| Kippreport.com

Loulou Baz: “I didn’t expect to win”

November 22, 2012 8:53 by Eva Fernandes

It has been a rollercoaster of a ride for the ten contestants who have battled it out to be awarded the prize money of Dh1 million and the ultimate title of ‘The Entrepreneur.’  Baz’s Nabbesh.com got her the top prize on the weekly televised reality show The Entrepreneur, sponsored by du

Why did you apply for the Entrepreneur?

I applied for two main reasons for which I think everybody applied for: the money and the free advertising. I am at a phase where I am building a business. Nabbesh is not a well known brand-it is very new and not too many people know about it, so I wanted to go as public as possible. Writing and shouting about it, so people will sign up and buy into the vision.

It came at a right time, when we were just starting, we just went online so that exposure was very much needed and the money was very much needed. So I thought why not?

How has the show helped you?

The one thing being in a show like The Entrepreneur is, it helps you to become a better public speaker. Since being in The Entrepreneur I have developed my ability to sell myself, and to sell my business. I don’t think it gets any more stressful than when you are talking on television, so now I feel so much more comfortable to talk about my business at any occasion.

 

Were you able to form a good network of contacts through the show?

Absolutely. I am in touch with some of the judges, post-show. I am also in touch with some of the contestants-we built some great relationships. I really think they should do it again. I am sure there has been a lot of learning on all fronts-after all it is the first time such a show has been made.

 

Do you think the show will help encourage other entrepreneurs?

It is all about making entrepreneurship desirable, making it hot. Encouraging people to get out on their own and try something different. This is a platform which will provide that push. One it will give budding entrepreneurs the push that you need to get your idea out there and second if you win it will give you the funding-to turn that idea to a product. It is great to get feedback from different people

 

Filming ended mid-May, what have you been doing since?

I have been building Nabbesh. We knew when the show was airing, I wanted to make sure that we bring Nabbesh to a certain level that we are very happy and pleased with by the time people start coming to check the site. We have been focused on hiring, developing the features, working on partnerships