Interview with Mira Hijazi, Educational Therapist/Founder of Waladii
- Can you share your journey as entrepreneur and what inspired you to start “Waladii?
My journey as an entrepreneur started when I realized the lack of accessible mental health resources for children in my community. As an online educational psychologist, I saw the potential to reach a wider audience and provide support to children and their families through a digital platform. This led me to start “Waladii,” which means “my child” in Arabic, with the goal of making mental health resources more inclusive and easily accessible. As a licensed psychologist, I chose this business brand for several reasons: to cater to children in need, support teenagers navigating challenging phases, and assist adults seeking to reconcile with their inner child.
- What set “Waladii” apart in the world of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and how did you identify this unique proposition?
What sets “Waladii” apart is our focus on culturally sensitive and age-appropriate content. We identified this unique proposition by conducting extensive research and consulting with experts in the field of child psychology. By tailoring our content to different cultural backgrounds and developmental stages, we can provide a more personalized and effective CBT experience for our clients.
- As a young entrepreneur, what challenges are you encountering and how do you overcome them?
As a young entrepreneur, one of the biggest challenges I have encountered is gaining credibility in the industry. To overcome this, I have focused on building strong relationships with mentors and industry leaders, as well as continuously learning and adapting to new trends and technologies.
- Intellectual Property (IP) is often undervalued by entrepreneurs. How did you incorporate IP into your business strategy when founding “Waladii”?
Intellectual Property is crucial for protecting the unique ideas and concepts behind “Waladii.” When founding the business, we made sure to incorporate IP into our business strategy by trademarking our brand name and logo. Additionally, we remain vigilant about protecting any intellectual assets that may arise from our work.
- What advice would you give to fellow entrepreneurs regarding the importance of IP for their business?
My advice to fellow entrepreneurs is to prioritize Intellectual Property from the beginning. By protecting your intellectual assets early on, you can prevent others from copying or stealing your ideas, which can be detrimental to your business in the long run.
- Finally, what message do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs who are embarking on their own entrepreneurial journey?
For aspiring entrepreneurs embarking on their own entrepreneurial journey, my message would be to stay true to your vision and never stop learning and growing. Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors and peers, and don’t be afraid to take risks and think outside the box. With dedication and perseverance, anything is possible in the world of entrepreneurship.