Om Khaled, a Syrian mother living in Paris. She has chosen to work from home, driven by her desire to feel valued. She skill- fully crafts items, such as hairbands, by hand.
“I’m here at home, and for me, crafting these hairbands is sim- ple and enjoyable. I’m good at it, so why is it so challenging to turn it into a business? My children often tell me to relax and read a book, wondering why I push myself so hard. But I can’t just sit idle; I need to work. It’s a part of who I am, and when I look at these beautiful creations, I can’t help but feel a sense of joy in making beautiful things.”

During our meeting, I spent an hour assisting her in setting up an online shop, only to discover that she doesn’t have a bank ac- count. She expressed, ‘I can do the work, but I don’t know what to do with it afterwards.’ Despite her years of creating these beautiful hairbands, she has never managed to sell anything.

For VII Academy