Startup Story
Fatima Agoujil is the founder of Le Petit Riad, a unique guest house business in the city of Ouarzazate in Morocco. She is an impressive example of a tourism professional and also of a woman entrepreneur who has taken the path of adventure. After a rich career as a tour guide and travel agent, Fatima created " Le Petit Riad" in order to welcome foreign visitors to the city in a warm family setting, sharing different cultures, traditions and typical Moroccan meals. She is a woman entrepreneur driven by the pleasure of moving forward and the curiosity to continually discover new things.
LoA learned more about this unique tourism business this month from founder Fatima Agoujil.
What does your company do?
Le Petit Riad is a Guest House providing accommodation for visitors.
What inspired you to start your company?
I like to receive and share knowledge with people from all over the world.
“I like to receive and share knowledge with people from all over the world.”
Why should anyone use your service or product?
The art of welcoming foreign people in a warm family setting, sharing our different cultures, traditions and typical Moroccan meals.
Tell us a little about your team
The team works in harmony, in a family setting, comprising a painter director who takes care of the decoration of the Riad, and who is surrounded by team of very competent girls and boys who adore their profession.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
After a rich career as a tour guide and travel agent, I created a guest house "Le Petit Riad" in Ouarzazate. It is not just a simple place of work, it is particularly a lifestyle.
“After a rich career as a tour guide and travel agent, I created a guest house "Le Petit Riad" in Ouarzazate. It is not just a simple place of work, it is particularly a lifestyle.”
“To share the experience I have acquired as a tourist guide, a travel agent, a manager of a guest house, and a good cook, with young girls from the South of Morocco, those who have not had the chance to study in that domain.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To share the experience I have acquired as a tourist guide, a travel agent, a manager of a guest house, and a good cook, with young girls from the South of Morocco, those who have not had the chance to study in that domain.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The fact that my clients and staff are satisfied gives me more courage and well-being.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Self-confidence - nothing can stop the success of a woman. Also continue to do training without stopping.
Contact or follow Le Petit Riad
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL petitriad@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
Having passion for what you do and the business you are building is key to success, and Fatima has that passion in large quantities. She is creating unique tourism experiences for visitors to her city and country by encouraging them to feel part of local tradition and culture. Her authentic family welcome for visitors is what makes her business different and stand out from the competitors. Fatima is a great example of a woman entrepreneur who is also paying it forward in her industry sector, by sharing her experience and expertise with the next generation of young women. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa