Mother of three builds handbag business from online sales to storefront success

MOSUL — Salwa Adel, a 30-year-old mother of three, supports her family through a handbag shop she opened in Mosul’s Al-Majmoua Al-Thaqafiya area, turning a modest online venture into a growing storefront business catering primarily to university students.

“I’m divorced with three school-aged children,” Adel told 964media. “I started selling bags online after buying them from a trader I know. As my customer base grew, friends and family encouraged me to open a shop.”

Located near the University of Mosul, her shop offers bags starting at 5,000 Iraqi dinars ($3), drawing in students looking for affordable accessories. “Most of the people who buy the bags are university students,” she said. “When customers buy from my shop, they bring their families, relatives, and friends to support me.”

Adel said she initially faced challenges as the only female shop owner in a row of male-operated businesses. “It was difficult at first, but after some time, they encouraged me. Now, I’ve been here over a year and everyone knows me,” she said.

With both in-store and delivery sales, Adel’s shop has become her family’s main source of income, reaching buyers from inside and outside Mosul.

She encouraged other women to pursue their ideas and contribute economically. “It’s a good thing for women to work and support their children,” she said. “I encourage every woman with a home project or a good idea to develop it and open a shop.”

Why pay more for traditional handmade crafts when China makes them for less?

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