The difficulties of the profession… and the solution
Sarhan boasts thirty years of experience in his workshop in Baniyas, where he dedicates himself to the painting and lacquering of all types of furniture.
Like many small Syrian entrepreneurs, he faced nearly insurmountable obstacles: a clientele with limited financial resources and frequent power outages that paralyzed his business.
However, the program supporting small income-generating businesses— RestarT — to which he was able to access represented a turning point. With the approval of the funding, he was able to acquire essential materials and, most importantly, a large compressor, which proved to be an invaluable tool for the development of his small business.
“This compressor is a great help to me in my job because it allows me to continue working for half an hour even after the power goes out. This speeds up deliveries to customers and consequently increases my profits.”
Support for small businesses and a culture of reciprocity
Sarhan’s success is reflected in the acceleration of his work —which has been evident—and in his exemplary financial management: he places absolute priority on honoring his commitments. Among these commitments is that of reciprocity, which Sarhan applies every day, making him a model of support for small businesses, not only financially but also ethically . As?
The key words are accessibility, flexibility and training.
Sarhan is committed to setting fair prices, helping people who, despite wanting to renovate their homes, are experiencing financial hardship. Furthermore, in a truly generous gesture, he doesn’t keep his knowledge to himself, but trains many young Syrians in his workshop, teaching them the trade.
If some show a little passion, he shares his tools so they can start their own business too. And he continues to support them over time.
Success despite the Syrian crisis
Despite the challenging national context, Sarhan’s work never stopped. His pace of work slowed, but he remained steadfast in his ability to meet commitments and provide for his family.
“I thank the RestarT program and everyone who works there for their participation. Without their financial and moral support, I would not have been able to achieve these results.”