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SPRING/SUMMER 2020
T
hings were going well for young entrepreneur, Yusr Sabra ’02. So well, that sometimes she wondered if it could all be true. But on that day in October 2019, she erupted into tears. She didn’t let anyone see her cry. Certainly not her team. A demoralized staff was the last thing she needed. They were all so hypedup about the projected large orders of the soon-to-come Christmas gifts. It promised to be a great season for her online delivery service. As she watched the protests unfold, Sabra dried her tears. Things will pick up, she consoled herself. She will find a way to make up the sudden 70% drop in orders. But for now, let’s help out, she told herself. She sent out an ‘SOS’ message to all her staff. Drivers with motorcycles: go ahead and take the next few days off to transport protestors back and forth. Free of charge. Those who cannot help the revolution, please come to work. Sabra waited. Will her team show up? She had long realized, even at the tender age of 23, when she first started working, that a close-knit relationship with her team was key to a successful business. She prided herself on selecting staff based on certain character traits - mostly dedication and loyalty to the business.
As she expected, her staff showed up. Sales are down, she said. We can’t stay afloat at this rate. We will find a way, they answered. And Sabra knew that they would indeed find a way together. Wage cuts and layoffs were not an option. All eyes looked at Sabra. She was the epitome of a young entrepreneur. Hardworking, passionate, and determined. Economic crisis or not, she will find a way. The brainstorming began. Finally, a plan of action: How about appealing for help for our business on a social platform? And so Sabra did just that and sent out a video message asking for financial assistance to keep her business afloat. It didn’t work. Very little money came in. But, and to her pleasant surprise, her appeal managed to attract two investors: one from Lebanon and one from Oman. It was enough to keep the business going for another year and a half. Her thoughts began to expand outside the country. Yes, she told her staff confidently, we will find a way to survive this crisis. Sabra smiled. Another lesson learned – certainly not the last: Never ever give up. Lesson 1: Get to Know Your People Little did Sabra think or dream that she would be owning or operating a successful
