In this 2-part series we hear from alumna Farzana Salik about how she started her social enterprise Taahirah – a movement championing Muslim women’s health. The second part shares how she turned an idea into reality and what’s next for her.
Where do you start when turning a small idea, or something you recognise that needs change, into a functional organisation?
Start by zooming in on the problem you want to solve.
Start by zooming in on the problem you want to solve. Ask yourself: Who is your audience, and what are their pain points? What makes your solution unique, and why would someone choose it over others? What’s your long-term vision, and how will you sustain it? With this clarity—tools like the lean canvas are helpful—direction becomes easier to find.
Next, make sure your legal foundations are in place! Secure the right contracts and comply with relevant regulations from the start to protect your work and your future
Build in public and engage with your audience. It may sound intimidating, but sharing your progress, challenges, and milestones fosters trust, invites feedback, and slowly builds a community of supporters. When I took this approach, I found that women were more open to reaching out. This allowed me to better listen to their needs. Try to avoid building in a vacuum. Your audience are best placed to tell you how to serve them.
Surround yourself with the right people. Islam emphasises Shūrā (consultation) and Ṣuḥbah (righteous companionship). Seek mentors and advisors early on. They will help you avoid costly mistakes, keep you grounded, and offer diverse perspectives. Good company can also refine your thinking, inspire you, and hold you accountable. It makes all the difference when you’re navigating uncharted waters!
It’s easy to feel pressured to rush when others seem to achieve success faster. But patience and time are your greatest assets.
What about funding? It’s the buzz word for entrepreneurs, and a tricky path to navigate. Unfortunately my advice is minimal here; I’m still figuring it out! Taahirah is bootstrapped – we ran a crowdfunding campaign to get off the ground. Though, what I do know is this: there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach—what works for one founder may not work for another. Choose the routes that serve you best – your resolve and the willingness to pivot will also serve you well! It’s important to briefly note here a stark reality: only 2% of venture funding goes to female founders. That number hasn’t changed in over a decade. I hope to see a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial landscape emerge. Too many driven women remain under-resourced and overlooked.
Finally, it’s easy to feel pressured to rush when others seem to achieve success faster. But patience and time are your greatest assets. Keep your day job—for a while, at least. Many of us need to work long nights and weekends to sustain ourselves as we build our ventures. It’s tough! But taking your time allows you to be thoughtful and intentional. In doing so, listen to your body. No-one else can. As a good friend once reminded me: “don’t be another statistic on the women’s health gap, girlie.” Your energy levels, hormonal cycle and overall well-being directly impact your progress. If you’re burnt out, you’re less likely to achieve. Take breaks when needed—prioritise sleep, nourish your body, and exercise regularly. Incorporate practices like prayer, deep breathing, or a relaxing breaks when stress builds up. It’s not just about maintaining physical health, but also the mental clarity and emotional resilience to see this journey through.
What’s next?
As I write this, we’re preparing to launch our beta version of Taahirah. We’ve also released our report, ‘We Aren’t Taught About These Things When Young’: Muslim Women’s Menstrual Health Challenges and Tech-Based Solutions.’ It offers an in-depth look into the health experiences of Muslim women, and highlights how Taahirah is addressing these challenges.
Here’s a powerful quote from one of our respondents:
“It’s very challenging explaining my conditions. I’ve lived with polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis for over 34 years. Many have laughed, belittled, and shown little sympathy while I’ve struggled daily with these conditions.”
Once you’ve read the report, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to reach out to us—we’re constantly learning from the feedback we receive. And if you find our work useful, share it with your network!
After our beta launch, my focus will shift towards scaling. While the gender health gap is a global issue, it’s even more pronounced in minority communities. Our vision is to build the go-to platform for Muslim women’s health—where faith and health intersect to encourage women to take control of their well-being. We’ll be pushing forward on this, and you’ll be seeing more of us!
Additionally, I’ll be focused on fundraising and forming partnerships to improve access to personalised healthcare solutions. We want to create a more equitable landscape for Muslim women worldwide.
If you’d like to support our mission of reclaiming the Muslim women’s health narrative, follow us on social media and share our work—it helps raise awareness! If you’re are interested in collaborating, please reach out to us at contact@taahirahapp.com.
- Instagram: @TaahirahApp
- TikTok: @Taahirah.App
- X (formerly Twitter): @TaahirahApp
- LinkedIn: Taahirah