OUR FOUNDER OF THE WEEK – Every Tuesday, Founder of the Week looks at how a successful member of Egypt’s startup community got their big break, asks about their experiences running a business, and gets their advice for budding entrepreneurs. Speaking to us this week is Malak Hany (LinkedIn), founder and CEO of The Front Row Studios.

My name is Malak Hany and I’m the founder of The Front Row Studios, a fashion brand dedicated to empowering women to express themselves freely through our pieces. We prioritize our customers feeling good in our items because we believe a positive outlook on life is paramount. While our brand may not directly address a specific problem or gap, it serves as a catalyst for confidence and self-assurance.

As for my professional background, it has been a long journey. I began taking on freelance projects during school to add to my portfolio and advance my career. Graduating with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from The American University in Cairo was pivotal, as I completed internships — including a six-month stint at Iris Cairo PR agency — during my studies, because my passion for fashion surpassed my interest in traditional marketing.

Then I moved on to work at Maison Pyramide, a brand building service where I met interesting people within the field, and worked on many projects that taught me about social media, PR, fashion marketing, and how to market yourself properly.

With everything I learned, I noticed that I had time and ideas to execute my own brand. My business venture was not an overnight decision — it was years in the making. Trust in myself was a significant factor that helped me translate it into the real world. I began formulating an action plan, and immediately started moving forward with production from samples to the final product.

My success was reflected in my first collection doing better than I anticipated: In the first drop of our collection, we not only broke even, but we also generated additional gains. I decided that the surplus funds would be strategically reinvested into the company for the development of our upcoming gold jewelry line.

For our future, we are strategically focused on long-term growth. While financial stability remains a key objective, our immediate priority lies in building a certain community around our brand. In the short term, our efforts are centered on enhancing brand awareness and positioning through the creation of compelling media, meticulously crafted garments, and strategic partnerships with like-minded collaborators. Expansion will initially target local and regional markets, with international ventures slated for realization within the next 2-3 years.

As for the long term plan,we aspire to diversify our offerings beyond apparel to jewelry, bags, and shoes. These expanded product lines will ideally feature prominently in our forthcoming boutique stores which we aim to open in Greece, New York, London, and Paris.

Sadly, the luxury of time is something I don’t have anymore. When you’re running your own business, commitment is non-negotiable. Regardless of external circumstances — be it a challenging mood, financial constraints, or missed opportunities — consistently showing up is a must.

The most fulfilling aspect of my role is bringing ideas to fruition. Witnessing the transformation of a concept into a tangible reality is truly gratifying, especially in the context of my field. Seeing a vision materialize and convey a positive message, impacting people in meaningful ways, is immensely rewarding.

And the uncertainty in my job is undeniably one of its most challenging aspects. To navigate this uncertainty, confidence and self-belief are essential. Putting yourself and your work out there entails risk, but it also brings an exhilarating rush of adrenaline. It’s a double-edged sword, balancing the thrill of taking risks with the potential for uncertainty.

My advice would be don’t waste your time waiting for the right time — and for good reason. In the past, I often had ideas but hesitated to pursue them. Later, when I saw someone else successfully execute those same ideas it left me feeling regretful and somewhat foolish for not taking action myself. Ultimately, I had no one to blame but myself for not seizing the opportunity when it presented itself.

If I were to sell the brand I would invest in real estate — I have no intention in being an employee, as the very essence of starting this venture was to break free from the traditional employment and dictate my own terms. If the opportunity arose to sell my brand, I would likely seize it, cash out, and invest in a property, perhaps a house in Greece.

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