A strong man and a woman with visions

To start with the business had six employees. Ibrahim owns the business and works alongside his wife, Ilham Assad.

In their sweet factory they have lots of recipes for traditional Arab recipes, gateaux and cakes.

– We offer recipes that are new for people in Sweden – and everyone loves them, says Ibrahim Diab.

Now 13 people are employed, most of them new arrivals.

– We started with a firm called Hluoyat Gintfull in 2018. It was hard in the beginning. Financing the project was a problem for us. The job centre advised us that there are firms like ALMI whose responsibility it is to support new businesses. We went to Almi, and they helped us, says Ibrahim Diab.

Ilham Assad got a job making gateaux. She also teaches the employees the basics of baking, step by step.

In Syria Ilham worked as an accountant in her husband’s business. Ibrahim says she is a strong boss who drives the business forward.

– My husband and I decided to take on new arrivals who have difficulty in finding a job. It was a bold decision, but we are grateful for it. Today these women are strong and an asset for the business, she says.

Ilham wants to encourage all women to find a job, even although they don’t have any special education.

– There must be someone who can give these women the chance to get a job. And I’ve managed to do just that. These women are strong-willed. And where there’s a will, there’s a way, Ibrahim says

Most of your employees are women. Why just women?

– We have two men who work here too, he says with a broad smile. We work with sweets. This must be done with love and passion. You must have patience and know-how, he says.

– Through my long experience I can assure you that women are better than men in this kind of job.

The employees make about 100 kilos of sweets a day – and they love their job.

Ghalieh Tawachi, 44, has three children. She says:

– This job is an excellent opportunity for me. I was a hairdresser in Syria, but I like it here. We work as a team. I feel comfortable with the work, because it’s like what I do at home.

– The work has made me feel I can do more, says Zaynab Hatem, 40.

– This is my first job, but, but it won’t be the last. I’m looking forward to getting a permanent job here, she says.

– Everyone must follow their ideas and dreams and make them come true, says Ilham.

Samar Alsaudi , 38, worked as an accountant in Iraq.

– Work is fun here. When I bake and prepare little cakes, it feels as if I’m building houses or flats, and that’s exciting. I’m very happy in my job, she says.

What’s the next step?

– We’re going to open a new shop in Kristianstad. And at the same time we’ll develope the factory even more. We get orders from Denmark, Germany and Norway too.

– Everyone must follow their ideas and dreams and make them come true, Ilham says.

She has four children and has to look after them too. Mahmoud, 20, and Nour, 16, are both in upper secondary school.

– They’ll study business economics and management to be able to help us in the future. They want our business to be a big family concern.