Sudduf Wyne – Introducing Lifestyle Boutiques for Muslims

Where were you born and raised?

I was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Steel city!

What did you study?

I studied Materials Engineering at McMaster University and later went on to get my MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business.

What do you currently do for a living?

I’m the owner of Salam Shop, a unique lifestyle boutique for Muslims that operates a brick and mortar store in Mississauga and an online store that ships worldwide (coolest shipment destination so far: Taiwan!!) I’m also a freelance consultant for small business owners, specifically women entrepreneurs.

Did you always want to be a business owner?

Quite simply, yes. I always knew I wanted to be my own boss and run my own business. I hadn’t a clue what it would be, but alhumdulillah, I know now!

What inspired you to begin Salam shop?

I was employed in management at a tech startup / had years of experience working as an engineer for the government / and had also just recently completed my MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business. So it was the logical next step to open up a retail boutique…right?

Not!

I was planning on going to Hajj and that’s what got me thinking about my purpose in life and what I was doing to get closer to Allah swt. I left my management job during July of 2014 (Ramadan) and started focusing on my strengths and how I could use them to better my community and my deen. I love empowering people to follow their dreams and I love dishing out business advice – mostly because I feel invested in each individual’s project and ideas, and their success is intrinsically my success.

I had spent any free time that I had in the last few years connecting with entrepreneurs and business owners through Ivey, my own personal network and my community. What I learned from all of these individuals was pretty simple: life was too short to do something you didn’t love. So… to make this long story short, I opened up Salam Shop and curated the best brands from around the world that focused on products that appeal to modern Muslims. I am a Canadian-born Muslim myself, and I know this is a niche market that’s booming, alhumdulillah.

How do you balance being a business woman and being married?

I don’t like the word balance when it comes to work life and home life. It’s inaccurate. Some days I am 100% Salam Shop and some days I’m 100% housewife. I can’t be 100% for both, right? I also can’t be 50/50 because 50% is almost a fail and that’s just not good enough.

I work in the store once a week as a retail associate and the rest of the week I spend either working in my home office or work office. I do all my cooking on Mondays for the week and my husband and I make it a point to have dinner together almost every night of the week. I clean as I go and laundry, well, that’s one area where I’m a bit behind. Always. LOLWhat can I say, I’m a real person just like your readerswink

Where do you see yourself in 5-7 years?

I see myself as having grown Salam Shop to a few locations and a healthy worldwide presence. I see us as the leaders in Muslim retail, inshallah, with a loyal customer base and following and a household name for high quality products for modern Muslims. I also see us as the leaders in professional business practice in our community and ummah.

What advice would you give to other Muslim women looking to endeavour into entrepreneurship?

Go for it. Stop doubting yourself and just do it. And be professional and grateful, always.