noble. For example, here in Cairo we have the successful Diwan Bookstore which is very similar to a European “Bookstore Cafe”. In addition,my future business would not only sell books, but would also have a cozy “Starbucks” type cafe inside the bookstore. As a result, customers would be able to sit down and read books, while enjoying fine coffee, beautiful artwork, and international classical music . Generally speaking, opening any “brick and mortar” business is not easy these days. One needs both experience and money for the deposit, rent etc. to begin a successful business. Rent is very high everywhere around the world. Consequently, I am currently working now part-time at a local bookstore in my neighborhood to gain experience, and in order to save money. Moreover, I am learning web design online in order to build a website for my business. I hope to save enough money by graduation to rent a small shop and start my dream! Overall, I realize entrepreneurship is a challenging dream. However, I am taking “small steps” now in my life towards my goal and someday hope to be the next “Barnes and Noble” of the Middle East. tt

https://vimeo.com/135832608?ref=em-share Diwan English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKD3YbwcR_c&sns=em https://vimeo.com/135832608?ref=em-share Flat6Labs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxrfzapGeB0&sns=em http://schools.aucegypt.edu/business/aucvlab/Pages/default.aspx Dr. Ayman Ismail AUC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE7KO5hK6Do&sns=em

Entrepreneurs of the week on Wamda today are Nadia and Hind Wassef co-founders of Diwan bookstore in Egypt, and Endeavor Egypt entrepreneurs. Launched in 2002, Diwan bookstore aimed at fostering book culture and encouraging people to spend more quality time in libraries. But today the company is at a crossroads says Wassef, "is the future of bookstores focused on e-books?". The two young Wassef ladies managed to launch 10 branches of Diwan accross Egypt, 10 years after the first one. And the main reason behind the success story of Diwan is being consumer driven says Wassef, "we listen to our customers and provide them with the services they really need, whether it is in the kind of books or music". "Hardwork and innovation are key elements today's entrepreneurs must not ignore at all, we do not need more imitation on the market, but new and unique products", is the advice Wassef sends out for the young Egyptian entrepreneurs trying to find their way to success.