Words by Jumana

The red and yellow backdrop of the Corporate Maldives Business Expo 2022 highlighted many hard-earned businesses. While this year’s event was a hybrid that featured both in-person and online interactions, stall B28 in particular, was decidedly busy. The stall for Kaleo by He & She welcomed the hustle and bustle of six wonderfully different businesses – different talents with their own stories to tell. Most have already been featured in lifestyle online magazine Kaleo by He & She. No stranger to pioneering new ventures and introducing the unexplored, KaLeo’s founder Haneefa Hilmy noted,

“We are a media company trying to promote small businesses and all aspects of lifestyle in Maldives. As always I like to start new things and introduce things within the community. Whenever we start something new, I see a vision, and although it might take a little while, we will definitely get there… We shouldn’t call them “small entrepreneurs”. Whether you are working from home or online or in any medium, no one is “small”. You don’t have to be in a bigger company to have a voice!”

Haneefa also took part in this year’s Business Expos Women’s Summit panel discussion. In answering the question about the challenges faced by women in reaching leadership roles, she highlighted that self confidence was the most important ingredient in reaching the top level in any career.

Speaking of which; business savvy artisan baker and professional chef, Aminath Rukhsa Ahmed of @fonithoshi.mv is definitely a well-known name. She made an appearance at the Kaleo Stall with insightful conversation and delightfully unforgettable macaroons in an array of “lemon poppy” to “keylime pie” and more.

“It was very nice to be able to talk to people and have sit downs. I think usually, during festivals when we are doing live stations we aren’t able to give huge amounts of attention to people that visit and have a proper conversation. I really appreciate that I got to meet a different audience than who I am usually exposed to. It was nice to reach out to new people and be able to give samples of my products”.

 ~ Fonithoshi MV ~

Another familiar face whose work graced the photoshoots of brands like Kleventi, Komas Beauty, Designer Razy as well as several brides on their special day, Saju @saju__beauty__redefined is a hairstylist and makeup artist whose work is always subtle, beatific.

“It was a very different event for me. Actually it was the first of its kind for me to participate in a fair like this. In my line of work, I mostly come across girls or women who are makeup enthusiasts. This event exposed me to a completely new demographic of people who wanted to talk about the business side of things. For future events I hope to be able to take on a more practical approach to demonstrating my area of work”.

~ Saju Beauty redefined ~

This master of calisthenics and street workouts is a physique athlete that is no stranger to precision and dedication. Commonly known as Paatiya, Ilham is a fitness instructor by design that believes that working out can be done anywhere.

“I would say, today’s generation is lucky to be able to join and experience such Expos. It helps open different doors for them to try and build their future”

~ Ilham @Paatiya17~

Dreamers Maldives needs no introduction; capturing the essence of island life and Maldivian culture with beauties like the ‘Vilaa’ and ‘Sunset’ earrings, their jewelry line is one-of-a-kind. The ingenious sisters behind the business also joined the Kaleo stall.

 “We are very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Business Expo 2022 by the Corporate Maldives, and even more happy that we got to participate through @kaleobyhenshe. It provided a great platform for us to discuss our business and handmade products. We also got to interact with other creatives and many awesome and inspiring individuals. This event has fueled our drive to grow our business even further. We are very much looking forward to working with other creatives and designers. Most importantly we are so grateful for the great support and hospitality provided by the Kaleobyhenshe team. A wonderful experience  indeed and looking forward to many more”

~Dreamers Maldives ~

Thakethi is that one place that feels like a wonderful, wholesome home for many parents, teachers, guardians, fun-loving uncles and aunts – but mostly for kids. Its colorful and vibrant educational products are beloved and cherished by those that will build the next generation: today’s children.

“The Expo was a really good opportunity to network in a B2B context. I think this is one of those rare opportunities where smaller businesses were able to take part in a B2B event. Very grateful for Kaleo by He&She for the exposure. In the future I would like to see events where even more businesses participate”.

~ Sharaheen @Thakethi

Star beams life coach and educational expert Mary is changing lives, one mind at a time. Not just for children but for entire families in a holistic approach.

I truly appreciate Kaleo for this opportunity to talk about what I do. Parents are the people who are always there for children, they are the best therapists for them. As an education consultant, as a life coach I love helping parents see this. It’s a process and a process.

~ Mary @star99mary ~

With hopes to launch the paper magazine for KaLeo within the coming year, the media company hopes to take part in, and host events that bring people together like this.