Doha, Qatar: In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, where hurdles abound and risks are abundant, Trading Colorant, founded and developed in Qatar, emerges as a testament to the power of determination and innovative thinking.
This pioneering startup, founded in October of last year, has already made significant strides, receiving recognition through two prestigious awards: the Al Fikra and IDEA Camp fourth edition from the Digital Incubation Center of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
At its core, Colorant is a mobile application that revolutionises the printing industry through innovative strategies. Seamlessly connecting customers with a wide range of printing services, it offers transparent pricing and a comprehensive suite of pre-printing services to ensure the highest quality from production to delivery.
The mind behind Colorant, founder Sara Al Mahmoud, shared with The Peninsula her remarkable journey of turning a dream into reality. With a background as a graphic designer since 2003, Sara aspired to establish her own printing press. However, faced with exorbitant costs, she realized the need for a fresh approach. Observing the traditional print press industry in Doha, Sara identified the outdated marketing methods prevalent in the field. It was at this pivotal moment that the concept of Colorant took shape—an app similar to popular food delivery platforms but specifically tailored to printing and design services.
Colorant functions as an all-encompassing platform, bridging the gap between designers and printing presses. Designers can upload their creations while Colorant handles production and delivery. This seamless process allows designers to earn commissions effortlessly, while freelancers can monetise their skills through a legitimate platform. For printing presses, the app streamlines operations by maintaining a repository of previously produced items, enabling customers to purchase recurring products at fixed prices.
More than a success story, Sara told The Peninsula that her journey is not just about her making a mark in the entrepreneurial field, she wanted her experience to be an inspiration for aspiring businesspeople to take the first step towards their dream.
“Life is hard, sometimes you will find yourself in trouble if you start a business but that shouldn’t hinder you. You need to be very careful with your steps, your next move. For you to be able to succeed, find what makes you ‘special’, find a solution that the people wanted.”
“My advice for young people and those who want to have their own business – think outside the box, find a solution that can help people and what the people need – create it, and program it,” she said.
Colorant’s success story is underscored by its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. The app provides order tracking, ensuring users of timely delivery. Since its inception in October, Colorant has successfully fulfilled over 1,000 orders, attesting to its efficiency and reliability.
Sara also highlighted the abundant opportunities available in Qatar, not only for Qatari citizens but also for individuals from diverse backgrounds. “Qatar provides a nurturing ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs, offering support through platforms such as Bedaya. These avenues provide aspiring talents with incubation, funding, and mentorship, empowering them to transform their unconventional ideas into thriving businesses.”
