Empowering small businesses through financial guidance and capacity building
In the bustling markets of Amman and Irbid, the sound of sewing machines
has long symbolized local craftsmanship and tradition. But for many small-
business owners running their workshops, the increase of that sound points
to broader challenges facing the growth of micro and small enterprises
(MSEs), such as reliance on manual bookkeeping.
Across Jordan, skilled MSE owners often reach a plateau where talent, effort,
and demand are no longer enough. Without structured financial systems,
digitized financial management tools, and access to loans, promising
enterprises struggle to scale or compete beyond local markets.
This was the reality faced by Samar Al-Assadi and Sahar Al-Salman; two
business owners at different moments in their journeys confronting the same
constraint: financial and liquidity limitations holding their growth back.
Samar Al-Assadi arrived in Jordan from Syria in 2008, carrying a little more
than a single sewing machine and a skill she trusted. Settling into her new
neighborhood, she let those around her know she was a skilled seamstress.
What appeared as modest beginnings soon turned into steady orders for
school uniforms and export-quality garments, grounding her business in
community demand and trust.
Through one-on-one sessions with a financial advisor, I was able to organize my finances, price my products properly, and understand how decisions affect my cash flow, which gave me real sense of my business’s potential.
Samar Al-Assadi, owner of Aloush Tailor Shop and Fashion
Working single-handedly, her business reputation and scale grew over the
years across Amman the capital. By 2019, Samar’s sewing workshop had
expanded beyond its humble early days, attracting a bigger client base. But
with success came pressure, as Samar reached a critical realization; her
growing operations spilled into the private space of her home, limiting privacy
and productivity.
To move forward, she needed to transition from home-based production
into a professional, industrial-scale setup with better machinery, stronger
capacity, and the support of skilled tailors.
Meanwhile, Sahar Al-Salman, who established her workshop in Irbid
governorate back in 2023, faced a different but equally pressing challenge.
She managed her entire business finances using manual Excel spreadsheets,
leaving her with scattered and limited control over revenues and expenses.
This financial blurriness made planning, payroll, tax reporting, and growth
decisions increasingly challenging, placing not only her business, but the
livelihoods of her employees’ families at stake.
“With more orders coming in, manual tracking of finances was no longer practical,
encouraging me to adopt digital bookkeeping solutions,” says Sahar Al-Salman.
The turning point was reached when both ladies joined a financial capacity
building and advisory program provided by the Informal Livelihoods
Advancement Activity (Iqlaa), through one of its implementing partners,
Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII).
For Sahar, the change began with moving from manual records to a digital
bookkeeping system, giving her a clear view and control over her revenues,
expenses, and cash flow.
Sahar adds, “Once I switched to the digital accounting software, managing the
business became efficient. Our finances are now well organized, accurately tracked,
and easy to review, saving us time and effort.”
Samar, on the other hand, worked closely with a financial advisor through
the program, who helped assess her business readiness and prepare an
application for an Islamic microfinance loan, which she eventually obtained.
This loan helped expand her workspace and acquire new machinery essential
for a bigger workspace.
Before the program, the idea of applying for a loan felt intimidating, but with 11 days of intensive training and the help of a dedicated advisor, I learned how to understand my finances and present my business clearly
Sahar Al-Salman, Owner of textiles workshop
After securing her loan, Samar relocated to her new workshop - ‘Aloush
Tailor Shop and Fashion’. This move was about more than just bigger space;
it was about bringing her dream to life by upgrading the tools of her trade to
match the scale of operations and ambition. Today, supported by three
employees, she runs a flourishing studio in Amman, while she remains
focused on building business relations with garment traders, feeling way more
confident handling her expenditures.
Over the past years and across its various initiatives, Iqlaa – funded by the
United States Government – has strengthened the financial managerial
capacity and managerial capacity of over 1,000 MSEs through hands-on
training, bookkeeping software, and financial advisory services across Jordan.
These efforts align with Iqlaa’s objectives to help MSEs achieve stronger
resilience and access to finance opportunities by enabling them to better
manage their finances and have more informed strategic decision-making
capabilities.