1) Rim, what motivated you to start Unbount previously, Yu. Underwear? And why choose this industry?
Rim Haydamous: I never planned on establishing a period underwear brand. I started it unintentionally. At the end of 2022, I grew tired of traditional period products. I grew tired of their many problems. So I searched for a better alternative. At the same time, I discussed with my fiancé the possibilities of establishing a business. That’s when the two aspects of my life merged. They merged to make a positive change in Lebanese women’s lives. They also merged to make the period experience more enjoyable. My own need for period underwear motivated me. My ambition to establish a business with a positive impact also motivated me.
2) Even though you didn’t end up becoming an Architect. How have the skills or knowledge from that field impacted your future career in Media and Communications?
I won’t ever regret studying architecture. Not even failing a major course. In fact, my attempt at architecture did not steer me wrong. It made me realize my creative side leans not toward this kind of art. It leans more toward the visual arts. During my fourth and last year, I had a lot of free time. I studied only for the course I had failed. This time allowed me to discover photography. I taught myself photography and retouching. That led me to videography. And that opened the door to my career in Media and Communication.
3) How does Unbount set itself apart from other brands by providing the same products to others?
Unbount’s mission is to make women feel free, confident, and comfortable during their periods. That’s why our customers are the center of our research. We test Unbount panties on real period flow before putting them on the market. We choose the best textiles. Cotton and bamboo fibers are gentle on the skin. They prevent irritation. Our four-layer technology is PFA-free. It eliminates all risks to the skin. Finally, we listen to our community to create our next item. Their needs are our priority.
“Unbount‘s mission is to make women feel free, confident, and comfortable during their periods.”
4) Rim, as a young entrepreneur, what are some of the unknown struggles entrepreneurs have to face when starting, especially in the context of Lebanon?
The first thing that comes to my mind is the banking system. After its collapse in Lebanon, opening bank accounts is becoming harder. The fees are getting higher. Having a corporate bank account is essential to the business. That’s in relation to Lebanon. But if I want to mention a struggle in general, it would be the amount of time, effort, and money the business needs to grow. One tends to underestimate the attention a business needs. Especially when new to entrepreneurship. However, this path of discovery is essential. It is also an exciting part of the entrepreneurial journey.
5) How do you balance the demands of entrepreneurship with maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
A business demands a lot of time and effort. Most entrepreneurs start their businesses while still working a full-time job. I am no exception. I would be lying if I said I have any work-life balance at the moment. Juggling a full-time job, a business, and a social life is impossible. During weekdays, I dedicate my evenings to Unbount. I also work some Saturdays. I am answering these interview questions at 11 PM.
However, I make sure to keep my Sundays for my personal time. That is for my friends and my family.
6) What is the long-term product plan for Unbount?
I can’t reveal what we have in the basket, but I can tell you that I am dreaming big. We will provide many new items in the future. Which are not restricted to panties. But these will depend on what our community wants. We also plan on expanding our market from Lebanon to Arab countries.
7) Rim, what book influenced your journey through entrepreneurship?
One book completely changed my way of thinking. It was “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. I read several business books after. None had the same impact on me. The book illustrates two dads’ attitudes toward money. One is rich. One is poor. It shows how each teaches his son to deal with money. After reading it, I realized I held the poor dad’s attitude toward money. I needed to change how I dealt with it. These reflections pushed me to start my journey as an entrepreneur.
Stay connected with EWG:
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/executivewomen_/
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/executive-women/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveWomen/
Read more articles: https://executive-women.global/the-secret-ingredient-in-great-marketing-its-stolen/
