Startup Story
Nadine Farrag is the CEO & Founder of Farahy, the first and largest one-stop-hub for everything wedding related in Egypt. Since 2020, Nadine and the team have been utilizing technology to transform the Egyptian wedding industry from a very fragmented market to a one-stop service and product marketplace. During the process, they haven't only been helping out couples achieve their stress-free dream day, they've also been empowering women all over the industry by bridging the gap between them and their clients. Internally, they're very proud to have a 100% female team.
Nadine has been featured on Nile Life TV, Radio Art, Women of Egypt, Women's Avenue, and many more. She has been selected as one of three finalists for the Young Entrepreneur Award across Africa in 2022. She has won 3rd place pitching Farahy at DICE demo day at Techne Summit 2021. Farahy has also been featured in Egypt's Entrepreneur Awards 2022. Prior to Farahy, Nadine comes with 8+ years of marketing experience with a demonstrated history of working both locally and globally in several different industries including telecom, education, and healthcare. In addition to that, she is a holder of a dual Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Journalism with highest honors from AUC.
LoA spoke to Nadine about her vision for her business, her entrepreneurial journey so far, and her passion for what she does.
“Farahy is Egypt's largest wedding platform and the only one-stop-hub for everything wedding related.”
What does your company do?
Farahy is the only one-stop-hub for everything wedding related in Egypt. We understand how stressful and challenging the wedding day can get, with the thousands of details that need planning and all the service providers out there. We want to help make the planning process as smooth as it can be so we’ve created a platform that will act as the one-stop-hub for all the big day’s needs. In summary, we’ll take care of everything starting from the proposal planning until your honeymoon.
What do we do?
Farahy Shop: Your one-stop-shop for all your wedding day needs! Whether you’re looking for matching Mr. & Mrs. outfits or items for your bridesmaids, we’ve got you covered!
Farahy Directory: Your one-stop-hub for all your wedding planning needs! Starting with your dream venue till your magical honeymoon, our directory has it all including prices and other customers’ reviews! You can check suppliers' availability, book and pay online, invite guests, plan your gift list, and much more!
Farahy Coverage: Be a celebrity on your big day! Book our wedding coverage service and have your wedding featured on all our social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok). We’ll even engrave your love story!
Farahy Genie: We make your dreams come true! We’re your personal 24/7 assistant in anything you need. We’ll recommend, organize, and book everything on your behalf. Wedding venue, photographer, catering, honeymoon, you name it!
What inspired you to start your company?
I personally love weddings. I believe it's the happiest day in anyone's life and I never miss attending one. After years and years of attending weddings, it was my time to be a bridesmaid and help my best friends with their planning. I realized how ugly the process was and that was a turning point. How can such a beautiful day be loaded with all this stress? Why can't the process be easier and fun?
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Farahy is Egypt's largest wedding platform and the only one-stop-hub for everything wedding related. We're the only ones to date who are able to provide the full service from the proposal planning until the honeymoon including all services and products. All customized to suit each couple.
“We're the only ones to date who are able to provide the full service from the proposal planning until the honeymoon including all services and products. All customized to suit each couple.”
Tell us a little about your team
Aleya Shaalan is my Co-founder and COO of Farahy. Prior to Farahy, Aleya comes with 6+ years of experience in business development and PR working in CBC, Orange and others. In addition to that, she has been featured in Women of Egypt and Concept Magazine. Aleya and I were friends during our college years but then life happened and we drifted apart for years. We came together again because of Farahy. She currently lives in Germany with her husband and son. Thanks to our remote nature of business, she manages just fine.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Farahy is my first startup but before that I had worked in other startups and corporates. I believe I had the entrepreneurial spirit since a young age. I organized the school's first ever prom and graduation parties. I cofounded a student activity during my university years. My father was a serial entrepreneur (before that was even a word). It has always been inspiring how he could achieve so much in so little time.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
We plan on being the largest wedding platform in the MENA region. We'd love to be everyone's top of mind whenever they think of weddings. We also plan on extending our portfolio of services and products to always being there in every personal milestone of our clients.
“We plan on being the largest wedding platform in the MENA region. We'd love to be everyone's top of mind whenever they think of weddings.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Seeing the positive impact on the team, the clients, the suppliers and the external environment is always very satisfying. Seeing the company growing, getting the 1st client, the 1st review, etc. are all beautiful moments. It's just like having your first baby when every little move counts. Being there on the wedding day itself, the happiest moment of all, gives meaning to all what we do. And I can't leave out how rewarding it is to make money :)
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Be confident in your skills and abilities to dream big and turn it into a reality. You can only achieve as much as you dream.
Contact or follow Farahy
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL nadine@farahy.net
Why LoA loves it…
Success in business often comes from finding a gap in the market and then making it your own. For Nadine Farrag, that gap came from her personal experiences of seeing how stressful the wedding planning process was for her friends and family members. She knew there was a gap for creating a one-stop platform for all things related to successful and stress-free wedding planning, and she was inspired to turn that gap into a business opportunity. Today, her platform is the go-to place for all those wanting to create memorable wedding moments that have all pleasure but none of the stress. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa