At 19, working long hours as a pharmacy intern, I often found myself staring at dusty shelves cluttered with ignored flyers from major pharmaceutical companies. One day, a Novartis medical representative accompanied with a product manager walked in with yet another stack of promotional materials. Curious, I asked why they kept printing what no one seemed to use. The product manager  sighed, explaining that regulations forced them to promote only within healthcare facilities, leaving them with no better options.

That moment lit a fire in me. There had to be a better way—something impactful and engaging. But having an idea and executing it were two very different things. With no prior business experience, no significant financial backing, and a full university schedule, I was starting from scratch. I juggled lectures during the day and business planning at night, writing proposals, sketching product concepts, and seeking out clients—all while still figuring out how to even register a business.

I faced countless rejections. Pharmaceutical companies were skeptical about trusting a 19-year-old with their brand visibility. Many questioned whether the idea of audiovisual devices in pharmacies would even work. Equipment costs were high, and finding reliable partners to produce the devices was another hurdle. But every rejection fueled me further.

By replacing flyers with engaging audiovisual devices, we transformed how companies connected with consumers. The response was slow at first, but persistence paid off. Within two years, our company became a trusted partner for Egypt’s leading healthcare brands. At 21, balancing university lectures with client meetings and late-night problem-solving, I sold the business to a regional conglomerate. It wasn’t just a financial success—it was proof that bold, purpose-driven ideas could reshape industries and open doors to endless possibilities.