THERE are a number of married Saudi women who, for a variety of reasons, would like to increase their incomes or, in some cases, just occupy their time. They have, so to speak, taken the bull by the horns and are making money. Arab News has met some of them in order to learn what they do and how they do it.

Umm Naif, is a 37-year-old housewife and the mother of five sons. She married 18 years ago and now that her husband’s income is insufficient for the family’s expenses, she has begun working and earning money. Since she was very young, she has been a talented cook; she enjoys cooking and so she decided she would cook and sell her products in schools. She said, “In the beginning I was shy about going to sell my products in schools, especially some of my relatives were there. My family is very well known and many people know me. Sometime I would come home without having sold anything. Then my friends and neighbors encouraged me and I moved forward.”

After being initially successful, Umm Naif then began to take orders for parties and other social functions. She has the ability to cook for 500 people and as she says, “In Ramadan, there is a big increase in my income. At the end of the month, I can buy new clothes for my children and I feel very happy about helping with my family’s expenses.”

Umm Naif has now expanded her business and gives cooking courses for girls who are about to marry. The price per course is SR1000.

Umm Ramy is a 39 year-old housewife and the mother of 3 sons. When her sons grew up, she had free time and began to feel bored. She then decided to use her talent in the kitchen and her love of cooking to start her own business. Initially, her husband and family opposed her idea since there was no real financial need for Umm Ramy to work at all. Nonetheless, she stuck to her idea and began taking orders from friends and neighbors. Her business did so well that she had to hire a kitchen staff to help her, especially for big parties and ceremonies.

She said, “I have never felt shy or ashamed of my work. I am a businesswoman and I am proud of having a project of my own. It makes good financial returns and helps my morale. I earn around SR8000 per month and I want to increase my profits. I feel very happy cooking for people in Ramadan, especially for working women who don’t have time to prepare Iftar.”

Umm Jamil is a retired teacher. She has been very skilled in the kitchen since she was 18 years old. After her retirement, she felt bored, so she decided to use her abilities to start a business and make some profit. Her son and daughter helped her in setting up a well-equipped kitchen in her house. She said, “I started by taking orders from friends and neighbors who asked me to cook certain dishes They pre-pay me so that I can buy whatever ingredients are required. In only two months, I became well-known in Makkah.”

Umm Jamil usually takes orders in the early morning so she will have time to go to the market for the fresh ingredients that gives food its best flavor. She has now hired a few maids to help her and she said that she plans to give free courses to girls who are about to get married.