Aya Murad’s journey is one of resilience and determination. Born with less than 20 per cent vision, she dreamed of starting her own catering business.
Her passion for cooking and her finely honed taste buds, developed to compensate for her limited sight, became the foundation of her dream.
Aya immigrated to Saint John with her family from the Middle East, bringing with her a rich culinary heritage and a fierce desire to create something meaningful. A year ago, she began working with the Enterprising Women program at Kaleidoscope Social Impact, a United Way-funded initiative designed to support women in pursuing their entrepreneurial goals.
Over the course of 12 months, the team at Enterprising Women provided Aya with more than 25 hours of one-on-one coaching, helping her refine her business plan, navigate challenges, and take her first steps toward success.
Aya’s journey was supported by a network of organizations, including Options Outreach, ConnexionWorks, and the Community Business Development Corporation. Together, they offered her guidance, resources, and connections.
In August, Aya was introduced to another Enterprising Women graduate, Amy Nelson, a single mom from Grand Bay-Westfield who turned her own dreams into reality by starting a thriving social media business.
Inspired by Amy’s success, Aya gained the confidence to launch her catering business, offering Saint John a taste of her unique culinary creations.
Today, Aya is not just building a business – she’s building a future.
Her story embodies the transformative power of community support and shows how programs like Enterprising Women – supported by generous donors like you – help turn dreams into reality.