Ghada Ismail

Suppose that the influencers just take selfies and share snap-winning captions all day long? Think again. In Saudi Arabia, the social media stars that you glance over every day are now occupying the head seats of boardroom tables, building brands, making startups, and leading companies that are making waves.

It's a revolution that can't be ignored. With millions of followers at their fingertips, these influencers have done more than sell products; they've established trust, built personal brands, and discovered the secret to turning passion into profit. Today, they're using that clout to create businesses that don't just track trends. They set them!

From fashion and beauty to tech and F&B, Saudi influencers are proving that the leap from content creator to company founder isn’t just possible; it’s becoming the new normal. In this blog, we’ll dive into the stories of some of Saudi Arabia’s most successful influencer-turned-entrepreneurs and see how they're redefining what it means to be a CEO in today’s digital-first economy.

Ready to meet Saudi businesses' new faces? Let's get in. Welcome to the new world where Saudi influencers are swapping followers for founder titles and making serious moves in markets far from the usual beauty and fashion paths.

Ibrahim Al Hajjaj: From Stand-Up Star to Startup Starter

You know him as the master of sharp wit and grounded characters, but Ibrahim Al Hajjaj is doing more than just making people laugh; he's building the business of entertainment.

Behind the limelight, Ibrahim has been busy opening stand-up comedy houses and forward-thinking production houses, driving Saudi Arabia's entertainment industry from amateur to business-class.

It's a high-stakes gamble, putting him not only as an entertainer but also as one of the driving forces shaping the future of the industry.

Ghaith Marwan: Turning Adventures into Investments

Known for his energetic travel videos and larger-than-life personality, Ghaith Marwan didn’t stop at entertainment. He’s quietly invested in the food and beverage scene and hospitality projects, bringing his adventurous spirit to real-world businesses. For Ghaith, the thrill of the journey isn’t just online; it’s embedded in every venture he backs.

Bader Saleh: From Viral Videos to Serious Ventures

Remember the viral sketches from ‘Eish Elly?’

Bader Saleh utilized his online fame and took it as a launching pad to develop content tech startups and media creativity platforms. Being at the forefront of media trends, Bader is showing that content creators' future is about taking charge of their art and their enterprises.

Ahmad Al Shugairi: Spurring Change, Establishing Enterprises

Saudi youth have been inspired by Ahmad Al Shugairi for decades on programs like 'Khawatir'.

But his influence did not remain limited to screen; it translated into tangible projects, from publishing ventures to social initiatives targeted at innovation, education, and empowering youths. Ahmad's life proves that when purpose is merged with influence, real social change follows.

Faisal Al Basri: Revolutionizing the E-commerce Game

Faisal Al Basri, famous for his biting remarks on business and technology, did not just talk about entrepreneurship; he lived it. With his venture into e-commerce and online platforms, Faisal has encouraged local products and created new opportunities for SMEs to expand online. He's the ultimate example of how content creators can turn digital knowledge into real business success.

The Rise of a New Entrepreneurial Generation

Saudi social media influencers are demonstrating that today, influence is not a matter of numbers; it's a matter of doing. They have progressed from being just creators to being real business players and cultural influencers. There are lessons for us on how digital natives can turn their skills and audience relationships into profitable businesses.

This is not just indicative of the rise of influencer marketing but of the emergence of a new generation of digital businesspeople who are revolutionizing business and culture. With these digital business people creating their brands, they're not just changing their own destinies but even rewriting the success recipe in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The bottom line is clear: influence in the new world isn't about being seen; it's about using your platform. The social media influencers in Saudi Arabia are showing us all just how much that is possible.

Ghada Ismail

Startups are built on ideas, but they survive and thrive on insights. In Saudi Arabia’s fast-changing market, where digital transformation is reshaping industries and consumer behavior is evolving rapidly, listening to customer feedback can be the difference between winning and losing.

Imagine pouring months into developing what you believe is a groundbreaking product, only to find that customers don’t see the value. It’s a common pitfall, especially when founders get so attached to their vision that they overlook what their audience is really asking for. Ignoring feedback isn’t just a missed opportunity, it’s rather a direct path to failure.

Why Ignoring Feedback Is Risky

The numbers paint a clear picture:

• According to CB Insights, 14% of startup failures are linked to ignoring customer needs.
• In Saudi Arabia’s growing startup scene, 60% of struggling startups reported a disconnect between their product and customer expectations (MAGNiTT, 2023).

When startups tune out feedback, they risk creating solutions that fail to solve real problems. Worse yet, they may alienate early adopters, the very people willing to give honest insights that could shape a stronger product.

Common Mistakes Startups Make

• Dismissing Negative Feedback: It's easy to brush off complaints as isolated incidents, but patterns in criticism often signal deeper flaws.
• Failing to Act on Feedback: Gathering insights without following through frustrates customers. HubSpot reports that 42% of customers disengage from businesses that ignore their concerns. 
• Assuming Silence Means Satisfaction: Just because customers aren’t complaining doesn’t mean they’re happy. Many dissatisfied users simply leave without sharing their frustrations.
• Relying Solely on Internal Assumptions: Building a product based on what founders think customers want instead of gathering direct feedback often leads to misalignment.
• Ignoring Cultural Preferences: For startups in Saudi Arabia, failing to account for local preferences, language, and traditions can alienate key customer segments.

Building a Strong Feedback System

To stay in tune with customer needs, startups should:

• Develop clear processes for collecting and analyzing feedback.
• Engage through customer support channels, surveys, and social media, especially vital in Saudi Arabia, where social media penetration exceeds 80% according to Statista.
• Show customers that their voices matter by acting on feedback and openly sharing improvements inspired by their input.

Wrapping things up…

Startups that truly listen to their customers are the ones that adapt, evolve, and thrive. Saudi Arabia’s startup landscape is competitive, and winning over customers takes more than just a strong product, it requires building trust. By responding to feedback and making users feel heard, startups gain more than insights; they gain advocates who will champion their success.

On the other hand, ignoring feedback is like driving blind—risky, reckless, and often fatal for businesses. Embracing customer insights isn’t just smart, it makes you survive the first year’s curse. 

Stay tuned for the final episode in this series, where we'll explore the last two major reasons why startups struggle  and how to overcome them with key insights to help founders navigate their crucial first year.