To Start From Nothing
It is often said that a writer can only write about what they already know. But what if they lived in someone else’s story and found themselves in one of those passing tales that are told and expressed through every stage of life? These are stories we all live, often without a compass to guide us. That is why writers write to convey experiences and emotions. One such story that captured my attention is that of Sahar Kadi, an emerging marketer. Sahar is a young woman who began her professional life early, as many of us do. She worked behind counters, prepared coffee, and spent much of her time behind the scenes. Yet she always carried a question in her heart a question illuminated by hope: What if? What if she got a better job? What if she became her own boss? And many other questions that stem from the very fuel that drives us every day and shapes our decisions self actualization.
Sahar represents a reflection of what many of us carry within ourselves. She is ambitious, passionate, and full of questions. She has always loved photography and continued to pursue it. Sahar recalls: “When I was working in my first job in my early twenties, I was asked to photograph products and manage the company’s social media account. I did it without asking for payment because, in my mind, I wondered why anyone would pay for such a trivial task.” Isn’t that voice familiar? The voice of a fearful self the self that has been taught not to believe in its own abilities. And who among us is not occasionally attacked by such thoughts? Sahar continued working in marketing while also handling restaurant orders, but not for long. She later moved into a field closer to her academic background: healthcare, where she worked as a receptionist. One of her colleagues noticed her marketing skills and asked her to manage the organization’s social media accounts.
This time, however, Sahar was more aware of her worth. She understood that her work had value, so she asked to be compensated. To her surprise, her request was immediately accepted. At that moment, a new realization emerged: What if others can see value in you that your own fears have hidden from your sight? What if the beliefs you carry do not reflect reality as it truly is? Sahar remained in that position for nearly a year before deciding to leave. She says: “For the first time since beginning my professional career, I found myself unemployed. The first three months felt like a well deserved break. But by the fourth and fifth months, anxiety began to creep in. Everywhere I applied, my applications were rejected, and I felt the flame of hope I carried slowly fading. It wasn’t until the sixth month that I prayed sincerely, asking God to guide me. I placed all my hope in that prayer. The very next day, things became clearer when I was invited to an introductory meeting and introduced myself as a digital marketer.
Suddenly, all the signs made sense. From that point on, I began attracting clients and building my personal brand.” She continues: “The beginning was not easy, but I learned from every mistake. For example, I started by laying the foundations of my brand: defining service packages and pricing, then building a list of potential clients whom I later met and presented my work to. The most effective advice often comes through asking questions. Growth is a continuous process, not a destination we eventually reach. You don’t need capital to get started I began with nothing more than my phone, a heart full of hope, and a passion for what I do.” Today, Sahar is in the process of hiring a team and expanding her business into a marketing agency. From someone who could not see the full extent of her own talent to someone who started from nothing and steadily built a name for herself, Sahar’s story reminds us that there is no shame in trying, even if we fail. There is no shame in starting without resources or experience. There is no final destination to reach only continuous growth and construction. Lower the volume of the false ego, and ask yourself and others about truths you may not yet be able to see.
Written by Rahaf Al-Hamdi
