The year was 2017, and a wild idea was brewing in my mind. I called it “Start Innovating,” or “Balesh Ebd3 بلش ابدع ” in Arabic, an ambitious initiative to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in young Jordanians from the bustling streets of Amman to the quiet corners of Wadi Musa. It was a crazy dream, one that my friends initially dismissed as too far-fetched. They slowly drifted away, leaving me alone to chase this audacious vision.
But I refused to give up. I reached out to countless companies – telecom giants, pharmaceutical firms, car dealerships, even established startups – hoping to find partners and sponsors who shared my passion. The clock was ticking, and I was on the verge of canceling the whole project when, at the eleventh hour, two sponsors stepped up to the plate. A respected organization in Jordan also joined forces, lending their support to the logistical side of this audacious tour.
Just 24 hours before launch, my heart sank as I received a WhatsApp message from a friend. The one person I thought would be there for sure, the one who had initially expressed doubt, was now letting me know he couldn’t join the cross-country adventure after all. Disappointment washed over me, but there was no time to dwell on it. I quickly reached out to another acquaintance back then, a close friend today, Saleh Al-Hanash, who graciously agreed to contribute his expertise with one-hour sessions at several tour stops.
So, we set off in the late spring of 2017, two guys in a bus venturing across the vast Jordanian landscape. We battled scorching heat waves and covered vast distances, visiting 12 governorates in nine days. We engaged with over 450 young people aged 16 to 25, sharing our passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and finding creative solutions to local challenges.
The response was incredible. The sessions were filled with energy and enthusiasm, and the young participants were eager to learn and share their own ideas. Months later, 17 new projects were launched, ranging from micro-businesses to full-fledged startups.
Even years later, I still receive heartwarming messages from people who attended the sessions, expressing their gratitude and sharing how Start Innovating impacted their lives. It was a truly unforgettable journey, a first-of-its-kind initiative that ignited a spark in the hearts of countless young Jordanians.
Looking back, I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished. Start Innovating was more than just a tour; it was a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of collaboration, and the unwavering belief in the potential of young people to create change. It was a journey that will forever hold a special place in my heart.
