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Marrakech-native Faisal Baia had the great idea of bringing his home town to a small island in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean through his newly-opened shop. Since 2012, he has been living in Bermuda where he managed to open his own business.
In fact, Faisal’s business reminds him of home, a way of keeping his days busy and an opportunity to showcase the skills of Moroccan craftsman.
«When I graduated university in Marrakech I started working as a concierge in one of the city’s small Riads», Faisal told Yabiladi. «My uncle used to live on the island, so when the opportunity presented itself he asked me to come and seize it», he explained.
Once in Bermuda, Hamilton most precisely, the young man found himself a job, securing a living for the first three years. «After that I started working for a new hotel that had just opened up. I was a concierge and also took care of hotel guest relations», he said.
Selling goods online
However, the dream of having his own business never left Faisal’s mind. «The idea of opening a shop started when I used to go to Marrakech and bring presents for my friends and family there», Faisal told Yabiladi.
«Everybody loved the gifts from Marrakech which made me think of bringing more goods, and sell them online».
Starting through the internet first, the young man created a page online he dedicated to his Marrakech goodies, namely bags, jewelry and cushions. The notoriety of his products went viral, which has pushed the young man to consider switching his activities.
«At some point, I started getting a lot of questions about where we are located in Bermuda», said the 28-year-old Moroccan. Faisal’s online clients wanted to come see the products before purchasing them and opening a store became a must for him.
«I kept an eye on the market to find something that would suit my needs and be practical for my clients», recalled Faisal who managed to finally spot a perfect location.
«Fortunately, one of the shops down town, and which was located in front of a restaurant I used to go to, was available for rent. Once I noticed that I immediately contacted the real estate agency in charge».
He then applied for a vendor license and opened the shop, bringing artisanal products from Marrakech and selling them in Bermuda. The store’s location has been a blessing for Faisal as it is in a busy boulevard visited daily by tourists.
«It’s been now two months that we are open. We are doing well and are trying to bring the best to the market in an attempt to be a good ambassador of Morocco here in Bermuda», he stated proudly.
A Marrakech Market brand
Although he is living now in a different country, Faisal has remained faithful to his home town, helping craftsmen in the city sell their products and creations. «We don’t buy from the market but from the source itself, the men and women who create and work manually on these pieces of art», Faisal argued.
Now, his future plan and dream is to create Marrakech Market’s own brand, an idea he has been discussing with a Moroccan designer back in his city. «We will be making our brand, an exclusive one for the shop here in Bermuda», he excitedly stated.
Faisal has bigger dreams for his career in Bermuda. The man is planning to broaden his business and bring more fashionable and unique pieces to his curious clients. «I was surprised when I first came here as I realized that people knew about Morocco and Marrakech», he said.
The Marrakech market is the first Moroccan shop in the Island which hosts almost ten Moroccan nationals, according to Faisal, a thing that made it hard for him at first to adapt.
«It was hard at the beginning. We are in the middle of the ocean; I quickly felt bored and started comparing the city to Marrakech. shops close at 5 pm and the city becomes empty», he explained. However, Faisal made friends and succeeded in melting in.
