In the beating heart of Gharbia Governorate, within the historical city of El-Mahalla El-Kubra, a remarkable narrative of persistence and creative growth has unfolded. Noha El-Shennawy has successfully transformed natural leather, macramé, and crochet handicrafts into powerful instruments of women empowerment and financial independence, establishing herself as an inspiring model for aspiring female entrepreneurs across Egypt.
El-Shennawy began her journey in the natural leather industry in 2019, taking a courageous step by resigning from her administrative role at Mansoura University to launch her specialized workshop. Although the unexpected onset of the global pandemic disrupted her early business operations, she leveraged the challenge as an opportunity for expansion. Pivoting dynamically, she mastered the intricate art of macramé and eventually integrated both crafts in 2021, creating a thriving brand that gives life to raw materials through timeless, durable designs.
Dedicated to lifting other women as she climbed, El-Shennawy transitioned into professional training to share her valuable skills. Over the past two years, she has served as a certified trainer with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, leading specialized crochet, leather, and macramé workshops across various youth centers and sports clubs. Through these official channels, she helps local girls and women acquire the critical skills needed to launch successful micro-enterprises of their own.
Her national footprint grew through active participation in regional exhibitions hosted by the National Council for Women Dakahlia Branch, most notably the prestigious Set El-Setat Exhibition. A proud graduate of the American University in Cairo Women Entrepreneurship Program, El-Shennawy continues to advocate for self-employment and sustainable livelihood solutions, overcoming operational challenges by building strong community networks and engaging with direct-to-consumer sales platforms. To El-Shennawy, true success begins with self-belief, proving that any woman can turn a unique talent into a life-changing entrepreneurial venture.
