The Booming MLM Industry Heralds a New Dawn for Women in Saudi Arabia

As the fresh breeze of revolution whistles through the conservative corners in the Arab world, it opens numerous doors of opportunities for men and women alike. It seems the stage for transition is set where women will be playing key roles.

One such key role is being played by Salsabila Al-Harbi – a young female entrepreneur – who has made it to the top in the booming MLM industry in a very short span of time.

Fondly known as Sally, Salsabila Al-Harbi is a single women from Saudi Arabia. She has served at a well-known dental practice as a Dental Assistants Trainer, being herself a diploma holder in Dental Assistance. Her unabridged success in her profession helped her work up the ladder to top leadership position.

She claims to remain employed for several more years while dreaming to become a full time networker wherein she can capably devote more time to her family and herself. Her search for eczema treatment led her to a banner of relevant products that also paved her way to training for knowledge regarding more such products. To her utter surprise ‘the training was more than about products’ and talked about a unique opportunity. Salsabila refers to the business opportunity as her ‘long lost love’ that made her heart go ‘up and down.’ She could not keep herself from thinking about the levels she could reach and things she could do with the business opportunity. This opportunity proved to be a stepping stone towards financial freedom that her job could not have granted her for at least 10 more years. All of a sudden her dream house and charity work seemed to turn into reality and she grabbed the opportunity without any second thoughts.

On being asked how feasible is it to accommodate MLM into the daily family chores of a woman, Salsabila humbly answers, ‘anyone can come up with excuses but a serious person will make the time’ and reiterates the age-old saying ‘if there is a will there is a way.’ She exemplifies many moms who could fit MLM into their tight schedules only because they were guided by the sheer urge to succeed. All that a busy mom needs is some help. ‘I do my best to make it easy for my team by holding the meetings in the most convenient location for them’ is what Salsabila has to say regarding her help towards her teammates. Salsabila makes every effort to hold meetings right at home.

Although there are no educational qualifications bound to MLM, strong leadership and communication skills are mandatory. According to Salsabila, ‘Women willing to be successful in MLM should be proactive and should believe in herself. Those who wait for permission do not get to touch the zenith after all.’

Salsabila suggests that striking a balanced path between family life and work is really possible and it all depends on the woman’s will. She gives some valuable piece of advice regarding the same. According to her, women should begin by reorganizing the schedule and delegating not-so-important things to others.

Salsabila takes pride in having worked with women who realized their potential of performing different roles. These women turned to MLM for it gave them the opportunity to offer more value and be in control of their finances.

Salsabila found herself in a dicey situation when asked if MLM has the potential to offer more solutions than the problems it conjures. She deems, MLM undoubtedly offers solutions as it gives freedom to women to stay at home and yet have a tangible income. But culture and societal norms seem to be a hindrance to MLM’s rapid progress at this moment. Salsabila hopes that the family would understand and support the daughter, wife or sister with her MLM project instead of raising eyebrows.

Salsabila sees a bright future for MLM. According to her, MLM will turn into a leading profession in the times to come and will help generate conditions for healthier and more fulfilling life for coming generations. It would not only reduce poverty but also improve lifestyles. Further down the line, MLM will become a part of educational curriculum. Salsabila wishes that MLM will prevent breeding of scams and frauds on its ground.

By holding a key leadership position in MLM, Salsabila has marched ahead of most women who are still striving to climb up the ladder in conventional businesses. On being asked what could be the possible reason behind this, she humbly gives credit to the flexibility of time and location that MLM offers. Contrary to most corporate jobs, MLM enables women to prioritize and strike a balanced path. MLM demands that women work in teams, which prove to be beneficial for women because teams offer caring and nurturing environments instead of an energy-draining environment. A ‘Competent Toastmaster’ in public speaking, Salsabila’s peerless leadership and communication skills have proved to be a boon for MLM. Having trained many professionals during her job days, Salsabila acquired and honed some soft skills that came handy while communicating to others about the opportunity of MLM. Salsabila owes a lot to successful entrepreneur Dr. Ellie Drake – her role model – and finds her a constant source of inspiration.

Salsabila’s journey to leadership level is indeed commendable and she puts in concerted effort to drive other women in her team to such key positions. ‘I always give support and follow-up and keep those who lose focus in the loop’ says Salsabila. If at all the position that the team members are currently in makes them contented, Salsabila does not impose her wishes on them.

Nonetheless, she constantly motivates them to bring change to their and others’ lives and when they think that they are ready to climb up to the next level, Salsabila gives her whole support.

Contrary to what books have to say about planning careers, Salsabila is open to changing career plans when you know that you are heading in the right direction. Salsabila gives thumbs up to ‘following your heart and doing what is best at the moment.’ Salsabila believes that career planning is one of the pillars on which the house of dreams is built. She made many plans that she never could execute. Her association with MLM, however, was mostly luck that came across ‘at the right place at the right time’ like a ‘blessing from God.’

Success does not come for free and it holds true in case of Salsabila too. It cost her time, focus and continuous effort to reach to the goal. Salsabila laments that she had to give up her weekly meetings at Toastmasters organization and had to keep herself from participating in competitions in which she used to emerge as a winner earlier.

“Success is not a destination, it is a continuous process and if you reach a certain level you have to keep it up or you lose momentum.”

​“Women willing to be successful in MLM should be proactive and should believe in herself. Those who wait for permission do not get to touch the zenith after all.”

Although she still participates in some of these competitions, the level of commitment has certainly gone down to nil. But she is still satisfied with the fact that the time spent in Toastmasters organization competition is now invested in reaching MLM goals. Her short stay of two years in the USA at a tender age of 9 years helped her absorb the true American Moto in life – always dreaming big.

For Salsabila, ‘Success is not a destination, it is a continuous process and if you reach a certain level you have to keep it up or you lose momentum.’ Being a leading Woman Networker in KSA, Salsabila has come to measure days in hours. She is contended that she makes more out of a single day now than she used to do earlier.

Salsabila has hardly any time to spare. Her work demands most of her time from 7 o’clock in the morning to 4 o’clock in the evening. Nevertheless she manages to take some time out for online self development programs that include live trainings. She heads to home by 9 or sometimes 10 at night after attending business meetings and buying necessities. However, she saves weekends for rest and house chores. Activities with family and friends are her priorities during weekends.

OBTAINER seized the opportunity to put Salsabila in a fix when she had to choose between a male leader and a female leader. Salsabila smartly turned the situation to her favor by claiming that women are natural leaders as is seen in a family. While leadership in a family is not an option for women; they can choose to be a leader in many other fields. However, Salsabila maintains that leadership qualities in men differ from those in women.

Through the OBTAINER, Salsabila wants to call out to all women to grab the unique opportunity named MLM: Working it the right way will also grant financial freedom to women and Salsabila wants women to learn more about it. This is a message from Salsabila to all women who want to bring change to their as well as others’ lives; who love a company’s products or services; and who love to share with others the good change they have felt.

Salsabila Al-Harby