Amina Rashad is a health coach and entrepreneur extraordinaire. Her passion for healthy living prompted her to start the fabulously colorful Glow, which makes clean eating easy for busy people. We sit down with her to talk healthy living, entrepreneurship, and women empowerment.
Health coach, and co-founder of Glow. You truly are passionate about health. When did this passion start for you?
My passion for Health started when I was 42. I had many health issues that disrupted my daily life; constant fatigue, recurring infections and ovary cysts were all symptoms that my body was poisoned with toxins. I went on a detox with health coach Dana Dinnawi and I learned so much. I started to gradually feel better, plus I made physical activity part of my routine. All these experiences made me want to shout all that I learned from the rooftops! I then studied nutrition at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and became a health coach myself.
What were the greatest obstacles you faced in the health industry and as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome them?
The greatest obstacle for me was to create awareness.
At first, when I talked to people about healing your body naturally, I was met with disbelief.
Changing mindsets was hard at first. Now, there is more awareness regarding health and healing.
What prompted you to start Glow? Where did the idea come from?
The idea of Glow started when I began working with clients. Smoothies are tools you can use easily to help cleanse and boost your health.
My clients at the time would ask me to make these smoothies for them. I used to make them in my kitchen and send them with Uber drivers.
Then the demand increased and my husband and I with our friends decided to make it a product. We started hiring chefs and acquiring a space to work in and then we moved to a real factory.
What do you believe sets Glow apart from other brands in Egypt?
We don’t really have similarities with other brands. We are a healthy platform with services. We serve healthy options for busy people, and we are accommodating to people’s needs. Such as removing honey as needed from smoothies or using quinoa instead of brown rice with our hot meals, and so on.
Do you believe health-conscious brands are on the rise in Egypt? If so, what do you think prompted this movement?
It’s amazing how healthy brands are popping up on Instagram. It makes me so proud that we were among the first. I believe this happened because people are sick and tired of being sick. They are discovering that what they put on their fork affects their health, and there is no other way around it.
I also am very proud of all the brands that are led by women such as Granville St., Indulge and so many more.
How can people who want to adopt healthier lifestyles become more mindful of their eating habits?
Being mindful of your habits comes with training your mind set. You have to be more aware of your body and what affects it. Educating oneself is also essential. I would advise anyone to work with a health coach. Health coaches help you put health issues in perspective.
Do you believe female entrepreneurs have a responsibility to support marginalized women in their community? How do you believe this can be implemented?
Yes! Women entrepreneurs really do need to support each other in every way. Competitiveness may get in the way, but I truly believe the market is big enough for everyone.
We all can coexist, and helping each other helps businesses survive.
What are your future plans for Glow?
Our future plans for Glow are big. Stay tuned.
Most Egyptian women have had to answer the question “Hanefra7 Biki Emta” before in reference to marriage, despite any accomplishments they may have already made, what would you say in response to that question?
My response would be ‘Hatefra7i beya’ when you see me happy, wherever I am, whether or not I am married, tante!