Thy Yard Pioneer: The Unyielding Journey of Wasan Badar Al Malki from Oman’s Entrepreneurial Aspirations to Global Innovations and SME Empowerment

Wasan Badar Al Malki, hailing from the Sultanate of Oman, is a distinguished entrepreneur with a solid background in International Supply Chain and Purchasing. Despite initial hurdles, she co-established Al Brashdi & Al Malki Trading LLC in 2018. Under her guidance, the company introduced groundbreaking initiatives such as Container Parks and unveiled Oman’s trailblazing brand, Thy Yard Park, in 2021. Despite navigating challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, Wasan’s resilience and steadfast commitment have propelled the company to success, positioning Thy Yard as a notable brand recognized for its innovative concept and support for SMEs. With a dedication to personal development, family, and business expansion, Wasan continues to inspire others with her visionary mindset and unwavering determination. In addition to her professional pursuits, she enjoys exploring the world, assisting those in need, indulging in literature, and more.

Unveiling the Journey

We started the interview by asking, “Explain your background and your firm in detail.”

Wasan Almalki replied, “I am from the Sultanate of Oman. I graduated with an honor degree in International Supply Chain and Purchasing from Greenwich University. I am a mother of two boys and have worked for six years in various fields, including Customer Marketing Executive, before transitioning to a different role in Talent Management and Performance. I love traveling the world, assisting the unfortunate, reading, and more.
I started my company in 2018 with a passion for business. Since childhood, I aspired to become an entrepreneur, dreaming of creating change, innovating, and contributing value to my country. After graduation, I got married and, finding myself without a job, attempted to start a marketing company which, unfortunately, failed. However, this setback didn’t deter me from pursuing my ambitions further. Despite becoming a mother at the age of 23, I continued to chase my dreams and established a company in 2018.

Initially, we focused on Container Parks, a telecommunications business, and supplying containers. My husband and I, as partners, founded our company (Al Brashdi & Al Malki Trading LLC). In 2021, we launched our first brand, Thy Yard Park, in the Sultanate of Oman. We encountered numerous challenges, and obtaining approvals took us years due to being the first Omanis to launch such a project in the country. It wasn’t easy; I was pregnant, juggling work and personal responsibilities to achieve our goals (who said women can’t do it all?). However, our concept resonated well in the Sultanate of Oman, attracting visitors from all around.

Two years later, we have expanded and are currently franchising the brand, aiming for global expansion. Additionally, in 2021, we launched our second brand, BMTel, in the telecommunications field, collaborating with major telecom companies such as Ericsson, Motorola, and more.

Our company, Al Brashdi & Al Malki Trading LLC, is driven by a clear mission and vision:

Our Mission is to establish a strong foundation of long-lasting relationships with stakeholders and shape the future of entertainment and dining. We are committed to providing platforms for showcasing community potential and nurturing entrepreneurial spirit through innovative ideas and concepts.

Our vision is to impart sustainable and quality services to the community, striving for matchless consistent services for everyone, every day. We aim to redefine social life with experiences and tireless efforts, believing in innovative and community-focused activities. The journey began with Thy Yard project in Muscat, one-of-its-kind and refreshing concept, and we continue to innovate and lead in our industry.”

Future Aspirations and Ambitions

The Worlds Times: What are your goals?

Wasan Almalki replied, “I have many goals in life, starting with self-growth, my career, motherhood, being there for my husband, and more. Improving my growth mindset, setting goals, and achieving them can require changes in our life. To believe that change is possible, we need to have an open mind and the awareness to accept any mistakes we might make along the way. I strive to be more proactive; every day has the potential to shift something in our life.

Practicing gratitude is a small daily objective, where I consciously choose to acknowledge my blessings and thank Allah for them. Being there for my kids is crucial; the little things always matter. One of the reasons I had to quit my job was to focus on my family, myself, and our business. Picking my boys up from school, participating in their activities, hugging them every morning and night, and reminding them how much we love them are essential to me.

Being a supportive wife to my husband is also important; I aim to be there and take care of the family. Learning something new every day is a personal goal of mine.

Furthermore, I aspire to expand our worldwide business and make it the most visited youth hub in Oman.”

Key Strengths Propelling ABM-OMAN’s Success

The Worlds Times: What do you feel is the biggest strength of “ABM-OMAN” right now?

Wasan Almalki replied, “Thy Yard brand is a story with multiple designs, each featuring innovative customized containers in various sizes and locations. It serves as a community for entrepreneurs, a platform for events, carnivals, and a venue for people to showcase their talents. As the first and only concept of its kind in Oman, the services we provide and the quality we maintain are crucial and pioneering. Thy Yard supports SMEs by providing them with a space to showcase their talents, services, and companies, offering them opportunities for growth.”

Journey to Success

The Worlds Times: What was the path you took to get to where you are today?

Wasan Almalki replied, “I never gave up, even when many people were against this concept. Many said no, many said it wouldn’t be easy, but we never gave up. We never allowed the word no to deter us; instead, we always fought for it and demonstrated the value of such a concept. We sacrificed a lot in believing in ourselves and our idea.”

The Worlds Times: What benefits are people getting from “ABM-OMAN” in this competitive world?

Wasan Almalki replied, “Thy Yard supports different segments. When it comes to customers, it’s a space where you can enjoy with your friends and family, try new cuisines, and enjoy the vibrant and innovative atmosphere. The name itself, Thy Yard, signifies it as ‘your space’. We host events and exhibitions for businesses.

When it comes to our stakeholders and clients, Thy Yard serves as a platform where we customize our containers for immediate use, eliminating the need for high investment. We offer them the opportunity to start their business and simplify the process. As for our brand BMTel, we provide top-notch services that ensure our clients are happy and satisfied. When it comes to supplying containers, we ensure the best designs, highest quality, and best prices.”

Origins of ABM-OMAN

The Worlds Times: Why did you start “ABM-OMAN”?

Wasan Almalki replied, “Our Company’s concept originated from observing gaps in various industries, such as real estate. For instance, all the F&B and outlet stores had similar designs and concepts. Aligned with the Sultanate of Oman Vision 2040, we aimed to introduce something novel and trendy, such as container-based setups. We tailored these solutions to support businesses, ensuring sustainability and the use of eco-friendly materials, aiming to instigate change. Recognizing that many of our peers harbored entrepreneurial aspirations, we devised a venture requiring low investment yet promising high returns. Additionally, within the telecommunications sector, numerous large contractors offered identical services. In response, we offered unique solutions, completing projects swiftly, thus attracting interest from major corporations.”

Navigating Obstacles

The Worlds Times: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome during the journey of your leadership?

Wasan Almalki replied, “During the initial two years, my husband and I took on the responsibility of ensuring the smooth operation of the business, especially amidst the challenging COVID-19 period, which posed significant hurdles for enterprises. Despite the immense stress of being solely responsible and managing everything, I found motivation by constantly reminding myself of the reasons driving my efforts: our future, our family’s well-being, the satisfaction of our clients, and contributing to our country’s prosperity. Additionally, resigning from a secure job at a prominent company in Oman, with its associated benefits and stable salary, presented another significant challenge. However, I didn’t subscribe to the notion of contentment with a conventional 7:00 am to 3:00 pm job. Thus, I made the decision to resign, placing my faith in my abilities, believing in myself, and investing in my potential.”

Defining Essence

The Worlds Times: Give us one word that describes you the best.

Wasan Almalki replied, “Staying positive is crucial, regardless of how tough things may seem. It’s a fundamental aspect of life, guided by the plan our God has laid out for us.”

Core Values and Vision of ABM-OMAN

The Worlds Times: What do you value the most about “ABM-OMAN” vision?

Wasan Almalki replied, “Building enduring connections with our stakeholders is a cornerstone of our success. Looking ahead, I envision ABM-OMAN evolving significantly within the next two years. Our company holds vast potential across various sectors, and our goal is to expand globally. To achieve this, we will concentrate on enhancing our company’s visibility through active participation in exhibitions and conventions. By showcasing our unique offerings and distinguishing ourselves from others, we aim to solidify our presence on the global stage.”

Navigating Challenges

The Worlds Times: What are the key values which helped you to overcome the challenges in your path? Tell us something about your memorable incident in your leadership?

Wasan Almalki replied, “Foster a growth mindset, establish realistic and attainable objectives, embrace adaptability and flexibility, cultivate a robust support system, practice self-compassion, and concentrate on factors within your control. Amid the process of securing approvals and permits for our project, I vividly recall being eight months pregnant. Every morning at 6:00 am, I diligently visited the ministry, striving to connect with the responsible officials. On one occasion, I approached the project manager’s desk and humorously insisted that either we obtain approval that day or I would deliver my baby right there. Though said in jest, it underscored our unwavering determination and seriousness. We had devoted years to finalizing the project’s details, investing our time, finances, and efforts to ensure its development.”

Final Thoughts for Our Audience

Lastly we asked, “Would you like to say anything else to our viewers?”

“Never give up, be the change you want to see in the world” Wasan Almalki concluded

Connect with Wasam Almalki on Linkedin

Visit Al Brashdi and Al Malki Trading LLC to learn more about it

Read this interview here: https://www.theworldstimes.com/interviews/wasan-badar-al-malki/