MUSCAT : Moderated by Asma Al Riyami, Radio Presenter at Oman FM, the panel brought together Maryam Al Amri, Founder & CEO, Matterz Group; Varsha Roy, Finance Director, Adlife Hospital; Lubna Al Zakwani, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Endemage; and Marise Assaf, Founder & CEO, Kenshō Mindful Communications.

Together, they delved into themes of self-worth, perseverance, business innovation, and the unseen emotional labour often shouldered by women leaders.

Varsha Roy touched on the societal expectations placed on women to excel in every area of life — from their careers to motherhood. “There’s this stereotype that women have to be successful in everything — at work, at home. The bar is set too high. We may fail in that pursuit, but only because we believe we have to be perfect. We need to let go of perfection and recognise our self-worth,” she stated.

Addressing the impact of digital pressure, both Varsha and Marise Assaf reflected on the psychological toll of social media: “There’s so much noise around us. Social media can be overwhelming… That’s why it’s important to find your own rhythm. If we don’t accept criticism from others, why do we criticise ourselves? Speak to yourself with kindness,” said Varsha.

Marise added, “Social media and AI are fuelling the fear of missing out. Women often feel like they constantly need to prove something. But we don’t need to. Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t listen to the noise around you. Just be yourself.”

The panellists also shared the real, behind-the-scenes challenges of building a business and leadership identity in Oman.

Maryam Al Amri noted the difficulty of turning impact-driven ideas into viable business models: “We are selling impact, and that’s a different perspective in business. Turning that into real programmes and solutions was difficult — no one came forward to support us in the beginning… But we kept going.”

Varsha Roy echoed the importance of trust and talent; she stated: “It was a large-scale investment, and returns took time. People needed to trust us, and reputation had to be built. The biggest challenge was hiring the right people for the right jobs — that’s where real change begins.”

Marise Assaf, speaking on the struggles of small businesses, added, “To stand out, we have to raise the bar — that means hiring top talent. But attracting that kind of talent is a challenge. Everyone wants to work for big names. I don’t believe mentorship is the answer — women should achieve success through their own drive. Action is the antidote to fear.”

The panel closed with empowering advice for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.
Encouraging boldness, Maryam stated: “You are unique. So just do it — not like a Nike slogan, but to learn from your actions. You will grow. And remember: everyone can succeed.”

Lubna Al Zakwani, representing the creative industries, emphasised individuality: “Don’t compare, don’t compete. You are unique. Just take action and learn from your journey. Don’t be afraid, and don’t chase perfection.”

In a rare but important note, Lubna acknowledged the supportive role men have played in Oman’s fashion and creative industries, highlighting the importance of allyship across genders. Meanwhile, Varsha reminded attendees that knowledge — not competition — is the real equaliser.

“If you have subject knowledge, you can do anything. You don’t need to compete with men — you just need to know your value.”

The ‘Power of Women in Business’ panel served as a testament to the courage, resilience, and authenticity of Omani and regional women leading across sectors — not just changing boardrooms, but reshaping the conversation around what success truly means.

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