Support Female Entrepreneurs in Palestine

For many young women in Palestine, turning a passion into a business is not easy. Limited employment opportunities, financial constraints, and the challenges of starting a business as a young woman often makes entrepreneurship a difficult path. To address these barriers, TYO launched the Tastemasters Program to equip aspiring entrepreneurs in the food and culinary sector with the technical, business, and financial skills they need to establish and grow sustainable businesses. Through training, mentoring, and seed funding, the program empowers young entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into successful enterprises.

One of these inspiring entrepreneurs is Mais, the founder of Bake Me Pretty Bakery.

Although Mais studies English Literature at university, her true passion has always been baking. Growing up, she admired her mother and older sister as they skillfully prepared beautiful cakes and delicious cookies. She was also deeply inspired by her aunt, Ghalia, a strong, independent woman who earned the respect and admiration of everyone around her. Mais always dreamed of becoming as resilient and impactful as her aunt. After her aunt passed away, Mais made herself a promise: she would pursue her dream with the same determination and strength.

With limited financial resources and few opportunities to invest in her talent, Mais began learning the art of baking and dessert-making. She started a small home-based bakery, promoting her products through social media and gradually building a loyal customer base. Like many women entrepreneurs in Palestine, she faced challenges in expanding her business due to limited capital and the uncertainty of taking the next step from a home kitchen to a professional bakery.

When TYO announced the Tastemasters Program, Mais immediately applied. From the moment she completed her interview, she believed she could become one of the grant recipients. Throughout the program, she embraced every learning opportunity and benefited greatly from the support of the trainers and fellow entrepreneurs. The financial management, marketing, branding, and packaging sessions transformed the way she viewed her business, helping her shift from simply baking products to building a sustainable brand with a clear vision for growth.

Winning the seed grant became the turning point in her entrepreneurial journey. The funding enabled Mais to invest in the equipment and resources needed to establish her own bakery, improve the quality and presentation of her products, and move from operating solely at home to opening Bake Me Pretty Bakery, a milestone she once believed was far beyond her reach.

Reflecting on that moment, Mais says, "I thought this was a far-away dream, but with the grant, it became close."

Today, Mais continues to grow her business with confidence, expand her customer base, and dream even bigger. Her journey demonstrates how investing in young women entrepreneurs can create lasting economic opportunities and inspire others to pursue their ambitions despite the challenges they face.

TYO extends its sincere gratitude to its donors for investing in programs like Tastemasters and for believing in the potential of young Palestinian women. Their support has enabled entrepreneurs like Mais to transform passion into sustainable businesses, create livelihoods, and contribute to stronger, more resilient communities.