Lanay Natural Products: A Journey of Resilience and Innovation
In the heart of Erbil, Iraq, a dynamic startup is making waves. Lanay Natural Products, a youth-owned enterprise, stands as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, Amez Abdullah. Amez is a Kurdish entrepreneur whose proactive approach to business has led her to establish one of the few female-led ventures in Iraq. Her journey is marked by courage and determination, embodying the resilience of both herself and her business.
Lanay offers a wide range of natural cosmetics, including body, hair, and skin care products meticulously crafted from nature’s raw materials. Sourced from plants, minerals, and renewable natural resources, these products undergo minimal processing to preserve their natural goodness, ensuring they have the least impact on humans, animals, and the environment. Designed to enhance and promote the health and beauty of the body, skin, and hair, Lanay’s natural cosmetics also contain nutraceutical additives like skin vitamins to further enhance their skin-nourishing properties. Free from petroleum-based ingredients, our products are a testament to our commitment to purity and sustainability.
Operating from a comprehensive 250-square-meter office space, Lanay Natural Products boasts both sales points and a well-established business front desk. This integrated setup reflects a commitment to efficiency and excellence, showcasing the dedication of Amez and her team. Within this space, a small-scale factory has begun production, thanks to strategic business alliances. With plans for expansive growth, Lanay is poised for a bright future.
Lanay’s products have undergone rigorous testing and extensive in-house market research, proving their acceptance within the consumer base. The startup has a compact team of 3-4 members, and despite its size, it has garnered significant support from investors. This support is due in part to its unique position as the first female-owned startup in Erbil with official authorization for beauty product manufacturing.
The business targets a demographic that is predominantly female (80%) and male (20%), spanning Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and the entirety of Kurdistan. Consumers range from 15 to 50 years old, reflecting the broad appeal of Lanay’s products. Looking ahead, Amez envisions diversifying the product line to include exclusively organic offerings, further cementing Lanay’s commitment to quality and innovation.
Despite the obstacles faced by local and national businesses, Amez Abdullah’s unwavering dedication shines through. Lanay Natural Products eagerly anticipates the opportunities that lie ahead, ready to overcome challenges and continue its journey of resilience and innovation.
GroFin’s financing through the Orange Corners Innovation Fund – OCIF- a subsidy program of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency has enabled Lanay to be a more resilient company, poised to shape the future of marketing in Iraq. The funding helped in initiating the production of 50,000 bottles of shampoo monthly. and purchase of empty bottles to contain the shampoo product. The comprehensive investment plan aims to initiate monthly shampoo production, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality natural cosmetics to meet the demands of Lanay customers in the Kurdistan region.