Memento Photoboutique – Showcasing Photos in Innovative Ways

Nada Ghobril spent ten years working in France, Dubai, and Jordan as a telecom and IT professional. Upon her return to Lebanon in 2010, she learned about the entrepreneurship training courses at AMIDEAST and enrolled in the “Growing a Business” workshop. She felt she had sufficient knowledge regarding starting a business, but wanted to learn the most common challenges Lebanese entrepreneurs face as they expand their businesses in the Lebanese market.

Passionate about digital photography, and knowing that digital photo album printing services were available in the U.S. and Europe, Nada was considering starting a business that would offer these services in the Middle East.

Armed with the knowledge she gained during the “Growing a Business” course, Nada teamed up with a senior graphic designer and launched memento Photoboutique. The services they offer include personalized and customized photo books, wallpaper, canvases, lampshades, cushions, chairs, mugs, and Plexiglas items such as tissue, jewelry, and chocolate boxes.

In less than three years, memento Photoboutique has built a customer base from its retail location in Le Mall, a large shopping center in Dbayeh, just outside Beirut. Nada’s team has grown from two to five people, and she is currently working to offer her services online. In the longer term, she plans to open a second boutique in Beirut.

Nada credits the AMIDEAST Entrepreneur Institute with providing her with skills and tools needed to open an online business. She also values the ongoing support that she receives from AMIDEAST team members, as well as from the network of entrepreneurs and professionals that she acquired through the institute and who continue to guide her as she grows her business.

“The AMIDEAST Entrepreneur Institute opened many doors for me, including some that helped me participate in mentorship and international women-focused entrepreneurship acceleration programs.”