Country: South Africa
Organisation Name: Betul_fit and Betul_fit_boutique
Started in the Year: 2019
Position: Owner of Betul_fit and Betul_fit_boutique
Website: www.Betulfit.com
Personal Introduction:
My name is Betul, and it is synonymous with fitness. I am Turkish, married to a Pakistani, and a mom of two. I have finished my Masters Degree in International Relations at the Wits University in South Africa. From a very young age, I’ve always leaned towards fitness and training – it’s actually where I met my husband & for years, we have pushed each other to become the best versions of ourselves. As I grew older, I’ve always wondered how I could benefit society and leave a good legacy behind. I began to seek guidance from my Creator and asked myself how could I achieve this? Immediately after that, I began my journey on the 4th of January 2019 by opening up the @Betul_fit Instagram account. Alhamdulillah I am grateful for my family and my upbringing. May Allah always keep me on the straight path with haya and iman. When I was 9 years old. We moved to Sudan and it was very difficult to adjust to different culture and language. But because I was still young, I adjusted very quickly.
I was going to a private Arabic school and seeing everyone wearing Hijab made me start it, considering it was always very hot. I was so used to wearing it even at the hottest of temperatures and it never really bothered me. Covering myself has become part of me ever since. Moving to South Africa and finding modest outfits has been a great challenge for me. So I decided to open an online boutique on instagram named @Betul_fit_boutique. This way I thought I could inspire many other ladies to dress and train in modest clothing. I also wanted my clients to feel special after their weight loss journey with me by shopping for a range of new clothes from my boutique that would make them feel beautiful and confident.
Professional Introduction:
I BEGAN THIS NEW JOURNEY FOR TWO MAIN REASONS:
1. Prior to having kids, I dedicated most of my time to my studies- finishing of my Masters as well as having all the free uninterrupted-nappy-changing time to train, but after giving birth to my first-born Omar Yusuf- as many of you mom’s know – everything else becomes a second priority. Fast forward to my second-born Sara, I realized I felt like all my time and energy went solely into them, while I don’t need to explain the incredibly overwhelming emotions of being a mom is to you, I do, however often feel sad that, beyond my kids, who am I? I needed something that would bring back some “me” time as well as become part of a community of sisters working to enhance ourselves not only physically but mentally as well. I truly enjoy working out and seeing incredible results and that kind of accomplishment should never be felt alone…
2. I am extremely passionate about benefiting society- even in my own capacity, I began to ask what can I combine my skill set with in order to help the betterment of my community? A charity organization (@adev_tr) was established in 1995 by my Grandfather Osman Nuri Onugoren to help and educate the Muslim Ummah, and to build mosques and madrasas for the Muslim Ummah. My grandad has been someone I have greatly admired and considered him a role model, a man whose heart was incomparable (May He Rest In Peace). 10% of the funds I get from my business goes to this charity or another every month. My grandfather left a great legacy behind and he taught me from a young age: the more I give to my ummah, the more Allah will give me. So I want to leave a good legacy behind and benefit my society in a good way. Just like my grandfather did. My future plan is to grow my business internationally and build a brand that is known worldwide. I also want to leave a good legacy behind and be remembered as an inspiration to many Muslim women out there. You don’t need to hide underneath your scarf and back off from your dreams. You can be modest and achieve all your dreams.
Interview Questions:
What inspired you to start your initiative in the Islamic Economy?
My grandfather, in 1995 by my Grandfather Osman Nuri Onugoren established a charity to help and educate the Muslim Ummah, and to build mosques and madrasas for the Muslim Ummah. My grandad has been someone I have greatly admired and considered him a role model, a man whose heart was incomparable (May He Rest In Peace). 10% of the funds I get from my business goes to this charity or other every month.
What were the challenges you had to overcome in the initial stages of starting your career?
What people would think of me and say about me as a hijabi doing what I do. I had to block the noise and follow my passion.
What is the most important thing you feel anyone needs to do to build a successful career in the Islamic Economy?
1. Make a clean intention and niyyah.
2. Understand your passion and do something that defines you and that you thoroughly enjoy.
3. Start small, spend smart and be patient.
4. Get support from your family and friends. As they may know you better than anyone else. Take their advice and listen to them.
5. If you feel like you have failed. Don’t give up start something else that is unique and different. What is meant for you, will always come to you as long as you try. If you don’t try, you will never know!
Faith and persistence are the keys to success. Hard work always pays off. Failures will only make you stronger. Just don’t give up growing yourself and your brand!
What were the most important learning experiences you would like to share?
Learn from your mistakes and plan ahead wisely. If things don’t go according to plan don’t give up hope. If one thing doesn’t work another opportunity always comes along. Just believe in yourself and be persistent with anything you do because that’s the key to success.
What advice would you give aspiring leaders in the Islamic Economy?
Your success, endurance and hard-work inspires us and makes us believe you can achieve anything. Don’t stop we need inspirational leaders like you.
