As an accomplished businesswoman, Natto learned how to overcome difficulties when she undertook her first challenge — a project to plan and construct a 20-floor building on land belonging to her family in Makkah.

“There are difficulties in life but the most important thing to know is how to accept challenges and start work to develop skills. Just say yes and then deal with the problems,” she said.

Natto was raised in a business family in Makkah from which she inherited her love for trade. She was also aptly rewarded for constructing the building. “My father gave me SR100,000 in addition to a car that cost SR80,000 at that time,” she said. “I considered such rewards very important, especially when I was young — that amount of money changed my life,” she added.

Natto was studying English literature at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah when she undertook that challenge. “I’ve always loved the English language and wanted to learn more about it, which is why I chose to study it ... even though I was interested in learning business as well,” she said. “This is why after graduation, I continued my higher studies in business in order to prepare myself for the future.”

Natto established her company in 1990 and in 2009 it was recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the Kingdom — this further provided her with an opportunity to be one of several Saudi women to be selected to meet Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

“My love for literature encouraged me to start writing weekly columns for Saudi newspapers such as Okaz, Al-Bilad and Al-Eqtisadiah ... I am also preparing to launch a book called, “How to Create Small Businesses” in which I will focus on developing business projects and creating opportunities for young Saudis,” she said.

“I prefer to share the experience I have gained in establishing small businesses by giving a number of lectures to small business owners in towns and cities all over the Kingdom.

“There is a lack of supervision among small businesses in the Kingdom. People who decide to start businesses are not aware of the obstacles and what they need to know before getting started.

“Based on my experience and studies, I try to share the basic knowledge that every small business owner should have, especially in small Saudi towns where there is not a lot of business information available,” she said.

Natto has also met Noura Al-Fayez, deputy minister of education, to discuss the business syllabus taught in Saudi schools.

“In cooperation with the Ministry of Education I am planning to launch a new syllabus and training program called ‘Small Merchant.’ This program will be given to students, both male and female, each semester,” she said.

“This program will teach students how to sell and buy, how to account, how to prepare for projects, how to undertake feasibility studies and how to set budgets,” she added.

According to Natto, the Kingdom should focus more on small businesses by establishing an official organization that trains business owners and follows up on the progress of small businesses. “I started from the JCCI where I launched several training courses in business development, personal development and coaching skills,” she said.

In 2005, Natto became the first woman to cast a vote in JCCI elections — she was subsequently appointed to the JCCI’s board in 2009.

“I received a large number of congratulatory text messages on the morning of that day, but was unaware why. I later received a letter from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry informing me about my new position at the JCCI,” she said.

Natto said she plans to leave a noticeable print at the JCCI. “I want to give importance to women’s issues and consider myself an ambassador for women to the business world,” she said.

“Unfortunately, the contribution of Saudi women in the Saudi business field is considered very weak. We only have the names of two famous Saudi women in business... Saudi women must cross the limits and overcome the difficulties they face in Saudi Arabia, then they will be able to move to other GCC countries and then the world,” she said.

“I have not tried to work in GCC countries because I am weak in my country. All the old systems and rules should be changed to support Saudi businesswomen. I am asking officials to stop styming women by controlling them with old rules, such as the need to have agents and limitations on traveling without prior approval from male guardians,” she added.

“My love for work has been behind the fast progress and number of awards the company has received. The success of any business is not dependent on having a male or female manager. The word “gender” does not exist in my dictionary. We are all human beings capable of doing many things,” she said.