Lebanese Perfume Maker Defies the Odds to Build His Own Fragrance Business

When Abdul Wahid Faytarouni couldn’t find a job after graduating from university, he decided to create an opportunity for himself. In an interview with Lebanese media platform Manateq, Abdul Wahid shared how he turned $30 into a small perfume business.

He traveled to Tripoli, walked into a perfume shop, and began learning everything he could about making fragrances. “I didn’t know anything about it,” he shared. “I learned how to make perfumes, and that was my first step.” That first step eventually turned into his own growing business. Abdul Wahid now makes and sells perfumes, with some local shops carrying his fragrances.

Business can still be unpredictable, but he’s not giving up. His goal is to eventually open his own perfume shop and build something of his own in the industry. And if there’s one thing Abdul Wahid has never allowed to define him, it’s his disability. During university, he studied Computer Science, played sports, went out with his friends, and lived his life normally. He says he never felt that he was missing out because of his disability.

Still, he has faced barriers that have made certain opportunities much harder to access. When he tried to apply for a driver’s license, he says he was told he couldn’t. He also looked into opening a kiosk but faced similar obstacles.

For Abdul Wahid, these experiences highlight a bigger issue in Lebanon. People with disabilities deserve the same opportunities to work, build businesses, and participate in everyday life.

He is calling for the proper implementation of Law 220/2000, which protects the rights of people with disabilities, including their right to employment in both the public and private sectors. For now, Abdul Wahid is focused on his perfumes. What started with $30 and a trip to Tripoli has become a business with a bigger dream behind it.

To support his business, check out Faytarouni Scent on Instagram! If you want to keep supporting local, check out the #Support Local section on our website.

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